I miss the Buck 112 Slim select in this line uo, very simple.and functional knife with very good ergonomic. I am using It now for 2 years every day as work knife and still working very good
Thought you kiwis were no longer allowed to have knives 😱😱 BTW ....NZ is on the top of my bucket list destination trips 👌🏼 hoping to make it there in 2022 .... cheers
@@mr.workhardplayhard6550 na, we are most certainly allowed any knife we desire. There are only a few restrictions on what we can buy. They are automatics and switchblade, double edged knives and and knife with a knuckleduster integrated handle🔪🔪😀
@@CadillacDriver yeah not much different in most states here in the US. We can own whatever is available for sale....you just can't have certain knives out in public
Wouldn’t mind this “challenge” being a regular thing. Like go up $25, each pick a knife to carry, but maybe just a 2 week carry time. Although I guess that could get costly.. oh well just an idea. Also kinda bummed to not see anything made in the USA mentioned. Buck slims would have been an easy one.
If I'm bugging out in the woods I can justify spending more than $50 on something but a quality Kershaw or CRKT knife goes for much less than $50 and will hold up to everyday general use.
"On paper versus in the hand..." Such a good point. So many knives look good, seem good, and stat well. So few knives feel good. Feel right, balance right, cut right, with no annoying hot spots or sharp angles. A good knife is supposed to be an extension of the hand. It's amazing how many knife makers get the ergonomics wrong. And getting that right has almost nothing to do with price...
Believe it or not, it does have something to do with price. Contouring is an obvious answer, that can crank up the price on a blade, since that's some extra work, but the engineering and design process costs both time and money. A LOT of money, if you're paying a good engineer and letting them take their time to design something really nice-feeling. That can seriously affect the price of the knife, and the only way to bring that price back down is to make concessions elsewhere.
Should’ve talked about the QSP Penguin! Such an awesome budget option. Also I’ve carried a dozier in aus 8 everyday for over a year, the thing is still going strong
Great video. I learned a lot about knives. I don't pull the trigger on more expensive knives because I am still learning how to use & care for them. I'm a Native American artist. I see knives as interactive works of art. I love the premium & full custom knives. I'd love to make my own customs some day. But I have much to learn. That said I love the whimsical knives like CRKT & Alan Folts Minimalist series. I fell in love with my CRKT SPEW and researched the Wharncliffe blades. Found Mike Emlers channel and his Sea Snake design made by Artisan Cutlery. Bought it right away. Both stay around my kneck. My Kershaw Hotwire stays in my pocket. This was a very informative video. Keep up the great work, gentleman 👍👍👍
I carry the cold steel pro-lite more often than my expensive knives. I started because I didn't wanna damage or use up my fancy knives, then I realized it was a better carry option than the rest. There's a lot to be said about a thin, light weight, folder that is simple with decent steel that you aren't worried about damaging. It's freeing and you'll find yourself carrying every day.
Agreed, I ever so slightly damaged the edge of my Benchmade Adamas and was so heart broken even though you can't even see that damage unless you look at the edge in the right light or look super close.
I’ve been carrying the Dozier since I could bye them for about $16. Came with a clip point blade back then. I carried it while working out of doors in order not to risk losing my more expensive blades, and I found that I missed my Dozier. Bought on each for my two sons. My eldest lost his after several years, so I bought him another that cost me a bit over$20. Somewhere along the way, I let my wife carry my Dozier, and when I asked for it back, she backed away and told I couldn’t have it. Made me very proud of her. When she temporarily lost it, I bought her another. When she found her lost one, she wouldn’t give back either one! Not to worry, each time I had bought another one because all of us had lost theirs, I just ordered two. So I have three or four of them still in the box just in case the Dozier should cease to be made. Damn fine knife, and worth far more than its current asking price. I can honestly say that if I had to pick one knife from my whole collection to keep, I’d immediately keep our Doziers. My wife would concur heartily. Sons would probably do the same
I really liked following this series. As episode two I'd like to suggest something. Seth and DCA always try to guess what knife the other one picked and are usually either close or stumble upon suggestions the other didn't think about but really liked. So the question/challenge: Pick the knife for the other person this time and look for one, judging by your knowledge and questions you can ask them, that would fit the other person really well. I find this interesting, because we always tend to gravitate towards known knives and companies. If you can get this element out of it, it could end up in a real good surprise the other person would otherwise maybe never experience. And then they try it out for maybe one week and come back together.
I don't particularly like the Elementum either. I chose the Hooligan and the Brazen over the Elementum, for my first 2 Civivi knives. I love them both.
Yea..it's the Knives Centre Twins Show.!! Yes guys, we do tend to actually use our budget tool more, use & abuse it, make it work more than expected. My favorite knife is the knife I use the most and it costs me $25, that's the Honey Badger. My twin girls use their sabenza in the outback, whittling, feathering & scrapping tinder off barks. It's a tool design to work, they take it fishing & also helping mum in the kitchen, cutting & preparing dinner etc. But they both also still have & use their $10 folders which I got them when they completed high school. They never leave home without it. Mum has a $15 dollar folder, got her that on our first date and our oldest girl still kept her $20 full tang, similar to the Izulu but smaller. We're not knives people, just enjoy having things that are memorable & sentimental value close to us. Anyway love the segment, should do more of this stuff DCA & Seth. By the way nobody asks Tom what his fav & carry.! Stay safe folks. Greetings from Australia.
I gave the crkt hootenanny to my groomsman 5 years ago. It’s such a great budget knife. Sharp, thin, i could do without the liner lock but for the price it’s great for EDC
Inspired by your previous videos I started carrying a beautiful blue Ka-Bar Dozier in D2 - and have been doing so for more than 2 weeks. Has worked great for me so far, I don't even particularly miss my favourite 200$ folders that much Bought the knife from you, by the way - thanks for your great work!
As I'm sure most of you know, Boker recently upgraded their budget auto model, the Kalishnikov, from AUS-8 to D2. But, it seems they left one blade type off the table for this upgrade. Harpoon, Bowie, Dagger, and Drop Point models are all accounted for, but it appears they're still only selling the Hawkbill variant in AUS-8 steel. Is anyone aware of why this is, or if some site has that model as an exclusive? A D2 Hawkbill auto under 3.5 inches is just the perfect work knife for me, tired of stropping my AUS-8 one so much.
Budget knives have really stepped it up. We live in a great knife age. I'm more of a Rat 1 Tenacious size but I think that's more because of my job. I need a bit more size. I really wish Spyderco would get rid of the 8cr13mov and up to D2 on the budget Tenacious.
The dozier knife is one of the knives I recommend to people who aren’t really knife people but want to see if EDCing a knife is something they want to try. $30 budget has good options
With today’s amazing selections it’s pretty awesome carrying a $50 knife. I personally love my SRM Land 820 Ti/VG-10. It’s hard to beat for $49. The only problem is finding one from a dealer like Knife Center. A choice I would make for easy ordering would be the Civivi Brazen.
@@williamtoole2927 idk Civivi has plenty of great craftsmanship under $100. Now when you get over $300 I’d agree but mostly from $100-$300 it’s name and materials.
@@BrandonGavin_EDC agreed, my brother kind of has a collects/runs a side hustle with custom knives between $1000-$3000 and handling them is so much fun.
Heys guy's...great show. I use my Rat 1 for everything. It still has a great sharp edge after all the cardboard I slice up. My Leek for casual outings and my Ritual for impressing other knife enthusiasts. Keep up the great videos. Thanks again....
I just bought the Civivi Badlands Vagabond in black FRN. I was gonna go with the Civivi Brazen but the size and weight is just too much for an edc for me. While I do prefer G10 handles, the FRN on the Badlands Vagabond doesn't feel cheap or plasticky. And for $40, that's a steal!
Kabar and other lock backs have much better snap closing to reduce the risk of accidentally staying open if slightly dislodged out of the fully closed position. Liner locks, once snagged out of position, will stay open.
Hi David as always it's a pleasure to watch the Knife Channel. David my biggest problem with budget knives is the D2 steel maintenance. I can't seem to sharpen D2 appropiately.
I have the 112. It’s antiquated, so much is substandard: partial hollow grind, thick behind the edge, back lock, steel. The famous Paul Bos 420 heat treat is a bunch of hype. I bought it cuz I wanted to go American. My bad.
@@elconquistador98 there is nothing wrong with Bucks 420 other than it sounds like you want it to preform like S35VN or something. Also the 110/112 are still great knives. I agree that they may be thicker than you like but they are still solid.
VERY hard to beat the Civivi Vagabond at 40 bucks. Great choice, and one of my personal favorites. As a lefty, the elementum being right-side pocket clip only is a dealbreaker for me.
True use shows great design. Gave a buddy a bugout and he tried to use it to open a beer bottle which stripped screws ànd caused the knife to come apart. Great knife by popularity and design. Seen Dutch buscrafters baton with it but don't use it to open a bottle !
There are fantastic blade in the sub $50 and sub $25 budget range. $25 can get you a folder (Ontario Rat 1 or 2, Any Ganzo in D2, Kershaw, Dozier, Buck, Opinel, CRKT, etc.) that will do 99% of everything the average EDC'er needs to do with a knife. And let's not forget Morakniv if we need a fixed blade. As knife aficionados we may want a nicer daily driver in our pocket, but it's not necessary to get the job done. We really need to stop calling $100 knives "budget."
I've carried those Dozier in aus8 for a couple decades now and given many as gifts......very hard to beat for the money....shout it to rat 1......my work knife in pest control and edc for 15 years now
Always an OKC RAT-II fan, but always enjoy some good talks on budget knives. Not everything needs to be "super premium", plus, limited markets - either by bad legislations or difficult relations with Dollar - have an eye for more pocketable options.
I don’t really carry a sub-$50 knife, but I do own a first generation Gerber International Harsey Air Ranger (and I also formerly had an Air Ranger II). These knives sold originally for less than $50. They are excellent knives made with 6061-T6 aluminium scales and AUS8 steel in Taiwan. They are just as functional as the Gerber USA Harsey AirFrame knives I carry as my EDC (154CM steel, titanium or aluminium scales). The Air Rangers are comparable to today’s budget knife leaders, and will never embarrass you. The current Air Ranger isn’t quite as nice, but it’s also a competent knife. One reason I still prefer these vintage Gerbers is because they are all tip-down carry. I really dislike tip-up carry. The only downside of the Air Rangers is the knurling on the scales can be a bit rough on your pants fabric, but the AirFrames are smooth.
Love me some Ortis,, after a 2 year flirtation w/several flavors of Spyderco. As an Old School Guy, I'm drawn immediately to a blade profile thst evokes recollections of my much beloved Buck & Puma, folding hunters which were constant pocket residents for many years, post-Uncle Sam's Army. For everything from packing and unpacking boxes, to string, and emergency duty when the local steak joint fails to provide, it's served nicely for the months I've owned it! Thanks or your extended testing, as these particular programs manage to help those of us who aren't well heeled make good choices from the near blizzard of options! YAAAY👍😁❗️
Hopefully you guys keep this theme going! Very enjoyable to watch and get your opinions on two different budget knives. By the way someone needs to paint the knives center logo behind you DCA!
My question is this: How do you display, store, keep up with, and travel with all the knives in your collections? Okay, sounds like you have a few knives. It got so bad for me that I started to organize my knives in Zip lock baggies. Fix blade for Big Game Hunting. Folding blades for Big Game Hunting. Fixed blades for Trapping/small game. Folding Blades for Trapping/small game. Fixed blades for survival. Folding Blades for survival. Single Blade folding pocket knives. Victorinox & type, multi folding knives. Multi-tools, and last but not least fixed blades for butchering game/fish, etc. Peace, Mo
I find bowie blade shapes especially useful for smaller knives. You can get the thumb from your offhand right behind that tip edge for really fine work, like sharpening a pencil style work.
I have both of those knifes, i tend to grab the Ka-Bar most of the time, although I've had both the colored blade of the Ka-Bar and the standard blade, the color looks cool but it (like Seth has stated) makes the knife a bit stiff and it mars easily, not so with the standard blade, even then just back off the set screw a smidge, a drop of oil and away you go. I think that I don't like the no jImping on the CIVIVI.
Here's an idea I'm throwing out, turn this into a 3 part mini series. You have this 50 dollar knife video, next do a video where you can go up to 100 dollars. Carry and test those knives for 30 days and do a video on those and last do the exact same thing with a knife up to 300 dollars and test and carry that for 30 days and do a final video where you compare all 3 knives you carried. Did the 300 dollar knife perform 200 dollars better than the 100 dollar knife or the 50 or less knife...etc. which one did you enjoy using the most, which one performed the best in your tests, those kind of things. I think it would be a fun mini series to watch
I love carrying $50/sub-$50 knives. I carry at least four knives with different blade geometries for different tasks. Today it's CJRB in three of those spots: Feldspar, Centros, and Ria. Together they're cheaper than the sheepsfoot Griptilian in spot #4. Gotta love that.
Purchased my first civivi last month because of DCA. It was more than $50 though. Still carry my 2 spydercos. I carry the civivi just because it is so fun to play with...as well as to cut random things. My spydercos are for self defense.
Thank you for a nice, in depth review. Just ordered the Civivi Badlands Vagabond. Sadly, I live overseas, so had to order locally. Fortunately, your great videos are available world wide.
Have had the Badlands Vagabond for a couple of months now, and it impresses me with its slicyness. The hollow grind on this makes a thin blade behind the edge which makes a big difference. Being kinda budget, this knife is a very capable EDC, for sure.
I like the entire "challenge" concept. We need more of these. Also, I think there should be Knifecenter exclusive for each knife; the Seth version Dozier and the David version Badlands Vagabond; even if it's just a special color.
My problem with the Badlands is it has a flipper tab and thumbstuds. Pick one or the other. I don't want both. It's almost as annoying as secondary locks.
I've had Civivi's, Spyder's, Rats, Bucks, a pen knife I can't remember the name of rn, and random old school folders, all are relatively high quality, I probably love my Civivi's more, they're just stellar quality above the rest, but that could be because I chose most of those in D2. My fav edc may surprise, it's the Civ Ortis in stainless(black FRN) PERFECT FLIP, It's just perfect imo. I carried a SpyderCo for a while, was not a fan of the finger hole, I know most people are, but that's all I didn't like about it. I don't want a smaller knife over $50, they're far too easy to lose, and once that's happened a few times, you see the logic in sticking to the under $50 options. Thanks to you, and a few others, I'm now a knife addict, so..thanks :P Altho I have found out, that knives are the perfect gift, for just about everybody! :D
No mentioning of the QSP Parrot? I bought it in 440 C for 22 Bucks to jump over the free shipping limit and immediately repurchased it in D2 with Micarta handles for only 29. Best EDC for the price
Price wise I think the QSP Parrot D2 needs to be in there. I love the KaBar Dozier but the QSP Parrot still comes in at a lower price with the materials.
I thought I was a knife guy but then I found the RAT1 and RATII both in D2. Those are my knives! I carry the RATII daily and the RAT1 is always near by if I need something larger. I get seriously uncomfortable at $150 for a knife. I think about losing it or getting it stolen and the extra money really doesn't make a knife that much better. I might try a Civivi sometime but I am concerned a about mucking of the bearings.
I had an elementum and ended up giving to a buddy’s kid. In my opinion it wasn’t worth the hyped. Now the steel will cut Jack is by far one my favorite “budget” knife.
I would like to see more brands other then civivi and cjrb. There are plenty budget knives with good specs on your site that really deserve more recognition.off thr top of my head i can think of Kershaw, cold steel, buck, boker, even fox. All have loads of new knives that need a good check up.
If anyone at the knife centre is a cigar smoker, i'd love to hear their opinions on some of the high end knife companies making cigar cutters over just buying something like a xikar or a colibri
One way to become less-than-thrilled with the Elementum is to buy the button lock version. I'm thrilled to have 12C28N steel, one of my favorite of all steels, but handling the Elementum is just kind of disappointing. I got the Button Lock Elementum a month ago from you, and now it sits on my table while my K390 Endela or my D2 Bestech Eye of Ra goes with me to school every day.
It’s funny what U guys said about not being crazy for the Elementum, I feel the same way! Lol it’s a good knife, I have one but just not crazy for it. Thx
The KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter was my first folding knife... inexpensive, sturdy and a simple design. I liked it then and I have it still. However, as time passed and my exposure to the knife hobby increased, I came to the sad realization that the Folding Hunter had an unforgiveable design flaw... NO FINGER GUARD! This is a hard-use knife and it would be SO easy for your hand to slip onto the blade and leave you with a vicious cut that would definitely mean stitches if not permanent damage.
Define hard use cause if your using a folding knife outside its limitations your asking for an injury already and that's not the fault of the designer that's your own fault then again the whole "hard use" thing is an excuse for people to be an idiot with their tools and complain that they broke it afterword's.
Sometimes I feel like the only person in the knife world who really doesn't get the RAT folders. The ergonomics just don't work for me at all. The handle puts my hand much farther away from the blade than I like, which makes me feel like I don't have control, and if I grab the handle in a hammer or a saber grip, it feels fine, but some time pay attention to how you hold your knives in day to day use. You don't hold them like that. You usually pinch grip them in some manner, and my (very small) hands always feel cramped on the RAT models. If you ask me, the folding Dozier is the obviously superior knife to the RAT series simply because its ergonomics work better. It doesn't really matter that it's cheaper or more poorly executed because when I go to use it... I can actually use it
Love that bugout DCA very nice custom work only custom I have left is my para 3 LW in spy27 stonewashed and acid washed with flamed bronze hardware. 🔪🤙🏻
I miss the Buck 112 Slim select in this line uo, very simple.and functional knife with very good ergonomic. I am using It now for 2 years every day as work knife and still working very good
American $50 knives cost $120+ here in New Zealand.
Also, you can not beat the RAT 1 for *any* situation or person.
Thought you kiwis were no longer allowed to have knives 😱😱
BTW ....NZ is on the top of my bucket list destination trips 👌🏼 hoping to make it there in 2022 .... cheers
@@mr.workhardplayhard6550 na, we are most certainly allowed any knife we desire. There are only a few restrictions on what we can buy. They are automatics and switchblade, double edged knives and and knife with a knuckleduster integrated handle🔪🔪😀
@@CadillacDriver yeah not much different in most states here in the US. We can own whatever is available for sale....you just can't have certain knives out in public
@@mr.workhardplayhard6550 we can't carry in public, unless out hunting. Doesn't stop me having any one of my folders on my waist, everywhere I go.
@@CadillacDriver Right on brother.....Self reliance is the only way 👍🏻💪🏼
You guys just have to do the same challenge about fixed blades. It would be a big shame not to do it.
Yes!
Agreed
Wouldn’t mind this “challenge” being a regular thing. Like go up $25, each pick a knife to carry, but maybe just a 2 week carry time. Although I guess that could get costly.. oh well just an idea. Also kinda bummed to not see anything made in the USA mentioned. Buck slims would have been an easy one.
That Spyderco Astute us such a beautiful design, I just wish it wasn't 8cr.
Right, even D2 would've been great but S 30 V would have been the cats meow for sure
I don't know why Spyderco thinks 8cr is okay for their budget knives. D2 wouldn't be that much more expensive.
@@seizod Right?! If they used D2 in their budget knives I would buy them for sure!
@@tunturikuningas5393 they're Spyderco, they are supposed to be expensive
Even 9Cr18Mov would be waaay better than the 8Cr. The 8 is just too soft and looses it edge quickly. 8Cr should be regulated to sub $15 knives.
If I'm bugging out in the woods I can justify spending more than $50 on something but a quality Kershaw or CRKT knife goes for much less than $50 and will hold up to everyday general use.
"On paper versus in the hand..."
Such a good point. So many knives look good, seem good, and stat well.
So few knives feel good. Feel right, balance right, cut right, with no annoying hot spots or sharp angles. A good knife is supposed to be an extension of the hand. It's amazing how many knife makers get the ergonomics wrong.
And getting that right has almost nothing to do with price...
Believe it or not, it does have something to do with price. Contouring is an obvious answer, that can crank up the price on a blade, since that's some extra work, but the engineering and design process costs both time and money. A LOT of money, if you're paying a good engineer and letting them take their time to design something really nice-feeling. That can seriously affect the price of the knife, and the only way to bring that price back down is to make concessions elsewhere.
Should’ve talked about the QSP Penguin! Such an awesome budget option. Also I’ve carried a dozier in aus 8 everyday for over a year, the thing is still going strong
I enjoy carrying the Penguin a lot, maybe it's the shape of the blade that made them not to add it I the list.
yeah the penguin is awesome, and an absolute steal at the price.
I too carry a penguin for the last two months. First d2 blade I've had. A feel like it deserves a place in that lineup.
The Elementum and Tenacious got me started carrying a knife and they did the job competently. 50 bucks buys a lot of blade nowadays.
The Elementum was my first + $50 knife. I liked it so much I immediately ordered it in s35vn. I now have a Praxis and a NoX in my Civivi collection.
Great video. I learned a lot about knives. I don't pull the trigger on more expensive knives because I am still learning how to use & care for them. I'm a Native American artist. I see knives as interactive works of art. I love the premium & full custom knives. I'd love to make my own customs some day. But I have much to learn. That said I love the whimsical knives like CRKT & Alan Folts Minimalist series. I fell in love with my CRKT SPEW and researched the Wharncliffe blades. Found Mike Emlers channel and his Sea Snake design made by Artisan Cutlery. Bought it right away. Both stay around my kneck. My Kershaw Hotwire stays in my pocket. This was a very informative video. Keep up the great work, gentleman 👍👍👍
hey DCA, when are we going to see a video on seth's collection?? also first comment!
Lol I was typing mine when you sent the comment also yes.
@@TheBudgetguy_K.T lol
Next between two knives should be the Hogue/SIG K320 vs the Spyderco Manix 2
Loving these videos DCA and Seth. I carry alot of sub 30$ knives an never had any issues.
I carry the cold steel pro-lite more often than my expensive knives. I started because I didn't wanna damage or use up my fancy knives, then I realized it was a better carry option than the rest. There's a lot to be said about a thin, light weight, folder that is simple with decent steel that you aren't worried about damaging. It's freeing and you'll find yourself carrying every day.
Agreed, I ever so slightly damaged the edge of my Benchmade Adamas and was so heart broken even though you can't even see that damage unless you look at the edge in the right light or look super close.
I’ve been carrying the Dozier since I could bye them for about $16. Came with a clip point blade back then. I carried it while working out of doors in order not to risk losing my more expensive blades, and I found that I missed my Dozier. Bought on each for my two sons. My eldest lost his after several years, so I bought him another that cost me a bit over$20. Somewhere along the way, I let my wife carry my Dozier, and when I asked for it back, she backed away and told I couldn’t have it. Made me very proud of her. When she temporarily lost it, I bought her another. When she found her lost one, she wouldn’t give back either one! Not to worry, each time I had bought another one because all of us had lost theirs, I just ordered two. So I have three or four of them still in the box just in case the Dozier should cease to be made. Damn fine knife, and worth far more than its current asking price. I can honestly say that if I had to pick one knife from my whole collection to keep, I’d immediately keep our Doziers. My wife would concur heartily. Sons would probably do the same
Civivi does such a great job. I love to gift non-knife-people Civivi's so they Start at a great point.
I really liked following this series. As episode two I'd like to suggest something. Seth and DCA always try to guess what knife the other one picked and are usually either close or stumble upon suggestions the other didn't think about but really liked.
So the question/challenge: Pick the knife for the other person this time and look for one, judging by your knowledge and questions you can ask them, that would fit the other person really well.
I find this interesting, because we always tend to gravitate towards known knives and companies. If you can get this element out of it, it could end up in a real good surprise the other person would otherwise maybe never experience. And then they try it out for maybe one week and come back together.
I never knew CAT made knives yet there micarta fixed blade is awesome for sub 20$
I don't particularly like the Elementum either. I chose the Hooligan and the Brazen over the Elementum, for my first 2 Civivi knives. I love them both.
I wish I would have. It's a very vanilla knife, but vanilla sells
Yea..it's the Knives Centre Twins Show.!! Yes guys, we do tend to actually use our budget tool more, use & abuse it, make it work more than expected. My favorite knife is the knife I use the most and it costs me $25, that's the Honey Badger. My twin girls use their sabenza in the outback, whittling, feathering & scrapping tinder off barks. It's a tool design to work, they take it fishing & also helping mum in the kitchen, cutting & preparing dinner etc. But they both also still have & use their $10 folders which I got them when they completed high school. They never leave home without it. Mum has a $15 dollar folder, got her that on our first date and our oldest girl still kept her $20 full tang, similar to the Izulu but smaller. We're not knives people, just enjoy having things that are memorable & sentimental value close to us. Anyway love the segment, should do more of this stuff DCA & Seth. By the way nobody asks Tom what his fav & carry.! Stay safe folks. Greetings from Australia.
I gave the crkt hootenanny to my groomsman 5 years ago. It’s such a great budget knife. Sharp, thin, i could do without the liner lock but for the price it’s great for EDC
Inspired by your previous videos I started carrying a beautiful blue Ka-Bar Dozier in D2 - and have been doing so for more than 2 weeks. Has worked great for me so far, I don't even particularly miss my favourite 200$ folders that much
Bought the knife from you, by the way - thanks for your great work!
Still carry the knife and love it even more
Need two ferns behind you guys. Lol 😂
As I'm sure most of you know, Boker recently upgraded their budget auto model, the Kalishnikov, from AUS-8 to D2. But, it seems they left one blade type off the table for this upgrade. Harpoon, Bowie, Dagger, and Drop Point models are all accounted for, but it appears they're still only selling the Hawkbill variant in AUS-8 steel.
Is anyone aware of why this is, or if some site has that model as an exclusive? A D2 Hawkbill auto under 3.5 inches is just the perfect work knife for me, tired of stropping my AUS-8 one so much.
You guys are the ultimate knife nerds, and you always make me feel better about my lifelong obsession for knives.
Budget knives have really stepped it up. We live in a great knife age. I'm more of a Rat 1 Tenacious size but I think that's more because of my job. I need a bit more size. I really wish Spyderco would get rid of the 8cr13mov and up to D2 on the budget Tenacious.
I agree, wish Spyderco would up their budget line to D2.
The dozier knife is one of the knives I recommend to people who aren’t really knife people but want to see if EDCing a knife is something they want to try. $30 budget has good options
With today’s amazing selections it’s pretty awesome carrying a $50 knife. I personally love my SRM Land 820 Ti/VG-10. It’s hard to beat for $49. The only problem is finding one from a dealer like Knife Center. A choice I would make for easy ordering would be the Civivi Brazen.
true, but the craftsmanship is just on another level on knives over $100
@@williamtoole2927 idk Civivi has plenty of great craftsmanship under $100. Now when you get over $300 I’d agree but mostly from $100-$300 it’s name and materials.
@@BrandonGavin_EDC agreed, my brother kind of has a collects/runs a side hustle with custom knives between $1000-$3000 and handling them is so much fun.
Like paying 200$ for a chunk of D2... Only the name.
@@williamtoole2927 I bet I just personally can’t see paying that kind of money for a knife as great as some production models are now.
Heys guy's...great show. I use my Rat 1 for everything. It still has a great sharp edge after all the cardboard I slice up. My Leek for casual outings and my Ritual for impressing other knife enthusiasts. Keep up the great videos. Thanks again....
Only thing on a knife that is dealbreaker for me - are thumbstuds. I really dont like thumbstuds. Flipper, or hole for opening.
Especially when the thumbstuds are located above the cutting surface. They just get in the way.
I just bought the Civivi Badlands Vagabond in black FRN. I was gonna go with the Civivi Brazen but the size and weight is just too much for an edc for me. While I do prefer G10 handles, the FRN on the Badlands Vagabond doesn't feel cheap or plasticky. And for $40, that's a steal!
Burnishing tape ? I have been doing that since the ice age and took it for granted. Excellent point no pun intended.
I think the cold steel kiridashi gives the dozier a run for it's money.
I think the lock is stronger on the Kiradashi. Most of my Kabar Doziers are too hard to open.
@@mdubb4855 4043 ss is a steel that isn't seen enough.
Kabar and other lock backs have much better snap closing to reduce the risk of accidentally staying open if slightly dislodged out of the fully closed position. Liner locks, once snagged out of position, will stay open.
In my opinion the best budget knife under 100 bucs has got to be the S.O.G Terminus XR
The Kabar Dozier with the opening hole is much easier for me open. It doesn't come with D2 yet.
Hi David as always it's a pleasure to watch the Knife Channel. David my biggest problem with budget knives is the D2 steel maintenance. I can't seem to sharpen D2 appropiately.
You two work well together . Thanks. Dan in B’ville, NY
What about the buck 110 slim?
I have the 112. It’s antiquated, so much is substandard: partial hollow grind, thick behind the edge, back lock, steel. The famous Paul Bos 420 heat treat is a bunch of hype. I bought it cuz I wanted to go American. My bad.
@@elconquistador98 there is nothing wrong with Bucks 420 other than it sounds like you want it to preform like S35VN or something. Also the 110/112 are still great knives. I agree that they may be thicker than you like but they are still solid.
@@BrandonGavin_EDC Yes, it's a lot of knife for $24, no doubt. I just don't think it belongs on the table with the others.
The CRKT Hollow Point +p is a good 40 dollar knife also Spyderco Byrd line is worth it and a lot better then the Over priced Tenacious
VERY hard to beat the Civivi Vagabond at 40 bucks. Great choice, and one of my personal favorites. As a lefty, the elementum being right-side pocket clip only is a dealbreaker for me.
I love mine. Looks and performance are both what I like. I have fancier folders but it's still my favorite.
True use shows great design. Gave a buddy a bugout and he tried to use it to open a beer bottle which stripped screws ànd caused the knife to come apart. Great knife by popularity and design. Seen Dutch buscrafters baton with it but don't use it to open a bottle !
There are fantastic blade in the sub $50 and sub $25 budget range. $25 can get you a folder (Ontario Rat 1 or 2, Any Ganzo in D2, Kershaw, Dozier, Buck, Opinel, CRKT, etc.) that will do 99% of everything the average EDC'er needs to do with a knife. And let's not forget Morakniv if we need a fixed blade. As knife aficionados we may want a nicer daily driver in our pocket, but it's not necessary to get the job done. We really need to stop calling $100 knives "budget."
I've carried those Dozier in aus8 for a couple decades now and given many as gifts......very hard to beat for the money....shout it to rat 1......my work knife in pest control and edc for 15 years now
This channel continues to get better and better. Thank you for such great content 🙏🏾
Drop point brazen is still one of my favorite knives ever
You guys should keep this series up....do a 75$ challenge a 100$ challenge and so on!
The thing that makes a gentleman's knife is the gentleman that uses it. For me it's the mini bugout blue class 😌
So the CRKT CEO does not convince you as the ideal gentleman's knife?
Kizer mini begleiter for me
Have my Buck 110 Slim Select on me almost every day. Well under fifty bucks, made in the U.S.A., and has been a solid work horse.
Always an OKC RAT-II fan, but always enjoy some good talks on budget knives. Not everything needs to be "super premium", plus, limited markets - either by bad legislations or difficult relations with Dollar - have an eye for more pocketable options.
I don’t really carry a sub-$50 knife, but I do own a first generation Gerber International Harsey Air Ranger (and I also formerly had an Air Ranger II). These knives sold originally for less than $50. They are excellent knives made with 6061-T6 aluminium scales and AUS8 steel in Taiwan. They are just as functional as the Gerber USA Harsey AirFrame knives I carry as my EDC (154CM steel, titanium or aluminium scales). The Air Rangers are comparable to today’s budget knife leaders, and will never embarrass you. The current Air Ranger isn’t quite as nice, but it’s also a competent knife.
One reason I still prefer these vintage Gerbers is because they are all tip-down carry. I really dislike tip-up carry. The only downside of the Air Rangers is the knurling on the scales can be a bit rough on your pants fabric, but the AirFrames are smooth.
Love me some Ortis,, after a 2 year flirtation w/several flavors of Spyderco. As an Old School Guy, I'm drawn immediately to a blade profile thst evokes recollections of my much beloved Buck & Puma, folding hunters which were constant pocket residents for many years, post-Uncle Sam's Army. For everything from packing and unpacking boxes, to string, and emergency duty when the local steak joint fails to provide, it's served nicely for the months I've owned it! Thanks or your extended testing, as these particular programs manage to help those of us who aren't well heeled make good choices from the near blizzard of options!
YAAAY👍😁❗️
Hi DCA, what specific color rite dye did you use for your Elementum?
Peacock Green -DCA
I love Civivi, Cold Steel, and Victorinox in this price range. I haven't had a bad experience with those brands for the money. Excellent 👌
Hopefully you guys keep this theme going! Very enjoyable to watch and get your opinions on two different budget knives. By the way someone needs to paint the knives center logo behind you DCA!
I own two knives and they are both Civivis , a blue scaled Badlands vagabond and an orange scaled Elementum .
My question is this:
How do you display, store, keep up with, and travel with all the knives in your collections?
Okay, sounds like you have a few knives. It got so bad for me that I started to organize my knives in Zip lock baggies. Fix blade for Big Game Hunting. Folding blades for Big Game Hunting. Fixed blades for Trapping/small game. Folding Blades for Trapping/small game. Fixed blades for survival. Folding Blades for survival. Single Blade folding pocket knives. Victorinox & type, multi folding knives. Multi-tools, and last but not least fixed blades for butchering game/fish, etc.
Peace, Mo
If the D2 Dozier had a better blade steel I wouldn't have bought a Bugout.
The steel is literally the only good thing about it
I find bowie blade shapes especially useful for smaller knives. You can get the thumb from your offhand right behind that tip edge for really fine work, like sharpening a pencil style work.
I have both of those knifes, i tend to grab the Ka-Bar most of the time, although I've had both the colored blade of the Ka-Bar and the standard blade, the color looks cool but it (like Seth has stated) makes the knife a bit stiff and it mars easily, not so with the standard blade, even then just back off the set screw a smidge, a drop of oil and away you go. I think that I don't like the no jImping on the CIVIVI.
Here's an idea I'm throwing out, turn this into a 3 part mini series. You have this 50 dollar knife video, next do a video where you can go up to 100 dollars. Carry and test those knives for 30 days and do a video on those and last do the exact same thing with a knife up to 300 dollars and test and carry that for 30 days and do a final video where you compare all 3 knives you carried. Did the 300 dollar knife perform 200 dollars better than the 100 dollar knife or the 50 or less knife...etc. which one did you enjoy using the most, which one performed the best in your tests, those kind of things. I think it would be a fun mini series to watch
Love to see a 25$ one though
I love carrying $50/sub-$50 knives. I carry at least four knives with different blade geometries for different tasks. Today it's CJRB in three of those spots: Feldspar, Centros, and Ria. Together they're cheaper than the sheepsfoot Griptilian in spot #4. Gotta love that.
All great choices! I just got the CJRB Talla and I love that thing.
Purchased my first civivi last month because of DCA.
It was more than $50 though.
Still carry my 2 spydercos. I carry the civivi just because it is so fun to play with...as well as to cut random things. My spydercos are for self defense.
Loved this series! Please do this again sometime!
Thank you for a nice, in depth review. Just ordered the Civivi Badlands Vagabond. Sadly, I live overseas, so had to order locally. Fortunately, your great videos are available world wide.
Have had the Badlands Vagabond for a couple of months now, and it impresses me with its slicyness. The hollow grind on this makes a thin blade behind the edge which makes a big difference. Being kinda budget, this knife is a very capable EDC, for sure.
I like this style of video / review process please keep doing it
I prefer the dozier.
SETH: I bonded the heck outta this knife!
Not an elementum fan either. I don't really like flippers or bearing knives. Thumstud with washers for me. It's also a little short for my tastes.
I really appreciate how thoughtful this video is. Please make more like it.
I like the entire "challenge" concept. We need more of these.
Also, I think there should be Knifecenter exclusive for each knife; the Seth version Dozier and the David version Badlands Vagabond; even if it's just a special color.
It really is a great time to shop for affordable knives.
I own three k bar dozier's.. two with opening holes one with stud ..AUS 8 absolutely love it nice and light... Lockback is very strong
Show us how you open up your Dozier with the opposite hand its set up for if it's your "edc".
My problem with the Badlands is it has a flipper tab and thumbstuds. Pick one or the other. I don't want both. It's almost as annoying as secondary locks.
I've had Civivi's, Spyder's, Rats, Bucks, a pen knife I can't remember the name of rn, and random old school folders, all are relatively high quality, I probably love my Civivi's more, they're just stellar quality above the rest, but that could be because I chose most of those in D2. My fav edc may surprise, it's the Civ Ortis in stainless(black FRN) PERFECT FLIP, It's just perfect imo. I carried a SpyderCo for a while, was not a fan of the finger hole, I know most people are, but that's all I didn't like about it. I don't want a smaller knife over $50, they're far too easy to lose, and once that's happened a few times, you see the logic in sticking to the under $50 options. Thanks to you, and a few others, I'm now a knife addict, so..thanks :P Altho I have found out, that knives are the perfect gift, for just about everybody! :D
Kershaw Cryo. Have others more/less expensive, but the Cryo is my edc.
No mentioning of the QSP Parrot? I bought it in 440 C for 22 Bucks to jump over the free shipping limit and immediately repurchased it in D2 with Micarta handles for only 29. Best EDC for the price
Price wise I think the QSP Parrot D2 needs to be in there. I love the KaBar Dozier but the QSP Parrot still comes in at a lower price with the materials.
About the clip vs drop point, the clip point seems more fighty than the drop point which seems more like a gentleman and working shape.
Seth didn’t talk about the knife next to the k390 spyderco.
Just to remind you, the victorianox super tinker is ~$25, the basic mora knife is ~$9 dollars, and the buck 110 is $35.
For an extra $20, at $70 you can get the QSP Penguin in S35vn and carbon fiber, or your choice of scale material.
I thought I was a knife guy but then I found the RAT1 and RATII both in D2. Those are my knives! I carry the RATII daily and the RAT1 is always near by if I need something larger. I get seriously uncomfortable at $150 for a knife. I think about losing it or getting it stolen and the extra money really doesn't make a knife that much better. I might try a Civivi sometime but I am concerned a about mucking of the bearings.
I had an elementum and ended up giving to a buddy’s kid. In my opinion it wasn’t worth the hyped. Now the steel will cut Jack is by far one my favorite “budget” knife.
The Ontario Rat model 1 was one of my first knives in my collection.
I would pick the Ontario Rat 1 D2 steel.
I would like to see more brands other then civivi and cjrb. There are plenty budget knives with good specs on your site that really deserve more recognition.off thr top of my head i can think of Kershaw, cold steel, buck, boker, even fox. All have loads of new knives that need a good check up.
I purchased an Elementum, didn't care for it, and gave it away as a gift. The handle was too small for my hands and it was just uncomfortable to hold.
If anyone at the knife centre is a cigar smoker, i'd love to hear their opinions on some of the high end knife companies making cigar cutters over just buying something like a xikar or a colibri
One way to become less-than-thrilled with the Elementum is to buy the button lock version. I'm thrilled to have 12C28N steel, one of my favorite of all steels, but handling the Elementum is just kind of disappointing. I got the Button Lock Elementum a month ago from you, and now it sits on my table while my K390 Endela or my D2 Bestech Eye of Ra goes with me to school every day.
I like my Astute. Very good blade geometry and an excellent slicer. 8Cr is not great but it strops well and easy to keep sharp.
It’s funny what U guys said about not being crazy for the Elementum, I feel the same way! Lol it’s a good knife, I have one but just not crazy for it. Thx
Great vid DCA & Seth. Great points and both were excellent at explaining them.
yall fellas are super always enjoy all videos showing what i really enjoy
Excellent video! Lots of good budget options. And also good that TH-cam has the option of watching at 1.25x speed 😅. Keep up the great work!
The KA-BAR Dozier Folding Hunter was my first folding knife... inexpensive, sturdy and a simple design. I liked it then and I have it still. However, as time passed and my exposure to the knife hobby increased, I came to the sad realization that the Folding Hunter had an unforgiveable design flaw... NO FINGER GUARD! This is a hard-use knife and it would be SO easy for your hand to slip onto the blade and leave you with a vicious cut that would definitely mean stitches if not permanent damage.
Define hard use cause if your using a folding knife outside its limitations your asking for an injury already and that's not the fault of the designer that's your own fault then again the whole "hard use" thing is an excuse for people to be an idiot with their tools and complain that they broke it afterword's.
Sometimes I feel like the only person in the knife world who really doesn't get the RAT folders. The ergonomics just don't work for me at all. The handle puts my hand much farther away from the blade than I like, which makes me feel like I don't have control, and if I grab the handle in a hammer or a saber grip, it feels fine, but some time pay attention to how you hold your knives in day to day use. You don't hold them like that. You usually pinch grip them in some manner, and my (very small) hands always feel cramped on the RAT models. If you ask me, the folding Dozier is the obviously superior knife to the RAT series simply because its ergonomics work better. It doesn't really matter that it's cheaper or more poorly executed because when I go to use it... I can actually use it
A nice substitute for the kabar cozier is the buck bantam medium
I haven’t handled one, but the CRKT Pilar III seems like a good option in this category with good design, size, and materials.
Great ergos... but IMHO the blade is too thick and the knife does not slice that well.
Love that bugout DCA very nice custom work only custom I have left is my para 3 LW in spy27 stonewashed and acid washed with flamed bronze hardware. 🔪🤙🏻