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. 
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.
Ganzo FH11S’s are good little knives as well. I like them much better than the full sized FH11.
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. 
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.
And by the way, I’m happy I did test it a little before taking it to do something important.
The Fraxion is a real gem for what it is. Some people complain that the detent is too stiff but it breaks in to what I’d call “perfect”. It’s strong enough to stay closed when carried loose in a pocket. It snaps open without fail. It is surprisingly comfortable for how small it is. Some people say the overlay on one side looks strange but handling it, you’ll notice that it provides purchase points for your fingers in certain contexts.
Of course it isn’t perfect. I don’t love the clip so I removed it. Like I said, this knife is great for loose pocket carry. Mine is ground so that it smiles up at the base of the blade and that can be a pain when sharpening. (It’s probably best to fix it right away with a total reprofile on course diamond.) It’s also 8Cr13Mov but at $22, who cares? This knife has so much going for it at such a good price. Honestly, I wish all my flippers had a detent this strong.
Interesting. I’m the opposite, I like the ease with which my Scallion flips out (and I’ve never had it open by accident… yet?). My Leek takes a bit more to start with its heavier blade, but still good; however my Volt II takes quite a push (which you’d probably like).
We’re all different. Maybe that’s why they make so many different models.
I never said anyone asked for sympathy.
And when you abuse your tools, don't be surprised when they break, no matter what you paid for them.