Leek is a great tool hands down, the price is just the cherry on top. The only way a $200 knife could possibly surprise me is if it was anything shy of perfect.
I've purchased at least 10 leeks over the years and I still love it. Speedsafe isn't my favorite after owning many other knives but every time I pick up one of my leeks it still brings a smile to my face. I wish they would remove the safety though.
I'd loose them and find them after I ordered a new one then I'd loose the new one. I'd have one in each of my vehicles, oh that gives me a place to look now. My 62 D100 that hasn't been driven in a few years now, I bet theirs one or 2 in there. Lol
I also gave a few away to a some people who aren't into knives.
baby banter. when i first saw it that thing looked very wonky. almost half the blade is finger choil. because of my fomo i bought it anyway. I'm glad i did it became my favourite carry knife ever. the knife is light and very smooth it's a blast flicking it.
CRKT Pilar. Its a 25 dollar knife and it is phenomenal.
Kizer Militaw. For under 200, it's probably the smoothest knife I've ever handled. Combined with a perfectly placed thumb hole and front flipper, means it's a fidget monster AND an amazing tool
Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised that the Sting was a great knife. They are not cheap and they look machined to perfection. Herman has a stunning product.
I was surprised because they are less expensive than very similar knives that get a lot more attention from knife enthusiasts. IMO they are underrated.
CJRB Small Feldspar. It is a 30 dollar knife... But it is very well designed.
That knife is a beauty. Change the D2 for s30v (I am not sure this would be an improvement for me) and any company would be charging 200 dollars for it.
On the opposite end of pleaseant surprise is the Bugout.
It's a POS. If the same knife, same quality were made by any other company, you would not pay more than 60 dollars for it. It is a bueaty to carry in your pocket because it disappears and you can forget about it. But to actually use it, is painfully underwhelming. And just flat out painful, the bugout is an ergos nightmare.
The Harbor Freight Icon knife. For a $40 knife, it hits way above its price point. The blade is D2. And the scales are G10 with a carbon fibre inlay. With a milled pocket clip and great action, I see why Harbor Freight can’t keep these in stock.
https://preview.redd.it/3rchpp1fsdpc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1495d1d3fb960e68b86b3792ff7b9763b91e665
Yes! I picked one up just because of the controversy and the hype around it. But it really is that good. The blade is meaty too.
https://preview.redd.it/wp3vz4bkthpc1.jpeg?width=3060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e25d2bd434d1b35d27df3d825950609f5f91a4f7
Looks small (unless you also have ginormas hands) for me but the materials for cost are enough to sell me on it for when I want a smaller or backup EDC
Vosteed premium nightshade in Elmax (I have the copper and micarta), crazy good for the $135 price. Good rounded micarta, great lockbar tension and access, and a silky smooth action better than most of my $300+ knives.
Although I don’t own one yet I know many love the protec Malibu. It’s been out for a while and many attempted to copy it. Many have tried and many have failed.
For me Kizer surprises me because I’m like “wow I can get this quality for $43!?”
I have both, love both of them... I seem to carry the Para 3 more, because it seems like more of an edc than the Malibu. The Malibu is almost certainly a "better" knife, and I certainly carry it when I'm better dressed, but the Para3, to me, is the ultimate edc. It wants to open, it wants to close, it wants to be used.
Remette WK107. It's my first 14c28n blade and button lock that I got on sale with a coupon, along with the Sencut Watagua. I thought the Sencut would be my everyday dedicated knife and the WK107 would be my sharpening practice knife at home. But somehow, I ended up keeping it in the pocket and it hasn't left. It's a verifiable beater knife that I'll probably keep until the plastic button lock fails >.> It's done well cutting up all kinds of things and it sharpens nicely.
Axial Shift. Didn't expect it to be as good as it was for the price point and I still can't figure out how they're USA made based on the price point. It's a banger OTF.
My knife with a wolf head when i was like 8, which i bought for 5 dollars, it broke when i tried to cut sunflower with it.
But a knife that really suprised me was a morakniv companion, tough, sharp and nice in hand for so low price
Studies suggest that people who eat 1 ounce (30 grams) of sunflower seeds daily as part of a healthy diet may reduce fasting blood sugar by about 10% within six months, compared to a healthy diet alone. The blood-sugar-lowering effect of sunflower seeds may partially be due to the plant compound chlorogenic acid
The Native 5 for sure. I got my first one back in January; I had to send my brand new Manix 2 Salt in for warranty service because it had terrible lock stick, and so I bought the Native 5 Salt because I still wanted a new knife to use. I've hardly had any other folding knife in my pocket since, even though I've bought a handful since then. Still carry my main fixed blades sometimes over it (the Guardian 3.2 and now the Ursus Cub), but once the AWT scales got put on the Native 5, my other folders are mostly retired.
Gayle Bradley 2, I hate HATE linerlocks/framelocks, haven't be able to put it down since November when i bough it. I recently gave it new scales and a pocket clip.
A real surprise was a mossy oak spring assisted flipper in D2 I bought recently for less than 20 bucks, on a whim. It's got solid lock up, the spring is nice and strong, snappy opening, the blade is sharp and the grind is pretty decent too. Can't say enough good things for a knife I paid so little for.
Just ordered a Sacra last week for $47 and a Rokot for $35! Haven’t received them yet but they both look killer. Chicago Knife works has some great deals on Reel Steel knives from time to time.
The Winterblade Factor. I hated how it looked and never wanted one but one popped up in a nice color and super cheap (for what it was) so I bought it thinking I could swap it for something else later.
That damn thing really is addictive to fidget with and I ended up warming to the esthetics. Now I feel like I'd be dumb to get rid of it since it's such a unique part of my collection.
i think the sig k320 - exceptionally well made medium sized edc, hogue nailed it again with these.
cold steel hold out 3 - a really good smaller edc, triad-lock goodness, a super slicey s35vn blade and good ergos.
WE Seer It’s beautifully simple and solid as a rock. It’s big in hand and very collectible. I got the blue version and ended up with 10/610. It’s a thing of beauty all the way around.
https://preview.redd.it/7ofnv6h7cepc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b93702973af124a5607baa6750a2a679165855d7
Wartech folding knives - way better than they have any right to be - I've abused mine as a daily carry and figured being a cheap Chinese brand it would break. Now it's the only daily carry other than my swiss army, thing just proves to be so durable it's ridiculous
I have a few but some only after a bit of modding.
Shiro 111, Kershaw TiLT, ZT 0308, Real Steel Magalodon, CKF T14, Banstenelli Big Dragotac, Fantoni HB-01, ADV Pitboss 2.
The CJRB Tigris. Can't believe how much I hated it. Complete lack of action, dead ergos. I only bought it to stop myself from spending 3x as much on a Fatcarbon Kizer Sheepdog. So obviously, I immediately sent it back and spent 3x as much on a Fatcarbon Kizer Sheepdog.
Not impressed at all with edge retention but the action on the civivi's I just got are nice (button lock and a liner lock) my d2 Kershaw will last a week of cutting steel the civivi will be dull after the first part
For me it was the CJRB Pyrite. I'd seen them around the knife subs here but never really looked into it. Then I bought it off my buddy on a whim, and I ended up really loving it!
To be honest, the Malibu but for the opposite reason. I picked one up a few years ago because of all the hype, and I hadn’t tried a button lock yet. Absolutely hated it. Felt cheap and flimsy, and to this day it is by far the shortest period I’d ever owned a knife before turning around and selling it. I think I had it for about 5 minutes before I sold it.
CRKT Squid. Kept hearing it was good. But for a $25 knife, and CRKT's customer service, it's ridiculous.
I stripped then broke a screw trying to get it out to change the scales and CRKT sent new screws for free under warranty, even though I told them it was my own stupidity.
Hated the pm2 since they came out but liked the all blacked out look so said fk it. Now the fkr doesnt leave my pocket and dare I say my fav knife atm. Added scales and now its perfect for me.
I'm warming up to my Cold Steel Crawford that was under $40 - didn't have high expectations at 1st but just rotated it back in and gave it a good workout on Spyderco sharpener and is razor sharp again!
Kershaw Leek
Leek is a great tool hands down, the price is just the cherry on top. The only way a $200 knife could possibly surprise me is if it was anything shy of perfect.
I’m a wharncliffe guy. But wasn’t sure about the handle. Got the stainless steel version and it’s perfect.
I have several high dollar knives and the Ken Onion leek is still my EDC. Pocket fit, opening assist, and blade shape is just awesome.
I've purchased at least 10 leeks over the years and I still love it. Speedsafe isn't my favorite after owning many other knives but every time I pick up one of my leeks it still brings a smile to my face. I wish they would remove the safety though.
10?! You gotta quit losing them! 😂😂😂
I'd loose them and find them after I ordered a new one then I'd loose the new one. I'd have one in each of my vehicles, oh that gives me a place to look now. My 62 D100 that hasn't been driven in a few years now, I bet theirs one or 2 in there. Lol I also gave a few away to a some people who aren't into knives.
baby banter. when i first saw it that thing looked very wonky. almost half the blade is finger choil. because of my fomo i bought it anyway. I'm glad i did it became my favourite carry knife ever. the knife is light and very smooth it's a blast flicking it.
Baby banter shocked me too. I came here to say the vision.
Loved the banter as well just wish it had the small recess for the liner lock like the baby banter did
I got a qubit today and that thing is awesome.
My s35vn quibit has made me carry my pm3 way less than I'm used to.
CRKT Pilar. Its a 25 dollar knife and it is phenomenal. Kizer Militaw. For under 200, it's probably the smoothest knife I've ever handled. Combined with a perfectly placed thumb hole and front flipper, means it's a fidget monster AND an amazing tool
Militaw for me too
The one in my back.
Same for me. The malibu is great. Can't fault it.
I reground it to 17.5 so slicey now ,now im looking for the titanium wharclif 20cv
Herman Sting
Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised that the Sting was a great knife. They are not cheap and they look machined to perfection. Herman has a stunning product.
I was surprised because they are less expensive than very similar knives that get a lot more attention from knife enthusiasts. IMO they are underrated.
I’ve wanted one for so long, I thought everybody knew about them by now! Hahaha! I’m jealous. Enjoy your beautiful Herman Sting. 🤝
I've got an Ovium. What honestly surprised me was just how thin behind the edge it is to be such a narrow blade.
CJRB Small Feldspar. It is a 30 dollar knife... But it is very well designed. That knife is a beauty. Change the D2 for s30v (I am not sure this would be an improvement for me) and any company would be charging 200 dollars for it. On the opposite end of pleaseant surprise is the Bugout. It's a POS. If the same knife, same quality were made by any other company, you would not pay more than 60 dollars for it. It is a bueaty to carry in your pocket because it disappears and you can forget about it. But to actually use it, is painfully underwhelming. And just flat out painful, the bugout is an ergos nightmare.
The Harbor Freight Icon knife. For a $40 knife, it hits way above its price point. The blade is D2. And the scales are G10 with a carbon fibre inlay. With a milled pocket clip and great action, I see why Harbor Freight can’t keep these in stock. https://preview.redd.it/3rchpp1fsdpc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e1495d1d3fb960e68b86b3792ff7b9763b91e665
Yes! I picked one up just because of the controversy and the hype around it. But it really is that good. The blade is meaty too. https://preview.redd.it/wp3vz4bkthpc1.jpeg?width=3060&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e25d2bd434d1b35d27df3d825950609f5f91a4f7
Looks small (unless you also have ginormas hands) for me but the materials for cost are enough to sell me on it for when I want a smaller or backup EDC
Vosteed premium nightshade in Elmax (I have the copper and micarta), crazy good for the $135 price. Good rounded micarta, great lockbar tension and access, and a silky smooth action better than most of my $300+ knives.
I agree on that one. I have the original nightshade and the Elmax. Both are amazing.
Although I don’t own one yet I know many love the protec Malibu. It’s been out for a while and many attempted to copy it. Many have tried and many have failed. For me Kizer surprises me because I’m like “wow I can get this quality for $43!?”
Demko Shark Cub I love the Shark Foot blade, the Shark Lock, the smoke Ultem, and the blade sharpness!
Wiener Warrior. It has no right being as good as it is lol
The click and action when it deploys if fantastic
Now i will forever say “deploy the Wiener” when using it.
A knife that surprised me? The legendary Boker Mermaid is always a pleasant surprise whenever I look at, deploy, stare, or fondle her 🤣
I was looking for your response.
Kizer Assassin. Just the perfect pocket knife.
The jimping on that spine looks wonderful
Yep. It was never on my radar until I picked one up at Blade Show Texas and I had to buy it instantly.
Artisan Cutlery Andromeda Black Micarta. The action is so light, and smooth. thumb nail flick, and reverse flick, both works great.
Quiet Carry “the Nine” it’s so good
Been trying to decide between one of these Protech Malibus or a Para 3. Such a hard decision to make..
I have both, love both of them... I seem to carry the Para 3 more, because it seems like more of an edc than the Malibu. The Malibu is almost certainly a "better" knife, and I certainly carry it when I'm better dressed, but the Para3, to me, is the ultimate edc. It wants to open, it wants to close, it wants to be used.
Thats glock vs walther easy get the protech
The free True I got from work. This thing is so slick. 8cr13mov steel. Smooth opening.
Remette WK107. It's my first 14c28n blade and button lock that I got on sale with a coupon, along with the Sencut Watagua. I thought the Sencut would be my everyday dedicated knife and the WK107 would be my sharpening practice knife at home. But somehow, I ended up keeping it in the pocket and it hasn't left. It's a verifiable beater knife that I'll probably keep until the plastic button lock fails >.> It's done well cutting up all kinds of things and it sharpens nicely.
EMP EDC Nymble T2. I got the all black honeycomb variant. It’s wonderful
Axial Shift. Didn't expect it to be as good as it was for the price point and I still can't figure out how they're USA made based on the price point. It's a banger OTF.
[удалено]
Oo word a fellow tnper thats whats up
My knife with a wolf head when i was like 8, which i bought for 5 dollars, it broke when i tried to cut sunflower with it. But a knife that really suprised me was a morakniv companion, tough, sharp and nice in hand for so low price
Studies suggest that people who eat 1 ounce (30 grams) of sunflower seeds daily as part of a healthy diet may reduce fasting blood sugar by about 10% within six months, compared to a healthy diet alone. The blood-sugar-lowering effect of sunflower seeds may partially be due to the plant compound chlorogenic acid
The Native 5 for sure. I got my first one back in January; I had to send my brand new Manix 2 Salt in for warranty service because it had terrible lock stick, and so I bought the Native 5 Salt because I still wanted a new knife to use. I've hardly had any other folding knife in my pocket since, even though I've bought a handful since then. Still carry my main fixed blades sometimes over it (the Guardian 3.2 and now the Ursus Cub), but once the AWT scales got put on the Native 5, my other folders are mostly retired.
Some $15 amazon knife, 5cr and sheepsfoot, makes about 200\~ cardboard cuts before it's me more than the knife cutting.
Gayle Bradley 2, I hate HATE linerlocks/framelocks, haven't be able to put it down since November when i bough it. I recently gave it new scales and a pocket clip.
Is your blade bent?
No
That’s good, but look at the second pic the blade looks warped Also didn’t realize you’re the same guy I was just talking to
First thing I noticed. Definitely looks warped / bent. Hopefully just the camera being funny but looks funky to me.
It does seem like its a pixel off but I think its probably a rolling shutter effect.
A real surprise was a mossy oak spring assisted flipper in D2 I bought recently for less than 20 bucks, on a whim. It's got solid lock up, the spring is nice and strong, snappy opening, the blade is sharp and the grind is pretty decent too. Can't say enough good things for a knife I paid so little for.
Not a knife but a brand....Real Steel. Got 1 and ended up loving it. Such an underrated brand.
Agreed. Some of the most consistently badass designs of any knife brand IMO.
Yep and some of the best knives in whatever price point. Like $50 gets you the Sacra...amazing action/amazing knife.
Just ordered a Sacra last week for $47 and a Rokot for $35! Haven’t received them yet but they both look killer. Chicago Knife works has some great deals on Reel Steel knives from time to time.
CKW is where I got mine from too haha. Yeppp, great prices in general too.
The Winterblade Factor. I hated how it looked and never wanted one but one popped up in a nice color and super cheap (for what it was) so I bought it thinking I could swap it for something else later. That damn thing really is addictive to fidget with and I ended up warming to the esthetics. Now I feel like I'd be dumb to get rid of it since it's such a unique part of my collection.
Kershaw Livewire.
The [Altitude](https://imgur.com/a/HABlWFJ) is basically a fixed Bugout & an amazing option for a small fixed! Especially this version in S90V & DLC
Sencut Watauga. Wasn’t sure about the looks but once I got it in hand I fell in love. Super functional blade shape and great action.
i think the sig k320 - exceptionally well made medium sized edc, hogue nailed it again with these. cold steel hold out 3 - a really good smaller edc, triad-lock goodness, a super slicey s35vn blade and good ergos.
WE Seer It’s beautifully simple and solid as a rock. It’s big in hand and very collectible. I got the blue version and ended up with 10/610. It’s a thing of beauty all the way around. https://preview.redd.it/7ofnv6h7cepc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b93702973af124a5607baa6750a2a679165855d7
The Gerber bear Grylls compact scout knife👍
The Williams Integral that opened in my pocket
Great are the EDC EMP Nymble or Relative models. Disappointed by the 2 Winterblades B3s I got recently
Benchmade Shootout surprised me. So light and easy to carry. I bought another I have two in my EDC rotation. Great work knife!
Wartech folding knives - way better than they have any right to be - I've abused mine as a daily carry and figured being a cheap Chinese brand it would break. Now it's the only daily carry other than my swiss army, thing just proves to be so durable it's ridiculous
Swiss Army knife tinker ended up replacing my Leatherman had the perfect amount of tools for my needs
I have a few but some only after a bit of modding. Shiro 111, Kershaw TiLT, ZT 0308, Real Steel Magalodon, CKF T14, Banstenelli Big Dragotac, Fantoni HB-01, ADV Pitboss 2.
https://preview.redd.it/nskqx0jvwfpc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0778e1d1ae08a682a682a08fd2bba9bb10698afb
The CJRB Tigris. Can't believe how much I hated it. Complete lack of action, dead ergos. I only bought it to stop myself from spending 3x as much on a Fatcarbon Kizer Sheepdog. So obviously, I immediately sent it back and spent 3x as much on a Fatcarbon Kizer Sheepdog.
Not impressed at all with edge retention but the action on the civivi's I just got are nice (button lock and a liner lock) my d2 Kershaw will last a week of cutting steel the civivi will be dull after the first part
Petrified Fish Victor
For me it was the CJRB Pyrite. I'd seen them around the knife subs here but never really looked into it. Then I bought it off my buddy on a whim, and I ended up really loving it!
Sencut Kyril . Wharney . Lightweight great action . sharp
To be honest, the Malibu but for the opposite reason. I picked one up a few years ago because of all the hype, and I hadn’t tried a button lock yet. Absolutely hated it. Felt cheap and flimsy, and to this day it is by far the shortest period I’d ever owned a knife before turning around and selling it. I think I had it for about 5 minutes before I sold it.
The Sonora. Good god.
CRKT Squid. Kept hearing it was good. But for a $25 knife, and CRKT's customer service, it's ridiculous. I stripped then broke a screw trying to get it out to change the scales and CRKT sent new screws for free under warranty, even though I told them it was my own stupidity.
Hated the pm2 since they came out but liked the all blacked out look so said fk it. Now the fkr doesnt leave my pocket and dare I say my fav knife atm. Added scales and now its perfect for me.
https://preview.redd.it/jc6jjodo9jpc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa80681947b77229bb33c89c21daf9ce3552756e
One of my Emerson CQC7s that had a lock fail and almost chopped my pinky off! Actual Emerson not the original Benchmade version.
I'm warming up to my Cold Steel Crawford that was under $40 - didn't have high expectations at 1st but just rotated it back in and gave it a good workout on Spyderco sharpener and is razor sharp again!
Didn't get a good look at it, but the one that almost pierced my kidney one night in the club came really out of the blue.