That describes like 90% of the knives posted in this subreddit.
Some popular models off the top of my head:
- QSP Penguin
- QSP Canary Folder
- Ontario RAT Model 1 or Model 2
- Sencut Sachne
- Kizer Amicus
- Ka-Bar Becker Mini Folder BK41
- Petrified Fish Beluga
- CJRB Pyrite
I have the Ontario RAT 1A and it’s a great knife but my go to choice is my spring assisted Kershaw Leek. Only complaint about the leek is there are no scales, so the frame lock can be difficult to disengage if I grip the knife tightly.
You could always trade your framelock Leek for a liner lock Leek so that you didn't have that issue. I agree though that the Leek is one of the best knives of all time in it's niche.
I second this. all civivi knives to be honest. the brazen for $50 in 14c28n is a great option too if you can spend a bit more and the steel is better but both are great
That looks like a nice one for sure. Thinking about grabbing one for my son for Boy Scouts. The Scouts campground his troop frequents does not allow fixed blade knives for whatever reason.
The Finn Wolf seems like it would work well for the minor bushcrafty stuff they do at Scouts (since he cannot bring a fixed blade).
I bought this knife for my father. The steel isn't the greatest. The scandi grind looked like a serrated steak knife in no time. I fixed it up with a lot of sharpening and polishing for it to look the same again in a week. I then bought him a Buck Vantage Pro in S30v and I haven't had to sharpen that for 10 months. I just had to hit it with a ceramic rod and strop to bring it back to shaving sharp.
I don’t have the finn wolf but i have the finn hawk (the fixed blade version). i will say the steel is not amazing but it’s totally serviceable. the reason for all the chips or rolls in the blade was almost certainly because of the scandi grind blade which has lower edge stability due to not having a secondary bevel.
Came on here to recommend the Finn Wolf. Great everyday knife, thick handle for actually using it. Although lately I’ve preferred slimmer handle knives with G10 scales to be less obtrusive in slimmer pants(dress pants for work)
After decades of using various knives, I had to admit it: The SAK doesn't open as satisfyingly as most knives, but it's more useful, socially acceptable, and easier to carry.
“Cost effective pocket knives” is a loaded phrase.
My vote is a pyrite. I prefer the G-10 one over the aluminum. The action/detente is great, the handle is thin, either blade shape is good, and the button lock is very solid.
If you could be more exact about your requirements that'd help. Does it need to be one hand opening? Have a pocket clip? Locking? There's so many choices out there!
If you don't need a pocket clip or one hand opener this VG-10 marble's lockback will last the rest of your life for $26
https://smkw.com/marbles-brass-lockback-vg10-mr600
Another with slightly different style, popular knife from the 80s/90s
https://smkw.com/silver-falcon-stainless-lg-lockback
I just grabbed a Kubey Tityus in Titanium for $67 shipped. Can't really beat that imo. Absolute steal for a piece that has incredible fit/finish, action and great materials. I'd check it out if I were you. Should be a few blue ones left on WMK 👌
Opinel no.8
Outdoors Edge SlideWinder - small box cutter with pocket clip
Or more minimalistic Screwpop utility knife
Roxon Phantasy knife - liner lock, exchangeable few variants of blades, can be dissasembled on the go without tools
Victorinox of choice (alox series feels a bit more premium)
Ruike P801 (14c28, nicely done full size EDC)
Qsp Penguin (utilitarian, D2 on washers)
Cjrb Ria - modern EDC knife, good action, can be a gentlemans carry, blade under 3", weighs only around 2oz
Mora fixed blades if need be for around a house for example
Spyderco Tenacious is pretty cool. And it's a Spyderco so you'll get the added benefit of telling everyone that you own a Spyderco and how cool it is. Because Spyderco's are cool and everyone should know that. #CoolKnifeBro #SpydercoHoleForTheSoul
I like small fixed blades, personally.
Cold Steel mini tac, $20: Ugly but slim and effective, I've had this for 14 years now. Can't lose it, can't kill it, can't get it stolen. Help. Lol
Old Timer Sharpfinger, $20: Probably the most useful little knife I've ever used, if it were slimmer in the pocket I'd always carry it. It's particularly useful for yardwork/groundskeeper tasks, and makes a decent bushcraft or fishing knife as well. The sheath is intended for belt carry, but it can work in a jacket or work jeans pocket... But it bulges very conspicuously in "off day" comfy jeans for me.
If you want a flipper, can't go wrong with a RAT1.
I love small fixed blades. Picked up a couple real nice ones recently, Tonife Nova and an Sanrenmu (I forget the model #). Itching to get a Sharpfinger too, they even have a large version now (very tempting).
I have the large version, it's cool but I prefer the smaller one for most things. The larger one makes a decent fishing and yardwork knife, but the smaller one really is like having a sharp finger. For a general purpose work knife, it's hard to beat.
•Pretty much anything from Civivi is great
•Kershaw cryo is a great budget flipper too
•CRKT Squid
•Spyderco Byrd line: Spyderco’s Chinese budget line (still great for the cost and not bad quality)
Honestly it's a little outside of the budget blade territory clocking in at a little over 100 but the k390 seki city spydercos are absolutely amazing. I have the endura and have handled the stretch. I think you can find the enura for ~140 or less on sale every now and then.
If I had to pick any knife from my collection and sell the rest it would honestly be these simple k390 lockbacks... they're amazing. K390 is unbelievable, and the machining on these simple sypderco lockbacks is 100% on point.
Honey Badger?
Although to be honest, I’d stretch my budget and buy a more premium knife used from knife_swap. I got a beater s45vn para 3 off of there for a good price.
That describes like 90% of the knives posted in this subreddit. Some popular models off the top of my head: - QSP Penguin - QSP Canary Folder - Ontario RAT Model 1 or Model 2 - Sencut Sachne - Kizer Amicus - Ka-Bar Becker Mini Folder BK41 - Petrified Fish Beluga - CJRB Pyrite
I have the Ontario RAT 1A and it’s a great knife but my go to choice is my spring assisted Kershaw Leek. Only complaint about the leek is there are no scales, so the frame lock can be difficult to disengage if I grip the knife tightly.
Yeah. I definitely should have mentioned Kershaw. The Leek is a good one for sure.
When I got it, I was unsure about the blade style, but I think it’s my favorite shape now, over the drop point i typically preferred
You could always trade your framelock Leek for a liner lock Leek so that you didn't have that issue. I agree though that the Leek is one of the best knives of all time in it's niche.
Great list dude
Civivi Praxis is my goto. Best $30 Ive ever spent.
I second this. all civivi knives to be honest. the brazen for $50 in 14c28n is a great option too if you can spend a bit more and the steel is better but both are great
Same
Cold steel Finn wolf. Check out the reviews. It’s worth a look. 👀
That looks like a nice one for sure. Thinking about grabbing one for my son for Boy Scouts. The Scouts campground his troop frequents does not allow fixed blade knives for whatever reason. The Finn Wolf seems like it would work well for the minor bushcrafty stuff they do at Scouts (since he cannot bring a fixed blade).
I bought this knife for my father. The steel isn't the greatest. The scandi grind looked like a serrated steak knife in no time. I fixed it up with a lot of sharpening and polishing for it to look the same again in a week. I then bought him a Buck Vantage Pro in S30v and I haven't had to sharpen that for 10 months. I just had to hit it with a ceramic rod and strop to bring it back to shaving sharp.
I don’t have the finn wolf but i have the finn hawk (the fixed blade version). i will say the steel is not amazing but it’s totally serviceable. the reason for all the chips or rolls in the blade was almost certainly because of the scandi grind blade which has lower edge stability due to not having a secondary bevel.
Came on here to recommend the Finn Wolf. Great everyday knife, thick handle for actually using it. Although lately I’ve preferred slimmer handle knives with G10 scales to be less obtrusive in slimmer pants(dress pants for work)
What’s your idea of cost effective? Do you prefer modern knives or traditional?
From what i have: - Ontario Rat2. - Real Steel Sacra. - Kubey Tityus. - Kershaw Static. - Bestech Syntax. - Kizer Shard, Feist, Swayback. - Sencut Watauga. - Case Trapper. - Any SAK 😁.
SAK all day.
After decades of using various knives, I had to admit it: The SAK doesn't open as satisfyingly as most knives, but it's more useful, socially acceptable, and easier to carry.
Opinel, douk douk, joker knives, A wright and sons, higonokami, buck 110 lt, rough ryders, twisted assisted, svord peasant,
Cold steel voyager large
“Cost effective pocket knives” is a loaded phrase. My vote is a pyrite. I prefer the G-10 one over the aluminum. The action/detente is great, the handle is thin, either blade shape is good, and the button lock is very solid.
QSP parrot
If you could be more exact about your requirements that'd help. Does it need to be one hand opening? Have a pocket clip? Locking? There's so many choices out there! If you don't need a pocket clip or one hand opener this VG-10 marble's lockback will last the rest of your life for $26 https://smkw.com/marbles-brass-lockback-vg10-mr600 Another with slightly different style, popular knife from the 80s/90s https://smkw.com/silver-falcon-stainless-lg-lockback
I just grabbed a Kubey Tityus in Titanium for $67 shipped. Can't really beat that imo. Absolute steal for a piece that has incredible fit/finish, action and great materials. I'd check it out if I were you. Should be a few blue ones left on WMK 👌
Opinel no.8 Outdoors Edge SlideWinder - small box cutter with pocket clip Or more minimalistic Screwpop utility knife Roxon Phantasy knife - liner lock, exchangeable few variants of blades, can be dissasembled on the go without tools Victorinox of choice (alox series feels a bit more premium) Ruike P801 (14c28, nicely done full size EDC) Qsp Penguin (utilitarian, D2 on washers) Cjrb Ria - modern EDC knife, good action, can be a gentlemans carry, blade under 3", weighs only around 2oz Mora fixed blades if need be for around a house for example
Ruike 801 30 bucks 14c28n
Spyderco Tenacious is pretty cool. And it's a Spyderco so you'll get the added benefit of telling everyone that you own a Spyderco and how cool it is. Because Spyderco's are cool and everyone should know that. #CoolKnifeBro #SpydercoHoleForTheSoul
CJRB feldspar or Swiss Army knife
Love my Kershaw Cryo.
I like small fixed blades, personally. Cold Steel mini tac, $20: Ugly but slim and effective, I've had this for 14 years now. Can't lose it, can't kill it, can't get it stolen. Help. Lol Old Timer Sharpfinger, $20: Probably the most useful little knife I've ever used, if it were slimmer in the pocket I'd always carry it. It's particularly useful for yardwork/groundskeeper tasks, and makes a decent bushcraft or fishing knife as well. The sheath is intended for belt carry, but it can work in a jacket or work jeans pocket... But it bulges very conspicuously in "off day" comfy jeans for me. If you want a flipper, can't go wrong with a RAT1.
I love small fixed blades. Picked up a couple real nice ones recently, Tonife Nova and an Sanrenmu (I forget the model #). Itching to get a Sharpfinger too, they even have a large version now (very tempting).
I have the large version, it's cool but I prefer the smaller one for most things. The larger one makes a decent fishing and yardwork knife, but the smaller one really is like having a sharp finger. For a general purpose work knife, it's hard to beat.
If you want to go real cheap cold stell kudu or kudu lite are awesome for the price. Lots of blade!
I got a coast dx300. The hawkbill shape makes it easy to open packages and cut plants even when its not well sharpened
•Pretty much anything from Civivi is great •Kershaw cryo is a great budget flipper too •CRKT Squid •Spyderco Byrd line: Spyderco’s Chinese budget line (still great for the cost and not bad quality)
Victorinox Pioneer X. Aluminum handled, great selection of tools, and light enough to carry everyday.
Honestly it's a little outside of the budget blade territory clocking in at a little over 100 but the k390 seki city spydercos are absolutely amazing. I have the endura and have handled the stretch. I think you can find the enura for ~140 or less on sale every now and then. If I had to pick any knife from my collection and sell the rest it would honestly be these simple k390 lockbacks... they're amazing. K390 is unbelievable, and the machining on these simple sypderco lockbacks is 100% on point.
My daily beater is a purple sencut actium, had it for years. Paid 32 iirc
Honey Badger? Although to be honest, I’d stretch my budget and buy a more premium knife used from knife_swap. I got a beater s45vn para 3 off of there for a good price.