Budget Knife Showdown! Who Wins?

The best knives I've found under $15 at might box Stores so far.
Have a Multitool or EDC Question? Leave a comment and I may make a video on it!
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Maxlvledc is a channel dedicated to exploring the tools we carry every day. I will be discussing bags, flashlights, knives, multitools, pen, wallets, key organizers, pry tools, functional clothing, watches, electronics, and much more. Because I also love to modify these items, there will be videos on tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, scissor, wrenches, and power tools.
I try to read every comment so pls feel free to ask any questions below! Thanks for stopping in!
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#everydaycarry #edc #maxlvledc

[@T-Mo_]

Craftsman replied on the Lowes q&a for that knife that the steel is 3Cr13

[@maxlvledc]

Doh! Damn

[@aaronb7800]

That's disappointing

[@starkparker16]

I need about 6 more Crs

[@MB-jg4tr]

Yikes lol

[@davel1716]

I just looked there and didn't see their reply, do you have the link to where you saw it?

[@Tim_Bushy]

The Walmart knife was recently available on their website. I grabbed a couple. I am pretty impressed for the price. Great stuff Dom. Thanks for the content.

[@RichardWilson-1968.]

I drove 9 miles to pick up the craftsman from Lowe’s this morning. I think for the money it’s a good every day carry knife. I have benchmade knives, but am impressed with the quality of the budget knives today. My normal carry is a Kershaw heist. I cannot see paying 200 dollars for a knife i use everyday anymore.

[@williamsisk2897]

While working, I like to carry a decent knife that's easily replaceable. That is where these knives shine. For me, it is possible for the seat belt of a work truck to catch a pocket clip and pull it out of the pocket, and the knife ends up getting driven over. Or some other silly incident. That would be devastating if it happened to a $100 plus Benchmade, but not so much for a $10 HF knife.

[@Haiku-EDC]

People forget that these Knives are great to learn how sharpen. I use the Gordon and Walmart to teach sharpening

[@Steel_addiction71]

Sharpening on trash steels is dumb.

[@T-Mo_]

I have the orange ozark d2 knife. Best value knife no question. Just bought the the white ozark $5. Action is amazing. Guessing itll need sharpening constantly.

[@PlayinNgaming]

Used it to field dress my deer this year was dull af at the end ha

[@FrugalShave]

Walmart just started pushing these D2 knives out again. They sold out online immediately, but at least we know they will be available. I 3D printed glow in the dark scales for mine.

[@jimmylarge1148]

U should print some for mine while you’re at it!

[@UltraMagaFan2]

I bought the Icon knife from Harbor Freight and that thing is 100% worth the $40. It’s a great budget knife for that price. I’ve carried it for the past year and a half and have had no issues with it. It holds an edge pretty well. Granted, it does rust, but that’s to be expected with D2.

[@johnm281]

I got one recently on sale for $29.99 , it also has a lifetime warranty

[@jimmylarge1148]

Not if u lube it! 😂

[@gerttownrecords845]

Lowe’s is also carrying a high visibility razor knife with the same mechanism for $6. Even has extra blade storage.

[@frankmckinley1254]

I got the orange one from Walmart and for ten dollars it was really pretty good.

[@jimmylarge1148]

Yes. For 10$ it’s great. For 20$? It’s horrible. 😂

[@imagitu6409]

been addicted to your videos lately. just for shits and giggles I looked up the craftsman knife and it looks like they use the exact same design for their utility knife. So it that lock back mechanism is so good, then I thought somebody might want to know that. I remodel homes so I use a utility as much as I use the knife on my hip

[@TactileLoki]

Ozark trail got a secret upgrade which might be why they have been out. Picked up 2 yesterday and they now have left and right clips holes and the grip is apparently grippier (never had the original so I can’t tell)

[@stevengoodman3636]

There are 22 of them at the Lowes near me. Now I have to go get one. Too bad we don't know what kind of steel it is. But $15 is cheap. I have two of the Ozark Trail knives that I bought at Walmart for $10 each. It is a very good value for the money. I agree that it is crazy to buy them on Ebay for more than that.

[@1947froggy]

Bought 4 Ozarks online when they had them for gifts, kept 1 and rotates as EDC. Sharpens nicely. Subbed Froggy

[@jim3922]

I’ll checked out the Craftsman. I saw a new knife at Lowe’s in the Christmas gift area from Kobalt. I didn’t buy it, but I liked the texture on the handle.

[@jaketallorlin223]

FYI, last day today at harbor freight has 30% off any item under $10. Up to 5 items. That knife for $7 is a solid deal.

[@SAINTSEDC]

Man that craftsman looks clean. Ima go see if it’s available at my Lowe’s tomorrow.

[@samspade1418]

The only reason we're even discussing these or any budget knives is because the Walmart knife came in D2. Regarding this video, the other three knives are no different from the myriad of stores that sell Gerber, Buck and "house" brand cheapies. What the Walmart knife means is that pretty soon D2 is going to be considered budget steel as it will be on budget knifes. I wouldn't be surprised to see it knock 8Cr13MoV out of the $15-$30 range fairly soon.

[@Edcreviewer]

LOL D2 has been considered a super budget steel for over 5 years now what are you talking about?

[@jimmylarge1148]

D2 and 8-9cr are almost identical in performance

[@TCM3273]

Another set of stores that sell some decent cheap knives are your local auto parts store. I bought a Smith and Wesson knife for like $15.00 and it has been an excellent knife.

[@bryanCLXT]

Legit S W was my carry knife for a few years just to have one. bought a Otf Cobratec😂 still good but my love for knives started with the Orange Wugout

[@scrubking]

I hope that $1000 knife has gold and diamonds on it.

[@maxlvledc]

Polished S90V and full Timascus handle and clip

[@GarrettsGear]

​@@maxlvledc 😂😂😂 steel flame clip

[@LKN4WAR]

This video doesn’t show up under your videos tab when going to your channel. I was watching it on TV then went to phone to link and send it to someone and it’s not listed in the drop down showing videos. FYI.

[@Budgovroom]

Just got the craftsman today. I own a bugout and I’m already liking it

[@LXT43]

Menards beat them all. They had a large Crescent folder for $7 with D2 steel last year. With the rebate, it was like $4.

[@DeerUNIT42]

OR the $5 holiday knife sale white Ozark Trail axis lock, in prob 3cr. Second best option since the Orange D2 is never in stock (but check website information a handful of them on there just last week). Thanks for the discovery on the Craftsman!

[@T-Mo_]

It's an amazing knife for $5

[@micahjohnson9184]

What about the $25 Civivi Zizzle? It seems like a great option. I know someone said it sold out as well, so idk.

[@maxlvledc]

I'm not convinced...3cr is garbage steel.

[@maxlvledc]

Best Value no question, but there are less than 12 per store at best, limited release, and over $20

[@wadehedrick4315]

I was able to get one of the Ozark Trail knives off of the Walmart website last week. They now have a reversible clip.

[@tomasscott6414]

I have a Craftsmen utility knife that has the same lock and like it a lot.

[@indomotor]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@tripster3550]

Craftsman is great

[@rsmith7292]

Amazon says "stainless steel' for the Craftsman... not much help? great video!

[@art0s819]

heyy,just wanted to let you know that Daicamping dl30 are now 13.70€ on aliexpress and will drop to 11€ on Black Fridays, might want to make a quick review on it if it is the same in america

[@lesmazur5690]

I was wondering did you find out The steel in the Craftsman ?

[@unlicensedassassin]

The same locking mechanism on the craftsman is on the Dewalt atomic utility knife at Home Depot I think it was like 11 bucks also now I know what that lock is called thanks for the info as always…

[@cgolf100]

I just prefer the Gordon over the Ozark trail, it just feels like a more solid knife. May have to pick up a third Gordon lol.

[@maxlvledc]

I agree, all three are solid, but Gordon leads as something ppl can get

[@Skwish6952]

I like the new DeWalt utility knives. I especially like the atomic one. Its a smaller but still nice in the hand and has a button compression lock. Ive seen the craftsman and it has peaked my interest. Im glad i didn't buy it tho if the steel is 3cr. Honestly there is no reason they should be using anything less than 8cr nowadays. The same lock on the craftsman is the one on the utility knife i was talking about earlier.

[@donegotold8776]

Seems like the top liner lock would be to easy to hit on accident and get cut, plus it looks terrible lol !!?? Maybe it's just me , but I'll stick to standard liner lock if just for aesthetic purposes lol

[@brandonroberts6815]

Can't find any of those Walmart knifes here in San Diego, same for that craftsman blade. Sadly

[@pressrolls]

insane...it even has the Compression Made Easy button on it too! SOMEBODY was paying attention at Craftsman!

[@psalmist7027]

Just checked leatherman’s website. The obsidian was listed as available again

[@bryanCLXT]

as a lefty i actually carry right pocket and actually cant even flick it up with my left. weird ambidextrous application 😅

[@rpredl]

Where do you guys go that you need to buy a knife for the weekend? Shark or a Jet?

[@eastwood34]

I haven't found them yet, but CutleryLover did a video showing that the Walmart 'bugout' from Ozark Trail is now available in white.

[@disco_falcon1895]

They're available on the website. The blade is an unspecified "stainless steel" though.

[@bccurtis]

The white Ozark trail is not quite as good as the orange one. It just has an overall cheaper feel. That being said it's a great value for $5

[@maxlvledc]

Nope, different knife

[@travistoor6360]

Dewalt is basically following Milwaukee

[@lukemitchell6027]

According to Lowe’s QandA the craftsman is made from 3Cr13 stainless steel

[@deykno87]

Need a budget flashlight showdown

[@maxlvledc]

Price point?

[@dumbgunsllc]

They craftsman hit the shelves back in September they were available then

[@mrhalfstep]

The Ozark Trail, as the only tip up carry knife, is the only one that I'd care to carry.

[@cdigman]

The others on the table are all set up for tip up, I think tip-down might be the OP’s preference.

[@maxlvledc]

Umm...all of the ones shown can go either direction..

[@mrhalfstep]

@@maxlvledc I went back and watched again and now I see that the clip on the HF knife can be moved to 4 positions and one of them is a true right hand, tip up carry. The Dewalt can be turned tip up, but the flipper is in a bad place unless you're a lefty. Not really a tip up right hand carry.

[@mrhalfstep]

@@maxlvledc I think the Craftsman knife would have to have the clip on the opposite side and the opposite end to be a true tip up, right hand carry. That's why the HF has 4 positions I guess.

[@mrhalfstep]

@@maxlvledc Please ignore both of my comments. I Have just spent 20 minutes manipulating some of my folding knives and now believe that I don't know what I'm talking about. You're right, they can all be changed to tip up and the HF can even be changed to left hand carry. Sorry I questioned you. You forced me to learn a few things, so you did good.

[@Trustory209]

The orange should be from Home Depot 😂

[@Duckylitner]

Walmart has that knife in a different colorway now that I've found. It's black and red with a tanto blade

[@maxlvledc]

Link?

[@Duckylitner]

@maxlvledc I'm gonna look for it. I seen it with their Christmas knife selection at my local walmart

[@Duckylitner]

@maxlvledc so I couldn't find the one I seen at my local Wal-Mart but I did see a white version with a stainless blade and a diffrent style pattern on the scales. The one I seen might be sold out I honestly don't know

[@maxlvledc]

@Duckylitner ahh, that one is not D2

[@Duckylitner]

@maxlvledc yea i know the one I found at my local one was d2 but I can't find it online and they are sold out otherwise I'd pick one up and offer to send it

[@davel1716]

Glad you got to get ahold of the Craftsman knife. I heard about this one about 2 weeks ago from Reddit, and was intrigued, so I picked one up. First one was a fail...bad detent lash, off-centered blade, lock-stick, etc. I decided to try again, and the second one I got was fabulous. You didn't mention it in your video, but the compression lock is actually left-handed, if we are going by a Spyderco definition. And sure enough, I'm left handed and it is way easier to use in my left hand, and that was my main draw to it. Love the handle, love the blade shape. Made in Vietnam not China. It's not perfect, and sounds like the blade steel is poor, but there is still a lot to like here for $15. Been using it on the job already👍

[@GarrettsGear]

What about Todd Begg's Icon knife from HF? 😂💀

[@timothyvolkers5343]

You should make a video explaining the reasons for owning a $500-$1,000 knives. Cause I don't get it and a video explaining it would be a interesting watch

[@UltraMagaFan2]

They’re collector’s pieces. Normally knives in that price range are made in limited numbers. It’s not that hard to understand.

[@maxlvledc]

Why own a Rolex? Its art, functional jewlery, no difference

[@timothyvolkers5343]

@@maxlvledc Yeah but a Rolex I'd actually wear a $1,000 dollar knife I don't think that I'd actually use.

[@timothyvolkers5343]

@@UltraMagaFan2 I guess hard to understand depends on the person. Because what is easy to understand for one person is hard to understand for another

[@CanadaFree-ce9jn]

Our Walmarts suck! That first knife has more liner lock up than my $290 Zero Tolerance where the liner in only half under the blade, covering an area 1/4 of the blade width. Their customer service didn't seem to care at all. I even had the ZT $290 not lock up several repeated times, the cause? A bit of pocket lint. It locked up after I removed the lint; but I have never had a knife fail because of lint.

[@UltraMagaFan2]

Take the knife apart and use a pair of pliers to slightly bend the lock in so it engages the blade more. It’s a very easy fix that you can do yourself. I’ve had that issue with a couple of my knives and had them both fixed 10 minutes later.

[@TylerFlansburgh]

The zero tolerance knife locks up like that so you get more life out of the knife. You don't want it to engage the whole lock bar when it's brand new. Bending it will only cause it to wear or fail prematurely.

[@webbfaze124]

The Ozark knife isnt a strong knife. Don't expect it to do heavy duty task. Even medium duty things may give it trouble.

[@No-ub5ju]

only good one is the tip up carry one

[@AdventureGuy369]

You’re gonna have to add the $25 civivi knife at Walmart

[@masonm2140]

25? Ive never seen that but the requirement was under 15 for this video but thats awesome

[@jeremyroland5175]

I don’t know anything about steel types really so don’t crucify me if it doesn’t mean anything but I have that exact Craftsman knife. On the bottom of the handle it says 2430, would that be a steel type?

[@focusonthefocus]

Could be a Bommer spring steel.

[@focusonthefocus]

That marking is also on CRKT's Jon Graham Razel Chizel knife.

[@maxlvledc]

I don't think so...but could be! I'll look into it thanks!

[@robertkocourek600]

Didn't talk about the craftsman pocket clip.

[@maxlvledc]

It's solid

[@jeremiahsr1984]

$6.99 for the Gordon right now if you're a ITC member.

[@ShiozakiSama]

I mean, everyone has their own opinion, for right or... WRONG. Its an opinion. And YES, the Ozark Grail DOES beat the Bugout. The OT is a Knife, and does Knife things, for like 18 times LESS the price, that should already speak to why people will pay 30-40-50 bucks for the OT and NOT other knives in the price range.

[@MB-jg4tr]

I'm blessed to have plenty of high quality cutting tools to keep me slicing til I die. I don't need or want anymore cheap knives. Once you find the tools that work perfectly for you there's no real reason to keep purchasing, aside from a tool breaking/wearing out, other than for fun/addiction/obsession. Took me a while to figure this out, dealing with several years of disappointment before I gave up, because the tools I have are perfect for me.

[@N2EWSRadio]

I'll keep an eye out for the Craftsman. People call that Walmart knife a Bugout killer. It's not. But it's a counterfeit-Bugout killer.

[@maxlvledc]

Carefully what words you use...it is in NO WAY a counterfeit. What Ozark did is completely legal AND the bugout is itself....a clone of many older designs.

[@N2EWSRadio]

@@maxlvledc I'm not calling the Ozark a counterfeit. I'm saying there's no point in buying a counterfeit Benchmade Bugout off Wish, Temu or AliExpress if I can get the Ozark for $5 or $10. The $5 Ozark is probably 3cr13, which is probably the same steel used in counterfeits. So you don't gain anything by buying a counterfeit. So it's a counterfeit Bugout killer.

[@N2EWSRadio]

@@maxlvledc I wasn't calling it a counterfeit. I'm saying there's no point in buying a counterfeit Benchmade Bugout if you can get the Ozark Trail knife. Why bother getting a fake Bugout off the usual sites if you can get the Ozark for $5 or $10 (depending on the model). Counterfeits are probably 3cr13, which is probably the same as the new $5 Ozark. And the $10 is D2. I'm pretty sure the counterfeits are not D2. That's what I mean by saying the Ozark is a counterfeit Bugout killer.

[@maxlvledc]

@N2EWSRadio ahh! Sorry I misunderstood, and you are spot on.

[@reginaldwigglebottom4731]

With D2 steel there is no other choice on the table but the Ozark. 3cr and such steel is just garbage. In that realm you’re better off with a Fastback with replaceable blades…the edge will last just as long

[@LXT43]

3CR13mov is not garbage. If it was so bad, Kershaw would have never used it. It's about as good as 4116 and 4034SS steel. Budget steel but far from garbage.

[@reginaldwigglebottom4731]

@ if it wasn’t garbage it would be advertised/marketed. Hence words like “stainless”, “surgical” etc. But you can use it if you like…

[@nosrin1988]

a craftsman knife? given that it has moving parts I wouldn't trust it. but that IS kind of interesting....

[@tommysuswick9751]

How many people are going to spend $15 on craftsman 3cr blade. What are we doing?!

[@maxlvledc]

Honestly not terrible. Still would call that a win for knifes in store compared to some of the other trash out there.

[@tommysuswick9751]

@maxlvledc not good for $15. I'd rather get a Walmart $5 or even a dollar tree $1.25 knife if only using for a short time.

[@coltonmandell4829]

Ozark Grail isn't worth $15? I disagree

[@krefcenz]

Too many of these knives are not ambi. Why? The only one of those knives I could even use is the Gordon. And it looks solid. But I can’t believe that you couldn’t feature more ambidextrous knives. Oh well.

[@maxlvledc]

Under 20 and in big box stores...yea i get it. There are plenty under 20 online if you need.

[@stevechristensen9171]

Okay, good info, but you beat it to death. You turned 3-4 minutes of information into nearly 11 minutes of rambling.

[@flatasacueball6326]

I have the Gordon (Harbor Freight) and the Orange ozark trail (Walmart), both great knives for $10. I even have the new $5 Ozark Trail axis lock (the "stormtrooper"). The Orange Ozark Trail is definitely the best of the 3. I wouldn't use the dewalt or the craftsman. I dont like the handle design, size, or weight of them.

[@shannonjoslin6531]

I'm not going to use any one of these knives in the woods. Can you rely on any one of these knives if you have to use this as a tool to save your life?

[@maxlvledc]

What kind of .... takes a folding knife into the woods and expects it to perform? Take a fixed blade.

[@shannonjoslin6531]

@maxlvledc the type of people that sell them. Swiss army knife multi-tool and a fixed blade. I did in the army The PX sold a lot of s*** too I carried a cheap knife like these in my cleaning kit to scrape off carbon from my bolt of my M16 A2

[@maxlvledc]

@shannonjoslin6531 makes sense. But you still had the fixed blade. A folder is a fine backup but a MT would be better like your setup was.

[@OreoDave]

👍👍

[@terrysmith4465]

American made knives are so over priced, that's ridiculous.

[@Wenrui-v8y]

I like your video very much. I am a CNC tool manufacturer in China. I just learned how to use KZbin. I hope to have the opportunity to cooperate with you. Please forgive me if I disturb you. Thank you.

[@maxlvledc]

Plz don't spam the videos though, this is the second identical post

[@samspade1418]

Walmart knife is now sold out again (11-20-24).

[@coltonmandell4829]

Walmart knife shouldn't count considering it isn't available anywhere. Was sold in super limited quantities knowing it would sell out immediately.

[@iameradicate]

it's available to buy and get shipped on walmart's website literally right now, 6:20pm eastern 16 november 2024

[@mcguiganmike]

@@iameradicate Thanks! just ordered 4 for free shipping and that means some Xmas gifts!

[@cobbfutbol62]

I bought it on eBay for $30. I want 5 more asap lol. It’s really good. Also though, the $7 all black one from Walmart w the bearings is my personal favorite

[@victorguerin5252]

The stores are back in stock. Even the orange ones.

[@ericvortecmax]

@@iameradicatethanks. I just ordered 4

[@East_TN_Explorer]

I have not been able to get that damn OT orange one yet

[@Invuln13]

It's in stock online right now if your taking about the Walmart one, just ordered a few myself