The folding knives are made to be used and abused just like any other thing. Yet the necessary use of it is overshadowed by the abuse of it.
The folding knives come in handy when getting a run through thick dirt, removing splinters, cutting seatbelt off of someone stuck in a burning vehicle, and self-defense.
As a product that warrants high utility ease, there are multiple swindlers out there to rob you of your budget and quality tool alike.
Thus to save you from this ever-occurring hassle, we have brought forth a review guide of top-notch 10 best folding knives all under $50. So that we can meet you halfway through your decision-making and help you navigate through never-ending options.
Are you in a hassle and dread reading the details? Then let’s start with a precise overview of our preferred 3 picks from the rest. But make sure to give these a thorough read each!
BEST FOLDABLE KNIVES UNDER 50 – TOP 10 PICKS
Whether you are browsing through this article for finding a suitable knife as a gift for your camp buddy or a knife for your utility ease without much abuse related to it. Our list of the top 10 foldable knives all under 50 dollars is sure to make you and your budget happy.
Ranking our picks were no easy task, but rest assured for you can never go wrong with either of these. So let’s stop babbling about and dive right into the delicacy!
1. Ontario Knife OKC Rat
Amongst the Ontario’s Rat series, the Rat II boasts greater ease due to its ideal size. When it comes to deploying the blade, the Rat II employs dual-tiered thumb studs that make the blade spring out of the handle.
The value of this knife far outstrips its price tag and thus is our most favorite. The handles are patterned and textured similar to G-10 yet built from thermoplastic to offer high functionality cost-effectively.
Chief-features:
Pros:
Built from AUS-8 material- Open pillar construction
- A finger coil with rounded edges for easy handling
Built from AUS-8 materialCons:
- Not fully left-handler friendly
Not fully left-handler friendly2. BGT FOLDING TACTICAL KNIVES
It has a carefully planned ergonomic design with an anti-skid handle to avoid any slip and offer a secure grip.
The tanto tip blade is easily deployed using the ball bearing pivot system. The svelte shape of the knife distributes the weight evenly enough to make it a light tool.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- No sharp edges on the scales
- Spring-assisted knife with a flip switch
- The blade is sufficiently thick and easy to sharpen.
Cons:
- Sits a bit uncomfortably high in the pocket
3. CRKT ALUMINIUM RIPPLE K415KXP
It is a strong-built EDC with a great slicing ability and excellent balance. It features a pivot IKBS ball bearing pivot that allows smooth deployment of the blade.
The Ripple blade opening action is almost friction-free compared to other conventional blades. Moreover, the handles are built from aluminum with a pocket-worn finish.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Requires little maintenance
- The handles are CNC machined with nearly 40 lightning holes.
- The ball detent offers safe closure.
Cons:
- It is only a tip-down carry
4. ALBATROSS FK003 KNIVES
The FK003 is a multi-tasking blade due to its slightly curved blade built. It offers a rapid one-handed deployment experience with built-in spring assistance.
It features a pocket clip for safe and easy portability. It is built from stainless steel that adds to the sturdiness of the knife and makes it easier to handle. Whereas the liner thickness offers a solid lockup.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- Hollow-out handle design
- A carbide tip glass breaker
- the pocket clip at the back of the handle
- Easily operable by right and left-handed users
Cons:
- The frame lock requires time and practice to get used to
5. SRK SURVIVAL RESCUE SK-5
It is a handy knife capable of withholding itself in extreme conditions. It is recognized as one of the best, strongest, and multi-purpose survival gadgets in the industry.
The performance isn’t compromised even in underwater situations and thus has been praised by Navy SEALs for B.U.D.S training.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- Built from high-quality SK-5, CPM-3V, or San Mai steel
- Small size and profile
- Military tested
- The textured handle fills the hand to offer a sturdy grip.
Cons:
- The pocket clip is right-hand carry tip down only.
6. KERSHAW SKYLINE
Titled as the gentlemen’s knife, the Kershaw Skyline is a strong EDC blade. It is readily capable of giving steel blades like VG-10 a run when it comes to being the higher-end steel quality built.
There is a finger coil along with a smartly built handle that is neither chunky nor too thick that would compromise the grip.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- G-10 handle scales are well textured to offer a secure grip.
- A spear-point blade built from Sandvik 14C28N steel.
- Highly balanced at the finger coil.
Cons:
- The clip is only for right-handed carriers.
7. SPYDERCO TENACIOUS
It has a G-10 laminated handle with skeletonized steel liners to give a fatigue-free handling experience. The liners add to the sturdiness of the handle without making it bulky or compromising the grip.
The blade is built of stainless steel in a leaf-shaped design. It is ground flat from the spine to the cutting edge for a smooth performance.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- The pocket clip at the back of the handle
- The leaf blade design allows the thumb to rest at the base for better grip
- Handle fills the hand comfortably
- Greatly fidget friendly
Cons:
- It does not have a deep carry option
8. CRKT RIPPLE
It boasts an impeccable design that will satisfy your artistic taste buds. It effectively fulfills all EDC needs by being a lightweight, slender, and smooth flipping mechanism.
It has a subtle drop point shape for a fine tip. Besides the washers are replaced by ball bearings to support the flipper tab for opening the blade.
The texturing and lamination on the liner allow easy closure of the knife using the stainless steel liner lock.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- The handle is built from lightweight high-quality aluminum
- Can readily budget AUS-8 or Chinese 440 steel
- Great action and control
Cons:
- Carry options are restricted to tip-down carry
- Not suitable for left-handed users
9. KERSHAW LEEK
It boasts a sleek, slim, and well-built ergonomic design. It is a highly fast and light EDC knife with a very compatible organic flowing built.
The blade is shaped in a Wharncliffe style that offers a fine tip for piercing and also a straight edge to make slicing smooth. The handle features a teardrop design with a groove for the index finger at the front and a dip at the back for the thumb.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- Ideal size – small yet big enough to do the work
- Handy blade design
- Employs SpeedSafe technology in the deployment of the blade
Cons:
- Only accommodates right-hand users
10. Cold Steel Finn Wolf
It is built from a 3mm thick slab of high-end AUS-8 steel with an edge that rolls before it cuts through. The blade is scandi styled and is slotted so as to make removal tasks quite easy.
The locking mechanism is designed so it does not folds back on the fingers and allows a perfect sturdy grip.
Chief-features:
Pros:
- Incredibly sharp edge
- Pretty lightweight
- Great deployment and action
Cons:
- Handle scales are not enough grip-friendly
THE BEST FOLDING KNIVES – A COMPLETE BUYING GUIDE
1. HANDLE STYLE
One of the first things to check off is the style. Whether you are going for the conventional or a modern design.
Based on design styles, the conventional designs feature heavy handles. They are made out of varnished wood paired with brass, steel, or some other metal.
If the handle fills your hand but is heavy, it will fail to cut through smoothly like modern designed ones. Each of which is built from a large variety of metals and materials based on improving ergonomic functions.
Heavy handle knives can cause blisters on the hand and wear your grip out. The modern knives use brushed steel or titanium or other handle metals to offer a better experience.
2. BLADE LENGTH
It is the blade length that decides what the knife is best suited for. The lengths vary from a minimal 2 inches to a maximum of 7.5-inch designs.
The size of the blade makes a huge difference in its performance. While small blade knives are legal almost everywhere, they are not as versatile as the larger ones.
While medium-sized blades offer easy concealment and carry out multiple tasks, the sole drawback to it is the laws of your area. Else it is a pretty much well-rounded and preferable blade length category.
The large-sized blades (over 4 inches) are intimidating and are mainly for self-defense purposes. Carrying them is not only less discreet but they are also heavy to carry around.
3. BLADE STEEL
The material choice for the blade comes from its intended use. Once you have the general idea of how you are going to put the knife to use, the rest is a smooth ride.
If the knife is there for cutting abrasive materials, then the material for the blade should be a wear-resistant alloy.
Next, if you are surrounded by humid or aggressive environmental conditions, then avoid corrosion stain-resistant steels should be preferred for the blade choice.
However, whichever blade you choose, make sure to keep it sharp.
THE FINAL VERDICT
With these many factors to keep in consideration, choosing the right folding knife might prove to be a difficult task. The best tip we can offer you is to tackle each factor one at a time and study a breakdown of the gadget.
Decide your style first and then put your focus on the quality and composition of the blade and handle alike. Next decide which length, open and closed, suits you best. The knife should feel comfortable in your hand and pocket alike.
And lastly, when it all narrows down to the price, we suggest not to cut back on quality just to save a few dollars.
