What to Look for a Pocket Knife
The best pocket knife for you depends upon what your intended use of the pocket knife is. If you are planning on using it for hunting, you will need a different knife than if you were planning on using it for everyday carry.
This guide will walk you through what you should look for in an all-around great pocket knife that will last you for years in a wide range of tasks. These are pocket knives that you can easily and legally (see what knives are legal in your state) carry in your pocket day in and day out. These knives are great for cutting up thick shipping boxes, slicing apples, or even self-defense.
Brand DOES Matter!
Believe it or not, a knife?s brand really matters. Name brand knives are, on one hand, more expensive than cheap knives but, on the other hand, will give you fewer headaches as well as last longer.
For example, Benchmade allows you to send in any knife of theirs for as long as you own it to the factor for restoration. They will sharpen the blade to the correct angle, adjust all screws, replace worn down parts, and give it a factory shine. Non-name brands do not offer this.
On top of that, name brand knives give you better customer service. If you would like to sharpen a knife to factory condition at home, you can call the manufacturer?s customer service number and ask about the angle the factory uses for a certain model. Not only will the representative tell you, he might also give you insights about the knife that you didn?t know before?that was my experience with Cold Steel when I called them.
Some big brands also issue lifetime guarantees with their knives. This makes the $50-$100 investment in a good knife worth it. If you purchased a flea market knife for $20 and, every year, it breaks, after 5 years, you?ve spent $100! By paying a little more upfront at first, you save yourself money in the long run for the best pocket knife.
Great Steel Makes Great Knives
It should be no surprise that a great knife is made of great steel. All the knives reviewed here use top quality steel that will keep it?s blade over a lot of tough use. If you are interested in what a certain steel?s properties are, use KnifeUp?s search widget on the top right?KnifeUp has an extensive collection of steel guides. KnifeUp also recommends this steel guide.
Don?t Ignore the Handle!
If you are planning on carrying a knife every day, you must get a knife that has a great handle. Cheap plastic handles will hurt your hands and give you blisters after long, heavy use. Some handles will warp or fade colors when exposed to UV light; avoid these if you are outdoors a lot. The knives reviewed here all have high-quality handles and this guide will talk about each one in depth further on.
For Safety Reasons, Have A Good Lock
A pocket knife is a folding knife and, for that reason, you must have a good lock on the knife if you are planning on using the knife for heavy duty purposes. A lock prevents the blade from closing when you are using it and higher quality locks give the knife a firmer feel. Cheap knives use small or flimsy locks that will make the blade wobble after time.
EDC Requires a Good Clip
If you are planning on carrying a knife everyday, a good, secure clip is vital. Low quality clips can damage your pants or break. Poorly designed clips do not secure themselves properly to your pants and, often times, lead themselves to fall out of your pocket. Look for a smooth clip with no sharp edges.
Avoid clips that have a protruding screw, even if the screw is beveled. Try to get a clip that allows the knife to sit deep inside your pockets. Some clips can also be too tight and make it hard to remove a knife from your pocket.
