Best Pocket Knife 2020

A pocket knife is a handy piece of equipment that you can keep on your pocket at almost all times. Whether you are going to be out in the woods or just going about your day to day life, having a quality pocket knife close at hand will be convenient far more often than you even expect. Need to open a stubborn package? Your pocket knife will be there for you. Need to create some wood shaving to start a fire while camping out in the forest? Pocket knife to the rescue again. For such a small piece of gear, it is amazing just how much a good pocket knife can bring to the table.

As you get ready to purchase a new pocket knife, it is important to know exactly what you want to find in your next blade. Do you need a wide variety of features, or are you looking for a simple folding blade with plenty of strength and durability? This buying guide has been put together to help you sort through the pocket knife options on the market and come away with the one you will love.

After doing all the hard research for you, we’ve put together our 7 favorite Pocket Knives in the comparison table below.

Comparison Table

Mobile Users: For optimal viewing, tilt your phone to landscape (wide-view) to see the entire table.

There are an incredible number of options available today, and they come in a range of sizes and prices. At the bottom of this article, we will cover several of the best pocket knife models. First, however, we are going to review some of the key buying points that should be checked when selecting a good pocket knife. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to make a purchase with confidence.

Buying Considerations for a Pocket Knife

Just as with anything else that you buy, the most important consideration to think about when picking a pocket knife is the specific purposes that you have in mind for the item. The category of a pocket knife is a broad one, so you shouldn’t think that you can just pick out the first model that you see and move on happily. There are countless different designs, styles, and prices within this category, so plenty of research is going to be needed if you are to come to a proper conclusion.

First, think about where and when you are going to be carrying this knife. Are you going to be taking this knife with you everywhere you go or is it only going to find its way into your gear for special occasions, such as a trip into the backcountry? The purpose of this purchase will go a long way toward determining which exact model you should select. Knives that are meant for everyday carry are going to be as compact as possible so that they will be comfortable in your pocket even during a long day. On the other hand, a pocket knife that is better suited for outdoor adventures will be larger, more durable, and have plenty of features.

1. Think About Investment

As mentioned above, you can find pocket knives at a variety of price points. So, how much do you want to spend on your knife? Obviously, spending more on the purchase will return you a higher quality product, but there is one issue with that line of thinking – the potential for losing the knife. Anytime you buy a small item that you are going to carry with you on a regular basis; you have to consider the possibility that it could get lost. If you lose your knife, how much is it going to cost to replace? When framed in that manner, you might want to think twice about spending too much money on something that you may have to buy again at some point.

Of course, buying a cheap and poorly made pocket knife isn’t going to be a very good idea either. You likely are going to want to locate the middle of the market when it comes to pocket knives – expensive enough to be well-made, yet affordable enough to not be too painful if you have to replace it. Fortunately, there are plenty of options such as this on the market today, so the task of locating a suitable option shouldn’t be a difficult one.

2. Other Functions Matter

When is a knife more than just a knife? When it includes tons of other tools, such as a screwdriver, corkscrew, saw blade, scissors, and more. There are many pocket knives that present the user with far more than just a simple knife blade while others limit their functionality to the original purpose of the product – acting as a knife. There is no right or wrong regarding what kind of knife you happen to want, so think about your personal habits and pick one that makes sense for you. Whether you choose a model that just has a knife blade, or you opt for the kitchen sink, coming away with a style that you love, is the only thing that matters.

Top Five Rated Pocket Knives

1. Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife

You likely wouldn’t expect to find any other product at the top of this list. The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is a classic product, and most people have owned or at least used one of these versatile knives in their life. Known as well for the other features they include as they are for the knife blades themselves, a Swiss Army Knife can include just about anything you wish to have available to you. A standard Swiss Army Knife’s common features include a pair of scissors and a nail file to go along with the standard knife blade.

This iconic piece of equipment has gotten great reviews, which is not to anyone’s surprise. A tool that has lasted this long and build up such a wide-ranging following is almost certainly going to earn rave reviews. Reviewers have praised the convenience and reliability of these knives, along with the way that they seem to be able to play a role in some small task just about everyday. Many people would not feel right leaving the house without a Victorinox Swiss Army knife close at hand – if you fit that bill, picking up a new one today is a wise move.

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2. Gerber Paraframe Mini Knife

Not every pocket knife that you encounter on the market today is going to look like the classic Swiss Army model you usually picture in your mind. This Gerber product, in fact, has a distinctively aggressive look, yet it fits the bill of a pocket knife nicely. It folds up into itself, the blade is made from high-carbon stainless steel, and it even includes a pocket clip. The closed length of the product is just barely longer than three inches, so you should have no trouble sliding this knife in and out of your pocket as necessary. You won’t have to break the bank in any way to purchase one of these for yourself. Users of this knife claim that it does exactly what you would expect it to do, and they find it to be a good value considering the modest price tag.

The styling of the knife is also something that is praised, at it stands out from the pack of traditional pocket knives. If there is a drawback, it may be that this model only includes a knife and not any of the other tools that come with other products. However, this model isn’t meant to be a Swiss Army substitute, so you will just need to decide what features matter to you before making a purchase.

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3. Schrade IMP16S Imperial Stainless Steel 3 Blade Pocket Knife

This model from Schrade gets us back into the territory of the traditional pocket knife. This is a compact tool with three blades that fold out of the housing. The handle of the knife is a total of 3.4 long while the longest blade measures 2.5. The blades are made from 400 stainless steel, and the knife has a celluloid handle. While this Schrade product might not have some of the other tricks that are included with other pocket knives, it does a great job of offering you with handy blades in a small package.

It is the value of this product that has impressed most of the reviewers to this point.They feel that it is hard to beat the quality offered by Schrade. Most feel that the product has a good look, it is easy to use, and it seems to hold up to use over the long run. For an all-around good pocket knife that will do its job time and again, the Schrade is worth a closer look.

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4. Kershaw 1605CKTST Clash Folding Knife with SpeedSafe

In terms of function and shape, this model from Kershaw is most similar to the Gerber knife that we have listed above. It is not a pocket knife in the Swiss Army-sense, but it is a handy product that could easily be carried around in a pocket nonetheless. When closed the knife is 4.25 long, meaning it will have no trouble at all fitting in most pockets. It has a drop point blade, and the SpeedSafe design feature makes it easy to open. There is a pocket clip attached to the outside of the blade, and the whole unit weighs a total of 4.3 ounces.

Reviewers have given this product a great rating, with many of the comments focused on the sharpness of the blade right out of the box. Many pocket knives don’t come as sharp out of the box as buyers would like, but that is not the case with the Kershaw. For a pocket knife that is well-suited as an everyday carry option, the Kershaw Clash is a great pick.

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5. Buck Knives 110BRS Folding Hunter Knife

Buck Knives is a brand with a great reputation in the field, and this compact model is a classic. With a closed length of just under five inches, this knife is about as long as you would want to go while staying within the realm of a pocket knife. However, thanks to its longer length, you can do quite a bit of work with this tool as it is a hefty 7.2 ounces in total weight. It comes with the 4-Ever Buck Lifetime Warranty, and it is made in the USA.

The many reviews for this product are overwhelmingly positive, with compliments ranging from the durability of the knife to the classic appearance and shape that it offers. There are certainly no bells and whistles attached to this product to get you to buy – it is simply a quality product with a modest price tag.

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Conclusion

Even if you don’t spend much time outside of the city limits, having a quality pocket knife is nearly a required piece of gear for everyday life. From simple tasks like opening boxes to more serious work like cutting yourself free in an emergency, a pocket knife will be there when you need it. Pick one that meets all of your personal tastes and preferences and keep it close at hand throughout the day.

Other Knife Guides

• Benchmade Models
• Boker Types
• Machete
• Keychain Types
• Neck Knife
• Switchblade
• Balisong
• Boot Knife
• Combat Category
• OTF Kinds
• Skinning Models

Additional Resources

• Tilted Forum Project
• Sniper’s Hide

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