In terms of workmanship, you get what you pay for. Some corners have been cut, mostly in other places than the blade, to keep the costs low. Tolerances are not so tight as in higher priced American designs, which contributes to slop that develops after use, as well as giving grit and dirt places to hide and do damage. While you might never need to tighten the structural screws of a high end knife with a similar look, that might become a regular chore if you buy this knife to use. Even in small parts like machine screws, there's excellence and then there's whatever was available that fit the budget.

Buy the G-10 and you'll get a functional knife, but not one with the reliability or the perfection of a Swiss watch or bank vault. For the little bit of cash you need to spend on it, the G-10 still may find a place in your pocket, and your budget.

Find this Mtech Liner Lock G10 Folding Knife :

MTECH Stainless Frame G 10 Inlays Bead Blast Knife NEW US $13.99   Auction Ends: 11d 1h 5m

MTech 554 Folding Knife with Green G 10 Handle US $12.95   Auction Ends: 1h

Mtech may not go into the advanced cryogenic hardening processes that some makers use, but the old tempering methods served well for centuries and no one noticed any problems with them. It's in the fine details that you find the differences between a bargain blade and a high cost specialty knife.

On the Hunter, the most obvious cost cutting is in the cheap rivets that hold the bolster to the blade. In a higher quality piece you'd not even see the rivets unless you knew to look for the hairline evidence--they'd be solid metal, hammered into place and polished clean. The punch rivets on the Hunter should be replaced with something better, a task most of us are handy enough to do at home.

The other obvious improvement needed would be to the grind of the blade, a labor of love which most knife fanciers expect. From an expensive product line you'd expect a delicate hollow grind that only needs a touch-up -- the Hunter will take a little more time.

Find this Mtech Hunter Wood Knife:

Mtech Fixed Blade Partially Serrated 440 Stainless Double Edge Dagger Knives US $12.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 6h 23m

M Tech Fixed Blade Rosewood Handle Full Tang Modified Hunter w Sheath Knives US $10.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 6h 31m

Before long, if you do more with the Mtech than stuff it in your glovebox, you'll notice a few things going awry. Low price means lower standards of manufacture, and even if you get a good quality blade with corrosion resistance and the ability to hold an edge, you'll find the problems with the rest of it weighing on the heavy side of the scale.

For someone who doesn't use a knife much, or use it heavily, the Mtech construction will serve. You'll find it less practical if you depend on knives for hard work or emergency situations, when solid construction and dependable function are essential. Screws tend to work loose and there's enough play in the original build to let in dirt and grit. It's a fine choice for the desk or the souvenir stand.

Find this Mtech Chopper Folding Knife:

MTech Knives Chopper Folder 4 1 2 Closed Black Blade Gray Handle Knife MT213GY US $13.63   Auction Ends: 28d 2h 40m

M Tech Chopper Folder Motorcycle Harley Honda US $9.98   Auction Ends: 16d 17h 32m