Best Value Folders: $20 and under

Let me apologize right up front for what is about to follow.

Hinderers are dandy, and Sebenzas are fine
But beyond the horizon lies a folder devine.
Exquisite design and blade steel perfecto,
This folder surpasses in flagrante delicto.

What is you say? Tell us kit and caboodle,
We want to be cool like The Great One: P-Noodle.
So here is the secret, it requires no tricks,
Buy this knife and like me you’ll get plenty of chicks.

From Kershaw it comes though you’ve heard of it not,
if you don’t like this knife, when you pee you must squat.
If there is one knife to cherish, just one you must own,
Gather near, listen up, ‘cause it called Kershaw Drone.


Kershaw Drone: under $20 shipped.
 
I'd recommend an opinel 8. I use it for bushcrafting and despite its thin blade and cheap cost, it is sturdy knife under normal use! And I love the poem noodle!
 
Going to say there are a ton of great knives from various makers that fit the OP's request. Basically going to point out you can't go wrong with the following lines:

Sanrenmu
Ganzo
Enlan
Inron
Navy
Kerhsaw
Opinel
CRKT
Spyderco

For good folders with decent steels these are the best values out there. From those manufacturers you can find knives of all shapes, sizes, and designs. You won't get the better "super" steels for the blades, but you'll get 440C or the very close equivalent (sometimes even a bit better).
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
Sanrenmu 763 in Aluminum, seriously.
Click to expand...

Just look at the size specs really closely - that SRM 763 is one tiny knife.

Also - the "axis lock" on the 763 (on the aluminum handle version that I had) was really stiff and pointy/painful to operate. I could not get rid of that knife fast enough. YMMV
 
1robinhood said:
Just look at the size specs really closely - that SRM 763 is one tiny knife.

Also - the "axis lock" on the 763 (on the aluminum handle version that I had) was really stiff and pointy/painful to operate. I could not get rid of that knife fast enough. YMMV
Click to expand...

You already answered it yourself. You probably got rid of it before it could break in.
Nor my G10 763, nor my aluminum one are stiff or painful to operate, they're smooth as butter. One of my smoothest knives I own actually, after my BFC Skyline. You just have to give them a weak or so. They've never hurt me either, not even in the break-in period.

And yes, the SRM 763 is not a big folder, but I don't recall the OP asking for the biggest folder under $20? The Cadet has the same sized blade, and you didn't comment on that... Strange.

Anyway, I really enjoy mine. It's smooth as butter, gets razor sharp really quick and it holds that edge well enough for the EDC tasks you'd put a small folder through.
 
powernoodle said:
Gather near, listen up, ‘cause it called Kershaw Drone.Kershaw Drone: under $20 shipped.
Click to expand...
23i9l42.png

I bought mine in a group buy for 9 bucks shipped.
Of all the cheap kershaw, Drone is the most practical one.
None of the tacticool look, just nice little cutter.
I wouldn't take it out the the outdoors, but for urban settings,
hard to beat the value of a thinned out drone.
 
I dig threads about value-based knife purchases.

To the OP: it depends on what kind of knife you or your brother want. For a multi-function knife, I love my Victorinox Alox Cadet. I use it several times each week for lunch prep, in part because the great can opener and bottle opener are very handy, and in part because I've dedicated its blade to only cutting food. I do that because I carry a locking, folding knife for tougher chores. Which knife is that?

The Ontario Rat, available online for around $30 (that previous post about it being available for $27 is a steal.) In fact, that knife is INCREDIBLE for the price. It has great ergonomics; a blade that sharpens easily and gets quite sharp; steel that holds an edge surprisingly well, especially for the knife's price; a lock that's functioned flawlessly for me for the last four years and shows no signs of wearing out; a handle that's a pleasure to hold; and a size that fits my hand well and functions for lots of tasks.

If you're looking for something cheaper than the Rat, I agree with everyone who's mentioned Kershaw and Buck. Those two companies make high-quality knives, no matter the price point.
 
Galeocerdoshark said:
You already answered it yourself. You probably got rid of it before it could break in.
Nor my G10 763, nor my aluminum one are stiff or painful to operate, they're smooth as butter. One of my smoothest knives I own actually, after my BFC Skyline. You just have to give them a weak or so. They've never hurt me either, not even in the break-in period.

And yes, the SRM 763 is not a big folder, but I don't recall the OP asking for the biggest folder under $20? The Cadet has the same sized blade, and you didn't comment on that... Strange.

Anyway, I really enjoy mine. It's smooth as butter, gets razor sharp really quick and it holds that edge well enough for the EDC tasks you'd put a small folder through.
Click to expand...

Was merely offering up a thoughtful caution to double-check the actual knife size as the photos of the SRM 763 oftentimes lead to the impression that it is larger than it is - my comment was not a personal attack on your suggestion. Simply another man's opinion.

I would recommend the SRM 913p or SRM 939 over the 763 - to each their own knife :)

Neither Sanrenmu option is a knock your socks off option IMO
 
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I bought my daughter her first knife, a ka-bar dozier in pink.
HOLY SMOKE.
Insane value . Super solid, crazy sharp..
I will end up buying more than one of these for myself in the years to come.
 
I have an Opinel 7 which spent 3 years every day in my pocket, has done a heap of work and looks the better for it. love it.
but if i had $20 in my hand and needed a knife i'd buy another CRKT NIRK. I've had one for 3 years now and thrown a heap of abuse at it, which its stood up to. Plus i like how it works, simple and in my opinion dependable.
 
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