All About Pocket Knives

I am want to know how good are winchester pocket. I know they are made in china. But for the money how good are they

I bought a small stockman about 5 or 6 years ago.The fit and finish were comparable to a Rough Rider of current make.It was very inexpensive and worth what it cost,and then some.I have no idea of their current quality,but if they haven't gone downhill then I would say they're a good user and you wouldn't be out much if it disappeared.I don't normally buy chinese made knives,but I was curious at the time.

I recently posted a couple of pics of a Winchester made in the USA by Blue Grass Cutlery. It's been one of my users since the late Eighties.
I found pics of two other Winchesters made during the last few years.

The first one is a standard size ordinary Trapper with synthetic handles. This particular knife is an international one. American brand, manufactured in China, used quite much for some time and sharpened several times by an American, then made a trip across the Atlantic and now working in Norway.
The former owner has used the knife, but not abused it. Both blades tight with no blade play. Smooth operation and it will take and hold an edge quite decently. I don't remember how much I paid, but it was just a few dollars.
Purchased as a user and works well as a user.

The second knife also is a Trapper, but not your typical Trapper. It is a large Trapper (4 1/2") and the Clip point blade locks. Yellow composition handles. I purchased it new a couple of years ago, mostly out of curiosity I think. My initial reaction when opening the package was that I did not really like it much. I knew it was going to be a big Trapper, but it felt sort of heavy and bulky in my hand. Also the spey blade had some (not much) blade play. I hate finding blade play on a new knife regardless of the price paid! I don't remember the price, but somewhere around $20..?
I started using the knife right away to see if I would change my mind. To some extent I did. A black nylon sheath was included and carrying the knife on my belt was OK. Not the best quality sheath but it has not failed me yet. After some time I got used to the knife and it felt better in my hand. Too heavy and bulky for an EDC, so for me this is a knife primarily for hiking. Sharpens easily.

But for the money how good are they?

I have carried and used both of these many times and I don't regret getting any of them. Of course these are not exclusive top shelf knives that will attract many collectors, but they are inexpensive working knives you really can afford to use. Should they get broken or lost, you will probably not mourn for very long.

When buying very inexpensive knives, made in China or elsewhere, your expectations should be realistic. With realistic expectations I find these to be good value for the money.

I have a 3-1/2 inch single blade Winchester lockback that I got 3 or 4 years ago that I carry a lot. I can open and close it with one hand, it takes a pretty good edge, and it only cost $10 brand new so I don't mind making it a daily beater knife. One of the plastic scales fell off, but I just epoxied it back on. In a nutshell, it's a pretty good cheap knife.

Chinese! Spend your money elsewhwere UGH!!! There are cheap enough knives made in the USA that you shouldnt have to buy that crap.
Just my opinion and like noses everyone has one!

Thanks for saying that Gino. I am new here but not new to knives. They sell these at walmart and they go on clearance for dirt cheap. 5-10 dollars for 3 knives in a tin gift set. If you need a cheap knife they are there. I personally do not prefer them. I was given one small framelock because their kid was to young to own it and it is real garbage. I did buy one lockback tactical at walmart on clearance. It was made in tiawan supposedly by gerber. I know there is another model that was made by gerber for winchester that is an exact copy of a gerber knife but just in a different color. These knives made by gerber are discontinued. They came out with a new black tactical knife with an aluminum handle with hole drilled in it which my friend bought. The thumb stud if you can call it that broke off within a little while after light use. I will post a picture of my knife which I would recommend for the price. I have carried it and it does its job well. No blade play and I have not needed to sharpen it yet. Go buy a cheap china buck so you will have a warrante. I have an extra buck 503 prince usa new in the box I would sell for around $25. I have a lot more used knives if you want something cheaper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Winchester-Engage-P ... 5d297004dd

Here's another one made by gerber. I didn't find the other one I was thinking of.

gino wrote:Chinese! Spend your money elsewhwere UGH!!! There are cheap enough knives made in the USA that you shouldnt have to buy that crap.
Just my opinion and like noses everyone has one!

Well, I didn't have to buy anything...
I'm curious about knives in general and I like to test out different knives from several brands and countries as users. I really like American knives and there's no doubt I could use American made knives exclusively for the rest of my life and be perfectly satisfied with what they had to offer. In fact I could specialize on one brand only as my users and have all my practical knife needs covered. But that would be kind of boring and I choose not to.
I think I have knives from at least ten countries among my users. That's my choice, I find it interesting and I enjoy using them all.

Chrisorbics,
That semi-serrated Winchester made by Gerber, are you sure where Gerber had it made? Gerber, like so many other manufacturers today, also has several models made in China...

It was either tiawan or china. Either way it is a gerber which I have not has an problems with.

I've also used several nice knives from Gerber!

I don't own any China made Winchesters but I would say there just as good as any other knife made in China.

I do own some Winchesters that were made for Blue Grass Cutlery "Like Froggy's"...but mine are a bit older !987...with jigged bone scales..They are among some of my favorites..wonderful quality and fantastic fit and finish.

johnnierotten wrote:I don't own any China made Winchesters but I would say there just as good as any other knife made in China.

I do own some Winchesters that were made for Blue Grass Cutlery "Like Froggy's"...but mine are a bit older !987...with jigged bone scales..They are among some of my favorites..wonderful quality and fantastic fit and finish.

From 1987...
You mean something like this? I got mine from A. G. Russell back then. Very nice knife and we've made some great memories toghether through the years.

Yep....that be them. ..nice one Froggy.

Johnnie and froggy those are some sweet Whinchesters boy! They dont make em like that anymore!

Thanks Gino.

gino wrote:Johnnie and froggy those are some sweet Whinchesters boy! They dont make em like that anymore!

They still make them like that only Queen and GEC put different names on them !
Bob R. (RIDGEWOOD CUTLERY)

Queen actually made these Winchesters for BGC.

I like the 1940 and earlier ones.

Hell,I like'm all!!

stockman wrote:I like the 1940 and earlier ones.

Now they DON'T make them like that anymore !
Bob R.

don't know much about em'---but I see Winchesters in Wal-Mart??? are these made in USA?????by Queen or GEC ??????????

Walmart ones are made in China......The ones made by Queen are the ones that Blue Grass Cutlery had made..... http://www.s-denterprises.com/bluegrasscutlery/

The one I was looking at was at stockdale are a fancier tractor supply store they are a dealer of case and there knives are higher prices then wal mart and Alot better looking too