How does one approach a video about traditional pocket knives.
Drunk?
Which countries should you represent?
What’s the price point?
How do you choose them?
How do you keep people from bitching about not including a specific knife.
Let me explain my process…
I did some forum research on traditional pocket knives, with an emphasis on world knives…
Read suggestions, researched brands, listened to subscribers, and exchanged emails with
knife people- because I'm not one.
This video might need more than one part because I didn’t get to every knife out there I
wanted to.
They all have things in common.
Budget friendly- I limited my price to no more than $50.
They're easy to get and still being made- none have pocket clips, all are folding knives,
and all but one are produced in countries outside of the US- not named China.
Nothing is inherently wrong with Chinese made stuff- I'm just sick of reviewing so much
stuff from there.
In this video there are 9 knives, and I’ll pick my top 3.
Which ones will be chopped!
I have reviewed nearly all of these individually, so watch those reviews for a better overview
on each knife.
I’ll start with a random order of the knives I like least, and end with my besties.
First up the Laguiole.
(Pronounced Lag-yule).
This is one of the hardest knives to find under $50 in the list unless you steal one-
that's if you want one made by a French person in Frenchland.
Usually if it doesn’t say “france” on the blade somewhere it’s probably Chinese.
Maybe they're made by French immigrants to China.
My particular knife is a G. David, and it’s tiny.
It has some pretty designs on the back spring, a fly I think, fancy brass liners, sandvik
steel- and I want to say olive wood handles.
I bought this off eBay, and was expecting a larger knife.
However it was my fault paying about $50 for a knife that didn’t have a listed size.
This knife is non locking and but has a strong backspring.
I would be very surprised if I ever bought another Laguiole knife- because the larger
ones run you between $50-200- and really are just ornate.
If you’re on a budget and want a basic tool, spending more than $50 is kind of excessive.
You can get a larger one for under $50 but you really have to look.
Next is the Svord peasant.
These knives are about $15 and the company was started in the early to mid 80s.
They have about a 3 inch blade and probably take up more pocket room than the other knives
here.
The styling of this New Zealand made knife really doesn’t do anything for me and it’s
big in the pocket for size of cutting edge you get.
They can be had in many colors, and handle materials, and even in a smaller size.
The Sword Peasant is a non locking friction folder and one of the cheapest here.
There’s nothing wrong with it- just not my thing- the handle is comfortable and large.
Higo No Kami.
This Japanese made knife comes in many sizes, and several companies make higher end versions
of this style knife.
I paid about $25 for this, and like the sword peasant it’s a non locking friction folder.
It’s super easy to sharpen, however QC ain’t good, with iffy blade centering, and the blade
can easily ding itself on the inside of the folded brass handle if you’re not careful
when you close it.
I think it’s cool looking, but a bit uncomfortable to hold.
This is the XL size and the design dates to the early 1900s.
Check out my full review for more info.
The Douk Douk.
Like the Higo no Kami this one is rough around the edges literally.
Expect some sharp handle areas and uneven paint- and it will run you about $20-30 depending
on what size you get.
I have the smaller version with just about a 3 inch blade however there’s a 3 1/2 inch
blade if you need something bigger.
This is also French Madefrom a design that dates back to the 1930s.
I like the way it looks, but since I got the smaller size I don’t use it much.
Also there are better knives in this video with better fit and finish for around the
same price- unless you like knives that look like they've already been used when they're
new
From here on out most of these knives are recommended- we’re not at the top 3 yet
but close.
Now the MAM 2043.
MAM makes cheap knives in Portugal.
Some lock, some don’t, this one is a sheepsfoot style blade in stainless steel.
It uses a liner lock of sorts and costs an ultra cheap $12.
While it is well constructed, it is a simple design and made mostly of wood.
It would make a great every day carry light use knife, but seeing as entirely wood handled
knives can be harder to open when they’re wet sometimes this might be better in dryer
conditions.
Next the Opinel no 8.
This knife comes in many sizes but I got the 8 because it’s in the mid 3 inch blade range.
It has a nice comfortable handle, and the blade can be had in stainless or carbon steel
like the one here.
Carbon steel blades need more maintenance and need to be cleaned and dried after each
picnic to prevent rust- but at $15 this knife is a great value.
The handle makes it a bit big for pocket carry because of it’s bulbousness… and the knife
can be harder to open if it gets wet because the wood swells around the pin the knife pivots
on.
They made a synthetic handled version if you need something for the outdoors and work around
moisture- like a rainy picnic.
Also this blade has a locking neck sleeve.
Ok my top 3.
The made in Spain Cudeman Classic.
This knife don't lock and is similar to the Laguoile, except it's much cheaper and has
less frilly shit.
If you want something in a decent size like the Laguoile with a good fit and finish but
don't feel the need for French artisans to carve designs into the backspring- buy this.
You can find one for $20-$30 on Amazon.
The Case Sodbuster full sized CV.
These knives can be had in the carbon steel version like here, or a stainless and a smaller
size called a junior.
I like a blade in the mid 3 inch range, and this is that.
It also has a nice long comfortable handle, and comes in other color and handle variations
other than Pee like pictured here.
This knife can be had for $20-$60 depending on trim options and sizes.
This is the only made in USA knife here, and it's a reasonable price for Merican made.
Finally, the Mercator K55K.
You can find this knife for about $25 everywhere on the internet- unless you buy it from Best
Made who charges $42 for curating it for you.
That's a great idea- if you'd like to buy this directly from me, it'll cost you $100!
This knife is made in Germany and has a metal handle similar to the Douk Douk but it's well
rounded, painted evenly and costs about the same.
I like this knife because it feels nice in the hand, has a nice flat ground blade great
for slicing, and has a picture of a cat on the side.
These traditional pocket knives are cool and fun- but come with caveats.
None have pocket clips- something I kind of require in a pocket knife.
I hate knives floating around in the bottom of my pockets.
There are a bunch of knives not here- maybe in a future part 2 video in
a few months.