BOTTOM LINE: If you want an inconspicuous pocket knife that’s sharp, fast to deploy, and comfortable to carry, the SOG Twitch II might be your jam. And at the risk of leaving out some great knives, I’ll go out on a limb to say these are the best pocket knives you can buy on every budget. Let us know in the comments for future updates to this article. 8, CRKT Squid, and Gerber Paraframe II Best value pocket knives: Kershaw Leek, Kershaw Blur, and SOG Twitch II Best high-end pocket knives: Benchmade Bugout 535 and Spyderco Para Military 2, You can’t beat the affordability & low weight of the Opinel No. Thanks to advanced metallurgy, smart designers, and literal eons of development, you can get a spectacular knife that will hold an edge a very long time and not corrode. Many knives, like the popular Swiss Army Knife, have a nail nick. To shut the knife, you just slide a small mechanism located in the handle to the back to move the spring and pin backward, then shut the knife. 8’s carbon steel blade isn’t as sharp as those on some modern knives, but it’s really tough for how thin it is and it’s excellent for slicing meats, cheeses, and produce. Best Pocket Knives of 2020 Benchmade Bugout. It’s a fairly expensive knife, but if you need one do-all pocket knife that you can open letters with at the office and press into tough use on the weekends, this should be the top of your list. It’s worth noting that some other knife aficionados really dislike this knife, so it may not be your cup of tea. The following pocket knives didn’t make our final list, but they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them.

BLADE LENGTH / CLOSED LENGTH: 3.42 in. Check out our complete guide to knife steels. Even though it feels very robust at 5.15 ounces in your hand, it sits nicely in the pocket and isn’t too overwhelming for EDC use. Support us! Boasting incredible designs and top-notch engineering, the phrase “Made In America” is something to be proud of. SHOT isn’t open to the public, so here’s an inside look at seven of the best 2020 knives from the show. The No. This is the system that keeps the blade from folding in once deployed. James Brand is a relatively new player in the knife market. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. 5201 Lad Land Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 - 800.338.6799 (Phone Orders Welcome), Buck 110 Folding Hunter 3.75" Blade, Ebony Wood Handles, Leather …, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Folding Knife 3.42" S30V Satin Plain Blad…, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Folding Knife 3-7/16" S30V Satin Blade, D…, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Folding Knife 3-7/16" S30V Black Plain Bl…, Buck 110 AUTO Folding Hunter 3.75" Plain Blade, Ebony Wood Handle…, Spyderco Native 5 Folding Knife 3" S30V Satin Plain Blade, Black …, Spyderco Para 3 Folding Knife 3" S30V Satin Plain Blade, Black G1…, Zero Tolerance 0452CF Dmitry Sinkevich Flipper 4.1" S35VN Satin B…, Buck 110 Folding Hunter 3.75" Plain Blade, Finger Grooved, Ebony …, Zero Tolerance Model 0350TS Assisted Flipper Knife 3.25" S30V Tig…, Zero Tolerance 0770CF Assisted Flipper 3.25" S35VN Stonewash Blad…, Benchmade 535 Bugout AXIS Folding Knife 3.24" S30V Satin Plain Bl…, Buck 110 Folding Hunter LT 3.75" Plain Blade, Black Nylon Handles…, Buck 112 Ranger Folding Hunter Style Lockback 3" Blade, Ebony Woo…, Zero Tolerance Hinderer 0562CF Flipper 3.5" CPM-20CV Satin/Stonew…, Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight Folding Knife 2.92" CTS-BD1N Satin Pl…, Kershaw 7777 Bareknuckle USA-Made Flipper Knife 3.5" 14C28N Drop …, Buck 110 AUTO Elite Folding Hunter 3.75" S30V Plain Blade, Black …, Kershaw 7777TANBLK Bareknuckle USA-Made Flipper Knife 3.5" CPM-20…, Zero Tolerance 0462 Dmitry Sinkevich Flipper Knife 3.75" CPM-20CV…, Kershaw 1776 Link Assisted Flipper Knife 3.25" Stonewash Plain Bl…, Spyderco Para 3 Folding Knife 3" S30V Satin Combo Blade, Black G1…, Zero Tolerance 0460 Dmitry Sinkevich Flipper Knife 3.25" S35VN Tw…, Spyderco Native Chief Folding Knife 4.08" S30V Satin Plain Blade,…, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Left Handed Folding Knife 3.42" S30V Sati…, Kershaw 1776TGRYBW Link Assisted Flipper Knife 3.25" Blackwash Pl…, Spyderco C81GPDGY2 Paramilitary 2 Folding Knife 3.47" Maxamet Sat…, Zero Tolerance 0022 Tim Galyean Flipper Knife 1.8" CPM-20CV Stone…, Buck 110 Slim Select Folding Hunter 3.75" Plain Blade, Black GFN …, Buck 110 Slim Select Folding Hunter 3.75" Plain Blade, Blue GFN H…. the requirements set forth below, and agree to this prior to your purchase or receipt of any automatic

These are usually quite effective in quality knives but are not the most secure locking mechanism because they usually use a fairly small piece of metal to lock the blade. Knives like the SOG Aegist AT and Benchmade Bugout can be deployed by putting pressure on the thumb stud. It’s always easier to maintain a knife and keep it sharp than to let it get dull and have to reprofile the blade. It’s a folding knife to have through thick and thin of your life. 8’s 3.5-inch blade is a proven design that costs less than a 20 dollar bill. PROS: Very lightweight, premium steel quality, very sharp, compact, lock keeps fingers clear when closing, inconspicuous (deep pocket carry clip). They retain a sharp edge well, but the sharpening process is more complicated and time-consuming. Best Pocket Knives of 2020 Benchmade Bugout. SIZE AND WEIGHT - A pocket knife should be compact and light enough that it won’t bother you to carry it in your pocket, but large and robust enough to fit comfortably in your palm and be effective for the task at hand. If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. A liner lock puts a small piece of metal alongside the blade of the knife when it’s in the folded position. The deep-carry pocket clip is reversible, so you can easily carry on the left or right. Subscribe Today: Exclusive Specials, Free Stuff with Every Order, Early Access to New Items! Best mini pocket knives: Benchmade Mini Bugout 533, Opinel No. There’s no denying it: I’m a knife knut. We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends. The Spyderco Para Military 2 among other Everyday carry items. If you prefer to be inconspicuous and not draw attention to the fact that you’re carrying a knife, look for a deep carry pocket clip that keeps the blade hidden. It’s worth noting that some other knife aficionados really dislike this knife, so it may not be your cup of tea. BOTTOM LINE: The Gerber Paraframe II looks cool and is easy to clean due to its open all-steel frame, but it’s not a knife you buy to admire or collect. Pocket knives are a fundamental piece of outdoor gear. Get some Loctite, treat the screws upon purchase, and set your pocket carry to your preference. Others are manual and may require two hands. BLADE LENGTH / CLOSED LENGTH: 3.25 in. Learn how to live, work, and play — and stay connected! We’re proudly donating 100% of our revenue from today to the following organizations to address social justice and policy change. Act Blue - Bail Funds It’s an excellent box cutter and rips through tough materials like butter. This version is a modest upgrade from the original Bugout. And there are hundreds of variations on this original multitool. / 4.82 in. The Paraframe stands out for it’s budget-friendly price, simplicity, and durability. But when it comes to these old standbys, simple is best. 8 & No. It works with a spring that slides a pin in front of the blade to block its closure. 6 and Gerber Paraframe Mini. The S30V Wharncliffe blade flicks open authoritatively with a pronounced finger flipper. It’s serrated toward the handle and plain towards the tip. Amazingly, it competes in weight with super-high-tech titanium-alloy knives. Originally developed to get around switchblade restrictions, assisted-opening knives have become quite popular. 1-30 of 174 results Page 1 of 6.

Sadly, even with exceptional ratings, Kershaw quit making it. WORKHORSE POCKET KNIFE WITH AN ERGONOMIC HANDLE. And for those who want to save a few bucks, the original version of the Bugout is very, very similar, just a few grams heavier and with oh-so-slightly softer handle scales. The main negative of this knife is I’ve had clip screws come loose. Comparing the blade shape of the best pocket knives on the market. Sadly, even with exceptional ratings, Kershaw quit making it. This is the system that keeps the blade from folding in once deployed. Read more…, Your email address will not be published. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks. As the name implies, this style includes both a plain and serrated edge.
State, Territory or the District of Columbia ordering, procuring, or purchasing such knives in the Some countries (like the U.K.) have banned locking knives, so be sure to check local laws. It’s an affordable tool you can put to hard use without having to worry about messing it up, which can be a real asset while camping or on the job. The G10 handle is light but strong in the hand. Whether you’re springing to action in an emergency situation or just need an easy way to open packaging, you’ll feel confident knowing you’re equipped with a reliable blade whenever you need it. Giant Urban Buck Devours Pumpkins in Nest Cam Footage, All-Terrain Traction: Kahtoola EXOspikes Boast Road-to-Trail Grip, Rule Of Thirds Assignment Winner James Day, Polaris Off Road & Zac Brown Band Partner on Exclusive Concert to Support Veterans, Best Rain Jackets of 2020: The Top Waterproof Shells for Any Activity, Prints For Nature Campaign To Raise Funds For Wildlife Conservation.
The razor-sharp blade and dramatic point are ideal for slicing, piercing, and fine detail work. Our experts test each knife while exploring backcountry terrain throughout the United States, preparing food, camping, mountain climbing, and more. One positive is that this is out of the way while using the blade, so it’s unlikely you’ll accidentally fold the knife when in use. 8 may take slightly longer to open and lock, but it’s a beautiful knife at an incredible value that feels like a connection to a simpler time. This was one of my favorite shots from the hike. We constantly update our guides when new products launch. G-10 is a good all-around material for its light weight and texture, but you might also like other materials like anodized aluminum or wood. / 4.75  in. The James Brand Ellis is an example of this style. Read more…. And you can get one in many configurations and blade steels. Social media is great, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a much better way to stay in the know. Basically, it’s a combo of the two previously mentioned designs. That’s why we prefer a simple plain edge. With testing through different scenarios and sharpening them to test tools, a lot of my knives filter in and out of storage. PLAIN EDGE - Serrations are handy for sawing through rope when a knife is dull, but they’re nearly impossible to sharpen at home and eat up valuable real estate on your blade.