If you can only carry one pocket knife, what would it be? That’s just not an easy question to answer. With every big brand putting out dozens, if not hundreds, of new pocket knives every year, it feels like you’re burdened with an infinite amount of choices. That’s not even taking into account all the smaller outfits making limited runs for their innovative designs or the utility knives that compete for the same precious space in your pocket.
The best pocket knives for each individual will highly depend on your particular needs. Some knives are designed with a sharp point and a long edge that make them ideal for various backcountry tasks. Others have a curving spine that effectively dulls the tip, leaving it strictly as a slicing blade. Pocket knives with a long straight spine do the best for chopping jobs, apart from letting you apply extra pressure by pushing with your other hand. Not to mention, the quality of the blade material can mean the difference between hassle-free use and frequent maintenance requirements.
Size is a big consideration, of course. The bigger the knife, the harder it’s going to be fit in your pants pocket, while smaller ones can prove too small to make themselves especially useful. While heavier pocket knives can feel more reliable during cutting tasks, you probably want to avoid them when keeping things as light as possible when you’re going on a hike. The locking mechanism, the handle shape, and the pivot design can all make a significant difference in how useful a pocket knife can be for your day-to-day tasks, while little details like a thumb ramp and a finger choil can greatly affect its overall ergonomics. Suffice to say, there’s a lot of things that can go into why you might prefer one pocket knife over another.
These are the best pocket knives to add to your everyday carry.
Opinel No. 08
Yes, it looks like a pocket knife straight out of your grandfather’s collection. That’s not a surprise, as this Opinel knife was originally designed for farmers and railroad workers over 130 years ago. While it feels a bit dated, the design has endured for so long because it’s a very useful tool, with its tough steel blade, lightweight build, and secure collar lock getting the job done again and again. Sure, it doesn’t flip open as quickly as modern designs, but it’s an easy thing to overlook if you just want a reliable and affordable pocket knife for your everyday carry.
CRKT Squid Compact
For some people, the best pocket knives are those that can get their daily tasks done while taking up as little space as possible. That’s what you get with this pocket folder, which combines a 1.75-inch blade with a 2.9-inch handle in an all-steel build that feels hefty enough to apply the cutting pressure you need for most jobs. We love the tiny details here, from the assisted flipper opening and the smooth-action ball-bearing pivot to the carbon steel blade and the friction grooves on top of the blade for added grip. It’s not the knife you want to bring for big projects, but if you want your knife compact, simple, and affordable, it rarely gets better than this.
CRKT Pilar III
The original version of this pocket knife had a cleaver-like blade and was touted as a minimalist sailor’s knife. This current iteration, though, ditches the whole seafaring concept in favor of an EDC-friendly design sporting a 3-inch blade with a long edge and a sharp tip that allows for more versatile function. The 8Cr13MoV steel also holds edge pretty well, especially if you mostly use it for everyday tasks around the city. While this isn’t the kind of blade serious pocket knife enthusiasts will gush about, it really gets the job done for most casual knife users. We love the smaller details, too, from the thumb slot for one-handed opening and the secure frame lock to the low profile design and the handy pocket clip.
SOG Twitch II
Another affordable option, this compact pocket knife combines a 2.65-inch blade with a 3.55-inch handle, leaving it just the right size to do most common cutting and slicing tasks. It deploys fast in either hand using the dual thumb studs or the kick on the back, while the lockback locking mechanism keeps it firmly in position, although you’ll need to use both hands to secure it in place. The knife uses AUS-8 steel for the blade, which comes very sharp out of the box, holds edge well, and sharpens easily compared to harder knives. It stays pretty inconspicuous because of its compact size, too, while the reversible pocket clip gives you versatile carrying options.
Gerber Flatiron
Yes, it’s a bit of a gimmick. However, cleaver-style blades in pocket knives is just one of those gimmicks we absolutely love. We don’t know who actually started this whole trend, but Gerber is the one we remember really bowling us over when we saw this model. The blade is generously sized at 3.6 inches, while the textured handle and sturdy frame lock ensures you’ll be carrying out all your cutting jobs safely. Plus, the reverse curvature of the spine allows you to apply pressure from the top when you need to chop though even tougher items. We recommend going with the D2 steel version, which is paired with Micarta scales, a pronounced finger choil for stronger grip, and an oval-shaped thumbhole for easy opening. Sure, the novelty of cleaver pocket knives has come and gone, but this one remains a solid part of any EDC kit.
Leatherman Free K2
It’s a little bulkier than your typical pocket knife. For the extra bulk, though, you get a comfortable knife with a 3.3-inch blade that pulls extra duty as a multi-tool by offering a pry tool, a package opener, an awl, bottle opener, and three driver heads, all of which swivel smoothly from the rear end of the handle. This pocket knife uses Leatherman’s magnetic locking system that holds the blades in place using magnets, allowing for effort-free opening and closing that’s easier than you’ll ever find on any other knife. Other features include a refined aluminum housing, a thumb slot, a removable pocket clip, and a closed length of 4.5 inches.
Benchmade Griptilian
Is there a better knife name than Griptilian? Maybe, but it’s definitely a gnarly moniker for a pocket knife. And it deserves all the glory such a clever name conveys, with its 3.45-inch drop point blade, glass-filled thermoplastic handle, and sliding axis lock keeping it as relevant today as it was when it first released nearly two decades ago. It uses S30V steel for the blade, which holds its edge well, while the shapely drop point blade makes it just as potent for both piercing and cutting duties. In case you’re not a fan of drop points, they also make the knife with a sheepsfoot blade (same price) if you prefer that shape.
WESN Allman
We love the look of this pocket knife, as it just feels so different from the glut of pocket folders out there. First up is the wideset blade design that’s so unique and unlike anything we’ve used before. Despite the unusually stout silhouette, it’s actually very effective, with the deeper edge allowing you to plunge it further, making it extremely handy for cutting thicker items. Construction is S35VN steel, which it pairs with either G10 or Grade 5 titanium scales, so everything here feels premium, while the 2.8-inch blade gives you plenty of edge for handling most everyday cutting tasks with relative ease. Features include a titanium frame lock, G10 liner lock, and a closed length of 3.8 inches.
Benchmade 535 Bugout
Is there a more popular pocket knife than the Bugout? We don’t know. It sure feels like it’s the knife everyone wants to carry for their EDC tasks. In fact, we’re pretty sure the only thing stopping even greater adoption for the model is its expensive price, which just isn’t practical for most casual pocket knife users. For the higher-end price, though, you get a pocket knife made with premium materials (S30V steel and Grivory handles), low profile build, and outstanding construction quality. The proportions (3.2-inch blade with 4.2-inch blade) make it feel perfect in hand, while the combination of materials and build allow you to cut your way through any job with ease.
Quiet Carry Waypoint G10
If you don’t mind forking out serious cash for a pocket knife, it might be a good move to invest in this slimline folder, which combines a 3.3-inch blade with a 4.2-inch handle. Why is it so pricey? Well, the blade is made from Vanax SuperClean, a technically-advanced nitrogen-based steel that boasts extreme levels of toughness and corrosion resistance, allowing it to hold an edge far longer than most common blade steels. Granted, it also makes it a little tougher to sharpen once it dulls, but, fortunately, that takes a longer time to happen, so you’re good for quite a while between maintenance sessions. Other notable details include G10 scales, titanium hardware, and dual thumb studs for ambidextrous opening.