Today's best pocket knives are used for everything from slicing up weekly Amazon packages to whittling away damp sections of firewood in the middle of the forest. The usefulness of a good pocket knife will never be questioned, as long as it has a sharp blade made of high-quality steel, a smooth opening and closing action, and comfortable and secure handles. While brands like Gerber, Kershaw, Smith & Wesson and others do all of this well, there are many other nuances to consider beyond the basics.
Blade length, folding mechanism, clip style, handle materials, ergonomic design; These are just a few of the things to consider when buying a pocket knife. Knifemaker Geoff Feder also says he puts a lot of thought into how something looks in his pocket. “The clips that attach to the outside of the pocket are great. I don't want to know I have something in my pocket when I sit down.” Chef and outdoor cooking expert Jess Pryles is more interested in how the knife opens and closes: “For me, the mechanism is everything. I want it to be fairly easy to insert; sometimes the design or the hinge can be quite stubborn.”
Their different priorities show how personal a pocket knife can be, and that's not just because different knives are purchased with different uses in mind. You may need to use it for a while before you discover what you like and don't like so you can make a more informed decision when buying your next knife. In other words, the easiest way to find the best pocket knife for you is to start with a great knife that you think fits your specific needs and go from there.
The Best Pocket Knives at a Glance
- Best Overall Pocket Knife: Spyderco Durable Lightweight
- Best American Made Pocket Knife: Benchmade Osborne
- Best Budget Pocket Knife: Victorinox Swiss Army 1 Alox
- Best EDC Pocket Knife: Kershaw Misdirection
- Best Pocket Knife on Amazon: Smith & Wesson Extreme Operations
- Best Extravagant Pocket Knife: New Western Knifeworks Saddleback Victory File
- Best Lightweight Pocket Knife: Gerber Paraframe I
- Best Pocket Knife Multi-Tool: Leatherman Wave+
- Best Compact Pocket Knife Multi-Tool: Victorinox Rally
Best Pocket Knives of 2024
Best Overall Pocket Knife: Spyderco Tenacious Lightweight, $60
Courtesy of Amazon
Feder says this knife is his every day carry (EDC) knife because “it's a great, lightweight knife for all the little things I do in my shop.” Weighing just 3.7 ounces and costing just $75, it's an attractive combination for someone looking to lighten their load, but not their wallet. The injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle is durable and engraved with Spyderco's Two-Way Texture pattern so it's not prone to falling off. The blade itself is just under 3.5 inches, long enough to handle everyday tasks without feeling bulky when folded in your pocket.
Best American-Made Pocket Knife: Benchmade Osborne, Starting at $240
Courtesy of Amazon
Benchmade is Oregon City, Oregon's top-rated knife manufacturer and has one of the best American-made pocket knives on the market: The Osborne. This particular model is made from MagnaCut steel, which Feder calls “a great steel with excellent strength and edge retention.” But heavy users needn't worry, as it can quickly dull even the hardest metals: the brand offers free lifetime knife sharpening, so returning your knife to factory sharpness is easy. Beyond that function, the anodized aluminum handle in colors like burnt copper (our favorite) makes this one of the best-looking knives on the market.
Best Budget Pocket Knife: Victorinox Swiss Army 1 Alox, Starting at $24
Courtesy of Amazon
Victorinox is the brand behind the Swiss Army Knife, so it's an easy brand to trust. The Alox collection features handles made from embossed aluminum that has been subjected to an “anodic oxidation” process, which the company says creates an additional protective layer that will make these knives last longer. This particular model features a classic thumbnail indent opening mechanism and a non-locking blade, so it couldn't be easier to use. Like many Victorinox knives, this knife comes with a price that Feder calls “a price that's hard to beat.”
Best EDC Pocket Knife: Kershaw Misdirect, Starting at $22
Courtesy of Amazon
Available in serrated and plain blades, the Kershaw Misdirect is the perfect pocket knife for EDC for a few reasons. It has a closed length of 4 inches, which is small enough to fit in a pocket unobtrusively, and it has a meaty clip that should keep it in place nicely. The pocket clip can be placed in three different positions on the knife's handle to facilitate carrying left and right, as well as up or down. The bolstered flap also means it's easy to open with one hand; This way, you can easily pull out your knife with your other hand while holding what you're cutting in one hand. And we certainly don't mind that it's not expensive: This is one of the best pocket knives under $100. Carrying something every day means there is a chance of losing it Every dayhence minimizing financial loss in this case is a built-in advantage.
Best Pocket Knife on Amazon: Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops, Starting at $15
Courtesy of Amazon
The best-selling tactical knife on Amazon is the Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops, an all-black knife with a black oxide high-carbon stainless steel blade and a lightweight black aluminum handle. It has a combination blade, serrated near the handle and unserrated near the tip, that locks tightly in place when opened. We also like jimping, which are notches cut into the blunt side of the blade, giving your fingers something to hold onto for tasks that require a better degree of control than the handle can provide.
Best Splurge Pocket Knife: New Western Knifeworks Saddleback Glory Folder, $470
Courtesy of MTN Man Toy Shop
We tried a sample of this expensive knife and were impressed. It's certainly a sizeable investment, but the quality of the CPM S35VN steel in this knife is remarkable. It's extremely lightweight and sharp, and Saddelback says its edge retention, durability and stain resistance are best in class. The simple mechanism allows one-handed opening and locks the knife in place until you want to put it back in your pocket. If you are not the type to lose your valuables, this knife is for you.
Best Lightweight Pocket Knife: Gerber Paraframe I, Starting at $28
Courtesy of Amazon
Instead of a solid piece of fiberglass or metal, the handle of the Gerber Paraframe I has large openings that (safely) expose the blade when folded; It's a different look that we can't help but enjoy. This choice also helps shave precious grams off the weight of the knife, which stands at a paltry 2.7 ounces. The knife itself is nothing special, but we like the thumb stud along with the folding mechanism, which gives a little more control over the knife in your hand.
Best Pocket Knife Multi-Tool: Leatherman Wave+, $120
Courtesy of Amazon
There are Leatherman multi-tools in more traditional pocket knife form factors, but Feder says he “loves” this more pliers-shaped version and that it's his “favorite multi-tool.” It has an astonishing 18 features; There are pliers, cutters, files, openers, scissors and yes, knives among them. Thanks to its smooth and serrated blades, it can handle basic cutting tasks as well as hundreds of other tasks.
Best Compact Pocket Knife Multi-Tool: Victorinox Rally, $18
Courtesy of Amazon
For a blade small enough to carry on your keys, it's hard to go wrong with a classic Swiss Army knife. This model, in the famous red color, has a short blade, magnetic Phillips screwdriver and bottle opener and costs less than $20. It's the perfect combination of portability and functionality, and even has toothpicks and tweezers tucked into the end.
What Should You Consider When Shopping for the Best Pocket Knife?
The most important things to look for in a good pocket knife are obvious: blade and handle materials, opening mechanism and clip, among others. In addition to making sure the knife fits your budget and your desired use cases, Feder notes that it's a good idea to make sure the knife you carry doesn't violate the law where you want to carry it. For example, “in NYC you can't have anything other than a sliding joint folding knife or something that can be opened with two hands; “Opening one-handed in New York is a first-class trip to the problems,” Pryles says, saying he “looks” to navigate a particular issue[s] “For a blade under 3 inches to be compatible in most states I travel to.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Pocket Knives
How do you sharpen a pocket knife?
A sharpening stone or a guided sharpening system are the two main ways to sharpen a pocket knife yourself, but it's not a bad idea to have it done by a professional to ensure you get a razor-sharp blade. Some brands, such as Benchmade, also offer their own mail-order sharpening services, so it's worth checking out what the brands you're interested in have to offer before buying.
How to clean a pocket knife?
Use tools like toothpicks and a soft toothbrush to get soap and water into the nooks and crannies of your knife. Let it air dry completely and then you can use a dot or two of oil to keep the mechanism running smoothly.
Can you fly with a pocket knife?
Pocket knives are no problem in checked luggage, but are a definite no-no in carry-on luggage. Don't force yourself to throw your knife in the trash or spend a fortune sending it to the TSA checkpoint; Make sure it is in your checked baggage and that it is legal to have it where you are flying.
Why Should You Trust Us?
To determine the best pocket knives of 2024, Cameron LeBlanc interviewed two experts on the subject: Geoff Feder and Jess Pryles.
Feder is an artist, sculptor, and knifemaker based in Peekskill, NY. Pryles is an author, live-fire grilling expert, and host of many programs. Hardcore Carnivore In the Open Air Channel. Both have tremendous experience and expertise in using and/or making knives for various purposes. With this, they formed their own opinion on the advantages and weaknesses of today's best EDC pocket knives and were able to pinpoint what features a beginner or even an experienced user should look for when buying a knife for the first time.