On the hunt for one of the best small pocket knife, you’ll encounter an infinite quantity of choices. Tactical, sensible, and oh-so-versatile, a small pocket knife is sensible to maintain available. I can’t let you know how a lot use I’ve gotten out of my very own – it’s one thing I by no means go away the home with out and attain for much extra usually than you’d suppose. From slicing and dicing to emergency use, a small pocket knife is a worthy funding for the fashionable gentleman and the proper gateway into the world of tactical EDC gear.
If you happen to’re able to fast-track your hunt for the best mini blade, I’ve rounded up the seven finest small pocket knives based mostly on private expertise and many trial and error. Hold studying to find choices for each value level, function, and aesthetic.
Key Takeaways
Out of all of the small blades in the marketplace, and imagine me, I’m fairly certain I scoured the web lengthy sufficient to know, the Opinel No. 6 Pocket Knife reigns supreme. Outfitted with a carbon metal blade and a beechwood deal with, it’s as sensible as it’s fairly, showcasing greater than 130 years of stellar French craftsmanship.
To not point out, it’s beneath $20 and is available in ten sizes in case you choose a special blade size. Looking for one thing barely extra tactical? The Gerber Gear Paraframe Mini Pocket Knife incorporates a tremendous light-weight all metallic building with a pocket clip to maintain it in place.
See the remainder of my picks for one of the best small pocket knife beneath.
Why It’s Nice: So far as one of the best total small pocket knife goes, the Opinel No. 6 is the proper possibility for most individuals. I’ve one myself and sometimes give them as presents for dads or small presents for males as a result of their versatility, attractive building, and unbeatable value. Fusing French craftsmanship with a timeless design, Opinel picnic knives are available in a variety of sizes, with the No. 6 being the highest choose for a smaller possibility.
The best way to Use It: Unlock the knife by turning the ring the place the blade and the deal with meet. Then, use the nail knick to take away the blade from the deal with. If you’ve completed utilizing it, fold the blade again in and switch the ring lock to safe it once more.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: The blade on the No. 6 is 2 ¾ inches, making it barely longer than a few of the finest small pocket knives, however it’s a ferociously sensible choice to maintain available for when the second calls. If you happen to choose one thing even smaller, the Opinel No. 4 has the identical iconic Beechwood deal with with a 2 inch blade.
Weight: 1.5 oz | Blade Size: 2.87 in | Closed Size: 3.63 in | Blade Materials: Carbon metal | Locking Mechanism: Ring | Pocket Clip: No
Why It’s Nice: This extremely tactical pocket knife is small however mighty, with an impossibly light-weight building and a 2.2 inch blade. It simply suits within the palm of the hand, however when it’s not in use, it sits securely in your particular person with the built-in pocket clip.
The best way to Use It: It’s easy however top-of-the-line small pocket knives, particularly in case you’re buying on a funds (it makes a fantastic Yankee swap reward). The plain edge blade is stellar for almost any mild perform, and the nail nick ensures you may at all times pry it open. Whether or not you employ it for EDC or a extra tactical function, this small knife can do massive issues.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: So far as small pocket knives go, this one is absolutely little. It could slice open containers and lower up fruit however could also be a bit restricted in performance past this as a result of its dimension.
Weight: 1.6 oz | Blade Size: 2.2 in | Full Size: 5.25 in | Blade Materials: Stainless-steel | Locking Mechanism: Body lock | Pocket Clip: Sure
Why It’s Nice: If value is not any object, a Benchmade knife is the cream of the crop, although it’ll run you greater than $100. Nonetheless, as a result of it’s designed to final a lifetime, it’s definitely a worthy funding. Decked out with a corrosion-resistant, drop-point metal blade, you’ll by no means have to fret about this small pocket knife wimping out on you. The blade can be an honest size of two.8 inches: little sufficient to be discrete however ample sufficient to get any job performed.
My favourite characteristic of this small pocket knife is the textured deal with that ensures you’ve got a very good grip whereas working with the blade. Another pocket knives, particularly smaller ones, may be difficult to get a stable grasp on. No want to fret about that right here. This dangerous boy is smaller than one of the best EDC pens, guaranteeing you may at all times maintain it in your particular person with none added bulk.
The best way to Use It: The blade on this knife is secured with an Axis lock. Use your thumb to toggle the lock on the deal with and the blade will slide out easily.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: That is positively on the upper finish of the value spectrum relating to pocket knives, however is definitely worth the splurge in case you’re on the lookout for a top quality piece of drugs.
Weight: 3.5 oz | Blade Size: 2.82 in | Closed Size: 3.7 in | Blade Materials: Premium stainless-steel | Locking Mechanism: AXIS lock | Pocket Clip: Sure
Why It’s Nice: What can I say? I’m a sucker for a very good wanting knife. This little blade packs an enormous punch regardless of the blade being beneath three inches in size. The elongated deal with greater than makes up for it, crafted from darkish ebony with brass detailing, offering an elegantly balanced really feel. Buck Knives has a stellar status for high quality gear, and that is one of the best small pocket knife the model has to supply. Modeled on their very profitable 110 Folding Hunter, this miniature model is right to tote alongside each day or pack for adventures.
The best way to Use It: The skinny, sharp blade tip makes this knife an exquisite alternative for precision, though it isn’t as sturdy as drop level knives. Launch the lock again on the finish of the deal with after which use the nail nick to pry the blade out.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: At over $50, this knife is definitely a bit dear, however presents unbeatable worth if you issue within the ebony and brass deal with. There’s additionally no pocket clip, which could be a big flaw to some guys.
Weight: 1.9 oz | Blade Size: 2.3 in | Closed Size: 3.4 in | Blade Materials: 420HC stainless-steel | Locking Mechanism: Lock again | Pocket Clip: No
Why It’s Nice: With a blade measuring virtually three inches, this can be a longer rendition of one of the best pocket knife, making it a stand-out alternative for on a regular basis use. Whereas small pocket knives are tremendous helpful, generally it takes a bit extra to get the job performed. The Mini Praxis is a stable possibility in case you’re on the lookout for one thing barely bigger than a knife you may carry in your carabiner for keys however smaller than a full blown switchblade.
The best way to Use It: Astonishingly light-weight, this pocket knife breaks away from the pack with a textured deal with and a flipper design. Fairly than a nail nick, the blade is ball bearing, which permits for a easy, one hand opening, much like a spring assisted knife.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: In accordance with some reviewers, the liner lock on this knife could be a bit finicky, making the blade laborious to shut once in a while.
Weight: 2.77 oz | Blade Size: 2.98 in | Closed Size: 3.81 in | Blade Materials: D2 metal | Locking Mechanism: Liner lock | Pocket Clip: Sure
Why It’s Nice: In case you have no nails or just need an easy-to-open blade, this Kershaw possibility is a prime choose for one of the best small pocket knife. It’s one of many smallest on the checklist – the blade is only one.9 inches – and has a gap on the base of the deal with so as to add it to a keychain or lanyard. There’s additionally a pocket clip in case you choose to maintain it in your particular person.
The best way to Use It: Fairly than excessive shine, the excessive carbon metal blade has a matte end that’s straightforward to entry with an assisted opening. As an alternative of twiddling with nubby nails, there’s a one handed launch that ensures the knife is able to slice and cube if you find yourself.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: Effectively revered as one of the best pocket knife for any scenario, it’s laborious to search out flaws in such an unimaginable piece of drugs.
Weight: 1.7 oz | Blade Size: 1.9 in | Closed Size: 2.9 in | Blade Materials: 420HC metal | Locking Mechanism: Body lock | Pocket Clip: Sure
Why It’s Nice: And if all else fails, there’s at all times the trusty Swiss Military knife. Virtually the epitome of one of the best small pocket knife, there’s nothing, and I imply nothing, that this accent can’t do. Brimming with a number of capabilities, starting from a basic blade to mini scissors and tweezers, this multitool continues to be but to be outshone. To maintain it in a petite bundle, this Swiss Military choose has a mere seven capabilities – although it’s made up for with the sixteen coloration choices. If you happen to’re on the lookout for the entire 9 yards, this model has a whopping fifteen instruments to utilize.
The best way to Use It: You should utilize a Swiss Military knife for absolutely anything. Pry the blade free from the deal with, or go for one other one of many a number of instruments relying on the scenario.
Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: Yeah, yeah, I do know. A Swiss Military knife isn’t technically a pocket knife, however that’s provided that you’re speaking to purists… proper?
Weight: 0.7 oz | Closed Size: 2.3 in | Blade Materials: Stainless-steel | Locking Mechanism: No | Pocket Clip: Key chain
Shopping for Concerns Small Pocket Knives
Blade Size
Typically, pocket knives are thought-about “small” once they have blade lengths of round 2 inches or shorter, though this isn’t a tough rule. Among the finest small knives, just like the Opinel No. 6, have blades which can be barely longer, on this case, by ¾ of an inch.
In order for you a miniature sized pocket knife – one of many issues each man ought to personal – select a blade beneath 2 inches that can sit discreetly in your key organizer or your hip. This blade dimension is sensible for a fast fruit slice or field open. Nonetheless, in case you’re looking for one thing with barely extra utility, blades between 2 and three inches are a extra versatile possibility on this planet of small pocket knives.
Weight
The scale of your pocket knife usually impacts the load, and in case you’re looking for a blade to hold with you each day, you received’t need something too heavy. Pocket knives made with tactical metals or top quality plastics are usually a lot lighter than choices with wood handles or fancy detailing.
Usually, one of the best small pocket knife will weigh beneath 2 ounces, nonetheless, like every of those issues, this determine is rarely set in stone. It merely boils down to private preferences and priorities.
Further Options
Lastly, you need to make sure the small pocket knife you choose is designed to work with you. This implies contemplating the extra options that make the knife a reliable piece of drugs just like the opening mechanism, the locking element, and any attachment factors.
Right here’s a fast breakdown of what to search for by way of these three options:
Opening Mechanism: Most small pocket knives both embrace a nail nick or flipper design to entry the blade. A nail nick is a small notch on the blade that means that you can manually unfold it from the deal with, whereas a flipper releases the blade with the clicking of a tab. The nail nick opening tends to be safer, however the flipper means you may entry the blade with a single hand. It’s value remembering {that a} nail nick design requires you to grip the deal with and pry the blade out as a substitute of a fast launch provided by a flipper opening.
Locking System: Selecting a small pocket knife with a reliable locking system is extraordinarily essential to make sure the blade doesn’t come free at inopportune moments. Most blades latch with a body lock, however you’ll usually see liner locks embedded into flipper designs. Much less generally, you’ll discover a ring lock, which is featured within the Opinel designs.
Attachment Factors: How do you propose on carrying your small pocket knife? In your keychain? In your pocket? In your waist? It’s value selecting a blade with some kind of attachment level, whether or not it’s a pocket clip or a small gap on the deal with for a lanyard. This may maintain your knife shut at hand and is very sensible for smaller blades that are inclined to get misplaced or slowed down in deep pockets.
Why You Ought to Belief Us
Other than the truth that I carry a small pocket knife myself, I’ve spent an in depth period of time researching the best EDC gear, together with all varieties of blades. Small pocket knives stay my private choice, and I’ve tried out dozens of decisions after researching a whole lot of choices. Fusing my very own expertise with 1000’s of person critiques, I’ve compiled this checklist of the seven finest small pocket knives to make sure you discover precisely what you’re on the lookout for.
Closing Verdict
Whereas there are seemingly infinite choices on this planet of small pocket knives, one of the best total alternative is the Opinel No. 6 Pocket Knife. This versatile blade can deal with something you throw its approach, and the beechwood deal with makes it probably the most engaging knife on the checklist. It’s the proper mix of high quality and aesthetics (with a aggressive funds value level), making it a real pleasure to make use of at any time when the scenario requires one thing sharp.
FAQ
The easiest way to sharpen a small pocket knife is with a sharpening stone. Relying on the kind of sharpening stone you employ, you’ll seemingly have to lubricate it with product or water. As soon as the stone is about up, maintain the blade at an angle and sweep it downwards in the direction of the tip of the stone. Repeat this sweeping movement ten to 12 occasions or till the blade is sharp. Flip the blade over and repeat the method on the opposite aspect.
No, you can not carry a small pocket knife on a aircraft, however you may pack it in your checked baggage. I do know this as a result of, as a child, each time I flew with my dad and mom, my dad at all times, with out fail, forgot to go away his Swiss Military knife at house. Fortunately, Boston Logan Airport had a mailbox on the safety line that allowed you to publish your valuable, non-flyable objects again house, together with dozens of my dad’s small pocket knives all through the years.
