Ruike Knives Roundup: Six High-Value Knives and Multi-Tools Worth a Look

Introduction

Ruike has long been one of the strongest names in high-value folding knives and multi-tools. The brand recently nudged prices upward across the range, which raises an obvious question: do these knives still deliver the same value they were known for? After spending time with the lineup, the short answer is that most of them still do, though the marketplace around them has grown more crowded.

A useful bit of background: these knives are manufactured by Sanrenmu, the same OEM operation that produces knives for Boker and many other brands, and the quality control shows. The heat treatment on the 14C28N steel, in particular, has proven very good in extended use.

Ruike P801

The P801 is probably the best value knife in the entire Ruike catalog. At around $35 it brings steel frame lock construction, a 14C28N blade, a deep carry pocket clip, and two different opening methods, which is exactly the feature set you want in a budget folder.

It has been scrutinized heavily over the years, and it holds up. Even with the slightly increased price, it remains a very good buy and one of the easiest recommendations here.

Ruike LD42B Multi-Tool

The LD42B is one of the very few multi-tools that can genuinely hold a candle to a Swiss Army knife. The tool set is excellent, with a very large saw, a large pair of scissors, a long inline reamer tucked below, and a range of other functions. A 12C27 locking blade with a thumb stud and a proper pocket clip setup make it fairly unique in this category.

The trade-off is weight. Steel liners, large spring steel springs, and thicker layers make it heavier and bulkier than most comparable Swiss Army tools. It is a bigger, more overbuilt tool, and that is worth factoring into how you carry it.

Ruike P155

The P155 is a huge belly knife, also in 14C28N, and it is a shape that invites questions about its best purpose. The handle is surprisingly comfortable, likely thanks to its curvature, and the action is excellent. It can be reverse flicked and offers multiple forms of deployment. One real limitation is the one-direction pocket clip.

The main critique is cosmetic: cuts into both sides of the handle, presumably for looks, would have been better served by a simple contour that would have made an already comfortable handle even more ergonomic. Still, everything in this group sits under $50, which makes it hard to complain about a knife this well made. Sharpening area is generous, and overall it is a great choice under $50.

Ruike P135

The P135 is one of Ruike’s steel frame lock knives, but the frame has been hollowed out considerably to remove weight, and this design predates the steel button locks that other brands later popularized. It is a sub-$50 knife in 14C28N with an interesting blade shape and a genuinely well-executed grind: even, with plenty of space for sharpening.

Despite all the angled edges, the handle is surprisingly comfortable. It is right-hand only, unfortunately, likely to preserve the looks. It also carries a beta lock, which prevents the lock from disengaging while engaged. Just keep expectations realistic: it does not transform the knife into a fixed blade. Think of it as a bonus feature for peace of mind rather than a necessity.

Ruike Keychain Multi-Tool

This small tool was the most pleasant surprise of the smaller items. Its tool sizing sits in a useful middle ground between the smaller 58mm and larger 91mm Swiss Army sizes. It features a 12C27 slip joint blade big enough for most day-to-day tasks outside of food prep, a pair of scissors, and a combination tool that works as a flathead, package opener, and bottle opener. There is no pocket clip on this one.

The scissors impressed. The stable arm does not shift when the button is pressed, which means the spring tension is higher on the blade than on the spring, exactly what you want. Cuts are very clean on cordage, though you need to press inward for the best result, and the tip lacks the precision of a smaller Swiss tool. The package opener is arguably the standout: it lets you pull-cut through clamshell packaging safely, even in the air with no surface to work on.

The main caveat is weight. Like its bigger siblings, it is overbuilt with steel liners, very thick implements, and G10 scales. That makes for a comfortable user experience, but fitting it on a keychain is harder than with lighter aluminum-bodied alternatives. Performance-wise, though, it is one of the better keychain tools available.

Ruike Fixed Blade

The fixed blade was the biggest surprise of the entire lineup. Also in 14C28N and under $50, it was expected to have an uncomfortable handle, but the contouring is phenomenal. The thin profile slides into a pocket easily, and there is a cutout in the handle that would let you wrap leather or paracord for a wider grip during prolonged use, though for everyday carry the slim profile is arguably better left as is.

The included sheath is one of the better ones seen at this price point. It clips in very securely and engages with the blade rather than the scales, meaning you could swap in custom scales if you wanted. The clip design is genuinely clever: a small tab lets you rotate it on the fly and lock it in place, the clip wraps around your belt so it cannot come off, and it can be adapted for in-pocket carry using a UtiliClip at two mounting points. The blade also seats with plenty of room so it does not bump against the sheath.

The one nitpick: the swedge looks good, but a plain 90-degree spine would have been more versatile. In practice, this is a more capable knife than it first appears. The orange handle lends itself to being thrown in a backpack for a day hike, it is big enough for food prep tasks, and while the flat grind is not ideal for wood work, it does the job. It comes to a nice, relatively thin edge while retaining a fairly stout tip. If there is a favorite in this lineup, this is a strong contender, partly because there is little direct competition for it.

Buying Advice

Choosing between these comes down mostly to shape and carry style. The steel frame lock knives are heavier than the G10 varieties, though every one tried has been very comfortable in hand. The P801 remains the safest all-around pick at its price, the LD42B suits anyone wanting a serious multi-tool with a locking blade, and the keychain tool and fixed blade face the least competition in their niches.

Conclusion

After the modest price increase, Ruike knives are a little more competitive against a crowded field, but they are still good value with excellent manufacturing behind them. If the designs appeal to you, there is very little here to go wrong with, and the keychain tool and fixed blade in particular stand out as choices without much real competition.