Bestech Good Boy Review: A Button Lock That Punches Far Above Its Price

Introduction

Every so often a knife comes along that forces you to reevaluate your own biases. The Bestech Good Boy is one of them. In many ways its features exceed what you would expect at its price point, and it might be the most cleanly executed button lock at this price we have handled. Everything about the fit, finish, and action is right, with one caveat worth discussing before you buy.

What the Good Boy Gets Right

The Good Boy features a 3.5-inch full flat ground D2 blade with a compound grind near the tip and a button lock. The action is genuinely some of the best in the button lock category, with a strong detent that launches the blade out cleanly. It can still be reverse flicked if you prefer that style, and the edge comes finely ground and consistent along its entire length, with a proper sharpening choil.

The G10 handle scales are nicely grippy, and the hardware is minimalist in the best way: the pocket clip sits completely flush with the frame, it is reversible, and it disappears entirely in the hand with no hot spots whatsoever. There is even a crowned spine, meaning the top of the blade is rounded, a detail rarely seen on knives this inexpensive. The overall form factor immediately brings to mind the Hogue RSK designed by Doug Ritter, with a similar neutral handle that fills the hand, works in reverse grips, and offers thumb stud opening as an alternative to the button.

The Jimping Is Genuinely Exceptional

It is worth making a big deal about what might seem like a small detail. The jimping on the Good Boy is, frankly, the best we have seen on any knife, from any brand. The slots are cut extremely close together yet very aggressive, and appear to be produced with wire EDM, or at least nothing less.

Here is why it works so well: when you press down on the jimping, you do not feel it at all because the grooves are so fine and close. But when your thumb moves forward or backward, it grips like finger velcro, keeping all the traction exactly where you need it. It is game changing, and something every knife brand should adopt.

Everyday Carry Comfort

Beyond the grip texture, the carrying experience is where the Good Boy quietly wins you over. The flush pocket clip means nothing digs into your hand during use, the handle shape accommodates multiple grip positions, and the blade is perfectly centered with no play. A spine whack test, with repeated taps well beyond the usual protocol, produced no lock disengagement at all.

The build quality reflects Bestech’s reputation: heat treatment is done in-house, and we have yet to see a poorly heat-treated knife come out of the company. The execution level is comparable to or better than similarly priced competitors.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Now for the caveat: the steel. D2 is a divisive choice. It can rust if left sitting around and requires more maintenance than many alternatives, especially in a collection of several knives. Well-executed D2 knives are commonly found for as little as $30 to $35, so a D2 knife at around $53 feels slightly expensive on paper.

The comparison is fair, though. If the Good Boy were priced at $43 in D2, it would be an excellent deal. Conversely, if it kept the $53 price but came in 14C28N Swedish steel, like Bestech’s Ronan at roughly the same price, it would also be a strong buy. Somewhere between those two marks is where this knife earns its keep, and if it lands under $50 on Amazon, it becomes genuinely competitive.

Buying Advice

So, is it worth the price? With everything considered, yes, we think it can be justified, especially if you actually like D2, whose cutting performance here is genuinely good. Had Bestech used K110, the finer-grained German version of D2, $53 would feel like a steal. As it stands, expect a good, well heat-treated version of D2 from Bestech.

If you want a knife with the shape, comfort, and neutral handle character of a much more expensive design, with best-in-class action and the finest jimping we have encountered, the Good Boy delivers. It just needs to stay under that $50 mark to be an easy recommendation.

Conclusion

The Bestech Good Boy is a home run in fit, finish, action, and design, with the one open question being whether D2 at $53 is the right steel-to-price equation for you. If you maintain your knives and value exceptional execution, this is one of the nicest button locks available at the price.