Best knife under $20

Nothing wrong with it, i'd just hazard a guess that most around here prefer a fixed blade for most camping type tasks/activities. Folders are more compact and convenient to carry, while fixed are more robust/easier to clean/sanitize.

I bring a folder camping, but I also bring at least one fixed blade.
 
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Best 25 bucks spent. I have to admit I do like my higher end blades but dang this thing is awesome. This to me is the epitome of what others should strive for. I will not mention any names but one of my favorite company's don't even get close to how this one is built and it cost roughly 1/10th the price. The action is smoother, the lockup is there, the centering is on point, it actually does feel like a "hard use" knife, and was honestly the sharpest knife out of the box I have ever felt.
The only down side is the choice of steel...but even then I cant really tell. Just my opinion.
 
Cold Steel Mini Tuff Lite (black) ~$15.
Outdoor Edge Wedge (neck knife) ~$15
Victorinox recruit ~$15
 
Sanrenmu SRM-763 has been my favorite in that price range. I think it is discontinued though. I also have a 710 and the M-Tech version of a CS Trailmaster that are also impressive for under 20.
 
Mr.TheKing01 said:
Why not?
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It's not really the right tool for the job. A pivot point and a locking mechanism are both weak links, and certainly not something I'd want to take a risk on. I've never even heard of anyone using a folder for camp tasks TBH. If it's all you happen to have in an emergency I can see it, but beyond that it doesn't seem like a good idea.

I've seen others recommend fixed blades, so if you're still taking suggestions a couple I own that cost $25 or less are:

  • Boker Magnum Nordic
  • Elk Ridge 543BW
  • Hultafors 380020
  • Marttiini Condor Skinner

All of them are a solid value.
 
tbenedict said:
Sanrenmu SRM-763 has been my favorite in that price range. I think it is discontinued though. I also have a 710 and the M-Tech version of a CS Trailmaster that are also impressive for under 20.
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Any Sanrenmu knife that does not use the <4-digit number><3 char model code>-<2 / 3 char identifier code> have been discontinued. They are also phasing out locking knives for slipjoints and non-locking knives using the double ball bearing detent mechanism to comply with their domestic laws on knives. If the knife still has the old 'R' logo on it, it is probably discontinued or in the process of being phased out.

For the topic, chinese brands like Sanrenmu, Enlan, Ganzo, Harnds and Tekut offer a decent blade for <$20. There's also Smith & Wesson*, Schrade and Boker Magnum in that range as well.

*personal favourite
 
Kershaw Crown is a decent folder ($12) I haven't seen mentioned, srm 710s are ok for a smaller folder ($10), kershaw chill($14) is a lot of blade in a compact package, the ontario Rats and Utitacs cant be beat for sub $25 all around folders, only thing close IMHO is a Lansky Responder in 440C, better steel but the OKCs are better designed.
Ok, all that said, if I had under $20 Canadian to spend I would pick up a Kamp King multi tool and a 511 mora, should be at least close if you really watch ebay.
 
theJman said:
It's not really the right tool for the job. A pivot point and a locking mechanism are both weak links, and certainly not something I'd want to take a risk on. I've never even heard of anyone using a folder for camp tasks TBH. If it's all you happen to have in an emergency I can see it, but beyond that it doesn't seem like a good idea.

I've seen others recommend fixed blades, so if you're still taking suggestions a couple I own that cost $25 or less are:

  • Boker Magnum Nordic
  • Elk Ridge 543BW
  • Hultafors 380020
  • Marttiini Condor Skinner

All of them are a solid value.
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Actually, I have fair number of both fixed blades and folders, and some of the latter are locking but not all.

My question was prompted because for years (early 1960s to mid-1990s), I'd bring on camping trips, both hike-in and car camping just a single non-locking folder, initially an ordinary 4-blade camper/scout or in later years a similar SAK.

This folder was entirely adequate for what it had to do, and that included setting up camp (early years were using tarps and guy-lines), making shave-sticks for fires, whittling, cutting hot dogs to go into the beans, spreading peanut butter, opening freeze-dried food packets, and the like. It even got used to turn some small steaks once.

The 4-blade folder was (and is) a do-all knife, just as it was designed to be.

At no point in all those years did I (or my wife) stop and say, "Gee, this is fun, but I really wish we had a sheath knife with us."

If you want to take a fixed blade into the woods, by all means bring one. But you won't need it.
 
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dasknife said:
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Best 25 bucks spent.
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Wow, thanks for posting this. First I've heard of the Meyerco Lambert Shockwave. G10 and carbon fiber bolsters for <$25 is silly. I normally avoid recurved blades, but this looks worth an exception.
 
I just recently picked up a brand new Kabar Dozier 4062 off an EBay dealer for a little over $19. Great knife for the price.
 
You gotta check out the Rough Rider line of knives. In my opinion they are some of the best quality knives you are going to find for the price and most are well under twenty bucks!

Huge selection of styles to choose from. Check them out!
 
Mora 511 is the best knife at any price ahs only $8 shipped

Folding, you need a Rat 1 for a little extra
 
AreBeeBee said:
Actually, I have fair number of both fixed blades and folders, and some of the latter are locking but not all.

My question was prompted because for years (early 1960s to mid-1990s), I'd bring on camping trips, both hike-in and car camping just a single non-locking folder, initially an ordinary 4-blade camper/scout or in later years a similar SAK.

This folder was entirely adequate for what it had to do, and that included setting up camp (early years were using tarps and guy-lines), making shave-sticks for fires, whittling, cutting hot dogs to go into the beans, spreading peanut butter, opening freeze-dried food packets, and the like. It even got used to turn some small steaks once.

The 4-blade folder was (and is) a do-all knife, just as it was designed to be.

At no point in all those years did I (or my wife) stop and say, "Gee, this is fun, but I really wish we had a sheath knife with us."

If you want to take a fixed blade into the woods, by all means bring one. But you won't need it.
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With the tasks you use a knife on I can see getting by with a folder. Our definition of a camp knife differs vastly though, so perhaps it's simply a matter of context and intended usage. I tend more toward the primitive end of things, and for me a folder would be nowhere near sufficient.
 
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