Man I hear ya, most of the knife channels just shill these $200 plus folders, that let’s face it, are reg knives with “premium” parts. Titanium comes from China, 90 percent of it does, and they’re just using cnc machines to do the handles, it’s not like some old craftsman is doing it. It’s all marketing, hype. I’m a skipjoint guy, so I’m more into those, but of course I still love my modern folders, but when you have brands consistently charging over 200 for a knife, it’s time to reevaluate the scene, in my opinion. Too many ppl buy expensive things for status symbols, knives are no different. It’s nice to see more videos like this and it’s also nice that he’s considering budget at 30 or less, that’s true budget to me. Some ppl consider anything under 100 budget, when only a few years ago that would have been most knives.
Solid list and I agree with all of your picks. I feel like some of the most exciting knives are in the $30 - $50 price range. It’s a lot easier to make an impulse buy that price point. It was interesting to see the Pyrite light move to that sub $30 price point a few weeks after release. The industry is figuring out that pricey knives are cool but affordable knives find their way into your pocket much easier.
Some people claim to be penurious. Me? I'm just plain cheap and nothing piques my interest more than a video, like this one, reviewing and rating good quality yet inexpensive Every Day Carries. I was pleased that your first two mentioned knives are also a couple of favorites in my meager collection. Thank you for your effort!
I wouldn’t EDC one, but I do like using those Opinel knives for food prep. I got the picnic cutlery set and it’s super convenient. It’s a knife, a fork, a spoon, and a napkin in one package. I throw it in my lunch box when I go to work.
When I'm shopping this territory, which is most of the time, I always drop by the Sencut and Civivi discontinued knives. It's too hit or miss for a list like this, but you can get some real gems.
Love me some kizer and vosteed but also eafengrow makes some really great folders and fixed blades at a perfect price they punch way above the part grade!
I used a Svord Pesant knife for a couple years. I really liked it. that piece of tang that sticks out when it’s closed was really useful, I probably used it more than the blade. Sadly, I lost my green beauty. I need to pick up a replacement.
Great video! I have many of those blades including the Ozark Grail LOL The only addition would be the Harbor Freight Begg-homage knife. It's pushing the $30 dollar limit, but with a coupon... :)
The mini praxis is the sharpest knife I have ever got out of the box! Mirror polish sharp. My fave tho is the CJRB pyrite button lock. Awesome knife for the price!
Three knives that I have purchased solely based on looks (in this price range) but exceeded my expectations in quality... Sitivien ST-144 (14C28N) Petrified Fish 818 (D2) Freetiger FT51 (K110)
Enjoyed your list - good info to have. The one that popped in my head for that price range that you may have missed was the Swiss Tech “Wurdig”, with AUS-8 and canvas Micarta. I’ve had one for a while, and it has served me well…
Great video! Lots of useful info. It sucks how the ozark trail d2 knife is sold out everywhere, hoping the hype dies down and they'll be more readily available
I love that you went with Dropout. The guy that came up with the name on the first live stream with it is gonna be pumped! Love me some Olitans, I got on the titanium the second I saw it. I torched mine for somw color, but that grade of titanium apparently dosn't show torched color very well. The same thing wiith my Monikala Assault Team 1. The titanium on it doesn't show torched colors very well. That Olitans T025 isn't on Amazon any more btw.
I usually get ganzo knives for someone who hasnt really had a pocket folder they are good value for sure. I bought an opinel as a dedicated apple slicers that i keep in my lunchbox (i bring an apple everyday). For light use like that it is good and it is very slicey and Ive never needed to sharpen it. However they tend to get really nasty as the pivot is inside the wood behind the lock so its pretty hard to clean. I too have also experienced locking failure with the lock sliding. Having said all the I might check out the svord.
In regards to the Penguin, I don't know how unique a feature it is, but I'd add that it's running on both phosphor and teflon. I can attest that they still ship with both. After some research I ordered it a couple months ago thinking the Teflon was no longer but the one I got had both types when I opened it up 😁
The washers on my Penguin got all messed up and don’t work well anymore. My QSP Canary however is awesome and comes with ball bearings with WAY better action. Same price too
@@OddBall1997 I haven’t tried reaching out to them about it. The washers might’ve been wrecked when tightening the pivots too hard trying to centre the blade after taking it apart. I swapped the most damaged washers from another knife and it functions but it’s not as smooth as when it was new. And not nearly as smooth as ball bearings. I still can’t get it centred without over tightening
Cant believe you hated on the Buck Bantams. I like mine. But thanks for all the new (to me) knives to check out. I generally ignore those "Amazon" brands.
Your assessment of the Ganzo F759M is generous. It’s a solid knife for sure, and for $17 they’re great beater knives. Definitely not a Delica clone, though. Handle a Delica, then handle a F759M, and the difference is apparent. As mentioned elsewhere, it is a Byrd Meadowlark clone, at best. It just makes the staple rating in my book.
I'm a bit disappointed that you gave the Ganzo / Firebird F759M back lock a pass. It's not a Delica clone. It's a straight clone of the Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark 2 (which has sadly crept close to $40 with Spyderco's never ceasing price increases).
i got the schrade delta class for $5 at a dick's sporting goods yesterday, love the action on it and it's just sharp enough to be used as a daily carry for me.
Gonna watch later, but looking through the list, I don't see the Gordon from Harbor Freight. While the new Ozark trail is a nice fidget toy and the blade steel is better, I still prefer the beefier blade on the Gordon as my go to everyday carry budget knife. The Gordon is still available, and they fixed the labeling and now say it is a 2.9" blade length.
I carry coldsteel voyager xl and a broken skull in xhp i paid $40 back when things were affordable. Nowadays i can hardly afford food let alone take a risk on a knife in the mail. I do like Ganzo and i would like a valsteed if i had money.
I still can’t get this “drop out” from Walmart. It’s still unavailable in my area and it’s driving me nuts LOL. But I did find out my local Walmart sells Morakniv, Civivi (got the Qubit), iridium and mini iridium and some other good budget stuff
Bro , Excellent Budget Blades Review. I'm In Toronto Canada Many $20-$40 Blades Are Unavailable Here Sadly. Carrying Anything Really Can Result With Weapons Dang / Prohibited 🚫 However My EDC's In Circ , 4" , 3".. Walmart Here Doesn't Stock Blades. I've Ordered Many Just To Get A Visit From Canada Customs. At Least They Agree The Laws Are BS Y'know 😂 🤘 Good Evening & Thanks For All Your Hard Work Seriously!!
Месяц назад+2
Back in the days the Opinel was used by boy scouts all over Europe. ^^
@@maxlvledc oh ya, the second version is on sale today. restocking is a bit of an issue when they sell out. it can take a month before they get more. Version 2 has a full smooth blade. no serrations.
I grabbed that 10 dollar wal-mart cross bar locking knife. 4 of them actually. Three of them have locking issues. I'll flip it open and the lock won't grab. Flip it back shut, lock won't grab. The blad just flops around. So...unless you're buying them in order to remove the d2 blad and make like...a spear or something, they are, at least in my experience, useless.
Agree with most , however I know that Kershaw has plenty in that price range. Byrd by Spyderco also has knives you can hammer to death and they keep going.
It's a bit chonky, but I really like my Sitivien ST132. The F&F along with the three color scales really speak to me The Sitivien ST147 is neat too. You get alot of machining, 14C28N steel, and some fancy burlap micarta options for $25. I wouldn't never pay big $$$'s for this type of wild recurve knife, but why not mix it up for the price?
oh yeah, Land. their QC is better than SRM's in my opinion. the 140 is my fav, the 910Plus is awesome and the 910T2 in M390 and Titanium even better, and even the Land 7010 (copy of the Sanrenmu 710/7010) is better than the original. edit: where are the Eafengrows ?
Opinel is fantastic _for its intended use_ like make an apple into two halves, making an onion into small small cubes, or trimming off a twig from a branch in the garden. Then the lock mechanism is not even needed, as in no 5 and below.
The sub-$30 Kershaws aren't worth it in my opinion. The more expensive knives tend to be pretty good, but their reliance on assisted opening on so many knives is a real killer for me.
I really enjoyed this video. I cut off another channel’s new update because I’m just getting tired of folks trying to sell us $280+ EDC.
Man I hear ya, most of the knife channels just shill these $200 plus folders, that let’s face it, are reg knives with “premium” parts. Titanium comes from China, 90 percent of it does, and they’re just using cnc machines to do the handles, it’s not like some old craftsman is doing it. It’s all marketing, hype. I’m a skipjoint guy, so I’m more into those, but of course I still love my modern folders, but when you have brands consistently charging over 200 for a knife, it’s time to reevaluate the scene, in my opinion. Too many ppl buy expensive things for status symbols, knives are no different. It’s nice to see more videos like this and it’s also nice that he’s considering budget at 30 or less, that’s true budget to me. Some ppl consider anything under 100 budget, when only a few years ago that would have been most knives.
You and me both.
This is priced at “just 250dollars”
I'd get a handmade custom sword from Nepal for that price
Solid list and I agree with all of your picks. I feel like some of the most exciting knives are in the $30 - $50 price range. It’s a lot easier to make an impulse buy that price point. It was interesting to see the Pyrite light move to that sub $30 price point a few weeks after release. The industry is figuring out that pricey knives are cool but affordable knives find their way into your pocket much easier.
Really dig this ranking system! This same video concept with different price tiers would be really cool.
Some people claim to be penurious. Me? I'm just plain cheap and nothing piques my interest more than a video, like this one, reviewing and rating good quality yet inexpensive Every Day Carries. I was pleased that your first two mentioned knives are also a couple of favorites in my meager collection. Thank you for your effort!
cheers! glad you liked it. I'll keep doing it too as I love budget gear.
I wouldn’t EDC one, but I do like using those Opinel knives for food prep. I got the picnic cutlery set and it’s super convenient. It’s a knife, a fork, a spoon, and a napkin in one package. I throw it in my lunch box when I go to work.
Thank you for listing the prices in the corner when presenting each knife. Prayers for Tim B and his quick return to the channel.
yea, Tim has been having a rough GO
Ganzo is the GOAT when it comes to budget blades. My FH91 is one hell of a knife
I have the original Pyrite. One of my favorite knives and in my opinion still one of the best budget knives you can ever buy.
To me, this is an actual budget video. Thanks!
I have PM2's, a Manix, Stretch, Griptillian, Pyrite, Civivis, but I still carry my Ganzo Firebird 922.
When I'm shopping this territory, which is most of the time, I always drop by the Sencut and Civivi discontinued knives. It's too hit or miss for a list like this, but you can get some real gems.
Glad you mentioned olitetans. I was immediately drawn to the mint green one and love it. Comes super sharp btw.
Now do flashlights
oooo, great idea.
That would be huge. I’m in need of an edc light on a budget
I second this
I've seen people calling the D2 Walmart the "Wugout" 😂
I'm hoping the name Dropout catches on, 'cos I like that one a lot more.
Dropbear + Bugout.
I really want to buy one but they aren’t at Walmarts in my city
@@RealBoiJareyeah they are all sold out everywhere
@@jonjon9270 I’m in Canada and I don’t think they’ve ever been stocked yet. At least not where I live. It’s too bad. I’m waiting
@@RealBoiJareyeah here in Texas too sold out 😂
Love me some kizer and vosteed but also eafengrow makes some really great folders and fixed blades at a perfect price they punch way above the part grade!
I used a Svord Pesant knife for a couple years. I really liked it. that piece of tang that sticks out when it’s closed was really useful, I probably used it more than the blade. Sadly, I lost my green beauty. I need to pick up a replacement.
I’ve always wanted to try a fiction folder like that. I hear great things.
you should sharpen the spine on the exposed part! it lets you strike a ferro rod, I also modded the lanyard area into a pry.
Great video! I have many of those blades including the Ozark Grail LOL
The only addition would be the Harbor Freight Begg-homage knife. It's pushing the $30 dollar limit, but with a coupon... :)
Too bad Ozark d2 knife is always sold out
Just got the Mini Praxis from Walmart last week. Perfect in between large and small folders. Action is great. Sharp out of the box.
The mini Praxis was my 3rd knife its special for sure 😊
The mini praxis is the sharpest knife I have ever got out of the box! Mirror polish sharp.
My fave tho is the CJRB pyrite button lock. Awesome knife for the price!
Three knives that I have purchased solely based on looks (in this price range) but exceeded my expectations in quality...
Sitivien ST-144 (14C28N)
Petrified Fish 818 (D2)
Freetiger FT51 (K110)
I tried the Freetiger...I didn't like the flipping action but otherwise its awesome.
Enjoyed your list - good info to have. The one that popped in my head for that price range that you may have missed was the Swiss Tech “Wurdig”, with AUS-8 and canvas Micarta. I’ve had one for a while, and it has served me well…
I agree with you on all of them except the SRM 9201. I would add it to the best tier as well.
If I could still find it I 100% would.
Great video! Lots of useful info. It sucks how the ozark trail d2 knife is sold out everywhere, hoping the hype dies down and they'll be more readily available
Dude, you should review swiss tech's new multitools and knives. The Powerpint sized multitool with AUS-8 blade especially
on it! just got it.
You always got me trying to spend money, but I still appreciate it haha
haha, my evil plan lols
Great video! Thanks for the content. Very informative!👍😊
If Buck could add the crossbar lock and the bearings to the Slim Select that would improve it dramatically. The blade and handle is fine.
Honestly, I'd just take a mid back-lock over the 2 handed lock.
I love that you went with Dropout. The guy that came up with the name on the first live stream with it is gonna be pumped! Love me some Olitans, I got on the titanium the second I saw it. I torched mine for somw color, but that grade of titanium apparently dosn't show torched color very well. The same thing wiith my Monikala Assault Team 1. The titanium on it doesn't show torched colors very well. That Olitans T025 isn't on Amazon any more btw.
I usually get ganzo knives for someone who hasnt really had a pocket folder they are good value for sure.
I bought an opinel as a dedicated apple slicers that i keep in my lunchbox (i bring an apple everyday). For light use like that it is good and it is very slicey and Ive never needed to sharpen it. However they tend to get really nasty as the pivot is inside the wood behind the lock so its pretty hard to clean. I too have also experienced locking failure with the lock sliding. Having said all the I might check out the svord.
In regards to the Penguin, I don't know how unique a feature it is, but I'd add that it's running on both phosphor and teflon. I can attest that they still ship with both. After some research I ordered it a couple months ago thinking the Teflon was no longer but the one I got had both types when I opened it up 😁
oo, very cool. I did not know this.
The washers on my Penguin got all messed up and don’t work well anymore. My QSP Canary however is awesome and comes with ball bearings with WAY better action. Same price too
@@RealBoiJare OMG! Were you able to get them fixed?
@@OddBall1997 I haven’t tried reaching out to them about it. The washers might’ve been wrecked when tightening the pivots too hard trying to centre the blade after taking it apart. I swapped the most damaged washers from another knife and it functions but it’s not as smooth as when it was new. And not nearly as smooth as ball bearings. I still can’t get it centred without over tightening
@@RealBoiJare Oof, that sucks. I guess at least it makes a good cautionary tale 😭
Cant believe you hated on the Buck Bantams. I like mine. But thanks for all the new (to me) knives to check out. I generally ignore those "Amazon" brands.
Any Kizer on their frequent 50% off sales 😂
I second this, kizer, when they’re on sale, has the best priced knives out there, if I wasn’t broke, I’d have so much more kizer knives
@@theyellowninja2559 I've collected like 30 of them the last few years.. I need to stop
if your lucky..but I can't do a tier list on randomness.
Where do you find 50% off Kizer sales?
@@maxlvledcHey mate, something went wrong with your audio after the intro 🫤
Great content though 👍
Your assessment of the Ganzo F759M is generous. It’s a solid knife for sure, and for $17 they’re great beater knives. Definitely not a Delica clone, though. Handle a Delica, then handle a F759M, and the difference is apparent. As mentioned elsewhere, it is a Byrd Meadowlark clone, at best. It just makes the staple rating in my book.
I mean..I hope it never competes with a $70 knife..that would be crazy. Your right that its more of a Meadowlark clone.
because of you, I learned of the Olitans - got my girl a pink one & now she carries a knife - thank you sir
Awesome! Which one?
@@maxlvledc AL-G048 Mini Airship Pink. She is Asian, has little hands so it looks like a full sized knife when she is holding it 😂
Cjrb ria is probably my favorite knife.
Everyone should have a mini praxis, qsp pequin, and any pyrite.
I'm a bit disappointed that you gave the Ganzo / Firebird F759M back lock a pass. It's not a Delica clone. It's a straight clone of the Spyderco Byrd Meadowlark 2 (which has sadly crept close to $40 with Spyderco's never ceasing price increases).
fair fair, I'd rather buy a Byrd..but the price is stupid.
i got the schrade delta class for $5 at a dick's sporting goods yesterday, love the action on it and it's just sharp enough to be used as a daily carry for me.
Guardian Eagle is fantastic, Xtouc mini 2.5 I would rate it up there with the Maileah.
Just got the Xtouc, its AWESOME
Browning Buckmark Slim, Browning Riverstone, Browning Trailside are all D2 offerings from Browning about ~$30
You need to try petrified tish pf818 you will love it! Nice vid👍
Thank you for this. It's really helpful info.
glad I can help.
You missed the new Kizer Amicus! With the Nitro-V ant 62hrc
Doesn't Kizer have terrible heat treat?
not in my experience, but that can vary from knife to knife
is it $30?
Had a buck knife with a crossbar lock...one day the spring broke and my was trashed. I fined the crossbar lock to be iffy
A vote for light weight and low cost blades👍
Gonna watch later, but looking through the list, I don't see the Gordon from Harbor Freight. While the new Ozark trail is a nice fidget toy and the blade steel is better, I still prefer the beefier blade on the Gordon as my go to everyday carry budget knife. The Gordon is still available, and they fixed the labeling and now say it is a 2.9" blade length.
oh!!?!? I thought it was discontinued!!!
I carry coldsteel voyager xl and a broken skull in xhp i paid $40 back when things were affordable.
Nowadays i can hardly afford food let alone take a risk on a knife in the mail.
I do like Ganzo and i would like a valsteed if i had money.
FYI, the "Dropout" does have a reversible clip but it requires disassembly in order to swap the liners to do so.
mind is BLOWN!
Great overview! Thank you for sharing!
I still can’t get this “drop out” from Walmart. It’s still unavailable in my area and it’s driving me nuts LOL. But I did find out my local Walmart sells Morakniv, Civivi (got the Qubit), iridium and mini iridium and some other good budget stuff
Mora being in Walmart is awesome
The Ozark has been sold out online and in my state for weeks.
Just an FYI in southern California where i live the Ozark trail knife at Walmart is out if stock, and has been since last Xmas.
Holy heck you've swallowed the koolaid putting the Ozark Bugout where you did.
Bro , Excellent Budget Blades Review. I'm In Toronto Canada
Many $20-$40 Blades Are Unavailable Here Sadly.
Carrying Anything Really Can Result With Weapons Dang /
Prohibited 🚫
However My EDC's In Circ ,
4" , 3".. Walmart Here Doesn't Stock Blades.
I've Ordered Many Just To Get A Visit From Canada Customs. At Least They Agree The Laws Are BS Y'know 😂 🤘 Good Evening & Thanks For All Your Hard Work Seriously!!
Back in the days the Opinel was used by boy scouts all over Europe. ^^
Bruh, Do you know the Gordon 3.6 “ drop point knife? I like it. I really like it. $8 on sale. very high value imo
still for sale??? I thought discontinued?
@@maxlvledc oh ya, the second version is on sale today. restocking is a bit of an issue when they sell out. it can take a month before they get more. Version 2 has a full smooth blade. no serrations.
No love for Opinel ? Classy and useful knife for under $20. How’d your lock fail?
@@sonofacheron comes loose from intermittent pressure. Over and over again.
Great video as always.
Petrified Fish? Where would this fit in the pecking order? Or is it consider over $30?
most are over $30..but they do have one D2 folder. It just doesn't stand out against the competition in any meaningful way.
You should look at the Turenz in D2 with G10. $29 It's a lot of knife for the $$ its done great except for the pocket clip.
I grabbed that 10 dollar wal-mart cross bar locking knife. 4 of them actually. Three of them have locking issues. I'll flip it open and the lock won't grab. Flip it back shut, lock won't grab. The blad just flops around. So...unless you're buying them in order to remove the d2 blad and make like...a spear or something, they are, at least in my experience, useless.
I think I got very lucky then, My 4 all work great.
Mine is really good as well, just some roughness where the crossbar rides on the blade. It is smoothing out, though. Not centered perfectly, either.
I noticed the pivot being really weak. Light duty at best.
Mine has No Problems!😊😅
Agree with most , however I know that Kershaw has plenty in that price range. Byrd by Spyderco also has knives you can hammer to death and they keep going.
It's a bit chonky, but I really like my Sitivien ST132. The F&F along with the three color scales really speak to me The Sitivien ST147 is neat too. You get alot of machining, 14C28N steel, and some fancy burlap micarta options for $25. I wouldn't never pay big $$$'s for this type of wild recurve knife, but why not mix it up for the price?
oh yeah, Land. their QC is better than SRM's in my opinion. the 140 is my fav, the 910Plus is awesome and the 910T2 in M390 and Titanium even better, and even the Land 7010 (copy of the Sanrenmu 710/7010) is better than the original.
edit: where are the Eafengrows ?
COLD STEEL mini tuff lite 2 is good
I need to add that one to the list.
Kershaw Conduit 8Cr 13MoV. 2.9 “ flipper blade. $27
Can you do a video on the monoprice 14 in 1 axe hammer?
those are generally not great tools, hammers are multitools already.
Pls do Kizlar Co knives review sometime when slow times
We’re do Swiss Teck knives fit in?
Finally! Someone honest about Opinel! Expect some hate.
Im sure lols, SVORD FOREVER!
Opinel is fantastic _for its intended use_ like make an apple into two halves, making an onion into small small cubes, or trimming off a twig from a branch in the garden. Then the lock mechanism is not even needed, as in no 5 and below.
Petrified Fish Mini Buluga.
Ned Foss?
Sold out at Walmart
Hard to justify spending anymore than 30
No kershaw knives 😂😂
yea well.....not much in that category lolz
The sub-$30 Kershaws aren't worth it in my opinion. The more expensive knives tend to be pretty good, but their reliance on assisted opening on so many knives is a real killer for me.
@@Sanguivore I 100% agree
👍
The Ozark Trail knife is not worth having. The pivot is really weak.
Light duty work at best. It's a $10 knife and feels like it.
let's be honest the whole video was made because of the Walmart bugout
@@Forest0308 true haha
Kershaw Showtime. $25. Thank me later.
ill look
There are lots of sub $30 kershaw that blow away that buck and are usa made....
Bump
What is your number one knife under thirty dollars?
Theres really no need to spend a fortune, is there?
RIP Buck Bantam. Nobody liked you.
FACTS
hidden gem: Sanrenmu 7023 for under $16 usually
and the 7056
I need to see if I can find those on amazon
Which in either the passable or best category would be the best for daily hard use? @maxlvledc
hmm, Dozier, or Ganzo crossbar lock imo.