It’s National Knife Day week, which means deals on folding pocket knives and other EDC gear.
Blade HQ has some deals freebies. You get a free sticker with every purchase, a free Velcro keychain patch holder with orders over $75, and a free Gerber Dime multi-tool with orders over $125.
There are some decent deals worth looking at, such as the Gerber USA-made fixed-blade Prodigy knife for $34.99.
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The Dime mini keychain-sized multi-tool regularly retails for ~$25 at Amazon. If you had a new pocket knife, multi-tool, or other $125+ gear purchase planned, hurry up and snag one for free before BladeHQ runs out.
I wasn’t going to pick up anything new this month, but the free Gerber offer is pushing me to do some shopping. A reader recently asked for 3-inch knife recommendations (which is the sweet spot for EDC in my opinion), which I’m treating as an opportunity to try something new.
What are you buying? Is there anything you’d like me to buy for testing or review?
Jared
More knife reviews please! Knives I’m currently interested include: Civivi Vision FG & Cubit, Kizer Drop Bear and the Kershaw Iridium.
I’m also very curious about the knives with Tungsten carbide blades from Sandrin.
Stuart
I ordered a Drop Bear this morning. The Civivi Qubit is on my watchlist, I ordered an Elementum II with button lock 2 weeks ago as I’m already familiar with (and fond of) the size and style.
Will keep the others in mind too.
Jared
Awesome! I look forward to your review.
eddie sky
So, how am I to say this, but… $300+ for 4″ knives? Man, I bought a Benchmade back in the 00’s.. I think I paid $50 for it… wonder if worth more now. Damn you collectors!
Stuart
What model are you looking at?
You can find decent larger-size knives for reasonable prices. The Ontario RAT Model 1 (3.6″) is as low as ~$36.
It’s not just collectors; materials, designs, and styles are much different today than 10+ years ago.
Back in 2010, I bought my first Benchmade, a Mini Griptilian for $60. It might have been on sale, I don’t remember the details other than the price seeming a bit low for the time.
When I reviewed it in 2015, the street price was $90. https://toolguyd.com/benchmade-mini-griptilian-knife-review/
In 2016, my updated Benchmade Mini Griptilian was ~$166, but has better steel and handle materials.
https://toolguyd.com/benchmade-mini-griptilian-knife-with-cpm-20cv-g10-handles-review/
Their mini-Bugout now starts at $153.
The same year, I bought a Gerber Commuter for $24, Mcusta for $127, Svord for $14, Viper for $190, Kizer for $77, and Fallkniven for $70.
You can still buy good knives for under $50, but I believe the sweet spot is now $60 to $90.
Ricardo Parks
Walmart has recently had a variety of Swiss Tech knives on sale for very reasonable prices. I ordered two different folders and one full tang knife and the quality and workmanship seem well above what other well known brands are charging for similar models now.
Stuart
Spyderco Delica 4 pricing
2011: $55.19 (purchased from Amazon) “normally $60 and up” https://toolguyd.com/spyderco-delica4-knife-frn-handles/
2018: $75 (purchased from BladeHQ)
2023: $88.20
Jared
I realize this is tangential, but I bought a Delica 4 in K390 with a wharncliff blade recently. I was looking for something lightweight with very slicey geometry and was excited to try a new blade steel.
It certainly slices as well as anything else I own – but I was thoroughly unimpressed with the level of finishing on a knife that cost that much.
Leftover plastic flashing on scales that were slightly misaligned with the backspacer. Sharp edges on the “Spydie-hole” and lockbar. Visible grind marks on the blade spine and lockbar. It was stiff to open and close… it just doesn’t feel like I expected for the price.
It was on sale for ~$150 (Canadian) – which is $50 below normal street pricing). Yet it isn’t near as well finished as my $65 Civivi Hadros (another wharncliff knife with similar dimensions).
I admit that despite their similarities, that’s not apples to apples. The Civivi is made in China with a 10cr15comov blade (pretty much VG-10). Nevertheless, at less than half price, the Civivi has a smooth satin finish on all the metal (blade, liners, clip) with rounded or beveled edges, G10 scales instead of fiberglass reinforce nylon, nearly drop-shut action, perfect centering… I don’t expect Spyderco to compete at the same price level, but I do think they should sweat the details a bit more if they want a premium.
Stuart
That sounds like you got a bad one. Is it possible you got a fake? Or maybe a bad knife made it through QC.
The Delica 4 does not look or feel as it should for the price, but it’s one of my favorites.
The Spydie holes on mine are only very slightly eased, but there are no burs. The inside of the liners have sharp edges.
My best Delica 4 isn’t as well-polished as my Elementum.
Jared
I am pretty sure it’s the real thing. I bought it from “Blades Canada” – which is a major retailer here. K390 has a very slight bronze tint to it too, so I think that would be hard to fake.
To be clear, I still like the knife. The thin blade stock with a high flat grind slices exactly like I hoped. The edge wasn’t highly refined, but it was evenly ground and properly apexed – plenty sharp out of the box. The knife is also lightweight and easy to forget I have it in my pocket. I definitely like the design.
I’ve since disassembled it and cleaned up all the parts myself – I just didn’t expect that would be necessary.
Jared
There’s a lot more to it than just blade length. There are all kinds of interesting developments in knives – the market has exploded with options over the last 15 years.
There aren’t many quality $50 USA-made folders anymore, but there remain tons of highly-recommendable sub $50 knives.
Just like with any other tool category, you can also spend a whole lot more for what some might perceive as marginal improvements. E.g. what’s the difference between a Crescent and a PB Swiss screwdriver? An enthusiast might say its obvious one is “better”, but they also both turn screws.
Powder metallurgy steels, new lock styles, scale materials, and new manufacturing techniques – lots to be excited about!
Rx9
Good point on powder metallurgy. I’ve got a zdp-189 chef knife and it still cuts fantastically well.
JMDavis
Before 2008-2010 your dollar was worth a lot more. Add to that a quadrupling of the price of common steel during Covid (the price is still at least 50% above 2020), and even the same knife you bought in 2008 for $50 should cost at least $80-$120 in today’s market.
Mike (that one)
The technology around blade steels has exploded in recent years. I remember not all that long ago D2 was being hailed as the end all. Now it is an after thought. Premium mid-tech and production knives will have costs driven by scale and blade material. G10 and S20v or CPM154 make for budget great EDC options. I personal prefer micarta or Ti scales but my Para 3 and Native 5 lightweight are my most carried. Exotic powered metals are now taking over like Maxamet, Magnacut or REX45. EDC knives have really turned into a commodity business with so many players – designed in America made in China. If you are looking for an ultra cheap beater, tons of cool options for ulility blade holders. even OTFs. Generally I like to stick with SpyderCo as they have IMO the best heat treatment especially when compared to Benchmade.
Eric
Midway U.S.A. currently has some very good deals on Cold Steel and SOG knives.
Matthew Brennan
I was able to get the Kershaw Iridium Knife in the Titanium Version. The opening action on the knife is quiet, quick and rock solid after opening. It only weighs 3.86 ozs. and the titanium handle feels amazing. The balance of this knife when you grip it feels like it molds into your hand and just has a nice hefty feel too. The
blade’s shape is eye catching and razor sharp. It’s certainly the sharpest folder I’ve owned or tested. This version was available on Schrade’s website for only 3 days at the end of June and it sold out fast. It’s become my favorite pocket knife.
Joatman
We’re in Oregon right now on vacation. Gonna drop by the Benchmade factory on our way to Portland today…….and have them sharpen my Mini Grip. There must be a story as to why there are so many knife manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest.
Franco Calcagni
When I see posts like this one today by Stuart. it usually means I could be in trouble.
I am not a knife aficionado like some of you, but still like and have about 20 or so knives. Probably half of the ones I have are Kershaw, which I always found to be a good value…more so, the made in the US models.
Then I have a couple of Buck’s, Gerbers and some others I do not recall. My latest was a (Benchmade 940 Osborne Folding Knife, S30V Reverse Tanto, Aluminum). I also have the humungous Victorinox…I think it is the Major, or Champion…can’t recall the name. But it is a tool box. It is really more of a conversation piece than practical…but could be useful in a backpack or similar; forget going in a pocket.
I got it as a gift, which is cool , but would never have spent the money to buy one.
I can appreciate you lovers of Spuderco, I know they make great knives and have been established for a long time. Myself, I have always had a problem with the look of them, maybe something that others like most about them. The big hole, high and short looking blade…just does not work for me.
Anyway, we’ll see what I find, as in trouble today.
Franco Calcagni
Not so bad, I got a couple of knives, nothing state of the art, but nice knives at a decent price.
I got a CRKT P.S.D (7920) and a Kizer Splinter Black (V3457N1). I got them a day ago and was looking forward to the CRKT; it is very nice, a bit heavier than I expected but still very nice.
The shocker, to me, is the Kizer, very slim, super light, nice sharp blade, overall very impressed for $55 CDN. The CRKT was $59CDN.
What can I say, these knives were nice but now I feel the bug itching!
928'er
Back in the ’80’s I bought a little Gerber “Silver Knight” with abalone scales. Sometime later I stopped in a sporting goods store to kill some time and walked out with a little Al Mar “Osprey.” I, subsequently, lost the Osprey and had been missing it ever since.
A few years ago I thought I’d try to find a replacement for the Osprey – that’s when I discovered the Al Mar’s story. Since the Osprey was made in Japan, I’d thought “Al Mar” was just the name of a Japanese knife maker.
Turns out Al Mar was an American and a former Green Beret. After he got out of the service, Al Mar got a Masters in industrial design and, ultimately, became head of design for Pete Gerber of Gerber Legendary Blades. Al Mar had designed the Silver Knight series for Gerber. Al Mar left Gerber to found his own company in 1978.
So, by sheer coincidence, I had purchased two knives – years apart – that had been designed by the same person. Unfortunately, Al Mar died of an aneurysm in 1992.
Having successfully found a replacement for my little Al Mar Osprey, I began collecting Al Mar knifes and Al Mar designed Gerber Silver Knights.
I now have 9 Al Mar fixed blade knives, 26 Al Mar folders, and 14 Al Mar designed Gerber Silver Knight folders.
Unfortunately, both Al Mar Knives and Gerber have changed hands several times over the years and are now producing mainly chinese knock-offs and are mere shadows of their former selves.
Stuart
I assumed the same when I first learned of the brand about a decade ago or so.
Jared
Knife Center is also running “knife day” specials. In particular, check out the 9.5″ Ontario Agilite Chef Knife for ~$17. It has 14c28n blade steel (which for a non-powder metallurgy steel, is one of my favorites) – that seems VERY good for the price.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON2520/ontario-agilite-chef-knife-sandvik-14c28n-blade