Solid $20 knife?

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Desertrobot

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I'm looking for a new knife for around $20 bucks, want something a bit more EDC worthy.

I heard good things about a company called Sanrenmu, they're a chinese company but people seem to like their stuff. I looked around ebay for any Sanrenmu knives since they seem to be of the cheaper variety and I found A Sanrenmu 763. Might not be the best knife I can get for a 20 but I really really like the design of it. I also like the axis lock which makes it easy to fold the blade back in.

I'm open to suggestions on other great knives for around $20 bucks, was really wondering if this was worth the money.
 
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That's a $10-12 knife if you order it from some of the Chinese vendors that sell on their own websites. Sanrenmu quality is excellent, which is why they make Spyderco's Byrd line. The steel is good, the pivots use nicer washers than $100+ Spyderco titanium Salsa I have and the designs are reasonably nice looking. I would rather buy more of them than most Gerber, CRKT or Buck knives on the lower end.
 
I'll look around for one of those sites but usually shipping takes upwards of a month unfortunately.

I was actually considering getting a Byrd Cara Cara but since Sanrenmu apparantly makes Byrd knives anyway it wouldn't hurt to go with something more interesting like the 763
 
Sanrenmu is a good value option. They are OEM for many US brands. I'd also look at the Ontario RAT 1/2 for under $30.
 
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CRKT Drifter, Kershaw Shuffle, Buck Bantam, Victorinox classic, HK Espionage, Cold Steel minituff lite, Milwaukee Fastback, Kabar Dozier folding hunter...
 
Desertrobot said:
I'm looking for a new knife for around $20 bucks, want something a bit more EDC worthy.

I heard good things about a company called Sanrenmu, they're a chinese company but people seem to like their stuff. I looked around ebay for any Sanrenmu knives since they seem to be of the cheaper variety and I found A Sanrenmu 763. Might not be the best knife I can get for a 20 but I really really like the design of it. I also like the axis lock which makes it easy to fold the blade back in.

I'm open to suggestions on other great knives for around $20 bucks, was really wondering if this was worth the money.
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Sanrenmu is nice but they outright steal other peoples deaigns which is NOT okay.

For 22$ get yourself a kershaw oso sweet. They're awesome knives, they're my go to gift knife. I've given away 7 to non knife folks and everyone of them developed an interest in knives afterwards.
 
Try the bucklite Max 482 for 20$ mine has been an excellent edc for the past 2 years straight, it may not be the epitome of a modern tactical folder, but it's a good solid and simple one hand opening lockback with no frills.
 
Real Steel has a couple $20 options, and a few more in the $30-40 range. Good reviews about them so far from all I've heard, though I don't own any.

Kilimanjaro is another company made in China that makes decent stuff for the price, can find a few in your price range if you shop around.

CRKT Lake 111z is a decent little edc option at sub $20, I still keep mine around. The CRKT Squid has gotten mostly positive feedback.

Schrade sch216: sch220: sch221 are all OK for sub $20 options.

I've even had some Böker magnums, currently still have an Ironworker in my work rotation, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if/when the need for a new cheap knife arrives.

I would stay away from the Kershaw starter though, same as their "filter" and "duck commander" stuff, simply because the 3cr13 Steel they use on those is crap. Won't stay sharp cutting warm butter. Other Kershaws in that price range are okay though; Ember, Kurai, Thistle, Injection, and a bunch more in the $20-30 range.

Needless to say, there are quite a few knives out there that are "okay" at $15-20, including Sanrenmu, so long as you keep in mind you're buying a $20 knife and don't have $50-100 expectations.
 
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