The best pocket knives stay sharp and open smoothly. Here’s what makes them a cut above the rest.
$59.99
The Iridium is one of Kershaw’s most popular releases and for good reason. It’s priced modestly with a secure bar lock-out, easy open and closure one-handed, and just looks cool. It’s also the sweet spot for most people in terms of size, weight, and style. Not ultralight (just over 3 ounces), the 6061-T6’s aluminum handle and slim profile keep it barely noticeable in your pocket.
When testing, I found the 4.5-inch length was great for my medium-sized hands and shouldn’t be too big or small for any hands—or jobs. Kershaw offers low- and mid-priced production knives made in China but they follow up with high quality control in their Oregon facilities and consistently deliver designs that just work.
At the core of the Iridium series is a secure, Benchmade-style crossbar lock and while there are models that veer into Benchmade prices, many models including the original can be had for less than $100.
The Iridium is easy to use—opening with a smooth action, activated by the thumb stud opener. Though it’s not spring-assisted, the blade flicks open fast without resistance. Closing is similarly smooth—just pull down on the crossbar lock and close with a finger or hold upright and let the blade fall shut. I usually prefer the satisfying speed of a flipper, but the smooth action of the Iridium’s thumb stud opening rivals the Benchmade Bugout’s, and it quickly grew on me.
The D2 steel used in the original, which offers decent edge retention and durability, is common in lower-cost knives but can rust if you abuse it. A compromise option: Go with the black oxide-coated D2 blade which keeps all but the cutting edge sealed off from rust. The look on all these versions of the Iridium matches the modern design features, and the only drawback of how smooth and slick the knife looks, is that it’s not the best for operating in wet or muddy conditions where grip could become an issue.
Our top picks from Benchmade, Kershaw, Osborne, CRKT, and more.
$167.81
Benchmade is an American knife brand based in Oregon with a loyal following for its premium production pocket knives. Known for lightweight designs, modern materials, and innovation, the brand has produced many favorites—but my top pick is the Benchmade 535 Bugout.
To me, the Bugout captures what Benchmade does best: an ultralight folder that’s still strong, well-built, and made with high-quality steel (and the same holds true with the Benchmade 533 Mini Bugout). Some might argue the Benchmade Osborne 940 is the brand’s most iconic knife, but I reach for the Bugout every time—especially for hunting, camping, backpacking, or backcountry skiing, where weight matters.
The design is modern without feeling overly tactical. It’s streamlined with a simple profile and a practical drop-point blade. The textured Grivory scales—glass-reinforced plastic—keep weight incredibly low while maintaining rigidity.
At under two ounces and just 0.42 inches thick, the Bugout is barely noticeable in a pocket, making it ideal for long outdoor trips. For those who don’t like the Grivory feel, there are versions with aluminum or carbon-fiber scales and a range of steel options.
Operation is another highlight. Benchmade’s Axis Lock uses a spring-loaded crossbar that allows easy one-handed opening and closing from either hand while keeping fingers out of the blade path. The mechanism is simple, strong, and easy to maintain—I even built one myself at the Benchmade factory and found it intuitive without instructions.
In terms of cutting performance, my Bugouts arrived razor-sharp out of the box. I prefer the standard S30V steel because it balances edge retention with easier sharpening in the field, though higher-end options like S90V are available if you want longer-lasting sharpness. S30V is also tough and corrosion-resistant, which suits hard outdoor use.
Benchmade’s lifetime warranty and sharpening service add real long-term value. The Bugout isn’t cheap, but with its reliability, ultralight design, and customization options, it’s easy to recommend—especially for outdoor enthusiasts or anyone wanting a high-quality everyday carry knife.
Editor’s Note: March 6, 2026: We added two new knives for this update: the full-size Benchmade Bugout 535—an ultralight knife of exceptional quality; and the CRKT Twist Tighe, an excellent choice for a first switchblade. Last month, we added the Leatherman Glider as a high-end option that's well worth its price point; and the Case Kinzua, a slim yet rugged option that's made in the U.S.
$26.64
Coast is one of several Oregon-based knife manufacturers (the company also sells a wide range of flashlights and headlamps) to offer a range of budget-friendly folding pocket knives. My favorite from their lineup is the fairly small but robust Contra which has an all-metal build and a lifetime warranty despite the low cost. The wharncliffe blade, made from a softer 7CR17 steel, dulls faster than high-end steels but has the benefit of being easy to sharpen at home.
The wharncliffe blade gives you the utility of a box cutter blade but much more versatility as you retain a decent point for puncturing tasks, and I’ve come to prefer it for everyday carry over more traditional drop point shapes. Coast adds durability to its budget steel with a black oxide coating that I found doesn’t scratch easily. The knife is a full stainless-steel build with a good-looking stonewash finish on the handle which integrates the frame lock system.
The flipper opening is fast and satisfying for knife fidgeters but it’s usually safer to employ a two-handed closure. Given the overseas production and ultra-low sticker price, this pocket knife’s durability could be a potential concern, but I’ve used mine roughly near-daily for more than a year and haven’t broken or chipped the blade. It still looks like new.
It’s always surprising to me how few people carry a pocket knife. I know they don’t have one because when a salami needs to be sliced on a mountaintop or a zip tie needs to be cut, they look around helplessly as I pull out mine and deploy it to solve the problem.
$299.99
I’ve been looking for a good automatic pocket knife for years, and the CRKT Twist Tighe Automatic is the only one that I’ve found that doesn't feel like a novelty knife. It’s compact, lightweight, fun to use, and practical enough for everyday carry while still delivering the fun factor that draws many people to automatic knives in the first place.
Automatics, often called switchblades, are popular with knife enthusiasts because they’re inherently fidget-friendly. The Twist Tighe is an out-the-front (OTF) automatic, meaning the blade deploys straight out of the front of the handle. Besides being undeniably cool, I find the operation safer than many folding knives because it’s harder to accidentally place your fingers in the blade’s path when opening and closing.
The highlight is its smooth double-action mechanism. Sliding the spine button forward fires the blade; pulling it back retracts it. Many automatics I’ve tried are either stiff or inconsistent, but the Twist Tighe feels smooth and reliable even after repeated use. That ease of operation also makes it surprisingly approachable for people who aren’t experienced with knives.
The design comes from Canadian knife designer Brian Tighe, and the handle’s raised spiral grooves are a distinctive touch fans of his work will recognize. In the all-black configuration, the knife looks sleek and slightly dramatic without becoming impractical. My version features a tanto blade with a black titanium nitride finish, while other configurations of the Twist Tighe have double-edged blades and more colorful scale options.
Size and weight are also a big difference from other automatics. At just 1.6 ounces with a 2.65-inch blade and about a 4-inch closed length, it’s remarkably small for an OTF knife and easy to carry daily. However, people with large hands may find it a bit compact.
Overall, the Twist Tighe combines premium materials like CPM MagnaCut steel with one of the smoothest actions I’ve experienced. If you’re looking for a compact, high-quality OTF automatic for everyday carry, it’s an excellent choice.
For outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and fishing, a pocket knife is invaluable when household tools are out of reach. Granted, the basic design of a folding pocket knife hasn’t changed radically over the centuries, but what has evolved are the styles and mechanisms making pocket knives enjoyable to both use and collect. Almost any knife can perform the core function of cutting, but once you start carrying a pocket knife daily, you’ll develop preferences for the look, feel, and function.
$132.20
Case is one of the original American knife brands still standing and, unlike many of their competitors that have shipped production to China, most of Case’s knives are still designed and produced in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Whether or not that matters to you, Case makes great knives and while they sell a lot of nostalgic designs unchanged for a century, the Kinzua is one of their modern EDC offerings that departs from the Case aesthetic with synthetic scales, sharp lines, and a tanto blade.
The satin-finished S35VN steel blade is a good compromise of hardness and edge durability while still being fairly easy to sharpen at home. It also has a lightly weathered look that should hide abuse well. One note is that, while extremely sturdy, the all-metal frame-lock design is pretty stiff to close out of the box.
Releasing the frame lock requires some force and closing requires a few moves. With a little practice I was able to comfortably operate it one-handed, but folks with smaller or weaker hands may not feel the same.
There are several factors to weigh when determining the right pocket knife for you, including blade steel type and opening and locking mechanism, along with size and weight. I test dozens of these each year, and I’ve chosen the favorites below (in a range of styles and price points) only from the knives I’ve personally used.
325.00
The Benchmade 916 Triage rescue knife is a purpose-built tool that feels like an everyday carry folder but the features make it pro-grade emergency equipment that happens to fold into your pocket.
It has a 3.58-inch partially serrated, blunt-tipped blade made from N680 stainless steel, a choice that prioritizes corrosion resistance over edge retention. The blade deploys via Benchmade’s AXIS Lock mechanism, snapping open and locking in place with authority and easily operates one-handed.
What separates the Triage from typical folding rescue knives and multi-tools is the purpose-built features that don’t go overboard. There’s a hook-style safety cutter built into the handle for slicing seatbelts or clothing without exposing flesh to a blade, plus a carbide glass breaker at the pommel. The flathead screwdriver-style blade tip empowers you to use the thick, sturdy blade as a compact pry bar—usually a surefire broken tip on a standard drop-point blade.
The G10 scales sit atop a thick aluminum frame which gives the knife a sturdy, almost overbuilt feel. At 5.75 ounces and over eight inches open, it’s not discreet, but it’s still very compact and light for a rescue knife. The texturing on the scales and overall heft translates to durability and grip, especially with gloves or in wet conditions.
Benchmade backs it with a limited lifetime warranty and its LifeSharp service, meaning the company will repair or replace defects and even tune up the knife to keep it sharp and effective long-term. It’s one of the more robust support systems in the knife world and reinforces the idea that this is a tool meant to be used hard.
This is not a knife for everyone. If you want a more well-rounded EDC option, look elsewhere in this guide or consider one of the other Triage models with drop-point blades. But for first responders, firefighters, paramedics, or anyone who prioritizes preparedness, the Triage is the professional-grade choice.
The Best Pocket Knives
$299.95
Leatherman is synonymous with multitools but made waves earlier this year with the release of a new lineup of fixed-blade and folding knives at premium price points. These aren’t the first knives the company has ever produced, but the launch of a lineup and creation of a separate production facility signals a serious push into the new-for-them category.
I love the smart designs and precision production behind Leatherman’s multitools and while I wasn’t wowed by all of their knives, the Glider is one of my favorite everyday carry options now.
The Magnacut sheepsfoot blade is hard, holds an edge forever, and has a slightly rounded belly that isn’t far from working like an extra-long utility knife blade. While I reach for other blade shapes for outdoor knife purposes, I love sheepsfoot and wharncliffe blades for everyday use as they’re perfect for opening boxes and slicing tasks but still give you enough of a point for puncturing as well.
Other knives like the alternatives below offer similar functionality, but the aesthetics and build are why I love the Glider. I prefer the heft and strength of an all-steel knife and that’s what you get here. Leatherman machines the handles from blocks of steel with smart internal cut-outs to save some weight.
The Glider also debuts a patent-pending Delta lock which has a slick button release that’s functionally similar to a crossbar lock but easier to operate.
What sets the Glider apart is the brand name, the aesthetic, and the minimalist design which uses only 12 distinct parts and is built like a tool almost entirely from American steel and manufactured in Oregon.
For an amazing little budget knife with an all-metal build and wharncliffe blade for way, way less, look at the Coast Contra reviewed in more detail above.
- Best Overall: Kershaw Iridium Pocket Knife
- Best Ultralight: Benchmade Bugout 535 Pocket Knife
- Best Budget: Coast Contra Pocket Knife
- Best Switchblade: CRKT Twist Tighe Pocket Knife
- Best American-made: Case Kinzua Pocket Knife
$66.82
More than two years ago, the SOG Twitch II was our Best Overall pocket knife so we called in the latest generation, the SOG Twitch III, to test.
Spring-assisted knives are super-satisfying to deploy and the SOG Twitch III is blink-of-an-eye quick which is just plain fun, but also gives you confidence that the blade is fully deployed and locked in.
My favorite way to open this pocket knife is with the flipper tab on the back of the spine (there are also dual thumb studs) making it easy to open one-handed no matter what you’re doing with the help of the SOG Assisted Technology. The blade locks out with a classic lockback mechanism which releases via a redesigned slide on the spine to keep your fingers out of the way when closing. It is much easier than previous Twitch editions but still can be a little fiddly one-handed.
The price, at just under $70, makes it attainable for almost anyone who is searching for a good-looking EDC folder as well. SOG keeps the cost down with a solid mid-tier 154CM steel that provides a suitable balance of durability coupled with ease of sharpening at home. The black titanium nitride coating looks great paired with black aluminum scales, but there are also various options if you want a different style.
The Twitch III is a small, slick, and classy knife especially for the price, but the minimalism leads to one gripe: the smooth aluminum scales can be difficult to properly grip with gloves or wet hands. It’s also petite which is great for staying low-profile, but will feel tiny in larger hands.
How We Tested
$129.00
It takes a lot to stand out in the pocket knife world these days. There are more knife companies and knife designers than ever which makes it a beneficial time to shop for knives, yet it can feel like every new knife is just a slight riff on an existing folder.
Vosteed’s Parallel feels distinct the second you pick it up. That’s mostly due to how impossibly thin it is at 0.28 inches — about 9 credit cards. At 2.36 ounces, it’s also extremely light and sits barely noticeable in your pocket.
A knife this thin could be considered a flimsy novelty using lots of light plastics, but it has a surprisingly substantial feel with a 154CM blade and titanium handle that combine for real world usage. It’s ready to go rather than being a pocket knife you marvel at for its engineering.
I find the Reverse Tanto blade especially handy as well, combining a fine point with a relatively flat blade that’s suited for slicing and cutting. The crossbar lock is secure and familiar to knife enthusiasts while working equally well for lefties. The satin blade with black handle combo that I own is eye-catching, but Vosteed offers a dozen combinations of blade and handle finishes from blacked-out to colorful gradients.
To hone in on the knives people want most, I limited my testing so that the following recommendations are pocket knives from major manufacturers that are widely available in North America—and ones that aren’t prohibitively expensive. While I tested some of these knives specifically for my recommendations here, including the Kershaw Iridium, I’ve had others in my pocket on and off for years. These knives have been subjected to all the daily tasks that come up, from opening packages to field dressing elk (if I’m lucky).
10) What to Consider
As a baseline for any new knife, I check the factory edge for sharpness, look for corrosion resistance with a salt water bath and air drying, and (when feasible) I disassemble the knife to better understand the lock and open/close mechanisms. After beating up a knife for a while, I also sharpen the blade with stones with an angle guide to find out just how easy it is to return the blade to sharp. One of my favorite “tests” is handing a knife to friends and strangers to see how regular people react to opening and closing one for the first time, since I spend more time with knives than most.
Are there legalities with shipping pocket knives and with blade length?
Possibly. First, not all pocket knives are the same. The legal definition of pocket knives may vary across states and at the federal level which can impact shipment and receipt.
Most states also have some kind of restrictions on what knives you can carry on your person. Even in wild west Colorado where I live, it is illegal to carry a blade longer than 3.5 inches “concealed” which would include “in your pocket.” In New York state where I grew up, switchblades are illegal and you must be a U.S. citizen to even own a knife, but there are no concealed carry restrictions. Check your state laws here.
Outside of local laws, consider how a knife fits in your hand. A knife that feels tiny and awkward to someone with large hands might be perfect for someone else. If you’re not already a regular pocket knife carrier, stop into an outdoors store where you can handle a wide range of knives and see what feels good. Most people will feel comfortable with blades in the 2.5- to 3-inch range, though folks with larger hands may want something bigger.
How should I keep my pocket knife sharp?
I’ll start with a caution—that you may not want a surgically sharp pocket knife. Because I use my pocket knife so frequently and casually, I don’t like to be as cautious as you have to be with an ultra-sharp blade.
I experimented with carrying a replaceable blade knife for a few months and I ended up giving myself several minor but annoying slices. That said, any knife will eventually require sharpening. Most pocket knives have a fairly obtuse 20-degree or higher blade angle, which makes them less challenging to sharpen yourself.
Knife sharpening is a skill that’s not easy to master (learn how here), but there are tools available to help. While whetstone sharpening is soothing in a Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sort of way, you probably already have a pull-through sharpenersomewhere (check kitchen drawers).
These sharpeners aren’t the perfect sharpening solution, but they’re relatively idiot-proof and good enough to perk up your blade. If all of this sounds like something you’ll never bother with, there are lots of mail-in sharpening services such as The Sharp Brothers, who will professionally sharpen your blades for a fee. Also, many manufacturers offer similar services. Benchmade, for example, has a LifeSharp program that gives you free sharpening for any Benchmade knife. Some manufacturers such as Kershaw also offer blade replacement (often for a fee) if you’ve broken or otherwise damaged your blade beyond repair.
How much should a good pocket knife cost?
This is both a surprisingly common and difficult-to-answer question. Obviously personal budget comes into play, but so do your preferences. Despite considering myself a pocket knife enthusiast, I carried a cheap pocket knife from Walmart for years that cost me literally $1. The company raised the price to $2 at some point. Those knives would rust at the hinge, but they did the trick and were great for putting in my checked luggage. I wouldn’t worry about losing it at my destination and wouldn’t cry if the TSA took it.
In the United States, carrying most pocket knives won’t break any laws. But each state has its own rules that might restrict the specific pocket knives you can legally carry. Many states have prohibitions on certain automatic knives, on blade length, and even on whether or not you can carry certain knives concealed.
The American Knife and Tool Institute has a helpful state by state guide to knife laws you can consult. Traveling abroad brings an even wider range of regulations, as some countries such as Austria have almost no restrictions while Norway (despite a rich knifemaking heritage) has an outright ban on carrying knives in urban areas.
