I've been interested in finding out what's going on in low end folders so I picked up a few to see for myself. The Benchmade Monochrome was $32, the Uzi $34 off that auction place, the OHT was $28, and the Benchmade Ambush II was $43 I think. I've put them next to a recently scored Desert Tan (and we thought Desert Tan was gone..) Batac and my Desert Olive ASH1 for a size comparison.






I felt all of the folders were excellent values. Even the "Uzi" is a very nice folder: full length steel liners, phosphorus bronze washers, sharp recurved 154CM blade, grippy G10 handle slabs. I hate the location of the (cheap) clip but that's my only real complaint. The lockup is excellent. It laughed at my spine whacks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The Monochrome is a little tank of a knife. The 3" blade is N690 stainless and the framelock was is nicely done. The frame is 420J stainless. The usual Benchmade shaving sharp. It's just under 4 ounces. I hadn't heard of the designer(s) (Steirereisen) but they did a good job. It just works.

The Ambush II is a BIG tank of a knife at 5.5 ounces. Designed by Mel Pardue the Ambush II aluminum handle is over 5 inches. It has a small steel subframe for the lock that is inset into the interior of the handle. I was hoping for an Axis type lock but the Rolling Lock really isn't the same despite the similar external appearance. It is sturdy but doesn't allow you to release the lock to flip the blade open. The spring is somewhat strong and it takes some force to close the blade until it snaps closed decisively. Similarly, opening the knife takes a good flick of the thumb to overcome the spring force. I love AUS8 for the edge it takes and this is one of my favorite features of the knife.

The OHT is the first Vic I've purchased in a very long time. Not much to say that hasn't already been said. I'm still undecided on whether to grind the serrations off or not.

The bottom line is that with some careful shopping you can purchase a decent folder in the $30 range. I wouldn't hesitate to EDC any of these knives. No, they don't have uber steel blades nor exotic handle materials but they are very good knives nevertheless. While I won't retire my more expensive folders I will start rotating these in to my EDC.