Best Pocket Knife of 2023 (Review and Buying Guide)

Smith & Wesson’s SWMP4LS is one of the best pocket knife options for those looking for a solid package with rugged, reliable performance. Featuring an edge-retaining 4034 black oxide high carbon stainless steel blade, a black aluminum handle, and a spring-assisted opening, closing, and locking system, the SWMP4LS is ideal EDC for outdoor enthusiasts.

This a sturdy, practical, and affordable pocket knife, though it could be argued that it’s a little too bulky and heavy for every day carry. Sure, it’s not as sleek as others on this list, and it does tip the scales at a mighty 7.6 oz, but it’s heavy for a reason: it’s there to tackle heavy duty challenges.

It’s a bit rough and ready, but it has a long blade, with serrated features, and a nice weight, which makes it an ideal rugged outdoor knife. Plus, it can be folded down into a pocket-sized shape. This is a great knife for those who plan to be carrying it in the great outdoors rather than to and from work in the city.

This knife is also covered by Smith & Wesson’s limited lifetime warranty scheme.

CRKT is a brand synonymous with quality. Their CEO model is a knife that upholds all of CRKT’s qualities, but wraps it into a sleek and upmarket product. It’s a sharp-looking knife with a sharp blade to match, and while it’s more than capable of outdoor adventure, it wouldn’t look out of place in the top pocket of a suit jacket. It might look more like a fountain pen than a practical knife, but don’t be fooled.

Designed by Richard Rogers, the CRKT CEO is constructed from a glass-reinforced nylon handle, with a sturdy 8Cr13MoV steel blade. The blade is sharp and strong, and it can cut through a wide range of materials with ease. Thanks to the slim blade profile, it’s ideal for cutting difficult to reach areas.

The blade is deployed using a fast-opening thumbstud mechanism, with an IKBS ball bearing system. It’s easy to deploy, comfortable to hold, and it features a trust-inspiring grip. Long and light, the CEO can slip into any pocket with ease, and it won’t weigh your pocket down in the process. It’s the best pocket knife for someone looking for a subtle, refined, and capable knife for an affordable price.

Plus, the CRKT CEO pocket knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects and other details.

Japanese Higo-no-Kami knives are great little blades that can handle everyday tasks. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, and capable. However, when stacked up against modern blades they do fall quite short. But when you buy a Higo-no-Kami pocket knife, you’re buying more than a blade. You’re buying a piece of history.

First appearing in 1896, these unique Japanese knives might be cheap to buy, but each one is handmade. In fact, genuine Higo-no-Kami knives can only be made by authorized craftsmen. The model listed here is made by craftsmen from the Nagao Seisakusho maker—the last remaining authorized manufacturer.

These knives are friction knives, and they don’t have any kind of locking system apart from the friction of the swivel. This can be quite dangerous since these blades are seriously sharp. Also, these blades are made from carbon steel rather than stainless, so you will have to perform regular maintenance to prevent rust and corrosion.

Razor sharp, inexpensive, and incredibly cool, the Higo-no-Kami is a great pocket knife for every day carry.

When it comes to crafting high quality blades, you can trust in Benchmade. The company has been making some of the most celebrated knives on the market since 1988, and the North Fork is one of their best products. Ideal for those working outdoors, the North Fork is strong, sturdy, razor sharp, and comfortable to handle.

Featuring a CPM-S30V stainless steel blade, the North Fork holds a very sharp edge. It’s also easy to sharpen and maintain. Unlike many small knives, this one can compete with larger knives, and can cut through tougher materials than you’d think.

The knife is equipped with Benchmade’s axis lock mechanism. This features a spring-loaded lock bar that allows you to open and close your knife with one hand. It’s a very practical lock mechanism, and it can easily be used by right- and left-handed users. With that in mind, the knife also features a pocket clip that can be adjusted, so you can wear it however you need it.

Lastly, the Benchmade North Fork deserves extra points because it features a number of warranty and guarantee options, including the brand’s own LifeSharp Service.

Böker is a brand with a long and illustrious knife-making history. This German company has been creating blades since the 19^th century. When it comes to making practical EDC pocket knives, they know what they’re doing. The Böker Plus Panchenko Brass Lancer is an excellent example of the brands manufacturing skills.

Designed in collaboration with knife-maker Serge Panchenko, the Brass Lancer features a minimalist look and a unique style. It has an S35VN stainless steel blade with excellent edge retention properties, that can cut through a wide range of materials with ease.

The rest of the knife is made from machined brass. The brass looks great, but it also hides a titanium locking liner that allows for smooth deployment. The titanium components will also stand the test of time, with superior longevity when compared with stainless steel. Plus, the brass will form a nice patina as it ages. In years to come, this knife will have aged incredibly well, and still be just as capable as it was on the day you bought it.

This model is also available with a configuration that’s more budget-friendly, with a G10 handle and 440C blade.

For those with larger budgets, we recommend the Zero Tolerance ZT0462 pocket knife. This blade was designed by Dmitry Sinkevich, a famous custom knifemaker. The result is a slender knife can cut and slice with surgical precision. It’s not a cheap knife, but it’s high in quality, and a work of art too.

The blade is made from 20CV steel—known as “super steel” to knife aficionados—with an upswept point and a curved cutting edge. The blade’s length is almost 4 inches in length, which is quite long for standard every day carry pocket knives. The closed length of the whole product is 5.7 inches.

There’s more to this premium knife than a premium blade. The handle is made from carbon fiber, and it houses a smart deployment and locking mechanism. The system is made with KVT ball bearings on the pivot, which allows for easy and smooth one-handed deployment.

The Zero Tolerance ZT0462 is an excellent blade for those who want something tough, hardwearing, and sharp. But it’s also a great choice for those with a more discerning eye that also want to own a piece of art!

Leatherman is a brand famous for manufacturing quality multitools. The Free K4X is a pocket knife that’s suitable for everyday carry, with plenty of extras and unexpected surprises that you’d expect from a Leatherman-branded tool.

This locking knife features a 3.3-inch carbon steel blade that can cut through a wide range of materials with ease. But if that wasn’t enough, it also includes a fold-out bottle opener, pry tool, package opener, awl, three types of screwdriver, and spring-action scissors.

Access to the multi-tool parts requires two hands. However, opening and closing the knife section can easily be done with one hand. This is down to a cool magnetic lock system, which allows for smooth knife-opening action in a safe and practical way. The magnetic lock is tough, durable, and won’t break easily.

The rest of the knife is manufactured from lightweight aluminum, and available in four different color options. Even with the aluminum body, the whole package is a little heavy—but you do get a lot of bang for your buck. With a 25-year guarantee too.

The Gerber FlatIron isn’t a conventional pocket knife. Rather than follow the usual trends, the FlatIron features a blade with a cleaver shape rather than a drop point blade. It’s an unorthodox folding knife, but it’s an ideal piece of every day carry that looks stylish and handles incredibly well.

The secret to the Gerber’s success is the use of top-quality D2 steel, a material that can really hold an edge. It’s sharp, strong, and surprisingly practical. While it doesn’t have the usual drop-point knife shape, this cleaver can do everything a conventional knife can and more.

This exceptionally strong blade cuts through string, rope, and sturdier materials with ease. There aren’t many downsides to this knife, but if you’re looking for something with a sharp end, then this isn’t it. Also, the wide blade adds size and weight to the overall package, which can make it awkward if you’re carrying it in your pocket alongside other items.

Opinel is one of the most recognizable knife brands of all time. The simple and timeless nature of their products has turned the humble Opinel pocket knife into a design icon. The brand is famed for its simple, effective, sharp, and affordable blades. There’s a wide range to choose from, but for this list, we chose the No.8 Carbon Steel.

The Opinel No.8 is available with different blade types. Stainless steel may benefit some users, but we prefer the carbon option. The carbon blade is sharp enough. It will cut through fruits and soft objects with ease. However, when it comes to heavy duty tasks, such as cutting thick rope, the Opinel will struggle.

One issue that many first-time Opinel users have is with the locking system. Most Opinel pocket knives use a simple collar locking mechanism. It’s safe, reliable, and keeps the blade locked up when not in use. The collar can be very stiff to open and close. This goes away with use, so don’t be put off by it.

It’s a cheap and effective knife. It’s so affordable that everyone should own at least one!

The Kizer Mini Sheepdog is a smaller version of the largely successful Sheepdog XL model. It’s smaller and easier to transport, but it doesn’t lose any of the larger Sheepdog’s qualities. The result is a pocketable and practical blade that’s perfect for your EDC needs.

The blade is made from 154CM stainless steel. This material is perfect for those looking for a sturdy blade. It’s a hard and tough material, with impressive corrosion-resistance. The blade is held in place and activated with a caged ceramic ball-bearing pivot, for smooth and responsive blade deployment.

Kizer offers the Mini Sheepdog in a range of styles, with different construction materials. The low-cost option features a sturdy G10 handle that’s available in different colors. If you want to treat yourself to something more exclusive, you can choose premium materials like copper or titanium. Whatever you choose, you’ll get a strong and robust knife with a smooth action.