Artisan Cutlery Drops the Best-Looking Multi-Deploying Sub-$50 EDC Knife Maybe Ever

You rarely see this combo of aesthetics and mechanics at this price — and the materials are pretty solid too.

Close-up of a folding knife with a textured dark green handle and a black blade against an orange background.

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Published October 20, 2025

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In the EDC knife world, brands like Böker and Civivi have established strong reps for producing really good-looking, highly functional folders that don’t break the bank.

However, they are not alone, as a host of other makers have been known to flex these muscles too.

Folding knife with black blade, olive green textured handle, and black pocket clip. — You just don’t see $45 knives that look this good from tip to tail very often these days.

The latest to do so, interestingly, is the big brother of a budget brand.

I’m talking about Artisan Cutlery, which takes a page from CJRB’s playbook with the surprisingly affordable Tradition V2.

Flippin’ sweet

I’m always attracted to a knife offering more than one deployment method, as this boosts the fidget-friendly factor.

Because, let’s be honest, most of us spend at least as much time flipping knives open and closed as we do actually using them.

Two black-handled folding knives, one open showing a stonewashed blade and the other closed with a pocket clip. — While the black stonewashed blade and green handle are my favorite, the Tradition V2 is also available in this very attractive naked blade and black handle variety.

The Tradition V2 certainly delivers in this regard, as it offers both ambidextrous thumb studs and a rear flipper, two excellent one-hand deployment options.

A ceramic ball bearing pivot ensures the action is smooth and reliable, from the first flick to the thousandth.

Folding pocket knife with textured olive green handle, black blade, black clip, and orange thumb stud. — Here you can clearly see the robust rear flipper, thumb stud with a delightful pop of orange and the reversible clip. The lanyard slot enables you to attach the knife to a keychain or pack, too.

Closing with a single hand is a bit trickier, as this knife has a liner lock.

However, with a bit of careful practice, it becomes quite doable using the thumb — without looking, even.

Making the cut

Now, what exactly are we flipping here?

A generous 3.58-inch drop point blade made of AR-RPM9 steel, which AC itself commissioned for use in its knives and those of associated brands such as CJRB and Butterfork.

Two brown-handled folding knives with black blades, one open and one closed, on a white background. — The third color combo available is a black stonewashed blade with a brown G10 handle. All three versions cost just $45.

It’s not gonna blow anyone’s hair back, but it does offer toughness, wear resistance and ease of sharpening that compares favorably with other budget steels such as D2 and 14C28N.

The blade offers some jimping on the spine and a finger choil, to touches that help improve grip during more precision cutting tasks.

Slim black folding knife with olive green handle and orange pivot collar, shown open. — The jimping on the spine improves grip during detail work, while the liner lock holds the blade firmly in place.

On the other end of this affair, you’ll find ergonomic handle scales made of sturdy G10, with a bit of texture to further improve grip.

Rounding things out is a reversible steel clip, ensuring this knife sits safely in your pocket until you need it, whether for fidgeting or, you know, actual cutting.

Availability and pricing

The Artisan Cutlery Tradition V2 is available now in three colorways for $45 apiece.

Folding knife with black blade and textured olive green handle featuring an orange thumb stud.

Artisan Cutlery Tradition V2

$45 at Artisan Cutlery

$60 (25% off)

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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