The Ruike P801-SF is one of a few budget knives by Chinese makers that made long established American knife companies think about what they were doing. In this price range knife lovers were used to buying cheap plastic folders with poor quality control, mystery steels, and a knife-lifespan of about a week if you were careful. RUIKE upped the game with good design, decent steel (Sandvik 14C28N), great quality control, and a functional knife that you’re not embarrassed to show your knife buddies.
I’m guessing the P801 model has been the most popular model for RUIKE so far as every knife nut and his dog that I know has owned one. The P108 and P122 are probably not too far behind as they’re equally good folders for the price, but the P801 seems to be the go-to knife when checking out the brand for the first time. It also comes in the all black stonewashed P801-SB model but I didn’t have one with me while taking photographs today.
It’s a mid-sized folding knife with a 3.4 inch blade and a closed length of 4.5 inches. It weighs in at 4.23 ounces or 120 grams which is very reasonable for a steel framed knife of this size. It’s a nice, narrow knife that doesn’t take up too much pocket real estate but is still large enough to do most daily tasks.
The RUIKE P801-SF is about the perfect size for everyday carry. In the photo below I put it next to my Most Favorite EDC folder the Zero Tolerance 0450CF Sinkevich flipper and the super famous Spyderco Paramilitary 2. You can see that the P801 is slightly larger than the ZT and slightly smaller than the PM2. They’re all very worthy EDC folding knives!
And here’s the RUIKE P801 next to the giant XL Cold Steel clip point Voyager. Everything looks small next to XL Cold Steel folders.
It’s just a very decent looking folding knife that does what it says and punches above it’s weight in the under $50 price bracket.
Blade Grind, Shape, and Sandvik 14C28N Steel
The Sandvik 14C28N used on most of the Ruike range of knives is an excellent budget friendly steel. It’s a nice improvement on the usual mystery steels or cheap Chinese steels that are usually used on knives in this price range. The P801 has reasonable edge retention and they’re easy to sharpen. Mine came hair shaving sharp out of the box.
They come in a nice even stonewash finish or a blackwash finish (P801-SB). Both are very attractive finishes but I ended up keeping the stonewash version for my knife collection.
The 3mm thick flat ground drop point blade is an ideal slicer. Even if it’s blunt it’ll still chop through most general use tasks with ease. So it’s designed to be used, to cut through things! I love my mean Medfords with chunky slabs of metal but if I’m just cutting up a cardboard box I’ll reach for a nice slicey flat grind blade like the Ruike P801 has on it.
Blade signage on RUIKE knives are minimal. On the show side of the blade is the brand in a nice simple font. While on the back of the blade there is the knife model (P801-SF or the P801-SB for the blackwash model), the blade steel (14C28N) and a serial number for the knife. All very neat and tidy with nothing too loud or shouty.
Knife Handle and Ergonomics
The handle does what it’s supposed to do and doesn’t try to be too clever about it. It fits the hand well and looks good. If you have giant monkey hands then it might feel a little narrow but my medium hands have no complaints. My trusty assistant in the photographs below has large sized hands and he gave the P801 a thumbs up.
It’s a stainless steel handle without bells and whistles but it’s done really well. RUIKE hit it out of the park with their fit and finish. I’ve handled literally hundreds of their knives and can remember probably 2 or 3 that had minor imperfections. Compare that with some more established knife brands at much higher price points and you’ll understand why a lot of knife buyers with a budget are excited about RUIKE.
The blue anodized pocket clip is a nice touch and works well with the other blue accents on the pivot and the thumb studs. It’s a nice deep carry clip with just a touch of the knife sticking out of the pocket. Blue may not be the stealthiest option unless of course you’re wearing blue jeans and then it’s perfect. Carry is right hand, tip up only.
The RUIKE P801 is a frame lock pocket knife and the one I’m looking at here locks up at about 50 percent which I’m more than happy with. It locks up nice and tight with no blade play in any direction. Some machining on the lock bar allows for extra grab when disengaging the lock.
The details are done really well. All the edges are finished nicely with no aggressive sharp angles that often come with steel folders in this price range.
Flipping Action + Opening
As with all other aspects of this knife, the flipping action is uncomplicated and works really well. You can use the push button or the light switch action and it’ll fire open every time. I tried giving it to a normal person who doesn’t have a sick knife fetish like myself and they figured it out straight away.
The smooth action is helped along with ball bearings. There’s no jimping on the flipper tab but it doesn’t seem to make much difference as misfires are rare.
Dual thumb studs on the blade are functional and allow an alternative to the flipper tab but they’re awkward and don’t work nearly as well. I see them as a nice blue bling pop more than anything else. They’re there if you want to use them and they’re not causing any harm being there.
Pocket Knife Technical Specs
RUIKE Knives P801-SF
- Sandvik 14C28N blade with Stonewashed finish.
- Stainless steel handle
- Ball bearings
- Manual opening Flipper + Thumb studs
- Frame lock
- Pocket clip is right hand, tip up carry (with very little sticking out of the pocket)
- Blade length: 3.4 inches (8.6 cm)
- Handle length: 4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
- Overall length: 7.9 inches (20 cm)
- Blade thickness: 3.1mm
- Made in China
The P801-SF or P801-SB (black) comes with the small RUIKE Knives cardboard box, a plastic bag, warranty information, and RUIKE literature.
The Verdict
Definitely a buy for me. At this price it’s hard to find an excuse not to pull the trigger on one. It’s one of the best budget pocket knives on the market at the moment.
The RUIKE P801 is a well made folding knife that kept things simple and delivers more than it promises. They didn’t try to get too clever with the knife and they’ve succeeded in making a very functional folder that looks good, feels good, and is ready for a bit of action when required.
Directness Rating 8/10 (Buy one)
My rating is a very subjective score out of 10 for the type of knife it is. So I see the the RUIKE P801 as a budget production folder that’s mid sized, uses affordable materials, and is ideal for everyday carry tasks. It’s not pretending to be an overbuilt chopper that’ll cut down trees. It’s an affordable EDC tool that does what it says very well.
Places to Buy RUIKE Knives Online
In the United States: Amazon.com or Blade HQ
In Australia:
In the United Kingdom:
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