Best Folding Knife: For Your Everyday Use

If you were to say that owning and using a folding knife does not interest you, then chances are you are lying to yourself. No matter who you are, male or female, there is something satisfying about being in possession of a really good quality folding knife.

Whether you want one to feel safe on the streets, or if you want it for practical uses (such as hunting or camping), or even if you just want to own one just for the sake of owning one, then there will be the best folding knife for you that will meet your needs while staying within your budget.

There are many different types and styles of folding knives on the market, and thanks to new advancements in technology, a knife is no longer just a knife. So to assist you in making the best purchase to suit you and your needs, we have looked at some of the best knives for everyday use.

Our top picks

Buyers Guide – Most Important Features

We could show you two different folding knives – and even though they may both look the same, and be identical in theory (it is a knife that flips open and closed), in reality, there are many different things that need to be considered prior to purchasing one for yourself or a loved one. Some of the most important features that need to be considered when purchasing a folding knife are outlined below.

Materials

There is no standardized material for producing a folding knife – the blade can be made from different metals, although stainless steel is always going to be the most popular. If you are looking for a higher quality blade, then look for one made with Damascus steel.

The same with the handle – really any material can be used to make the handle, ranging from wood to metal and different plastics. While the material of the blade can directly affect the quality and effectiveness of the entire knife (so needs to be given extra consideration), the material of the handle really is a matter of personal preference and aesthetics.

Usability

It should not come as a surprise that usability is one of the biggest considerations to make when purchasing a folding knife. One major factor that can make the difference of a knife being suitable or not is whether the user is right handed, left handed or ambidextrous.

While most folding knives are designed so that they can be opened and controlled with either hand, there are some that are only suitable for use with either the right or left hand.

Also, some knives are made with special ball bearings which make them easier to open – in fact, many can be opened easily with a single hand. This would be especially important if the knife was for someone with weak hands or with only one functional hand.

Durability

To get a quality folding knife, you will need to part with some cash. So you will want to make sure that the knife that you purchase is durable and is going to last. If you want a folding knife for display or for safety, then durability will not be quite as critical as if you were to use it for hunting, survival or anything outdoors.

There would be nothing worse than being stranded somewhere because your folding knife decided to snap or get blunt. Check the warranty, and keep an eye out for the manufacturers that actually include free sharpening for the life of the blade.

Safety Features

There is no getting around the fact that knives are dangerous, even when used by someone who knows what they are doing. Children are curious by nature, and when a folding knife is closed, it actually does not look like a knife. So even children that know they should not play with knives could find it and think that there is no issue with taking a closer look.

So if you know that there is a chance that children or anyone else that could hurt themselves inadvertently when exposed to the knife, then you will want to pay special attention to the safety features. Spring loaded blades and knives with locking mechanisms are preferred.

Some blades even have something called a David Boye Dent, which basically prevents accidental closure of an open knife – so will help to prevent any loss of fingers when being handled.

Best products on the market

If you are open to recommendations, we highly recommend that you give these knives below and well-deserved look.

Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21 Folding Knife

Weight: 3.0 oz

Blade length: 2.94 inches

Specific features: Right handed. Handle is made from titanium. Pocket clip

Best use: Hiking, camping, hunting

The Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21 Folding Knife is a premium quality folding knife, and is part of the Sebenza range. Even though it is a fairly small knife, it is packed with features and inclusions, including a removable pocket clip, a lockable blade and a tumbled finish drop point blade.

Like all Chris Reeves’ knives, it is made to the highest quality and is designed for a lifetime of use. It is iconic, and those familiar with the brand will recognize the unmistakable signature anodized blue markings on both the handle and blade.

All Chris Reeves knives are designed and made in the United States, and the Sebenza knife range has been in production since 1987 – and in that time the design and quality has been perfected and constantly improved on.

Related: As knives are risky gadgets to have carelessly hanging around, customers who buy the Chris Reeve Small Sebenza knife also frequently buy the Everpride Chef’s Knife Roll Up Storage Bag. It has storage space of up to 8 knives allowing you to carry other kinds of knives you may have.

Check the price on Amazon

Guardian Tactical Deltrix Folder G10 Knife

Weight:  5.7 oz

Blade length: 4 inches

Specific features: Right and left handed. Handle is made from carbon fibre. Pocket clip

Best use: Fishing, hiking, backpacking and hunting

The Guardian Tactical Deltrix Folder G10 Knife is the G10 version of the popular and well received Deltrix folding knife series by Guardian Tactical. It is a quality and highly rated knife that incorporates the latest advancements and modern technologies of knife design.

It is on the larger end of the folding knife scale, and is heavier than many other knives on the market – however this is a feature that is highly rated if that is what you are after.

One downside of the size and weight however, is that it is difficult to open quickly with a single hand. It has a beefy blade that is longer than many on the market, and has a cleverly designed 2-ball bearing system which ensures that it is solidly locked when closed. The knife itself is stylish with an attractive 2 tone blade and tough looking black handle with contrasting steel embellishments.

Related: Just like any other knife, after long term usage-depending on how you use your knife, the blade of the Guardian Tactical Knife gets dull after some time. Because of this obvious reason, customers who buy this product also buy the Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunction Sharpener.

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Microtech Socom Delta SE Satin Knife

Weight: 4.95 oz

Blade length: 4 inches

Specific features: Right handed. Handle is made from anodized aluminum. Designed for tactical use

Best use: Fishing, hiking, backpacking and hunting

If you are after a streamlined and simple yet high quality folding knife, then the Microtech Socom Delta SE Satin Knife is for you. This knife is made to be used in tough situations, and because it is made from an extremely durable aluminum, it will be long lasting and can take a beating.

It is designed for use in tactical situations, so is the perfect knife to take hunting, camping or on any adventure. It has a plain cutting edge which is easy to sharpen, and it is made with a pocket clip as well as a lanyard hole – so you will be able to keep it close to your body for safety and convenience.

While it may be simpler and not as embellished as some of the other folding knives on the market, what it lacks in style it definitely makes up for in functionality, quality and durability.

Related: Folding knives are important gears that should be kept and carried around with much care. That is where the Spyderco Spyderpac Large SP1 comes in. Customers who buy the Microtech Socom Knife also buy the Spyderco Spyderpac to store the folding knife.

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Boker Mokume Damascus Knife

Weight:  4.30 oz

Blade length: 3 inches

Specific features: Made from Damascus steel with an Imbuia wooden handle. Locking mechanism

Best use: Fishing, hiking, backpacking and hunting

For a folding knife that lives up to its hyped up reputation, and where the blade is as much the hero of the knife as much as the handle is, then you cannot go past the Boker Mokume Damascus Knife. Boker are focused on quality and craftsmanship, and have designed a knife that is so stylish yet remains completely functional.

It is made from Damascus steel which is appealing in itself, and the actual blade is actually specially forged to have 150 layers. This forging process results in the strongest blade imaginable.

You can be certain of its quality as it comes in a wooden collector’s box with a letter of authenticity included. It also has a limited lifetime warranty, which is a feature that is notably absent from many other folding knives on the market.

It is also one of the safest folding knives available because it is essentially child proof thanks to the state of the art back-locking mechanism. So it is perfect for families with curious little hands that need to be kept safe (or for those who are just a bit clumsy and accident prone).

Related: Imagine when your knife gets stuck to the point of only being pulled open by pliers or when it gets terribly rusty. These scenarios can be terribly annoying. But thanks to the Sentry Solutions TUF- GLIDE, you can forget having such moments.

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Spyderco Rubicon Folding Knife

Weight:  4.30 oz

Blade length: 3 inches

Specific features: One hand opening. Carbon fibre handle. Pocket clip.

Best use: Fishing, hiking, backpacking and hunting

Do not let the size of the Spyderco Rubicon Folding Knife fool you – this is one tough folding knife. It may not look like the average folding knife on the market – the blade is shorter and wider than expected, and the handle is made from a carbon fibre, but thanks to the high grade materials and thorough testing that Spyderco do with all of their knives, you can be sure that it will be up to any task.

It is particularly easy to flip open – in fact, it is one of the only folding knives on the market that can be easily and safely opened with the one hand (left or right). This is thanks to the intelligent design using a ball bearing pivot system.

Despite its ease to flip open, it has a strong and dependable locking mechanism so it cannot be accidentally closed onto your fingers. The handle is smaller than many of the others on the market, which makes it perfect for smaller hands, however, as it is not scalable, users with larger hands or thicker fingers may have some trouble holding and controlling it.

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Benchmade Knife Mini Barrage Knife

Weight:  3.40 oz

Blade length: 2.91 inches

Specific features: Spring loaded, smooth blade edge. Pocket clip. For use with right or left hand. Handle is made from valox plastic

Best use: Fishing, hiking, backpacking and hunting

The Benchmade Knife Mini Barrage Knife is an all-American everyday knife that is made for use outdoors, so promises to perform in all conditions.

It is also one of the only knives on the market that is legal in all of the U.S States – this is due to the fact that the blade is spring loaded as opposed to automatic. So the residents in Florida will be happy to learn this (as they have the biggest restrictions).

While it does not come with a lifetime warranty, one of the benefits that this folding knife has over some of its competitors is that fact that Benchmade will sharpen it for free for the life of the blade – just provide proof of purchase and they will make your beloved knife sharp and good as new.

It is very user friendly and easy for anyone to control – even those who have not used folding knives in the past. It can be easily and safely opened with a single hand, and thanks to the handle design, it is just as comfortable and effective when used in the left hand than with the right hand.

Related: To ensure the Benchmade knife continues to serve its intended purpose for the longest period, customers also buy the knife together with the Smith’s PP1 Pocket Pal Multifunctional Sharpener. The sharpener comes featured with a fold out and a tapered around diamond coated rod that can be used to sharpen both serrated as well as standard edges.

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Spyderco Delica 4 Knife

Weight: 2.65 oz

Blade length: 2.88 inches

Specific features: Plain edge blade. David Boye dent. For use with right or left hand. Fiberglass reinforced nylon handle

Best use: Fishing, hiking, backpacking and hunting

The Spyderco Delica 4 Knife is an affordable yet feature packed knife that is perfect for anyone as it allows for easy, one-hand opening and can be used by left handed and right handed people.

It also has an added safety feature which is often underestimated – the David Boye dent. This dent may not look like much (it literally is just a small dent in the lock bar lever on the knife), but it actually prevents accidental closure of the blade and makes it hard to accidently disengage the lock.

This is definitely a useful feature for younger people or those new to using hand held folding knives, and is a safety feature in itself. It is the lightest knife on this list, however, despite the lightweight nature of it, the handle is extra grippy and deceptively easy to control.  It has a four-way clip and like all Spyderco products, it is made using only the highest quality materials and workmanship.

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In Conclusion

As is clearly demonstrated, not all folding knives are made the same, and there are many different styles and brands on the market, all with their pros and cons. If you are in the market for a folding knife, it does not matter what your needs are, there will be a perfect knife for you.

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