What’s Your Picks for Best Budget Folders for EDC??

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
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303
Hey all.

Today I happened upon a YouTube video showing off a knife that the OP said was one of the best budget folders he’s seen in a while. It’s made by MIGURON VELONA. It’s a big blade at over 4 inches and is coated black. They also make a dull stainless type finish. The price is $47. Since that video, the knife is sold out no matter where I looked.

It does look really good and I like BIG blades. I carry a Spyderco Endura each day and have done so for the last 15 years.

I’d like to get some suggestions on what BUDGET knives you own and really like.

Post some pics of your faves please.
 
If you like any of the designs from Civivi or Sencut, both are made by WE. Both have excellent fit and finish. I've generally been happy with the blades. While already a decent budget steel, WE has perfected the heat treatment for 9Cr18Mov. Not only will it out-cut 9Cr18Mov from other companies, it has achieved performance close to mass-production knives in S30V and S35VN against cardboard.
 
Nalapombu said:
I’d like to get some suggestions on what BUDGET knives you own and really like.
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To me, in this price range, it's hard to beat the Rat1, especially if you can get some of the sales and pick up the D2 version...

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Nalapombu said:
Hey all.

Today I happened upon a YouTube video showing off a knife that the OP said was one of the best budget folders he’s seen in a while. It’s made by MIGURON VELONA. It’s a big blade at over 4 inches and is coated black. They also make a dull stainless type finish. The price is $47. Since that video, the knife is sold out no matter where I looked.

It does look really good and I like BIG blades. I carry a Spyderco Endura each day and have done so for the last 15 years.

I’d like to get some suggestions on what BUDGET knives you own and really like.

Post some pics of your faves please.
Click to expand...
I would bet that if you searched for about 5 seconds you'd find a LOT of threads on this topic. Many very recently...
 
I've actually been on a "budget mission" for the last few weeks. Been trying to experience the difference between budget and cheap. My top picks have been almost anything Civivi puts out, the Ruike P801, Boker Kalashnikov, and the Ontario Rat 2. What almost made my too list is the Fox edge. Its cool because it's a front flipper and regular flipper, but the action was just not at par with the others in that price range.
 
Rat 2 is to small IMO plus my experiance with its AUS 8 steel was horrible. The WE and Civivi gang have some very nice items but little bit pricier l believe, than the OP limit... For Gent. folder they'll do it but for some work Rat 1 in D2 l think beats most of whats on the market currently...
 
Take a look at the knives by Petrified Fish. (Yes: their real name!)
For about $27.00: they're a pretty decent bargain.
 
How tight of a budget?

For $20 the Buck Bantam 285 is hard to beat and you can find it everywhere. (I have four and one stays in the car as a backup EDC)

A Victorinox Recruit would be an even better choice for about the same amount. I have one that rides in the elastic on my Leatherman Wave sheath.
 
The Civivi Elememtum in S35VN is about 80$ and will do 99% of all EDC tasks.

Neutral handle, skeletonized liners, ball-bearings, thin thin hollow grind (the S35VN one has thinner stock), utilitarian blade shape. It's like an A- in everything but has the highest overall score.

It will outknife and outvalue most knives out there. Or you can buy the D2 one for 50$. This is one knife I struggle to find weak points for (other than criticizing its aesthetics).
 
Buck 110 ~ $50.00
- Great warranty
- Sheath included
- Replaceable blade
- Handle is very strong

Cold Steel Voyager ~ $48.00
- Strongest back lock currently available
- Surprisingly good cutting geometry
- Can double as an EDC and/or a tactical blade

Ontario Rat 1 ~ $40.00
- Detent dialed in; great action
- Flow-through design makes for easy cleanup
- Also good cutting geometry
- Different colors available, aftermarket scales and clips available
- Choice of D2 or AUS8

Kershaw Blur ~ $60.00
- Aluminum handle available in wide assortment of colors, and aftermarket clips available.
- 14c28n (One if my favorite EDC steels) standard, but other steel choices can be found.
- Carries slim in pocket, no flipper tabs in the way
- Customer support pretty decent
 
POCEH KOCEB said:
Rat 2 is to small IMO plus my experiance with its AUS 8 steel was horrible. The WE and Civivi gang have some very nice items but little bit pricier l believe, than the OP limit... For Gent. folder they'll do it but for some work Rat 1 in D2 l think beats most of whats on the market currently...
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The Rat 2 is decent but I actually prefer it in AUS-8. It stands out more when judged at the $20-something level. It's stainless and they seem to get a decent heat treatment for their AUS-8. The factory edge is a poor indicator of its true performance. Once you've sharpened down to fresh steel, edge retention should pick up. If nothing else, it's better than 8Cr13Mov in my experience.

Really, I'd love to see Ontario switch to something like 14C28N for these. Other Chinese companies have been using this steel at very competitive prices. It's more stainless than AUS-8, more reliable than Chinese D2, and very tough for a stainless steel.

Another budget knife I'd recommend is the Harnds Talisman. Coincidentally, this is a model that used to be made in AUS-8 but was recently upgraded to 14C28N. It's a full-sized knife with good ergonomics and excellent action.
 
Chronovore said:
The Rat 2 is decent but I actually prefer it in AUS-8. It stands out more when judged at the $20-something level. It's stainless and they seem to get a decent heat treatment for their AUS-8. The factory edge is a poor indicator of its true performance. Once you've sharpened down to fresh steel, edge retention should pick up. If nothing else, it's better than 8Cr13Mov in my experience.

Really, I'd love to see Ontario switch to something like 14C28N for these. Other Chinese companies have been using this steel at very competitive prices. It's more stainless than AUS-8, more reliable than Chinese D2, and very tough for a stainless steel.

Another budget knife I'd recommend is the Harnds Talisman. Coincidentally, this is a model that used to be made in AUS-8 but was recently upgraded to 14C28N. It's a full-sized knife with good ergonomics and excellent action.
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To be honest Ontario’s Aus 8 is insane and beats out their more expensive d2 in edge retention. Matter of fact it goes toe to toe with s30v in some testing I’ve seen. I honestly hope they never switch and keep using that aus 8 cause they know what they’re doing with it.
 
Zookie said:
To be honest Ontario’s Aus 8 is insane and beats out their more expensive d2 in edge retention. Matter of fact it goes toe to toe with s30v in some testing I’ve seen. I honestly hope they never switch and keep using that aus 8 cause they know what they’re doing with it.
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Ontario's AUS-8 beat their D2 versus cardboard under test conditions from Outpost 76. It was the other way around versus rope under test conditions from Cedric and Ada Outdoors.

AUS-8 definitely beats D2 in my pocket during the summer with 90% or higher humidity. More would be better though. Some regulars among my EDC rotation include 9Cr18Mov, VG-10, N690, and 14C28N. All of those are significantly more stainless.

While their AUS-8 is better than average, I still think Ontario could do better with 9Cr18Mov or 14C28N.
 
kershaw has a new great large folder - 'strata', around $65ish for a 4.5" d2 blade
and a bit more for the xl version with 5.4" blade
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ps. that miguron knife you mentioned uses dc53 steel, which is not popular & not going to be near the edge retention of real d2, ... who knows how good their heat treatment really is?
at least with kershaw you know they'll do a proper heat treatment
 
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The Ruike p801 black is my favorite budget folder
The Rough Rider half hawk denim t10 is also nice for the price in the “traditional” knife category.
 
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