ALL THINGS BUDGET KNIVES

Can you recommend some good 440C flippers sold on Aliexpress etc.

Its the TS123, a modern version of a classic slipjoint knife. I love the heavy feeling in the hand and its very sharp.

some Stedemon knives are advertised as 440C.

Many reviews on Youtube

Early versions on the Ganzo knives were 440C. Mostly the three Digit series, and many of the four digit ones (that started with F or G). Here’s the Ganzo list, if you see something that catches your eye, ask. The G739, G7393 are nice if you don’t mind an axial lock.

Ganzo 440C Knives.

If just 440 Steel is ok, the G723M and G619 are tough and really cheap. Check out all the G61Xs. Hard to find, but great tools.

Ganzo 440 Knives.

Thanks, that’s a nice looking knife indeed!

fair point, AUS8 is easy to sharpen

Looking to get a couple knives as last-minute Christmas presents for a few guy friends. The last minute timing pretty much means buying through Amazon.

Looking for fairly basic EDC flipping locking knives.

Max budget is $30 each knife.

Recommendations?

Here are a few really good knives for around your budget. Others will chime-in with some other great ideas, as well.

A classic among the folding knife crowds:
https://www.amazon.com/Ontario-8848-Folding-Knife-Black/dp/B0013ASG3E/ref=sr_1_6?crid=S7KKUX8P6JU0&dchild=1&keywords=ontario+rat+2&qid=1576956988&sprefix=ontario+rat%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-6

Definitely worth the extra $1.30 for your max budget of $30: Amazon.com

Good budget steel blade. G-10 handles, very nice:
https://www.amazon.com/Sanrenmu-1006-GB-Folding-14C28N-Stainless/dp/B07Z9ZRHVP/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3BTX0E7B0FI11&keywords=sanrenmu+knives&qid=1576957594&sprefix=sanrenmu%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-14

Just got this 35 cm Deba AUS-10 knife. Looks like super quality for the money, paid $35. Didn’t know it was so thick, 7 mm and 0.5 kg. Genuine tree handle, very sharp. Store support also good. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32921760697.html

That’s crazy thick, for any knife, but even more so for deba. :open_mouth: My deba knife is 1mm thick.

I bought a handful of Honey Badgers direct from Western Active during their black friday/cyber week whatever they called it. I think most if not all of their lineup is on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Western-Active-Folding-Bearing-8cr13MOV/dp/B07CPQKJQ6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Honeybadger+knife&qid=1576981746&sr=8-1

Ganzo FH11S’s are good little knives as well. I like them much better than the full sized FH11.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Ganzo+FH11S&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

I just sent my brother a Kershaw Scallion. Only $27 for a nice flipper with a lock. Hard to beat.
Scallion on Amazon

There are a number of Kershaw assisted-openers available on Amazon for under $30.

One that I think is pretty simple and classy is the Kershaw Pico.

https://www.amazon.com/Kershaw-Dual-Finished-Bead-Blasted-Reversible-Deep-Carry/dp/B01B7MP702

Kershaw Fraxion is on sale for $22 on Amazon, nice manual knife on kvt bearings, extremely light weight

Thanks all. I ordered an assortment including the ones you all suggested. I got sucked down the rabbit hole and ordered a few more than I needed, of course. :person_facepalming:

I’ve got a Ganzo Firebird that generally I’m happy with to open boxes, but it did chip prying an old staple out of some ply wood, so I wouldn’t say it’s “hard use” blade.

Knives aren't made for prying.

It’s hard to argue with that statement, but it’s also an over simplification. A good outdoor/utility knife should be able to pop a staple out. Not a heavy construction staple either. Not really upset, it was less then $15 bucks. If it happened to a $40 knife or above I personally would never buy that brand again. As it stands I give these as gifts.

Was that too simple for you?

Knives of any value are not made for prying, unless they have a pry bar, and if you damage a tool by misusing it, don't expect any sympathy from me.

When the truth is so simple, stating that truth is not considered an over simplification.

It's just stating the truth.

ha. ok. no one asked for sympathy. the not simple part of the discussion is that in outdoor or emergency situations you may have to use your knife for a variety of tasks. knowing you have a blade that can withstand a little extra punishment is something that I appreciate. if that’s not how you feel. no worries.