I love testing high-end knives — both fixed and folding. From high-end products to custom-made blades, there’s no denying the allure of premium knives that can be beautiful and functional. But let’s face it: high-end blades are expensive, existing outside a budget for everyone, especially in the current economy. Plus, some high-end knives may be such gorgeous pieces of work that owners hesitate to use them.
How to Choose a Bargain Knife
So, how do you find a reliable, functional knife at a bargain price? It’s simpler than you may think. Learn how to choose a quality knife that won’t break the bank and can handle tasks ranging from utility to self-defense.
Stick to Well-Known Brands
There are plenty of junk knives on the market from manufacturers no one has ever heard of. Avoid no-name or “tourist shop” knives that may look flashy but lack reliability. Many come from unregulated factories and simply aren’t built to perform. Look for trusted brands like Smith & Wesson or Kershaw, which offer affordable options balancing price and performance.
Don’t Dismiss Imported Knives
Not all foreign-made knives are low-quality. I’ve worked with several Chinese-made blades over the years that gave high-quality performances. Blades manufactured under the oversight of reputable American companies can be surprisingly durable and versatile. These knives often come with warranties and customer service, offering peace of mind if something goes wrong. However, avoid generic imports from brands with no ties to the cutlery industry—these are more likely to disappoint when put to the test.
Focus on Practicality
When shopping for knives on a budget, prioritize function over appearance. Look for features suited to your intended use, whether everyday tasks, self-defense or outdoor utility. A knife doesn’t need to be expensive to be reliable.
Research and Reviews
Read reviews on specific knife models before buying. For this article, I’ve reviewed budget-friendly options from trusted brands like Smith & Wesson, Kershaw and Bear & Son Cutlery. Two of the knives have proven their worth over years of use, and the second two are recent purchases, providing an example of currently available budget-priced knives.
Bargain-Priced Knife Reviews
Smith & Wesson MP2BD
The Smith & Wesson MP2BD is a spring assisted finger-flipper opening knife. It features a sliding locking switch to prevent accidental opening in a pocket. When I purchased it 10 or so years ago, it didn’t cost more than $20.
The MP2BD features desert tan, grooved aluminum grips and a black clip point blade. With a black pocket clip and a carbide glass breaker tip for taking out automotive safety glass, this knife is ready to go anywhere. The non-serrated blade sharpens easily and has excellent edge-retention qualities.
Though, S&W no longer lists the MP2BD, the current folding knife line is extensive and includes plenty of “rescue” type folding and fixed-blade models. The MP4LS is a very similar, updated model, featuring a partially serrated clip-point blade, safety locking lever and glass breaker. It’s price on sale is $67.99, but there are plenty of folding knives available from S&W for as little as $14.99.
Kershaw 1940ST Speedsafe
I’ve owned the 1940ST Speedsafe from Kershaw for more than 10 years. Kershaw doesn’t currently sell any of the Speedsafe line of knives. The Speedsafe is a spring-assisted finger flipper. This system is second in deployment sped only to a fully automatic operating system.
The 1940ST features a partially serrated bladed held open by a liner lock. There is a hole for attaching a lanyard and a small clip for pocket attachment. The shape of the grip is quite comfortable. In its more than 10 years of service in our house, my wife has used it as a pumpking carving tool on more than one occasion. It’s only need a bit of a blade touchup with my S&W sharpener followed by a bit of cleaning and lubrication to make it work like new.
Though the original Speedsafe is no longer available, I did find a similar knife among Kershaw’s wide selection. The assisted opening Volt II serrated folder is $40.94 online and should work just as well as my original 1940ST.
S&W Executive Gold Frame Lock Folding Knife
When I saw an advertisement for this knife, I just had to get one. Priced at $15.99, it looks extremely cool though definitely not tactical. The Executive Gold is a drop-point liner locking knife with 2.8-inch blade.
The blade is made from 7Cr17MoV high-carbon stainless steel, and the grips are stainless steel. Both the blade and grips, as well as the pocket clip, have a gold titanium finish. The overall length is 6.8 inches, and it weighs 3.5 ounces.
The blade is manually operated with no spring assist. Though there is a lanyard hole at the base of the Executive, it doesn’t seem fitting to attach one, as this stunning knife would look good in the vest pocket of a three-piece suit.
Bear & Son Cutlery 3 ½ Minimal Framelock
Bear & Son Cutlery offers an extensive line of made-in-America and made-in-China products. I found their unique yet inexpensive Minimal Framelock knife on display at Vance Outdoors. On sale for just $13 (MSRP $27.49) with a similar blade profile to the Rancher Sideliner I previously tested, I knew I had to have this minimalist-framed knife.
Aptly named, the Minimal has a 3 ¼-inch 440 stainless-steel hollow-ground satin-finish drop-point blade and weighs in at a feathery 1.2 ounces. The G10 handle is located only on the left side of the frame along with the single thumb stud. There is a fold-out carabiner clip at the rear for securing the minimal to packs, vests or other gear. It has a high-tech yet outdoor look to it.
The grip on the Minimal is sufficient for most standard cutting chores, but this knife would not qualify as a self-defense blade. There is no finger flipper that rotates to become a finger guard when open. However, this knife won’t weight down your pocket or pack as an everyday carry knife for other tasks.
Budget-Friendly Defensive Knives
There you have it — a mix of time-tested and newly introduced affordable knives that prove you don’t have to spend a fortune for reliability. These models, from Smith & Wesson, Kershaw and Bear & Son, showcase the value and performance possible in budget-friendly blades. Their popularity speaks volumes, as seen on retailer websites, and their durability ensures they’ll handle everyday tasks or self-defense without breaking the bank. Just remember to avoid unknown brands with no ties to reputable oversight, and you’ll enjoy years of dependable service from your investment.
Sources
Smith & Wesson: Store.Smith-Wesson.com
Kershaw: Kershaw.KAIUSA.com
Bear & Son Cutlery: BearAndSonCutlery.com
