What Pocket Knife Should I Buy? A Complete Guide

For seasoned knife owners, getting a new pocket knife is never complicated. They usually know the next knife they are getting early on. However, for someone looking to buy a pocket knife for the first time in their life, making that decision can be hard considering the number of options available in the market.

To make work easier for those looking to purchase a pocket knife, we have compiled a detailed buying guide that should help you find the pocket knife that fits your needs right away. So stick around to the end to find out how you can achieve this.

The Material

What material is the knife blade made of? That’s one of the questions you should ask yourself when shopping for a pocket knife. One of the most important parts of a pocket knife is the blade. That’s the part that handles the actual cutting, and the stronger the material, the better the choice. You can choose from stainless steel, carbon fiber, aluminum, all the way to aluminum. The more durable the material, the higher the cost of the pocket knife, so keep that in mind when shopping.

The Budget

The price of pocket knives ranges from cheap to budget to luxury. If you wish to get your hands on a reliable pocket knife that will last you ages, then you should be ready to splash a significant amount of money. The price of any pocket knife hinges on the materials used in its construction more than anything else. You will pay more for a titanium or carbon fiber blade than you would for an aluminum one. A knife that has an ornamental handle made out of something rare as ivory will be costlier than a pocket knife with a wooden handle. Therefore, think of the budget at your disposal before making that final decision.

Purpose

Pocket knives come in all shapes and designs based on the purpose they were designed for. A tactical or defensive pocket knife will not have the same structure as a multitool knife, for example. The former will have a thicker blade and a longer handle for better grip as it is designed for close-quarter combat. You need to first figure out what you need to use the pocket knife for before making the final choice. This is how you avoid being in a situation where you are stuck with a fish gutting knife when all you wanted was a reliable camping and hunting knife.

Weight

Overall, pocket knives are light and compact, and they can easily fit in a pocket. However, depending on the purpose you want to use the knife for, you may want some little weight on the knife for efficiency. A pocket knife that has that extra weight has a better swing when it comes to applying force, and it can be used for more challenging tasks like cutting ropes, whittling wood, among other intensive work. You cannot pull this off when using a lightweight knife. Those are the types that are suited for lighter and more delicate duties.

Lock Type

The type of lock found on a pocket knife determines a lot of things that are related to the functionality. Things like the ease and speed of opening and closing the pocket knife depend on the type of lock built into the knife. If you are looking for a defensive pocket knife, for instance, then you should go for a lock type that is easy to flip open at a moment’s notice. This is important in situations where you are ambushed and need to defend yourself quickly.

The Brand

Brands matter a lot, especially when it comes to knives. There are countless knife manufacturers spread around the globe who have been around for a very long time. The experience they have gathered through the years makes them best placed to produce better knives compared to new players in the market. This is partly the reason why most of the old and established knife makers sell their products at high prices. You should never ignore the brand when hunting for a pocket knife. Do due diligence when researching brands to ensure you narrow down your options down to only the best.

The Handle

Being the niftiest knife around comes with some perks, and one of those is that you don't have to worry so much about the handle as you would when dealing with fixed knives. However, that doesn’t mean the handle on a pocket knife is inconsequential. Getting a good grip on your knife is essential to the efficiency and safety of the knife, and therefore, the handle should be taken very seriously. There are a myriad of options when it comes to pocket knife handles, and they range from wood, plastic, carbon fiber, metal, leather, and other materials. Take your time to feel the handles before making a decision to ensure that you have a knife that feels right in your hands when you hold it.

Shape of the Blade

Pocket knife blades come in varying shapes and grinds, each designed for a specific purpose. You need to know all the shapes and designs and align them to the purposes and intent that are driving you towards purchasing one for yourself. Do you want a double-edged blade, a smooth and pointed one, or a serrated blade? All these are questions you should be addressing as you conduct your search until you find something that works perfectly for you.

Conclusion

Choosing a pocket knife is not easy if you have never owned one before. You may not even get the right choice the first time around, and that’s perfectly okay. There are other factors that you can look up to ensure you widen your search range to increase the chances of landing what you need. You can check the knife catalog on our website (Shieldon - knife manufacturer) for more information and help.

You can also follow us through the following ways:

https://www.shieldon.net

https://www.facebook.com/ShieldonCutlery

https://www.instagram.com/shieldon_knives_and_tools/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Dz--HODWHFY4AaUF0z11Q

https://twitter.com/Shieldonknives1/

https://shieldonknivesandtools.tumblr.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/72285346/

https://www.pinterest.com/shieldonknivesandtools/