After testing 28 pocket knives in over 60 hours of research, we found the Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) Drifter is the best for most people. I have a large collection of pocket knives, and I carry one pretty much every day. 99 $79.30 $79.30 While opening, the blade offers a smooth, even resistance, and once the liner lock is engaged, it holds firm with no blade movement at all, either back and forth or side to side. We didn’t do any specific tests on edge retention. The small handle has a simple arcing design that provides a nice grip and is easy to hold in a variety of ways. Plain edges are easier to sharpen and work for most uses. Same screws, finished the same way - it just looks like it was made by the same company. Some of the other nice knives we found in this price range, such as the Zancudo (our runner-up), the Kershaw Chill, and the Ontario RAT II, all have multi-position pocket clips that either cater more easily to left-handed users or at least offer the right-handed tip-up position. We found it comfortable during aggressive cutting and easy to shift around for more delicate tasks. A drop-point blade shape: For blade shape, we focused our search on the classic drop-point style. In fact, if there is a downside, it’s that the handle is too grippy: During our aggressive cardboard-cutting session, the texture along the edges of the knife became uncomfortable. The pivot is also nice, although not as smooth as the Drifter’s. It’s a versatile no-nonsense sharpening system that almost anyone can learn how to use.” Touching up a blade on a whetstone takes skill and practice, but you can find easy-to-use systems like this (or the similar, cheaper Lansky 4 Rod Turn Box) that can bring dull blades back to razor sharpness in minutes.5. It’s a fairly expensive knife, but if you need one do-all pocket knife that you can open letters with at the office and press into tough use on the weekends, this should be the top of your list. The Wharncliffe also maintains the lack of “belly” on the blade, so it’s not the best type of knife if you want to slice in a “fillet” style (the tip will drag and do most of the work). But the Sanrenmu 710 has a number of drawbacks. It is well documented that the better steels found on more expensive knives hold an edge longer than their less-expensive counterparts. Be sure to check local laws before purchasing or carrying a switchblade. The Buck Knives Vantage is about the size of the Drifter but is a hard-to-use flipper. In addition, we looked at two traditional folders with lockbacks; these models, from Buck Knives and from Case, also have a two-handed open, relying on the fingernail nick. It’s just a theory, but I would not be surprised to learn if SRM made the Drifter.”. We looked at common steels used by popular knife brands to help you select the right material for your blade. And for those who want to save a few bucks, the original version of the Bugout is very, very similar, just a few grams heavier and with oh-so-slightly softer handle scales. Because of those reasons, we don’t think blade shape is an issue here. You could maneuver the knife around and do it one-handed by pressing the lock and folding the knife closed against a leg or some other solid object, but that’s awkward. The S.P.E.W blade has a flexible sheath to protect the blade and stay secure, but you could take it out of the covering easily when you want to use it. There is no denying that the Spyderco Dragonfly 2 and Delica 4 are excellent knives (the Dragonfly 2 tops reviewer Tony Sculimbrene’s recommendation list). It works with a spring that slides a pin in front of the blade to block its closure. This pricing is impressive seeing as the overall quality in our tests was better than that of many of the $20 to $40 knives we tried. Other knives with the same overall dimensions weren’t anywhere as nice as the Drifter. Roughly a 3-inch blade length: Blade reviewer Dan Jackson called a 3-inch blade the “sweet spot” for size and explained to us that a 3-inch blade is “a functional size and provides plenty of cutting edge and plenty of handle to hang on to.” Tony Sculimbrene, writing at his site, says he doesn’t see the point of going larger than 3 inches for an EDC blade. It’s a small touch, but noticeable when you’re using the knife. We can say the same for the Kershaw Atmos, Skyline, and Chill: Each are nicely made, lightweight—the Atmos is under 2 ounces—thin knives with great handles, but we thought thumb-stud designs offered better opening options. Jackson told us he didn’t see a huge problem with the 710: “[It’s] nothing like the real [Sebenza]. The most impressive of these is the smoothness of the blade’s pivoting action, which is among the nicest we tested and on a par with that of knives costing four times as much. Watch. We didn’t feel the need to rehash this information. All About Pocket Knives. Once open, the blade locks with a liner lock that is secure yet simple to disengage. It’s very similar to the Buck and is available in a wide variety of “looks,” but the steel is softer and it’s usually more expensive, so we preferred the Buck. It’s built by a tool company, so that heavy-abuse build quality is not surprising, but we don’t think the added weight is necessary for an EDC knife. Trending Gear Buying Guides Submit. Dan Jackson of BladeReviews.com has been running his site and reviewing knives since 2010. The Ellis ($99) is the brand’s answer to a minimalist, knife-based tool. 12 Best Lightweight Pocket Knives for EDC in 2021 - Your typical EDC knife is likely the heaviest part of your kit. As with the Drifter, you deploy the blade of the Mini Griptilian using a thumb stud. The Wharncliffe blade style excels in all EDC tasks with a thin tip and long, straight edge. Like a sheepsfoot blade, this shape has a straight edge and a curved spine, but the curve extends gradually from the handle to the tip. Instead of sawing, a plain edge excels at push cuts or slicing. All of the knives we tested could open, close, lock, and cut—but not all of them could do those things equally well. The back of the blade, at the handle end, has some grooves (called jimping), which gives the thumb a little traction during tougher cuts. Dual, ambidextrous thumbstuds on both sides of the blade make for easy opening. Many knives, like the popular Swiss Army Knife, have a nail nick. The Zancudo has a nice, smooth pivot and a frame lock that’s technically stronger than the Drifter’s liner lock. We found that the smoothness of the Drifter’s thumb-stud deployment was better than that of any other knife in the under-$40 price range and on a par with that of knives costing three or four times as much. Anyone in the knife world likely won’t be surprised to see this recommendation, as the Mini Griptilian has a long-standing reputation as one of the premier folding EDC pocket knives. Sanrenmu isn’t trying to pass its knife off as a Sebenza, so the company is not counterfeiting (which is a huge problem in the knife world), but the similarities are difficult to deny. The overall size is almost identical as well, consisting of a 2¾-inch blade, a 3¾-inch handle, and a total length of 6½ inches.6 The drawbacks: The all-metal body can get slippery, and we found the company to be very unresponsive to our queries, which raised some red flags about customer service and warranty support. When you open the blade, a strip of the metal handle lining springs to the center of the knife and engages with the back end of the blade, locking it in place. Reviewer Tony Sculimbrene is a big fan of the LA Police Gear TBFK S35VN, as he named it his best budget blade of 2017. This makes them more secure than liner locks. That length gives you plenty of blade length to do almost any common job outside of bushcraft-heavy chores. Thank you again for the new locking wharncliffe. $84.00 Save 30% . Want to learn more about knife steel? A flipper is a small tab that sticks out the back end of the handle; when you give it a quick flick, the blade pops open and locks. This is a nice feature to have, but it’s not an essential one, particularly if you’re new to knives and haven’t yet developed a preference. Compared with our other picks, it’s simply a better knife—better pivot, better blade steel, better ergonomics, and better locking system. This approach gave us the best feel for the overall combination of ergonomics, pivot design, and handling, something that no lab testing could truly zero in on. To shut the knife, you just slide a small mechanism located in the handle to the back to move the spring and pin backward, then shut the knife. At its most basic, an everyday carry (EDC) knife is a practical tool that helps you tackle small, routine problems. Some countries (like the U.K.) have banned locking knives, so be sure to check local laws. The brass portion of the frame is thick and sturdy, and the wood accents, made of American walnut, are attractive. But EDC knives are not for everyone, and you have certain considerations to take into account if you’re looking to carry one. The Drifter is easy and smooth, for sure, but the Mini Griptilian is like silk. This is a great choice if you regularly need to cut rope. During our testing, we found all-metal handles slippery. In the end, this comparison was the one instance where the blade steel played a role, as the steel on the Buck held an edge noticeably longer than the Case’s. We much preferred the sure-handed grip of carbon fiber or G10 (a fiberglass laminate). The Gerber Fastball ($105) is a great little knife with a wonderfully fidgety opening motion. We asked five pros how they made it work and what it takes to make a living in the outdoor industry "in real life.". The knife handle also seemed to twist slightly while we were gripping it, something that didn’t happen with the Drifter. It would be nice if this model offered more options, but again, we didn’t see many under-$40 knives with multiple clip options, and we don’t think it’s a critically important feature. Next Last. Amazingly, it competes in weight with super-high-tech titanium-alloy knives. Lawrence, W. Houston, TX $ So while liner locks are the weakest of the three, they can still withstand a significant amount of force with a strength that far exceeds your needs for everyday tasks. As Benjamin Schwartz writes in a review Jackson’s site, “For me, 8Cr13MoV is the baseline for modern steel, setting the bar for acceptability in every area, but impressing in none other than sharpenability. With this design, the top edge of the blade arcs slightly downward toward the tip. But with a total length of 5¾ inches and a cutting edge of barely over 2 inches, the Buck 55 is not a menacing knife. Originally developed to get around switchblade restrictions, assisted-opening knives have become quite popular. Shop thousands of quality pocket knives from all the top knife brands including Benchmade, Spyderco, CRKT Cold Steel and more! Check them out here on our guide to the best pocket knife brands. Even though it feels very robust at 5.15 ounces in your hand, it sits nicely in the pocket and isn’t too overwhelming for EDC use. On the downside, they do affect the aesthetic of the blade. Get some Loctite, treat the screws upon purchase, and set your pocket carry to your preference. SITEWIDE 2-DAYFREE SHIPPING. The Gerber Fastball is a good example of a liner-lock knife. We found that once the Mini Griptilian was in our grip, it took a lot for this knife to come out. Boasting one of the most traditionally-styled Wharncliffe blade … Aside from the Buck 55, the Case Mini Copperlock was the only other traditional knife we tested. The unfortunate thing here is that the Drifter’s curve is enough to make sharpening a little more difficult but not enough to really aid in cutting. For instance, the majority of knives from reputable manufacturers in the $15 to $40 range, where we spent most of our time, are made of either 8Cr13MoV or AUS-8, both of which are considered decent, but not great, steels. Some might argue that the blade of any knife is its most important part. Until recently, however, Wharncliffe tactical knives (at least the pocket-size kind) were relatively uncommon. 100% satisfaction guarantee + 60-day money-back returns. We see no practical difference between this steel and the Drifter’s 8Cr14MoV. Still, in our tests the Zancudo was our choice for tougher jobs, such as when we headed into a DIY project. ~ Q ~ Top. If the Drifter isn’t available or if you’re looking for a real workhorse of a knife, we also like the Blue Ridge Knives ESEE Zancudo.1 Compared with the Drifter, the Zancudo has a larger handle, a stronger blade lock, and a lot more metal in the body. Samior SF283 Compact EDC Folding Pocket Flipper Knife, 2.83 inch Black Stonewashed Wharncliffe Blade, Frame Lock, Brushed Non-slip Mosaic Stainless Steel Handle, Utility Fruit Daily Task Knives 4.3 … I don't do enough rope cutting tasks to make the serrations worth the sharpening hassle they cause.” Jackson agreed: “If you maintain your plain edge knife you will never miss having serrations.”, No assisted open: Knives with assisted open have an internal mechanism that springs the blade to the open position once it is just barely out of the handle.4 Sculimbrene has strong opinions on such knives, writing at his site, "I do not like assisted opening or automatic knives. During testing, I attended a number of family gatherings, where we used the knives for cutting rope for a kid’s swing, shaving off an aggressive splinter on a dock, and opening a few boxes. The blade locks in place with a nice, flexible frame lock that you can easily move out of the way to close the blade. You are also probably less likely to buy a series of upgrades if you buy a nice knife.” Jackson told us that a cheaper knife and an expensive knife will “both cut the same more or less,” but pointed out that “most people would be able to feel the difference between an $80 Mini Griptilian and a $25 Zancudo.”, In the knife community, the Mini Griptilian is a popular and very highly regarded knife. Once we had the 28 knives in hand, it didn’t take long for us to narrow things down to about 10 models based on fit and finish alone. Unlike knives with all-metal handles, the Drifter never felt slippery to us. Find great deals on folding and pocket knives at DICK'S Sporting Goods. It far surpasses many of the others in its price range, which commonly have cheap materials, too-tight pivots, or locks that are hard to disengage. I spent 10 of those years in the construction industry, in work that entailed heavy daily knife usage. The Case Mini Copperlock, the other traditional knife we tested, positions the lock at the middle of the handle, so this one-handed operation is easier but still awkward. The deep-carry pocket clip is reversible, so you can easily carry on the left or right. Jackson writes that he “found it very pocketable.”. Recurves are designed so that they can “grab” better, particularly with a sawing cut, but the downside is that they’re harder to maintain. The Buck 55 has a clip-point blade, which, functionally, is very similar to a drop-point blade. WE SUPPORT OURVETERANS & COPS. We found that, depending on the steel, knives fell into a series of price ranges. The 10 best pocket knives to buy in the UK. The S30V Wharncliffe blade flicks open authoritatively with a pronounced finger flipper. $42.19. These are the best pocket knives in my kit. Sadly, even with exceptional ratings, Kershaw quit making it. For the outdoorsperson who needs a big, capable knife that can transition into the workday, this is a good option. As Jackson noted, “[The] construction [of the Drifter and the 710] is very similar. The Coast FDX302 feels durable and has a secondary blade lock, but at over 7½ inches it’s a larger knife, and we much preferred the smaller CRKT Drifter. It has a smoother release, which results in the fastest blade deployment you could ever ask for. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mini Wharncliffe Folding Knife Pocket EDC Hunting Survival Titanium Alloy Handle at the best … Sculimbrene told us, “In terms of locking systems, the liner lock … is probably my favorite.”, Frame locks are essentially the same thing, except they’re a thicker piece of metal that engages with the blade. Second, you need to maintain them, which means sharpening them. The handle has a light amount of texturing, but as Schwartz writes in his review, “it doesn’t help with the grip during deployment, which this knife could use.”. I’ve never been surprised by 8Cr13MoV, but never really disappointed by it either.”, A good value for the price: To find an entry-level knife with features that would satisfy an enthusiast, we centered our research on the $15 to $40 range. The shape is similarly ideal for slicing while minimizing the possibility for an accidental puncture with the tip. Buck) can really bring out the best in this affordable steel using quality heat treatments. At any given time, I have 20 to 30 knives, some of which I’ve had for years, while others are brand-new. “A clip point blade is very practical for the same reasons, but it can look more aggressive, especially in a larger knife.” Drop-point shapes are easier to maintain, too. These blades come in handy in similar situations. But for lighter-duty knives and EDC use, they are a good choice. The S30V Wharncliffe blade flicks open authoritatively with a pronounced finger flipper. To unlock the blade, you use your thumb to move the lock to the side while simultaneously shifting the blade forward with your forefinger. In Stock. Lightweight: A consideration somewhat similar to blade length, weight is an important factor for anything you carry with you all day. As Benjamin Schwartz writes in one review, “I think that, in our spec-obsessed modern age, we forget that poor edge retention in any modern steel is [still] pretty decent: I cut through a lot of cardboard with the [very inexpensive] 710, more than I could reasonably expect to deal with in a month of standard use, before I noticed any real performance issues. Use and personal preference play a role in the best blade edge. We quickly dismissed knives that had impossible openings or awkward ergonomics. First, even though EDC knives are typically small, they’re still dangerous, so you need to handle them responsibly. We tested the Buck 55 against the Case Mini Copperlock, another well-regarded traditional knife, and each has its high points. You can operate liner locks and frame locks with either hand, but those designs are unquestionably easier for right-handed people. Columbia River CRKT 2388 Folts S.P.E.W. ", A reliable model: We kept our search to established, time-tested models. The SOG Flash AT-XR is one of our favorite spring-assisted knives. It’s worth noting that some other knife aficionados really dislike this knife, so it may not be your cup of tea. The grip area works with all hand sizes and remains comfortable even during tough cutting. If you have an application that needs fast and thoughtless deployment, like combat or rescue, assisted and auto knives have their place. The 55 has none of the modern convenience features of the other knives we tried, but it does have a timeless feel, a comfortable handle, and a durable build quality. We think that this added durability and performance are unnecessary for standard everyday use, and that the Drifter, with its adequate strength, lighter weight, and smaller footprint, is the better option for most. Even with damp or sweaty hands, it’s easy to hold and grip. The Swindle features a frame lock, a flipper tab, and a modified Wharncliffe blade that help keep this folder slim. ADD. Folding blades (as opposed to fixed blades): Most folding knives (known as folders) are small enough to fit in a pocket and have a general nonthreatening sense of utility about them. (Not necessarily in that order!) After all of our research, conversations, slicing, dicing, apple peeling, and cardboard cutting, we believe that the best knife for most people is the Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) Drifter. If a manual knife is well designed (like a flipper or a thumb hole) it will open just as fast. Wharncliffe knife. For those who just need a simple folding pocket knife to cut string, slice some lunchmeat, or maybe clean a trout, the Opinel No. Fixed blades do have their place, particularly among outdoor enthusiasts, but we believe they aren’t the best option for a simple, discreet EDC blade. BACKED BY OURLIFETIME WARRANTY. GRN handle scales. In fact, the very first Ronin 2, a custom blade made … The brand caused quite a stir last year when it updated the classic 110 with more modern lines and materials in the form of the 110 Folding Hunter Slim Pro. My only regret is not buying more of these S&Ms when they were cheap(er) & more plentiful (and also selling the ones I had in order to finance other collecting interests...but hindsight is always 20 20--a.. It has a fine tip for detail cutting, a belly up front for slicing, and a flat edge for dicing and chopping. The Folding Hunter Slim Pro ($90) upgrades the classic clip point with a slightly less pronounced curve on the spine, resulting in a more usable shape in my opinion. An everyday-carry pocket knife should be fairly light and comfortable to carry. Refine by No filters applied Hide Filters Show Filters Best Use Camping (1) Every Day Carry (1) Law Enforcement (1) Military (1) Self Defense (1) Tactical (1) … The G10 handle is light but strong in the hand. You also have legal considerations. It’s a cool feature, but not an essential one. Due to the amount of metal in the body of the Zancudo, it’s heavier than the Drifter, but that metal also gives the knife a sturdier, heavy-duty feel. Of course, there are “super steels” like S90V, Maxamet, and SM100. The blade is made of high-end steel (154CM), and the lightweight handle offers good balance. Supreme Folding Knives OnlyWe are knife professionals who have long-term relationships with the best craftsmen all around the world.We provide nothing but the best folding knives with excellent customer care. Wharncliffe for sale here at Blade HQ. Tired of wearing out cheap pocket knives? Mickey’s take on the Ronin. Read more…. The Mini Griptilian is available in a number of configurations. We also thought the pocket clip felt uncomfortable in the hand. It has a medium-size blade, with a 3.44-inch cutting edge. It is equally at home cutting a piece of line, whacking off a chunk of Jarlsburg cheese or slicing a pear at lunch. The box of the 710 says that Sanrenmu will replace any knife with a quality defect, but we’re skeptical. 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,619. Closing the blade has an equal smoothness. The Buck 55 opens and closes with a pronounced (and satisfying) snapping noise as the back lock falls into place. If your hands are damp or oily, forget about it. Small and medium hands will be able to get a full four-fingered grip on the handle, while larger hands will get only three. Anyone who owned the Drifter would be unlikely to covet either of these subtle touches, and they’re by no means essential features, but they are nice, and they are the marks of a high-quality knife. I have a large collection of pocket knives, and I carry one pretty much every day. But we found the blade deployment on both knives much harder than the buttery feel of the Drifter. We preferred thumb studs and thumb holes over flipper mechanisms like those on the popular Kershaw knives we tested. In Schwartz’s review of the knife, he also writes, “Sanrenmu helped to establish the budget knife archetype, and here we have as distilled a representation of that archetype as possible. A few of them are a little larger, and some cost just a few bucks. The 710 also has only one pocket-clip position (right-hand, tip-down). 'The Icycycle': Will This Awesome (and Terrifying) Saw Bike Work? © 2021 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Upgrade pick: Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556, Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) Drifter, Milwaukee 48-22-1502 Fastback Utility Knife with Blade Storage, Messermeister Avanta Pakkawood steak knives, Messermeister 2 Piece Avanta Pakkawood Kullenschliff Carving Set. Let us know in the comments for future updates to this article.