Best 3 Folding Pocket Knives Under $50 for 2018

No matter who you are or what you do, a good folding pocket knife is a very handy tool. A tool that you should never leave home without. From personal protection to skinning an animal, a good knife will serve you well for many years. With so many choices in folding knives, it can be a challenge to pick a quality blade for your desired application.

Two main factors should be considered before you drop money on a folding pocket knife:

1. Size of the knife

2. Quality of the blade

My goal is to outline the best folding knives on the market in the under $50 category to help you make an informed decision before buying. I will try not to bog you down too much with specifics that go into making a good blade etc., but just give you a working knowlege of several different knives and their manufacturers. Hopefully you can glean enough useful information to help you make an informed decision before buying your next folding knife.

It is very important to choose the right size knife for the tasks you will be performing with it. You have to decide whether you are willing to accept a large knife in your pocket (or at your side) or if small is the way to go.

Traditional knives are normally larger in size. If you prefer a smaller knife, you may consider something like the Benchmade Mini Griptilian. If you want to up the ante and have pocket room to spare, you would do well to take a look at the Kershaw Leek Knife as profiled below.

Spend some time considering what you will be using the knife for also, as this may overcome your notion to stay as small as possible. You must shoot for functionality as well. Try to find a good balance of size and functionality.

What type of blade is best?

The construction of a blade is often overlooked by inexperienced buyers. A quality knife should be able to withstand years of use. Stainless steel, carbon steel, or non-stainless--read on to decide which is best for your needs.

Stainless steel such as AUS8 or 440C or traditional carbon steel will be an ideal selection for most uses.

A few more dollars and you can pick up folding knife with D2 steel. D2 contains a high carbon and also a high chromium content. It is considered a semi-stainless steel as opposed to completely stainless.

D2 is considered a very tough tool steel. It is very resistant to wear and is easy to harden. However, on the downside, it can prove to be difficult to heat treat. This factor often results in a knife blade that is hard to sharpen, brittle, and ends up with a poor finish.

Again, you must determine what you will use the knife for the most...camping, household, survival, etc.

1. Do you prefer bone handle, natural wood, or contemporary synthetic handles?

You have to consider which type of handle you prefer. Popular choices are natural wood, bone, and synthetic handle. Most of the traditional knives are made out of wood or bone while synthetic handles are typically found on tactical folding knives.

2. Do you prefer a thumb stud or hole to aid in quick opening?

You might require a thumb stud or a guide to open the knife quickly and easily. Traditional knives rarely come with the combination of hole or stud. So if you desire a knife that allows for a quick flick to make the blade ready to use, something in the tactical category will be your likely choice. Tactical knife will often incorporate a type of lock to stop the blade from accidentally closing on your hand during use.

When putting lots of force on a blade (dressing game or hacking wood for example), it is imperative for your safety that you have a solid locking blade.

3. Do you enjoy multiple functions in a pocket folding knife?

A traditional folding knife is an excellent choice if you prefer more than one blade. Tactical knives typically have only one blade.

Many traditional pocket knives sport useful tools such as screwdriver, can opener, saw, pliers, and scissors. Here again, it is important to give some thought to how much functionality you would like in a knife...before you buy.

4. Do you want to carry the knife in your pocket or do you prefer it clipped to your belt?

A traditional folding knife is usually lightweight and easy to carry concealed in a pocket. Many tactical knives have a pocket clip attached which allows for quick access, but can be more easily lost if bumped while hiking etc. Many people, myself included prefer a pocket knife for ease of movement and the lower likelihood of the knife coming unclipped out in the field.

The Bear Grylls Scout Drop Point Knife comes from a well-known and respected manufacturer of high quality pocket knives...Gerber. It comes in a stylish and elegant design construction that manages to have that cool factor, but also great functionality.

It has an ergonomic rubber textured grip which greatly reduces the chance of slipping. It is lightweight and can be clipped on pants or carried in your pocket.

The flip knob also makes it easy to use with one hand. This is a big asset, especially to hunters who often can't use to hands to open a knife.

You can pick it up on Amazon for around $17