Best Pocket Knives of 2023

What makes the best pocket knife? Well, it has to ride easily in the pocket of your favorite pants for starters, but when you take it out, it also has to do exactly what you want it to. There are endless designs and styles of pocket knives, but determining what is best for you can be difficult. You might want something hyper-functional, as in a multi-tool that does what any knife would do, and more. Maybe a simple blade to handle those tasks that pop up every day. Or something that just feels right in your hand. Either way, you need to figure out what you want your knife to do before you start looking at different models.

To help, our editors got together and compiled a list of the best pocket knives you can buy right now. They drew on their lifetimes of outdoor experience to shorten the learning curve, and ensure you end up with the perfect blade.

Best Overall: Benchmade Griptilian

Best Budget: Opinel No. 08 Carbon Steel Folding Knife

Premium Pick: Case Trapper

Best for Hunting: Benchmade Grizzly Creek

Best Multi Tool: Leatherman Charge Plus TTi

Best for Camping: The Swiss Army Knife Champ

Best Compact: Buck 759 Metro

Best Ultralight: Gerber Zilch

Best Classic: Buck 110 Folder

Best with Sharpest Blade: Helle Kletten

Best Small-Sized: CRKT Squid Folding Pocket Knife

Best with Replaceable Blade: Browning Speed Load

Best Mid-Sized: Gerber Fastball

Most Reliable: Rapala Fish ‘N Filet

How We Chose The Best Pocket Knives 

These are knives our editors have extensive experience with. We’ve each had our share of years and trips to get acquainted with these pocket knives, and they are the ones we’d put our money behind. Generally speaking, we were evaluating knives on these criteria: 

Intended Use: Ultimately, the best pocket knife for you is the one that does the job you need. Heading out to camp and need a one-stop-shop, you’ll reach for a multi-tool. Backpacking and worried about every single ounce, you’ll go for an ultralight or small model. This portion is really up to the buyer, but then you’ll want a knife that can keep doing what you ask of it. 

Durability: In the sense of a single knife, it’s how long you can expect this knife to keep up that intended use. If you need to hone a knife after every hunting trip, not great. If a blade starts to feel a little flimsy, or if a folding blade’s locking mechanism starts to feel a little wobbly, you’d stop picking that knife up. 

Design: This is where the previous two criteria come together. For a replaceable blade, this is a blade that’s not just easily replaceable but widely available. For a fixed blade filet, it’s being easy to keep sharp. For a multi-tool, it’s having enough gadgets without being excessive. It’s what puts the best pocket knives in that “just right” sweet spot. 

The Best Pocket Knives: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Benchmade Griptilian

Why it Made the Cut: As the best pocket knife overall, Benchmade’s Griptilian easily tackles the chores you’re likely to encounter on a day-to-day basis. The drop point blade opens and closes quickly, and the clip keeps it at the ready.

Key Features

Steel: S30V

Blade: 3.45-inch drop point

Lock Type: Sliding Axis lock

Pros

Opens and closes quickly one-handed

Pocket clip swaps for right- or left-side carry

Nylon handle with diamond checkering provides plenty of grip

Cons

You pay for quality, and it’s expensive

I’ve been using one of the earliest models of Benchmade’s Griptilian since it was introduced almost 20 years ago. In that time, it has endured more than its fair share of abuse. I once left it on the bumper of my work truck, and it ended up on the shoulder of a busy road. Despite being run over several times, the knife continued to function as it should. In fact, the only damage was some road rash on the handle.

A 3.45-inch blade is sized appropriately for most tasks you’re likely to encounter on a daily basis, and stays just under the size limit imposed by certain municipalities. The S30V steel in the blade holds an edge well, letting you go a long time between visits to a sharpening stone. You can get the Griptilian with both plain and partially serrated edges, which is perfect for those that might have cut through tough cordage.

The innovative sliding Axis lock lets you easily open and close the knife one-handed, so you can cut your way out of a bind even with one hand occupied. The clip adjusts for both right- and left-side tip-up carry, letting you keep it on your strong side, whichever that may be. Opening boxes, cutting up an apple, or skinning a squirrel, the Griptilian can handle it. —Joseph Albanese

Best Budget: Opinel No. 08 Carbon Steel Folding Knife

Why it Made the Cut: As far as folders go, it doesn’t get much simpler than the Opinel No. 08. It’s one-blade design and utilitarian locking mechanism keep it budget-friendly, but it’s not a cheap throwaway. It’s the perfect EDC companion for hunters, anglers, or anybody who needs to carry a blade. 

Key Features

Steel: XC90 carbon steel

Blade: 3.28-inch clip point

Lock Type: Friction of the clamping band

Pros

Easy to sharpen in the field

Lightweight

Cheap enough to replace easily if you lose it

Cons

You need to use two hands to open it

Blade is not stainless, so watch out for saltwater

No matter how many hunting knives I buy, I always come back to the Opinel No. 08 Carbon Steel folder. Designed in 1890, the knife was originally distributed to farmers and train conductors in France. Opinel wanted to make an affordable, high-quality knife that would stand up to the rigors of rural life, and the fact that the company has sold over 300 million of them, should stand as a testament to that.  

I first bought an Opinel No. 08 when I was broke and needed a good, sharp blade to field dress deer. But even when I could afford better knives, this one stayed in my pack. Its carbon-steel blade will dull if you nick a bone, but you can easily bring it back to shaving-sharp with a few passes on a wet stone or ceramic rod. 

Opinel makes a few versions of this knife now, but in my opinion, the carbon steel No. 08 is still the best. It’s about the perfect size, fits well in the hand, and is so lightweight, you almost forget it’s there. This of course can mean that you might forget where it is altogether, but No. 08s are so cheap, you can afford to have a few spares. —Matthew Every

Premium Pick: Case Trapper

Why It Made the Cut: For starters, the Case Trapper made the cut because it’s an American icon—and has been for more than a century. This versatile folder has two blades: I use the clip blade for everyday tasks, and the spey blade for skinning. When it comes to EDC knives, the Trapper certainly isn’t very modern looking—which exactly what I love about it.

Key Features

Steel: Chrome Vanadium

Blades: 3.24-inch clip blade; 3.27-inch spey blade

Handle: Yellow synthetic

Pros

Two versatile, and sharp, blades

Great value

Made in the U.S.A.

Cons

Super-smooth handle can be prone to falling out of pockets

Blades will rust or discolor without light maintenance

The Trapper is a knife that was originally designed for, well, trappers—outdoorsmen who needed an everyday-carry knife long before #EDC was common on social media. This pocket knife is about as simple as it gets: two full-length blades tucked into a strong synthetic handle. The clip blade is designed for the multi-purpose, everyday tasks, while the spey blade was made for jobs like skinning game…and castrating livestock. I’ve never used my Trapper for that last task, but I’ve used it on just about every other job. And on every one, the knife excelled. 

Both blades are made from Chrome Vanadium steel, which holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen. However, the steel does require some maintenance. Unlike with stainless steel, you’ll want to keep a thin coat of oil on the blades to prevent rusting or pitting. Do that, and this is a pocket knife that’ll last you forever. 

The Trapper has been around for so long that you can purchase it in just about every color or handle material imaginable—and limited-edition models are abundant. Personally, I prefer the classic Yellow Synthetic model. —Colin Kearns

Best for Hunting: Benchmade Grizzly Creek

Why it Made the Cut: Benchmade’s Grizzly Creek is everything you want in a folder for big-game hunting. It has a rock-solid locking mechanism and a drop-point blade made from high-quality steel that holds a wicked edge making it the best pocket knife for hunting. 

Key Features

Steel: S30V

Blades: 3.5-inch drop point, separate gut hook

Lock Type: Sliding Axis lock

Pros

Super-strong ambidextrous locking mechanism

Drop-point blade is perfect for gutting and skinning

Includes a folding gut hook for quickly unzipping game

Only 4.34 inches closed

Cons

It isn’t cheap

Not the easiest steel to resharpen

If I had to pick one folding knife to handle all of my field chores for the rest of my hunting days, it’d be the Grizzly Creek. Why? Well, first, because it’s built tough enough to last that long and still be in fine shape to hand down. Second, the S30V steel is perfect for someone like me, who can be a little lazy about sharpening and cleaning. Third, life is too short to hunt with an ugly knife, and this one’s composite Diamondwood scales have the look and warmth of traditional wood but is a tougher material. And finally, while this is an expensive knife, it’s not out of bounds for what you get.

The 3.5-inch flat-ground drop-point blade comes scary sharp out of the box and stays that way for a surprisingly long time. You can actually field dress and skin multiple critters with this thing before it really needs to be resharpened—or cleaned for that matter, as the S30V steel is extremely rust-resistant. The one downside is that it’s a little tricky to resharpen, but if you’re patient you’ll get the hang of it. (I recommend getting some quality sharpening rods for the job.) 

The Axis lock is one of the strongest mechanisms ever developed, allowing for one-handed, ambidextrous opening and closing, and you get a non-locking gut hook with the Grizzly Creek, which is handy for quickly unzipping animals for field dressing. As pocket knives go, this one will take up a comparatively large portion of your pocket, but for an all-around hunting blade that can handle even large game, like elk, it strikes a nice balance between big enough and not too big. (If you want a slightly smaller folder that’s still suitable for deer, take a look at the North Fork, which is virtually identical to this one, minus the gut hook and close to a half inch shorter when closed.) The Grizzly Creek balances nicely, feels great in the hand, and its quality is obvious the second you put it there. —Dave Hurteau

Best Multi Tool: Leatherman Charge Plus TTi

Why it Made the Cut: The Leatherman Charge Plus TTi stuffs 19 useful tools into a nearly-indestructible titanium chassis. Hunting, fishing, or on the jobsite, this one gets it done as the best multi-tool.

Key Features

Steel: S30V, 420HC

Blade: Straight edge clip point, serrated, saw

Tools: 19 implements

Pros

Titanium construction is durable, and resists rust and corrosion

Blades can be opened from the outside

Pliers feature replaceable cutters

Removable pocket clip lets you ditch the sheath

Cons

Titanium is enduring, but expensive

Driver requires specific Leatherman bits

In the nearly two decades I’ve owned my Leatherman Charge TTi, I’ve used it for a wide variety of tasks including placing ear tags into freshly vaccinated raccoons, unhooking fish, untold repairs to the electrical system of an old Jeep, and replacing shear pins whenever I sent my duck boat just a little too hard. It handled all these jobs with ease, and looks no worse for the wear.

The secret to the longevity is the titanium handles, which shrugged off abuse—and the ill-effects of the saltwater it was immersed in all too often. The only maintenance I ever performed was a couple of squirts of 3-in-1 oil into the plier’s joints to ensure it opened smoothly. If you don’t drop it in the brine, you can probably skip this step altogether.

The Charge TTi has since been replaced by the Charge Plus TTi. The new model builds on the excellent titanium chassis with a few new features to make it more useful. Perhaps most noteworthy is the replaceable wire cutters, which allow you to strip wire or cut fishing line without worrying about damage. The removeable clip is a recent addition, and makes it easy to retrieve the multi tool when stuffed into a pocket. Like the original, you can still access the serrated knife, straight edge blade, saw, and file without opening the handles.

If you don’t need the strength and rust resistance of titanium, you can pick up the Charge Plus for less coin. —JA

Best Camping Knife: The Swiss Army Knife Champ

Why It Made the Cut: The Swiss Champ more than lives up to its name. With this multi-tool on your belt or in your pocket, there’s not a camp chore you can’t conquer. Sure, not every single feature is exactly essential (I’ve yet to find one purpose for the “multipurpose hook,” for example), but the blades, saw, plier, and screwdrivers are all workhorses. And while the Champ might look bulky, it’s surprising how comfortably it fits in your pocket.

Key Features

Steel: Stainless

Blades: 2 spearpoint knives; one large, one small

Tools: 33 different functions

Pros

Easy-to-sharpen blades

Durable construction; iconic design

Lifetime guarantee

Cons

Some may find it too bulky for EDC

Weak-ish plier

Slightly awkward to grip when using the large blade

If you were to Frankenstein a multi-tool and a classic folder, you’d get the Swiss Champ. I’ve been carrying around my Champ for about five years now, and, as much as I love my Leatherman, this is my favorite multi-tool to have at deer camp on camping trips. As F&S rifles editor, David E. Petzal, once wrote: “The Swiss Champ will solve more problems for you than two accountants, five lawyers, and a psychiatrist.”

The Swiss Army Champ has an impressive 33 different functions. There are two spearpoint blades—large and small. I use the small blade for a lot of utility work (cutting rope/cord, opening boxes, shaving kindling) and reserve the large blade for stuff that requires a longer runway. Both blades are easy to sharpen and won’t rust. Other regulars I rely on are the screwdrivers (there are six), the scissors, the (super-beefy) saw, and, of course, the toothpick. I’ve been surprised by how much I use the ball-point pen, and it is fun to start fires with magnifying glass on a sunny day. 

Up to this point in my life as a Swiss-Champ carrier, I’ve yet to use the fish-scaler and hook—but you never know… One thing a Leatherman-style multi-tool has over the Champ is the plier. The set on the Champ is very puny by comparison. 

The Champ does fit nicely and comfortably inside a pocket, but I prefer to wear mine on a belt sheath, which you’ll have to purchase separately. The Champ comes in a variety of colors and finishes—but you’d be nuts not to go with the iconic red. —CK

Best Compact: Buck 759 Metro

Why it Made the Cut: Compact, convenient, and almost comically small, Buck’s discontinued Metro is a perfect day-to-day keychain knife. 

Key Features

Steel: 420HC Stainless Steel

Blade: 1.25-inch drop point

Lock type: Liner lock

Pros 

Miniscule size: 2.37-inch (closed), 1.5 oz. 

Keychain attachment hole and flat design takes up minimal space

Tough 420HC stainless requires minimal upkeep

Cons

Almost too small 

Round, flat design makes serious cutting cumbersome

When I was first gifted a Buck Metro, I wasn’t sure. It looked too small to do anything, really. But once I got my first car, I looped it up on my keychain and forgot about it. Over time, I realized that day-to-day, ounce-for-ounce, the Metro was the most convenient knife I’d ever owned.

Given away by the name “Metro,” this isn’t a knife to do-it-all in the field. (It might clean a squirrel.)  It’s a keychain knife, meant for easy carry and simple cutting, and it performs to that standard extremely well. Looped on my keychain, I took this knife everywhere, and the 420HC stainless steel did every small task I ever asked of it: Cutting fishing line, threads, or twine; pruning in the garden; opening a package or envelope; opening a beverage with the bottle opener. Really the selling point for this knife is that it can always be on you, even without you knowing. Under 2.5-inches long and barely 1 centimeter tall, anytime you go to pick up your keys, it’s there. 

I did, however, come to find out that Buck discontinued the Metro a few years back. I’d handed mine off to someone to use the bottle opener and never got it back. I replaced mine with a Buck 55, but it was nowhere near as convenient. Nowadays, the Metro-enjoyers are in online forums, and second-hand models are regularly listed on eBay. So you can still easily find one, in a color you like, for around $30. —Luke Guillory

Best Ultralight: Gerber Zilch

Why it Made the Cut: The worst thing about some pocket knives is that they’re in your pocket—in the way of everything else you’re trying to get at. The Gerber Zilch isn’t that kind of knife. It’s lightweight and all but disappears while you’re carrying it. 

Key Features

Steel: 7Cr Stainless Steel

Blade: 3.125-inch drop point

Lock Type: Liner lock 

Pros

Lightweight and easy to carry

Opens easily the first time with no break-in period

Affordable 

Cons

Not made for hard use 

Folding knives clipped to the inside of your pocket can either be comfortable or downright annoying. I can’t stand knives that either skin the back of your hand every time you reach for your car keys or render your pocket unusable for anything else but that knife. The Gerber Zilch doesn’t do this. It’s slim and light, but not so slim that it doesn’t feel like a knife once you get it into your hand. 

Gerber made the Zilch to be used right out of the box. The folding mechanism has nylon bushings that make opening and closing the knife buttery smooth. And there are two ways to open the knife—either with the dual thumb studs or a nail nick. 

Above all else, the Zilch just looks good. The glass-reinforced nylon scales have a textured diamond pattern that’s grippy but not obnoxiously so, and the stone-washed matte blade gives it a modern appearance. I also appreciate other details that you don’t usually see on a $20 knife, like the interlocking tooth-like spine design and oversized lanyard hole. —ME

Best Classic: Buck 110 Folder

Why it Made the Cut: Buck’s 110 just might be the most timeless folding knife in American history. The clip point stainless steel blade, brass bolsters, and ebony handle have stood the test time, serving outdoorsmen and women since it was first created in 1963.

Key Features

Steel: 420HC stainless steel

Blade: 3.75-inch clip point

Lock Type: Lever lock 

Pros

Simple, versatile design can gut a buck or fillet a bass

Solid brass frame looks as good as it feels

Excellent value

Cons

Tends to dull quickly

When my dad gave me my very first hunting knife in 1975, my eyes lit up. I’d saved up enough money cutting lawns to buy warm clothes, but didn’t have a knife. The Buck 110 was it and has become an American legend. It has been my go-to knife for both hunting and fishing for more than 40 years. I’ve lost it more than once, but it remains the only knife that I’ve headed back into the woods to search for—time and again.

Although I’ve found that the blade edge needs touching up on a regular basis, once it is honed well you can do several deer before it loses its mark. This is not an ultra-lightweight folder if that’s what you’re looking for, but nor is it a heavyweight belt-tugging trudge. Well under $100. —GB

Sharpest Blade: Helle Kletten

Why it Made the Cut: The Helle Kletten is a true pocket-size knife that performs well above its diminutive form and is a thing of beauty in the bargain.

Key Features

Steel: Proprietary Triple-Laminated Stainless

Blade: 2.17-inch drop point

Lock Type: Lever lock 

Pros

Robust build for a small knife

Holds a keen edge and sharpens easily

Curly-birch handle is unique and distinctive; Kebony handle looks like plain wood but is stronger

Cons

It isn’t cheap for a small knife

If a knife can be adorable, this one is. At just over 3 inches closed, it’s a pretty little thing that fits in a pocket with room to spare. But its performance is all out of proportion to its size. The blade is thicker (⅛ inch) and deeper than what you see on most small folders. That combined with hand-filling scales, steel liners, and a strong manual back-lock mechanism makes the Kletton one of the toughest small knives you can buy, capable of chores usually left to larger models. 

A Norwegian company known for making high-quality handmade knives, Helle uses a unique process in which they sandwich proprietary high-carbon steel between layers of 18/8 stainless to produce blades that are strong, corrosion-resistant, razor sharp, and easy to keep that way. The Kletton’s blade is a Scandinavian-grind 2.17-inch drop point designed for every-day chores but with the ideal profile for field-dressing and skinning if that’s what you need it to do. 

It comes in two versions, the plain Kletton, which is anything but plain with curly-birch scales of which no two are the same; and the Kletton Kebony, with darker-wood scales that are strengthened via a proprietary process that the company says makes this tough, gorgeous little knife even tougher. —DH

Best Small: CRKT Squid Folding Pocket Knife

Why It Made the Cut: The CRKT Squid is a compact and durable knife perfect for everyday carry. It’s lightweight, low profile, and comes packed with helpful features like friction grooves and a lanyard hole.

Key Features

Steel: 8Cr13MoV high-carbon stainless

Blade: 2.25-inch modified clip point

Lock Type: Frame Lock

Pros

Low profile and lightweight

Durable stonewashed finish 

Thumb stud for easy opening with one hand

Cons

Short blade is not ideal for bigger projects

There are two things I look for in a strong EDC pocket knife—compatibility and durability. The CRKT Squid has both and it is always clipped to my belt. Now, this isn’t the knife you want for big projects, but in my opinion, it is ideal to have in your pocket for everyday tasks. The 2.25-inch blade is perfect for opening packages, making small cuts, and compact enough to carry on-the-go.

The Squid features a robust frame locking system and is made from stainless steel. A thumb stud allows for easy one-handed opening and the pocket clip and lanyard hole are perfect to make sure it stays secure to your person. And to put the cherry on top, this knife only costs $32. If you are looking for simplicity and usability, the CRKT Squid is your pick. —Ryan Chelius

Best Replaceable Blade: Browning Speed Load

Why it Made the Cut: I hate gutting deer—always have, always will. It’s all part of the process, though, and ultra-sharp, replaceable blade, scalpel knives like the Browning Speed Load have made the chore far easier.

Key Features

Steel: 420J2 stainless steel

Blade: 2.63-inch replaceable drop point

Lock Type: Liner lock 

Pros

Blades are cheap and widely available

Outstanding handle that is durable and of great quality

Cons

Blade swap mechanism is cumbersome

Mixed reviews on blade quality and sharpness

Like most others, I guess, I first became enamored with replaceable-blade (scalpel) knives once Havalon came on the scene a decade or so ago. Suddenly, gutting a deer became a quick and simple procedure. After processing a few whitetails, however, I came to be more critical—pretty sharp, but also pretty flimsy.

Once I got my hands on the Browning Speed Load knife, though, I changed my mind. I carry it with me each deer season. Suddenly, the flimsiness was gone and I felt as if I was really holding a knife. The knife itself is sturdy, as are the blades. Although critics say that the blades do not remain sharp enough for long enough, I’ve not found that to be the case. Yes, I always carry the Buck 110 Folder for the tough stuff, but these days the Browning Speed Load does the heavy lifting. —Gerry Bethge

Best Mid-Sized: Gerber Fastball

Why It Made the Cut: The Gerber Fastball is great for everyday carry, in the woods, and on the water. It features a Wharncliffe blade and aluminum handle.

Key Features

Steel: High-carbon S30V

Blade: 3-inch Wharncliffe

Lock: Easy-off Liner Lock release

Pros

3-position pocket clip

Ball bearing leverage system

Limited lifetime warranty

Made in the USA

Cons

Limited accessories 

When I think about what I want out of a pocket knife the answer is clear—simplicity. If I wanted a multitool, well, then I’d buy a multitool. But for a pocket knife, all I want is a strong, reliable, and compact blade that I can keep on me at all times. Enter the Gerber Fastball. 

This knife is as simple as it comes without sacrificing quality. It measures 7.1-inches in total length with a 3-inch S30V stainless Wharncliffe blade for better precision. The aluminum handle is light at 2.7 oz., tailored for everyday carry. The stainless steel ball bearing system allows for a quick and smooth deployment. The blade itself—strong, durable, and corrosion resistant—is ideal for typical everyday tasks. 

It’s not common to find many products made right here in the USA anymore, but the Gerber Fastball is. And there’s nothing more American than a perfect fastball. —RC

Most Reliable: Rapala Fish ‘N Filet

Why it Made the Cut: In the late ‘60s, Normark (Rapala’s parent company) introduced a simple fillet knife. It had a thin, flexible blade and was a hit as soon as it reached the market. The Rapala Fish ‘N Filet was, and is, a gimmick-less knife that is easy to use and simple to keep sharp. It is also amazingly inexpensive—less than $50.

Key Features

Steel: European Stainless

Blade: 6-inch

Sheath: Leather 

Pros

Works on fish of all sizes

Reinforced birch handle

Includes easy-to-use single-stage sharpener

Cons

This one doesn’t fold, though folders are available

I quit my first job ever when I was 13 years old. My dad was building our hunting and fishing camp in southern New England and we kids were charged with raking and picking rocks from what would one day be a lawn. We’d had it with the long days, hard work, and zero fun. It was a full-on protest with signs and chants. “No fishing, no work,” was our battle cry and we meant it. Dad finally acquiesced.

At 5 o’clock, he asked us to jump into his blue Rambler with our rods. He presented all of us with Rapala fillet knives. I’ll never forget its varnished birchwood handle and leather sheath. I instantly ran my belt through the sheath’s loop and carried it around the beaver swamp the entire evening—not caring if I ever caught a trout. I had my first fishing knife ever.

Though a lot has changed since then, the Rapala Fish ‘N Filet has not. The European stainless steel blade comes in sizes from four to seven and a half inches, letting you make a meal out of everything from bluegill to bluefin. The included single-stage ceramic sharpener makes touch-ups between fish easy, and the leather “Laplander” sheath keeps it safe between trips. If you’re looking for a simple and reliable filet knife, look no further than the Fish ‘N Filet.—GB

Things to Consider Before Buying The Best Pocket Knives

Though all pocket knives are comprised with basically the same components, the way they are put together can vastly alter their usefulness for certain tasks. When looking for your next favorite knife, consider the following:

Blade Type: There are dozens of shapes you can have knife blades in. Some of these are highly specialized, designed to perform one specific task very well. Others are more generalist, and can handle a wide variety of chores well. For instance, a drop point can open a box, cut up lunch and skin a buck with equal ease. But while the unique shape of a filet knife blade is perfect for separating delicate flesh from rib bones, it isn’t the best choice for cutting rope or making kindling. When looking for a knife, consider it’s intended usage, and select the blade shape accordingly.

Steel: Perhaps no one single factor matters more for a knife’s performance than the type of steel it is made with. There are two types of steels used in knife blades, carbon and stainless. Carbon steel is strong and sharpens easily but is prone to rust. Stainless steel, as the name implies, offers more rust resistance. But, the compromise lies in its ability to take, and hold, and edge. For most pocket knives, a mix of the two is ideal. High-carbon stainless steels have acceptable sharpening and edge retention qualities, and resist rust without a daily oiling routine.

Additional Implements: Even if adorned with only a single blade, a pocket knife is no one trick pony. While it’s downright amazing what you can accomplish with the right blade, some additional tools at your disposal will increase the knife’s utility. An extra blade or two can greatly increase the knife’s usefulness. And multi tools add another dimension, letting you perform repairs, build blinds, and start fires with a veritable toolbox that fits in your back pocket.

FAQs

Best Pocket Knives: Final Thoughts

There are a variety of subjective factors that go into recommending the best pocket knives. Our team of editors have no shortage of heirlooms, stories, opinions, and experiences that went into creating this list. But the common theme in every selection is that each pocket knife does a good job at what that person needed it to do. Yes, there are important considerations like blade type, steel, and accessories you need to look for. Once you get these nuts and bolts squared away, make sure to tailor your selection to what you want your pocket knife to do. 

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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