pocket knivesProbably the first knife you ever owned was a pocket folder, and I’ll bet it was also one of your most prized possessions, until you lost it and got a better one. I can’t imagine anyone who didn’t grow up owning a progression of better pocket knives, although I suppose there are some very deprived souls out there who didn’t.

Folding knives are still the knives you’re most likely to carry every day and use the most, because they’re out of sight and polite. Clips make them even more discreet, sitting on the edge of the pocket instead of laying somewhere at the bottom. Fifty years ago when I had a two hour argument with a Walmart clerk over whether the knife he sold me was the same as the knife on display, small differences in detail and shape meant a lot because choices were limited. Today folding knives come in an amazing variety of styles, from traditional to high tech tactical designs. New companies and new makers offer new and often better ideas. Case and Buck aren’t the only makers whose knives include automatic bragging rights.

Choose from one hand opening knives, spring loaded assisted opening versions, and even a few innovative types that aren’t easy to describe. The folding knife keeps evolving to more specialized forms, but the pocket knife you carried fifty years ago is probably still available today.

Some of Our Favorites

You can’t go wrong with the Buck Ranger, but the Ranger 112 FG sports an improved grip.

For everyday and special occasions, the Al Mar Hawk is a practical barlow with beautiful details.

Simplified and strong, the Victorinox Parachutist Lockback packs more than a knife blade.

Read All of Our Pocket Knife Reviews Below


Pocket Knife

Case Mini Trapper w/ Jigged Bone Handle Pocket Knife | Clip Point Lockback Slip Joint Spey Blade

The Case Mini-Trapper with jigged bone handle hasn’t changed much over the years. Although blades have upgraded to high carbon stainless...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Crater Knife, Carabiner Plain Edge C33L | Locking Pocketknife Folder, Drop Point Hollow Ground Blade 8601140

Full of good features but not complicated, the Leatherman Crater appeals to handymen, outdoorsmen, and anyone who needs a basic dependable...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Core Multitool & Crater Knife Combo Set | Plain Edge & Serrated Lockback 831085 C33LX

One of the most sensible improvements to any multitool is a separate knife to use instead of the awkward pen-knife blade...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Kershaw Indian Ford Gentleman’s Pocket Knife | Folding Lockback Stainless Steel Rosewood Handle

The Kershaw Indian Ford combines useful modern features with a look that reminds us a little of the classic barlow pocket...
JT Hats
1 min read

Kershaw Ener-G Folding Knife, Black | Lee Williams Custom Plain Edge Locking Blade & G10 Handle

Designed by Lee Williams and manufactured by Kershaw Knives, the Ener-G Knife with black G10 handle opens with a surprisingly easy...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Boy Scout Swiss Army Adventurer Pocket Knife BSA Red | Victorinox Locking Blade w/ Bottle & Can Opener, Awl, Toothpick

Any scout should be both proud and prepared when equipped with this fine, multi-blade Swiss Army Adventurer Pocket Knife. To make...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Swiss Army Electrician Folding Knife | Slim Victorinox Pocketknife w/ Wire Stripper, Silver Alox Handle

While the Silver Alox versions of Victorinox Swiss Army knives do have advantages compared to the classic red polymer and stainless...
JT Hats
1 min read

Swiss Army Craftsman Pocket Knife | Victorinox Multitool 20 Piece Emergency Kit, Red

With over twenty usable tools in a 3-1/2 inch handle, this knife will seem heavy to most users. Although it’s still...
JT Hats
1 min read

Swiss Army Classic Pocket Knife w/ LED Flashlight Gift Set | Victorinox Plain Edge Blade Multitool, Red Rubber

Anywhere you travel, you stand a good chance of needing a pocket knife, a flashlight, or both. The Classic set from...
JT Hats
1 min read

Swiss Army Centurion Locking Pocketknife by Victorinox | Includes Bottle & Can Opener, Screwdriver, Tweezers, Black Handle

Swiss Army knives are great knives to carry, but when you’re traveling on foot, saving weight sometimes means choosing to leave...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Swiss Army Cadet Pocket Knife by Victorinox | Stainless Steel w/ Silver Alox Handle, Key Ring

Only a little more than half as thick as the same knife built with stainless steel liners and cellidor handle slabs,...
JT Hats
1 min read

UZI Gift Set w/ Compass, Watch, LED Flashlight | Special Forces Tactical Knife Emergency Kit

The UZI Special Forces Set includes a tactical pocket knife, compass, watch, and an LED flashlight. Overall, it’s a good deal...
JT Hats
1 min read

Swiss Army Grip Nomad Knife Multitool by Victorinox | Includes Locking Blade, Corkscrew, Key Chain w/ Red Cellidor Handle

With such a varied array of sizes and combinations available, any knife user could find a Swiss Army knife to fit...
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55 sec read

Victorinox Heritage Limited Collectible Pocket Knife, Black Ebony Handle | Swiss Army Soldier 125th Anniversary Remake & Reissue

As part of the company’s 125th Anniversary celebration, Victorinox reissued this classic version of its first Soldier knife. Manufactured for the...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Boy Scout Swiss Army Explorer Knife BSA | Victorinox Pocketknife Multitool, Red w/ Magnifying Lens & Corkscrew

The Boy Scout version of the Victorinox Swiss Army Explorer features the same versatile set of blades and tools and includes...
JT Hats
1 min read

Spyderco Chokwe Knife w/ Chris Reeve Lock | Blade Magazine 2009 Manufacturing Quality Winner, Benefits “Keep A Child Alive”

The Spyderco Chokwe G-10 Titanium knife includes an important locking system from the Chris Reeve product line. Chris Reeve Knives won...
JT Hats
1 min read

Spyderco SlipIt Bob Terzuola Knife, Blade Magazine Collaboration Award 2009 | Carbon Fiber Plain Edge, One Handed Slip Joint

Winner of Blade Magazine’s 2009 Collaboration of the Year award, the Spyderco Bob T. Slip-It — also known as the Spyderco...
JT Hats
1 min read

Case Stag TrapperLock Pocket Knife 5154L | Locking Folder Stainless Steel 05525

Almost too good to be true, the Case Stag Series 5154L Trapperlock takes an old but loved pocket knife and makes...
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1 min read

Bear & Son Large Stockman Pocket Knife, Slip Joint 247R | Clip Point, Spey & Sheepsfoot Blade w/ Rosewood Handle

Built for work but good enough for show, the Bear & Son 247R Rosewood Large Stockman knife holds three important blade...
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1 min read

Bear & Son Muskrat Pocket Knife 2247R | Slip Joint Dual Clip Point Blade w/ Rosewood Handle, 4 Inch

Made in Alabama by Bear & Son Cutlery, this pocket slip joint folder shows that, even with simple knife styles, the...
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59 sec read

Kershaw Folding Double Duty Pocketknife | Lockback One Handed Clip & Spey Blade

Kershaw’s Double Duty Knife offers the same advanced features and traditional design as the smaller Double Cross. This 4-1/8-inch pocket folder...
JT Hats
1 min read

Case Medium Stockman Pocket Knife | Clip & Spey w/ Bone Amber Handle 6318 00039

The Case Medium Stockman 00039 offers styling similar to the Case Amber Stockman but with slight differences in blade design and...
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1 min read

Boker Double Action Plus Folding Knife | Automatic Locking Plain Edge Blade

The Boker Plus Double Action knife does have some good features which aren’t obvious on first glance. This knife looks like...
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1 min read

Boker Whittler Pocket Knife, Solingen Carbon Steel | Plain Edge w/ Red Jigged Bone Handle

The Folding Deluxe Whittler from Boker of Solingen, Germany, continues to be produced in what is now a somewhat rare metal...
JT Hats
1 min read

Case Trapper Pocket Knife, Yellow Delrin 161 | Stainless Steel California Clip & Spey Blade

With the look of aged bone as soon as it leaves the box, the 4-1/8-inch Yellow Trapper pocketknife from W.R. Case...
JT Hats
1 min read

Boker Tortoise Congress Pocket Knife | High Carbon Spear, Pen, & Sheepsfoot Blade

If you grew up with stainless steel pocket knives, you may not be aware there’s something better. High carbon tool steel...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Spyderco Tactical Pocket Knife w/ G-10 Handle | Short Blade ParaMilitary C81GS

Scaled down to only two thirds the size of the popular Spyderco Military knife, the ParaMilitary meets the needs of those...
JT Hats
59 sec read

Cold Steel Talwar Folding Knife by Lynn Thompson | San Mai Steel Pocket Sword VG1 60ST

Cold Steel jumped into the artistic pool with knives like the Talwar Folder, built in cooperation with designer Lynn Thompson. Called...
JT Hats
1 min read

Kershaw Folding Pocket Knife w/ Wood Handle | Lockback Double Cross Wharncliffe Blade

Classic pocket knives were nearly left behind when one-handed opening clip folders came along, even though modern clip folders lacked the...
JT Hats
1 min read

Kershaw Leek Pocket Folder Knife | Locking Assisted Opening Plain Edge Blade G-10

The Kershaw Leek offers civilians an efficient pocket folder with an opening system that’s as close to automatic as most owners...
JT Hats
1 min read