Selecting a pocket knife from the near-infinite array of options can be daunting. This article will help you answer a few key questions that will guide you to the perfect knife for you. Once you have a better understanding of what goes into choosing a pocket knife, head back over to our review to compare a few options side-by-side.
Related: Our Review of the Best Pocket Knives
Why Carry a Knife In The First Place?
A dedicated knife is a general-purpose tool, and quite possibly the most useful option anyone, especially someone who doesn't consider themselves traditionally 'handy', can carry. While a fixed-blade (i.e., a non-folding knife) can often handle more intense cutting and prying tasks, for most people, a folding pocket knife will be more than strong enough for daily needs.
The sheer convenience of carrying a pocket knife far outweighs any benefit of a fixed-blade option. Think of Crocodile Dundee's Bowie knife – if you're not out in the Australian bush full time, an 18" blade strapped to your thigh is overkill.
You want a knife to break down the box from your latest online shopping arrival; snip that dangling thread from your hem; pop a stuck rock from the bottom of your shoe; sharpen a pencil; maybe even split kindling for a campfire. Cutting a quick lemon garnish for your cocktail. Daily uses vary, and it's satisfying having the proper tool on hand at all times.
A Note on Knife-Carrying Laws
A knife is a tool, but also a weapon. Other than sensitive locations like schools, airports, and federal buildings, federal US law generally does not restrict what kind of knives one can own. But at the state and local level, certain types of knives can be restricted. These include open vs. concealed carry laws, or restrictions on OTF (out the front) and assisted-open knives, or blades over a certain length. Be sure to acquaint yourself with your local laws and regulations before making a purchase.
Overall Considerations
First, ask yourself: "Why do I want a pocket knife? What am I going to use it for?"
- If you work in the trades and want a tool to cut out drywall from outlet boxes or cut cabling to length, consider a knife on the larger and sturdier end of things.
- If you're more looking to handle the occasional task around the office or home, a slimmer knife that disappears in the pocket will suit you better.
The variety of shapes, sizes, and material specs available on modern knives means there's going to be a perfect option for everyone.
Pocket knives can be easily lost. If you've kept your $250 pair of Ray-bans successfully for years, or baby your favorite smartwatch, then a $200+ Benchmade or Spyderco knife could last you a lifetime and would be worth every penny. But if you're more like us and your cheapo sunglasses get misplaced regularly, then there are plenty of great knives that are practically cheap enough to lose.
The difference between a $35 and $200 knife isn't strictly tied to performance – material specifications and build quality are what set the 'good' knives apart from the 'great' ones. While you may want to show off a premium knife, a less expensive knife you choose wisely will absolutely get the job done.
What you pay for on the pricier models are improved blade steels that'll resist rusting better and hold an edge longer, smoother bearings in the pivot, upgraded lock types, and better aesthetics. There's no shame in carrying or choosing a knife because it's cool, plain and simple.
Size and portability are related to, but somewhat distinct from how you'll use a knife, so don't choose a knife based on size alone. Durable, utilitarian knives exist both as full-size, 'heavy-duty' knives, and as lean, 'mini' options. Many of the award-winning knives in our review rise to the top in large part because they balance the difficult compromise of size and utility.
How and Where Will You Use a Pocket Knife?
Even though our top-rated knives generally trend to a more general, everyday use, there's still a great deal of variation between designs. Depending on how and where you might use or carry a knife is a practical way to frame your purchase.
Everyday Carry
Everyday carry (EDC) knives make up the largest part of the market because this style of knife aligns with what most people think of when they think of a pocket knife: a convenient, portable cutting tool.
What better ability is there than availability? A knife is only convenient if you're carrying it. But an EDC needs to be more than just portable. A tiny knife with a short handle will disappear in your pocket, but it also won't be able to handle tougher tasks. Instead, we want an EDC knife that is both easy to carry and capable.
Ideally, that means a thin handle that rests comfortably in your pocket, but that's still long enough to fit all four of your fingers comfortably when you grip it. This way, you'll still be able to apply proper leverage in your cuts and feel safe while doing so.
Quick and easy deployment is also a key factor – you want a knife you can easily pull out of your pocket and get right to work. If a knife's annoying to remove because a pocket clip's too strong, or doesn't reliably open every time with one hand, then you may find yourself reaching for a pair of scissors in the junk drawer instead.
Do I Need an Ultralight Knife?
In the crowded pocket knife market, makers will do anything they can to differentiate themselves. There's a noticeable trend to tie 'EDC' and 'lightweight' together for marketing. Our point of view is that you're going to notice a knife's 'profile' – the way it sits in your pocket – far more than how much it weighs. Ultralight options certainly have their place, but don't discount a knife just because it's a half ounce heavier than average.
Backcountry, Hunting, and Survival
This is where weight (and bulk) make a real difference: when you're backpacking, every ounce and cubic inch of space counts. It would also be smart to choose a knife with a super-steel alloy blade that holds an edge forever, avoiding the need for sharpening in the field.
Perhaps your knife will live in your backpack or first aid kit instead of in a pocket. You'll use it to cut cheese, climbing webbing, and do the occasional light repair task. Having a folding knife with a simple lock mechanism that won't get gummed up, and an open handle that's easy to wash out, can be invaluable too.
Tradesperson
Professional tradespeople should prioritize a heavy-duty knife built for durability, with strong locks and ergonomic grips. It's still practical to consider portability – depending on what type of pants you wear. But even larger-bodied knives will fit more comfortably in utility pants.
What you're looking for here are the models with thicker, more rounded handles for a full grip. A prominent texture molded into the handle may be too rough to use barehanded, but with gloves they'll provide unmatched grip.
Taller, thicker blades are your friend as well. A blade thicker than 3 mm will hold up a hell of a lot better with twisting and prying than the more delicate blades under 2 mm. A taller blade (i.e. from cutting edge to top of spine) helps too, and these don't necessarily need to be long blades. The ideal blade style here is short, stout, and wide.
Tactical
Inspired by para-military and law enforcement designs, these tactical knives feature rugged, angular styling. This is where you tend to see more unique blade shapes, specifically with cutout grinds (called 'swedges') near the tip. Partial serrations (saw-like scallops in the cutting edge) are more common too, and help with slicing rope and fabric. All-metal handles and robust pivots that prioritize strength over smooth action improve durability. However, this usually comes at a cost of slower deployment.
Collector's Items
Beyond use as a practical tool, there's a huge segment of the market geared towards the collector. Primarily meant as show pieces, these knives may never leave a display case. These knives tend to use higher-end materials and finishes, and may feature dramatic blade shapes.
Look for limited releases and anniversary editions – a rare, special edition run can cause a knife to skyrocket in value, and you'll pay for the privilege of ownership. (We can tell you from experience that it's a tempting rabbit hole to chase!)
Customization and Mechanics
We admit that we selected knives for this review based on utility over aesthetics, but that doesn't mean you can't add a bit of personality. Little features on a knife can make it feel more personal, as can the variants available from the manufacturer.
Carrying Method
Many knives feature multiple anchor locations to switch the pocket clip. This lets you optimize a knife for pocket carrying in the left or right pocket, or change how it sits while folded: tip-up or tip-down.
Materials and Specifications
Many knives are available in several colorways, or you can choose different materials for the handle or blade.
The specific alloy – minor changes in the 'recipe' of metals used to craft the raw material – of stainless steel used for the blade can change its performance. Designers can push for a 'harder' blade that holds an edge well, with a trade-off that they're more brittle and prone to chipping. Meanwhile, a 'tough' steel will deflect damage better, but require sharpening more often. Blade finishes like black oxide and ceramic coatings can complement handle colors, while providing extra corrosion resistance or reducing friction during cuts.
The handle is where most makers offer model variants. Aluminum handles can be anodized (a high-tech chemical finish) in a huge variety of colors. Composite handles (usually forms of fiberglass) are waterproof, wear-resistant materials that can be color-infused and molded with a variety of textures to improve grip.
Locking Mechanisms
Blade locks are a critical component to safety, and nearly all modern pocket knives feature a lock of some sort. 'Liner' and 'frame' locks are built from the metal skeleton hidden in most handles, and are essentially little fins that automatically spring into place under a blade when opened. They're reliable, strong, and cheap to make, which makes them the go-to option for most inexpensive and mid-tier models.
Upgraded lock types are where manufacturers often differentiate themselves. 'Crossbar' sliding locks and 'compression' locks are easier to disengage, but more complex and expensive to build.
Assisted Opening
Assisted knives add speed and reliability to the open action. Usually some form of tiny hidden spring waits for a nudge from the user, such as a flick of a thumb against a stud in the blade, then jumps into action to open the knife. Most have some sort of supplementary lock to hold the blade closed as well, so accidental openings are just not a concern.
Assist-open knives aren't the same as a 'switchblade' – because you still have to manually open the knife with your finger, they are often not subject to the same legal restrictions. However, there can still be restrictions on assist-open knives – we clearly list this in our specifications chart, and it's best to check with your local laws before buying one.
Value
You can buy a knife for the cost of a deli sandwich, or the equivalent of a house appliance.
Lower-end knives do tend to have their issues – smaller sizes or suspect build quality might make them more akin to toys than tools. However, there are still plenty of knives that cost less than $100 or even $50 that stand up to higher-end knives in terms of overall performance.
There's value to be found at every price tier. If you're unsure, look for our Best Buy badge – these are knives we highlight for their balance of price and performance. You certainly can't go wrong with any of our award winners, but now that you have some key questions in mind, it's worth diving into our individual knife reviews to better understand the reasons behind the scores.
Related: How We Tested Pocket Knives
