Best Pocket Knives Reviews & Price Comparison
A pocket knife is essentially a must-have tool. They pack a plethora of positive attributes to earn them the trust of law-enforcement agencies, first responders, hikers, craftspeople, campers, hunters, fishermen, and several other groups. Among other things, pocket knives utterly practical, aesthetically beautiful, lightweight and compact, high-performance, and for the most part, budget-friendly. They are also the pinnacle of versatility and ideal for taking on a wide range of projects.
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For a greenhorn and other homeowners, choosing a most suitable pocket knife can quickly prove to be an uphill task in light of their ubiquity on the market. To help with the decision, we’ve put together a list of ten of the best pocket knives currently on the market and a detailed description of the factors to keep in mind while shopping. Let’s get started, shall we?
10 Best Pocket Knives
1. Kershaw 1660
The first striking feature is its high-quality design. The construction of the device from industrial-grade Sandvik 14C28N knife steel makes it exceptionally rugged and sturdy to make for quick and nearly effortless ripping, cutting, and even tightening of different materials and objects both around the house and outdoors. The construction material is similarly rust and corrosion resistant and sharpens with lots of ease. Because of the ultra-strong and durable Sandvik 14C28N, the knife retains its edge for much longer and makes for less frequent sharpening, unlike weak, flimsy variants on the market.
Still, at just 3 ounces and a total length of 7 inches, it's appropriately lightweight and won't weigh you down with unnecessary weight, as is frequently the case with cheaper, off-brand models.
There's also a textured thumb placement that prevents the thumb and by extension the hand, from inadvertently slipping off in the middle of use, making an ideal choice for cutting through slightly abrasive materials such as cardboard. And since it comes with Kershaw's innovative speedsafe feature, opening it is an effortless endeavour you can easily accomplish with one hand.
Are you looking for a cost-effective, easy-to-use, versatile, and high-performance option for everyday cutting through a wide range of materials? Look no further than the Kershaw 1660. You’ll love it the moment you hold it in the palm of your hand.
Contemporary, attractive design
Durable construction
One-handed operation
Cost-effective
No textured grip
2. Spyderco Tenacious Plain Edge Knife
It is a cinch to use, and here’s why. It comes with a textured and ergonomically designed, smooth grip that perfectly fits on the vast majority of hands. Coupled with the fact that it’s laminated with a durable coating that substantially increases comfort and ease of use, it provides a firm and secure grip that minimizes the likelihood of accidental slippage, no matter how demanding or tough the project you’re undertaking is.
Like its counterparts on the market, it features heavy-duty construction using industrial-best materials. The use of commercial-grade 8Cr13Mov stainless steel for the construction of the blade, for instance, means you can confidently use it to rip through a plethora of objects and materials without worrying about it going dull any time soon. The blade is also leaf-shaped and ground flat from one end to another to increase its cutting performance, and comes with a textured spine jimping for an easy and effortless opening. Plus, you get a 4-way pocket clip for carrying it around rather hassle-free.
In addition to featuring a user-friendly design, it's powerful and sharp stainless steel knife that makes it incredibly easy to slice or cut through different materials. It’s also durable and pocket-friendly that will outlast more than a lifetime of heavy, frequent use.
Sturdy lock-up mechanism
Has a thumb hole for effortless use
Lightweight and compact design
Firm yet smooth and comfortable grip
Bolts are prone to slippage with time
3. Benchmade - Mini Griptilian 556
Cutting through abrasive materials requires a sturdy, high-quality knife and luckily this option comes with this quality. The blade is made with heavy-duty 154CM stainless steel that lends its ruggedness and resistance to rust to the knife. The product also features a glass-filled nylon handle that’s similarly rugged yet aesthetically-attractive, making it an ideal option for taking on the toughest and most demanding jobs.
The product also features an all-around functionality and a drop-point utility blade style that makes quick and short work of cutting through a broad range of materials. To this add a generous limited lifetime warranty to cover you against deficiencies in material and workmanship.
In all, the Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 is a handy, highly portable, durable, and high-performance option ideal for outdoor, tactical, and domestic use. It’s lightweight, hardy, and cost-effective.
Ingenious design with high-quality stainless steel
Easy to sharpen
Ambidextrous design
Features a drop-point design
Substantially wide clip
Not ideal for push cutting
4. SOG Flash II
To begin with, it is incredibly easy to use. The model features the brand’s SOG Assisted Technology (S.A.T.) that allow you to safely and quickly open it with one hand by taking over the opening procedure, thanks to the incorporation of high-tension coil springs. Further to this, the machine also incorporates a superb locking system that gives you the confidence and peace of mind to comfortably carry the device around. The system works in tandem with the SAT to ensure reliability, easy, and quick use.
The elegance and ease of use provides are partly responsible for the rave reviews it receives. The product is ergonomically designed to sit snugly in the palm of your hands, thanks to the contour design and heavy-duty construction of its handle from glass-reinforced Zytel. Similarly, the device is lightly-textured and well-balanced and weighs a paltry 3.1 pounds.
The SOG Flash has a long and sharp 3.5-inch blade and packs innovative technology that makes it easy to open with a single hand. On top of that, the product is hardy and attractive and makes for a solid EDC knife.
Exceptional quality
Has quick-release feature
Reversible pocket clip
Sturdy and durable blade with drop-point style
Comes with an open assist for one-hand use
Comfortable, high-quality handle
A little heavy
5. Opinel Carbon Steel
It comes with an 8-centimeter blade constructed to stand the test of time and withstand the toughest cutting and shearing conditions you can throw at it. You have the option of choosing between one with a blade made from carbon steel for durability and excellent edge retention or one featuring an all-stainless steel construction, which, conversely, is renowned for excellent rust and corrosion resistance.
Being an old-fashioned model, it’s not at all surprising that it lacks an opening assist, a feature that’s become nearly ubiquitous with modern versions. Instead, the device relies on a manual system called the Virobloc that will require the use of both hands to open and close. Occasionally, you might have to use your nail mark to pry the blade open. Aside from this very minor setback, it works like a charm. After you familiarize yourself with the design, opening and closing it will be both quick and effortless. To these innovative features add a clip point and full flat grind.
If you’re a sucker for simple, practical, and functional machines, you’ll love the Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Everyday Carry Locking Pocket Knife immensely. It might lack the bells and whistles of its modern counterparts but the pocket knife makes it incredibly easy and quick to cut through several things. Plus, it has a budget-friendly price tag.
Very sharp
Sharpens with ease
Comfortable and easy to use
Budget-friendly pricing
Prone to rust
6. Benchmade - Crooked River 15080
Only a handful of options on the market are capable of exuding aesthetic beauty and superb practicality like this one so effortlessly does. It comes with a long and thin blade made from high-end S30V stainless steel. Additional features that make the blade stand out are the clip-point style and the attractive high, flat grind as well as a satin finish that make for effortless and seamless cutting, piercing, and skinning of different things. That’s right.
The Crooked River 15080 Knife is not only stylish but also rugged and stays sharp for long and is remarkably easy to use.
Versatile choice
Long-lasting construction quality
Comes with a useful reversible pocket clip
Careful fit and finish
Slick grip
7. Kershaw Brawler (1990)
If you need an option for punching through a wide range of abrasive materials before proceeding to quickly tear through with remarkable ease, this option is your best bet. Like all other Kershaw pocket knives, the model’s blade is also crafted from long-lasting and ultra-strong 8Cr13Mov steel, enabling it to hold its sharp cutting edge for quite some time, while the black-oxide finish provides exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion. The tanto shape and the grinding of the top of the blade, commonly known as a swedge, gives the blade a narrow shape that’s perfect for piercing through several tough materials.
If you’re a professional in search of a multi-functional pocket knife for opening packages, piercing holes, cutting cords, opening cans, and things like that, the Kershaw Brawler (1990) comes highly recommended. It’s very functional, stealthy, lightweight and highly portable option that’s similarly cost-effective.
Perfect for everyday cutting and shearing
Attractive design
Features tanto design
Opens easily with one hand
Not as durable as other knives
8. Gerber Covert Knife, Serrated Edge
The aesthetic beauty and effortless performance is the result of several years of experience and expertise. Still, the brand endeavours to improve performance, pulling all the stops to seamlessly combine a classic design with its patented F.A.S.T. technology that ensures you blade springs into action quickly and with minimal effort. Because the technology takes over after you put in a little effort into the endeavour, you won't have to use your nail mark to spring it open all the way, as is the case with some cheap, off-brand models.
As you would expect, it also has a user-friendly G-10 handle that provides a firm and secure grip irrespective of the conditions under which you’re working. Even with extreme weather changes, you can still undertake a wide range of specialty tasks, which is further facilitated by the product’s one-handed operation and ease of opening the blade. The tactical design further explains why the machine is an all-time favourite of first responders and other professionals.
It’s aesthetically appealing that also features a commensurately sturdy construction capable of withstanding the demands of outdoor adventures like camping. It’s easy to use, reliable, and lightweight. It’s definitely one of the best the market has to offer.
Professional balancing and solid design
Opens quickly and efficiently
Rust - and corrosion-resistant coating
Robust and long-lasting
Aluminium handle feels cold against the hand
9. Spyderco Inc. 9000685
It has a litany of outstanding features, one being the ergonomic and user-friendly design of the handle. The handle is bi-directionally textured to provide the user’s hand with adequate traction so it remains slip-resistant for when you’re working in different environmental conditions like rain, extreme temperatures, and even snow. The game-changing design also makes it easy to quickly and rather effortlessly open and close with a single hand, which is a far cry from the patience and frustration that’s typical when using cheap, humdrum models.
The handle is also long enough to give the user adequate leverage for handling the toughest jobs without straining or fatiguing their hands, as is often the case with weaker, flimsier models out there. The user also gets a four-way clip that comes in handy in most outdoor situations.
Taking the Spyderco Inc. 9000685 apart and giving it a thorough cleaning is a breeze. You can also choose from a variety of colours and there is a generous warranty to give you cover against deficiencies in material and craftsmanship. The machine has a commanding presence in the hand is properly balanced to enhance ease of use. You'll love it the second you hold it.
Comfortable handle
Lightweight and compact design for portability
Cuts effortlessly and quickly
Easy to sharpen
Blade not long enough
10. Ontario 8846
It’s lightweight and compact with the weight coming in at just 5 ounces and length of 8.5 inches when unfolded. The heavy-duty blade measures 3.5 inches in length and opens and retracts with remarkable ease. In light of the dimensions, the product easily fits into most backpacks and slips comfortably into your pants’ pockets.
AUS-8 steel holds its sharp cutting edge for considerably long and while its rust resistance attributes aren’t as impressive as those of its high-end models, it still an amazing job keeping rust and corrosion at bay.
As for convenience, it is one of the easiest to use the industry has to offer. Locking and unlocking it is both easy and quick and can effortlessly be accomplished the thumb of either finger, which makes the pocket ambidextrous, much to the pleasure of left-handed enthusiasts. To this add the ease of moving the pocket clip to 4 different positions. The handle is made from equally high-quality and textured glass filled nylon scales and is ergonomically designed to ensure a comfortable, secure, and firm grip.
Because it’s both comfortable and ambidextrous, it’s a lot easy to use for several hours on end. You’ll love its capabilities and quick performance.
Comfortable, ergonomic handle
Exceptional quality
Easy to use and open
Very sharp
Expensive
Criteria for Choosing the Best Pocket Knives
Performance
For heavy-duty tasks such as digging and probing, ensure your model has a commensurately high-quality and durable blade featuring a robust point to stop it from breaking when subjected to extreme force. The design of the blade also plays a critical role in performance.
A curved blade is perfect for piercing and cutting different abrasive materials. The blade should be constructed from high-quality material to enable it to retain its cutting edge for a long time, and offer exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion. Manufacturers usually have a choice between carbon steel and stainless steel. Additionally, check to ascertain whether or not the blade features a full grind and the point.
Ease of Use
It doesn’t matter if your knife is sharp, hardy and fastidiously constructed, and packed to the brim with all the premium features the industry has to offer if it’s difficult to use. It should feature a user-friendly design that goes into the hands with ease and offers a firm and secure grip for effortless control and maneuvrability.
The product also needs to be lightweight and compact and feature a contour that fits the hands naturally. Similarly, though not necessarily, the pocket knife needs to be ambidextrous and open and close with lots of ease and quickly. A locking mechanism would also be handy to prevent inadvertent opening or closing of the blade.
Portability
You need a product that’s both lightweight and compact and can easily and comfortably fit inside the pockets of your pants, backpack, or purse without weighing you down. Neither should it be a hindrance to your mobility.
Bottom line is that the ideal pocket knife needs to be up to 4 inches in length when folded and sport a thickness of up to 2 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it necessary that I clean it?
A: Making a point of regularly and thoroughly cleaning your pocket knife is instrumental to not only increasing its shelf life but also maintaining its optimal performance. In addition to removing debris and dust, ensure you properly lubricate the moving parts.
Q: Can I sharpen it?
A: While the procedure can be vastly different from one until to another, you absolutely can, though. Check with your brand to see if they offer guidelines before proceeding with the endeavour. Most pocket knives are pretty sharp, which also means you’ll need to wear the right protective gear, such as gloves.
Conclusion
The contemporary pocket knife comes with a host of intuitive features. They perfectly blend fastidious construction, impeccable engineering, ease of use, high-performance and affordability. Which inevitably means that no particular one is the best one, as it all boils down to the intended use.
Irrespective of your choice, a practical and functional pocket knife should be able to perfectly handle a variety of cutting, piercing, and ripping tasks both around the house and on the job site. And the best part is that our list features some of the most rugged, versatile, and affordable that the market has to offer.
