A few of them are a little larger, and some cost just a few bucks. But for a combination of reasonable price, excellent edge retention, reasonable toughness, and corrosion resistance, it’s hard to beat without spending a lot more money. Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews. While no longer leading technology, CPM-S30V steel is still an exceptional performer that will hold an edge a long time and stand up to the rigors of the field. Even though it feels very robust at 5.15 ounces in your hand, it sits nicely in the pocket and isn’t too overwhelming for EDC use. And there are hundreds of variations on this original multitool. By using our website you consent to our Cookie Policy. We think a good pocket knife is an essential everyday tool, so we spent hours researching, pouring over customer ratings, and sifting through specs. Knives with the most ergonomic handles: Opinel No. / 3.48 in. Add a multitool-seque screwdriver/scraper/bottle opener and lanyard bail, and you have a slick everyday-carry pocket knife. But when it comes to these old standbys, simple is best. To shut the knife, you just slide a small mechanism located in the handle to the back to move the spring and pin backward, then shut the knife. We’ve tested a range of high quality knives in different price brackets to see how they stack up. A liner lock puts a small piece of metal alongside the blade of the knife when it’s in the folded position. Meaning, it may be a bit overkill for the everyday needs of some people. That length gives you plenty of blade length to do almost any common job outside of bushcraft-heavy chores. Some of them only see the light of day a couple of times a year. And the deep-carry, ambidextrous pocket clip provides deep, secure pocket carry. 8 is an affordable, utilitarian knife that was originally designed for farmers and railroad workers over 130 year ago. State, Territory or the District of Columbia ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in the With a stubby 2.625-inch blade and a burly handle that doubles as a prybar on the end opposite the knife, this tool rides in my pocket whenever I’m doing housework or chores. That’s why we prefer a simple plain edge. ): 3 oz. To open, simply put pressure on the blade, and the spring-assisted mechanism will do the rest. Topics: Camping, Hunting, Knives, Outdoor. For the outdoorsperson who needs a big, capable knife that can transition into the workday, this is a good option. 6 and Gerber Paraframe Mini. And at the risk of leaving out some great knives, I’ll go out on a limb to say these are the best pocket knives you can buy on every budget. As the name implies, this style includes both a plain and serrated edge. SHOT isn’t open to the public, so here’s an inside look at seven of the best 2020 knives from the show. This version is a modest upgrade from the original Bugout. This is a great choice if you regularly need to cut rope. And there are hundreds of variations on this original multitool. It’s easy to operate with a single hand and quick to put away when you’re done. BOTTOM LINE: The Kershaw Blur is a big, sturdy pocket knife with a wide blade that’s excellent for carving and cutting with minimal effort. Sharpest knives with best quality steel: Kershaw Leek, Benchmade Bugout 535, Spyderco Para Military 2, Kershaw Blur, CRKT Squid, and SOG Twitch II, We love the Kershaw Blur because it’s easy to open, it has an ergonomic, Grippy handle, & it’s a great value for the price, ERGONOMICS - A great knife is more than just a good sharp blade. The Gerber Fastball ($105) is a great little knife with a wonderfully fidgety opening motion. Want to learn more about knife steel? Learn how to live, work, and play — and stay connected! We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. NordicTrack wants to give you $7,500 toward your Adventure Resolution. Humans have been using pocket knives in some form or another for, well, forever. The James Brand Ellis is an example of this style. As an organization, we feel this issue is too important to remain silent and do nothing. This beauty is burly and clearly ready for action. This small depression in the blade is used to pull it open. Many common knife sharpeners will work great on pocket knives. We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. The main negative of this knife is I’ve had clip screws come loose. Then, we got our hands on each knife and field tested them in real-life situations. An everyday-carry pocket knife should be fairly light and comfortable to carry. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! The locking system is as close to perfect as you can get in a pocket knife. Others can be darned pricey. But through lots of trial and error, I’ve come up with a few knives I love. BOTTOM LINE: The Spyderco Para Military 2 is considered a staple among knife collectors, and for good reason. At its core is a drop-point, partially serrated blade of Sandvik 12C27 steel. pursuant of an order from any person designated in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4. Sadly, even with exceptional ratings, Kershaw quit making it. Get some Loctite, treat the screws upon purchase, and set your pocket carry to your preference. BLADE LENGTH / CLOSED LENGTH: 2.16 in. On the flipside, it takes two hands to fold, which can be annoying. Knife steel is a surprisingly complicated subject, but if we had to pick one best overall knife steel, we’d start with S30V. And while the classic is still an amazing knife, I personally love the new, much slimmer (yet fully capable) modernized version. Right now, the Benchmade 535BK-2 Bugout ($145) might be my favorite overall pocket knife. This is a great choice if you regularly need to cut rope. opening knife from our company. Because it’s so strong and easy to handle, the Blur is a great choice for anyone who needs a large blade they can count on for years of daily use. / 4.25 in. While no longer leading technology, CPM-S30V steel is still an exceptional performer that will hold an edge a long time and stand up to the rigors of the field. The downside of the PM2 -- it’s a whole lot of knife. Act Blue - Bail Funds © 1995-2020 by Howard Korn and KnifeCenter Inc. All rights reserved. If you’re looking for a high-quality, yet affordable knife and don’t need a long blade, the Squid is very well made and is a joy to use. James Brand is a relatively new player in the knife market. The G10 handle is light but strong in the hand. Right now, the Benchmade 535BK-2 Bugout ($145) might be my favorite overall pocket knife. When you open the blade, the steel piece inside this liner pops over and blocks the knife from closing. Social media is great, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a much better way to stay in the know. To close the knife, you simply press down on the exposed part of the spine, which is generally located on the butt of the handle. Add a multitool-seque screwdriver/scraper/bottle opener and lanyard bail, and you have a slick everyday-carry pocket knife. It’s a bit pricey for such a light knife, but having used this one time and again, I’ve come to love it. Plain edges are easier to sharpen and work for most uses. It’s always easier to maintain a knife and keep it sharp than to let it get dull and have to reprofile the blade. PROS: Very affordable, very lightweight, secure collar lock, comfortable handle, inconspicuous, CONS: Not as sharp as some, slower two-handed open (nail nick and collar lock), no pocket clip. / 4.82 in. Pioneered by Benchmade (and found on many other brands under other names now that the patent has expired), the Axis lock is an excellent locking system that you can operate one-handed, and with either hand. When you open the blade, the steel piece inside this liner pops over and blocks the knife from closing. Analyzing and comparing the best pocket knives on the market. Boasting incredible designs and top-notch engineering, the phrase “Made In America” is something to be proud of. If you keep it sharp, it will almost always perform better and be more versatile than a serrated one. Basically, it’s a combo of the two previously mentioned designs. These automatic-opening blades pop open at the press of a button. Sadly, even with exceptional ratings, Kershaw quit making it. 8 may take slightly longer to open and lock, but it’s a beautiful knife at an incredible value that feels like a connection to a simpler time. But in just 8 years, it’s developed a reputation for making highly refined pocket knives and tools at a reasonable price. Keep up with our latest tutorials and gear reviews on YouTube. So get in the mix! And at the risk of leaving out some great knives, I’ll go out on a limb to say these are the best pocket knives you can buy on every budget. Framelock knives work similarly to liner locks, but they use a piece of the entire frame, not just the liner, to lock out the blade. For those who just need a simple folding pocket knife to cut string, slice some lunchmeat, or maybe clean a trout, the Opinel No. Nothing wasted — this is the essential Swiss Army Knife. If you want a beautiful and capable knife you’ll be inspired to use frequently, look no further than the Leek. 8 Best large pocket knives: Spyderco Para Military 2, Kershaw Blur, and Gerber Paraframe II, The Kershaw Leek is the perfect size for most tasks and fits comfortably in a pocket, OPENING STYLE - If you know you’ll be using your knife a lot throughout the day, make sure it’s quick and easy to grab and deploy. The Paraframe Mini is significantly lighter, and is a good budget option for times when weight-savings is important. Amazingly, it competes in weight with super-high-tech titanium-alloy knives. These are usually quite effective in quality knives but are not the most secure locking mechanism because they usually use a fairly small piece of metal to lock the blade. They’re all moderately small and make a great everyday-carry knife. But fortunately for modern outdoorspeople, today’s knives are miraculous tools. 6 (smaller), Best premium pocket knife: Spyderco Para Military 2, Workhorse pocket knife with an ergonomic handle: Kershaw Blur, Small, stout & affordable pocket knife: CRKT Squid, Small & quick-opening pocket knife: SOG Twitch II, Durable & affordable pocket knife: Gerber Paraframe II & Paraframe Mini, BEST OVERALL POCKET KNIFE FOR PORTABILITY QUALITY & VALUE. The SOG Flash AT-XR is one of our favorite spring-assisted knives. It has graphite black molded CF-Elite carbon fiber–reinforced nylon handle scales, making the knife stiffer than the original, but it’s still crazy light at just 1.8 ounces. BLADE LENGTH / CLOSED LENGTH: 2.65 in. For one man who openly defies them, justice is now served — he's been banned from public lands. It has a medium-size blade, with a 3.44-inch cutting edge. POCKET CLIP - Most people carry their knives in their pants pockets.