The 10 Best CJRB Knives for Budget EDC in 2026

Feb 1, 2026

By ARTISANCUTLERY INC

The 10 Best CJRB Knives for Budget EDC in 2026

By ArtisanCutlery Team

Disclosure: This guide focuses specifically on products from CJRB and Artisan Cutlery. We may earn a commission if you buy through links in this post.

1. Budget Knives Are Actually Good Now

Do you remember when buying a "cheap" knife meant you were getting a piece of junk? Ten years ago, a $40 knife would usually feel flimsy, rust quickly, and get dull after cutting just one cardboard box.

Welcome to 2026. Things have changed big time.、

Today, you can get an amazing tool for under $60. This change is largely thanks to companies like Artisan Cutlery and their budget-friendly brand, CJRB. They figured out how to use high-tech machines to make knives that feel expensive but cost less.

A good budget knife today isn't just sharp; it's fun to use. It has smooth buttons that lock the blade tight and handles that fit your hand perfectly. But the biggest reason for this change is a special type of metal they use called AR-RPM9 steel.

2. What is AR-RPM9 Steel? (The "Spray Paint" Trick)

You will see AR-RPM9 steel mentioned a lot on this list. It is CJRB's secret weapon. But what is it?

To understand it, let's look at how steel is usually made using the Ice Cube Analogy:

Old School Steel (Like D2): Imagine making a giant ice cube by freezing a bucket of dirty water. It freezes slowly. All the dirt and bubbles clump together in big spots. In steel, these "clumps" make the blade act like chunky concrete. It's hard, but if you hit it wrong, it can crack.
Super Expensive Steel (Powder Steel): Imagine turning water into a fine mist of snow, then packing it into a perfect, clean ice ball. It is super strong and smooth, but it costs a ton of money and energy to make.
AR-RPM9 (Spray Forming): This is the middle ground. Imagine spraying liquid metal onto a spinning plate, kind of like spray painting a wall. The metal freezes almost instantly. The clumps don't have time to form. You get a smooth, clean structure like the expensive stuff, but at a much lower price.

Why is this good for you?

It Gets Scary Sharp: Because the steel grain is so fine, you can sharpen it to a razor edge very easily.
It Fights Rust: Unlike older tool steels, this is a true stainless steel. You can cut an apple for lunch and not worry about your blade turning orange with rust.

3. Knife Steel Comparison: D2 vs AR-RPM9

For a long time, D2 steel was the king of work knives. It is still very popular, but it has some pros and cons compared to the newer AR-RPM9.

Feature	D2 Steel (The Old Workhorse)	AR-RPM9 (The Modern Standard)
Rust Resistance	Okay. It can rust if you get it wet or live near the ocean.	Excellent. It handles sweat, food, and humidity very well.
Edge Holding	Great. It is very hard and stays sharp for a long time.	Good. It stays sharp for normal daily use, but D2 might last a little longer on cardboard.
Toughness	Low. It is brittle. It can chip if you hit a staple or rock.	High. It is tough. It tends to bend or roll instead of chipping.
Sharpening	Hard. The big "clumps" in the steel make it tough to grind.	Easy. The fine grain makes it super easy to sharpen at home.

The Verdict: If you work in a warehouse cutting dirty, gritty boxes all day, D2 is still a great choice because it is so hard. But for Daily Utility—like opening packages, camping, or food prep—AR-RPM9 is usually better because it doesn't rust and is easier to fix if it gets dull.

4. The 10 Best CJRB Knives for 2026

Here are the top picks from the CJRB lineup. Whether you want a fidget toy or a hard-use tool, there is something here for you.

1. CJRB Pyrite (The All-Rounder)

This is the most famous knife on the list. The CJRB Pyrite is the perfect size for most people. It uses a Button Lock, which means you just press a button to swing the blade open or closed. It keeps your fingers safe.

Best For: Everyday carry (EDC) and office tasks.
Why we like it: It is incredibly smooth and fun to play with.
[Image Idea: A GIF showing someone flicking the Pyrite open and closed smoothly.]

2. CJRB Pyrite-Alt (The Box Cutter)

This is a version of the Pyrite with a different blade shape called a "Wharncliffe." The edge is perfectly straight, like a razor blade.

Best For: Opening Amazon packages and cutting cardboard.
Why we like it: The pointy tip is super precise. It also has a hole in the blade instead of a thumb stud, which looks cool and works great.

3. CJRB Ekko (The Designer Choice)

Designed by a famous knife maker named Ray Laconico, the CJRB Ekko looks classy. It has a sleek blade that is great for slicing. You can open it using the button, the hole, or a "front flipper" tab on the top.

Best For: Someone who wants a knife that looks a little fancy but works hard.
Why we like it: It offers three different ways to open it, making it the ultimate fidget knife.

4. CJRB Prado (The Big Boss)

Need something bigger? The CJRB Prado is a large knife with a classic clip-point blade (it looks like a classic Bowie knife). It uses a Crossbar Lock (similar to the Axis lock), which is super strong.

Best For: Camping, food prep, and people with large hands.
Why we like it: Even though it is big, it is very slim and carries easily in your pocket.

5. CJRB Hectare (The Hiker's Friend)

If you hike, you care about weight. The CJRB Hectare is designed to be super light. It also uses the strong Crossbar lock. It is a direct competitor to some much more expensive knives (like the Bugout) but costs way less.

Best For: Hiking, backpacking, and gym shorts carry.
Why we like it: You barely notice it is in your pocket until you need it.

6. CJRB Frack (The Tank)

$Cjrb Frack J1931 Cpm S90v Blade Titanium(frag Pattern) Handle Folding Knives - cjrb frack$

This knife is a beast. The CJRB Frack is big, heavy, and solid steel. The handle has a "frag" pattern (it looks like a pineapple grenade) that gives you a superb grip so it won't slip.

Best For: Heavy-duty work, construction, or wearing gloves.
Why we like it: When you open it, it makes a loud, satisfying "THWACK" sound. It feels unbreakable.

7. CJRB Pyrite-Light (The Money Saver)

This is the Pyrite, but with a plastic handle (FRN) instead of metal. This makes it lighter and cheaper.

Best For: Your first knife or a backup to keep in the car.
Why we like it: It is the ultimate budget knife. You get the same great blade and lock performance for the lowest price.

8. CJRB Riff (The Worker)

The CJRB Riff is built for comfort. It has a thick handle that fills up your hand, so you don't get tired holding it. The blade is strong and broad.

Best For: Long periods of cutting, like breaking down a recycling bin full of boxes.
Why we like it: It feels very secure in the hand.

9. CJRB Gobi (The Slicer)

This knife looks curvy and cool. The CJRB Gobi has a trailing point blade (the tip goes up). This gives it a huge "belly" for slicing.

Best For: Cutting meat, fruit, or rope.
Why we like it: It cuts through soft materials like a laser beam.

10. CJRB Mica / Mini Pyrite (The Little Guy)

Sometimes you can't carry a big knife. The CJRB Mica (also called Mini Pyrite) is tiny. It fits in that little coin pocket in your jeans.

Best For: An office where you don't want to scare coworkers, or opening letters.
Why we like it: It has an aluminum handle, so it feels sturdy even though it is small.

5. How to Choose?

For most people: Buy the CJRB Pyrite. It does everything well.
For warehouse work: Buy the Pyrite-Alt. The straight edge handles boxes best.
For tough jobs: Get the Frack or Feldspar (D2 version).
For wet environments: Get any knife with AR-RPM9 steel.

6. Maintenance Tips

Even though AR-RPM9 is great steel, you still need to take care of it.

Cleaning: If you cut fruit or get it dirty, rinse it with water and dry it off fully.
Sharpening: Because the steel grain is so fine, you don't need expensive diamond stones. A simple ceramic rod or a leather strop will keep it shaving sharp in just a few minutes.

7. Conclusion

In 2026, you don't need to spend $200 to get a great tool. Brands like CJRB have proven that with better technology like spray forming, you can get a knife that holds an edge, fights rust, and is fun to use—all on a budget. Whether you need a workhorse or just a helpful tool for opening mail, one of these options will serve you well.