What's the best pocket knife to carry and why?

[btulloh]

It's a rainy day today - -

So this is a topic everyone will find agreement on:  What kind of pocket knife do you carry and what makes it THE RIGHT knife?

I carried The Prince (made by Buck) for a long time because it was perfect for work, play, and formal occasions.



 

It was THE BEST POCKETKNIFE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.  ;)

Last year I switched to a thumb-open/gravity close knife made by Benchmade:



  
It is THE BEST POCKETKNIFE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.  ;)

Good steel, easy on the arthritis, available using one hand, fashionable black durable scales.

I do still use The Prince for formal and semi-formal occasions.

[21incher]

I don't think there is 1 best knife to carry. It depends on what you are doing.
I used to carry the Opinel's. They can be sharpened to a razor blade sharpness, but are tough to open and stain with moisture


 

Then I switched to Kershaws. They are spring assisted and open easily, hold a good edge, but as you can see the metal is brittle and the points break off easily but I usually have 1 in my pocket when leaving the home.


 

Recently I have switched back to a fixed blade for around the yard and garden. The Morakniv's have stainless blades that hold the edge very well and will not rust, The handles are comfortable and work well with garden gloves, and there is no problem with dirt getting in the mechanism all for under 10 bucks.


 

I guess I have not found the perfect single knife and will always be looking.

[Corley5]

Leatherman Rev.  Knife, pliers, screwdrivers with pocket clip. 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I carry a Gerber EAB which is a small box cutter that takes the disposable utility knife blades. Used to carry a Kershaw but it was always dull and I hate sharpening, then carried a multi-tool but it was so bulky that I often "forgot" to carry it. The EAB is perfect around the farm for opening boxes, feed sacks, cutting twine, stripping wire, etc; then when it gets dull take a dime and unscrew the retainer and flip the blade over, once that side is dull just replace. Nothing better than box cutter sharp.

[Crusarius]

I carry the best knife in the world. It costs less than $10. It has a clip. It has a blade and is spring assisted opening. This one has a window punch and a bottle opener.

What makes it the best in the world? It is cheap, and disposable. I am not friendly with any of my knives so those 2 features make it the best. If I lose it or break it I am out $10.

[Texas Ranger]

 

 

Folding Buck, Swiss Army, and an SOG Flash 1 with 2 inch blade.  The SOG takes and holds a razor edge and is my field, shop, what ever, surgical instrument of choice.  Swiss is a Swiss and I use it daily.  Buck is for bigger stuff.

[tree-farmer]

Kershaw in right pocket, Gerber in left. If I have pants on I have at least 2 knives. Somtimes one in boot, depends on circumstance. Tools for all ocassions, formal and casual.

Off subject a bit:
Local joke about one of our "less developed counties". You can tell its a formal wedding if they are using white shotguns.   :D

[Magicman]

My "favorite" has changed many times as time has passed but the Leatherman Original is always on my belt.


 
I also now carry a Benchmade pocket clip of one variety or the other and a Leatherman Micra.

[dgdrls]

Small, holds an edge well & doubles as a money clip.

D

[Woodcutter_Mo]

 I think everyone will have slightly different opinions on this. But my preference (aka best knife for me) is a single blade, lock-back knife of fair quality and reasonable price. I like a knife that has a thin profile and has a pocket clip.
The Kershaw "skyline" if one of my favorite carry knives. It is thin, light weight, simple and holds an edge pretty good and they're not terribly expensive. I also like the grip. The ones I've had are open very smooth and quick even though they do not have the spring assist.

Another one of my favorites is the Kershaw Blur. It is a spring assisted lock back. A little larger and heavier than the skyline but a good all around, durable carry knife.

[WV Sawmiller]

   There is an old thread on this topic floating around I remember seeing when I first found this site and immersed myself into reading all the info I could find on it.

   Anyway, I carry a Leatherman Surge. Started carrying a Leatherman Wave when I was working in Africa then moved to the larger Surge which I carried in Haiti, Norway, Iraq, Afghanistan, & Guinea. I have used it to skin many deer, clean fish (I do bring along a fillet knife for filleting) and work on my weedeater, lawn mower, chain saw, and sawmill. The plastic choke lever is broken on my leaf blower so I use the pliers on my Leatherman to start it when cleaning my sawmill, burning brush piles, etc. If I'm outside it is likely on my hip.

[dnalley]

Crusarius, what is this window punch that you speak about?  Does it have anything to do with shattering the glass in a vehicle?

[drobertson]

I like the thin ones, kershaw being a favorite, but like many shown, the pocket clip on oriented on the wrong end, like shown, if they don't close and its sharp as they should be, a poke is near by.  Now, the one MM showed is the first I've seen with the pocket clip on the correct end.. this one I'm sure is a good and well used pocket knife,, the main thing for me is a locking blade, regardless of the make.

[Crusarius]

Crusarius, what is this window punch that you speak about?  Does it have anything to do with shattering the glass in a vehicle?

Yes, I am a volunteer firefighter so its real nice to have.

[dnalley]

Thanks, I think everybody should have one, especially in your line of service.  I've seen police and such beating on a side glass with lots of things.  Nothing like an automatic center-punch with a carbide point to make short work of these windows, from the inside as well as the outside.  And thanks for your service.

[grouch]

Cheap almost-imitation Swiss Army knife. So cheap it doesn't have a brand. Used to have stamped sheetmetal grips, but they fell off. Blades are stainless at least.


Knife, saw (actually cuts wood), scissors (uselessly flimsy), scaler / dehooker, can opener, flat-blade screwdriver / bottle opener, corkscrew, leather stitching awl (also good for boring a hole in other things), really sharp fingernail file, reamer, philips screwdriver.

Never used the fish scaler.

[btulloh]

A bottle opener comes in handy for those really tough situations.

[Chuck White]

When I'm working, I usually carry the Gerber model S30V, clipped on my belt (as apposed to clipped in the pocket).

Everyday use, I carry a little Gerber model 500 that I got from Buckmasters a few years back!

[bigred1951]

I just carry an old case 3 blade pocket knife. Its great because it was free that I found in the dirt washed it off been using it ever since. Can tell its been well used before me and has been sharpened but it stays sharp and hasn't let me down. I usually have to check my pocket a couple times a day to make sure its still there

[LeeB]

The best knife is a sharp knife. A dull knife will hurt you.

[Magicman]

Here is the same topic a couple of years ago:  LINK

[bucknwfl]

You might have as well asked what's your favorite ice cream

[Stoneyacrefarm]

I carry a schrade old timer.
3 blades and always sharp.
Always have it on me.  8)

[Woodcutter_Mo]

I like the thin ones, kershaw being a favorite, but like many shown, the pocket clip on oriented on the wrong end, like shown, if they don't close and its sharp as they should be, a poke is near by.  Now, the one MM showed is the first I've seen with the pocket clip on the correct end.. this one I'm sure is a good and well used pocket knife,, the main thing for me is a locking blade, regardless of the make.

A few of the Kershaws including the Skyline and Blur that I have, the clips can be installed on the other end providing you have the correct size torx driver 

[Kbeitz]

Leathermans super tool.



 

[DDW_OR]

i carry two
first is a Gerber
http://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/One-Hand-Opening/MP600_47563
saw blade is replaceable with a jigsaw blade, just has to be the style that has the hole

the second is a Swiss army
Victorinox rostfrei

[woodmaker]

Leatherman super tool,leatherman rebar: I love them all.I have 2 or 3 rebars ( i set one down while working on something,miss it the next day,so pick up another until I get to go back for the first one). I use mine several times a day,and feel almost naked without it 8

[JB Griffin]

Currently I carry a Bear and Sons mini trapper but only because I can't find my Remington bullet trapper. One of my favorites is a Case full size trapper in amber jigged bone and carbon steel. I HATE most stainless steels.

I like the thin ones, kershaw being a favorite, but like many shown, the pocket clip on oriented on the wrong end, like shown, if they don't close and its sharp as they should be, a poke is near by.  Now, the one MM showed is the first I've seen with the pocket clip on the correct end.. this one I'm sure is a good and well used pocket knife,, the main thing for me is a locking blade, regardless of the make.

David, my preference is dependent on design, if the knife has a flipper, I want the clip on the tip end, thumb stud, clip on pivot end. Thats my take on pocket clips.

[drobertson]

Not sure if these pics will show what you mean, but this is one Kershaw given as a gift many years ago, I like it, but it's not really a pocket knife as I think,, a pocket hanger, but it has the reverse hang thing I mentioned, if it does not close up, the tip may get ya,, this little Winchester, a flat little wonder I use every day, now it is stainless, but it stays sharp for me,

  

  

 

[JB Griffin]

What I am getting at is the orientation whenits coming out of the pocket.
With a thumb stud I want to grab the knife close to the pivot with my thumb and trigger finger as I pull it out of my pocket so that my thumb is close enough to get to the stud.

Witha flipper you use your trigger finger to open it therefore I want the clip on the tip end (referred to as tip up carry) so I can easily get to the flipper as I pull it out of my pocket.

Its really just a matter of preference.  I agree your Kershaw has the clip on the wrong end. I personally have never had a liner lock of any quality come open in my pocket but I see what you mean.

I have made knives for about 12 years and carried one for 20 and im kinda set in my ways. :

[Crusarius]

Some of the spring assist knives are bad about opening in your pocket. Mine does occasionally but I only notice when I bend over

[Chuck White]

My S30V has a safety on it, just like on a firearm, red dot and all!   ;)

[petefrom bearswamp]

Since about the late 70s, Right pocket, Victorinox Officier suisse, left pocket Leatherman original.
I have gutted many deer with the knife and assisted my guide in gutting and boning out a moose with it.

[ESFted]

The Kershaw Leek is always in my pocket.  It's nice and thin and unobtrusive, has a reversible clip and keeps an edge forever.  The only drawback might be the long narrow tip if you tend to use your knife for prying.

[Wudman]

My carry now is a Lowe's brand folding utility knife (razor blade).  I bought a three pack of them.  I keep a 10 pack of heavy duty blades in the console of the truck.  Now I don't feel bad about skinning a wire or cutting a hose as needed.  Need to sharpen......just flip the blade end for end and get back to work....or pop in a fresh one.  It takes about 10 seconds to change a blade.  Try one and I bet it will stay in your pocket.

Wudman

[Sixacresand]

Quality made knives around home and mill.  Disposable or razor pocket type when traveling or vacationing.  Hate tossing a good one because of metal detector

[Woodcutter_Mo]

My carry now is a Lowe's brand folding utility knife (razor blade).  I bought a three pack of them.  I keep a 10 pack of heavy duty blades in the console of the truck.  Now I don't feel bad about skinning a wire or cutting a hose as needed.  Need to sharpen......just flip the blade end for end and get back to work....or pop in a fresh one.  It takes about 10 seconds to change a blade.  Try one and I bet it will stay in your pocket.

Wudman

I actually just started carrying a folding utility knife as well, mostly because I have been doing some carpentry on my house. It is a handy tool to have on hand, plus if it gets lost or broke it's only $7 vs the $60 kershaw I usually carry 

[pappy19]

A Chris Reeve Large Sebenza, made in Boise, Idaho. Stays sharp and can't be beat.

[Woodcutter_Mo]

My Kershaw Skyline