Where To Buy A Good Pocket Knife

When it comes to budget blades, no one does it better than Civivi. As the discount wing of WE Knives, the brand has become known for releasing quality tools without the premium price. One of the best among these is the Elementum ($50), a truly great all-around knife for everyday carry.

where to buy a good pocket knife

Not only is this unsightly, but it can hinder your range of motion when climbing hills or stairs. No one wants to scale a mountain with the handle of their pocket knife prodding them in the hip. The Benchmade Bugout and Civivi Elementum, for instance, are excellent examples of deep-carry clips done well.

But beyond the legal complications, 3 inches tends to be the sweet spot between carry-ability and function. It gives you enough reach to complete most daily tasks while still folding comfortably in the pocket.

From opening packages to slicing up food, pocket knives offer a wealth of utility. Rather than using your fingernails, a car key, or half of a pair of scissors, pocket knives are a natural piece for people with a lot of tasks on their hands. This is especially true for outdoor enthusiasts, who deal with materials like rope, wood, and canvas all the time.

Lockbacks are simple folding knives with a single blade that can be locked. So you get the benefits of a sturdy fixed blade-style knife but in a convenient pocket-size package that can be folded open with just one hand.

Fixed blades, are no-nonsense knives with a beefy handle and stationary blade. If you need a knife to accomplish the everyday tasks you come across in the outdoors, from whittling on things and cutting materials to spreading peanut butter on your sandwiches, a short, no more than four-inch-long, fixed-blade knife will accomplish all of that. Avoid large sheath knives; they are heavy and awkward to carry.

Buying a pocket knife can be a daunting task. There are near-infinite options to choose from, from the number of blades to the style of blade, and even in the materials used. It can also be tough to find the balance between quality and affordability.

Beyond the cost is also the knowledge that a pocket knife is a tool that can last a lifetime or more. Knowing that you are picking out a tool that you ideally will want to hang onto for life can add a little pressure to the shopping process.

Where the internet can come in handy, however, is in finding a store with a good selection and knowledgeable staff. Read some reviews for your local sporting goods stores, check out store hours, and do some research on the type of knife you are looking for.

When hunting for a simple everyday carry (EDC), a single blade is a classic option for doing little things around the house or working outdoors. That said, a pocket knife with only one blade is a bit less versatile in use than the alternatives.

Some knives come with up to four separate blades, though two is the more common number. One such classic option is a pen knife, which comes with one long blade on one end, and a shorter blade on the other. Knives with two or more blades give you a few more options when it comes to using them, but they do feel a bit less durable than most single blade knives.

Most standard pocket knives come with a plain or partially plain edge, which provide particular advantages. The longer, flatter edge makes a plain blade easier to control when cutting and chopping. In addition to making carving a little easier than a serrated edge, plain blades are far easier to sharpen at home, whereas serrated blades might take a professional to maintain.

There are many different kinds of pocket knives for you to consider while shopping. Consider the work you intend to do with your knife, and try and buy one that has the right style of blade or blades to suit those needs. There is a wide variety of blade types to choose from, but the following are among the most common.

The clip point is one of the more popular blades you can find on a pocket knife. It is easy to control and has a tip that is well suited for piercing, though it is a little on the weaker end due to how narrow the blade is.

Choosing the right steel type is also very important when trying to find the perfect pocket knife for your needs. The thickness of the blade is crucial depending on what your intended uses are, as well as corrosion resistance. Stainless steel and some carbon alloys are excellent options in their endurance.

Another option is an automatic blade, often called a switchblade. These tend to fall in a legal gray area, so be sure that they are permitted wherever you live. These knives can be opened automatically by hitting a switch.

The materials used in making your pocket knife make up a large part of the design and forging of your personal connection to the blade. Whatever steel you go with, even if you opt for a fancy and intense copper-waved Damascus steel blade, the handle will be what you see most often.

If you are looking for an economic and enduring knife, aluminum, G10 (a kind of fiberglass), wood, micarta (like G10 but not as strong), stainless steel, and titanium are all excellent options. They are lightweight, durable, and can still look stylish.

Though some prefer a multitool to a pocket knife, carefully consider what you need and don't need. A few sturdy functions should suit most, while others may need something hardier and more brutish like a Leatherman (despite the fact a Leatherman isn't technically a pocket knife).

Below, are the four best pocket knives I've used, each of which are suitable for most anyone. I've also included expert insight from pocket knife whiz, Nick Shabazz, as well as how I tested each knife, at the bottom of this guide.

Everyday-carry knife gurus like Nick Shabaaz call this a budget knife where the fanatics are concerned but for the more casual carrier, this knife is the sweet spot for those that want something trustworthy they can hang onto for a couple of decades, if not much longer.

You can find a lighter-weight knife, though you'd pay a lot more for it (if lightweight is what you're after, check out our upgrade pick below, or just about anything from SOG). Likewise, you can find far cheaper options but the steel won't be composed or treated in a way that it'll stay sharp or sharpen easily. Will they cut? Sure, for a time. But they're not going to offer the longevity or confidence of this one.

Throughout my battery of tests (plus various incidental others) this blade tore through dozens of thick cardboard boxes and still split apples without cracking them at all. After that, I was still able to trim hangnails and slice printer paper with ease. This is the sort of staying power you'll get with an edge on a quality knife, and it makes all the difference when it counts.

It's hard to find a more timeless pocket knife than Opinel's, the very company that revolutionized and safe-guarded the folding knife as humankind knew it. And while it may also be hard to believe that no brand has done it better in the ensuing century, Opinel puts its investments into its design precisely where it counts; the brand's Carbone blades are thin and indisputably razor-sharp right out of the box.

Simply put, there's no better knife for under $20, and if you're the type of person that tends to misplace things, you can go ahead and buy five or 10 of them and scatter them throughout your various bags and haunts because they won't break the bank.

The makeup of this steel includes a relatively high .9% carbon, so while it comes out of the box extremely sharp, it doesn't offer the greatest edge retention, and rusts easily. The good thing is that it's extremely easy to sharpen, so with the most cursory amount of care, you'll have an impressively sharp knife.

And it's also important to know that you'll dull this knife relatively quickly if you're breaking down cardboard boxes all day long. During testing, it became noticeably duller after a dozen or so large boxes but for regular use, it holds an edge plenty long.

You won't easily cut down cardboard boxes or slice fruit with a pocket-sized multitool, though. It won't do much of anything as well as a standalone version of any of its functions but it will get the job done without too much trouble. Still, for a three-ounce hunk of metal that all but disappears into a daypack and easily fits into most pockets, that's all you can ask and then some.

A five-dollar knife will likely do its job for a short period but straight-edge blades made of cheap alloys don't hold up. One tip if you do choose to grab a truly budget-level pocket knife is this: serrated edges hold up better. I can't rightly or safely recommend anything in this price range, however, cheap knives will do alright in an emergency.

Bubba 4" Sculpin: This is a great tool and while I really like the handle, the blade isn't terribly secure when folded. It's also on the heavier side for a pocket knife but would be a worthy addition to a toolbox or bug-out bag.

CRKT CEO: An elegant, low-profile option, if you're looking for something a little more like a penknife, and maybe not quite as intimidating, this is a great locking blade for the price.

Gerber Gear Armbar Drive: This is another option that doesn't quite fit the designation of a pocket knife but is so popular and compelling I had to give it a go. It's a great budget-friendly option for those looking for a capable but inexpensive multitool that fits into a pocket.

Various Opinels: Opinel makes just about every knife imaginable and I tested most of its folding pocket knives. The drop-point shape remains the most useful overall but it comes down to what you're using your knife for.

Buck 110: It's difficult to discuss pocket knives and not give Buck its dues. The brand makes some of the more timeless designs almost synonymous with the phrase "pocket knife." If this is the sort of thing you're after, then by all means grab one. I just find it's not quite as practical for most people when there are lighter, thinner, and more maintenance-friendly options. 041b061a72