best folding knife under $25

Kabar Warthog II
RAT 1
CRKT Lightfoot
I personally find the 10 dollar Warthog II to lock up alot better than any of the gerber folders I've owned, and their liner locks last a good year of everyday carry and utility use before they loosen up. The RAT 1 has the fit and finish of many 100+ dollar folders, the handle just isn't as ergo for my hand size.
 
midnight flyer said:
RAT 1 is a really good knife, but it might not be viewed well when traveling through various custom ports. It isn't a small knife. Plan on clipping it to your pocket, not carrying it inside it.

The CRKT Drifter might be a good knife at your price point. Incredibly sturdy, decent steel, and probably about $22 now. I use one all the time as a hard work knife. So far it has been indestructible.

And no love for a smaller sodbuster? I bought a Queen D2 yellow handled sodbuster about 3 months ago for $23 + shipping. Excellent knife as it is, but almost unbeatable at the price point. Slips in and out of the pocket easily and cuts like a demon.

Robert
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Robert knows.

RAT-1 is a great deal, but chancy if you are going to countries with unfamiliar laws. Either the smaller Case sodbuster or the Queen Country Cousin will be acceptable almost anywhere. Both are excellent knives and within your price range. Queen may be a hair better, but Case may be more readily obtainable on short notice.
 
Dont doubt the power of the cadet...i have a red ALOX one and i carry it every day...its a great knife to have on you and it has a very capable blade, you should see if you can find one locally to see the size...its great for all sorts of tasks...i have pulled it out at restaurants as a steak knife and it was just fine...also if for some reason your in an area where your not allowed a knife, in case you didnt know about the law, a SAK looks much better than a larger folder...food for thought...but IMO the cadet is an awesome SAK and i find tons of uses for the tools on it as well:D:D
 
+1 SAK
+1 Opinel
+1 Sodbuster

Also, Buck Bantam or 373 stockman, Case Caliber, Kissing Crane...
 
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Kershaw Skyline Knife with Textured Black G-10 Handle and stone-washed finish Blade

Byrd Raven G-10 Plain Edge Knife, Black

KA-BAR Dozier Folding Spear Blade

Victorinox Swiss Army Cadet Pocket Knife (Silver Alox, Ribbed)

I'm gonna choose from the above, thanks for the suggestions
 
Again, your SAK choices really open up if you search on a popular online auction site. For <$25.01 you can get a mighty decent SAK on the 'bay - especially if you don't mind pre-owned.

I'd love to hear more about your trip. Sounds cool.
 
I have 3 RAT Folders and all of them are excellent. I have the black coated, and both the plain edge and combo edge versions. The black coating seems like it would come off real easily, so I might recommend the satin finish over the coated version. Also, all 3 of mine came with a really tight pivot screw, which made one-handed deployment really hard. Once you loosen it up the appropriate amount, the blade has no blade play and nice fast deployment. It can also be mounted either tip up or tip down (that's increasingly rare of liner locking knives) on left or right side.

I also have both the G10 and SS Drifter and like them a lot for smaller blades. I don't care much for the recurve in the blade, but other than that is good. The G10 version seems to chip easily (maybe I was just too clumsy with mine) and you only had one carry option...

Also might look at the Dozier folders? They seem to offer great value as well, but I can't comment personally.
 
can't decide between the kershaw skyline, and ka-bar dozier, they all sound like great knives
 
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Another point about the SAK Alox Farmer, it has a mighty useful small SAW! That should take care of any rope cutting you may need to do.Its main blade is well up to food prep etc, then there's all the other tools: awl,bottle opener,can opener. All in a mighty sturdy unobtrusive pocket knife. It's madness even to walk to the shops without one!

If you want to go even cheaper,then there's the rough Rider Scout knife, Old School looking with bone handles,a bail,stout main blade,bottle opener/pry bar,awl,can opener/mini Wharncliffe. Under 15 USD
 
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WallyWorld, Target, Amazon - they all have a bunch of Victorinox Tinker combos available - from $15 for a blister-packed pair - Tinker and SD Classic - to $20 for one with a sharpener. Make it a Deluxe Tinker - or a Super - with small pliers and scissors - and you can get by for $25-$35. Do you live near any of the big stores?

A Vic SAK was all I had on many a day hike and even a camping trip, not to mention on my 21' sailboat. I whittled flutes, camping goodies, walking sticks, etc. My sons borrowed the toothpick to stab a spider - told me that evening at dinner when I was using it as designed. The tweezers removed many a splinter. The tools are always useful. The knife is a handy size - and retains it's edge well (That sharpening stick would help!). Give them a fair look. An innocuous looking knife - safe in most any political environment.

Stainz
 
Spyderco Tenacious is you can find a good deal
Buck Vantage series

4 SAK Classics:D
 
dreamexecution said:
problem with the sak is that they're over $25 unless I decide on the cadet version which has the smaller blade though I no longer doubt the usefulness of saks
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I'd look around again. A quick search on amazon for 'victorinox swiss army knife' turned up at least half a dozen under $25, including the Huntsman, Climber II, the silver Alox Farmer (my personal favorite, and the knife in my pocket right now), the Super Tinker, and more. Also, the Alox Soldier, Alox Pioneer Harvester, and the One Hand Trekker can be had for just a dollar or two above $25.
 
problem with the sak is that they're over $25 unless I decide on the cadet version which has the smaller blade though I no longer doubt the usefulness of saks
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Not on amazon but at least on ebay there are several alox Victorinox Pioneers within your budget. You probably won't get into legal issues with SAK.
Also do check out Opinels. The #8 is deliciously universal. And so cheap.
Depending on your hand size you may prefer a 9 or even a sturdy 10.
For example, this site has several Opinels.

(EDIT) based on mentions above I noticed that indeed the superb alox Victorinox Farmer is juuuuust below your $25 limit on amazon. Well, in my not so humble opinion ;) it's the perfect and most versatile choice within your budget! Go for it!
 
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How does the Chinese legal system view single bladed locking folders especially large ones ?

I don't know much about Vietnam but from what I read in a magazine (National Geographic ?) some parts are pretty lawless and people carry pretty much what they want.

Maybe a swiss army knife for China (I bet you'll get points from them if you choose a red handled one)
 
I don't think you can go wrong with most of the suggestions people have made in this thread...Kabar folders, Kershaw Skyline, SAKs, etc., all seem to fit your needs.

Just pick the one that strikes your fancy and go for it! :D
 
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