7 Finest Small Pocket Knife – Simple Carry Knives For 2024

On the search for one of the best small pocket knife, you’ll encounter an limitless quantity of choices. Tactical, sensible, and oh-so-versatile, a small pocket knife is smart to maintain readily available. I can’t inform you how a lot use I’ve gotten out of my very own – it’s one thing I by no means depart the home with out and attain for much extra usually than you’d suppose. From slicing and dicing to emergency use, a small pocket knife is a worthy funding for the trendy gentleman and the proper gateway into the world of tactical EDC gear.

For those who’re able to fast-track your hunt for the perfect mini blade, I’ve rounded up the seven finest small pocket knives primarily based on private expertise and many trial and error. Hold studying to find choices for each value level, function, and aesthetic.

Key Takeaways

Out of all of the small blades in the marketplace, and consider me, I’m fairly positive I scoured the web lengthy sufficient to know, the Opinel No. 6 Pocket Knife reigns supreme. Outfitted with a carbon metal blade and a beechwood deal with, it’s as sensible as it’s fairly, showcasing greater than 130 years of stellar French craftsmanship.

To not point out, it’s underneath $20 and is available in ten sizes in the event you want a distinct blade size. In search of one thing barely extra tactical? The Gerber Gear Paraframe Mini Pocket Knife encompasses a tremendous light-weight all steel development with a pocket clip to maintain it in place.

See the remainder of my picks for one of the best small pocket knife under.

buckknives / Instagram

Why It’s Nice: So far as one of the best general small pocket knife goes, the Opinel No. 6 is the proper possibility for most individuals. I’ve one myself and infrequently give them as items for dads or small items for males because of their versatility, attractive development, and unbeatable value. Fusing French craftsmanship with a timeless design, Opinel picnic knives are available a variety of sizes, with the No. 6 being the highest choose for a smaller possibility.

Use It: Unlock the knife by turning the ring the place the blade and the deal with meet. Then, use the nail knick to take away the blade from the deal with. If you’ve completed utilizing it, fold the blade again in and switch the ring lock to safe it once more.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: The blade on the No. 6 is 2 ¾ inches, making it barely longer than a number of the finest small EDC knives, but it surely’s a ferociously sensible choice to maintain readily available for when the second calls. For those who want one thing even smaller, the Opinel No. 4 has the identical iconic Beechwood deal with with a 2 inch blade.

Why It’s Nice: This extremely tactical pocket knife is small however mighty, with an impossibly light-weight development and a 2.2 inch blade. It simply matches within the palm of the hand, however when it’s not in use, it sits securely in your individual with the built-in pocket clip.

Use It: It’s easy however top-of-the-line small pocket knives, particularly in the event you’re buying on a price range (it makes a terrific Yankee swap reward). The plain edge blade is stellar for almost any gentle operate, and the nail nick ensures you possibly can all the time pry it open. Whether or not you utilize it as an EDC knife or a extra tactical function, this small knife can do huge issues.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: So far as small, price range pocket knives go, this one is actually little. It might probably slice open packing containers and minimize up fruit however could also be a bit restricted in performance past this because of its dimension.

Why It’s Nice: If value isn’t any object, a Benchmade knife is one of the best mini pocket knife, although it’ll run you greater than $100. Nevertheless, as a result of it’s designed to final a lifetime, it’s actually a worthy funding. Decked out with a corrosion-resistant, drop-point metal blade, you’ll by no means have to fret about this small pocket knife wimping out on you. The blade can be an honest size of two.8 inches: little sufficient to be discrete however ample sufficient to get any job performed.

My favourite function of this small pocket knife is the textured deal with that ensures you’ve got an excellent grip whereas working with the blade. Another pocket knives, particularly smaller ones, may be tough to get a stable grasp on. No want to fret about that right here. This dangerous boy is smaller than one of the best EDC pens, making certain you possibly can all the time maintain it in your individual with none added bulk.

Use It: The blade on this knife is secured with an Axis lock. Use your thumb to toggle the lock on the deal with and the blade will slide out easily.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: That is undoubtedly on the upper finish of the worth spectrum relating to pocket knives, however is definitely worth the splurge in the event you’re searching for a high quality piece of drugs.

Why It’s Nice: What can I say? I’m a sucker for an excellent wanting, small EDC knife. This little blade packs an enormous punch regardless of the blade being underneath three inches in size. The elongated deal with greater than makes up for it, crafted from darkish ebony with brass detailing, offering an elegantly balanced really feel. Buck Knives has a stellar status for high quality gear, and that is one of the best small pocket knife the model has to supply. Modeled on their very profitable 110 Folding Hunter, this miniature model is right to tote alongside each day or pack for adventures.

Use It: The skinny, sharp blade tip makes this knife a beautiful alternative for precision, regardless that it isn’t as sturdy as drop level knives. Launch the lock again on the finish of the deal with after which use the nail nick to pry the blade out.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: At over $50, this knife is actually a bit dear, however affords unbeatable worth once you issue within the ebony and brass deal with. There’s additionally no pocket clip, which could be a big flaw to some guys.

Why It’s Nice: With a blade measuring virtually three inches, it is a longer rendition of one of the best pocket knife, making it a stand-out alternative for on a regular basis use. Whereas small pocket knives are tremendous useful, typically it takes a bit extra to get the job performed. The Mini Praxis is a stable possibility in the event you’re searching for one thing barely bigger than a knife you possibly can carry in your carabiner for keys however smaller than a full blown switchblade.

Use It: Astonishingly light-weight, this pocket knife breaks away from the pack with a textured deal with and a flipper design. Moderately than a nail nick, the blade is ball bearing, which permits for a easy, one hand opening, much like a spring assisted knife.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: In response to some reviewers, the liner lock on this knife could be a bit finicky, making the blade exhausting to shut every so often.

Why It’s Nice: When you’ve got no nails or just need an easy-to-open blade, this Kershaw possibility is a prime choose for one of the best small EDC knife. It’s one of many smallest on the record – the blade is only one.9 inches – and has a gap on the base of the deal with so as to add it to a keychain or lanyard. There’s additionally a pocket clip in the event you want to maintain it in your individual.

Use It: Moderately than excessive shine, the excessive carbon metal blade has a matte end that’s simple to entry with an assisted opening. As an alternative of twiddling with nubby nails, there’s a one handed launch that ensures the knife is able to slice and cube if you end up.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: Nicely revered as one of the best pocket knife for any state of affairs, it’s exhausting to search out flaws in such an unimaginable piece of drugs.

Why It’s Nice: And if all else fails, there’s all the time the trusty Swiss Military knife. Virtually the epitome of one of the best small knife, there’s nothing, and I imply nothing, that this accent can’t do. Brimming with a number of features, starting from a traditional blade to mini scissors and tweezers, this multitool continues to be but to be outshone. To maintain it in a petite bundle, this Swiss Military choose has a mere seven features – although it’s made up for with the sixteen colour choices. For those who’re searching for the entire 9 yards, this model has a whopping fifteen instruments to utilize.

Use It: You should utilize a Swiss Military knife for absolutely anything. Pry the blade free from the deal with, or go for one other one of many a number of instruments relying on the state of affairs.

Flaws However Not Dealbreakers: Yeah, yeah, I do know. A Swiss Military knife isn’t technically a pocket knife, however that’s provided that you’re speaking to purists… proper?

Weight: 0.7 oz | Closed Size: 2.3 in | Blade Materials: Chrome steel | Locking Mechanism: No | Pocket Clip: Key chain

holding a swiss army knife by victorinox — victorinox / Instagram

Shopping for Issues Small Pocket Knives

Blade Size

Typically, pocket knives are thought-about “small” after they have blade lengths of round 2 inches or shorter, though this isn’t a tough rule. Among the finest small knives, just like the Opinel No. 6, have blades which can be barely longer, on this case, by ¾ of an inch.

If you’d like a miniature sized pocket knife – one of many issues each man ought to personal – select a blade underneath 2 inches that can sit discreetly in your key organizer or your hip. This blade dimension is sensible for a fast fruit slice or field open. Nevertheless, in the event you’re looking for one thing with barely extra utility, blades between 2 and three inches are a extra versatile possibility on this planet of small pocket knives.

Weight

The dimensions of your pocket knife usually impacts the burden, and in the event you’re looking for a blade to hold with you each day, you received’t need something too heavy. Pocket knives made with tactical metals or prime quality plastics are typically a lot lighter than choices with picket handles or fancy detailing.

Usually, one of the best small EDC knife will weigh underneath 2 ounces, nonetheless, like every of those concerns, this determine is rarely set in stone. It merely boils down to non-public preferences and priorities.

Extra Options

Lastly, you need to make sure the small pocket knife you choose is designed to work with you. This implies contemplating the extra options that make the knife a reliable piece of drugs just like the opening mechanism, the locking element, and any attachment factors.

Right here’s a fast breakdown of what to search for by way of these three options:

Opening Mechanism: Most small pocket knives both embrace a nail nick or flipper design to entry the blade. A nail nick is a small notch on the blade that lets you manually unfold it from the deal with, whereas a flipper releases the blade with the press of a tab. The nail nick opening tends to be safer, however the flipper means you possibly can entry the blade with a single hand. It’s value remembering {that a} nail nick design requires you to grip the deal with and pry the blade out as a substitute of a fast launch provided by a flipper opening.

Locking System: Selecting a small pocket knife with a reliable locking system is extraordinarily vital to make sure the blade doesn’t come free at inopportune moments. Most blades latch with a body lock, however you’ll usually see liner locks embedded into flipper designs. Much less generally, you’ll discover a ring lock, which is featured within the Opinel designs.

Attachment Factors: How do you intend on carrying your small pocket knife? In your keychain? In your pocket? In your waist? It’s value selecting a blade with some form of attachment level, whether or not it’s a pocket clip or a small gap on the deal with for a lanyard. This may maintain your knife shut at hand and is very sensible for smaller blades that are inclined to get misplaced or slowed down in deep pockets.

holding a gerber pocket knife — gerbergear / Instagram

Why You Ought to Belief Us

Other than the truth that I carry a small pocket knife myself, I’ve spent an intensive period of time researching the perfect EDC gear, together with all sorts of blades. Small pocket knives stay my private desire, and I’ve tried out dozens of selections after researching a whole lot of choices. Fusing my very own expertise with hundreds of person evaluations, I’ve compiled this record of the seven finest small pocket knives to make sure you discover precisely what you’re searching for.

Ultimate Verdict

Whereas there are seemingly limitless choices on this planet of small pocket knives, one of the best general alternative is the Opinel No. 6 Pocket Knife. This versatile blade can deal with something you throw its means, and the beechwood deal with makes it essentially the most engaging knife on the record. It’s the proper mix of high quality and aesthetics (with a aggressive price range value level), making it a real pleasure to make use of every time the state of affairs requires one thing sharp.

FAQ

- One of the simplest ways to sharpen a small pocket knife is with a sharpening stone. Relying on the kind of sharpening stone you utilize, you’ll doubtless must lubricate it with product or water. As soon as the stone is about up, maintain the blade at an angle and sweep it downwards in the direction of the top of the stone. Repeat this sweeping movement ten to 12 occasions or till the blade is sharp. Flip the blade over and repeat the method on the opposite aspect.