Petrified Fish Beluga Review: A Solid Front Flipper EDC Budget Knife

Quick Take

The Petrified Fish Beluga with blue micarta and stonewashed K110 steel is a standout budget folder that feels great in the pocket and cuts even better. The blade is razor sharp and the ergonomics are easy to live with every day. The front flipper is not my favorite and I would not trust it for fast deployment, but for fifty dollars this is an easy knife to recommend.

Why I Bought the Petrified Fish Beluga

I own more than three hundred knives, and most budget folders blend together after a while. The Beluga kept showing up in conversations about honest value, so I bought the exact version that interested me most, the blue micarta scales with a stonewashed K110 blade. I wanted to see if the buzz was earned. After real carry and real cutting, the answer is yes, with one important caveat about deployment.

Build and Materials

This knife looks simple at first glance, then the details show up in use. The micarta scales are shaped with gentle contouring and softened edges, so it fills the hand without creating hot spots. The stonewashed finish hides wear and still looks clean after work. The liners are milled to keep weight reasonable and the backspacer integrates a lanyard bar so you avoid a bulky hole through the handle. Overall fit and finish on my sample are consistent, the blade arrived centered, the lock engages firmly, and the action is smooth on bearings.

Key Specs

• Steel K110 which is the tool steel many buyers know as a Bohler version of D2
• Blade length about three point six inches
• Overall length about eight and one quarter inches
• Weight about five ounces
• Lock Liner lock
• Scales Blue micarta
• Finish Stonewashed black on the blade
• Clip Deep carry with reversible positions
• Pivot Bearings with a smooth close

In Hand and In Pocket Feel

The Beluga is a comfortable worker. The belly of the handle gives the palm a natural purchase and the chamfered edges reduce pressure during long cuts. Jimping on the spine adds control without chewing up your thumb. In pocket it rides low and secure and it slides past the pocket seam without snagging. It is not a featherweight, yet it carries better than the number on the scale suggests. Compared to an Ontario Rat two it feels more substantial in the hand, and compared to a Civivi Elementum it provides more real estate for a firm grip.

Front Flipper Deployment Reliability

Here is the part that will make or break this knife for some users. The front flipper keeps the profile clean, but it is not the most intuitive opener. With practice I can deploy it consistently, but it requires a deliberate motion and sometimes a little wrist to guarantee a clean snap. For daily use this is fine. For any moment where speed and certainty matter, I would choose a knife with a thumb stud or an opening hole. If Petrified Fish offered this exact profile with a stud, it would remove the only hesitation I have.

Edge and Cutting Performance K110 Steel

Performance is the reason to buy this knife. Out of the box the edge was hair shaving sharp. Through rope, cardboard, zip ties, and light wood work, the grind and geometry kept cuts controlled and clean. K110 takes a keen edge quickly on a basic stone and holds that edge long enough to be useful through real chores. It is not a super steel and I do not need it to be. It behaves like good tool steel should, sharp when you need it and easy to bring back when you are done.

Real World EDC Use

For a few weeks I used the Beluga the way most owners will. It opened boxes, trimmed paracord and garden tie, cut packaging and tape, and did light food prep. The micarta stayed comfortable and never felt slick. The clip kept the knife planted and out of the way. The stonewashed blade shrugged off the usual scuffs that show up on satin finishes. Nothing about the daily carry experience asked for babysitting, which is the highest praise I can give a budget EDC.

Light Comparisons in the Budget Category

Against the Civivi Elementum, the Beluga gives you a broader blade and a fuller grip, which helps on longer cuts. Versus the Ontario Rat one or two, the Beluga feels more refined in hand and the micarta scaling is a clear upgrade over basic polymers. If you like the thin feel of a Kizer Begleiter, the Beluga will seem thicker and more planted, which I prefer for push cuts and heavier cardboard.

Quirks and Complaints

The front flipper remains the only real drawback. It works but it is not the most natural for me and I cannot call it one hundred percent reliable in every context. The lockbar relief can pinch if you bear down with bare hands, which is minor but worth noting. The clip branding is a small aesthetic nitpick. None of these issues affect cutting performance, which is where the Beluga earns its keep.

Value for Everyday Carry

The price is the hook and the performance is the reason to stay. For around fifty dollars you get micarta scales, a sharp K110 blade, credible fit and finish, and ergonomics that make sense. Many competitors at this number lean on style or packaging. This one feels like a tool first, and that is why it stood out among a crowded field of budget knives in my collection.

Final Verdict Should You Buy It

Yes. If you want a budget friendly folder that cuts well, carries comfortably, and uses materials that feel above its price, the Petrified Fish Beluga is a smart buy. I would not choose it for emergency use because of the front flipper, but as a daily cutter it is exactly what a fifty dollar knife should be. Sharp, dependable, and easy to live with.