Cheap knives you actually like

[El Pablo]

https://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Tenacious-Lightweight-Folding-Stainless/dp/B07XVPHW7R/ref=sr_1_2?crid=X2P56ATDDUDE&keywords=spyderco+tenacious&qid=1644789455&sprefix=spyderco+te%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-2

Really good for the price

I’m a massive fanboy of spiderco, tenacious is not good compared to Cheap knives you actually like

 

[ricco]

Most cheap knives use 440A blade steel, nothing really wrong with 440A it is what it is.

My problem with cheap knives are the locks, some are okay, some aren't so okay.

I prefer a higher carbon blade steel and locks I can trust, I value my fingers.

 

[cmc tom]

I hunt the gun shows and yard sales for used kershaw folders, made in the U.S. only. Found a nice Snap On limited edition at a gun show last week, $35.
Fixed blade, I'm a sog guy. Got to appreciate them during my 26yrs in the Navy Seabees.

 

[Beau B]

My favorite cheap knife by far is a Mora (any variant) but it’s a fixed blade. High carbon steel and as little as $10-12.
Favorite budget folders are probably the Opinel utility knives. There are also a lot of Sog, Kershaw, CKRT (haven’t owned one in a long time but they used to be good), Gerber, Case, and SAK around or under $40.
Favorite folders overall are probably Spyderco but I haven’t tried any of the Chinese budget models, I do know some people that really like them.

 

[O4L]

Is $40 cheap? I know to many it is, for a good EDC knife.

I carry a Kershaw Blur (Made in U.S.A.) that I got on sale for $40 about ten years ago. I have picked up two more for the same price since then for backups just in case I lose or break mine.

 

[SoonerP226]

Kershaw, CKRT (haven’t owned one in a long time but they used to be good)

My experience has been that Kershaw and CRKT both make some outstanding knives at their price points, but Kershaw has more consistent quality across their lineup--even their Chinesium cheapies have a quality feel to them. I used to have one of CRKT's original M16s, and that thing was an amazing knife for the price, but I picked up a cheeep little CRKT assisted-opener a few years ago that doesn't exactly have awesome fit and finish, and its action isn't anything to write home about.

 

[DaveinOKC]

I like my Kershaw Cryo and Cryo 2 as budget blades. Speed assist and good lock up.

 

[dennishoddy]

No body has mentioned Buck brand knive.They are not top of the line,but very good mid range.
Bucks were my go to for the oilfield.

I like Buck knives. No, they are not cheap, but they use decent steel in their blades. 440C stainless in the earlier models like mine.
I've gutted 10 elk and more than two hundred whitetails in a 42 year hunting career with a Buck Special.
Recently started building my own knives from finished blanks, building the handles from stone. Interesting project and the handles are unique. No two the same.

 

[Beau B]

My experience has been that Kershaw and CRKT both make some outstanding knives at their price points, but Kershaw has more consistent quality across their lineup--even their Chinesium cheapies have a quality feel to them. I used to have one of CRKT's original M16s, and that thing was an amazing knife for the price, but I picked up a cheeep little CRKT assisted-opener a few years ago that doesn't exactly have awesome fit and finish, and its action isn't anything to write home about.

I believe the M16 was the last CKRT I had and it was nice. I guess that was 15 years ago or so!

 

[Beau B]

Is $40 cheap? I know to many it is, for a good EDC knife.

I carry a Kershaw Blur (Made in U.S.A.) that I got on sale for $40 about ten years ago. I have picked up two more for the same price since then for backups just in case I lose or break mine.

I had a blur for quite a while. Nice knife, really easy to carry too.