Best Pocket Knife for Daily Use
Pocket knives have been around for a very long time and have changed over the years to become one of the most useful tools you can own. Many people carry a pocket knife with them daily. Others may decide to only use their pocket knife for a specific project, outdoor use, survival, or tactical situations.
No matter what your intended purpose is, finding a great pocket knife can be a pain. With the vast variety, it can be hard to determine which the best pocket knife is. To help, we have gathered information on what we consider to be some of the best pocket knives available.
Best Pocket Knife Reviews
Pocket knives come in many shapes and sizes, and many also offer several additional features. Simple pocket knives with a straight-edge blade are great for general daily use, while blades with serrated or partially serrated edges offer a bit more bite. Pocket knives may also feature multiple blades or additional tools for even more versatility.
Below you will find three pocket knives you can consider purchasing. We provided an in-depth description of each knife’s features, including special attention to any safety features. You will also get some unbiased list of pros and cons for each pocket knife.
1. Kershaw Select Fire Pocket Knife
The Kershaw Select Fire Pocket Knife features a 3.4-inch heat-treated stainless steel blade and a glass-filled nylon handle. The locking liner, manual opening, and pocket clip add extra safety and security when you are not using your knife.
Features
The blade is made of 8Cr13MoV steel which allows for a strong and sharp blade edge that will resist most regular wear without dulling. The handle features a textured nylon shell contoured to fit well in your hand while the glass filling gives the knife weight and balance.
The handle holds the added tools, including a ¼ inches hex drive, two flathead bits, and two crosshead bits. The hex drive is integrated into the handle and on a hinge allowing you to easily use any of the included bits without the need for any other tools.
This pocket knife has many added safety features. The multi-textured handle help to ensure you won’t slip while cutting or won't easily drop the pocket knife.
The manual open and locking liner reduces the chance your blade will extend by accident or while in your pocket. Also, the secure pocket clip keeps your pocket knife safely in your pocket.
Pros:
- Smooth edge blade
- Weighted and balanced handle
- Safe to use, handle, and keep
Cons:
- Hinge pin or screw may loosen with excessive use
- Tight belt clip; may be difficult to get on and off the pocket
- Highly visible when clipped to a pocket
2. Benchmade 940 Reverse Tanto Pocket Knife
The Benchmade 940 is a great all-around utility knife. This pocket knife is specifically designed to be used as an everyday carry (EDC) knife. It offers the best versatility in straight edge pocket knives.
Features
The blade is made from American CPM-S30V steel, which is highest-rated for edge retention and corrosion retention. On the other hand, the handle is made of durable anodized aluminum and features a smooth finish. Improved safety comes from the axis locking mechanisms.
This pocket knife is lightweight and offers a slim design. The 940 blade is 3.40 inches long, with a total knife length of 7.87 inches. The knife weighs just 2.90 ounces. Additionally, Benchmade carries both a LifeSharp and lifetime warranty, so you never have to worry about your pocket knife.
Pros:
- Made from quality materials
- Risk-free purchase
- Multipurpose
- Easy to carry around
Cons:
- The hinge may be stiff, making opening slow and difficult, especially at first
- Assembly issues; washers being inserted backward causing rubbing of the blade
3. TAC-FORCE TF606WS Pocket Knife
This TAC-FORCE pocket knife is not only a superior tactical pocket knife. You can choose to have one side of the handle engraved with up to two lines of text. The Burlwood offers a bit of style to this tactical knife.
Features
This knife features a 3.25-inch stainless steel blade that is a sleek 4.5 inches when the blade is collapsed. Assisted opening and the partially serrated blade make this a versatile pocket knife that can be easily carried. Weighing in at just 5oz., this pocket knife is not only a perfect tactical knife but can work well for many as an everyday carry knife.
For personalization, you can choose from seven popular font styles including Olde English and Brush Script. Each of the two lines can be up to 20 characters (including spaces) and both lines will be in the same font.
While the TAC-FORCE knife does come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee or one-year warranty, this does not cover the personalization of the item; only the knife with manufacturer defects or failure due to manufacturer defects.
Many customers have chosen to purchase this pocket knife and take the handle to an engraver locally. Reports show that this has provided better results for many people, especially for longer text and multiple text lines. Fewer issues are found with short names or initials.
Pros:
- Personalized and engravable
- Assisted open
- Partially serrated blade
Cons:
- Personalization may not be as clean as desired
- Customer service issues; all related to personalization
Verdict
We are of the opinion that everyone should own a great quality pocket knife and carry it on them whenever possible. If you are new to pocket knives, you may be surprised how often a simple tool can come in handy. When it comes to pocket knives, you really have to make some choices, mostly because there are so many available.
Each pocket knife in this review would be a great addition to any knife collection or make a great gift. But for the everyday knife user, we have chosen the Kershaw Select Fire Pocket Knife as the best pocket knife. With its stainless steel blade, the glass-filled texturized nylon handle, and bonus tools, this pocket knife is the perfect balance of strength, versatility, and reliability.
With that being said, we are sure that no matter which of the knives above you may decide on, you will have a quality pocket knife that will last you for years to come.