I'm looking for a small (tiny) utilitarian knife for under $20

Cold Steel Tuff Lite or mini Tuff Lite.

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Plain-Folder-Knife/dp/B006YBW6MY/ref=pd_sim_sg_1

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-Mini-Plain-Knife/dp/B004MNAKYM/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_img_b

Tuff Lite with Native 5 and Persistence.
TuffLiteCompare.jpg


Tuff Lite with Cat.
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The mini Tuff Lite may be better suited for your needs. AUS8 steel, grivory scales, wharnie blade, around $25.
 
sqchram said:
Spyderco Bug. $7 and you won't notice its even there. Just be sure to make sure it doesn't go through the wash.
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I'd honestly suggest the next size up from the bug... It's just a bit small.

Any of the small slipits are great for small-blade EDC though.


Another great smaller knife is the Kershaw Crown. It's quite pretty to look at with the polished black micarta scales and stainless bolster. I think I found mine for $14, and they go lower than that if you know where to look.
 
The Spyderco Bug, Honeybee, and Grasshopper all get a +1 from me. They all fall well under your price limit. You can even get a pack (# C133SET) with all three for less than $20 at many retailers (online specially). The all stainless Kiwi can also be bought for around $20 at some retailers, but it's not tiny. They're all excellent and sturdy. I have several of the different models on permanent duty in my packs, briefcase, and vehicles.

Another good option would be the SOG Micron, Micron II, the Fusion, and the Zytel handled AutoClip. All fit your specs for size and price as well. I've had all of them over the years, and I've never had one break during routine EDC use. I've lost several though.
 
Buck Hartsook.

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4.25 inch overall. Comes in 420hc or s30v (for like 5 bucks more)
 
Great suggestions - from Skyline to Sak.

Here's a great little knife - the Sanrenmu 710. For what it is it cannot be beaten in my opinion.
 
The Christy knife is a small light classic, new it's $20 with a bit extra for shipping, decent used ones auction online for less.
 
I'd recommend the Byrd Robin 2 or the CRKT Drifter ( though the Sanrenmu 710 is close to it and a bit less). Both are more than adequate inexpensive imported folders that meet your criteria pretty well.
 
I have a Spyderco Bug on my keyring. I never know it's there until I need a little knife to open a box or something. It's between my house key and my car key, so it's never lost, it's never forgotten, it's always there when I need to open a bag of M&Ms. ;-)
 
I'm really loving the Cold Steel Mini (or not) Tuff Lite. I'm leaning more towards the Tuff Lite because it seems to be easier to open one-handed seems a better size. I'm still keeping others that people have mentioned in mind, but the Tuff Lite seems perfect for me. The straight blade is perfect for opening mail and packages and it's fairly non-threatening for use at work.
 
Lycosa said:
Sodbuster Jr. Drop it right in your pocket.
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That's a great suggestion, let me chime in with something a little cheaper, try an Opinel 4 or 5 it will just disappear in your pocket you can find these online for between $7 and $10 and any one of them will slice with any knife previously mentioned!
 
Another suggestion, though I don't own one yet (it's in the mail :D), is the Sanrenmu T11. $12, 8cr13mov (decent Chinese steel similar to AUS8), wharnie, and about the same size as the Tuff Lite. Has a can opener too. Sanrenmu is a Chinese manufacturer, that from what I understand, does quality work. I'm looking forward to the T11 arrival.

SanrenmuT11.jpg
 
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