How to choose the right pocket knife

A pocket knife is a folding knife with one or more blades which can be folded, sheathed and locked into position using a latch located at the handle. These cool pocket knives are typically carried in a pocket, although they may be concealed within clothing if desired. They are most often used as tools and utensils, but some types of knives are also used as weapons when deployed.

History of Pocket Knives

In 1884, Paul Boye designed the Boye razor-sharp blade that he marketed to hunters. 
Most knife models marketed today also come with a blade sharpener integrated into the handle so that users do not need to carry separate sharpening devices or stones for their blades.

These knives have been made by various manufacturers for over a hundred years and have also been hand-made by craftsmen who specialize in knives. Pocket knife production is a traditional industry, dating back to at least the 1700s. Throughout their history, these cool knives have been made with various implements that can be folded into the handle and are often collected by enthusiasts.

What Do Pocket Knives Feature?

Most of these knives feature only one blade, but some models have multiple blades or tools in addition to the blade (most often contained in an entirely separate sheath) such as nail files, scissors or tweezers. The handles of folding knives are often constructed of metals such as brass, silver or stainless steel.

Pocket knife

Some models of folding knives have slots in the handles for the fingers. Folding knives have many advantages over fixed-blade knives because of their compactness and portability. The first types of these pocket knives were developed by Victorinox Swiss Army folder Swiss Army Knife in 1933, which also introduced a locking mechanism for the blades that was easy to use with gloves on. 

The modern design was patented by Albert Nobbs and Karel Van Berkel in 1934, who named it "Borner" (after them). It is still produced to this day with minor improvements. 
Officially called a "Borner" knife, this design was renamed "Swiss Army knife" when the Swiss army officially endorsed it as a pocket knife.

Pocket Knives: Three Major Kinds!

A folding knife is any small pocket-sized folding or fixed blade (non-folding) knife. There are three major kinds of pocket knives available: single blade, multi blade and multi tools. 

  • Single Blade

A single blade knife is a type of folding knife with only one cutting edge, making it ideal for daily carry and use. The term usually refers to relatively small knives with sharp blades and short grips. Single blade knives are often used as utility knives or self defense weapons designed by law enforcement officers. 

Some types of single blade pocket knives even have locking mechanisms which prevent accidental closing that could lead to injury or blunting the blade due to impact against an object such as a rock or tree root.

  • Multi Blades

Multi blade knives are pocket knives that contain two or more blades, either in a single folding knife, like a Swiss Army Knife, or in individual pieces held together with straps and clasps. These knives often have one large blade and at least one small utility blade. 

The type of steel determines the hardness which can be advantageous for the cutting edge but makes them more difficult to sharpen than single bladed knives. These tools are often confused with multi tools which are actually tools that contain multiple items such as screwdrivers and wrench sets in addition to blades. 

The distinction is important because you'll want to choose different types of steel depending on what you're using it for. Most are disposable but some are considered to be multi-use tools. They range from simple little folding knives with minimal functions which can only be used for cutting or opening things up to very complex multi-tool combos which have a wide range of uses. 

The most common sizes come in the form of a fixed blade edge and a smaller utility (or sometimes screwdriver) blade that can be retractable for easier storage.

Multi blade pocket knife

  • Multi Tools

There are also pocket knives and multi tools designed specifically for the outdoors, usually featuring several tools and sharp blades. A larger blade is often integrated into the handle, but any knife or multitool can include a small blade in addition to its main one, if they have them.

The driver bits in portable power tools are also called screwdrivers and drill bits. These portable power tools currently on the market are powered by rechargeable batteries, usually lithium-ion battery packs.

The multitool with multiple tools is often wrongly named a Swiss Army knife but it actually lacks one important feature of a Swiss army knife: a main folding knife blade. The term "Swiss Army knife" refers to any folding knife with multiple functions although the original Swiss army knives contain more than just multiple blades and tools.

Choosing a Pocket Knife - Key Factors


  • Blade Length

The length of a folding knife blade refers to the distance from the knife's base to its tip. There are three common lengths that are most popular for pocket knives:

  • 2 inches, giving you an overall length of 4.125 inches with a 1-inch blade at the front, and 2 inches long with a 3-centimeter blade at the back.
  • 3 inches, giving you an overall length of 5.25 inches with a 1-inch blade at the front and 3 inches long with a 6-centimeter blade at the back.
  • 4 inches, giving you an overall length of 6.875 inches with a 1-inch blade at the front and 4 inches long with a 7-centimeter blade at the back.

  • Blade Style

The blade is the most important part of any pocket knife, and there are many different styles to choose from. So the first thing you should consider when choosing a new pocket knife is which type will best suit your needs. There are two major types of blades in pocket knives: 

  • Fixed blades 
  • Folding blades 

Fixed blade knives, as the name suggests, have a non-moving blade that also cannot be sharpened below the heel (where it meets the handle). These operate on a pivot pin joint and can be used for more heavy duty tasks such as cutting family meals rather than making sandwiches.

Folding blades, however, have a spring that allows the knife to fold down so you don't have to carry a bulky knife with you at all times. These are typically used for more routine tasks like cutting rope or string. The benefit of folding blades is they are smaller and lighter than fixed blade knives. 

They also come in many different styles of blade shape and sizes which is a major factor in choosing your new pocket knife. In choosing the right type of blade for you it is important that you first determine the overall objective of buying a new pocket knife.

Folding pocket knife

  • Material of the Knife

A pocket knife is a small folding knife, typically with a blade under 2 inches (5 cm) in length. Also called a jackknife or penknife. Many people think that pocket knives are made of good material because they have many uses for them such as cutting food, opening boxes and so much more! 

They can be used in emergencies as well when you need to cut something very short term or even open something like a letter which has been sealed. The many materials used for these cool knives are: stainless steel, steel, titanium and carbon fiber. Some of the most popular brands include: Buck Knives, Tactical Knives and many more.

The Right Selection of Pocket Knives is Important!

A pocket knife is a must-have for most people. It's useful as a weapon and can be used as a tool to aid in many tasks. There are many different brands and models that vary in size, caliber, price, durability, and appearance. 

The quality of the tools depends on multiple factors such as user preferences, intended purpose of the tool, availability on the market or weight limits. A person should evaluate these factors before choosing their next knife purchase. This knife must also be chosen properly according to its intended use since some knives are better suited for cutting than others due to size limitations or blade shape.

These days, there are a variety of pocket knives that are either expensive or very cheap. It is important to understand that not all cheap knives are of poor quality and the same goes for expensive ones. There are some that cost little and perform better than others. There are also those that usually perform better but the price can be higher than what one might expect. 

Thus, before choosing a particular folding knife, it is important to know its specifications in terms of quality, durability and performance. This way one can get the best pocket knife available in the market today.

Also Read: Badass Knives You Should Own