Whether you’ve finally decided you want to start carrying a pocket knife as part of your everyday carry (EDC), or you just want to upgrade one of the pieces of your kit, you have a lot of options when it comes to bladed tools. Do you want a serrated or straight blade? Do you want full stainless construction or a composite combination? What about the style? All of these things depend on how much you want to spend and your personal preferences. The good news is that there are plenty of folding pocket knife options available on Amazon right now, regardless of your budget. The bad news is that you’re going to want all of these knives.
Gerber Paraframe Mini Knife
Gerber is a name that needs no introduction around these parts. If you’re familiar with the brand at all, you’ve probably seen, owned or thought about picking up a Gerber Paraframe Knife because it is, quite literally, available everywhere. The Gerber Paraframe Collection includes a total of eight different knives in varying sizes that are available in different finishes or with fine/serrated edge blades, but if we had to pick one favorite in the entire line it would be the Gerber Paraframe Mini Pocket Knife you see here because of its simple frame lock design, diminutive size and lightweight construction. This is a knife that you can take anywhere. $8
SOG Centi II Folding Knife
With an overall weight of 1.3 oz and a 2.1″ straight edge stainless steel blade, the SOG Centi II Folding Knife is almost the definition of what we’d expect to find under “easy to carry knife” in the dictionary. When it came to building a great mini-knife, the team at SOG opted for an overall redesign as opposed to creating a small, cheap knife reminiscent of what you’d expect to find on the counter at your local gas station. That led them to add a hole in the butt for a lanyard/keychain and a large hole in the blade that functions as an opening device while also significantly reducing weight. Combine all those aspects and you get a knife that’s small, versatile and made from materials that last—despite the fact you can carry it on your keys, stash it in your pocket or wear it around your neck. $12
Opinel No.8 Carbon Pocket Knife
The Opinel No.8 Carbon Pocket Knife is reminiscent of the historically classic pocket knives like the “peasant knife” or “penny knife” that’s been almost continually produced since it was originally invented hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Made in France, like it’s been since Joseph Opinel started making knives in the late 1800s, the Opinel No.8 Pocket Knife has an iconic, award-winning and beautiful form that’s as functional as it is pleasing to the eye. Even better, this option from Amazon includes a high quality leather sheath produced in France by Bertrand de Lussac for easy carrying and storage. $18
CRKT M16 Folding Spear Point Straight Edge Knife
There are few pocket knife brands as well known as Columbia River Knife & Tool—aka CRKT—so it should come as no surprise that at least one of their knives is on this list. We’d be happy to carry any CRKT knife as part of our everyday carry, but we’ve found the CRKT M16 Folding Spear Point Straight Edge Knife to be one of the most essential pieces of kit we tote regularly. Open build frame. High carbon stainless steel 3″ blade. Closed length of four inches. Black-on-black tactical dress. AutoLAWKS safety system. Easy-to-use, signature Carson Flipper extension for one-hand opening. It’s simple, sleek, stylish and built for everything from opening boxes to cutting loose threads. $28
Ontario Knife ON8848-BRK Rat-1
The Ontario Knife Company has been making fixed blades, cutlery and tools with the same focus on robust quality and classical design since the late 1800s, which is only part of the reason why we have no problem recommending the Ontario Knife ON8848-BRK Rat-1. The Rat-1 is made with a full flat grind, AUS-8 blade steel fine edge cutting end that measures 3.5″ in length and is mated to a simple, yet ergonomic, black nylon handle. This isn’t a knife that’s going to break any records or win any awards for a ground-breaking design, but that’s not really the point. The two-tone design is stylish without being over the top, and the build quality is nothing to scoff at. Most importantly, it serves the only purpose you really need from a knife—to cut stuff. When it comes to that, the Rat-1 does it admirably. $26
Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Stainless Assisted Opening Knife
When it comes to household names in the world of weapons, few are as well known as Smith & Wesson. Despite the fact the centuries old company is best known for their firearms, they also make quite a mean knife. The Smith & Wesson SWMP4LS Stainless Assisted Opening Knife is a durable, dependable and secure knife with a geometric, tactical style, liner lock, safety lock and a glass breaker to boot. The quick-deploying knife is outfitted with M.A.G.I.C. assisted opening technology, along with being built with a 4034 black oxide stainless blade that’s serrated at the base. If you’re looking for a tactical, survival knife that can get you out of almost any situation, this is it. $33
Spyderco Tenacious G-10 Combination Edge Black Blade Knife
Until Spyderco had the idea to use a round hole in the blade for quick opening in the early 1980s, most folding pocket knife blades were deployed with a thin fingernail indent that was difficult to use, at best. That design has become a trademark of sorts for everything the brand has made since then, and we don’t have any problem with it because it’s generally easier to use than even the most robust thumbstud. The Spyderco Tenacious G-10 Combination Edge Black Blade Knife pairs that iconic design with a combination serrated/fine edge blade made of 8Cr13MoV steel and mated to a laminate handle for maximum usability with minimal weight. The G-10 also includes an ambidextrous pocket clip that allows you to set your personal carry/draw preference. $45
Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter Knife
When it comes to old school cool in the world of knives, you won’t find better than Buck Knives. Founded more than a century ago, this American knife manufacturer has been making sport and field knives through five generations of the Buck family, which is probably why “buck knife” is synonymous with folding, lockback knives. 3 3/4″ 5160 high carbon steel drop point blade. Multiple options when it comes to handle composition and style. Made in the USA construction. Buck Forever Warranty. Incredibly sharp. Incredibly durable. Incredibly stylish. This knife has been a classic for as long as most of us have been alive, and it will continue to be a classic until long after you’ve passed it on to your grandchildren. $70
