Pocket knives are becoming a very popular item to have. They are small and compact but are very useful and pack a punch. They can be conveniently carried in your pocket or for quick access on your belt.
I think most people would agree that there are many different purposes in a pocket knife. Some people prefer to use it as anEDCitem or to store one in abug out bag.Whatever the reason, its important they you find the best pocket knife based your preference, price, size, and purpose.
We researched and ranked the best pocket knives on the market today. Some of these brands will be familiar since some made the list for our Best Survival Knives list.
Table of Contents
1. Ontario Rat ii
The Ontario Rat ii is a great little knife if you are looking for something compact, lightweight, and budget-friendly that is still dependable and well-built. It is 7″ overall, 4.1″ closed with a 3″ plain edge full flat taper grind blade.
It is made of hardy AUS-8 steel and opens with a reversible thumb stud. It features an ambidextrous 4 way clip and a comfortable nylon 6 handle. It can also be purchased with a pink handle, and is available with a satin or black blade.
2. Spyderco Paramilitary 2
The Spyderco’s Paramilitary 2 is an updated version of their already popular knife. It has a CPM S30V steel full flat-ground blade that is 3.5″ long, the full knife is 8.3″ overall and 4.8″ when folded. It has a newly designed 4 way clip, so it can be carried tip up or down, and either right or left handed.
It also has a larger lanyard hole for additional carrying options. It features a 14mm Spyderco Round Hole to make it easier to use with gloved or large hands. Of course, this blade also has Syderco’s signature compression lock, one of the strongest folding locks in the knife industry.
3. Cold Steel Recon 1 Spear Point Plain Edge
The Cold Steel Recon 1 series knives are rugged and versatile, making them a great choice for any professional or EDC use. The classic Spear Point Plain Edge is a 4″ knife made of CTS XHP alloy blade steel with a comfortable G-10 handle.
The blade also features the patented Tri-Ad lock for increased confidence and stability in whatever situation you find yourself. The Recon 1 series features a wide variety of blades 2,3,4, and 5 1/2 inch long, with clip point, tanto, and spear point options as well as serrated, plain, and 50/50 options.
4. Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight FRN Flat Ground Plain Edge
The Spyderco Delica 4 FRN Lightweight Plain Edge is an incredibly light and affordable blade that Spyderco has been improving since it first developed the Delica series in 1990. This knife is 7.125″ overall, 4.25″ closed and has a 2.875″ VG-10 steel flat ground blade. Amazingly, this knife only weighs 2.5 ounces and makes for a great EDC knife.
It has jimping on the spine to improve grip, along with a 0.5″ blade hole for easy one-handed opening. The Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) handle has texturing to improve grip. It also features a 4 way clip for your choice of carrying options.
The Delica 4 series is one of Spyderco’s more popular lines, and blades are available with plain edge or partially serrated, and feature seven different handle colors.
5. Benchmade Crooked River 15080

The Benchmade Crooked River 15080 is a great option if you want solid craftsmanship in your EDC pocket knife, while still maintaining a classic look. It is available in a gray G-10 handle or stabilized wood. The stabilized wood is more durable and weather resistant than natural wood, and gives a unique look.
This folder is made of CPM-S30 stainless steel and has a 4″ blade, overall length of 9.3″ and is 5.33″ closed. It is also pretty lightweight for EDC at 5.41 ounces. It features Benchmade’s signature AXIS lock and is fully ambidextrous with a reversible clip.
Benchmade also has a lifetime warranty and LifeSharp Service which are hard to beat- they will repair or sharpen your blade ensuring that your knife is always in peak condition.
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6. Kershaw Unisex Brawler
The Kershaw Brawler Knife is a rugged EDC option at an affordable price. The blade is 8Cr13MoV steel with a black oxide coating. It’s a 3″ blade, 7.1″ overall and 4.1 ” closed and weighs only 3.9 oz. The Brawler also conveniently has a 4 position clip that is easily changed with a TORX system.
It also features Kershaw’s signature SpeedSafe assisted opening system which allows you to open the knife manually with the thumb-stud or assisted when you pull back on the flipper. It is also available with a mean looking modified tanto blade.
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7. CRKT Drifter 6450 K
The CRKT Drifter 6450 K is a dependable pocketknife that stays sharp after use with an affordable price. This blade is8Cr14MoV stainless steel 2.875″ drop point blade with a gray titanium nitrade finish.
It is 6.5″ long when open and only weighs 3.2 ounces, making it a perfect EDC knife. It also features a black G-10 handle and locking liner with thumb stud opening. It is available in plain edge and triple point serration edge, along with a stainless steel handle option.
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8.Sog AegisAssisted Folding Knife AE04-CP
The Sog Aegis Assisted Folding Knife AE04-CP is a solid folder, great for EDC and made by a trusted company.
This blade is mean looking, with a partially serrated edge, 3.5″ long. It’s made of AUS-8 steel and has a tanto shape with a hardcase black TiNi finish. The knife is 8.25″ open and 4.75″ closed, weighing only 3.1 ounces it is a good sized knife without unnecessary weight.
It has a pocket clip that is reversible for ambidextrous use and allows for deeper pocket carry than other knives we have reviewed. This blade also feature the Sog Assisted opening technology (SAT) which intuitively propels the blade forward and locks it in place when you start to open it.
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9. Kizer Gemini
The Kizer Gemini is a sleek high-end folder that makes a perfect EDC or gentleman’s knife. Made of S35VN stainless steel, this drop point blade is 3.125″ long, about 7.25″ open and 4.125″ closed, weighing 3.65 ounces.
This knife is designed to look good and work hard, as shown by the stone washed titanium handle with blue anodized hardware accents. It looks like it could be a custom knife, with a well-designed detent and lockbar, this knife works as good as it looks.
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10. Benchmade Mini Barrage 585
The Benchmade Mini Barrage 585 is a more compact and lightweight version of the Barrage series, making it an excellent choice for an EDC knife.
The blade is 154CM stainless steel at 2.91″ long and only .1″ thick. When fully open this knife is 6.91″ and is 4″ closed, weighing only 3.4 ounces. The clip is reversible and fits comfortably on the velox handle. The Mini Barrage is easily opened one-handed with Benchmade’s trademark AXIS Assist.
The blade is available in drop point plain or serrated edge depending on your needs. Combined with Benchmade’s lifetime warranty and LifeSharp sharpening service, this is an excellent investment for a small pocket knife.
Buyers Guide
There are many uses for a pocket knife including, self defense, cutting boxes or tape, slicing fruit or food, and survival situations. Another growing trend with pocket knives is with the prepper movement. Since pocket knives are so compact, they can be easily stored in a bug out bag or 72 hour kit. Most people store a knife and a flashlight for emergencies in their car or truck.
Since there are so many different reasons for carrying a pocket knife it is no wonder why it is becoming so popular. When it comes to picking out the right pocket knife for you, there are some things to consider. Price, size, brand, material, warranty, blade length, and purpose are some of the things you should consider when purchasing a pocket knife.
Pocket knives vary in price greatly as seen in this article. Some people are fine with a budget friendly blade while others prefer something more reliable. The Brand name has a lot of pull when it comes to knives. Some have very strong reputations and should be considered heavily when buying a knife. Blade materials are important and are something to pay attention to. Typically cheaper knives will have a cheaper material which means the knife won’t last as long as a high end blade.
Most well known brands are backed by strong warranties or even sharpening services. Pocket knives are usually small since they should be able to fit in your pocket or on your belt nicely. This typically means the blade should be about 4 inches or smaller. Bigger pocket knives are used but not as frequently. The main thing when purchasing a pocket knife is identifying the main purpose of the knife and how often you will use it.
FAQs
What is the number 1 knife brand? ›
Rank | Brand Name | % Able to Recall |
---|---|---|
4 | CRKT | 62.9% |
3 | Kershaw | 94.9% |
2 | Benchmade | 94.3% |
1 | Spyderco | 98.3% |
Ontario MK 3 Navy Knife
The U.S. Navy Seals commonly deploy this knife. It features a stainless steel blade which is approximately 6 inches in length. The knife blade is about 7 inches long and resembles its predecessor, Buck 184.
There is no knife more essential than a chef's knife. The ultimate multipurpose blade, it can do just about anything that needs to be done, whether you're chopping an onion or carving a roast.
What knives stay sharp the longest? ›Bread knife: most commonly, the blade is 8” long. The serrated blade makes it easy to cut through breads and foods with tough outer skin or crust. It is also the knife that stays sharp the longest on its own and can go longer intervals between each professional sharpening.
Who makes the best folding knife in the world? ›- Benchmade Bugout 535. 5/5 Overall Rating. ...
- Zero Tolerance 0350TS. 4.5/5 Overall Rating. ...
- Buck Knives 110. 4/5 Overall Rating. ...
- Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Knife. 4.5/5 Overall Rating. ...
- Benchmade Bugout 535. ...
- Victorinox Swiss Army Evolution Pocket Knife. ...
- Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight Folding Knife.
Still - companies like Benchmade, Buck Knives, W.R. Case, Kershaw, KABAR, and Spyderco spearhead the American Cutlery industry.
What knife do US soldiers use? ›Reports on the effectiveness of the new knife in jungle combat justified the Marine Corps' decision to designate the KA-BAR as the USMC's fighting knife for individual Marines. The U.S. Army adopted the M3 Trench Knife in 1943 as its standard combat knife.
What is the oldest pocket knife company? ›Camillus. Based on my research, Camillus is the oldest pocket knife manufacturer in the United States. Camillus got its start in 1876, according to the company's website.
What pocket knife holds the sharpest edge? ›- #1 Tac-Force Tactical Spring Assisted Knife 4.5.
- #2 Kershaw Blur Black (1670BLK) Everyday Carry Pocket Knife.
- #3 Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker Pocket Knife.
- #4 Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Signature Folding Knife.
- #5 Buck Knives 375 Deuce Two Blade Folding Pocket Knife.
If you're looking for budget-friendly knives, Kershaw is the better option. It has a wide range of knives and many of the products are priced much lower than Benchmade knives. There are some special Kershaw knives that cost as much or even more than Benchmade products.
What is the best blade on a pocket knife? ›
The drop point blade is used on many hunting and EDC knives, and performs well in most situations. It's the "Goldilocks" blade shape that's just right for most tasks.
What knife do the Marines carry? ›The the legendary USMC KA-BAR is an icon in the world of knives. During the second World War, it was one of the general issue knives to the United States Marine Corps, and quickly gained popularity around the world.
What do Marines call their knives? ›By 1944, Marines began referring to the knife as the "KA-BAR", regardless of manufacturer. The popular designation of the knife may also have resulted from contact with Marine Corps close combat instructors in San Diego, who used the name when training recruits.
What knife do green berets carry? ›This knife is known to the U.S. Army Special Forces as "The Yarborough" and to everyone else as "The Green Beret Knife". It is a no-nonsense, hardworking tool, designed by renowned knife maker and designer Bill Harsey, with function and manufacturing input from Chris Reeve.
What are the 3 knives every person should own? ›There are only three knives that are crucial in a kitchen: a chef's knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife. Any other knives are a luxury--they can make cooking easier and more enjoyable, but are unnecessary. A chef's knife (sometimes called a cook's knife) is the most important knife to have in your kitchen.
What knife steel stays sharp longest? ›Shirogami #1 - The hardest white paper steel. It will stay sharp the longest but can be a tad brittle under aggressive use. Shirogami #2 - Most commonly used type of white steel.
What is the sharpest blade ever made? ›Obsidian knife blades: overkill for slicing your sandwich. The thinnest blades are three nanometres wide at the edge – 10 times sharper than a razor blade. These are made by flaking a long, thin sliver from a core of obsidian (volcanic glass).
What are the 4 main knives? ›Chef's Knife (8” or 10”) Paring Knife (3”) Long Serrated Bread Knife. Slicing/Carving Knife (10”)
Who makes the best knives in the world? ›- Wüsthof. Amazon.
- Enso. Amazon. ...
- Miyabi Cutlery. Miyabi Cutlery. ...
- Yoshihiro Cutlery. Amazon. ...
- Chicago Cutlery. Chicago Cutlery. ...
- Zwilling. Zwilling. ...
- Shun Cutlery. Shun. ...
- Five Two. Five Two. ...
Knives with an Obsidian blade are considered the sharpest in the world, but this material is not fit for making kitchen knives as they're extremely coarse and brittle.
Which knife holds the best edge? ›
In general, carbon steel knives are sharper, harder, hold an edge for longer and are easier to re-sharpen.
What knife is easiest to sharpen? ›Carbon Steel – generally made for rough use where toughness and durability is important. Common in survival knives and machetes. They take a sharp edge and are relatively easy to re-sharpen.
What pocket knives are made in China? ›- WE Knife Co. Arrakis. Purchase. Brand. We Knife Co. ...
- Kizer Mini Sheepdog. Purchase. Brand. Kizer. Model. ...
- Ganzo Firebird FH61. Purchase. Brand. Ganzo. ...
- NEXTOOL Flagship Pro. Purchase. Brand. NEXTOOL. ...
- WOWTAC A7. Purchase. Brand. Wowtac. ...
- TwoSun TS233. Purchase. Brand. TwoSun. ...
- DQG Hobi PLUS. Purchase. Brand. DQG. ...
- Bestech Texel. Purchase. Brand. Bestech.
SMKW is the largest knife retailer in the WORLD with a 108,000 sq ft 3 story showroom! We sell knives by every major knife manufacturer as well as smaller and custom knife makers. Over 1.5 million people visit the Retail Showroom annually.
What is the difference between a folding knife and a pocket knife? ›A pocket knife is a knife with one or more blades that can be folded inwards to fit inside the knife handle. It's also known as a folding knife or a jackknife. Pocket knives have been around for more than 2000 years.
What is the oldest knife company in the US? ›- Benchmade Bugout. Greg T. says...
- Benchmade 940 Osborne. Danny F. says...
- ZT 0450. Marcello A. says...
- Gerber StrongArm. Sang K. says...
- Buck 110 Elite Auto. Daniel D. says...
- Microtech Ultratech. Tyler K. says...
- Spyderco Paramilitary 2. Douglas E. says...
- Chris Reeve Sebenza. James L. says...
- Microtech Knives.
- Boker Knives.
- Zero Tolerance Knives.
- Protech Knives.
- WE Knife Company.
- Gerber Knives.
- Kizer Knives.
- Buck Knives.
Years after World War II, many KA-BAR knives were unofficially reactivated in the Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom conflicts. Today, the original USMC Fighting and Utility Knife remains the first choice for many men and women of service who carry it as their personal knife option.
What do Marines call Army guys? ›What do Marines call soldiers? Three such words are “gyrenes,” “jarheads,” and “grunts.” Their times of origin and usage differ somewhat, but each has the same role in the Marine Corps culture. They have become a source of pride for all Marines.
What is a CIA knife? ›
These knives are made of a super strong nylon composite that is almost as hard as steel. They can be driven through plywood like a nail. They are completely undetectable when passing through metal detectors.
What pocket knife does John Wick use? ›The Marfione Custom Continental Set features custom versions of Microtech OTF automatic knives used in the John Wick movies.
Where is the world's biggest pocket knife? ›The Guinness Book of Records World's Largest Pocketknife is located on the grounds of Red Hill Cutlery and the Kentucky Museum of American Pocketknives in Radcliff. The knife weighs over 6,000 and has 20 foot handle and 17 foot blade.
What size knife is best for EDC? ›Sure, there are bigger and better performers out there but an EDC is not always about having the best performance, it's about practicality. We recommend a pocket knife blade length of no more than 3.5 inches and an overall weight of no more than 4.5 ounces.
What is a gentleman's pocket knife? ›A gentleman's knife is a type of pocket knife designed to be small, light and elegant. These knives are usually made from high-quality materials such as damascus steel, wood or carbon fibre. The gentleman's knife is intended for formal occasions and is considered a fancier tool than a regular pocket knife.
What happened to Benchmade knives? ›The Benchmade Discontinued List is out, and it's a doozy. Dozens of models getting the cut for the new year, with all three major production lines – Black Class, Blue Class, and Hunt – being thinned out.
Is Spyderco or Benchmade better? ›So, if you are a budget buyer and still looking for dependable quality, Spyderco is the better choice. Benchmade has knives that are more premium in nature and come with a higher price tag.
What knife is the most versatile? ›The chef's knife is one of the most versatile knives to have in your kitchen. With its broad and sharp blade, it is a multi-purpose knife used for a variety of kitchen tasks.
What is the best grade of steel for a pocket knife? ›440C stainless steel is an improvement on a traditional metal used for pocketknives. Out of the conventional 400 series, 440C has the highest potential for high hardness and sharpness, depending on the manufacturer.
Which is better a fixed blade or a folding knife? ›Fixed blade knives are durable and are usually stronger than a folding knife. Some fixed blade knives are full tang, which means the blade runs the entire length of the handle. This makes the knife much stronger than a folding knife and means you can cut stiffer materials with more ease.
What knife did Jack the Ripper use? ›
A Liston knife was the weapon of choice of the infamous Jack the Ripper, a London serial killer, in 1888. It is thought Jack the Ripper may have had some surgical and anatomical knowledge due to the way he mutilated his female victims.
What knife does Sylvester Stallone use? ›From the hit Lionsgate film “Rambo: Last Blood” comes this accurate replica of the Heartstopper tactical knife. This is an exact replica of the fully-functional knife used in the film, from Sylvester Stallone's personal knife collection.
What knives stay sharpest longest? ›Bread knife: most commonly, the blade is 8” long. The serrated blade makes it easy to cut through breads and foods with tough outer skin or crust. It is also the knife that stays sharp the longest on its own and can go longer intervals between each professional sharpening.
What is the hardest knife steel to sharpen? ›S90V Steel: This steel has superior edge retention, but it can be almost impossible to sharpen due to its ridiculous hardness. You'll typically only find it in custom-made knives, and it has a carbon content of around 2.30%.