Best Pocket Knives For Everyday Carry And Survival

Looking For The Best Pocket Knife For YOU? You’re In The Right Place

There are thousands of different pocket knives on the market today.

Which is a good thing, right?

Yes and No!

More choice is usually welcomed, but TOO MUCH choice quickly becomes overwhelming!

That’s where Skilled Survival comes in – we love to analyze gear!

We know survival gear, and we aim to provide trustworthy advice.

That’s why today I’m going use my extensive Survival Gear Review experience, Engineering Degree, & Mountain Rescue Service to share the following:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Pocket Knives For Sale

What’s A Pocket Knife Anyway?

Why Carry A Knife In Your Pocket

Choose The Best One For You

Are You Ready For The Tough Times Ahead? Take My 60 Sec Quiz To See If You’re Part Of ‘The Fragile Masses’ Or Not… Start Quiz Now!

Best Pocket Knives On The Market Today

We looked over various designs, price points, and knife brands.

Our goal is to provide you with a good sampling of the best pocket knife brands and options on the market today:

↓ The Ontario RAT 2 In D2 Steel Review ↓

↓ Cold Steel American Lawman – Overview And Review ↓

↓ Kershaw Leek 1660 Folding Knife ↓

↓ SOG Flash 2 – Field Test ↓

↓ CRKT CEO Is…Awesome! ↓

↓ OPINEL No.8 Carbon Steel Knife ↓

↓ Gerber Flatiron With D2 Steel ↓

↓ Reviewed: SOG Twitch II Rosewood ↓

↓ Kershaw 1160 Fraxion Knife Review ↓

↓ Boker Lil Lambfoot – Unboxing And Overview ↓

↓ The Boker Plus Lancer Pocketknife Review ↓

↓ TOPS Knives MSF 4.0 Mini Scandi Flipper Overview ↓

↓ The Benchmade Knives Mini-Bugout Pocketknife Review ↓

↓ Zero Tolerance Knife Review ↓

↓ It’s Good But How Good? Spyderco Para 2 Lightweight ↓

↓ The Civivi Chronic Pocketknife: The Full Review ↓

↓ And EDC Home Run? Gerber Fastball ↓

↓ The Buck 110 Slim Folding Hunter Pro Pocketknife Review ↓

↓ Bestech Torn The Full Review ↓

↓ Let’s Talk About The Gerber Paraframe… ↓

What’s A Pocket Knife Anyway?

When it comes time to leave the house, most of us have a standard set of everyday carry (EDC) items we drop into our pockets.

A typical EDC list includes your phone, wallet, and keys.

These are all vital devices in our modern, technology-filled world.

But there’s another item you should add to your EDC kit – a razor-sharp pocket knife.

An EDC pocket knife is a small folder with a single blade. It’s that simple.

They’re NOT a large multitool with several blades and various screwdrivers.

They’re also NOT large, fixed-blade tactical knives carried in a belt sheath.

It’s an extremely compact blade that fits into your pocket and is ideal for everyday uses.

That’s why a small pocket knife is often the first knife many of us received growing up.

My old Boy Scout folding knife occasionally makes it into my EDC kit for sentimental reasons.

So, why is a small knife still valuable in everyday life?

↓ The 10 Main Reasons I Carry A Knife ↓

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Why Everyone Should Carry A One

Having a good pocket knife comes in useful in various ways.

I use mine several times each day for routine tasks, such as:

• Opening the mail
• Cutting up meat and cheese for a snack
• Removing product packaging in the shop
• As a marking knife in woodworking

It saves me the hassle of running to the kitchen or garage whenever I need to cut something.

That said, there ARE a few common tasks that people use pocket knives for but shouldn’t.

Tasks NOT Suited For Knives

EDC knives are rarely built with the kind of durability in mind for a prying task.

I’ve seen more than one person snap the tip-off of a pocket knife, using it as a mini pry bar or opening a bottle cap.

They’re also poorly suited for throwing – though that seems to be more of an act of boredom than to perfect a skill.

If you want to learn how to use a throwing knife, find a mentor, and start with a proper knife designed for that use.

They’re also not made for batoning wood – this task is best left with robust fixed-blade survival knives.

You’ll likely break the hinge point if you try batoning with one.

Why don’t more people carry?

In my office, it’s surprising how many people are reluctant to carry a pocket knife.

When I ask why they say they don’t want the perception of “being armed.”

So instead, they’re forced to rummage through desk drawers for a pair of scissors.

Or raid the cafeteria for a plastic knife when they need to perform simple tasks like opening a package.

These are poor substitutes, and they’ll cause daily frustration for these ordinary users.

And they’ll fail in an emergency when needed most.

As with anything in the EDC world, plenty of options exist.

So making a final decision on which one fits your needs best is complex.

Luckily, most EDC pocket knives are relatively inexpensive (as far as gear goes).

So you may even accumulate a small collection over the years as your needs and tastes change.

How To Choose The Best One For EDC

There are several factors to consider when buying a new knife.

Most of them are straightforward, but some come down to personal preference.

So, let’s go through each of the key features:

Size & Weight

A pocket knife is, by definition, a small, compact knife that fits easily in your pocket.

It should never feel bulky or inconvenient to carry every day.

The most useful knife is the one you have with you, so carrying it shouldn’t be a chore.

However, it must also be a convenient and efficient tool to justify carrying it daily.

So it should have a size and heft that feels comfortable and easy to control.

This is why most utilize a foldable design.

So look for a design around 4″ in length (closed) and about 3oz in overall weight.

Blade Steel

The steel used in the blade of your knife can significantly affect its performance.

A good knife cuts well, is durable, has edge retention, is corrosion-resistant, and is easy to maintain.

Stainless steel may seem like a good option for its corrosion resistance.

But stainless steel is tough to sharpen and best left to professionals.

High-carbon steel is a far better option for most.

This goes double if you enjoy maintenance tasks such as cleaning, sharpening, and lubricating.

Blade Length And Shape

There are many different blade lengths and shapes on the market.

So your choice may come down to personal preference.

A blade between 2.5 “to 3.5” long (overall) is sufficient for most everyday tasks.

Plus, it won’t raise the alarm with onlookers.

Note: Be sure to check your local knife laws about restrictions on overall blade length.

The shape of the blade determines the available “cutting edge length.”

Many people consider drop-point blades the ideal shape.

The drop point’s longer “cutting edge” and the smooth curve make them easy to control and efficient.

And the clean point allows for piercing packaging and fine detail work if needed.

Serrated vs. Straight

A serrated blade can be a useful option and is known to survive rugged use.

But serrated edges are not always the best option.

Serrated blades are difficult to sharpen, and they often are NOT sharp out of the box.

They also make fine-scale work difficult, such as carving or cutting along exact lines.

I initially bought the half-serrated one.

But I found it less useful than I had hoped.

I eventually purchased the straight version as a replacement.

Lock Types

A locking blade design is safer and more durable unless local knife laws prohibit it.

The market has many different lock mechanisms, each with vocal supporters.

Sure, the big manufacturers’ trademark most new “advanced” locking mechanisms.

But simple, time-tested locks can still be found across the market.

Each design operates uniquely and offers different benefits.

Feel free to watch the video below for a good overview of all the different knife lock types:

↓ Knife Lock Types | Knives 101 ↓

Liner Lock

A liner is one of the most common blade locks.

The lock depends on a bent arm on one side of the handle liner.

It springs into place when the knife is opened and blocks the hinge from rotating closed again.

To close it, you push the arm out of the way and fold the blade.

It’s popular because it’s simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

But it leaves your fingers in the blade’s path when you start closing the knife.

It’s also not an ambidextrous design, as the lock is on one side of the liner and not the other.

Frame Lock

The frame lock functions exactly like a liner lock.

But it blocks the blade with a spring arm connected to the handle.

That’s why you find them common on knives without a separate handle and liner.

It has the same pros and cons as a liner lock.

But it’s slightly more durable since the handle is usually thicker than the liner.

Lockback Lock

A Lockback is a spring-actuated locking bar along the handle’s spine.

It latches to the base of the blade when unfolded.

This provides an ambidextrous design, unlike frame and liner locks.

Many traditional-style knives (Buck knives in particular) use the Lockback system.

The blade opens and closes, causing it to loosen up and allowing the blade to move slightly over time.

Crossbar Lock

The crossbar lock is another straightforward design.

This design uses a steel pin that passes sideways through the handle and liner framework.

And it blocks the blade from rotating backward.

The pin deploys a pair of springs inside the handle and is released by pulling back against the pin ends.

Details on the Benchmade “Axis” lock (a patented crossbar lock) can be found here.

Make sure to check out the great cutaway animations of the mechanism.

Now the Axis lock is only found on Benchmade knives.

But other manufacturers have similar designs that work nearly as well.

Like the Lockback design, the crossbar lock is ambidextrous.

However, it depends on some small springs which deploy the bar.

So the long-term durability may not be as good as a design with fewer moving parts.

Collar Lock

A collar lock uses a metal collar located around the hinge mechanism.

This collar rotates and prevents the blade from closing accidentally.

A collar lock is an uncommon option these days.

But the ever-popular Opinel knife uses one, so they’re worth discussing.

The design is simple but does wear out over time – especially in wood-handled knives like the Opinel.

Handle Materials

The handle design matters. I believe a great blade with a bad handle ISN’T a quality knife.

The handle is your only means of controlling the blade. It’s where you control the blade.

So it’s important to have a quality handle with enough grip to keep the edge where you want it.

Synthetic G10 is a prevalent option, offering lightweight and good grip.

Other popular choices are durable anodized aluminum, micarta, and traditional wood finishes.

Style | Aesthetics

After the above considerations, you can narrow your search to aesthetics. Ultimately you want a style that fits alongside the rest of your chosen gear.

• You might want a tough-as-nails tactical blade.
• Or perhaps you prefer a classy gent’s knife around the office.
• Or maybe you’re more attracted to a traditional design that has timeless appeal.

Choose a knife you love to use AND enjoy looking at.

Final Thoughts

There are tons of EDC pocket knives, and choosing one can be a chore.

Work through the options, and check off the most important features.

Once you have a shortlist, get hands-on experience with each.

Even if that means ordering several and returning the ones you don’t like.

You’ll have your preferences, and frequently it’s obvious which one fits you best.

Remember, despite all the advances of the modern world, a knife is still part of any good EDC kit.

I use mine for everything from opening the mail to making lunch to trimming small branches.

It’s not just a throwback to an older time; it’s a vital tool for everyday use!

Jason K.

Born & Raised In The Remote Woods Of Michigan

Engineering Degree From A Major University

Long Standing Member Of Mountain Search & Rescue

Offical Gear Tester For Several Outdoor Companies

Avid Outdoorsman: Backpacking, Camping, Fishing

Years Researching & Writing About Surival & Gear

P.s. Are you ready for the tough times ahead?

Find out now by taking my short Readiness Score Quiz – it’s absolutely free.
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So click here to start the Quiz….And don’t worry; the questions are so easy a 3rd grader could answer them.

Click on the image to begin the Quiz and find out once and for all if you’re part of “The Fragile Masses” or “The Resilient Few.”

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