This article was submitted by Lauren Thomas of reviews.com
Finding a great pocket knife
There’s no argument: a great pocket knife is an essential item on the packing list for camping trips, hiking excursions, and every adventure in between. But how can you find the best option for you when so many knife companies claim to have the sharpest blade and the comfiest grip? As it turns out, pocket knives are an extremely personal purchase, but the team at Reviews.com works to make it a little easier.
Pocket knives are tools, not weapons. Knives are highly specific to the job they’re assigned, meaning that a weapon-type knife is structured in a vastly different way than a pocket knife. Similarly, a pocket knife is very different from a multitool. It’s important to determine what function you’re hoping for first, as it will guide your search.
A traditional pocket knife will have a folding blade as opposed to a fixed blade, which serves a different purpose. The blade typically falls between 2.75 and 3.25 inches: smaller than that, and the knife is more of a glorified box-cutter. Larger than 3.25 inches, and it may be hard to conceal in your pocket for everyday carry.
Steel quality is important but personal. There is a lot of information out there about steel types, and which perform the best. Again, many companies claim to offer the sharpest, most durable blade, but these characteristics often have a tradeoff. Harder steel may hold an edge for longer, but this typically makes it harder to sharpen. A less hard steel may dull more quickly, but you can likely sharpen it at home. The “best” pocket knife will have a steel type that matches what you’re willing to contribute in terms of maintenance.
The handle should fit YOUR hand specifically. Before purchasing a knife, you should always test it in your hand for comfort and ease of opening and closing. Hand size and strength vary greatly person-to-person, so what’s best for someone else isn’t necessarily best for you. You can always visit your local knife specialty shop for more questions and to check out popular styles in person.
Extra features may or may not be helpful. As mentioned before, a true pocket knife is meant as a small blade, not a multitool. That’s not to say that knives with extra features are ineffective, rather you want to ensure that the other features don’t minimize the function of the blade. Sometimes adding other features means a smaller blade or a different shape that may not work as well.
You’ll also want to imagine what it will be like to carry your next potential knife. If you plan for everyday carry, are there any features of the handle that will be uncomfortable? Some find that knife grip clips dig into their legs while in a pocket, or even wear holes in their pants — so beware!
For more information about finding a great pocket knife, and to see which models Reviews.com recommends, check out their original article here: https://www.reviews.com/