A pocket knife for opening boxes and cutting cord doesn’t have to be a big investment. At $17.11 on Amazon, the MTech USA MT-A845BK pairs a 3.75-inch blade with spring-assisted opening, an aluminum handle, and a couple of emergency-oriented extras. It’s a straightforward pitch: a larger folding knife for occasional utility work, priced below $20. It’s a budget option for buyers who want a larger utility blade and don’t mind giving up some pocket space.
Price: $17.11
Where to Buy: Amazon
The all-black design leans into the tactical look, with cut-outs in the handle and a glass breaker at the end. There’s a seatbelt cutter built into the handle, too. The blade, opening mechanism, and pocket clip are the main everyday-use features.
Assisted opening gets the blade into position
The MT-A845BK has a thumb stud to start the blade moving, followed by spring assistance to help it open. That gives you a one-handed opening option when you’re getting ready to cut cord or break down packaging. It’s an assisted-opening folder, rather than a push-button automatic knife.
The distinction is in how deployment begins. You start the blade’s movement manually; the spring helps complete it. For buyers comparing opening systems, that separates this design from a fully manual folder as well as an automatic. One-handed opening is the convenience on offer, not a substitute for keeping your fingers clear of the blade’s path.
A liner lock holds the blade open during use. The arrangement is familiar: part of the internal liner engages behind the blade, then moves aside when you’re ready to fold it closed. Check the knife rules where you live and carry, particularly those covering assisted opening and blade length.
A larger blade for everyday utility
The black drop-point blade measures 3.75 inches long, with a stated thickness of 3.5mm. Its curved cutting edge and lowered tip suit general utility jobs such as opening packages and cutting cordage. If you prefer more cutting length than a compact keychain knife offers, that’s the draw here.
Master Cutlery specifies 3Cr13 stainless steel. That gives buyers an identified blade material, although the steel designation alone doesn’t tell you how this particular knife holds an edge. The black finish carries the handle’s color through to the blade for a consistent look.
For an occasional-use knife, start with the tasks rather than the tactical styling. Packages and cord are the kinds of utility jobs discussed here; the rescue-oriented additions don’t turn the folding blade into a dedicated emergency tool. Keeping those roles separate makes it easier to judge what you’re getting for the price.
Size is the buying decision to pay attention to. Amazon lists the knife at five inches closed, so this is a substantial folder rather than a small pocket companion. Picture that closed length in the pocket you’ll actually use before choosing it for daily carry.
An aluminum handle with a few extras
The black aluminum handle has a cut-out design and an included pocket clip, giving you a way to keep the knife clipped in place rather than loose at the bottom of a pocket. For a knife this size, having a dedicated carry position is useful. Before settling on it as an everyday option, think about how much pocket space you’re willing to give it alongside your phone, keys, and wallet.
Alongside the main blade, the handle incorporates a seatbelt cutter and glass breaker. Those additions broaden the feature set, but treat them as emergency-oriented extras rather than a reason to replace dedicated vehicle-escape equipment. Vehicle glass type is important: laminated windows resist the kind of shattering associated with tempered glass, and this knife’s listing doesn’t establish tested escape performance.
Who should consider this $17 folder?
The MT-A845BK makes the most sense if you want a larger utility blade, assisted opening, and a pocket clip without spending much. Its five-inch closed size is a better fit for someone comfortable carrying a substantial folder than someone shopping for the smallest possible everyday knife.
Price: $17.11
Where to Buy: Amazon
At $17.11, the appeal is the combination of features at a modest price. You don’t need to value every extra equally: the assisted opening and larger blade can be the main attraction, with the cutter and glass breaker secondary. If your priority is a compact knife for the occasional package, a smaller folder may be easier to live with. If you’d rather have more blade length and don’t mind the size, this MTech is worth a look.
