The Best Pocket Knives

Whether it's for minor household tasks, outdoor activities, or protection, a quality pocket knife is an important item for any adult to have. There are a million and one uses for pocket knives, but unfortunately, people only tend to think about pocket knives when they suddenly find themselves in need of one. To spare you from that predicament, we've assembled this comprehensive list of the best pocket knives on the market. Read on to discover the pocket knife that best suits your needs.

Fanfoobi Engraved Hunting Pocket Knife

A fan of Fanfoobi

Fanfoobi's engraved pocket knife makes for a thoughtful and practical gift for any outdoor enthusiast.
Best Overall

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Looking for a gift that effortlessly melds something practical with something personal? This engraved pocket knife from Fanfoobi is the pick for you. This pocket knife features a strong stainless steel blade along with a black wood handle. Fanfoobi gives you the option of choosing between three personalized messages that are sure to make your loved one smile. The blade is 4.5″, and the handle features a bright LED light at the back end for illuminating your surroundings at night. The linear locking mechanism is reliable and tough, keeping your blade safely tucked away when not in use.

Pros:

  • High-quality pocket knife with personalized messages to choose from
  • Features a bright LED light on the handle
  • Sports a reliable linear locking mechanism

Cons:

  • It doesn’t come with an instruction manual, so it can take a few minutes to figure out how to turn the LED light on and off

Customization Mill Personalized Pocket Knife

The sharpest tool in the shed

This pocket knife from Customization Mill offers top-notch functionality along with custom engravings.
Best Grip

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For some folks, the only gift better than a pocket knife is a pocket knife with your name engraved on it. With Customization Mill’s personalized pocket knife, you can do just that. You can choose between 20 elegant fonts and write a message or name on the handle. From there, Customization Mill handles the rest. In days, you’ll have a gorgeous, personalized pocket knife ready to be gifted to your loved one. This pocket knife is on the smaller side, making it a good choice for folks who aren’t trying to make a big show of their blade. The stainless steel blade is durable and sharp, and the wood handle feels sturdy and secure. We highly recommend this personalized pocket knife for anyone looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in their life.

Pros:

  • 20 fonts to choose from
  • Customization Mill allows you to write whatever name or message you want on the handle
  • Top-notch stainless steel blade

Cons:

  • The finish on the wood handle could be a little more durable

Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Pocket Knife

Swiss versatility

It's hard to compete with the legends, and Victorinox's classic Swiss Army knife is case in point.
Best Classic

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The Swiss Army knife is probably the most recognizable and popular pocket knife in the world. For decades, people have chosen them for their unparalleled versatility and design quality. There have been many imitators over the years, but no one makes the Swiss Army knife better than Victorinox. Victorinox’s pocket knife features a blade, nail file, screwdriver, scissors, and more. Not to mention, the instantly recognizable deep red coloration and the classic Swiss logo make this knife aesthetically pleasing as well. This pocket knife boasts a feature for every occasion, and at a price this reasonable, we can’t recommend it enough.

Pros:

  • The original, world-renowned Swiss Army knife
  • Features multiple different tools
  • Elegant appearance

Cons:

  • The blade isn’t nearly as sharp as the other pocket knives on this list

Kershaw Blur Black Pocket Knife

Back in black

Kershaw's premium, ultra-sharp pocket knife is a durable and reliable choice that's perfect for discerning knife enthusiasts.
Premium Pick

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If you’re on the hunt for a gift that will please the most discerning of rugged outdoor enthusiasts, this little beauty from Kershaw is the pick for you. Kershaw’s matte black pocket knife is the kind of premium quality blade you’ll only find on the most experienced hikers, campers, and fishermen. This pocket knife boasts SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, which makes releasing the blade seem effortless. The reversible pocket clip makes storing it on your belt or jeans a cinch, while the ergonomically placed thumb stud helps with opening the blade. The stainless steel blade is ultra-sharp and colored a deep black that matches nicely with the dark handle. The asking price on this pick is a little steep, but you won’t find this kind of quality at a price lower than this.

Pros:

  • Premium pocket knife for outdoor enthusiasts
  • The SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism makes opening the knife simple
  • Reversible pocket clip makes for easy storage

Cons:

  • Steep asking price

TAC Force Tactical Spring-Assisted Pocket Knife

Sharp and shiny

TAC Force offers a bevy of colorful, iridescent blades in this stylish pocket knife assortment.
Most Unique

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The old saying goes, “variety is the spice of life,” and TAC Force understands that well. That’s why they’ve provided us with so many solid color choices for this tactical spring-assisted pocket knife. With 10 designs to choose from (including an iridescent rainbow design and three camo blends), there’s sure to be something that suits your taste. TAC Force’s blade is half-serrated, making it a versatile option for both slicing food and tearing through rough objects like rope or paracord. The durable aluminum handle features a bottle opener and glass breaker for emergencies, too. We highly recommend this pocket knife for those interested in a blade that deftly blends style and substance.

Pros:

  • 10 awesome designs to choose from
  • Unique iridescent blades
  • The half-serrated blade makes this pocket knife more versatile

Cons:

  • The blade sometimes has trouble locking in place

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the most common uses for pocket knives?

Pocket knives come in handy for many different situations. Some of the most common uses are fishing, hunting, opening packages, whittling, cutting food, sharpening pencils, throwing, and protection. As we mentioned in the intro, sometimes you accidentally find a new use for a knife when you’re in a situation where you wish you had one.

Is it legal to carry a pocket knife?

Legality differs depending on where you live. Different states and countries have different restrictions on the legality of carrying knives, so be sure to research the laws in your area. Generally, though, most local governments allow citizens to carry knives (with certain restrictions applied).