There is a bewildering variety of high quality folding knives for sale. Gerber lists over 80 different models of folding knives on their website. This article will help make sense of the variety.
Legal Issues
It is important to check local laws. For example, United Kingdom law allows only non-locking knives less than three inches long to be carried (Spyderco designed their "UK Pen" model specifically to comply with UK law).
Common restrictions include:
- Blade length (often 3 inches maximum).
- Blade deployment methods (switchblades and butterfly knives – balisongs – are often banned).
- Blade locks.
Restrictions on where knives can be carried (example: banks, liquor stores, schools, work places) should also be noted.
Blade Lock
Blades should lock when open. Otherwise the knife could accidentally close on the user's hand. An injury like this when backpacking in a remote area would be dangerous.
Blades should also lock automatically on being opened. If a separate step is required to engage the lock, the step can be accidentally skipped. There are different types of locks. For the average user, the specific type doesn't matter.
Blade Length
Blade length will affect the usability of the knife more than any other feature. Shorter blades are easier to control but may be too short for some tasks:
- Two inches is about the shortest practical length.
- Three inches is a good compromise length.
- Four to five inches is the maximum length for general utility use. Anything longer is more suited to chopping.
Serrated Versus Plain Edged Blades
Knives with serrated (saw tooth or wavy) edges:
- Do cut better for some materials (rope, clothing – good for rescue personnel).
- Stay sharp longer.
- Are harder to sharpen.
- Look more aggressive, potentially causing problems with officials.
Unless there is a specific requirement for a serrated blade, a plain smooth edged blade is the safer choice.
Handle Grip
A good non-slip grip is essential for safety. A slippery handle can cause the hand to slide up onto the blade. A good grip comes from:
- The surface of the handle. Rough handles will provide more grip. However handles that are too rough can scrape the skin.
- The shape of the handle. Handles with finger indentations or that swell up towards the blade will help keep the hand off the blade.
Single Handed Opening
Modern folding knives have holes or studs in the blade so that they can be pushed open with the thumb - opening the knife using only one hand. This is a safety feature, not a gimmick. In an emergency, one hand may be occupied (holding on to something) or injured.
Lanyard Hole
While a small detail, a hole to allow a carrying cord to be attached is useful. It can prevent the knife from being lost. The cord can be clipped to the belt or the backpack.
Popular Pocketknife Brands and Stainless Steels
While there are advantages to carbon steel (non stainless steel), stainless steel is the better choice for the casual non-expert user. Super steels (premium steels) with names such as ATS-34, ZDP-189, VG-10, CPM-S30V are nice but not necessary. Their main advantage is that they stay sharp longer. Frequently sharpening a less expensive blade can give the same performance.
Not many people will be willing to use a knife costing hundreds of dollars for rough work. A more modest knife will be more likely to be actually used. Two knives can be purchased instead of one expensive knife:
- To serve as backup against loss or damage of one knife.
- To allow more than one blade length to be carried.
A basic low-cost knife from a well-known manufacturer will be fine for general use. Popular brands include Buck, Kershaw, Gerber (Gator), Boker, SOG, Benchmade, Cold Steel, Swiss Army (Victorinox, Wenger), Leatherman, Spyderco, Schrade, Smith & Wesson and Ka Bar.
The Best Pocketknife
There are many different models of folding knives, but the main features are not complicated. Safety and usability are the main concerns when choosing a pocketknife. To better understand how to choose knives, the following articles will be useful: Best Multitool Guide, Fixed Blade Knife Guide (explains blade thickness and shape), Best Kitchen Knife Guide.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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