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13 Excellent EDC Knives You Can Buy for $50 or Less

You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a quality everyday carry cutting tool.

a pair of scissorsSpyderco, Amazon

By Sean Tirman

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A blade is one of the most useful tools a person can have — which is a truth that has stood the test of time since mankind first stood on two legs. In today’s world, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can (or should) haul a shortsword around on your back or even attach a big fixed blade to your belt. Instead, should you wish to make the most of this enduring tool category on a daily basis, you’ll probably want to delve into the realm of folding blades, also known as pocket knives.

Products in the Guide

These compact tools are an essential part of EDC . And while these devices run the gamut from the painfully cheap (and, as a result, potentially dangerous) to the laughably expensive, you don’t actually have to spend hundreds of dollars to get one of great quality — so long as you know who to trust and what to look for. In fact, you can find yourself a reliable, well-built EDC pocket knife for $50 or less, and it could last you for decades or longer. We’ve rounded up 13 of the best you can get for less than the value of a single Ulysses S. Grant banknote so you can stay sharp without going broke.

Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter LT

a knife with a black handleAmazon

Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter LT

Specs

Blade Length 3.75 inches
Blade Steel 420HC
Handle Material Nylon
Locking Mechanism Back

A lightweight, EDC-focused variant of the legendary Buck 110 Folding Hunter, this one cuts down on size and weight, swapping the wood and brass handle for a nylon one while retaining its iconic silhouette, reliable 420HC clip point blade and sturdy backlock. It’s even still made in the USA and comes with its own sheath.

Case Mini Trapper

case mini trapperAmazon

Case Mini Trapper

Specs

Blade Length 3.25 inches
Blade Steel Chrome Vanadium
Handle Material Synthetic
Locking Mechanism Slipjoint

The mini version of one of our favorite heirloom knives you can still buy today, the Case Mini Trapper still has the same silhouette, slipjoint mechanism and — most importantly — its pair of blades (clip point and spey). This one comes equipped with a synthetic handle and chrome vanadium steel (for the blades), but there are also others with bone or stag horn handles, Tru-Sharp surgical steel blades and other variations.

Civivi Elementum

a blue knife with a handleCIVIVI

Civivi Elementum

Specs

Blade Length 2.96 inches
Blade Steel D2
Handle Material G10
Locking Mechanism Liner

While most of Civivi’s lineup of Elementum knives fall above the $50 price point, this one was actually discontinued — thus, the price has dipped. That also means, unfortunately, that it has limited stock that won’t be replenished. If you want to get a really great budget-friendly knife with D2 steel and a G10 handle, this is one of your only chances to do so. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

CRKT Pilar

a silver knifeAmazon

CRKT Pilar

Specs

Blade Length 2.40 inches
Blade Steel 8Cr13MoV
Handle Material Stainless steel
Locking Mechanism Frame

If you’ve been following Gear Patrol’s knife content, you know we’ve crowned the CRKT Pilar III as the best overall pocket knife for most people. This is actually the original version of that knife. While it has some of the same hallmarks as the III, the original is a good deal more compact and has an all-steel handle, yet it retains the same build quality and attention to detail. If you like the idea of the Pilar III, but it seems a touch too big, go with this version instead.

Gerber Paraframe II Serrated

a knife with a handleBlade HQ

Gerber Paraframe II Serrated

Specs

Blade Length 3.53 inches
Blade Steel Stainless
Handle Material Stainless steel
Locking Mechanism Frame

One of the ultimate budget-friendly knives over the past few years, the Paraframe is a long-standing part of Gerber’s solid catalog. The 2, however, is a little different — if only really in size. The largest in the Paraframe family, this one is still very lightweight (just 4.2 ounces total), while remaining sturdy and reliable, thanks to its frame lock, serviceable blade (with partial serrations) and stainless steel skeletonized handle.

Kershaw Random Leek

Amazon

Kershaw Random Leek

Specs

Blade Length 3.00 inches
Blade Steel Sandvik 14C28N
Handle Material 410 Stainless Steel
Locking Mechanism Frame
Total Length 7 inches

Another knife that has graced our list of the best heirloom knives you can still buy, the Leek is legendary, thanks largely to the fact that it was designed by master knifemaker Ken Onion. While this version of the knife bears most of the same hallmarks of that original SpeedSafe-assisted flipper — like the all-metal construction and frame lock — this version comes with a unique reverse tanto blade (hence the “Random” part of the name), helping it stand out among its brethren.

Nagao Higonokami

a knife with a handleBlade HQ

Nagao Higonokami

Specs

Blade Length 1.50 inches
Blade Steel Blue Paper Steel
Handle Material Brass
Locking Mechanism N/A (friction folder)

We spotted this blade most recently in an episode of Apple TV+’s Godzilla show, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. But this friction folder has a legacy all its own, boasting over a century of production and a direct connection to both samurai culture and the craftsmen responsible for the art of swordmaking. It’s not fancy — offering little more than a swinging blade and a handle — but it is elegant, reliable and, best of all, very affordable.

Ontario Knife Company Rat II

a knifeAmazon

Ontario Rat II

Specs

Blade Length 3.00 inches
Blade Steel D2
Handle Material G10
Locking Mechanism Liner

Although OKC has shifted this knife from being a folder into a fixed blade with the most recent iterations, the Rat II still stands as one of the best, toughest folders you can find — and it’s still in production. Although not as flashy as some of its competition, the OKC Rat II’s D2 steel blade, G10 handle and liner lock make it a collector-worthy piece, even if it is a bit under the radar nowadays.

Opinel No. 08

opinel no 08 carbon steel folding knifeOpinel

Opinel No. 08

Specs

Blade Length 3.28 inches
Blade Steel Carbon
Handle Material Beechwood
Locking Mechanism Virobloc safety ring

Even at full price, the Opinel No. 08 is still the most affordable knife on our entire list. But don’t let the price fool you; it’s still an outstanding piece worthy of being in every collector’s pocket. With its beechwood handle, carbon steel blade and that iconic, reliable Virobloc safety ring, this remarkably inexpensive folder is one you’ll find pleasure using again and again and again.

QSP Penguin

a knife with a black handleAmazon

QSP Penguin

Specs

Blade Length 3.06 inches
Blade Steel D2
Handle Material G10 with carbon-fiber overlay
Locking Mechanism Liner

This is a major under-the-radar knife from a brand that most people don’t really know about. What makes it so special? How about a D2 sheepsfoot blade and a G10 handle with shredded carbon fiber overlays? Or how about that this is just one example pulled from a batch of 19, all with similar-quality materials — all of which fall under the $50 price limit proposed by this guide? Maybe it’s time to pick one up for yourself and find out firsthand why knife forum fanatics love this budget-friendly blade.

SOG Terminus

a black knife with a black handleAmazon

SOG Terminus XR

Specs

Blade Length 3.00 inches
Blade Steel D2
Handle Material G10
Locking Mechanism XR

Originally, SOG’s lineup of Terminus knives didn’t include the XR lock. However, that upgrade has boosted this knife beyond its budget-friendly status by giving it a more reliable and unique mechanism while retaining its affordability. This isn’t so much a budget blade as it is an excellent EDC folder that’s perhaps underpriced — but don’t tell SOG that. Instead, buy one for yourself and see what the hype is all about.

Spyderco Tenacious

a knife with a handleBlade HQ

Spyderco Tenacious

Specs

Blade Length 3.39 inches
Blade Steel 8Cr13MoV
Handle Material FRN
Locking Mechanism Liner

Sadly, it’s impossible to get a Spyderco knife for under $50 with the brand’s legendary compression lock. However, the Tenacious is a pretty great alternative with its serviceable blade (done up in the brand’s iconic leaf shape), fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle scales and a liner lock. If you’re interested in finding out why Spyderco is such a darling of the knife and EDC industries but you don’t want to pay upwards of $200 for a PM2, the Tenacious is a great starting point.

Victorinox Classic SD Alox

a pocket knifevictorinox

Victorinox Classic SD Alox

Specs

Blade Length 1.58 inches
Blade Steel 1.4110
Handle Material Alox
Locking Mechanism Slipjoint

Put plainly, this list just wouldn’t be complete without a Swiss Army Knife. And the Classic SD is as close as you can get to the original, boasting five functions (including a knife blade, scissors and a file/driver). However, it’s not without upgrades — most notably in the form of its metal Alox handle scales, which help elevate it a bit without pushing it over the $50 price limit.

Stay Sharp