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I know you did this awhile ago... but man... Civivi has had replacement titanium pocket clips for a hot minute now with options for a Bunch of their knives. Gotta get one of those for your Chevalier if you haven't already.
I got the Chevalier back in May, it was like $65 on Amazon and it’s worth every penny. I’ve moved houses since I bought it, so it has gone through around 100 boxes and it is still in great shape. I’ve used it to sharpen sticks for cooking over a camp fire, I’ve used it to tighten loose screws, and I’ve used it for carving wood when my IKEA furniture didn’t fit right. It’s perfectly durable, it’s only been sharpened once since May and I’ve only had to tighten the screws once as well.
Mine has a small issue fyi, the button lock was sticky, It's been completely stuck in unlocked for a month, support says it is a known issue with the wood expanding, I could send it back and they would sand the button hole or I could do it myself
I know people are sick of the Elementum hype but it’s my personal favorite EDC. You mentioned that the styling is sort of bland but I find it to look handsome, sleek and gentlemanly with very solid ergonomics. It also has as a great blade shape with a very refined aesthetic. I prefer the more flashy ones but the base model is a perfect beginner knife. It’s still my number one recommendation for noobs.
I personally think the Elementum design is one the nicest looking ever. While I do like the button lock Elementum as is, as an option, if they made another button lock Elementum, in both sizes, with a functional thumb stud (so a “detent” rather than being locked closed), they would easily be top sellers (due to legalities). Add in some WE options in 20CV and titanium, and it could be my all-time favorite knife. I would prefer an unobtrusive thumb stud instead of a flipper tab….cleaner lines.
I have the Penguin and it’s fantastic for $35 or so, a little heavy IMO but still a must own. My pick under $30 would be the Kabar Dozier. I’ve had mine for years and never sharpened it and it’s still an awesome little knife. Another for the list (or my list) is the Kizer Infinity and the Civivi mini Praxis. Both are $35 or so and a must have budget knife
I got the Chevalier for my birthday last month and it really is perfect. It’s slim and light in your pocket, has a good sized blade with a shape that makes it great for opening packages. And it looks amazing.
Most of my knife collection are 'budget' knives. I have had really good experience with D-2 steel. I also like 14C28N for a budget steel and have quite a few knives with 14c28n. (I know some manufacturers do a better job than others when it comes to these 'budget' steels). I have always regarded D-2 as a more upper 'budget' to a mid-grade range steel compared to 14c28n. It has better edge retention and is almost completely stainless. I have never had a problem with any rusting or staining. D-2 may be easier to get which may bring the cost down. I think it is a better overall steel than14c28n especially at the price point. It seems that the cost of some knives with 14c28n are a little over-priced compared to D-2 because of all the attention it has been getting. What are your thoughts on comparing these 2 steels ?
Good point about double edge = double edge retention. I usually carry a 3.5 inch knife + over most smaller ones because an extra inch or 1.5 of steel means a 30% increase in edge life over a 2.5 inch blade. Outpost76 noted this and when you think about it, a longer blade will almost always mean more usable time between sharpenings.
Hello, I love the best budget concept. I mean who doesn't love a great deal? I have a Parrot, 3 penguins (1 is not budget at all) 3 Elemtums (2 are Elementum 2 with button lock) a Beluga, and a Sachse. I like all of these knives, but I believe you missed one, The CJRB Pyrite is a wonderful knife. It is well built, affordable, and comes in many different flavors most of which are sub $50.
Just noticed BladeOps sells a Boker Kalashnikov in S30v for just $60. Also noticed they have Ti pocket clip upgrades for the Kalashnikov out there. Been thinking about picking one up for a while. I think this solidified it. Thanks brother! 🤙
Kudos for your vid! Great insight. I own practically all of the Parrot versions. It may be the size of my hand, but this is my absolute most go-to EDC. Build quality is superb. Hope one day QSP brings higher end materials to the Parrot, I believe it would be a winner, even over the Pinguin. Thanks for your effort in this community.
It appears slowly I've been making better decision according to this video 😁 Only knife I'd think should be their and wasn't is the Praxis. This subject is endless though
The Praxis is a really good knife, no doubt about it. Good belly, good ergos, but the blade steel is meh. If it was 14c28n, it would top other knives just from steel change alone
Just yesterday I ordered the Beluga with tanto tip and black G10 handle. I'm looking forward to it. My last knife ordered before this? The KnifeJoy exclusive Yeager M in Damasteel. Metal Complex was correct in that there are different tiers and ladders of enjoyment in the knife world. I'm excited over a $50 knife even after getting my Yeager M.
I assume you speak of the one with the sheepsfoot blade..and its a beautiful specimen...you have great taste. I want one myself...but I'm leaning towards the Damascus Sherman knife from Boker...with the Premium prices, its a bit much to buy BOTH
Is the tanto beluga the small or large version? I got a beluga months ago, thought I chose the small one but I got the large version, still love it but now need the smaller one
I'm really pumped for the QSP mini penguin, I'm a sucker for smaller knives so that's gonna be a must have for me, that and the Knafs Lander when it comes out
Idk why ive always thought the Boker Kalashnikov used some kind of injection molded plastic or something 🤔🤷 alum def improves my opinion of them. (Although I should really just HANDLE one before being too opinionated lol)
I have to say, I think the Civivi Altus beats out the Cogent for best budget button lock. Similar price, at like 72 bucks, but a more comfortable handle and Nitro-V steel. Also gonna shill my favorite budget(ish) knife, the Kizer Vanguard Gemini at 75 bucks. Fantastic workmanship, one of the best actions on a flipper, even compared to some real high-end knives. Also, the CJRB Crag deserves a spot here. RPM-9 particle steel, a proprietary locking machanism, and under 50 bucks. Great knife with a lot of unique qualities for the budget space.
agree on the Altus edging out the Cogent. Love the looks, NitroV steel, and i prefer button lock w/ thumbstud profile. IMHO if you want flipper tab, go with the Chevalier --- if prefer thumbstud without flipper -- go Altus
I picked up a spyderco tenacious 7 years ago for 50euros.... I work as a construction worker and part time mechanic I can tell you that thing just holds no flaws no wiggles and I reeeeeaaallly hard used it thinking that if it breaks I'll buy a new one ...no luck for me it just hold xD.. I also learned how to sharpen knives with .great knife for the price
I looked at Qsp knives . They have some high end knives on their site and look pretty good . Not to mention they OEM so many other knives that have been well done imo . 👍👍 . Great picks too . There’s so many to choose from like you said but these ones stand out . Oh man , the velona ! Is so fun to flip and the akri 2 is right there as well . I always tell people just to get both if they can because the value is insane . Awesome video 👍👍
It really is impressive the value QSP packs into their upgraded models. I picked up one of the Kaviso exclusive Penguins a while back. Raindrop carbon fiber, titanium frame lock, ceramic caged bearings, and s35vn blade steel. All that for around $90.
Good list! I’m glad you go for the “ gimme“ knives such as the obvious Rats. I would have liked to se a showing from CJRB like a Ria though, I know you are a fan. I didn’t wanna be one of those guys that tell you you are forgetting something ;) I do have to say I probably have just as many budget EDCs (got them to use them) as my collector knives, so I appreciate the list. Keep them up, this is always fun. Thanks!
Ya man, the build quality and the design features of the Ria make it my go to gentlemens knife. It is sleek polished and refined. I pull it out in a board meeting to open something and people are impressed. It makes me laugh. I got the Arisen Cutlery Cordova for the same reason but it is a little big for the board room. Still, one of my favorite gentlemen knives!
After picking up the Miguron Akri, i shoulda gotten the velona instead, but saw the hype around the akri first, I am happy to see the company getting some more love/representation. The Akri was the first pocket knife I bought in this whole edc journey a few months ago.
@ Metal _ Complex What fantastic video. I was counting on you to deliver and you hit a grand freaking slam with this one. I just bought 2 of the Miguron Verona via a combo of your link and Prime ( obviously Amazon). They'll make excellent stocking suffers for my nephews. Pleasantly surprised too see that I have decent taste from this video list. The Lighting (2), Boker Kalasknakov (4) to include the Boker Damascus Dagger, the Boker Bowie XL ( the latter 2 have only been out of the box once upon delivery).And the Civivi's too many to list! What can I say... I'm addicted to blades ! Lol Big Time new subscriber in Arizona.
I gotta say, I know you have a wide array of knives of all prices, but I have bought QUITE a few 10-30 dollar knives from gun shows that were excellent knives for carrying on a daily basis. I still have most of them. I just got into collecting knives. I am a gun guy, but since layaway is gone everywhere around me, I started buying knives. I can't believe how much knives cost lol. I thought guns were overpriced, but some knives out there are so expensive! I can't buy a 200+ dollar knife and use it daily and scratch it all up lol. No way. I get nervous carrying one of my Civivis that cost 60+ lol. There are a few expensive knives I want, but it's hard to part with 500 bucks and not get a gun for it. Good video. Broke mfer's like myself need lists like these.
The nylon washers on my penguin actually ripped, so now I have mine just running on the phosphor bronze and I think the action actually got even better. I do keep mine lubricated though, maybe if I didn't it would be a different story.
I just got the petrified fish beluga with d2 and a wicked looking tanto blade. I also own a qsp parrot and the action on that is drop shut now even though it's on washers
I came across a D2 , push button, folding knife , with attractive scales.. I can't remember the name brand (and I have about 100 specimens in my collection) but at 35 bucks, it reminds me that good bargains are out there.
Good list. I might pick up that sencut and check it out. I also figured the rat would be on the list as it is pretty well made and dependable. I also bought the rarely heard of LAPG s35 knife For $55 and I do like that for the money also, but not sure who makes it for them.
I dropped my Civivi Cogent and now it has pretty bad front-back blade wobble. Is there anything I can do to fix it? I tried tightening the pivot but it made no difference.
Any recommendations for a good beater knife with a decent/premium steel? I currently use a benchmade 490 arcane for work and I don't have the specialized tools to break it down to clean it correctly since the axis lock needs to come out to break it down completely.
I wonder if the Cogent would be a good candidate for an auto conversion. Similar in aesthetics to the Boker Strike auto, but I like the Cogent looks better...
Not sure what 440c did you wrong, but it has always been considered a higher end steel. Only with the advent of present day "super steels", did people start looking down their noses at 440c.
well, there are Chinese brands manufacturing 25 to 30 USD knives that blow most western 70 to 100 USD knives out of the water. just saying. would be nice to see more of that on your channel ;-) Sanrenmu/SRM, Eafengrow, Sitivien, Firebird, Shooziz, Trivisa etc. all with own designs and excellent materials, fit, and finish.
Handled a lot of this stuff. Eafengrow is an immediate "no" due to their blatant copying of other popular models. The rest are decent but nothing overly special in my experience. I'm sure they make lots of great stuff I haven't handled yet. Will keep an eye out.
I just got the Penguin in S35 with titanium and marbled CF on amazon about a month and 1/2 ago. I see it is now unavailable. Bummer. Love this thing and it has not left my pocket since I got it
@@metal_complex true, and i’m sure there are better otfs in that price range. just wanted to put some spotlight out since i have both and i like it lol
Just gonna quietly leave out the 9,997 different models/colors/steals of the honey badger. And with the g10 scales now and d2 options, I would think it would be on At least top 25.
@@metal_complex I’ll have to check out some of your top 10’s if they are winning over the g10 badger!!! I’ve had a few of them but I still need a penguin in rotation. Thanks for the content, fun and informative as usual
You know, the Civivi Elementum reminds me of Gerbers’ Freeman fixed blade. The blade shapes are nearly identical....someone tell me I’m wrong, because thats what I see
