12 Solid Budget EDC Knife Picks Under $50 - Late 2020
Jake's favorite under $50 budget EDC knife picks. I chose 12 solid knives from various brands. Some of these are tried and true (and widely popular with the knife community), and some are a little more obscure and haven't gotten as much attention.
Note: All prices are subject to change. Please check the product page to see current pricing.
A.G. Russell K93
Price: $34.95 - $49.95
Pros
- Super Lightweight
- Very thin and pocketable
- Very fidget friendly
- Perfect for both Right & Left Handers
- Can get budget AUS-8 steel or upgrade to VG-10
Cons
- No pocket clip - there IS a neck clip.
Browning Blind Spot
Price: $27.95
Pros
- Micarta Handle
- Great Action
- Deep Pocket Clip
- Big handle, good for big hands.
Cons
- Tip down only pocket clip. Right hand only.
Buck Vantage
Price: $25.95 - $84.95
Pros
- Rosewood DymaLux Handle
- Subdued Flipper tab
- Deep Pocket Clip
- Can upgrade to S30V steel & G-10 Handles (above $50)
Cons
- Flipper is so subdued the blade doesn't always flip all the way open unless you have practice.
CRKT Piet
My favorite knife this year.
Price: $28.95
Pros
- SUPER lightweight
- Great size - small but big enough to do actual work.
- Deep Pocket Clip
- Pop of blue - backspace
- A really handy bladeshape
- One of the best buys of the year.
Cons
- Not fully left hander friendly.
CRKT Tighe Tac Two
Price: $38.95
Pros
- Pretty lightweight
- Medium-Large size
- Deep Pocket Clip
- A really fun button lock. Keeps your fingers out of the blades way.
- Great action & deployment. Looks like Phosure Bronze washers.
Cons
- Not left hander friendly.
Kershaw Natrix - Carbon Fiber Overlay
Price: $44.95
Pros
- Pretty lightweight
- Medium Large size
- Deep Reversible Pocket Clip
- Handsome carbon fiber overlay
- Great action & deployment. Ball bearing pivot
Cons
- Framelock can take practice to get used to. Keep your fingers off the lock while deploying the knife.
Kershaw Fraxion
Price: $32.95
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Small size & profile
- Reversible Pocket Clip
- Handsome carbon fiber overlay
- Great action & deployment. Ball bearing pivot
Cons
- Ball detent can be a little strong. Add in the subtle flipper and it might be a bit hard to deploy. A little lubrication & working in the detent fixes this up.
Maserin OneFold
Price: $49.95
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Small size & profile
- Handsome Wood Scale
- 440C Stainless steel
Cons
- Sits very high in the pocket
- Not a fast deployment
Ontario Rat I & II
Price: $35.95 - $39.95
Pros
- Best Budget Work Knife
- Handle fills the hand. Strong liners & textured handle make for a good grip that feels sturdy
- Good action - I like the thumbstud
- Four position pocket clip - tip up, tip down, right or left hand side.
Cons
- ... Not a deep pocket clip. Honestly hard to say anything bad about this knife. I think the pocket clip works great for this model.
Spyderco Persistence
Price: $47.95
Pros
- Solid Budget Work Knife
- Handle fills the handle. Strong liners & textured handle. Comfortable thumb-ramp
- Great full flat blade grind on a leaf-shaped blade
- The Spydie Hole makes opening the knife even with gloves on very easy.
- Four position pocket clip - tip up, tip down, right or left hand side.
Cons
- Starting to get a little pricey - but still reasonable.
SOG Aegis FLK
Price: $29.95
Pronounced "ee-gis".
Pros
- Good work knife with a stainless steel handle for a nice sturdy feeling.
- Great action with a large flipper tab
- Great full flat blade grind on a leaf-shaped blade
- Deep pocket clip
Cons
- Pocket clip is right hand only
- The large flipper tab does stick out quite a bit in the pocket
War Eagle Blades Model 42
Price: $29.95
I've always liked the Model 42. I carried one for years, bought my brother one, and lost mine. Eventually I had to buy another one because I just missed it so much.
Pros
- Very comfortable G-10 handle. I like the aesthetic too
- Fantastic action. I've always liked the thumbstuds on this one
- Very strong clip design, triple screws hold it in place
- Easy to operate liner lock
- Strong Hollow Sabre ground blade
Cons
- Pocket clip is right hand tip down carry only
Written 11/3/20 by Jake broce
Other Price Cateogory Buyer Guides:
For Budget EDC Knife Picks Under $50, check out this article.
Premium Knives $100+ (not made yet)