Best Budget EDC Knife — Our Ultimate List

Houston, we have a problem. You see, a lot of us (including you) need an everyday knife that screams “quality”. But then, a good number of the best knives are way too expensive.

Some may even cost up to $400 and above. Are the knives worth it? Definitely! But would you want to spend that much money on a knife that you’d most likely use to carry out dirty everyday tasks? Probably not.

If you spent up to $400 on a knife, you’d most likely place it in a display case to be used only on special occasions. We know we would do the same too.

That’s why we’ve drawn up a list of the best budget knives, knives so affordable you won’t be afraid to abuse them.

These are knives that you can use for your tough, dirty everyday tasks without feeling anxious. Let’s take a look at some of them.

The Best Budget EDC Knives Are:

Product	Details
1. Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC Folding Knife	Top Pick	Razor-sharp, heat-treated 44J2 stainless steel blades Sturdy Grivory handle with rubberized TPR handle inserts Replaceable pocket clip	Check Current Price
2. Kershaw Skyline (1760) Lightweight Pocket Knife		Lightweight G-10 handle scales for a more secure grip 3.1’’ blade crafted from Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel Rugged stonewash finish Drop-point blade for good balance	Check Current Price
3. Kershaw Blur S30v Folding Pocket Knife		Partially serrated blades for cutting through tough and fibrous materials Trac-Tec inserts on the handle for a more secure grip SpeedSafe Assisted opening	Check Current Price
4. Spyderco Inc. 9000 Delica 4 Folding Knife		VG-10 stainless steel blade Ambidextrous thumb hole for controlled opening .51’’ Round Hole	Check Current Price
5. Ontario Knife OKC Rat II SP-Black Folding Knife		A 3’’ blade crafted from AUS-8 stainless steel An open-built steel liner lock frame	Check Current Price
6. Gerber Ripstop I Fine Edge Knife		Clip folding opening style Dual thumb studs for easy deployment Streamlined handle	Check Current Price
7. Smith & Wesson SWA2S Stainless Steel Knife		Blade crafted from 7Cr17MoV Black Oxide High Carbon Stainless Steel Black aluminum handle Ambidextrous thumb knobs and finger flipper	Check Current Price

1. Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC Folding Knife — Overall Best Budget EDC Knife

Ever thought about wielding a knife that’s ready for action whenever you are? The Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC Folding Knife is just the one for you. This knife is your go-to choice when it comes down to emergency situations.

Although it may be on the small side, you will definitely be surprised at the strength this compact knife packs. Its lightweight quality is also a major advantage since you can execute movements faster.

What we love the most about the Razor-Lite EDC folding knife is the fact that it comes with six replaceable razor-sharp blades.

This means you can confidently say “Goodbye, sharpening!” and just switch blades whenever you need a sharp knife. You don’t even have to be a pro to switch the blades.

All you have to do is push the lock button to release the old blade and then insert the new blade. Easy Peasy!

Did we forget to mention the steel on this knife? It is crafted with 420J2 stainless steel. This type of steel is inexpensive but highly resistant to corrosion. You don’t have to worry about dealing with a corroded blade.

However, on the downside, the Razor-lite EDC knife does not retain an edge for long. But don’t worry, it makes up for this flaw with its six replaceable blades that can be switched at any time!

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best budget EDC knife, it’s right here. The Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC folding knife is our top choice thanks to its compact design, easy grip, and of course, its razor-sharp steel.

It is easily the sharpest knife out of the box. Although it does not retain an edge for long, the manufacturers made up for this flaw by including five extra blades.

Overall Rating – 4.8/5

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2. Kershaw Skyline (1760) Lightweight Pocket Knife — Best Under $50

If you’re familiar with the Kershaw brand, you would know that this brand does not slack when it comes to quality and creativity.

Over the years, Kershaw has garnered a reputation for creating high-quality, innovative knives and the Kershaw Skyline (1760) is no exception. This knife is our best EDC knife under $50 and we would tell you why in a moment.

For starters, the blade is crafted from durable Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel. It is highly resistant to corrosion and retains its edge for a long time — even longer than some EDC knives you know. It features a drop point tip that makes it suitable for everyday use, which is why you should have it handy at all times.

What we love the most about the Kershaw Skyline (1760) is how expertly the manufacturers interwove beauty and performance. This knife has a stonewash finish that helps to maintain its shininess and sparkle while offering optimum performance at all times.

On the downside, its opening is unassisted but this isn’t a huge problem.

Conclusion

The Kershaw Skyline (1760) is hard to beat when it comes to offering real value for money. Our best under $50 EDC knife, this knife offers great functionality and can be used in so many ways, from opening packages to slicing fruit. If you know any hunter, hobbyist, or knife enthusiast, this would be a terrific gift idea for them.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

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3. Kershaw Blur S30v Folding Pocket Knife

Kershaw strikes once again with the Kershaw Blur S30V. This knife can be used in just about any rugged situation from whittling, to the skinning of game. You name it.

It is crafted from S30V stainless steel, a material known for its durability and ruggedness. This makes it easier to sharpen even though you wouldn’t even need to sharpen it frequently.

What we love about the Kershaw Blur S30V is that it is specially designed to offer users comfort and confidence. Pegged at only 3.4 inches, you can use this knife comfortably without losing your grip.

It also features a reversible pocket clip that makes it even more perfect. However, we must warn you. This knife is more suitable for outdoor use than indoors.

Conclusion

The Kershaw Blur S30V is a sharp knife with an amazingly compact design. Thanks to its S30V stainless steel blade that contains corrosion resistance properties, this knife will definitely last for a long while.

Overall Rating – 4.8/5

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4. Spyderco Inc. 9000 Delica 4 Folding Knife

There’s only one word that describes this knife’s design. Exquisite. The Spyderco Delica 4 is a compact knife that fits into the hand so easily, carrying out everyday tasks will be a breeze.

Thanks to its flat-grind, drop-point blade, this knife can cut through most things from vegetables to plastic. Its blade is crafted from V-10 steel that can be sharpened easily. It is also rust-resistant ensuring that you never have to deal with a rusted blade.

Here’s why we love the Spyderco Delica 4 so much. Some state laws require people to carry only knives with a 3-inch blade or below. However, this knife has a short length that adheres to these state laws so you definitely won’t be breaking the law by carrying it around. It also features an ambidextrous 4-point pocket clip.

However, just like the Razor-Lite EDC folding knife, this knife does not retain its edge for long so you may need to sharpen it more frequently than you would like to.

Conclusion

The Spyderco Inc. 9000 Delica 4 is one of our favorite budget EDC knives and for good reason. It is efficient, compact and features well-placed stainless steel liners that ensure the knife locks in place when it is in use. If you are a knife enthusiast who doesn’t mind sharpening his/her blade regularly, you should definitely go for it.

Overall Rating – 4.7/5

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5. Ontario Knife OKC Rat II SP-Black Folding Knife

If you’re an amateur looking for a user-friendly knife that can blend in both at the office and on the field, the Ontario Knife OKC Rat II is the one for you. It can be used for most everyday tasks both indoors and outdoors. However, its drop point tip makes it more suitable for outdoor use.

One thing you would notice about this knife is that it can slice deep into many materials, making it a handy tool in situations where you need a razor-sharp knife. Crafted from AUS-8 stainless steel, it retains its edge and is highly resistant to corrosion.

What we love the most about the Ontario Knife OKC Rat II is that it features a robust nylon 6 handle. This helps to ensure that you do not lose your grip even when handling the knife with wet hands.

On the downside, it can’t cut through tough material so you may want to try another option if you need a knife for tough tasks.

Conclusion

The Ontario Knife OKC Rat II is your sturdy, go-to knife when it comes to EDC tasks. With this knife, you can be sure to get great quality and efficiency at a low price.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

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6. Gerber Ripstop I Fine Edge Knife

People always tell you not to judge a book by its cover but has anyone ever told you not to judge a knife by its blade length? Well, we’re telling you now. When you first take a look at the Gerber Ripstop I Fine Edge knife, you may probably feel disappointed or underwhelmed by its small size.

However, this EDC knife is pretty functional and comfy to carry around. When carrying this knife around, you may even forget about its presence thanks to its lightweight design but when you whip it out to use, you would be amazed by its deftness.

What we love about this EDC knife is its simplicity. It’s so simple to use. You definitely don’t need a manual or a crash course when using this knife. It features dual thumb studs, making it easier to open.

On the downside, the use of this knife is quite limited thanks to its short blade length but then again, this doesn’t come as a surprise.

Conclusion

Everyone deserves a handy, small knife to carry with them at all times. That’s why we recommend the Gerber Ripstop I Fine Edge knife. This knife may be super small but it does get the job done.

Overall Rating – 4.4/5

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7. Smith & Wesson SWA2S Stainless Steel Knife

Just like Kershaw, Smith & Wesson is known for producing high-quality knives and they certainly did not disappoint with this one. If you’re looking for a knife that can be used in any situation, from building a fire to cutting through tough material, this is the one for you.

Here’s what we love about the SWA2S Stainless Steel knife. It has a serrated edge that is super easy to sharpen as long as you have the right sharpening tool. It also has an ambidextrous design, making it easy for anyone at all to use it comfortably. But that’s not even the best part yet.

Thanks to its drop point tip, it is pretty much versatile. You can use it for just about anything. We also love the fact that it has a secure opening mechanism, making it easy to open and use without hurting yourself.

Conclusion

If you’re after a knife that offers great functionality and can be carried everywhere you go, the Smith& Wesson SWA2S is the knife for you. There’s really no limit to what you can do with this knife.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

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Buying Guide For Finding The Best Budget EDC Knife

Buying a knife for everyday carry is one of the best decisions you could ever make. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hunter or a regular office guy.

But let’s face it. Buying an EDC knife is not always as easy as saying “Hey! I should get a pocket knife.” There are several factors to think about before choosing your ideal EDC knife.

Here are some of them:

Purpose

What do you need an everyday carry knife for? You see, a lot of people set out to buy EDC knives with a specific purpose in mind.

State Laws

In some states, it is illegal to carry knives and you may get in trouble for carrying one around. Familiarize yourself with the local laws to make sure you don’t get in trouble for breaking the law.

Weight

If you’re ever hard-pressed to choose between a lightweight knife and a bulky one, go for the former. You definitely don’t want a knife that seems too obvious each time you put it in your pocket.

Budget

Always stick to your budget. Going for a cheap knife doesn’t mean you should compromise when it comes to quality.

Final Thoughts

Ready to get the best budget EDC knife of your dream? We would like to walk you through our top picks one last time.

When it comes to the best of the best budget EDC knives, we highly recommend the Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC Folding Knife or the Kershaw Skyline (1760) Lightweight Pocket Knife.

However, if you don’t love these knives as much as we do, there are five other superb knives you can choose from.

Whatever you do, don’t let any of these knives be the knife that got away. Good luck!