Whether it's for personal protection or use at a campsite, having a pocket knife handy can benefit you in a number of situations. Along with being great for travel, many people make a habit of keeping one on them at all times, for those occasions when you just need a knife around.
A pocket knife is a small foldable knife that can be stored in a pocket. They typically have a shorter blade that can be folded into the handle for easier usage and storage. (See also: The 5 Best Swiss Army Knives)
The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 G-10 Plain Edge Knife is similar to the acclaimed Military model, in a more compact size. The black steel pocket clip allows the knife to be carried tip-up or tip-down while the piped lanyard hole offers an additional carry option. It features a nested compression lock and clip-point flat-ground CPM-S30V blade that cuts cleanly through all materials. The pivot bushing system allows you to smoothly open and close the blade. The handle is narrower at the grip position and features ergonomic curves for comfortable usage and superior control.
This is available in a range of colors. It's recommended by Gizmodo and has more than 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Men's Health also deemed it the best knife for survival.
The Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 Knife is one of the best multipurpose knives out there. It features a rust-resistant drop-point blade, glass-filled nylon handle, and lanyard hole. The blade-locking system and reversible pocket clip make this ambidextrous and capable of being opened and closed single-handedly. The smaller, lighter design and handle grips make it comfortable to use. This is available in various colors and finishes. It's recommended by The Sweethome and has over 600 five-star reviews on Amazon.
The Buck Knives THE 55 Folding Hunter Pocket Knife is a smaller version of the renowned 110 Folding Hunter Knife. It's perfect for piercing and slicing. The lightweight, compact locking knife features a 2-3/8-inch 420HC stainless steel clip point blade and 3-3/8-inch closed length, natural wood grain handle, and brass bolsters. It lasts longer thanks to superior edge retention and corrosion resistance. It has a nail notch on the blade and a lockback mechanism for safer usage. It's backed by outstanding online reviews and an unconditional lifetime warranty.
If you're looking for the perfect accompaniment for your next camping trip, then the TAC Force Assisted Opening Tactical Folding Knife is just what you need. It features a 3-1/4-inch, 3 mm thick half-serrated stainless steel blade, pocket clip, and sturdy aluminum handle with a bottle opener and a glass breaker on the end. The spring assist tactical folding knife offers rapid one-handed deployment and locks securely with a liner lock.
This is available in a range of colors and designs. It's built to last and offers a great value for the price. It has over 7,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
The Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops Liner Lock Folding Knife is a trusty knife from a trusted brand. It has a black aluminum handle with jimping, index flipper, ambidextrous thumb knobs, and pocket clip. The folding knife is recommended by Business Insider and has outstanding online reviews.
And those are our recommendations for the best pocket knives. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.