George-
I doubt that you have a real Buck, and it'd say "Steel" Warrior, not, "Steal", which has a different meaning! I've met members of the Buck family and know their history, and they are good Christians. I don't think they'd want anyone to "steal"!
That droll humor aside, look at their Model 112 Ranger, made here. They also used to make a knife about that size called the Duke, I think, not to be confused with the similar-named Puma. May still make it. Ask. It's more streamlined and sophisticated looking and lighter than the heavier brass-framed 110 and 112.
The Chinese maker probably got the idea for the RC sticker pointing to the indentation left by the test needle from Puma. Those stickers came on Puma blades for decades and may yet.
Only firm that used them, to my knowledge.
No idea what heat treatment your Chinese knife has or even if it it's really any 440 series steel. I have very low faith in Oriental-made knives.
I do not generally buy lockblade folders for $60 or less retail price, some Swiss Army designs being the exception. But they are not the sort of knife that you refer to. Maybe you can stay around that cost with a significant discount. I've read that Wally World has Buck knives at deep discount, and they are genuine US-made ones.
You 're overshapening your blades. They should hold an edge far better than needing that frequent a honing! Maybe you've had some really soft cheap blades?
I wait until I see a noticeable dulling, enough to tell, then I hone on ceramic rods. Hone too often and you wear away the steel and have to re-bevel the edges.
My Swiss Army or other pocketknives do most of the cutting, so my lockblade folder in a belt pouch doesn't get used as often, and seldom needs honing. It stays ready for heavier work or ...emergencies.
Hint: if you have a Buck Model 110 or 112 or the similar Puma knives (Prince, Earl, Duke, Game Warden, etc. ) , the false edge is sharp enough to open most envelopes, sparing the actual edge.
Hmmm... have you tried looking for unsold Schrade Uncle Henry or LB-7 knives once made here? They may well be in your price range and are good,solid knives. The UH has stag Delrin scales and the LB-7 has wooden ones. They look a LOT like the Buck Model 110, and like the 110, blade length is about four inches. A bit larger than you stated, but a worthwhile thought.
A Puma model called, I think, the Model 0921 would be ideal for your stated size, but you won't see one for the price you quoted. Maybe for 3-4 times that.
Hey! I just recalled that Camillus (?) made some copies of the old Remington 1306 pattern for Remington about 1990. Stag Delrin scales, nickle silver bolsters, 440-A steel, I think. You may find one at a store or show for $60. That'd be a really good choice for so little money. I like mine a lot, and sometimes carry it. The blade just has a satin brush polish, but it is otherwise a nice knife. The same criticism is also true of the Schrade Uncle Henry line. They were very good values for money, if you don't insist on a brighter blade finish.
) and others make good knives in Solingen. Ed. Wusthof and Henckels are the primary makers of high grade kitchen knives. I have a Henckels Inernational chef's knife made in China but they say they use German steel, and the quality is high. It seems on par with my German-made Henckels knives.
