$25 folder recommendations

Another vote for the Pro Lite. It's a steal. You get the strongest lock design and 3 different blades to choose from. It feels good in the hand and will serve your friend well. Here is my modified Pro Lite Tanto (I gave it a belly)
IMG-20200120-225159898.jpg
 
So many good choices. The knife in that price range that I really thought felt like a $100 knife was the Ontario 8904 Joe Pardue Utiliac Folding Knife.

It’s a great knife with a very smooth action.

About $22.00
 
Thank you all, amazing replies!
I'm starting to think that thumb screws might detract from the slicing ability.
From the suggestions offered so far, I've narrowed it down to:

CRKT Ruger Windage - 3.75" blade, flat grind
Kershaw Nura 4035 - 3.5" blade
Ontario RAT 1 8848 - 3.5" blade, flat grind
Ruike p801 - 3.5" blade, flat grind
Ruike P121 - 3.62" blade, "saber" grind
Cold Steel Pro Lite 20NU - 3.5" blade, "saber" grind
Kershaw Scrambler 3890 - 3.5" blade, hollow grind
Ontario Utilitac 8904/8908 - 3.5" blade, hollow grind
Buck Bantam 286 - 3.62" blade, hollow grind (not sure it has liners, might feel cheap)
Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2 401130 - 3.75" blade, flat grind (on the heavy side, cutting edge 3.2")

The following are out of the running:
Kershaw Atmos - 3" blade
Kershaw Fraxion - 2.75" blade
SAKs - not looking at SAKs right now
Buck Vantage select 0345 - 3.25" blade, hollow grind
Spyderco Byrd Harrier 2 - 3.36" blade
Kershaw Link 1776T - 3.25" blade, tanto
Buck 110, 112 - not tactical. I showed him a sodbuster - no go
Kershaw Natrix - 3.25" blade
CRKT Vox Batum - 3.12" blade
Ka-Bar Dozier - 3" blade, hollow ground
 
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Given that the Ontario Rat handle was too big or heavy, I instantly wanted to recommend a Tangram Santa Fe. It's almost exactly $25. It's well made. The blade is wonderfully slicey. The action is decent and the thumb studs are very flickable. The Acuto 440 steel holds a decent edge and offers much better corrosion resistance than either 8Cr13Mov or AUS-8.

Unfortunately, the blade is only around 3.4". It has a hollow grind and thin blade stock but that just helps it cut. If salami and packages are the primary tasks, it'll be fine. (Ask me how I know.) Looking at your list so far, I should ask if those issues are as important as corrosion resistance. I see a lot of 8Cr13Mov and AUS-8 on that list. Neither is known for stellar corrosion resistance. Look at it this way:

CRKT Ruger Windage -8Cr13Mov
Kershaw Nura 4035 - 8Cr13Mov
Ontario RAT 1 8848 - AUS-8
Ruike p801 - 14C28N
Ruike P121 - 14C28N
Cold Steel Pro Lite 20NU - 4116
Kershaw Scrambler 3890 - 8Cr13Mov
Ontario Utilitac 8904/8908 - AUS-8
Buck Bantam 286 - 420HC
Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2 401130 - 8Cr13Mov

Here is an elemental comparison of these steels:
http://zknives.com/knives/steels/st...4C28N, Acuto440, 420hc&ni=857,,,,,&hrn=1&gm=0

Chromium is a major indicator of corrosion resistance. Note that 14C28N gets an appreciable boost from its nitrogen content, making it a better choice than 8Cr13Mov or AUS-8.
 
Based on the updated posts, I'd vote Ruike p801 just over the Rat 1. The Ruike has great steel, saves a half ounce, and a framelock is a solid lock. The blue thumb stud and deep carry clip are a nice touch too at this price point.

The Rat 1 is also a solid choice.
 
D dirc beat me to it.
Buck 110LT.

SK Blades has the "Smoke Jumper" (CPM154 clip point blade, red handle) and "The Shield" (CPM154 drop point blade, blue handle) for right around $30, including domestic shipping to the "lower 48".
Both come with a custom Buck nylon belt sheath, with edging to match the color of the knife handle.
The blades have the unbeatable BOS heat tread, as well.
The knives are an SK Blades SFO, (Special Factory Order) which are covered under Buck's transferrable from one owner to the next, no proof of purchase necessary Forever warranty.
 
I was pleasantly surprised by the CRKT Remedy, seems well built, flips nice and has a very slicey tall hollow grind, priced around $25
 
Imperial Schrade melon samplers are like $9, I like the 10 1/2” one with a 4.7” blade
 
fonedork said:
Imperial Schrade melon samplers are like $9, I like the 10 1/2” one with a 4.7” blade
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I have considered those many times for myself.

I think I'll go with the Utilitac 8904, as it will probably please him most, slicing be damned.
 
lmao - why so much #mallninja mojo? - if you needed a prybar, a kershaw barge would be a better choice : P

for me that p121 ruike looks perfect, but it was a bit over budget so I never suggested it - I really like the lines and simplicity of it
 
Zorobabel said:
A friend (non-knife person) asked me about a knife he was thinking of buying (some bear grills crap). He wanted it for road trips and hiking and when I tried to sway him to an Opinel, he said it has to be able to cut wood if need be (he probably watched one of the stupid shows). Knowing him, the knife would mostly be cutting salami and packaging and I'm sure he will abuse it at some point (judging by his kitchen knives). He seems to like the tactical look, but I'm not a fan and don't know much about tactical folders, which is why I started this thread.
The decision is mine as I plan on gifting him the knife. I won't gift him a fixed blade, as I don't want to be blamed for his incarceration (California). Due to the expected salami use, I'd prefer a flat grind. The blade must not be rust prone (non-knife person). No half serrated blades as I hate them.
I was looking at the Ontario Rat 1 in AUS8, but I think the handle is overkill and it's somewhat heavy, but at least it's not an eyesore to me. Anything better in this price range?
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If he's a non-knife person and doesn't want to bother with long and laborious sharpening, he might consider a very lightweight backpack friendly Outdoor Onyx Edge 3.5" EDC ($20). He can find it on Amazon. It's like a box cutter but in a full size hunter/skinner shape and size. It comes with 3 easily replaceable blades that can be quickly touched up many times with Outdoor Edge's field pull through sharpener ($10). A similarly inexpensive Smith's sharpener will also do. Extra blades can be purchased at 6 to the pack for $10.

The steel is not by any means premium and dulls quickly compared to higher end offerings. But it will hold up very nicely for a few days for most salami cutting and package opening tasks. And also it will do too on the trail for cutting paracord, stick feathering, and tent stake carving requirements. When it gets dull re-sharpen with a few swipes of the field sharpener. Or replace the blade. Easy-peasy.
 
dirc said:
lmao - why so much #mallninja mojo? - if you needed a prybar, a kershaw barge would be a better choice : P
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That's for sociologists to figure out :)

dirc said:
for me that p121 ruike looks perfect, but it was a bit over budget so I never suggested it - I really like the lines and simplicity of it
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That one wasn't recommended here, but it caught my eye for the same reasons; obviously not tactical enough.

This folder can't have a ball bearing at the pivot, he'll never do any kind of maintenance on it.
 
I have used extensively the byrd cara cara 2 and have given several away to many friends. Easy to carry for road trips and hiking. It is wonderful for food prep, cutting fruit, sandwiches. The full flat grind makes a tidy slice . Works ok on cordage and great on parcels , letters. They appreciate the combo edge. It carries quite discretely, especially for it's size. Doesn't offend nosy people when using it in the office or trail. Thin and lightweight so they always have it with them. Two ladies put in the purse, one in their cell phone wallet . It has with great texture for gripping when wet, has a backlock and movable clip for the left or right hand use.
The my have commented on it ease of use and carry , it made them feel safer wherever they are including trails.
I have over 200 knives and let my friends / family pick out their loaner knife or gift knife i and this is always a top pick or the little byrd meadowlawk. Seems fairly easy to sharpen. I often provide or link them a simple v shape sharpener that cost $5 . The serrated user commented after 2 years of light daily use not needing to sharpen it. It seems like the combo edge maintains a usuable edge for a long time. With a wave mod, its often my left pocket back up knife. Hope this helps.
 
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