These Pocket Knives Are So Cheap - But So Good!

The word “cheap” can sometimes turn us off, but today we’re looking at the EDC folders that rise above that negative connotation and bring you the absolute best performance for the price of a nice lunch.

Featured Knives
0:00 The Best EDC Knives for the Lowest Price

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[donpaco]

DCA: You are truly an asset to your employer, coworkers and the customers. The research, effort and neutral mannered tone of your presentations is outstanding!

[maxlvledc]

once you get the Ruike at $30..your going to question your hobby way way too much. Some of the best knife related content on YT. Well done.

[richardpellis]

Thank you for taking the time to do the research, script, record, and post this video. Aside from not being able to handle these knives in person, this is what I love about YT.
1). I get an education about metallurgy, blades, handles, blade locks, etc.
2). I get a review of 13 knives chosen by a subject matter expert that works with knives on a daily basis
3). I don't think I would ever get to handle all those knives in a store. Assuming they had all of them in stock, I'm sure the clerk would get frustrated with my requests. 😀

Personally, I liked the KA-Bar Dozier the best, but my preference is based on looks more than anything.

I also appreciate all the comments about these selections as well as others.

[catfishcave]

I cannot tell a lie; I have over 80 knives now including many Italians and Benchmades and Spydercos; but, my favorite edc TO USE AND ABUSE is the Dozier. I have several Civivis and CRKT among other knives in the 50-70 range, and the Dozier just works for me. I love my Viper Turn, but I would never pound on it or pry with it or throw it at a tree just because. The Rat 2 is another favorite.

[henryvandeventer]

The Ruike P801 is awesome for the price. Looks way more expensive than what it actually costs. Have had mine for more than a year now and it's in my EDC rotation regularly, especially when I need a more subtle or classy looking knife (as compared to my Cold Steel's). Never had a problem with it.

[stever.]

This video got right to the point and held my interest throughout its entirety. Verbiage was crisp and clear. And now I want a few of this knives. Well done sir

[rafaelterrazas]

I ACTUALLY LIKE THE MINI KNIFE. I CARRY ONE IN MY FRONT POCKET, ALONG WITH MY CHAP STICK, AND A PACK OF GUM. THE MINI KNIVES ACTUALLY COME IN HANDY FOR OPENING PACKAGE'S, LETTER'S ETC. WHEN YOU JUST NEED A KNIFE ON THE FLY. OF COURSE I ALSO EDC OTHERS LIKE MY "ESPADA XL" OR MY "RAJA II", AND I ALWAYS CARRY A GOOD "FIXED BLADE". YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MUCH YOU USE THE MINI KNIFE JUST LIKE THE OTHER'S, JUST LIKE MULTI PLIER'S. I NEVER USED TO CARRY A MULTI TOOL, BUT WHEN I STARTED. I FOUND MY SELF USING IT LITERALLY EVERY DAY FOR ONE THING OR ANOTHER. GOOD VIDEO. THANK YOU.

[fflecx]

What makes the Opinels so charming imo is the endless customizability. Carve, chisel or stain the handle, force a patina on that carbon blade. You can truly make it your own with very little effort. Also they've more blade shapes than what is often shown, the 'chestnut garlic' one is a lovely edc

[Marcobuck]

I miss the Buck 112 slim select here, great knife for a small price, use it now for more than 2 years and don't let me down. The Buck 420 HC is good steel, easy to put a razor Sharp Edge on it.

[christopherharpster]

The OSO is one of my favorite knives I own! And you covered my current EDC, the Buck Bantam! I have been carrying this knife for about 2 months now daily, and I'm thoroughly impressed! I bought it from a Cabelas when I was in West Virginia for work, and I absolutely love it! I actually bought one for my son last week, and he uses it around the barn.

[weightlessliving]

I have an original Gerber LST I received as a birthday gift in 1983. It is 40 years later and it still looks and functions as new. Simply the best, lightest, smoothest, single blade pocket knife. It doesn’t need a thumb stud because you can open it one handed so easily with your thumb anyway. Without a belt clip, it’s smooth and doesn’t get caught on anything. It so light, you can have it in your pocket and not notice. Since it’s in your pocket, there’s not worry of it getting caught on something and coming off your belt and being lost. This may be why I have had it for 40 years while other knives are long gone!

[meiowalot]

I have the Tuff Lite (not the mini) and it’s a great knife to carry anywhere. Rock solid and cheap enough that you won’t cry if you lose it somewhere.

[apexmoto]

Anyone who doesn't pick up the Ruike P801 (pronounced RAY-ku BTW) is simply missing out on one of the best deals on the knife market. I've been using it as my EDC for 3yrs in a harsh marine environment where I'm often cutting through thick mooring lines hardened by sun and salt water. Insane build quality and durability for the money, and that Sandvik steel just continues to impress whatever I throw at it. Easy to sharpen and holds its edge well. Super slick action, fires open with the speed of thought, from the flipper tab or the thumb stud and drops shut with a single hand. Stainless scales and pocket clip make it slide in and out the pocket effortlessly, yet it's never fallen out unintentionally regardless of the tight spaces and inverted angles I've had to stuff my body into working on boats. The one single caveat maybe is the stonewashed finish on the blade does tend to pick up some fine scratches from rough use, but for $30 I picked this thing up as a beater work knife and it simply refused to die. Super impressed, I've told many of my friends about it over the years and have given several as gifts. The knife is a major go!

[REB]

Not a pocket knife person, but I got the Zancudo for free when I ordered my custom ESEE 6 knife & didn't think much about a free-type of knife and left it in its box without opening it for like a year. One day I needed a small knife to cut some boxes and took it out...I carry it all the time now. I'm very, very happy with it as an EDC knife. The lock is very sturdy, it is very ergonomic, & grippy enough to not let my hand slip up the blade even when wet. It still has the original edge.

[BrutishYetDelightful]

My all-time champeen cheap pocketknife was one of those little half-serrated lockbacks you see with the black delrin handles in a big plastic jar on the counter at the convenience store. Little bead-chain lanyard so you can put it on your keyring. Usually retails for $1. I found mine in a creek, shining up at me as I hopped across. I thought "Hey, free knife! I'll use it till it breaks!" I carried that little knife in my pocket for 15 years before it finally did break.

[Mike-In-O-Town]

Ontario RAT II can be had for $30 and under from time to time and is an awesome EDC. Been in my pocket for the past 5 years and love the knife.

[mlaw]

I chose a CIVIVI Mini Praxis as a graduation present for my grandson. I am retired with limited discretionary income so $29 fit my budget. Also a major consideration is the design of the knife which to me is very pleasing. The D2 steel was also a plus.

[koomo]

Glad you mentioned the Zancudo. Mine has been my most frequent carry for the last 6 years. It’s also the cheapest knife I own! The other 30+ knives (ranging in price from $50 to $600) are practically safe queens by comparison. I figure sooner or later a Civivi will replace it (the Baby Banter almost did), but there’s nothing else I’ve found with that form factor the Zancudo has. Ultra-thin and super-narrow when closed (sorry, Spyderco, yours are terrific when opened but are pocket hogs when closed), yet you get a locked-in grip as DCA stated. Best beater knife ever.

[JerryLoffelbein]

That QSP Parrot is an amazing buy. You can even get it in a couple different micarta scales for like 2-3$ more (and it's good quality micarta). I prefer the handle shape over the sheepsfoot Penguin and fits even my heckin' chonker claws.

[nateknutson]

DCA, gotta say I love your work but I wish you would start calling out the distinction between Chinese- and Taiwanese-made, especially when talking about inexpensive knives. The Dozier is one of my favorite knives, I've had about 4 of them and bought others as gifts, and to me one of the most brilliant things about it is it's made in Taiwan by a free person in a real democracy. Same goes for some others on your table in this video, but decidedly not others. I'm not saying I'm perfect and above buying Chinese products or never do it, but with knives I will not do it because I just don't need to, we're blessed with the option to support the knife industries in free countries at perfectly attainable prices. I'm not saying this to make anyone the bad guy for their decisions but I just think the distinction is worth calling out.