CJRB Pyrite Steel Review: A Sub-$60 Button Lock That Almost Gets Everything Right

Introduction

A new steel-handle variant of the CJRB Pyrite has landed, and it is arguably the version that should have existed from day one. It combines powder metallurgy blade steel, a button lock, a reversible pocket clip, and genuinely impressive fit and finish, all under $60. On paper and in hand, it does not look or feel like a sixty dollar knife.

But there is one detail worth understanding before you buy, and it matters a lot if you carry in workplaces with blade length rules.

CJRB Pyrite Steel: The New Variant

CJRB has done aggressive milling in the steel frame, so even with metal handles the knife does not feel heavy in the pocket or the hand. The button lock action and lockup have been flawless, and the overall execution is among the best this price bracket has seen.

The catch is blade length. Measured from tip to handle, the blade comes in at 3 and 1/8 inches, which just overshoots the common three inch carry limit used in some workplaces and jurisdictions. If you measure by the cutting edge, it is under three inches, but not everyone measures that way, and the sheepsfoot blade shape makes it worse: the last half inch to full inch near the tip is exactly the portion you would use most for draw cutting. The performance difference between 3-1/8 inches and 2.99 inches is essentially nothing, but the legality difference in some areas can be significant. A slightly shorter blade would have made this an easy recommendation for anyone, and that small miss is the only real complaint here.

For anyone without a strict blade limit, this is one of the nicest budget button locks available and outclasses many current three-inch daily carries.

How the Button Lock Compares

One of the standout design choices is the shelf design in the locking mechanism. Rather than the lock surface meeting the blade at a slight wedge angle, the blade tang fully seats into the lock with a larger contact area. That means there is more connection between blade and lock, so if the knife gets jarred, there is less chance of the lock slipping out.

By comparison, the Elementum 2 also uses a button lock, and it has been trouble-free, but its engagement is wedged at an angle with less total contact. You would expect the deeper-seated shelf design to bind up more, but in use it has not, and all of these knives have shown smooth action and solid lockup with no issues to speak of.

Elementum 2 and Vosteed Corgi: The Established Alternatives

The Elementum 2 is a button lock with a sub-three-inch blade, and the Vosteed Corgi is a clever design that works as both a front flipper and a back flipper. The Corgi sits at a similar price point to the Pyrite and uses a 14C28N blade steel. All three are genuinely good knives, and each has its fans.

The honest takeaway: the Pyrite steel variant is the one to pick between them, provided the slightly longer blade is not a problem for you. If a strict sub-three-inch blade matters, the Elementum 2 or the Corgi remain excellent picks in the same general price territory.

CJRB Pyrite XL: The Bigger Sibling

The Pyrite XL goes the other direction entirely, with a 3.6 inch blade. In areas where a folder up to four inches is legal to carry, that extra length is welcome rather than worrying. The longer blade also keeps food prep tasks away from the pivots, since there is plenty of steel in front of the handle, which makes a larger knife like this a natural companion to a multi-tool.

Interestingly, the Pyrite XL’s blade is shorter than the standard Pyrite’s handle-side framing would suggest relative to the three-inch rules discussion, and it raises the same odd question: with only a smidgen of blade length separating legal from questionable, a slight shrink of the standard model would have solved everything.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the best value button lock and blade length rules are not a concern, the Pyrite steel variant is the standout of this lineup. If you need a legally comfortable sub-three-inch carry, the Elementum 2 or the Vosteed Corgi are the safer picks with similar quality at a similar price. If your local laws allow a folder up to four inches and you want a capable larger blade for food prep or bigger tasks, the Pyrite XL covers that role well.

One practical note for tinkerers: the slight blade overage on the Pyrite can be addressed at home with a guided sharpening system by carefully grinding back the tip section, which would bring the blade under three inches. That is a modification, not a flaw fix from the manufacturer, so it is only worth considering if you are comfortable modifying a new knife.

Conclusion

The new steel-handle CJRB Pyrite is a home run in almost every way: powder metallurgy steel, a well-executed button lock with a deeper-seating shelf design, aggressive milling that keeps the weight in check, and fit and finish that embarrasses its price point. The only real question mark is the 3-1/8 inch blade, which just misses the common three inch mark. If that does not affect you, it is easy to recommend as one of the best budget button locks available right now.