Topic: The Best Pocket Knives of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 30 times)
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Topic: The Best Pocket Knives of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 30 times)
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Key Features
Pros
Cons
The Benchmade Bugout co*es in several trim levels, ranging in price from $160 to $540. The price fluctuates with the materials. If you want a super steel and carbon fiber, it’s going to cost you. But, all the models share the same blade shape, ergonomics, and locking mechanism.
The Bugout has a drop-point blade that puts the tip in the knife’s centerline. That feature makes it intuitive to know where the point is while you’re working. The belly has a gentle sweep, which is useful for a lot of cutting tasks. If I had to choose one blade shape for all my knives, the Bugout’s drop point would be it.
In a pinch grip or power grip, the Bugout is fantastically co*fortable and the handle is deceptively detailed. The top of the handle has a slight drop from front to back. The bottom of the grip locks your index finger into place to prevent slipping and has just enough of a pinkie hook to give you extra grip. The pocket clip is reversible and the thumb studs are easy to hit with a thumb or middle finger. The axis lock makes one handed opening and closing a cinch. You can buy a Bugout with S30V, S90V, or M390 steel. All three steels are close in their toughness. M390 has the best corrosion resistance, S90V has the best edge retention, and S30V is the most affordable. -Scott Einsmann
Key Features
Pros
Cons
I’ve used my Invictus for EDC, hunting, and fishing this fall. I bought it because of its unique construction and I liked that every co*ponent of the knife is corrosion free. So whether I’m wet wading in saltwater or use it to field dress a deer, I don’t have to worry about rust. It has the bank vault click that’s a hallmark of a well made framelock and it rivals many midtechs for it’s fit and finish.
The blade steel used in the Invictus isn’t your typical blade steel, it’s not even steel. Terravantium is a cobalt alloy that doesn’t need to be heat treated. It’s also co*pletely rust proof, non-magnetic, and keeps an edge for a very long time. Although I’ve found it doesn’t keep a razor edge long, it holds a toothy edge seemingly indefinitely. Mine has broken down hundreds of cardboard boxes without needing a touchup.
The spearpoint blade shape on the Invictus is ideal for piercing and slicing cuts. The slight distal taper reinforces the point and while I wouldn’t use it as a pry bar, it can take abuse. The ⅛ thickness is a good co*promise between toughness and slicing. While the grip looks straight, it’s nicely contoured and has a deep finger choil for a secure grip in all conditions. Terrain 365 offers the knife with titanium, carbon fiber, micarta, and G10 handles. -Scott Einsmann
Key Features
Pros
Cons
The Buck 110 Slim is a modern version of the Iconic Buck 110. As the name implies, it’s slimmed down in both weight and thickness from the original. It also has a pocket clip and a thumb stud for blade opening: both new features for the 110. One of the things I didn’t like about the original 110 is that it sat like a sideways brick in the bottom of my pocket. The 110 Slim has a nicely executed pocket clip that keeps it oriented and stationary in my pocket for easy, consistent access.
Buck kept everything people love about the classic Buck 110: It has a tried-and-true back lock design. The neutral handle shape with textured handle scales makes for a co*fortable and secure grip in wet or dry conditions. The hollow ground blade is a real slicer. I love that Buck updated this knife and kept the manufacturing here in the U.S., which is rare for knives in this price category. If you’re on a tight budget but still want quality, it’s going to be very hard to beat this updated classic.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
I have referred to the Benchmade 940 Osborne as the “Mary Poppins of pocket knives” because it’s practically perfect in every way. This is obviously subjective, but many knife nuts share my opinion. co*fortable, easy to carry, nearly impossible to kill, and backed by a co*pany that stands by their product. For example, if you manage to bend the clip, Benchmade will send you up to three per year free of charge. Most co*panies don’t match that. They will also sharpen it for free for life.
Its lock design makes it easy to use with either hand, even with gloves o n. Add to that a long blade-to-handle ratio, and modest form factor in your pocket, and you have a winner. I have been beating on mine relentlessly for about eight years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The Benchmade 940 was an easy choice for the best EDC Pocket Knife.
Read Next: Benchmade 940 Review
Key Features
Pros
Cons
I love my modern pocket knives, but I still carry my traditional blades as well. My Medium Stockman has Black G-10 handles for a touch of modern, but the rest is all nostalgia. The best traditional pocket knife, the Case Medium Stockman has been around forever and proven itself to be useful and reliable on farms, in shops, at the office, and around the house for countless people over the years.
It’s available in many different handle materials to suit any style, and is the quintessential non-locking traditional knife. The different blade shapes are nice for different tasks, and the clip point blade might be the best splinter removal tool made. Although the blades don’t lock, the spring tension resists closing and keeps the blades securely shut. Many slip joints are more expensive, and many are cheaper, but Case hits the sweet spot for value and quality, and the Medium Stockman is one of their best patterns.
Key Features
Why it Made the Cut
The RazorPro is a purpose-built hunting knife with a strong gutting blade and a replaceable blade making it our pick for best pocket knife for hunting.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
I’ve tried several replaceable blade knives and have never really been a fan of them. That is, until I used a friend’s RazorPro. What won me over was the thick and strong replaceable blades that are supported by the holder almost out to the end of the blade. It feels much stronger, and handles much more like a regular knife, which is a huge plus for me.
The other thing that set this knife apart for hunting was the gutting blade. It has a recurve shape, with a rounded tip, which means no accidental punctures, and no having to straddle the blade with your fingers. The gutting blade is also perfect for unzipping hide down the spine and legs. Another plus is the rubber, nylon, and stainless steel construction makes for easy cleanup.
Read Next: Best Hunting Knives
