Budget Cut: The Best Folding Knife for the Money

Knife knuts take heed: The torch for the best budget folding knife has been passed to the CJRB Mini Feldspar.

For years, the best value in folding knives has been the CRKT Drifter in G10. Its simple design stretched manufacturer pennies as far as possible. It has been a mainstay recommendation for anyone looking to buy a cheap folder for years.

It is still a good knife. But it is no longer the very best value on the planet. That honor now goes to the CJRB Mini Feldspar.

CJRB Mini Feldspar: Folding Knife Review

CJRB is the budget brand for Artisan Cutlery. It has taken a very aggressive approach to that market with value-packed designs and even pocketbook-friendly powder steel (first found on the Ria). Even among this impressive showing, the CJRB Mini Feldspar stands out.

Great Design & Experience

There is little to complain about with the Mini Feldspar (the large is the same knife with a 3.5-inch blade). The handle is made of G10 (available in many different colors), and it is marvelously sculpted to fit nicely in your hand.

It also has a fully nested liner, minimizing the knife’s thickness. The pivot feels snappy, and the thumb studs are catchy.

Even the pocket clip is a good, deep-carry design with no unnecessary flourishes. The star of the knife, though, is the clean, excellent drop-point blade in D2.

The grind is exceptionally good for a knife of this price. And, the blade stock is thin enough to make the Mini Feldspar a champion slicer.

Normally, I talk about drawbacks, but there aren’t any here. Sure, you can do better than the D2 — but, candidly, it’s fine for most everything.

If this knife had cost twice as much, it would still be a decent value. At $35, it is astounding.

As a first folder, a workshop beater, or just a great-sized EDC, the Mini Feldspar is a stunning knife.