A super sharp pocket knife is a must-have tool for camping, fishing, and everyday use. Whether you need a knife for cutting a rope, slicing an apple, an emergency survival tool for wilderness exploration, or just an on-demand knife for general use around the home, a compact pocket knife is a multi-purpose device.
Although pocket knives may conjure up images of men in leather jackets with slicked-back hair from the 1950s or tough street fighters from a Steven Seagal movie, a pocket knife crosses gender barriers. It is a very handy self-defense weapon or everyday carry (EDC) knife that women can keep in their backpacks or handbags.
The 6 Best Pocket Knives
- Benchmade Griptilian Knife (Our Top Pick)
- CJRB CUTLERY Feldspar Folding Pocket Knife
- Spyderco Endura Signature Folder Knife
- Kershaw Cryo Pocket Knife
- Elk Ridge Wood Hunting Gentlemen Folding Pocket Knife
- Palmetto Wood Shop Tac Force Pocket Knife
Our Top Pick for the Best Pocket Knife
Our top pick for the best pocket knife is the Benchmade Griptilian Knife. With a razor-sharp blade that stays sharp over the long term, a sturdy and comfortable ambidextrous handle, and a highly responsive, super smooth axis locking mechanism, the rock-solid Griptilian pocket knife is a finely tuned cutting machine.
Whether you are exploring the great outdoors or just need a reliable everyday carry pocketknife, the Benchmade Griptilian is a superbly crafted knife and it is excellent value for money.
Check the price on AmazonHow To Choose the Best Pocket Knife
Blades Design
Pocket knives are designed with many different types of blades and blade tips. The most common types of blades are a straight-edge (sometimes called a plain-edge blade), and a serrated edge blade. Some pocket knives have just one type of blade-like a straight-edge blade while others have a combination blade, which is a plain-edge blade that is partly serrated. Each type of blade is suited for a different purpose and will have its own advantages and disadvantages.
– Straight-edge or Plain-edge Blade
A straight-edge blade (or plain-edge blade) is the ideal knife for everyday use and it is very easier to sharpen. If you need to saw through fibrous material such as a heavy rope, a serrated blade is the blade of choice. If you want a multi-functional blade that can be used for all sorts of cutting applications, choose a pocket knife that has a combination blade that is a straight-edge blade that is partially serrated.
Blade Tips
– Clip-point
The clip-point blade can be used for everyday use and it is very popular with hunters and fishermen as the tapered razor-sharp point is good for piercing. It gives you that extra control for detailed work and cutting in tight, confined places. The fine narrow tip of the blade also means that the blade can be quite fragile and it is best not to use it for heavy-duty cutting tasks as the blade can get damaged.
– Drop Point
A drop point blade has a very balanced design. The sharp pointed end is thicker than the clip-point blade, which makes this type of blade a good choice for tough cutting tasks, and it can be especially useful for hunters to cut, skin, or carve animal hide.
Opening Mechanism
There are two basic types of opening mechanisms on pocket knives: manual or spring-assisted.
– Manually-operated Knives
Most pocket knives are designed to be opened manually, with just a flick of the wrist or by using a thumb stud or pin. The thumb stud is a small indentation in the handle that allows you to open the knife and release the blade with your thumb or nail.
– Spring-assisted (Automatic) Pocket Knives
If you are a hunter, a wilderness enthusiast, or a survivalist, and you need fast access to the blade, a spring-assisted or automatic pocket knife is a great choice. At just the press of a button or the application of slight pressure, the blade springs into action and the locking mechanism keeps the blade securely in place until you need to close the knife.
One thing you need to keep in mind about spring-assisted pocket knives is their similarity to switchblades. Automatic knives such as switchblades are illegal in many countries outside the US. Although they may be allowed in some US states, you need to be aware of the strict regulations that are imposed on these types of pocket knives.
Blade Materials
Blades are usually made from strong stainless steel or Titanium carbonitride coated high-carbon steel. Stainless steel blades are the most common and they are a very good choice if you are only going to be using the knife every so often and they work well in wet conditions. However, stainless steel is not the best choice for heavy-duty use, and its shine can dull a lot quicker than high-carbon steel blades.
If you need a strong blade for outdoor use, why not consider a Tru-Sharp surgical stainless steel pocket knife. This type of steel has excellent blade strength and is highly resistant to corrosion and it is guaranteed to maintain its sharpness for a long time. Titanium high-carbon steel is considered to be the most durable type of blade and it is a great choice for heavy-duty cutting applications but it can rust and stain.
Blade Size
Yes, size does matter when it comes to the size of the blade. Small blades that are under 3-inches are ideal for small cutting tasks, and they make the knife more compact and easier to fit in your pocket. Medium-sized blades that are between 3-4-inches are very versatile and can be used for most cutting tasks, and are especially useful for hunting and fishing.
The Design of the Handle
How a knife feels in your hand while you are using it is very important. Whether you are using the knife for small detailed work or heavy-duty cutting applications, look for a handle that features an ergonomic design, or a handle that has a textured grip, which gives you more control.
If you need to use the knife for hunting or fishing tasks or fine detailed work, look for a knife that has an anti-slip, textured handle, or a black jigged solid synthetic slim-line handle, which can provide you with a comfortable and secure grip while you work. This is especially important if you need to exert a lot of pressure on the handle when you are cutting through a tough, fibrous material or when you have to work in the rain or in hot conditions which can cause you to sweat.
Having a strong and secure grip on the handle will stop your hand from slipping, which can result in a nasty, serious cut.
Handle Materials
Pocket knife handles can be made out of many different materials: synthetic material, injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced nylon, wood, or stainless steel. While stainless steel makes a very sturdy handle, which is specially designed for heavy-duty tasks, this type of material can make the knife quite heavy. However, some pocket knives have holes in the steel handle to reduce any weight.
Fiberglass reinforced nylon or synthetic materials such as plastic are very lightweight materials. However, they may not be the best choice for challenging cutting applications as you need some weight in the handle to exert the right amount of pressure.
Some knives have handles that are made out of wood which offers you a very stylish-looking pocket knife. However, the handle may be a little slippery, so while this type of handle may be a good choice for everyday use, it may not suit more demanding cutting applications.
Locking Mechanism
A blade locking system is one of the most important features of a pocket knife. Safety is paramount when you open, use, and close the knife, and is of particular importance if you want to carry the knife in your pocket. The majority of pocket knives use a liner lock or axis locking mechanism. Once the blade is released, the locking mechanism prevents the blade from closing when you are using it, and also stops it from opening accidentally.
A locking system is especially important for heavy-duty cutting tasks as it keeps the blade firmly in place.
A handy safety tip: If you want to carry the pocket knife in your pocket, always check that it is securely closed and locked.
Belt Clip
Although most pocket knives are lightweight enough to be carried in your pocket, you might prefer another portability option such as a sturdy belt clip. Most pocket knives have a belt clip so that you can attach the knife to your belt, pocket, or backpack for quick and easy access.
As well as a belt clip, some pocket knives have a small hole at the end of the knife where you can attach a lanyard to hang the knife around your neck or on a key ring. If the pocket knife does not come with a belt clip, you can place it in a sheath that can also be attached to your belt.
6 Best Pocket Knives – Reviews
1. Benchmade Griptilian Knife
A strong and durable high-quality drop-point pocket knife, the Benchmade Griptilian Knife has a razor-sharp, solid plain-edge 3.45-inches blade which is made from tough American-made stainless steel, and the blade has well-rounded characteristics, good edge retention and width, and high corrosion resistance.
The knife is ambidextrous, so whether you are left or right-handed the injection-molded, finely-textured GFN (Glass Filled Nylon) handle has exceptional strength. However, it is still lightweight, and it gives you a good firm grip even when it is wet.
The two Omega-style springs and the axis lock are highly responsive. So if you need to employ the blade in a hurry, just one press of the thumb studs and the blade locks securely into place and you can close the knife with just a flick of the wrist. An excellent EDC knife, the Benchmade Griptilian has a standard pocket clip to keep the knife ready for action.
The Griptilian comes in 4 stylish colors: black, olive, orange, and sand. The lifetime warranty has some exclusions, so you can view the warranty information here.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Excellent design
- Razor-sharp blade
- Handle gives you a good secure grip
- Ambidextrous
- High corrosion resistance
- Responsive blade
- Pocket clip
- Four stylish colors to choose from
Cons
- Expensive
- Not spring-assisted
- Can be a little stiff to open and close at the beginning
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
2. CJRB CUTLERY Feldspar Folding Pocket Knife
If you need a high-quality, reliable knife for everyday use around your home or when you are hiking or camping, the CJRB CUTLERY Feldspar Folding Pocket Knife is a great choice. As well as being a strong and sturdy knife, the Feldspar has an exceptional cutting profile, ergonomic design, and features a high-responsive spring-assisted blade, so it is always ready for any situation and wherever your outdoor adventure takes you.
This manually operated pocket knife is very easy to use. With one smooth movement, you can activate the razor-sharp blade with the press of the engraved thumb stud and the liner locking mechanism locks the blade safely back into position. The black G10 fiberglass handle is very strong and water-resistant and the fully contoured scales mean the knife will fit comfortably in your hand.
Stylish as well as functional, the CJRB knife has stainless steel accents such as a stainless steel liner lock, thumb stud, and screws, as well as a brass pivot shoulder. The wide, straight-edge, drop-point D2 stonewash steel blade tapers to a fine tip to give you that extra control for cutting thick rope, feathering wood for a fire, and cutting in tight places.
You can trust the Feldspar to keep its razor sharpness as the high flat grind ensures that the blade keeps its edge retention. The durable spine also adds to its overall toughness. As the blade has good corrosion resistance, this knife is the ideal cutting tool for day-to-day use, regardless of the weather.
Designed for everyday carry, this foldable knife has a convenient reversible clip that will fit on the pocket of your pants and the large lanyard hole accommodates paracord or leader cordage, or you can just pop the compact knife into your pocket.
The CJRB Feldspar folding pocket knife comes in 3 sizes: 20.96 cm, small, and large, and you can choose from 4 attractive colors: brown, blue, green, and black.
Pros
- High-quality design
- Excellent value for money
- Good price
- Compact
- Exceptional cutting performance
- Smooth one-handed operation
- Razor-sharp blade
- Strong, sturdy, and durable
- Very good corrosion-resistance
- Secure liner locking mechanism
- Sturdy reversible pocket clip
- Large lanyard hole
- Three sizes and 4 attractive colors
Cons
- Hard to open when you first use the knife
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
3. Spyderco Endura Signature Folder Knife
One of the most lightweight, high-performing, but extremely affordable pocket knives, Spyderco Endura Signature Folder Knife features a new and improved design, which makes it one of the most popular pocket knives on the market.
The stout saber-ground VG-10 high-carbon stainless steel 3.75-inches blade also has a partially serrated cutting edge, which can make light work of cutting through heavy-duty rope. The extra thick blade construction and special titanium carbonitride coating protects the blade from any corrosion or wear and tear.
The blade is razor-sharp right out of the box and the mid-position locking mechanism with a Boye dent prevents you from accidentally releasing the lock during use and makes sure that the blade stays firmly locked in place and ready for action.
With its distinctive skeletonized stainless steel liner and the slimline injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle with a non-slip Bi-Directional Texturing™ pattern, the knife fits comfortably in your hand, and you can maintain a good, secure grip when you need it.
For easy and convenient use, the Spyderco Endura pocket knife features Spyderco’s signature thumbhole that gives you a smooth and easy one-handed opening action, and a four-position pocket clip allows you to attach the knife to your belt or breast pocket. You can even remove the clip if you want to store the knife in your backpack, or attach the knife to a lanyard or key ring.
Pros
- High-quality pocket knife
- Great value for money
- Combination blade: flat-ground and partially serrated blade
- Strong and durable high-carbon stainless steel blade
- Razor-sharp blade
- High corrosion resistance
- Very comfortable handle
- Textured grip
- Easy one-handed opening action
- Lightweight
- Four-position pocket clip
Cons
- Not spring-assisted
- Blade is off-center
- Screws can come loose on the clip
- Black coating can stain clothes
4. Kershaw Cryo Pocket Knife
A solid multi-purpose pocket knife, the Kershaw Cryo Pocket Knife is the perfect knife for outdoor adventures or everyday use. Whether you are out camping, hunting, or fishing, or just need a strong knife for DIY tasks around your home, the 2.75-inches titanium-carbo-nitride coated stainless steel straight-edge, drop-point blade has excellent strength, sharpness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance.
The sturdy ergonomic handle is expertly crafted from stainless steel and the jimping gives you a secure grip. This pocket knife’s sleek design provides that much-needed control for feathering a stick, cutting through rope, leather, and even thick steak while you are camping in the wilderness.
For fast one-handed blade deployment, just press the thumb stud and the revolutionary SpeedSafe assisted system flips to open the blade and the frame lock design locks it securely into place with one smooth movement.
To close the knife, push the frame to the side to unlock the blade and fold the blade back into the handle. This pocket knife is very compact and fits easily into the pocket of your jeans. You can use the lanyard hole or pocket clip for quick access.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent price
- Made from sturdy and strong stainless steel
- Razo sharp blade
- Sturdy stainless steel handle
- Jimping on the handle and top of the blade allows for a good grip
- SpeedSafe Assisted Opening System and Frame Lock design
- Very easy to open and close
- Multi-functional
- Compact
- Lanyard hole and pocket clip
Cons
- Feels heavy in the pocket
- Blade screw can come loose
- Not ideal for tougher tasks
5. Elk Ridge Wood Hunting Gentlemen Folding Pocket Knife
With a spring-assisted opening mechanism, a beautiful classic design, and an extra sharp blade, the Elk Ridge Wood Hunting Gentlemen Folding Pocket Knife is specially designed for the discerning outdoors adventurer.
If you are a small-game hunter or enjoy a lazy afternoon on the river hoping to catch some tasty fish, the Elk Ridge pocket knife is always ready for action with a responsive liner locking opening and closing mechanism.
The 3mm thick plain edge, drop point blade is made from solid black stainless steel, and the ergonomic handle is constructed from authentic Pakkawood that is treated with a beautiful natural-looking rich brown stain. For quick and easy access, you can use the sturdy clip to attach the knife to your belt loop or slip it into your pocket.
Pros
- Superior craftsmanship
- Made from strong and sharp black stainless steel
- Beautiful Pakkawood handle has a natural-looking dark brown stain
- Solid knife
- Sharp blade
- Excellent drop-point blade
- Responsive liner locking mechanism
- Specially designed for outdoor purposes like hunting
- Compact
- Study belt clip
Cons
- Blade can lose its edge quickly
- Spring-assisted mechanism can be a bit stiff out of the box
6. Palmetto Wood Shop Tac Force Pocket Knife
If you are looking for a great gift idea for your partner, grandfather, groomsmen, or your son who has just joined the Boy Scouts, they will love the Palmetto Wood Shop Tac Force Pocket Knife.
This high-quality laser engraved pocket knife features a solid stainless steel 4.5-inches clip-point blade and the dual thumb stud allows the blade to flip out quickly and smoothly, and the razor-sharp-edged blade can be used for a large range of cutting applications.
This super stylish knife features an authentic Pakkawood handle that has a beautiful wood grain finish. However, the most amazing feature is that you can have up to two lines of personalized text engraved right on the handle, and the text is very clear and easy to read.
(Please note: both lines of text will be the same size, unless you send a message to Palmetto immediately after ordering, saying you would like one line smaller than the other. The wood grain and color of the knife handle may vary slightly from what is shown in the advertised pictures.)
The pocket knife comes with a belt clip so that you do not have to worry about losing the knife while you are exploring the great outdoors.
Pros
- Beautiful pocket knife
- Personalized engraving on the handle
- Very good quality
- Excellent price
- Blade opens easily and smoothly
- Authentic Pakkawood hand with a wood grain finish
- Compact design
- Very sharp blade
- Engraving is easy to read
- Belt/pocket clip
Cons
- Blade can come loose
Our Top Pick for the Best Pocket Knife
Our top pick for the best pocket knife is the Benchmade Griptilian Knife. With a razor-sharp blade that stays sharp over the long term, a sturdy and comfortable ambidextrous handle, and a highly responsive, super smooth axis locking mechanism, the rock-solid Griptilian pocket knife is a finely tuned cutting machine.
Whether you are exploring the great outdoors or just need a reliable everyday carry pocketknife, the Benchmade Griptilian is a superbly crafted knife and it is excellent value for money.
Check the price on Amazon
