The best pocket knife fits snugly in your pocket and serves a multitude of purposes, from opening delivery boxes and mail to slicing food or crafting kindling for a fire. There exists a wide array of applications for this compact, foldable, all-purpose tool, which makes it all the more wise to have a pocket knife at your disposal. However, the question remains, which one is most suitable for your needs? We sat down with Ann MacDonald, a blade expert and the director of product at Victorinox Swiss Army, to learn more about the best pocket knives and what makes them so special. While the Benchmade 535 Bugout exceeded our expectations, it wasn’t the only blade to catch our eye.
The best pocket knife for you depends on how you intend to use it, and we have blades for everyone.
Choosing the right knife for you also comes down to not only style, but size, price and use case—we’ll get into that later, but for now, suffice it to say that whether you’re a hunter, fisherman, biker, hiker, camper or just an EDC enthusiast, there’s a pocket knife out there that will serve you well. Among our favorites you’ll find the timeless Opinel No.08, the mighty-yet-mini Spyderco Bug and the stunning Forloh Merchant 2.0. But, we have plenty more options, including hunting knives and blades for everyday use. Read on to see them all, and peruse our comprehensive guide to pocket knife shopping below if you need a little help.
- Best Pocket Knife Overall: Benchmade 535 Bugout
- Best Budget Pocket Knife: Gerber Mini Paraframe Serrated
- Best Classic Pocket Knife: Opinel No.08
- Best Pocket Knife For Camping: Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2
- Best Pocket Knife For Hunting: Kershaw Emerson CQC-11K
- Best Premium Pocket Knife: Forloh Merchant 2.0
- Best Keychain Pocket Knife: Spyderco Bug
- Best Multitool Pocket Knife: Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman
MOST POPULAR
Blade length: 3.2 inches | Closed length: 4.2 inches | Weight: 1.8 ounces | Handle material: Grivory
Oregon-based Benchmade is a highly-respected maker of modern folding knives, and that comes courtesy of a decades-long reputation for putting quality, foldable blades in its customers’ pockets. One of its signature pocket knives—the Bugout 535—earns incredibly high marks for its balance of durability and lightweight design, along with a bigger-than-average blade and refined versatility. The size of the blade here is key, as the 3.2 inches of CPM S30V steel allows it to tackle bigger tasks without sacrificing portability.
Its textured handle, thumb stud (for quick, effortless deployment) and metal clip, which can be positioned in two different ways, complement its workman-like design with additional convenience.
But despite the no-nonsense build, the Bugout 535 isn’t all business. Available in countless colors, steels and scale materials, you can go so far as to customize the entire design, ensuring it meets both your needs and style preferences. Just one more reason this blade consistently gets great ratings and reviews.
Pros:
- Longer blade than most folders
- Easy single-hand opening
- Reversible clip and lanyard hole
Cons:
- Very expensive
Amazon
Gerber Mini Paraframe Serrated
Blade length: 2.3 inches | Closed length: 3 inches | Weight: 1.4 ounces | Handle material: Stainless steel
Yes, you’re seeing that price correctly: This knife costs $15, or about the same price of a large fast-food meal these days. Yet unlike that burger, fries and soda, which you’ll be done with in 20 minutes, this knife is durable enough to last for years. And as it’s small enough to fit in the change pocket of your jeans, it’s a knife you’ll want to always have on hand for all those years. The blade here is pretty short, to be sure, but it will be razor sharp when new and it can be honed as needed, and as half of the blade is serrated, this knife is great for cutting through cordage or fabric, common tasks of the pocket knife.
Among many favorable reviews left on REI, where the knife has a four-star overall rating, a customer named David spoke for many when he wrote in part: “I have been looking for a small pocket knife with [a] clip to replace the many small pocket knifes I have that end up in the bottom of my pocket mixing with change and other things. I didn’t want or need a large knife. This knife is a small and simple knife to have available for opening packages, mail, cutting rope, or similar simple needs. Because it is small and has a clip, I can put it into any pocket and it is out of the way, but always available.”
Pros:
- Amazing price point
- Very lightweight
- Partially serrated blade
Cons:
- Too small for some applications
Blade length: 3.3 inches | Closed length: 4.3 inches | Weight: 1.5 ounces | Handle material: Beechwood
At $19, there’s an argument to be made that Opinel’s No.08 carbon steel folding knife should be classified as another budget-minded buy on this list, but because the French label’s eponymous wooden-handled knives date back to 1890, we prefer to call this one a classic instead of a bargain. Whether you’re sharpening a pencil, harvesting wild mushrooms or tackling a DIY task, the XC90 carbon steel blade will perform dutifully, as will Opinel’s signature Virobloc safety ring to lock the blade open or closed.
Beyond the blade, Opinel outfits the No.08 with a wooden handle that flares at the base to improve ergonomics. Made from tough but lightweight beechwood that’s responsibly sourced from French woodlands, it’s a treat to hold after you’ve grown accustomed to so many synthetic scales. Ultimately, what you see is what you get with the No.08, but in a way, that’s what makes it special.
Pros:
- Timeless elegance in styling
- Locking ring for safety
- Great price point
Cons:
- Thin blade can’t be used for prying
- Tips sometimes snap off with heavy use
Amazon
Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2
Blade length: 3.2 inches | Closed length: 4.8 inches | Weight: 5.6 ounces | Handle material: Stainless steel
When you’re out on a camping trip, the last thing you need is a dull knife. Good news: Spyderco folding knives are well-known for staying sharp even with heavy use. And based on the mix of serrated and straight edge on this Byrd Cara Cara 2 pocket knife, you can use that sharpness to slice through cords, to slice and filet foods, to saw through small branches to make tinder and more.
Ambidextrous by design, this is a great knife for all campers and trekkers who want to be prepared for whatever the outdoors sends their way. At 5.6 ounces, it’s a bit heavier than some knives featured here—ironic, as Spyderco specifically refers to the knife as “lightweight”—but all told, it’s a great camping folder, as attested to by hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon. One point many verified buyers made is that this knife will be scalpel-level sharp when you receive it.
Pros:
- Excellent edge retention
- Large thumb hole for easy opening
- Easy to disassemble for cleaning
Cons:
- Heavier than many folders
Amazon
Kershaw Emerson CQC-11K
Blade length: 3.5 inches | Closed length: 4.8 inches | Weight: 5.8 ounces | Handle material: Steel
After you make a kill, you have some visceral business ahead of you as you prep that game meat. A large, razor-sharp knife like this one will help that prep work go as quickly, smoothly and safely as possible. The Kershaw Emerson CQC-11K Pocket Knife adds safety thanks to its many tactile features that help prevent your grip from slipping even when it’s slick with sweat or blood. And because it’s a manually-opened knife without any mechanical assistance, the blade is more likely to stay shut when you don’t want it at the ready.
This folder has a solid 4.6-star overall rating at the time of this writing, with most people praising it as a great hunting pocket knife. One customer called it “the best knife you can buy for the money,” in fact. But a verified buyer named Sammy did have one complaint, saying: “The belt clip is so tight make it hard to smoothly get it out of the pocket. Maybe I need to try it on other pants.”
Pros:
- Large blade suited to field prepping game
- Excellent edge retention
- Textured grip and thumb grooves enhance safety
Cons:
- Belt clip too tight
Forloh
Forloh Merchant 2.0
Blade length: 3.8 inches | Closed length: 4.3 inches | Weight: 3.6 ounces | Handle material: Titanium
If you’ve got a few extra pennies to invest in a more premium pocket knife, the Forloh Merchant 2.0 is a top recommendation for the everyday carry enthusiast. American-made and guaranteed for life, this updated take on the original Merchant improves on its predecessor with a slimmer design and deep-carry pocket clip—a welcome, comfort-supporting addition that makes for a surprisingly big difference. Fresh tweaks aside, this reliable workhouse also retains and refines its forerunner’s best features.
At 3.6 ounces, it won’t weigh you down, yet its near 3.8-inch CPM S35VN steel blade–complemented by an extra-high bevel grind—won’t flinch at jobs typically reserved for larger knives. Featuring a number of custom-made and precision-machined parts, including a titanium handle, the Merchant sports a superior feel that’s apparent the first time you pick it up. Butter-smooth blade deployment and incredibly balanced cutting action further support its bar-raising ergonomics. Despite its impressive capabilities and robust feature set, the Merchant 2.0 sports an understated design that’ll look right at home alongside your other gear.
Pros:
- High bevel grind allows for countless sharpening
- Smooth and steady folding action
- 100% made in America
Cons:
- Very expensive
Blade length: 1.3 inches | Closed length: 2.9 inches | Weight: 0.4 ounces | Handle material: Steel
Let’s face it, most of us already carry way too much stuff, from car keys and wallets to smartphones, sunglasses, masks and more, which leaves little room for anything else to fit in your pocket (or your brain). If you want to enjoy the many conveniences of a pocket knife without further cluttering your pockets—or mind—the Spyderco Bug is the way to go. Like all the brand’s everyday carry options, the Bug is synonymous with quality, from its entirely stainless steel design to its smooth, one-hand deployment.
It sports a maximum length of just under three inches, which makes it a legal everyday carry option in many cities and states. Couple that with its convenient keyring hole–which can also be strung with a lanyard or chain—and packing this highly affordable EDC is a no-fuss affair. Just note that while this handy little blade mainly gets great reviews, many verified buyers do call out that for anyone with larger hands, this knife may be too small to hold safely
Pros:
- Unmatched compact size
- Perfect for opening packages, mail
- Great price
Cons:
- Too small for many uses and users
REI
Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Knife
Blade length: 2.5 inches | Closed length: 3.5 inches | Weight: 4 ounces | Handle material: Plastic, aluminum
It can snip. It can saw. It can slice. It can open cans and bottles. It has tweezers. It has a corkscrew. It… the Huntsman Swiss Army Knife has a lot of tools and can perform a lot of functions, is the long story short here. This is one of those things that will feel conspicuously absent from your life if you get one, use it for a while, then one day leave it behind. Fortunately, at $50, you could always replace your Swiss Army Knife were it to be lost.
Sure, the actual main blade of this pocket knife is on the smaller side and isn’t sturdy enough for many robust applications—it is crazy sharp, though—but you’re not getting a Huntsman for one blade, but for all 13 of its tools. And if you take it from the stunning 4.9-star overall rating this pocket knife has on REI, you’ll be getting a great tool.
Pros:
- Features 13 tools
- Excellent edge retention
- Trusted by generations
Cons:
- No locking mechanisms for blades and tools
Other Pocket Knives We Like
With thousands of knives to choose from, there’s a good chance the blade you had your eye on didn’t make our list. But if you don’t see it here, don’t fret—there are plenty of other knives we love and highly recommend, even if they aren’t the best of the best. Find a handful of other great pocket knives below.
Blade length: 3.39 inches | Closed length: 4.45 inches | Weight: 4.1 ounces | Handle material: G-10
The Tenacious ticks a lot of boxes if you’re looking for a full-size EDC blade that won’t break the bank. Its 8Cr13Mov blade steel sharpens well and holds an edge, and Spyderco pairs it with G-10 scales that are lightly textured to improve grip. The large “Spyderhole” makes it incredibly easy to deploy the blade with bare hands or gloves, and the liner lock is equally solid. Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta has carried the Tenacious for years, reaching for it over other pocket knives because “the large handle is easy to grip, which in turn makes cutting with confidence a painless task.”
Amazon
Benchmade 533 Mini Bugout
Blade length: 2.82 inches | Closed length: 3.7 inches | Weight: 3.5 ounces | Handle material: Grivory
Benchmade’s Mini Bugout offers the same remarkable performance as its full-size counterpart, with only a slightly shorter blade. Perfect for those who prefer a more compact and lightweight EDC option without sacrificing functionality and versatility, it’s as capable as they come. Sure, you’ll wind up spending only a few dollars less on the Mini than you would on its full-size sibling, but if you’re looking to prioritize capability over price and don’t mind sizing down, this is a great option.
Blade length: 3 inches| Closed length: 4 inches | Weight: 3.04 ounces | Handle material: Stainless steel
The Kershaw Leek, designed by the renowned custom knifemaker Ken Onion, remains a timeless favorite among pocket knife enthusiasts. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its design, combining precision, style and versatility that never goes out of fashion. And while it may take a backseat to more modern blades with fancier blade steels and finishes, it’s no slouch when you need a pocket knife that just won’t quit.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our team of dedicated everyday carry experts here at Forbes Vetted are always keeping tabs on the latest updates and innovations in the world of sharp objects. We’ve published hundreds of guides on essential camping, hunting and outdoor tools, from the best hunting knives and trail cameras to articles on the top camping stoves and coolers. Together, our gear editor Cam Vigliotta and outdoor contributor Steven John have ample experience trying out these tools during their outdoor adventures. We also consulted with Director of Product at Victorinox Swiss Army Ann MacDonald on how to best care for your pocket knife, which is crucial for maintaining a quality blade and extending the lifespan of your knife.
In order to provide the most relevant advice on pocket knives, we regularly update this guide to reevaluate our top picks as new pocket knives enter the market and expand our buyer’s guide to answer your most burning questions. It was last updated in November 2023 to do the latter.
How We Chose The Best Pocket Knives
When compiling our list of the best pocket knives, we first sought out popular blades from highly-respected brands like Benchmade, Spyderco, Victorinox, Opinel and Kershaw. We then leveraged our gear-testing expertise with thorough research to narrow down the list further, prioritizing pocket knives made with durable steel, top-notch locking mechanisms and smooth folding abilities. We also looked at features like blade and closed length, overall weight and materials used (whether that be steel, wood, titanium, aluminum or something else) to make sure we found options suited for hunters, fishermen, campers, budget-minded shoppers and the average Joe.
Additionally, we tapped blade aficionado MacDonald to ensure we covered the ins-and-outs of all things pocket knives. To finalize our list, we examined reviews from the people who matter most: customers who bought these pocket knives themselves. Each of our top picks has overwhelmingly positive ratings.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Pocket Knife
There’s a lot more to pocket knives than meets the eye. Sure, the basic design accommodates a handle and a blade (and sometimes other tools as well), but materials, size, weight, blade types, locking mechanisms and more will dictate which one is right for you. While we could go deep into the weeds, start by taking these primary factors into consideration when the time comes to buy your next knife.
Blade Material
In choosing the best pocket knife, you should pay particular attention to the materials used when crafting the blade. The blade steel will dictate how the knife performs and in what environments you should use it. Some steels that contain vanadium such as CPM-10V, CPM-15V and Vanadis 8 will retain an edge for extended periods of use, while others will require sharpening every now and then. Other steels such as N680 and S110V resist corrosion, but this might sacrifice edge retention. The five main factors to consider when reviewing steel types include toughness, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. Keep in mind, though, the improvement of one factor will likely come at the expense of another.
Handle Material
The handle is often made from a natural material such as wood, bone or leather, a synthetic material such as carbon fiber or fiberglass, or a type of metal. In general, natural materials retain tradition and look matured, synthetic materials reduce weight and metals improve strength. Again, the handle you choose should be based on your wants and needs, as each substance offers its own unique benefits.
Size And Weight
Pockets knives come in various shapes and sizes. If you’re using your knife in the backcountry, you’ll want to look for a smaller knife that performs well without adding unwanted bulk. And if you’re using your knife on the job site, you’ll probably reach for something a little bigger that can tackle repetitive tasks. Keep in mind that many cities and states have restrictions in place that dictate how large a pocket knife can be, so be sure to review your local laws before picking up a knife.
Locking Mechanism
A pocket knife’s locking mechanism makes it safer to use, especially during more rugged tasks that require added strength and effort. For this reason, every blade on our list features a locking mechanism, except the Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Knife because it’s designed for less intense everyday tasks. While there are many different types of locking mechanisms—from a frame lock to an axis lock—each will work for the majority of tasks.
How To Care For Your Pocket Knife
The most important thing you can do to care for your pocket knife is to clean the blade and dry it fully after each use. “If stainless steel products are left uncleaned, aggressive substances like fruit acids and salt water can start to corrode the steel,” says MacDonald. “In order to avoid corrosion and difficulties opening individual tools, we recommend regular cleaning in warm water and oiling the friction points. We recommend using knife oil.”
Some pocket knives can also be disassembled for a more thorough cleaning. If yours falls into this category, taking the knife apart from time to time is a great way to get it fully cleaned and then fully dried, ensuring the folding action remains smooth and the blade protected from corrosive substances. Oh, and of course you should sharpen the blade as needed.
Navigating Pocket Knife Laws
When shopping for a pocket knife, it’s important to be aware of the legal landscape, which can be as diverse as pocket knives themselves. Knife laws vary by jurisdiction and can sometimes seem arbitrary. Here’s what you should consider:
- Local laws: Knife regulations are often determined at the local or state level, which means what’s legal in one area might not be in another. Pay attention to your local ordinances or refer to general guides that aim to help you understand the laws in your area.
- Blade length: Some areas restrict blade length, differentiating between everyday carry and potentially illegal knives. For example, New York City prohibits the possession of a knife with a blade that is more than four inches in length, while Chicago prohibits knives with a blade length longer than 2.5 inches. Know the maximum allowed blade length in your region before you decide to carry a pocket knife.
- Locking mechanisms: Certain places may limit the type of locking mechanisms your knife can have. Knives with one-hand opening and locking features might face stricter regulations.
- Concealed carry: It’s incredibly important that you take the time to understand the rules on concealed carry. Carrying a concealed knife could be prohibited, especially if you live in a city, so know the definition of concealed carry in your locale.
What Pocket Knife Is Best?
After evaluating independent tests, personal reviews and handling knives on a regular basis, we consider the Benchmade 535 Bugout to be the best pocket knife you can buy right now. The blend of quality materials, durability and superior craftsmanship make it a capable blade whether you’re dicing tomatoes or splicing rope. That being said, the best pocket knife for you will serve your day-to-day needs and keep pace with your life, acting as an efficient accessory rather than a hindrance.
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