I've always admired high-quality knives. The craftsmanship, the materials, the way they feel in your hand – it's a unique combination of function and beauty.
But let's be honest, some knife brands push the budget. That's where AliExpress knife clones come in. These replicas of popular designs promise incredible value, but are they too good to be true?
I decided to take a deep dive and explore the world of AliExpress knife clones. Were they just cheap knock-offs, or could they genuinely impress?
This article details my findings, including the top 10 clone recommendations, the quality you can expect, and the potential drawbacks to consider before you hit "buy."
| 10 Best AliExpress Knife Clones | Handle Composition | Blade Composition |
| Pegasi Clone Tactical Knife | Aluminum handle | 3cr13 cold steel |
| WorkPro Multifunction MINI Folding Knife | Aluminum handle | 4cr13 cold steel |
| Pegasi Outdoor Foldable Knife | Aluminum handle | 9CR18MOV stainless steel |
| CIMA Fixed Edge Hunting Knife | Flax coated + linen handle | 7CR17MOV stainless steel |
| Sebenza 21 Tanto Clone | Stonewash handle | D2 stainless steel |
| Firebird Ganzo EDC Tool | Stonewash handle | D2 stainless steel |
| Balisong Trainer Flipper Butterfly Knife | Aluminum handle | Stainless steel |
| 225mm Camping Military Combat Knife | G10 wooden handle | 440 stainless steel |
| Portable Serrated Survival Knife | Nylon fiberglass handle | Stainless steel |
| Multifunctional Folding Swiss Army Knife | Plastic fiber handle | Stainless steel |
Also Read: 25 Best things to BUY on AliExpress 2024 | Best AliExpress Products!
10 Best AliExpress Knife Clones
Pegasi Clone Tactical Knife -- $1.39 - 4.03
This all-black handheld piece of gorgeousness is as good as it gets.
This blade comes in two sizes. An S and an L. The S is as long as 16 cm top to bottom and the L is 19cm long. For the smaller clone knife, you’ll find that the hand length is 9 cm long and the leaf is 6.7cm. The large one, on the other hand, the leaf and the handle are almost of the same length, with the leaf being 9 cm and the handle 10 cm. Despite such a small difference in lengths, the weight of the large one is almost twice as much as the small one.
The small 90 gram knife has a blade thickness of 2.2 cm and the large 140 grams knife thickness extends upto 3 cm. I found that the smaller blades are good for slicing and the large ones are perfect for such intensive activities.
Both the blades have a 3cr13 grade steel and have 57HRC hardness. The shank has an aluminium handle. You might have to sharpen it from time to time to maintain its effectiveness.
These knives are folding knives with an automatic opening at the click of a button. I’d place the flip-open side away from your fingers. You don’t want to accidentally slash yourself.
Related : Best Dhgate Knives
WorkPro Multifunction MINI Folding Knife --$7.99
This baby will fit in the palm of your hands, open or closed! When I would this knife, I couldn’t help but wish that I had found it earlier. Its ergonomic design, ability to fit in the pockets and portability just made everyday life simpler. It sucks that I took it as cabin luggage once accidentally and airport security, I can’t blame them, took it away. I was just so used to carrying it in my backpack!
The knife when folded is 64 mm, and when opened into its full glory it is 114 mm. The blade of the knife is of the 4cr13 grade. It’s stronger than general steel. This is actually helpful because the thickness of the blade is just 3mm. If it was any other steel grade, it would have been prone to breakage.
The rest of the body and the metal pocket clip on the knife is 2cr13. The opening is assisted. You’d have to put in slight effort to remove it from the sleeve of the body. They can be cutting leather, carpet, generally struggling food cans, cardboard and even a whole PVC pipe!
It gives you a run for its money’s worth, doesn’t it? If it seems similar it is because you have eyed the Wurth Multitool, I know. So have I.
Pegasi Outdoor Foldable Knife --$10.24
I’d recommend this to the real knife connoisseurs. Let me jump right into the 8.4 cm blade on the 20.4 cm knife. The blade of this knife is made of 9CR18MOV steel, a 440B grade high hardness stainless steel. The composition includes 0.9% Carbon and 18% Chromium. This mix is an excellent choice for someone who is looking for something rust proof and low maintenance.
It may seem a great choice for newbies as well, but it is the sharpening part that makes one rather wary. The steel grade makes it hard to sharpen, something only an experience knife aficionado would know to do well.
The spear pointed blade makes it an obvious choice to take with you when you’re going camping, hiking or simply being adventurous. This folding knife requires manual assistance to be opened. Either side of the blade are sharpened, therefore you can’t touch the blade of the knife to close it shut. The blade on the rear end extends outwards that can be used to close it back shut.
It has an all-black matte finish that is simply classy and sleek. You’re going to look fabulous pulling it out of your pocket. But safety first — put it in a sheath. Luckily, this comes with one!
CIMA Fixed Edge Hunting Knife -- $29.80
If you’re an outdoorsy person, you’re absolutely going to love this knife. It is one of the most efficiently designed knives I have ever come across. Encompassing a weight of around 0.5 pounds, and wrapped in a protective plastic hard case sheath, this clone knife becomes extremely portable.
If you’ve always wanted the Esee-3 South American survival knife, this is the one for you. The blade is made of 7CR17MOV steel. The ridges on the top edge make it an excellent tool for flinting. The length of the blade itself is 8.5 cm and the width of the blade is 4.5 mm.
What I love about it is how much effort is put into quenching the knife. It went through a deep heat treatment to improve the knife’s hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance.
The body of this knife has a finger shaped curve at the end of the knife for a better grip in addition to the flax coated and linen texture handle. The thick girth of the handle also makes it relatively simpler to use the knife. The six star screw heads ensure that the knife is secure around the handles. In addition to that, the handles are also non-slip and water resistant.
Sebenza 21 Tanto Clone --$44.99
Get excited because I have a Sebenza clone for you guys. This looks like the real deal.
Just like the Sebenza 21, this blade features a surtday titanium frame that locs for safety and a sleek and stylish tanto blade. Once it locks, you know its a sturdy knife that won’t move unless it has your assistnce.
Tanto blades are one of my favourite kinds. And this Sebenza clone does it so well. There is one sharpened edge on the tip of the knife for straight deep edges, and the other sharpened edge lies in the belly of the knife. Both of them are secure in a stonewash handle.
The full length of this knife clone is 21 cm, of which the blade is 9 cm and the handle 12 cm. The blade is as wide as 3 cm and as thick as 3.2 mm. The material of the blade is D2 Steel. It simply makes this whole knife more table, but it can also mean it is more difficult to sharpen.
The knife is also rather simple to disassemble. Easy to clean, sharpen and store.
Firebird Ganzo EDC Tool -- $30
This Ganzo clone weighs just a little over 100 grams. Add that to the small folded length of about 11 cm and you know you have the most portable knife ever. The blade is as long as 8.6 cm and the total length including the handle is 19.9 cm. The blade of the knife is 3.5 mm thick.
The FH921 grade of the knife means it is resistant to any abrasion. The knife is as hard as 60 HRC and the streel grade used is D2. It is created to maintain a smooth edge retention
Once locked and kept inside your pocket, there is no way that the knife could open on its own. You can remain worry-free and always equipped. Besides, you can have a colour of your own choosing.
Balisong Trainer Flipper Butterfly Knife -- $44.76
This knife is designed for training and practice, and is a great tool for improving your skills. The 10cm blade is perfect for smaller tasks, while the 14cm handle provides enough space to grip the blade tightly.
The butterfly system with bushing allows the knife to pivot smoothly and effortlessly, allowing you to train your muscles in the most efficient way. And to top it all off, the knife comes with a bag, spare crew, screwdriver and rubber ring to hold the blade closed, so you can take it everywhere with you.
One of the best things about this butterfly knife is that it’s available in around 6 different colors including blue, green, orange, black and gray. It’s slightly on the costlier side when compared to others on this list, but the sheer high quality and durability make it worth every cent.
225mm Camping Military Combat Knife -- $9.02
225mm spring action hunting knife is the perfect companion for any outdoor excursion. It's made from 440 steel, has a 3mm blade thickness and folds up to be quite tiny - just the right size to fit inside a small bag or pouch.
The spring loaded release lock makes it easy to extract the blade quickly, without having to use two hands. It's a great gift idea for campers, hikers and anyone who loves spending time outdoors.
It comes with a durable and high quality handle that’s made from G10 wood and features a pit pattern design that grants you with better grip. At the back of the knife you’d find the pocket hook which you can use to fasten the blade to your belt, shirt pocket or pant's pocket.
Portable Serrated Survival Knife -- $3.11
If a multi functional tool is what you need then there's no better one than the portable serrated survival knife from the Umarol store. This nifty little tool is available in over 3 colors and has a nylon fiberglass handle that's ergonomically designed to offer the best grip possible.
The blade of this fantastic device is made from stainless steel and has three blades in one; there's a serrated blade and a gut hook blade that can be used for cutting paper, ropes, boxes and straps, and there's the regular sharp knife that is great for cutting small things and can easily get you out of a situation.
One thing about this knife that I personally liked was that there's a press button on one end that releases the blade and it acts as a locking mechanism for when the blade it open so it doesn't fold. The other positive is that this knife comes with a belt hook making it easy to carry around and it's small so you can easily fit it in any bag or pocket.
Multifunctional Folding Swiss Army Knife -- $5.37
Looking to buy a Swiss army knife but can't afford one? This cheap Chinese copy doesn't cost more than $5 on AliExpress and it comes with a whopping 30 different built-in tools that range from a knife to a corkscrew and even a magnifying glass.
It's everything you'll need to get through any predicament and it comes in 5 colors to choose from. All the tools are made from stainless steel and the handle is made from a robust plastic fiber that's durable and offers decent grip.
I really liked how smooth it was to use and don't bother about what it says on the website because the blades on this one are really sharp and can cut through things like butter. Considering the low price and the number of tools it comes with, the multifunctional folding Swiss army knife is one for the books.
What to consider when buying a knife clone from AliExpress?
When you buy a clone knife from online sites like AliExpress, it's good to know that not all products on sale are made from quality materials or would be worth your time and money. There are a handful of really good quality knives up for grabs, but you should know where to look and what to look out for.
These pointers should help you make an informed decision when buying a clone knife from AliExpress or any other online marketplace.
- The first and most important factor to consider is the material of the handle and the blade. You can buy a knife with a plastic handle, but it won't offer the same level of grip or accuracy as those that come with a rubberized or wooden handle.
- You should also consider the make of the blade and it should be resistant to rust and has to be durable.. A good blade is one that's made from either Stainless steel, 440 steel, or carbon steel.
- You should also ensure that the knife has a sturdy and stable build. IF it's flimsy and is not stable then there are high chances that you can hurt yourself either while opening, closing or even operating the knife. Search for one that offers a locking mechanism that will keep the blade in place and prevent you from hurting yourself.
- Also, keep in mind that you're looking for a high quality knife clone and not something cheap, so if you truly want the best, make sure that the blade is affordable, but not too cheap. Do not let the blade break your bank as you could have rather bought a branded original knife instead.
Understanding the difference between knife clones and fake knives
To put it simply, counterfeit knives or fake knives are those that try to replicate the original knives in appearance. Logo, design of the body etc. Steel quality is subpar.
Clone knives on the other hand are made with genuine materials like carbon fibre, ceramic bearings and titanium. The clones also always mention the correct steel type used.
Both fakes and clones are commonly known in the markets as replicas. Fakes will have the original brand’s logo on them and the clones won’t.
There is this whole conundrum about knife clones being bad because they’re partially committing intellectual property theft, but knife clones have their own way of justifying their presence in the market.
Real knives are quite expensive and one would think there is no way of knowing whether or not to invest in such a hole-burning expense. Luckily we have clone knives, knives that use similar designs, mechanisms and materials to help you understand without buying the real one.
In fact, some of the actual brands are okay with clones existing out in the market because they claim it helps the already niche knife enthusiast community come to a buying decision about original knives.
How Good Are AliExpress Knife Clones?
The quality of these knife clones can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the seller, manufacturer, materials used, and craftsmanship.
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Quality Varies: Since AliExpress hosts numerous sellers from around the world, the quality of knife clones can vary greatly. Some sellers offer high-quality replicas that closely resemble the original knives in both appearance and performance, while others may provide lower-quality imitations that may not meet expectations.
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Materials Used: The materials used in manufacturing the knife clones play a crucial role in determining their quality. Higher-quality knife clones may use materials such as stainless steel for the blades and durable materials for the handles, resulting in better performance and longevity. However, lower-quality clones may use inferior materials that are prone to dulling, corrosion, or breakage.
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Craftsmanship: The level of craftsmanship employed in making the knife clones is another important factor. Well-crafted clones will have precise blade grinds, smooth handle finishes, and secure fittings. On the other hand, poorly crafted clones may exhibit rough edges, uneven grinds, and loose components, which can affect their usability and durability.
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Accuracy to Original Design: Some knife clones aim to replicate the design of popular and well-known knives from reputable brands. The accuracy of these replicas to the original design can vary. High-quality clones may closely mimic the design, weight, and ergonomics of the original knives, providing users with a similar experience. However, lower-quality clones may feature noticeable differences or flaws in design and construction.
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Price Point: One of the primary appeals of purchasing knife clones on AliExpress is often their affordability compared to authentic branded knives. While this can make them an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers, it's essential to consider that lower prices may sometimes reflect compromises in quality and performance.
- User Reviews and Ratings: Before purchasing knife clones on AliExpress, it's advisable to read user reviews and ratings to gauge the experiences of other buyers. Pay attention to feedback regarding the quality, durability, and overall satisfaction with the product to make a more informed decision.
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