There is no lie to the fact that pocket knives have proved to be a crucial part of our lives for a very long time. Having that small-sized knife in your pocket comes in handy in a wide range of scenarios. You can easily cut food, save yourself from danger, help people stranded in accidents, and perform a diverse range of other useful tasks. It’s one of the must-haves as far as survival gear/tools are concerned.
This is why you need to pick one that can do all that effectively. This is also not a very simple task as these knives have evolved so much over the years. Considering that today’s market offers a range of options in different shapes, designs, and features, choosing the ideal pocket knife for your needs can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily, this piece can make the task a bit less daunting for you. In this guide, we will take a look at some of the available choices and their merits.
1. Single Blade
This is the most common model. One might even say it was the pioneer pocket knife. As you can tell from the name, this one has a single blade, is simplistic in design, and is relatively easy to use. In a recent piece about high quality pocket knives, you will note that simplicity is among the reasons you want to upgrade your pocket knife. From antique pieces to customized and modern designs, you will be spoilt of options.
Besides the decent size and being lightweight, many of them have a locking mechanism that makes them sturdier and more robust for more demanding work. Others have a spring mechanism that allows that blade to pop one at the press of a single button. They can be a great choice too if you are looking for a strong knife.
2. Multi-Blade Pocket Knives
Sometimes, the casual knife cannot handle all the tasks at hand. For example, you have a piece of wood you would want to cut through, the normal knife cannot do that. With functions like these becoming common, a multi-blade knife becomes a huge necessity to have. Including folding options, this pocket knife can have one up to four or more blades, which can come in handy as part of your survival toolkit.
The two-blade model is the most common, combining two of the traditional blades we used to. The three or four-blade models have a better combination, providing a variety of blades at your dispense. In some instances, however, the multi-blade denies you the strength and durability that the single edge offers. It is all about your specific needs.
3. Multi-Tool Pocket Knives
Sometimes you need more than just knives. Many tasks come our way, and we have to improvise to deal with them. If you have come across the Swiss Army Knife at some point, you are familiar with this. The pocket gadget comes with multiple tools such as saws, toothpicks, can openers, corkscrew, scissors, and nail files, just to name a few. The Swiss army knives are multidimensional and are the most common brand in the market. The name depicts the fact that the knife was created to meet a Swiss Army soldier’s needs while in the field to make sure he performed tasks that a mere knife with a single blade couldn’t. If you are the jack-of-all-trades kind of person, this blade could easily suit your needs. You need to keep in mind that they lack the strength and durability of the single blade model.
4. Pocket Knife Edges
Before getting your pocket knife, you need to know about the edges. These are sometimes related to the pocket knife blade types and their shapes. Some of the common types of pocket knife edges include the following.
- Plains Edge
This is the most common type. Its main advantage is that it gives a clean-cut and in a more accurate manner. They also allow the user more control over the task than the other edges. The other main advantage is that they are very easy to sharpen than the different types of edges. They are, however, ineffective in sawing and performing pull cuts.
- Fully Serrated Edge
The serrated edge blades fill in for the disadvantages of the plain edge. It is more effective in cutting tougher edges. They, however, give clumsy cuts. You will also have to return the blade to the factory for resharpening or pay some bucks to get it back in action.
- Partially Serrated Edge
This is a combination of the plain and serrated edges. It allows the user to use the knife for both push cuts and rough edges. The main disadvantage of this type is the sharpening of the serrated edge. This is the most recommended type as it combines both advantages of the single blade plus the plain and serrated edges.
Pocket knives come in handy in performing a wide variety of tasks. They are also available in many different shapes, styles, and designs, making it somewhat challenging to choose the best one for your needs. The above tips should bring you a smidge closer to making the right pick when buying a pocket knife.