We’re going to show you everything you need to pick the best flipper knife under 50 for your needs and style. When you’re looking for a quality budget knife, you’re not going to get around the need to compromise – but the trick is knowing what features are worth scaling back on and which ones aren’t.
Our guide and review will give you a clear idea of the value and features you can expect at the different price points, what features are non-negotiable, and how to get the best possible value for your money! You’ll have everything you need to choose a knife that performs just the way you’d like it to.
We want you to get a flipper knife that you’ll keep around for a long time, without having to spend a premium dollar. With this all in mind, let’s get started!
Top 7 Best Flipper Knife Under $50 Reviews in 2023
We’ve carefully selected 7 knives we think to offer the best value for money in the sub-$50 price range. You’re still getting specialized and capable performance, but a lot of the extra “fluff” is cut out to save costs. With the flipper knives we’ve chosen, you don’t need to worry about troublesome compromises. Quality is still surprisingly good despite the lower budget.
We’re going to help you to choose a knife that makes cutbacks where it won’t affect performance/quality where YOU need it the most. If you’re looking for an aesthetic knife, we’ll bring you some options that look great, but perhaps compromise on some features like edge retention or handle quality.
If you’re looking for a durable utility knife, you’ll find some options that sacrifice a refined and polished finish in favor of robust handles and strong, resistant steel. It might help to write down 3-5 things you need in your next flipper knife. These should be features or aspects of the knife you’d consider non-negotiable.
If you’ve had experience with flipper knives before then this should be quite easy to do – as you already know what works for you, and what doesn’t. Even if this is your first flipper knife, listing out what you’re looking for will go a long way to ensure you get the best possible value for your money. Grab your list, get ready, and let’s take a look at some awesome sub-$50 flipper knives!
Western Active Honey Badger Flipper Knife
Our first pick is a large size 3.63” pocket knife. It has a slim, sleek, and lightweight design that effortlessly slips into your pocket. The handle is made from Fiber Reinforced Nylon and has honey cone texturing to give it fantastic slip resistance and a unique themed appearance. You’ll love the smooth opening and closing action provided by the 18-ball bearing swivel.
It’s exceptionally consistent and can be operated one-handed and ambidextrously. 8CR18 steel gives you great corrosion resistance and edge retention, making this knife a decent outdoor pick. Overall, you’re getting one of the most popular picks for the best flipper knife under 50 for robustness and ease of use.
- Very comfortable handle for ambidextrous use
- High-quality steel with great retention
- Comes very sharp
- Large blade but still lightweight and slim
- Not very easy to clean
- Handle gets dirty very quickly
BGT Folding Tactical Flipper Knife
Here’s an exceptionally robust knife with all-steel construction for one of the most durable options under $50. The handle is coated in black and has a non-slip feature for improved grip with wet or sweaty hands. We love the way this knife resembles a katana and feels just as sharp. You’ll find the ball-bearing pivot system to be reactive and smooth – easy to open one-handed without much hassle.
The tanto-style blade is extremely functional and gives you excellent piercing power. You can use this knife for extensive utility and tactical work and it can comfortably handle heavier duty work. All-in-all, it’s one of our top picks for the best flipper knife under 50 and well worth the money!
- Tanto-style blade is very functional
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Exceptionally durable and robust
- Non-slip handle is comfortable and ergonomic
- Doesn’t come as sharp as it could out the box
- Better suits right-handed users
Gerber Quadrant Straight Edge Flipper Knife
This straight edge Gerber is gorgeous with its modern design and unique appearance. A bamboo handle and a sleek attractive blade give this Gerber knife an edge in the budget market. We love how easy the blade is to deploy and the flipper’s location. It’s easy to reach with either hand and has a very safe deployment.
The flipper doubles as a finger guard. The pocket clip is excellent and the knife finds the perfect balance between style and utility. You’re getting one of the best flipper knives under 50 with this level of style and attention to aesthetics.
- Great balance between utility and appearance
- Very affordable considering the build quality
- Super-easy to clean and maintain
- Versatile pocket clip
- Bamboo handle isn’t as durable as other materials
- Not as functional as many competing knives
SOG Salute Mini Hunting Slipper Knife
Here’s a slightly smaller and more compact solution if you don’t want to carry heavier knives. High-quality stainless steel gives this SOG knife excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. The blade can be opened and closed one-handed and surprisingly quickly. That makes this a great EDC choice for on-the-go utility.
You’ll get improved longevity as the handle and blade are coated to further improve its resistance and appearance. The G10 handle is one of the best in this price range. They are full-length and the outside is textured to improve handling and comfort for heavier cutting. This knife is one of the best flipper knife under 50 you’ll find with a G10 handle like this.
- Excellent value for money
- Easy to clean
- Sleek and attractive
- Awesome G10 handle
- Black coating shows scratches
- Doesn’t come very sharp out the box
Eafengrow Folding Ball-Bearing Flipper Knife
Here’s one of the most affordable knives in this review. The blade is an impressive 3.74” long with a total length of over 8”. You’re getting plenty of handle to work with and to fit different hand sizes. Durable D2 steel is great for affordable durability. You can put a wicked edge on it and the edge retention is decent.
The ball-bearing flipper is buttery smooth and consistent. This pairs well with the lightweight and slim construction to bring you an extremely convenient EDC knife. This is probably the best flipper knife under 50 if you want a minimalistic and slim build.
- Great quality considering the price
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Blade can get razor-sharp
- Long and comfortable handle
- More prone to bending
- Not great for piercing
Tangram Tactical Mini Flipper Knife
This 3” folding pocket knife is a great EDC choice. It’s below the legal carry size in many states and is sleek and comfortable. We love the stonewash finish and how well it hides scratches. This combines excellently with the high-quality G10 handle to bring you an exceptionally comfortable handle.
You can get a strong 4-finger grip on the handle even with larger hands. 8CR18 steel is easy to sharpen and holds a great edge. It’s also corrosion resistant and doesn’t chip easily.
- High-quality and resistant steel
- Super-affordable
- Great brown G10 handle
- Easy to sharpen
- Pocket clip is a little too tight
- Slower opening and closing action
GoWill Flipper Pocket Knife
This knife strikes a great balance between its performance and its looks. It’s super-easy to carry in a pocket and the lanyard hole is perfectly located. You’ll find the opening and closing action is smooth and consistent, and the knife can be easily used one-handed (in either hand).
D2 Tool Steel is functional and robust considering its lightweight properties. It’s a great choice for outdoor knives and has all the resistance and retention you’d expect from a decent outdoor knife. You’re getting a best flipper knife under 50 for the outdoors and tactical use.
- Robust and durable
- Slim and lightweight
- Stunning appearance
- Ergonomic textured handle
- Hard to clean
- Not very easy to sharpen
What to Look for in a Flipper Knife?
Here are a couple of features you should be on the lookout for when you’re choosing a flipper knife. Keep these in mind when you’re weighing your options.
Blade Deployment
Ball-bearing pivot knives offer arguably the smoothest opening action. They’re also incredibly consistent and great for everyday carry knives. The main issue is that you’re going to need a good care and maintenance routine to keep the knife clean and in tip-top shape.
You also need to pay attention to the flipper’s location on the knife. Many knives with thumb-activated flippers are designed for right-handed use, so keep that in mind.
Steel Quality
Stainless steel or high-carbon steel is essential for EDC and utility knives. Make sure the knife you choose features some kind of corrosion-resistant steel with decent edge retention.
You should avoid choosing flipper knives with an HRC rating over 58. They will chip far more easily, and all you’ll get is slightly improved edge retention. You should also avoid going below HRC 55 as edge retention won’t be great and you’ll find yourself having to sharpen the knife constantly.
Blade Size and Knife Length
The first thing you need to do before buying any EDC knife is to check the local laws regarding carrying knives in public. Many states in the US have restrictions on blade length and knives with concealed blades. Once you know what your local laws state, you need to choose the right length to suit how you plan on using the knife. For everyday utility work, a 3” to 3.5” blade is plenty.
If the steel quality is good then you’ll have more than enough cutting power to handle most basic utility work. If you’re looking for a smaller knife to carry around your neck or on a boot, you should stay below 3”. Finally, if you need an outdoor/tactical flipper knife, you might need the extra cutting power provided by a larger 3.5”+ blade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can Flipper Knives Be Used Left-Handed?
A: The answer to this question depends on which knife you’re talking about. Many flipper knives put the flipper switch in a position that lets you easily open the knife with your left hand – but unfortunately many don’t. Read up about the knife carefully and take a look at any available reviews to make sure it has been made with left-handed users in mind.
Q: How Often Should I Sharpen a Flipper Knife?
A: I hone my flipper knives at least once a week or after they’ve been through heavier use. Bear in mind that honing is not the same as sharpening (honing realigns the cutting edge whereas sharpening removes steel from the cutting edge). You shouldn’t need to sharpen a flipper more than once a month at the most. I sharpen mine on a whetstone once every 3 months (more or less).
Q: Are Tanto-Style Blades Good for Tactical Use?
A: Yes, tanto blades are excellent for both tactical and utility. They have good piercing power and often have a cutting edge on the blade spine (leading up to the sharp tip).
Final Thoughts
You should feel confident enough to make your choice by now. You have plenty of information to work with and we’ve also covered what you should look for in a flipper knife. Remember to have the list you wrote handy. Combine what you wrote down with our recommendations and whatever else you learned here.
You’ll have all the tools you need to choose a flipper knife that is perfect for your budget, style, and planned uses. With the best flipper knife under 50 in your pocket, you’ll be ready to take on whatever life throws your way – and your wallet will thank you!
