The Best Pocket Knives of 2024

The Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 is also the best easy open pocketknife

Benchmade has established itself as one of the leaders in pocketknives. If you are looking for a compact EDC knife that can handle whatever is thrown at it and still stays sharp, users think it is worth the extra money to spring for a Benchmade.

The Mini Griptilian comes in at 17 cm, with a blade a little over 7 cm, and a weight a little over 70 grams, meaning it a perfect size for an EDC. The blade is constructed from a high-quality 154CM stainless-steel, that gets super sharp, holds its edge well and is easily sharpened if you know how. The drop point blade opens super easily, even single-handedly. Benchmade offers two versions of the Mini Griptilian: one with a smooth blade edge, and another with a half-serrated blade edge, so you can choose which blade will suit your lifestyle better.

The ambidextrous handle is made from glass-filled nylon for superior grip and durability. The Axis locking system ensures your blade stays where it is meant to be and opens and closes easily. Reading through

the specs and users reviews, it is very clear that Benchmade is so revered for the overall thought and quality they put into every aspect of their knives.

Overall, people have little bad to say about the Mini Griptilian, as it has quality materials, a sharp blade, an ergonomic handle, and overall excellent build quality. While the Benchmade has a higher price tag than most other comparable knives, users seem perfectly happy shelling out the money for a quality knife that will last them.

A classic red Swiss Army Knife from Victorinox might be the first thing that jumps into your head when you hear the term “pocketknife”. If you are looking for a multitool with a legacy of build-quality and functionality, we recommend the Victorinox Evolution 11.

In addition to the 6cm stainless steel blade, the Evolution 11 also is equipped with a nail file, wire stripper, can opener, cap lifter, reamer, tweezers, a toothpick and 3 different screwdriver heads. With the functionality the Evolution 11 provides in it’s small 85mm profile, it’s really no wonder why the Swiss Army knife has become the standard of pocket knives and multitools alike.

Users were overall very happy with the quality and utility of the Evolution 11, many citing the multitude of tools it provides in its sleek shape as the main reason they were content with their purchase. However, many users mistook the nail file on the picture to be a second smaller knife blade, which frustrated some users.

While there are more advanced Swiss Army Knives available, we liked the combined versatility, size and price of the Evolution 11. If you’re in need of a quality blade, we recommend considering other knives, as the Victorinox blade is not going to keep up with that of higher quality knives. However, we feel any Canadian could find a use for this Swiss Army Knife in their day to day life.

Sometimes, a typical pocketknife multitool will not be able to do the job. If you find yourself in need of something much more versatile and heavy-duty than your typical pocketknife, then the Leatherman Wingman is our recommendation. More than just a pocketknife, this 14-in-one multitool is sure to get the job done.

Some of the tools included in the Wingman are a knife, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, a wire stripper, scissors, a package opener, bottle and can openers, a file and a ruler – all of which are easily accessible with only one hand. The 420HC combo knife of the Wingman is easily accessible due to its blade-out design, making it more convenient than the other multitools offered by Leatherman. The pliers, wire cutters and scissors are all spring action for ease of use. While the knife and scissors lock in place, none of the other tools on the Wingman lock, which reduces the utility of the screwdrivers, for example.

Users found the overall multi-tool very convenient and effective, with users getting different mileage from each tool. The knife and can opener get consistently solid marks, but the scissors, wire cutter and plier tools receive mixed grades for the ergonomics of each. Users are happy with the build quality, which Leatherman has maintained for years.

I recently went camping with an Opinel that my parents had bought me as my first pocketknife years ago. Surprisingly, after a childhood’s worth of use, the knife still proved sharp and durable. If you are looking at a knife with a timeless design and a long lifespan, the Opinel is a solid and affordable option.

Opinel was founded in 1890 in the French alps, and over the years, nothing much has changed. Quality was the name of the game then and still is now, with quality components used throughout the knife. This Opinel knife features a Carbon Steel blade with a flat grind that is over 8 cm long. The collar lock on the device is simple and effective, holding the blade tightly in place and requires effort to activate. When the blade is extended, the collar locks back in place for added rigidity. The handle is made from beech wood, which is both light and comfortably fits in your hands.

Users find the Carbon steel blade both sharp, durable and easy to sharpen. Many users are impressed with how long the blade stays sharp, and how easy they cut. If you find yourself in need of a solid knife, the Opinel provides that with both a comfortable weight and comfortable toll on your wallet.

If you want a versatile knife with a classic design, the Buck 382 Trapper is a unique pocketknife with two blades that give this knife a range of versatility unseen in single blade knives.

Trapper knives are a type of knife that was commonly used by trappers, surprise surprise. Trapper knives often have two different blades: a narrow clip blade with a very sharp end that was used for piercing and skinning hides, and a long spey blade with a blunt end that was designed for slicing. While the original purposes are outdated, trapper knives are still useful tools with two distinct blades. The Buck 382 Trapper has both knives constructed out of 420J2 stainless steel for resistance to corrosion and rust.

The woodgrain handle with nickel silver bolsters and stainless-steel slip-joint looks classic and elegant. At only 2.35 oz, this a small, lightweight pocketknife with plenty of utility that you can always keep on your person.

Users seemed to be happy with the overall quality of the build and blade of this knife. Some users found that out of the box, the blades were difficult to deploy due to the tightness of the joint, but should loosen up with use. Overall, the 382 Trapper is a solid knife by Buck for many everyday applications, all in a small, lightweight body.

The Kershaw Shuffle II is also our choice for the best pocketknife with a bottle opener

If you are looking for an ergonomic and truly pocket-sized knife, the Kershaw Shuffle II is an excellent choice. Due to its size and additional hidden utilities, we believe this knife is the best EDC for its price range – just missing the $50 cut-off!

The heat-treated 8Cr13MoV steel blade gives the blade edge retention, durability and sharpness. The tanto blade itself is 6.6 cm long, putting it on the shorter side of things. The Shuffle II also is a convenient multi-tool, with a screwdriver head and bottle opener advertised. While it will not replace a swiss army knife in utility, the quality of the blade combined with these tools makes it a very appropriate EDC.

The blade locks with a liner locking system. Dual thumb studs allow for ambidextrous one-handed opening. The handle is glass-filled nylon for a solid grip in most instances.

Users found the knife sturdy, solid and light at the same time. Users were mixed on the size: this is a small knife after all, so users with bigger hands found opening this knife on the difficult side on things, but due to its small size it is easy to carry while big enough to get a grip on the knife.

If you are in the military, police, or an avid outdoorsman, the perfect knife for you should perform its best whatever the conditions throw at it. If you are looking for a quality knife that can handle whatever is thrown at it without breaking the bank, we recommend the Gerber Gator Point.

While Gerber might evoke baby food (it did for me at least), Gerber Gear is a different company with a long-storied past of quality knives and products that are anything but baby soft. The Gator Point is no different. With a drop point blade of 154cm material, the gator holds its sharpness up to twice as long as knives made from the comparable 420hc that find their way onto the list and previous Gator knives. Over 20cm unfolded, the blade itself is a decent 9cm long. While it might be a little bit for an EDC, it is solidly big, and people with big hands will enjoy that.

The gator grip handle employs thermoplastics that maintain the grip and reliability of this knife in any weather. Included with the Gator Point is a ballistic nylon sheath that can attach to a belt for easy access when you need it. Users find that the blade stays sharp and the handle is comfortable and ergonomic. Overall, users were happy with the quality of this Gerber knife, and little was said to detract from this blade.

Tactical knives are an important tool in the equipment of military personnel and police. If you work in these fields, you may be looking for different qualities in your pocketknife, and the CRKT Provoke Earth is a sleek, foldable knife with tactical applications.

The CRKT Provoke line are karambit knives, a style that arose from Indonesia and are distinct for their curved shape. CRKT’s take on karambit is to have the blade fold back into the handle, so it folds up inconspicuously but easily unfolds for an intimidating profile. Holding it so your index finger goes through the loop, the downward pressure of your thumb deploys the knife downwards, extending the blade safely as your fingers never cross the blade’s path. The blade is slightly over 6 cm when open and crafted from D2 steel that provides the blade edge retention and high durability.

However, this knife seems to have tactical use strictly in mind – the karambit design ultimate means that this knife will be next to useless in many situations. Its sharp blade would be useful for cutting rope or boxes, but the blade faces outwards and its curved blade will make this knife no replacement for a typical pocketknife in most day to day applications.

The toughest jobs and lifestyles require gear that are equally tough. Whether you need a powerful knife for tactical, survival or utilitarian purposes, the Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto knife delivers in all categories.

Featuring CPM-S35VN steel that comes sharp out of the box, the Cold Steel Recon 1 cuts clean with little effort. The 10cm blade found on the Recon 1 makes it quite the large knife. The Tri-Ad lock of the Recon 1 guarantees the blade stays in place when needed, however, it makes opening and closing the knife on the difficult side of things, although users note it usually gets easier with use. While the handle does not have a liner (which, admittedly, turned many users off at first) users found that the G10 was very sturdy, durable and grippy while being surprisingly light for a knife of this size.

Users overall are very happy with the durability of this knife. The main concerns users had was how difficult the Tri-Ad lock made the knife to close. However, this knife proves tough enough for whatever users throw at it, and if you want a knife with a great build quality that will last, Cold Steel is a trusted company with a legacy of quality-built knives.

If you are looking for a pocketknife to wow others, there are many gorgeous knives on the market. However, if you want beauty and utility from your pocketknife, Spyderco’s popular Delica 4 series has a model with a Damascus blade which proves effective as a pocketknife as well as jaw-droppingly stunning.

The term “Damascus” comes from the Syrian capital, which at one point thousands of years ago was renown for the beautiful and strong steel products. The technique of heating and folding the steel over many times led to a beautifully patterned blade that modern Damascus blades imitate.

The Delica 4 is a compact pocketknife great for everyday use. The blade is more than just beautiful, but also well made and razor-sharp. The blade is just over 7 cm, and just under 20 cm when fully folded out. The Delica 4 is considered by experts to be one of the best lockback folding knives on the market, so you can trust your blade will stay locked where it needs to be.

Users are enamoured by the Damascus blade and the utility as a light, compact pocketknife. One negative of the Delica 4 that users noted was the stiffness in deployment, many noting that opening took some effort. However, overall, Users were very happy with the build quality and the art that is involved in a quality Damascus blade. We put this knife in the “best engraved pocketknife” category as its flat and smooth handle would be perfect for a custom engraving to make that special gift even more special.

It is important to note that for Damascus craftmanship, you should expect to pay a premium price for the Delica 4 Titanium Damascus. If you like the design and specifications of the Delica 4, the base model is available for a much more affordable price.

If you find yourself in need of a sharp edge every once in a while, but do not want to dedicate useful pocket space for a knife, there are plenty of options. If you are looking for a pocketknife that is super compact that can easily fit on a key chain, lanyard, or in even the most packed pockets.

Both these blades are approximately 2 inches or smaller (or 5 cm if you think in metric like myself), with the Centi I being 1.4 inches long (3.5cm) and the Centi II being 2.1 inches long, so there is an ultra-compact pocketknife with the size you need. While price and size might be your main attractions to a compact knife like the Centi I and II, these knives pack a sharp blade for those moments when you need them. An important distinction between these two knives is the slightly larger Centi II locks into place, whereas the Centi I does not, which in our mind makes the Centi II an overall safer product.

Users find the size of these knives convenient on lanyards and keychains, but the consensus is that the utility of the knife is limited.

If you are looking for a Canadian made knife for anything that Canada can throw at you, our choice is the Shaka II by North Arm knives. North Arm Knives is a father-son duo who hand-make all their knives in Burnaby, BC. If you want true, hand-made artisanal quality, this is the knife to go for.

With a CPM S35VN Stainless steel blade that is over 8 cm long, and a lock bar, wire clip and most other components made from stainless steel, it is clear that care has been put into every component of the knife. Additionally, the handle is made of G10 handle scales for comfort and durability.

Users are ecstatic with the quality of these knives – from blade sharpness to the ergonomic handle, to how smooth the blade opens and closes – the Shaka II is the whole package. These knives are so popular that the team at North Arm Knives have a waitlist for the Shaka II. If that does not say enough quality of these hand made knives, we do not know what will. One user said that he waited over a year for his Shaka II, and felt the wait was a cool part of the process – not an inconvenience.