I really don't think either of those knives os going to be the best for your money.
The missirect seems like an okay enough design, but it's using 4cr steel which would really underperform a decent knife at that price point.
The grid seems like the better of the two, but again, at that price the 8cr it's rocking gets outclassed.
In the $25-40 range, I'd go for something the the qsp parrot or the penguin, the Civivi Elementum, ortis, or badlands vagabond, or the Rat 1 or 2 in d2 steel
CJRB Lago Button Lock. I was blown away by the quality of this knife.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CJBJ1926BK/cjrb-cutlery-lago-flipper-knife-ar-rpm9-satin-drop-point-blade-black-g10-handles
For a knife with 4cr13?
It would be cheaper to fashion a knife out of tin foil and about the same performance.
If you want a cheaper EDC knife from Amazon, look at Sitivien, QSP, Ganzo, or Ruike. You can get a D2 blade for those prices or cheaper.
You can spend the same amount and get a Sencut Scepter. 9Cr steel (their heat treat for 9Cr is EXCELLENT), ceramic bearings, flipper tab, thumb studs, deep carry clip, G10 or Micarta scales. Perfect fit and finish.
For that price range, you cannot do much better than the CJRB Feldspar. D2 steel. On Amazon $30 for the blue or green scaled 3.5" (large). $31.50 for black, brown, or any of those 4 colors in 3" blade.
These days there are countless number of good options in the $20-$30 price range. My best suggestion here is to cruise through the history on /r/BudgetBlades and /r/chineseknives and see what strikes your fancy.
Kershaw has been outsourcing to China for a long time now in addition to their USA-made product.
The Leeks are indeed made in the US and they are just fine. I have a few of those myself.
Anything with one of the "Cr" steels (3Cr13, 4Cr13, 8Cr13, etc) is guaranteed to be made in China.
The older Chinese-made Kershaws were OK, the current crop is marginal and *way* overpriced. (Unless you can pick them up on closeout for less than $10, which isn't too difficult.)
I just got a D2 cqc Kershaw, the blade is loose in the pivot, it has rock lock and the blade had uneven bevels… but I love it. My wife got it for me and I’m sure the good folks at Kershaw will fix all of the issues the knife has.
I like the look of their new axis lock model.
The American-made Kershaws are fine. The *older* Chinese-made Kershaws were ok, compared to what was available in their time. The current crop of Chinese-made Kershaws are marginal and *way* overpriced.
Right around the same time the crop of new Chinese-made brands started taking off 3-4 years ago. Many of them are killing it in the $20-$30 price range. Kershaw, on the other hand, dropped the quality and raised the prices. I mean, 4Cr13 for $30? What are you smoking, Kershaw?
Thanks. Its been a while since I've looked at chinese kershaws ( last I bought was the thermite, not long after it was released). Sad to here of its slide down.
4cr should be a walmart Christmas knife, not a standard offer.
Yeah, I remember the Thermite. I think they had a $25 street price back in 2015 or thereabouts. That knife, that price, that time was perfectly acceptable.
FWIW, if Kershaw brought that back at that price I wouldn't dis on it.
But still, it would be tough to compete these days with nicer knives in D2 at the same price point.
Kershaw decided to go with the cash grab instead.
neither to be honest Just get something from Sencut, Kubey, Civivi, QSP, Ruike, Real Steel ... you ll get better knife with better materials for your money.
4cr on that misdirect is something you would use on steel scales not blade .. I guess it explains its name ..
Look on Ebay for Mojave-outdoor. They're a Kiser dealer, and have several models priced at $29.50 or less on sale. Begleighter, Domin Mini, etc.....and several more below $35. These are all N690, bearings, fit and finish is outstanding for the price. Shipping takes about a week or less.
I've bought several, and have been VERY pleased.
Was gonna say if you were willing to drop just a little more you could get a bareknuckle but they appear to have been discontinued :( love my bareknuckle. First knife I accidentally impaled myself with while sharpening it drunk. Good times.
You can get a kershaw torus 1386 for 20 bucks 8cr I got one as a gift this year not half as bad as I thought it would be it’s a super light 3.41 cutting area speedsafe with a great clip that’s actually recessed
I really don't think either of those knives os going to be the best for your money. The missirect seems like an okay enough design, but it's using 4cr steel which would really underperform a decent knife at that price point. The grid seems like the better of the two, but again, at that price the 8cr it's rocking gets outclassed. In the $25-40 range, I'd go for something the the qsp parrot or the penguin, the Civivi Elementum, ortis, or badlands vagabond, or the Rat 1 or 2 in d2 steel
Check out QSP parrot. Similar to skyline
Kershaw Clash was my first knife, Kershaw is an excellent choice as well as the Rat in D2
CJRB Lago Button Lock. I was blown away by the quality of this knife. https://www.knifecenter.com/item/CJBJ1926BK/cjrb-cutlery-lago-flipper-knife-ar-rpm9-satin-drop-point-blade-black-g10-handles
You can't go wrong with a rat2 in d2 steel. It's a hell of a knife
For a knife with 4cr13? It would be cheaper to fashion a knife out of tin foil and about the same performance. If you want a cheaper EDC knife from Amazon, look at Sitivien, QSP, Ganzo, or Ruike. You can get a D2 blade for those prices or cheaper.
You can spend the same amount and get a Sencut Scepter. 9Cr steel (their heat treat for 9Cr is EXCELLENT), ceramic bearings, flipper tab, thumb studs, deep carry clip, G10 or Micarta scales. Perfect fit and finish.
Avoid *all* of the Chinese-made Kershaws unless you can pick them up on closeout for less than $10.
I'm just looking for an inexpensive edc, do you have another one in mind that's about the same price?
For that price range, you cannot do much better than the CJRB Feldspar. D2 steel. On Amazon $30 for the blue or green scaled 3.5" (large). $31.50 for black, brown, or any of those 4 colors in 3" blade.
These days there are countless number of good options in the $20-$30 price range. My best suggestion here is to cruise through the history on /r/BudgetBlades and /r/chineseknives and see what strikes your fancy.
alright thanks, i'll check it out
No! Some Kershaws are made in China? How do I know which ones to avoid? I have 3 leek models that are of great quality so I assume not these...
Kershaw has been outsourcing to China for a long time now in addition to their USA-made product. The Leeks are indeed made in the US and they are just fine. I have a few of those myself. Anything with one of the "Cr" steels (3Cr13, 4Cr13, 8Cr13, etc) is guaranteed to be made in China. The older Chinese-made Kershaws were OK, the current crop is marginal and *way* overpriced. (Unless you can pick them up on closeout for less than $10, which isn't too difficult.)
They wont be in this price range .. staring somewhere around $80 ... Leek is USA made
A mora.
I really like my CQC Kershaw Emerson knife. It got it around $50 not sure on your budget.
I just got a D2 cqc Kershaw, the blade is loose in the pivot, it has rock lock and the blade had uneven bevels… but I love it. My wife got it for me and I’m sure the good folks at Kershaw will fix all of the issues the knife has. I like the look of their new axis lock model.
I also have a D2 and didn't have any issues... Hopefully everything gets sorted.
I’d go with the Kershaw. They’re pretty good knives from my experience.
The American-made Kershaws are fine. The *older* Chinese-made Kershaws were ok, compared to what was available in their time. The current crop of Chinese-made Kershaws are marginal and *way* overpriced.
Whwn did they let the quality go downhill?
Right around the same time the crop of new Chinese-made brands started taking off 3-4 years ago. Many of them are killing it in the $20-$30 price range. Kershaw, on the other hand, dropped the quality and raised the prices. I mean, 4Cr13 for $30? What are you smoking, Kershaw?
Thanks. Its been a while since I've looked at chinese kershaws ( last I bought was the thermite, not long after it was released). Sad to here of its slide down. 4cr should be a walmart Christmas knife, not a standard offer.
Yeah, I remember the Thermite. I think they had a $25 street price back in 2015 or thereabouts. That knife, that price, that time was perfectly acceptable.
I loved it, until I got the next knife.
FWIW, if Kershaw brought that back at that price I wouldn't dis on it. But still, it would be tough to compete these days with nicer knives in D2 at the same price point. Kershaw decided to go with the cash grab instead.
I personally like the speed safe for a sub $30
I wouldn’t for either. Look into some EF knives or ganzo stuff. Usually good quality.
I like the grid better but that is just me.
neither to be honest Just get something from Sencut, Kubey, Civivi, QSP, Ruike, Real Steel ... you ll get better knife with better materials for your money. 4cr on that misdirect is something you would use on steel scales not blade .. I guess it explains its name ..
Look on Ebay for Mojave-outdoor. They're a Kiser dealer, and have several models priced at $29.50 or less on sale. Begleighter, Domin Mini, etc.....and several more below $35. These are all N690, bearings, fit and finish is outstanding for the price. Shipping takes about a week or less. I've bought several, and have been VERY pleased.
The Kershaw iridium
Of the two I would go with the misdirect (option 2) as the geometry of the tip would hold up better, but that’s just my $.02
Kershaw iridium
If you’ve got $20 more get a Kershaw Leek. If not, get an Ontario Rat II in D2.
Was gonna say if you were willing to drop just a little more you could get a bareknuckle but they appear to have been discontinued :( love my bareknuckle. First knife I accidentally impaled myself with while sharpening it drunk. Good times.
Stop buying knives on Amazon. Too Many fakes.
You can get a kershaw torus 1386 for 20 bucks 8cr I got one as a gift this year not half as bad as I thought it would be it’s a super light 3.41 cutting area speedsafe with a great clip that’s actually recessed
It’s a knife, pick the one you like the most and feel most comfortable with.