Shipping took a bit longer than expected (thanks, post office), but when they finally arrived, I was greeted with two bubble mailers taped together. Both knives came in branded boxes, well-protected and secure—always a good start.



Knife #1 – The Damascus Sodbuster

This one immediately grabbed my attention. I’ve got a soft spot for slipjoints, especially pocket-friendly ones. Since the model names are generic, I’m calling this the Damascus Sodbuster, a nod to the classic working knife pattern. Historically, the sodbuster design dates back to the 1890s, rooted in even older European peasant knives. The appeal is in its simplicity, comfort, and utility.

Construction & Design

Handle: Sandalwood with a smooth, glossy clear coat. Feels great in hand.

Shield: A Texas-style star—makes me wonder if Walker, Texas Ranger would carry this.

Construction: Traditional pinned build but with T8 screws at the pivot—an unusual but welcome choice. This allows for adjustments if the action loosens over time, something you don’t get with fully pinned slipjoints.

The blade is a drop point-leaning spey shape, crafted from San Mai Damascus. Instead of full-layered Damascus (which would be costly), they use a 9Cr18MoV core with 33-layer Damascus cladding. This keeps the blade both affordable and functional, providing good edge retention and corrosion resistance while still having that desirable Damascus look.

Performance

Out of the box, this thing was razor-sharp—sharper than some Benchmades I’ve handled. Thanks to its thin blade stock, it slices effortlessly, making quick work of newspaper and everyday cutting tasks.

One quirk: no nail nick or thumb hole. You’ll need to pinch and pull to open it, which adds to the old-school charm. Despite my initial skepticism, the blade holds an edge well and touches up easily since it’s not loaded with carbides.

For a sub-$20 knife, I expected a flashy but flimsy blade. What I got was a solid, well-built slipjoint that’s actually a joy to use.



Knife #2 – The Damascus Hunter

The second knife I tested feels like a modern take on a classic hunting knife. Since it has no official name, I’m calling it the Damascus Hunter. It shares the same sandalwood handle material as the Sodbuster but steps up the aesthetic with an ornate bolster. Granted, it’s stamped rather than engraved, but hey, we’re working with a budget here.

Construction & Design

Handle: Smooth, ergonomic, and comfortable. No hot spots.

Hardware: T6 screws for the body, T8 for the pivot—solid for a budget knife.

Lock: Surprisingly, it’s a slipjoint. With its size and shape, I fully expected a lockback or liner lock.

One odd design choice is the thumb hole. At first glance, it suggests one-handed opening, but in reality, it’s useless—completely blocked by the strong backspring. You have to punch-grip the blade near the tip to pry it open. If they had moved the hole closer to the blade’s end or swapped it for a traditional nail nick, it would have been much more functional.

Blade & Performance

There are three blade options for this model: sheepsfoot, clip point, and drop point. I went with sheepsfoot because of its utility and workplace practicality.

Like the Sodbuster, it features San Mai Damascus with a 9Cr18MoV core. The full flat grind gives it excellent cutting performance, making it a fantastic EDC option. It only needed light touch-ups every couple of days with a ceramic stone, which is impressive for a knife at this price.

What really surprised me was the corrosion resistance. Damascus steel can be prone to rust depending on the composition, but despite frequent use and zero special care, this knife showed no signs of corrosion. That’s a big plus.

One thing I did wish for? A pocket clip. It carries fine without one, but given its size, a clip would have made it even more convenient.


Final Thoughts – More Than Just TikTok Gimmicks

I fully expected JoyRaining’s knives to be cheap, flashy, and disposable. Instead, I got two well-made, thoughtfully designed blades that far exceeded my expectations.

Are they perfect? No. The Hunter’s thumb hole is pointless, and a pocket clip would have been a nice addition. But the fit, finish, sharpness, and performance are way beyond what you’d expect at this price point.

If you’re looking for an affordable, well-built slipjoint or just want to see what a $20 Damascus knife can actually do, JoyRaining is worth a look. You’ll probably be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

Check them out on TikTok, but be warned—you might end up buying more than you planned.