looking for a good pocket knife

[Engieman]

As many have said, the Great Eastern products are terrific, traditional knives. I like them a lot, and even had a chance to tour the factory. And while I will 'collect' a Great Eastern, Tidiotte(?), a Case, Queen or Boker (all terrific, I'm a sucker for a good Stag), I find I don't carry them. Lumpy in the pocket, key and coins mess it up, stuff gets in the way of access. Instead, I have gravitated to a pocket clip over the years mainly for comfort and ease of access. In this regard, I have settled on the Spydeco and Benchmade brands. Outstanding knives in terms of quality, design, purpose and performance. Both lines have a range of models, so you'll sure to find something you like in terms of cost, size and intended use. I've come to my conclusion after years of handling them (about 50 plus years of pocket knife use), gun shows and browsing dedicated knife shops; and what I naturally grab for in the morning. The different grades of steels do make a difference. Ease of sharpening, durability, holding an edge, etc. I'm not saying buy the most expensive...but for sure don't buy cheap. My current and perhaps all-time favorite is the Spyderco G-10 Dragonfly. Perfect size, lightweight, thin, exceptional steel (Japanese), and a small, strong wire clip to hold it to the pant edge. Can hardly be seen, handy to grab; and a rock solid locking mechanism. No accidents. They make a number of models in this pattern with different handles, steel, etc. This one is the Foliage Green color handles, AUS-8 steel....around $80.00 bucks. Have fun

 

[H Richard]

There are lots of excellent knives out there, but if price is not an object, look into the custom knife makers. You can get an outstanding knife and one that will retain it's value and grow if maintained properly.

 

[Badquaker]

The search for the perfect knife, pen, or gun, will be a lifelong search. When you think you have found "IT", you will eventually find yourself looking for better.

Best of luck.

 

[Lost Lake]

I may be kind of simple, but I own a couple of Buck knives.

I got the kids Buck 110's for hunting, and I carry a Buck 55 with me every day. It's a smaller version of the Buck 110, which may be one of the most popular knives ever made. At 3 3/4" blade though it is too long for me to carry in a pocket, the Buck 55 has a 2 3/8" blade made from the same steel. Buck has a forever warranty and is made in the USA.

I also carry a Spyderco Tennacious G-10 when I wear carpenter pants and slide it in a side pocket. I love that little knife. It's big enough for self defense if required. Very sharp out of the box.

I got the Spyderco on sale for $25 and the Buck 55 for $33.

 

[ScubaSig]

I may be kind of simple, but I own a couple of Buck knives.

I got the kids Buck 110's for hunting, and I carry a Buck 55 with me every day. It's a smaller version of the Buck 110, which may be one of the most popular knives ever made. At 3 3/4" blade though it is too long for me to carry in a pocket, the Buck 55 has a 2 3/8" blade made from the same steel. Buck has a forever warranty and is made in the USA.

I also carry a Spyderco Tennacious G-10 when I wear carpenter pants and slide it in a side pocket. I love that little knife. It's big enough for self defense if required. Very sharp out of the box.

I got the Spyderco on sale for $25 and the Buck 55 for $33.

+1 for Buck, I still have my first Buck 112 I bought back in '79 and it still looks like new after good care and much use. Other reasonably priced and good quality are the Kershaws and Gerbers. Now for top money and bragging rights Randall, Benchmade, Emerson, Zero Tolerance, etc.

 

[Kinman]

A couple years ago I set out to find the perfect pocket knife, I ended up buying a Puma "Gent" and making a small sheath. I have found that in most cases a "useable" pocket knife is in most cases too small for day to day use. A small sheath solves that problem on the same order as the old Buck folding hunter, althought the Puma is much smaller w/stag scales. For short time use in a pair of slacks I carry a vintage Cattaraugus Senator style, small enough to not stick out of my pocket. I prefer vintage knives and they are out there but you will pay the premium in the same way we do for nice early pistols. I like the early KA-BAR knives, a vintage (1923-51) KA_BAR Trapper with Bone or Stag scales will set you back 3-400 bucks but will be the knife you always wanted...JMHO. You will find dealers online if you begin by searching Ebay for "Vintage Kabar knives", be wary because many of the popular vintage knives have been reproduced by the company, particularly the "Dog's Head" knives.

 

[Badquaker]

I keep trying to find something better than this, and just keep coming back to this. It is the thinest knife I own after removing the clip. I love the blade design. It has assisted opening. If I loose it, it's not painful on the wallet to replace it. I have bought a many benchmades/gerbers trying to replace it, but I always come back to the kershaw.

 

[McBear]

For a good quality knife I really like the wood handled Benchmade, like the 690. Very well balanced and the fit/finish is excellent.

I also like Cold Steel, not because of their quality, but because of their price/value. If one walks away it is easy to replace. I have had two of those stolen [truck broken into and one from a desk]. But under $60 replaced each. They sharpen up nicely.

The new S&W assisted open knives are nice, hold an edge but are NOT lightweights. Too bulky for anything but jeans or thick work pants [not so good with business suit pants].

The Benchmade 690s, however do stand out.

 

[arc2x4]

Over the years I have learned that I need a locking blade. I like Benchmade knives and a pocket clip keeps the knife where it can be reached and opened with one hand. One good locking blade beats two IMHO, if you need other tools a small leatherman is hard to beat.

 

[Titan]

My favorites....

Spyderco's Tenacious
and
Camillus Robo Heat

 

[Islander]

victorinox Centurion
best working knife I ever used very good steel !

 

[Texas Star]

I have two Trapper patterns, both by Carl Schlieper (Eye Brand). I like the shape of their clip blade better than most. These knives easily compare to the GEC and others mentioned above. I own one GEC and it's about on par with Eye, with some grind marks not polished out near one tang.

You asked about Trappers. But I prefer Stockman patterns in a standard knife, and mine are by Puma and the original Schrade Uncle Henry brand, which is rougher finished on the blades, but a good, solid knife. But it it is not as slick as the Puma and Eye brands. And I have a medium sized red bone Case that I like very much.

Whenever I carry anything else, I need some tool on a Swiss Army knife. The ones usually carried are the Executive or the Spartan. The Camper is the thickest that I wear in a pocket, and not usually in dress slacks. A SwissChamp in a fine leather SOS pouch goes in the briefcase.

I do not think anyone else does utility combined with a good price as well as does Victorinox. I have much more expensive knives, but carry them only occasionally.

I do wear a larger lockblade in a belt pouch, and that varies. Usually, a Benchmade Model 710 or a Puma that looks like a Buck Model 110, but with white Micarta handle.
I love the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn, but worry that a cop will claim it's a dagger, so largely limit carrying those to my own premises.

Not sure if Schlieper (Eye) is still in business, but their knives often turn up at shows, and the last I checked, they were a lot cheaper than GEC or Canal Street and about as well made. Mine are stainless, which I prefer, as are my stockman knives. Swiss Army knives are also stainless. Pockets get sweaty in humid weather, and I grew tired of rust on blades, despite excellent care.

Oh: carry only a handkerchief in your knife pocket. Coins, keys., et al, really chew up a knife!

 

[Gatillo]

what is the best pocket knife on the market and i am talking about blades that are made our of the best steel available? i like the trapper 2 blade style. i want to splurge and for once buy the best quality pocket knife i can get. any suggestions

I have and have had lots of nice folders, mostly SOG, Buck, Kershaw and Gerber. They are all good knives for their purpose (every day carry).

However, I've recently gone to a fixed blade for EDC. I "splurged" and had a knife made of S30V steel forged and shaped down from a 1/8" thickness with rag micarta scales custom made by C.T. Fischer out of Elk City, ID.

With a well balanced blade and overall length of 3" and 6-3/4" respectively, its high corrosion resistance and its quick accessibility from the kydex sheath on my neck and weighing in at under 5oz sheathed, it's become my go to knife for every day carry. I do a lot of fishing in a salt water environment and with minimal maintenance, I've had zero rust issues. It hones to a razor edge and holds that edge very well.

Best of all, unlike a folder, it will never fail at a pivot point under duress.

 

[JJ_BPK]

I carry several, but my favorite(s) are the Bill Harsey Lone Wolf (T2 & D2), made of CPM S30V. The T2 is a little smaller than the D2, but the D2 is an auto.

For those times when big is not needed,, a very light Titanium CRKT M16-01T.

And then there is my 1969 Camillus.. Heavy, fat, cheap, but I love it..

 

[tc55da]

Hard to beat the old USA made schrade 94OT carbon steel. If you can find one. I have a good collection of NIB USA Schrades.

 

[Sayoc01]

I have quite a few knives,name brands & customs.I may have the only set of CHICAGO CUTLERY pocketknives left.Wooden slab handles & not goodlooking the steel blades are fantastic!
Jim

 

[BBQLS1]

I don't really think there is such a thing as a "best" pocket knife. Too many options, materials, and designs that do different things well.

I tend to favor a good Case as they are a classic solid knife.

 

[Pointblank2U]

Spyderco Delica, light enough to carry all the time, strong enough for any job.

 

[JJEH]

S&W, Gil Hibben, Benchmade, KA-BAR, Boker

With enough $$$, there are no boundaries...

 

[cowboy45]

what is the best pocket knife on the market and i am talking about blades that are made our of the best steel available? i like the trapper 2 blade style. i want to splurge and for once buy the best quality pocket knife i can get. any suggestions

By the time from you OP. You could have gone to a school and learned to make you own knife. Just sayin! Listen to what some of these knowledgable people are saying. Have you bought one?