How to find the Best Pocket Knife

COVID-19 has sent all of us to the online market. If you haven’t already, try to keep count of the next time a package arrives to see how many packages you receive per week. The number might surprise you. It makes sense : the packages are like little secrets that you just can’t wait to uncover. For many of us, that short spark of excitement is all we need during this unprecedented time. 
 
If you’re one that receives packages often, you will find a pocket knife extremely useful. Pocket knives can do a wide range of things, from slicing boxes, to peeling fruit, to cutting fish. In this article, we will guide you on how to choose the best pocket knife.
 
Check This Out : Best Pocket Knives : Your Ultimate Guide to Making the Right Choice
 
Prices 
 
Pocket knives vary vastly in prices. The cheapest ones cost below $10, while the high-end ones can cost up to more than $100. With the added price comes various added functions that will be discussed below, but low prices do not necessarily mean low quality. Indeed, the Sanrenmu 710 and the CRKT Drifter are two of the best pocket knives that cost just under $20 on Amazon. 
 
Blade
 
The average blade length ranges from 2 to 5 inches, although experts at The New York Times recommend that 3 inches is “the sweet spot” because it provides a nice balance and a perfect cutting edge to hold onto. Anything larger than that makes the knife feel awkward and clumsy, unless the blade is super well-designed. 
 
However, top-rated pocket knives like the Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585 win the hearts of many experts for the sturdy and sharp blade, despite its 3.5 inch length. The reason is that the blade construction is designed intelligently to evenly transfer pressure from the handle to the blade, allowing you to slice with ease and precision. 
 
Steel 
 
The second thing to consider is the steel that the blades are made of. The quality of the steel determines the blade’s strength, resistance against corrosion, and the frequency of sharpening. Blades are made mostly of the 8Cr13MoV or AUS-8 steel. They both belong to the average range that works but do not wow.
 
In general, cheap steels are softer and wear out quicker, therefore need more frequent sharpening (every 3 to 4 months), while expensive steels last longer, but they are also harder to sharpen since they tend to be thicker. 
 
Handle 
 
When it comes to handles, two things are important : design and ergonomics. 
 
Experts recommend that the ideal length of high quality pocket knives is 4 inches, where it creates the perfect balance with which to exert pressure and maneuver the knife. Look for a handle that fits your hand so that it does not rub awkwardly against the handle when you cut. Having a handle that is too stiff creates pressure on the hand, especially when cutting hard materials.
 
Notice also if the handle jiggles when you use the knife. The size of the handle should not be too narrow nor too big, since small handles limit the condition for the hand to exert pressure, while big handles make it hard to grab onto. Can the handle withstand force ? Because some would be too frail that you have a feeling that it bends a little when you press hard. 
 
Folding technique 
 
Folding refers to whether the blade is a folded or a fixed blade. Folded blades are the one that can be retrieved into the handle when not in use. For this reason, folded knives can fit into pockets and be carried around. Fixed blades are found in regular knives that you use in your kitchen. They are good for home use but not for being carried around. Folded blades therefore have higher portability than fixed blades. 
 
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Weight 
 
The best rated pocket knives are small and convenient, and can be carried around with ease. On average, pocket knives weigh from 2 to 4 ounces. Some extra lightweight ones, such as the Gerber Ultralight LST and the Opinel no.8, weigh at only 0.5-1.5 ounces. For easy reference, simply pop the knife into your pocket to see if it weighs down significantly, and then you will know. Bear in mind though, that lightweightness can often mean compromises on quality. Make sure the knife is still sharp, ergonomic, and sturdy even in the face of small weight. 
 
Opening 
 
When it comes to pocket knives, a lot of people go for convenience first. Some pocket knives have one-handed opening, meaning that you can open the blade with one hand. Examples of this are CRKT Drifter and some other modern models. 
 
Among others : thumb studs, thumb holes, and flippers are three opening techniques favoured by most people. Flippers are small tabs that bulge out from the back of the knife that will pull the blade open if you push them down. Thumb holes are where you put your thumb through to pull out the blades, while thumb studs provide a grip for your thumb to flip the knife open. 
 
Locking 
 
The lock in pocket knives work to secure the blade in place when in use. This is to avoid the blade accidentally folding in in the middle of work or hitting your finger in its course. 
 
There are multiple types of locking mechanisms, but the two most favourable ones are liner locks and frame locks. These have the benefit of securing the blade in place by chaining it to the back of the handle. This process is secure without being too complicated. Some knives have a two-steps locking mechanism, which are said to be unnecessary and complex. But, if you do not mind the hassle and want the extra protection, why not ?
 
Assisted opening 
 
This is where experts diverge vastly. Some prefer assisted opening, while others think it is unnecessary. 
 
Assisted opening is an automated mechanism that flips the blade open when it is just barely out of the handle. That means that you do not have to use as much work from the thumb. Simply lightly flip the knife and it gets the idea that you want it open, and assisted opening has an internal string that helps you do that. 
 
Best quality pocket knives with assisted opening are the Benchmade Mini-Barrage 585 and the Kershaw Leek. 
 
Other users argue that since pocket knives can already be opened with one hand, there is really no need for the added automation. Best pocket knives without assisted opening are the Blue Ridge Knives ESEE Zancudo, the Buck Knives 55, and the SRKT Drifter
 
Serrations
 
Serrated blades are useful for cutting ropes. If you don’t cut ropes that often, you probably don’t need them. Serrated are strong blades, of course, but they require a special technique of sharpening that many claim to be hazardous. Serrations also provide less clean cuts.
 
Choose whatever that suits you, serrated or not, but remember to preserve it carefully. Otherwise, even the best pocket knives in the world will not last. 
 
Above is our complete list on what to consider when choosing a pocket knife. You can do many things with the best folding knife, from cutting boxes to DIY projects to other everyday use. We hope that your guide has been helpful, and we wish you good luck !

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