20 Knife Gift Ideas Under $50

Note: Post updated in 2023.

If you’re like me, trying to find a gift is the worst. Fortunately, for you, helping you find the perfect gift is part of my job.

I’ve written about 20 different knife-related gifts for under $20 with some great options. But, if your budget for a good friend or a brother is a little higher, we got you covered.

Here are 20 knife-related gift ideas for under $50. These include some of the best-sellers at Knife Depot and products people have been excited about recently.

For a more robust list, check out the gift ideas under $50 collections page.

1. Spyderco UpTern

When we first made this list a few years back, the Spyderco Tenacious was one of the top picks for knives under $50, but its price is now well over the $50 mark.

However, Spyderco still has a handful of knives under the $50, including the relatively recent UpTern. This knife is unique in that it’s one of the few Byrd knives to get a Spyderco upgrade (rather than the other way around).

This is an all steel model that’s similar to those original Delica/Endura models. This one has a finger choil that makes gripping this folder very comfortable.

2. Kershaw Bracket

Kershaw has a ton of great knives at just under the $50 mark. The Bracket is a great choice for those looking to get a knife that’s a little different from the rest.

This cleaver style folder has a 3.4-inch blade with a steel pivot overly over a glass-filled nylon front scale. It is a robust yet balanced knife.

3. Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwers

Does your gift recipient already have a ton of foldings knives and fixed blades? Try getting him or her a set of throwing knives. This set from Smith & Wesson comes with six throwing knives that are durable and great for everyone.

Knife throwing is quickly becoming a popular sport that people can play in the comfort of their own backyard. Start a new tradition with this set.

4. Engraved Old Timer 6OT Golden Bear

From the modern to the classic, the next item under $50 is the Old Timer 6OT Golden Bear from Schrade. I’ve always been a big fan of Old Timer knives — the saw cut Delrin handles and the brass bolsters/pins give this knife a look that harkens back to the days of old.

This particular version of the Golden Bear also comes with laser engraving, making this an even better gift idea (though it’s available in its plain version too). The blade is 3.5 inches and locks with a back lock.

If you’re stuck figuring out what to engrave, check out my post on what to engrave on a knife.

5. CobraTec Folding Push Dagger

CobraTec is a relatively new brand, but this year their knives have been exceptionally popular. One of the big reasons is because the designs are so unique and the price is just right.

Take the Folding Push Dagger for example. This goes from a push dagger into a fixed blade and comes with a leather sheath. It’s just a really cool design that makes a great addition to any collection.

6. CRKT Squid XM

For a few years, the CRKT Drifter was in this spot because the Wirecutter did an extensive search for the best pocket knife for the masses and settled on the knife. But there are just so many better knives out there, including the Squid XM.

The Squid is one of the best little big knives and the beefed up Squid XM makes it one of the best knives overall. Pretty much all the Squid knives fall in this price range, so you can’t go wrong with any, but the Squid XM offers something a little newer and a little different.

7. Cold Steel SRK

The Cold Steel SRK has long been one of the best valued outdoor rescue fixed blades, and it’s still relevant all these years later.

For under $50, you can give this iconic blade that still gets rave reviews to this day. It has a 6-inch blade made from SK-5 steel and a black Kray-Ex handle. If you want to spend a little less money, you can opt for the SRK Compact.

8. Smith & Wesson 1st Response

For under $50, you can get a functional and badass blade in the Smith & Wesson 1st Response. Like the Golden Bear, this one comes with free engraving on the blade to make it even more special.

I often carry this knife and when it’s out of my EDC rotation, it stays in my car as a rescue tool, thanks to its glass breaking tip and seatbelt cutter embedded in the handle. The 3.3-inch blade has a partially serrated edge and the rubberized aluminum handle provides a solid grip in all types of situations.

9. CRKT LCK+

The LCK was one of the best budget knives a few years back. Well, it made a comeback in 2021 in this CRKT-branded LCK+.

It has a slim 3.31-inch assisted blade with a black GRN handle. This thin folder is one of the best EDC knives you can get for under $50.

10. Kershaw Kapsule

What makes a good gift is something unique. That’s where the Kershaw Kapsule comes in handy.

This is a manual OTF folder from designer Jens Anso is like few other knives out there. While it might seem like a novelty knife, it’s actually pretty good at opening boxes and light EDC tasks.

The recipient will be opening and closing this knife all the time.

11. Schrade SCHF52

The Schrade SCHF52 takes all the great things about the SCHF36 and removes some of the major complaints while adding some length. The result is a nearly perfect budget outdoor fixed blade.

The blade is around 5 inches and made from 1095 carbon steel. The well-degisned handle is TPE and features the right amount of texture and jimping. Even those who aren’t outdoorsmen will appreciate this knife.

12. Spyderco Bow River

Spyderco is best known for its bizarre yet functional folders, but the Spyderco Bow River has been a big hit these past few years.

It’s a compact, all-purpose fixed blade with a 4.36-inch blade and two-tone G-10 handle. It comes with a leather sheath. If you want to get someone an outdoor fixed blade that’s classy and useful, it’s hard to beat the Bow River at this price.

13. Victorinox Super Tinker

We couldn’t leave out a Swiss Army knife from this list. It was a tough choice between the Climber, Tinker, and Huntsman, but the Super Tinker is just too good to pass up.

It has 14 functions that are all essential — whether you’re talking about a blade, scissors, screwdriver, or bottle opener. This is a great gift because it empowers the gift recipient to become someone who can fix the little issues around the house.

14. KA-BAR TDI Investigator

When you want something that’ll shake the standard knife gift up a bit, there’s the relatively new KA-BAR TDI Investigator. This unusual-looking knife is designed to resemble the handle of a pistol to allow for quick access in last-ditch situations or everyday carry.

Customers have told us they’ve given this fixed blade with 2.71-inch blade to family for Christmas with much success. Knife fans will appreciate this well-built design.

15. Lansky Standard 3-Stone Sharpener

Gifts can’t always be fun and games. Sometimes, you need a good item to keep all your knives in tip-top condition. For those times, there’s the Lansky Sharpener. This is one of the most versatile mobile sharpening systems around.

This standard version comes with three stones and honing oil. All of this fits into a compact design that can be taken with you. This is a great maintenance tool for anyone with a knife.

16. Kershaw Outlier

An earlier version of this list had the great Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K, but the price is a bit too high now. Fortunately, there’s another new Kershaw that’s been taking the knife world by storm: the Kershaw Outlier.

This tactical karambit features a 2.6-inch black-coated hawkbill blade with a black glass-filled nylon handle. It has a built-in flipper tab and an assisted-opening mechanism to really get this knife open quick.

Like all karambits, the Outlier comes with a steel ring in the handle to allow for different grip positions. It’s no wonder this has been one of our bestsellers.

17. Spyderco Ladybug

Say what you will about the cute name, but this knife is a beast in a small package. The knife has a sub-2-inch blade that makes it legal in most places with restrictions and a back lock for security during use. Despite the small size, the back lock makes this a reliable tool to use in any situation.

What I love about this knife is that it can be great for anyone — men, women, and even teens.

18. CobraTec Quick Strike Hidden Release

This automatic knife is a unique design in that it has a hidden release mechanism beneath the handle scales that launch the blade open — hence the name Quick Strike.

However, you can also make a regular manual opening knife by simply using the thumb studs.

It’s a neat mechanism that anyone will enjoy.

19. Cold Steel Luzon, Large

The Cold Steel Luzon is a really popular knife because of its design.

Although it’s under $50, this knife is huge. Boasting a 6-inch blade, the Luzon is almost like a novelty but it also works well in self-defense applications.

20. CRKT CEO Flipper

Finally, there’s yet another insanely popular EDC from CRKT: the CEO Flipper.

The CEO was a nearly perfect knife when it came out, but CRKT managed to streamline the design even more with a flipper instead of a thumb stud.