Find the Best Pocket Knives!

Welcome to Kniferating.com! We currently have 1196 knives listed and 1974 knife reviews! The purpose of this site is to provide a venue for knife reviews that is free from the bias of any one person. Whether you are a backpacker looking for the best survival knife, an LEO looking for a good tactical knife, a boy scout trying to choose the best folding knife or multitool, or just an average joe looking for the best pocket knife for every day carry, we have you covered. In addition, we also discuss fixed blade knives, hunting knives, combat knives, machetes, self defense knives and a whole lot more! Please take a few minutes and help your fellow knife enthusiasts by writing a review of one or all of your knives!

Below is a chart showing the best knives on the site as reviewed by users. Each of the following knives is absolutely top quality and gets our highest recommendation. Keep in mind that there are many more great knives out there, but if you can't decide on a knife after searching the site, choose one off this list and we promise you'll be happy!

Top Rated Knives


Recent Knife Reviews



Cold Steel TI Lite 4

Cold Steel TI Lite 4 Reviews
Overall
4
Quality
3
Ergonomics
4
Value
4

type="amzn" search="Cold Steel TI Lite 4">

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This knife was my big disappointment - first it is definitely not cheap and for the money the presentment was not good. I tying to cut a stem from Tree of Heaven with approximately 2 centimeters diameter. After that, there was a 1 mm vertical play of blade. If must be honest there was no damage on blade or any manifest for age loosing. However, Tree of Heaven is with very soft timber and the vertical play for knife with such price, for me is absolutely unacceptable


Comment by Jon   03/30/2012
I live in the United States where people have the right to defend themselfs. The fact is that this knife was designed with self defence in mind. That is why they call this style of knife a "tactical folder".And if you are justified in defending youself you will not go to prison... At least not here in the US.

Comment by nike   03/21/2012
Sorry for my spelling mistake - I mean "edge loosing". I don't know where you leave, but in my region if you stab anyone or try to use knife for "self-defense" you will go in prison. I'm always hold the statement, the knife is primary a tool not weapon. By the way, I try the same test with one China folding knife (cost 10 $) - no blade play. Enjoy your "sold blade"

Comment by Jon   03/20/2012
I can tell english is a second language for you, maybe you misunderstood what this knife is for. It is designed for stabbing/fighting. It is not ment for cutting "tree of heaven" or any other plants, also nobody knows what you mean by "manifest and for age loosing". That statment dosen't make any sence. This is a self defence knife. When used as such it is a solid blade.
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Spyderco Squeak

Spyderco Squeak Reviews
Overall
10
Quality
10
Ergonomics
9
Value
9

type="amzn" search="Spyderco Squeak">

-Price Paid: $39.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

Great EDC blade! I carry this where big knives may scare some people. The steel choice is great, Nco690. The slipit non locking mechanism has a nice lockup for a "nonlocking" knife. The wire pocket clip is very nice and carries deep in your pocket. Nice jimping top and bottom, nice finger choil.

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Cold Steel Spartan

Cold Steel Spartan Reviews
Overall
10
Quality
9
Ergonomics
10
Value
10

type="amzn" search="Cold Steel Spartan">

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I bought this knife accidentally. At first I thought that it is too big, too clumsy and not appropriate for every day carry. But this is a big mistake! After I bought I never get out of my home without it. The blade shape is great - not suitable only for cutting or slashing but for stabbing too. The handle is with best ergonomics among the knives. I was very surprised how comfortably this folder can be carry in the pocket without any discomfort. The only remark that I have is for the steel. I think, it will be better if Cold Steel used San Mai

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Emerson Knives Gentleman Jim

Emerson Knives Gentleman Jim Reviews
Overall
8
Quality
8
Ergonomics
10
Value
2

type="amzn" search="Emerson Knives Gentleman Jim">

-Price Paid: $214.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This knife has the best ergonomics of any folding knife I've ever owned, and I currently own dozens of knives from numerous, popular and well respected knife companies.
The build quality is good; however, it should be better for a knife costing $214. I own similar knives costing around $100 that have build quality just as good.
Use of 154cm steel? I understand Ernest Emerson believes in sticking to designs that are proven--sort of "don't fix what isn't broken" (I really believe that is a motto that isn't followed nearly enough), but 154cm's big brother, CPM154, has been in existence for well over a decade now, and it has proven itself. I think it's time the Emerson knife company upgraded their blade steel--especially if they're going to be charging $214 for a knife.
Value is poor. As I said before, I own dozens of knives from well respected knife companies. There are other companies that offer similar quality knives, made with similar materials (many are even produced in the USA), which cost less than half the price of my Emerson.
However, I would buy this knife again, and I have two main reasons. (1) this knife has Emerson's patented "wave" feature, which works very well. Some people don't like the wave, but I could see how it might be useful in certain situations. (2) As previously stated, it has the best ergonomics of any folder I've ever owned.

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Kershaw Asset

Kershaw Asset Reviews
Overall
10
Quality
10
Ergonomics
9
Value
10

type="amzn" search="Kershaw Asset">

-Price Paid: $25.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

EDC/self-defense knife

Fantastic balance, very sharp, holds edge better than knives that are double the cost. I'll be buying more of these Assets.

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Benchmade 760BK LFTi

Benchmade 760BK LFTi Reviews
Overall
9
Quality
9
Ergonomics
8
Value
8

type="amzn" search="Benchmade 760BK LFTi">

-Price Paid: N/A
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

Bob Lum design - so it has the most graceful lines of any tanto folder ever to hit the market. And this Benchmade version is truer to the late Bob Lum's design that the Spyderco version released several years ago. CPM M4 is said to be one of the hot steels on the market today, but I havve unfortunately not used the knife enough to comment on how it compares to S30V, VG10, 154CM or anything for that matter. My reason for lack of use is that the LFTi, although some would classify it as a large folder, it is somewhat of a gentleman's folder. Its sleek profile and elegant lines belie its size, but I usually carry something suited to self defense, bushcraft or something overtly suited to get what needs to be gotten done quickly. Make no mistake, I completely believe this beautiful knife will get the job done, but Mr Lum's Onslaught, a Matriarch, Lone Wolf T3, ZT301 or Strider DBL would be more effective. The knife would look stunning without the black coating, but every review about M4 says its prone to rusting, hence the coating is probably a good idea. Its also cheaper to coat a knife blade than to buff iy up to a satin or mirror finish and this knife does not come cheap. On the downside, I do not like the hexagonal blade stop pin, why not just use a round one. Blade lock up on the frame lock is bank vault solid, but the pocket clip which is positioned to act as a safety to ensure that the frame lock is not over extended when the lock is disenaged, makes for the knife to sit way too high in one's pocket.I would have prefered 3 screws on the pocket clip instead of 2, but they suffice - I would just have prefered 3. Same goes for my ZT301 and every other folder with 2 screws securing the pocket clip. A major drawback of this knike is that it comes with one of the worst out the box grinds I have ever encounted. The angle is way too thick/shallow and I sure this knife was not designed to baton wood as its primary function, which the thick/shallow edge geometry seems to indicate. Luckily I know a good man at the local knife shop who reprofiled the edge angle for me. So now the combination of the 4mm thick blade and the reprofiled edge is perfect for my needs. I further took the bkade to some 1000 and then 1200 grit paper and its hair popping sharp. This is a great knife and even though I normally carry for the back alleys and battle field, this one is a perfect compliment for the days spent at the head of the boardroom table. Thank you Bob Lum, may you rest well.

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Lone Wolf Swale

Lone Wolf Swale Reviews
Overall
10
Quality
10
Ergonomics
10
Value
10

type="amzn" search="Lone Wolf Swale">

-Price Paid: $63.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

I love this knife. Came razor sharp and the n680 blade steel holds a consistent edge. I was kind of nervous about this steel since I had no previous experience with it, but it hasn't let me down yet.


Comment by Dr.A   03/16/2015
Knife is well made with a nice and thick lock. The blade snaps into place very securely. The blade itself is made with quality steel and had a good thickness.My only con with this knife is it came from the factory with all its screws loose. I had to take the knife apart and re secure everything. Other then that, great knife.

Comment by T. Flynn   02/26/2015
Great everyday knife. Made very well.
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TOPS Knives Smoke Jumper

TOPS Knives Smoke Jumper Reviews
Overall
10
Quality
10
Ergonomics
10
Value
10

type="amzn" search="TOPS Knives Smoke Jumper">

-Price Paid: $112.00
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

This knife far exceeded my expectations for rugged outdoor use. The 1/4 inch thick blade is virtually indestructable and holds an excellent edge. I have used this knife for splitting firewood, shapening a sticks for frog gigging, splitting open rotten logs for catching critters, filleting fish, and after that used it for cutting up my campfire grilled steak dinner and vegtables. I also have the Spyderco Shemp Rock and find this blade does not compare to the TOPS Smoke Jumper. If you are looking for a rugged outdoor knife, this is the one.

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Kershaw Storm 2

Kershaw Storm 2 Reviews
Overall
10
Quality
10
Ergonomics
10
Value
10

type="amzn" search="Kershaw Storm 2">

-Price Paid: $45.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

I've had this knife for over two and a half years now and I use it all the time. I have yet to have a problem with this knife. out of the box it comes razor sharp and holds it edge really well, I've only had to sharpen it one or two times. although it is a little bit difficult to sharpen due to the curve of the blade. it is very light and thin so carrying it in a pocket of a light jacket is no problem. and when carried in your pants pocket like I do there's almost no bulge in the fabric. as far as ergonomics go, I have yet to own a better knife, whether held in normal or reverse grip it almost molds to your hand. it is a very rapid deploying knife thanks to the finger stud on the back if the blade when closed. I have yet to need to oil or lubricate the hinge and it still opens as smooth and fast as it did the day that i bought it. oh, it is American made up that matters to you. overall this is one if the best knives I've ever owned.

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Spyderco Matriarch

Spyderco Matriarch Reviews
Overall
9
Quality
7
Ergonomics
7
Value
10

type="amzn" search="Spyderco Matriarch">

-Price Paid: $95.00
-Used for Self Defense
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Notwithstanding the mediocre ergonomics, the plain and basic Endura platform its built on, notwithstanding the fact that I own several Spydercos in S30V, Lonewolf, Benchmades in super M4 steel. Yet among all my folders: titnium handles, carbon fibre, G10, micarta/G10 combo handles, frame locks, compression locks, axis locks - I find that I keep gravitating towards my brown, plastic (FRN) handled, VG10 lockback. I prefer the limited edition, brown handled, full flat grind Matriarch over both my Harpy and Civilian. The Matriarch is larger than the Harpy and much lighter than the Civilian. It also has a full flat grind VG10 serrated blade compared to the concave grind on the other two. FRN handles are probably my least favourite of most handle materials and I am not a great fan of lockbacks considering the superior performance of frame locks, axis type locks and compression locks, but this knife keeps finding its way into my pockets. This is for the following three reasons only: it is super light, the reverse curve cuts through any material like butter, and this Matriarch has save my life once when I was far away from home. I feel endebted to this knife, this "black sheep" of my knive collection. HEAD

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Victorinox Sentry

Victorinox Sentry Reviews
Overall
8
Quality
7
Ergonomics
7
Value
8

type="amzn" search="Victorinox Sentry">

-Price Paid: $20.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year

Comments:

Got this knife purely because it looked unique. Like the slim profile and the single blade. Blade came reasonably sharp but not as sharp as my Swiss Army Mechanic but it's decent. The blade is rather slim and fine. Good steel but some people may not like how thin the blade is. This isn't a hard use knife, it's more of a light gentleman's folder. It'd make a good first Swiss for a child, even more so if he's in the Boy Scouts of America.


Comment by Dave   02/17/2016
I thought 20 bucks was a bit to much for this knife But i bought it anyway. I actually like the blade size( 2"). and light weight. you cant tell its in your pocket. Its great for a suit pocket.
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Victorinox Mechanic

Victorinox Mechanic Reviews
Overall
9
Quality
10
Ergonomics
9
Value
8

type="amzn" search="Victorinox Mechanic">

-Price Paid: $50.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Greater than 1 year

Comments:

This was my first Swiss Army knife and I was very impressed. All the tools were tight and high quality with no play on any of the tools. The main and secondary blades came hair shaving sharp. Alot of people discredit Swiss Army knives as outdated, but I disagree. They are a classic piece of knife history, and I am proud to own one. I also think the pliers are pretty cool, because I'm not a big fan of scissors. Love my Mechanic, a little expensive, but you have to pay for quality. I recommend.

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