What is the Best Folding Knife of 2024? Top Picks & Reviews

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A folding knife is a kind of pocket knife that is versatile enough to fulfill a variety of needs despite small in size and convenient in hand. It is useful to cut a meshed net stuck in a tree, a rope to tie up a package, and even wild weeds to make the path clear to reach the destination. However, the reasons to carry a folding knife are more, as it is handy on the go and at home for slicing fruits, opening boxes, and even defending yourself.

Folding knives, generally, are more functional, safer, and more convenient to carry in one’s pocket. This is probably because the blade is out of sight and that the product as a whole consumes less space. These knives are small enough to remain inside the pockets or droop from a belt. At times, they come with more than a single blade.

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What Makes Up a Folding Knife

Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S 7.1in S.S. Folding Knife with 3.1in Serrated Clip Point Blade and Aluminum Handle for Outdoor, Tactical, Survival and EDC

Knives, in general, are made up of many intricate parts. However, the handle and blade are the most familiar ones. The handle might have a tang, a section from the blade reaching up into the handle. It might even have a bolster, which is made up of metal. It balances the product ahead of the handle where the blade is intersected.

The blade is attached to the handle via a pivot. This pivot enables the blade to move into the handle. The blade is composed of a few parts, such as the point as the knife’s end useful for piercing and the edge extending from the tip to heel for cutting. There is also grind as the cross-section shape, spine as the thickest area, and fuller as the groove that lightens the blade.

2024’s 5 Best Folding Knives with Short Reviews

Kershaw Ken Onion Blur – Assisted Opening Folding Knife

Kershaw Blur Black (1670BLK) Everyday Carry Pocketknife with 3.4” Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade, DLC Coated Handle Features SpeedSafe Assisted Opening, Lanyard Hole, Reversible Pocketclip; 3.9 OZ

Not for all states, this one is ideal for all daily uses. It has a 3-3/8-inch smooth or serrated blade made up of Sandvik 14C28N Steel, known for corrosion resistance and strength. The lightweight handle is made up of anodized aluminum and has Trac-Tec inserts for ensuring a proper grip even in slippery or wet conditions. The knife has SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism that prevents accidental opening away. Overall, the knife is 7.9 inches long. >>Click here to read our detailed article on Kershaw Ken Onion

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Ontario 8848

Ontario 8848 Rat Folding Knife (Black)

This one is lighter in weight and features a 3.5-inch flat ground blade made up of AUS-8 Steel known for its durability and hardness (55-56 HCR). It also features ergonomic nylon handles, liner lock, spine jimping for great control, and a 4-way position pocket clip.

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Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro

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This one comes with a drop point style blade that is deployable with one hand through dual thumb studs. The fine edge is useful for multiple applications for survival. The lightweight knife features a lock-back mechanism and a textured rubber handle.>>Click here to read our detailed article on Ultimate Pro

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BlizeTec Survival 5-in-1

BlizeTec Survival Knife: Best 5-in-1 Tactical Pocket Folding Knife with LED Light, Seatbelt Cutter, Glass Breaker & Magnesium Fire Starter

It is a survival knife for outdoors, is incredibly light, and has five tools inside, such as LED light, magnesium fire starter, and seatbelt cutter. The blade is ultra-sharp and is made up of stainless steel. The handle is made up of anodized aluminum. >>Click here to read our detailed article on BlizTec Survival 

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TAC Force TF-705- Cheap folding knife

TAC Force TF-705BK Tactical Spring Assisted Knife 4.5

This one comes with an assisted opening mechanism for one-handed deployment and liner lock for secure locking. The 3.25-inch blade with 3mm thickness is partially serrated and is made up of stainless steel. The handle is of aluminum and comes with a glass breaker and a bottle opener.

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What to Consider while Choosing the Best Folding Knife

Just as in the case of any consumer product, it is essential to consider some significant buying factors. These are the factors that make you take the right decision, if you know and apply them correctly to the collection of promising knives. Before exploring these factors, there are some facts for you to know.

  • All folding knives that are manually closed and opened are legal in the United States.
  • Automatic knives are legally allowed only in a few states. While some permit the possession of a folding knife, some mandate a Concealed Carry of Weapon (CCW) license. Thus, if you are willing to buying an auto-opening folder, do consider your state laws.

Getting up to the right folding knife needs good research time as well as effort. The market is flooded with a variety of folding knives, each varying in terms of brand, style, and function. To find the ideal one, you need to consider factors such as size, blade material, handle material, blade length, and locking and opening mechanisms. Finally, you also need to find out the famous brands.

Steinbrucke Tactical Knife Spring Assisted Opening Pocket Knife Folding Stainless Steel 8Cr13Mov 3.4'' Blade, with Reversible Clip - Good for Hunting Camping Survival Outdoor and Everyday Carry

Factor 1: Positions

The folding knife you choose should be able to be in all three positions, namely, close, partially open, and open. When in the open position, it should remain fully open until it is in use. In the partially open state, the knife should be able to open or close smoothly.

When in a closed state, no chance should exist for the knife to open on its own, mainly when it is within the pocket. Or else, there is always a high risk of injury. The efficiency of setting up these positions is critically dependent on the locking mechanism’s performance.

Factor 2: Locking Mechanism

This feature is essential to keep the risk of injury at bay while using a folding knife. These days, the folding knives are available with various locking mechanisms, each being favored for different reasons such as ease of use, federal validity, and apparent strength. However, all of them add to safety and stability. Here are some of the common locking mechanisms:

  • Slip Joint: This is seen usually in conventional pocket knives wherein the opened blade is held in place with the help of a spring. There is no locking, but the spring facilitates folding with some amount of pressure.
  • Spine Lock: Involves a pivoted latch attached to a spring. It is possible to detach it just by pushing the latch, which also releases the blade.
  • Button Lock: Is seen chiefly on automatic knives and comprises of a small push-button for opening the blade.

The locking liners have a liner wherein the blade is locked once it is being opened. At the time of folding, you need to move this liner to one side so that the blade folds. Automatic knives usually come with a frame lock mechanism to grasp the open blade via spring-loaded handles. On the contrary, lock back knives have a locking arm from the handle’s butt into the rear of the blade, fastening it behind the pivot point.

Factor 3: Opening Mechanism or Ease of Opening

This is an important feature to look for while buying a folding knife. A folding knife can have any of the following three types of opening or blade releasing mechanisms:

  • Manual: You will have to open the blade with the help of thumb, via the cutout in the handle, a small thumb stud, or with a unique manual system.
  • Assisted Opening: This is a prevalent type of mechanism, but it is different from the automatic one. Here, you need to start opening the blade manually but without pushing a trigger or lever. More on assisted opening knives here.
  • Automatic Opening: This one needs no manual interference or some starting effort for opening the blade. It fully opens the blade via a built-in mechanism that triggers the moment you press a mall switch or lever. This is why a knife with such a mechanism is also called a switchblade. Such a knife opens by utilizing the spring that has stored energy, which is released the moment you press a lever or switch embedded into the handle. Such models are popular amongst military and law people, as they open with just one hand. However, they are restricted by law in several states of the U.S. If you are looking for automatic knives, read our guide on automatic knives or switchbladesWe also have an article exclusive for OTF knives, which are a special type of automatic knives.

If you are looking for Swiss Army or traditional pocket knives, they usually have the nail notch, while the modern ones come with a flipper, stud, or a hole on the blade. No matter which one you choose, all of them allow opening the blade with just one hand. Another popular mechanism is the wave, which makes a section of the blade to jut out to grab the pocket for opening the blade. Here is a brief on each of these opening methods that relate some mechanisms mentioned above:

  • Thumb Stud: This is a popular method. It is in the form of a little cylinder that is raised on the blade. You only need to apply some pressure to it with the thumb for unlocking or locking the blade. The market is also offering its variations, such as thumb plates and angled studs. Some plates do work as a wave but need more attention. As a result, such plates are not much in demand.
  • Thumb Hole: It is more straightforward to use than a thumb stud, as it demands less attention. It is in the form of a hole on the blade, which you need to push using your thumb for closing or opening the blade. In some models, you may find an oval instead of a hole. While many brands are offering this opening method, Spyderco is the pioneer of it.
  • Flipper: This is perhaps the latest method introduced in knives for opening the blade by using a small protrusion. You only need to apply some pressure on this protrusion to raise it above an embedded ball bearing inside the blade. The flipping mechanism is regarded as a quick and straightforward method but works only with some types of locks. Another limitation is that the bearing needs to be well organized, or else failure becomes certain. We have an exclusive article on flipper knives if you want to learn more.
  • Wave: This is a speedway of opening and closing the blade. Wave mechanism exists as a hook on the spine, which pulls the edge when you are taking the knife out of pocket or bag. On the flip side, this method needs some good practice from your side to make it perfectly flawless every time you use it. Usually, it is employed in knives made for tactical purposes.

You are free to choose any method and mechanism of your choice. However, but select the one that best matches your requirements. It is vital to keep in mind that each of them has its benefits and limitations. Just for information sake, of all options available, flipper and thumb hole methods are mostly preferred because of more convenience in daily usage.

Factor 4: Blade Design and Style

The blade is the most significant part of a knife. Without it being of high quality, the handle is simply of no use. Well, there are many aspects of the blade to consider, such as design and style, its length when opened, and the material used to manufacture it.

There are a few blade designs based on its tip you may consider

  • Normal: Features a straight and uninteresting back allowing to push the sharp edge’s rear part for extra force. It is ideal for chopping, cutting, and thrusting.
  • Tanto: This is a Japanese style with a thicker design useful for rescue operations and battles. The thickness reaches up to the very point due to which any chopping task becomes better than before. Read more about the Tanto knife here
  • Drop: It is more conventional in shape and resembles a look of a kitchen knife. It is ideal for fine tasks. It is more commonly used for hunting and utility purposes.
  • Spear: This is useful for generic cutting and piercing.
  • Trailing: It is much like a fillet or hunting knife and is above the knife’s spine. This gives a big belly to the knife, which is comfortable for slicing and slashing.

You might even come across some more point styles, such as hawkbill and sheepfoot point. Well, you will have to check the specific uses of the point and choose one design.

In terms of style, you will also have to choose from a smooth versus serrated blade. A smooth one has a straight edge, while a serrated one has a saw-toothed edge.

While a serrated blade is ideal for cutting and ripping through fiber like stuff such as rope, a smooth blade is more generic and ensures ease of sharpening. Serrated blades are better for jobs having sawing motions, while plain-edge ones are ideal for jobs with push-through cuts such as slicing and chopping.

Plain-edge blades are flat or hollow ground. The flat ground has a profile tapering to the sharp edge from the thick spine in a straight line, while beveled edges are part of the hollow-ground design. A few folding knives come with two or more blades giving you a mix of plain edge and a serrated blade.

Factor 5: Blade Shape

Not many of us know that how a knife’s blade is shaped contributes to the overall quality. The majority of steel blades are usually shaped by forging due to which they are known as forged blades.

Such blades are constructed by heating just one steel piece, after which the hot metal is shaped with the help of a hammer. On the other hand, you have stock removal blades, which get their shape by pulverizing and removing metal.

In both processes, the steel needs to be heat-treated after shaping. Herein, the metal is heated above a specific threshold temperature, after which the blade is allowed to cool down so that it hardens well. Once hardened, the blade is moderated for discarding highlights as well as for toughening the blade more.

Of the two types, forging is used to create more expensive knives, as the process takes more effort as well as time to make. However, the cost is worth it because the manual process makes the blade last for a lifetime.

Factor 6: Blade Length

This is as important as the design or style. The right length is always decided as per the usage purpose. Most folding knives offer blades that are two to six inches long. If you wish to use a folding knife for normal daily chores, it is best to choose a standard option with 2-3 blades that are 2-3 inches long. These blades are handy to cut envelopes or slice apples. The plus point of multi-blade knives is that they come with some options for the blade to choose from, which you select as per specific needs.

Another scenario is wherein you need a folding knife specifically for outdoor use and that too for heavy-duty tasks. In this case, a single blade with more length than standard is ideal. Such a bigger blade is usually serrated. You can even choose a partially serrated model wherein the blade closest to the handle is serrated, and the remaining part of the blade is straight, which is ideal for slicing.

You can even go for a blade with a plain edge, which ideal for slicing as well as self-defense.

Factor 7: Blade Material

Usually, different varieties of steel are preferred for folding knives, as steel is strong and hard enough to prevent blade deformation. However, each type of steel gives different favorable characteristics. Usually, you will prefer rust resistance, edge maintenance, and easy sharpening.

If you will be doing the heavy cutting, a high-quality blade is worthy of your money even if it is costly. Well, it is vital to know your usage purpose for the knife and budget before choosing the blade material. If you choose steel, here are the different varieties to know:

  • Carbon: It is rugged to ensure maximum durability, easy to sharpen, quite sharp, and is cheaper. It also maintains its edge well. However, it is not resistant to rust due to which it is not suitable for use in the long run.
  • Stainless: This is an advanced version of the carbon, which does not rust. It also does not require much maintenance. However, they need somewhat effortful sharpening.
  • Carbon Stainless: This is the ideal and costliest one, as it does not rust even if it is oiled or get stained or discolored. It maintains its edge well. A popular material in this category is 154cm known for its extra hardness to keep corrosion at bay. This is ideal for small blades. VG-10 is a trendy version of 154cm and has superior resistance to corrosion as well as longer edge retention. Another popular name is S30V, with high-vanadium steel known for its exceptional resistance to rusting and wearing and ideal toughness.

The average steel has hardness measured between 50 – 60 Rockwell [a measurement of hardness]. A rating over 60 indicates brittleness. Following are other materials to consider for the blade:

  • Laminate: Uses several metals to form a layered slot. For instance, harder, but more fragile steel is squeezed between an outer layer of tougher and softer stainless steel for increased resistance to corrosion. Well, this material is costlier than steel blades but more affordable than titanium ones.
  • Titanium: It is more flexible than steel as well as resistant to wear. However, it is less hard and is unable to retain its sharpness. The titanium blades are perhaps the most expensive ones.
  • Ceramic: Is light yet hard but needs proper care to retain the sharpness for years without maintenance. It is brittle as glass, so proper handling is required. You cannot sharpen or repair due to which a ceramic blade is discarded once it wears or chips. Ceramic blades are costlier than steel blades.

Factor 8: Handle

  • Plastic: It is easy to maintain, but it becomes weak and slippery with time. However, you can go for high-grade plastics making up injection-molded handles and are fortified with fiberglass or Kevlar.
  • Wood: Offers good grip but is tough to maintain, as it warps or cracks with extended exposure to water. Nevertheless, these issues are overcome significantly by modern laminated woods.
  • Synthetic: It has several different forms, all designed to ensure the best grip as well as more durability than wood, plastic, and leather. Below are a few recommended synthetic materials to consider:
    • Celluloid: Is a type of artificial plastic made up of cellulose nitrate and capable of rendering any of those seven rainbow colors. The material can even mold into a highly natural color such as amber, horn, wood, pearl, ivory, stag, and tortoiseshell.
    • G-10: It is mighty, durable, lightweight, and resistant to water, as well as moisture material created from fiberglass. This latter glass is well compressed after been soaked in resin. While the typical color of G-10 is black, it can take up other shades as well. It takes care of the grip even in adverse or wet conditions, which is why it is mostly used in making the handles of tactical and survival knives.
    • Micarta: Is commendable for its extraordinary toughness but is still not more than G10. Micarta is a synthetic mixture made using cloth or paper and phenolic resin. Usually, canvas micarta is used in making the handle of folding knives. While the standard colors are yellow or tan, aging can turn the same into red or brown.
    • Zytel: Is an unbreakable thermoplastic that is exceptionally disobedient to shocks and abrasion. Well, this is the secret of its high level of durability. You can expect a satisfactory grip level from this material, although it has a somewhat textured surface. It is also an economical material to choose from. All these facts make Zytel one of the most preferred materials for the handle of a folding knife.
    • Kraton: It is almost similar to Zytel in terms of type. The significant difference is that Kraton is relatively softer and flexible. Hence Kraton is used as a wrapped coat around the knife’s tang or as an insert. From the buyer’s viewpoint, the material ensures a good grip as well as security while the knife is in use.
    • Rubber: Is preferred over plastic because of cushioning ability and durability. It is also one of the most preferred materials for pocket knife handles. The material gives a very soft and textured feel. Its use is just like Kraton, as an insert or a wrap. While you can expect an excellent grip, the durability is not as commendable as other synthetic options.
    • Delrin: This is one more trusted thermoplastic with a highly dense and heavy feel. However, it is truly a smooth material to choose from. Unlike some other synthetic options, Delrin is a softer material due to which it is subject to scratches and scuffs. Despite this quality, it is commendable to know this material is quite durable.
    • Mother of Pearl: Is made up of mollusks that are referred to as the external layer of pearls. The look is shining white, but the functionality is lasting. It is usually used in costly models.
  • Stainless Steel and Aluminum: Is known for its sanitary and durable properties, but the blend proves to be a bit slippery. To this at bay, these handles come with indentations, bumps, or ridges, which ensure extra grip. However, due to excellent heat conductivity, these knives can be risky and uncomfortable if used without gloves.
  • Carbon: This is a strong material with high aesthetic appeal.

Plastic and rubber handles are for those who are budget and do not expect them to be highly durable. If durability is what you need for frequently handling tough tasks, it is best to go with Kydex or G-10 synthetic materials.

While options such as wood, leather, and Mother of Pearl are known to add a charm to the overall look, they are not such durable options. They are also likely to wear out or break as time passes. On the other hand, Kydex and rubber are economical but are subject to scratches. Still, it is recommended to choose rubber for enjoying a safe grip in adverse conditions.

Many choose plastic material for folding knife handles, but it is only ideal in terms of price but not in terms of durability. Aluminum or Zytel is perfect for all those who are weight conscious, as nothing can be as light as both of them. If you wish to have all-stars, nothing can beat G-10, as it is unbelievably sturdy, safe, and resistant to moisture.

Factor 9: Blade Finish

It is vital to check for the finishing material on the blade, as it is responsible for visual appeal, reduction in friction, as well as rust resistance. While you have different options, some of them are the most common ones.

First, the black-coated finish refers to the dark matte look and is more resistant to corrosion. The second is Teflon that looks polished and aids in reducing friction for giving improved cuts. Third, a black electroplating finish, which is usually used on steel to reduce its reflectivity. Lastly, you can go for a satin finish if you wish a cosmetic change in looks in terms of luster.

Conclusion

Well, it is expected that you will come across a variety of folding knives, each differing in terms of price, brand, blade, and style. However, with the buying factors discussed earlier, we assure you of a smooth shopping experience.

With these factors, the chances of buying the best folding knife are maximized. Such a knife is likely to be genuinely versatile, provided you take it from a reputed brand as well as the buyer.

Just do not be carried away with models that are too cheap to match with the existing range of market prices. Do pay some dollars more, but avoid ending up in a big loss after investing in such a small deal.