Budget knives often get a bad rap because they may not have premium materials or be made in the right place, but as our latest Badass Knife of the Week proves, you can still get a darn good knife that stands up to the best of them.

The Byrd Meadowlark 2 takes an already popular knife whose value is nearly unparalleled and makes it even better.

As a subdivision of Spyderco, Byrd Knives is able to retain the same manufacturing quality and design elements of the iconic brand while keeping prices low. Just take a look at the Meadowlark.

Here is a good overview and comparison video from StartUpSurvival:

The blade comes in at 2.875 inches with a familiar blade profile and a full flat grind. It uses functional 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, known for retaining its sharpness and having solid corrosion resistance.

Instead of the patented Round Hole, all Byrd knives feature a comet-shaped cutout in the blade that works the same by allowing one-handed opening with either hand. Thanks to the added phosphor bronze pivot washers, the opening action is even smoother than the original.

A back lock mechanism keeps the blade engaged. You can grab the knife in a partially serrated version as well.

The black handle uses Bi-Directional Textured Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon for a comfortable and reliable grip no matter how you’re using it. A choil and some jimping offer even greater control for more nuanced tasks.

Along with the four-position spoon-shaped pocket clip, the Meadowlark 2 weighs in at 2.4 ounces, making it perfect for everyday carry. Budget knives don’t get much better than this.

For more information on this Badass Knife of the Week, check out the product page for the Spyderco Meadowlark 2.