Find the Best Pocket Knives!
Welcome to Kniferating.com! We currently have 1196 knives listed and 1974 knife reviews! The purpose of this site is to provide a venue for knife reviews that is free from the bias of any one person. Whether you are a backpacker looking for the best survival knife, an LEO looking for a good tactical knife, a boy scout trying to choose the best folding knife or multitool, or just an average joe looking for the best pocket knife for every day carry, we have you covered. In addition, we also discuss fixed blade knives, hunting knives, combat knives, machetes, self defense knives and a whole lot more! Please take a few minutes and help your fellow knife enthusiasts by writing a review of one or all of your knives!
Below is a chart showing the best knives on the site as reviewed by users. Each of the following knives is absolutely top quality and gets our highest recommendation. Keep in mind that there are many more great knives out there, but if you can't decide on a knife after searching the site, choose one off this list and we promise you'll be happy!
Top Rated Knives
| Model | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Spyderco Sage
|
$98.75 | 9.9 |
Kershaw Tyrade
|
$39.00 | 9.9 |
Spyderco Endura 4 Emerson Opener
|
$70.60 | 9.8 |
Benchmade 15030 Bone Collector Axis Mini Folder
|
$94.00 | 9.8 |
Ghost Knives Banshee D2
|
$69.00 | 9.8 |
Benchmade 940 Osborne
|
$188.80 | 9.7 |
Spyderco Delica FFG
|
$56.15 | 9.7 |
Spyderco Caly 3
|
$112.50 | 9.7 |
Recent Knife Reviews
Cold Steel Finn Wolf
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Less than 1 Month
Comments:
The Cold Steel Finn Wolf is a good value choice for a light duty, all around fixed blade.The blade steel is 4116 Krupp, which is apparently a cheaper steel. However, mine came hair-shaving sharp from the factory. It has decent length, especially for it's very light weight. The blade is fairly rigid, but does flex slightly under hand pressure.
The handle is slightly textured plastic (polypropylene.) It doesn't offer great grip, but it should be fine for light usage. To me, it feels like a standard kitchen knife in pretty much all respects.
The sheath is plain nylon with a belt loop. The knife buries very deep in the sheath, which has no other locking mechanism.
Overall, a good value choice for a light duty, all around fixed blade. It's sharp and lightweight and if it gets ruined or lost it's not a large investment.
Buck Vantage Pro
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
The Buck Vantage Pro is one of the best knives that you will find for less than $50. It features a CPM s30v stainless steel blade, heat treated with the expertise of Paul Bos and Buck. The scales are smooth, machined G10 (NOT PLASTIC!) and have a ergonomic feel. It is made in the USA and is backed up by Buck's Forever warranty.My Vantage had a perfectly centered blade, but the grind was just slightly off. It was sharp as could be though! It opens smoothly and easily with either the flipper or the thumbhole. I also like the reversible, tip-up, deep carry pocket clip.
Overall, I have been extremely satisfied with this knife. So much so that I purchased the smaller version of the Vantage Pro to go with it. If you don't have one, consider giving one a try.
Kershaw Shallot
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
I was given this knife as a gift from a good friend who always caries one. personally, i never caried a knife, but the pocket clip made it convenient and a gave it a shot- literally changed my life.the blade is sharp and resilient, the handle is comfortable and the open action is easy to manipulate. the construction seems solid so far- it's being used every day. it also cleans easily, which is a big deal to me.
there really is only one detriment to this product, which is that the safety often gets stuck if i'm cutting tough material and it takes a moment or two of prying to get it out, and the blade back down.
other than that, this has been a great blade and i'd probably look to kershaw for any future knife purchases.
Comment by M 07/30/2011
In this case, by "safety", he's referring to the frame lock. He's saying the frame lock engages tightly and is sometimes hard to disengage when he wants to close the knife. To me it seems obvious that he is NOT saying the the frame lock fails or disengages unintentionally. By "prying" he is referring to the extra effort it takes with his thumb to disengage the lock before closing the knife.
In this case, by "safety", he's referring to the frame lock. He's saying the frame lock engages tightly and is sometimes hard to disengage when he wants to close the knife. To me it seems obvious that he is NOT saying the the frame lock fails or disengages unintentionally. By "prying" he is referring to the extra effort it takes with his thumb to disengage the lock before closing the knife.
Comment by JW 07/29/2011
Can somebody explain what the "safety" is on a Shallot? Is he saying that the frame lock fails and the blade folds up? What kind of "tough material" is being cut? What type of "prying" must be done to use the knife again? This review makes the Shallot sound like a disaster. I thought I wanted one, now I don't know.
Can somebody explain what the "safety" is on a Shallot? Is he saying that the frame lock fails and the blade folds up? What kind of "tough material" is being cut? What type of "prying" must be done to use the knife again? This review makes the Shallot sound like a disaster. I thought I wanted one, now I don't know.
Kershaw Zing
-Used for Other
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
Very good dress up edcKershaw Oso Sweet
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
one of the lower end Kershaws, would cry to much if i lost it.Ontario SP6 Fighter
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
Very good but not a kabar
Comment by ronald fowler 01/24/2014
we hog hunt here in south Arkansas ...I got my knife in from Ontario sharpened it and as we went out it carried just fine and held up quite well a great stabing knife (fighting model) have not abused it not intend on doing so..to me for the money a Great knife..i have hen and rooster ...cold steel..some hand made ..so far this knife is with them all..rf...I run a rice mill not work for ontario
we hog hunt here in south Arkansas ...I got my knife in from Ontario sharpened it and as we went out it carried just fine and held up quite well a great stabing knife (fighting model) have not abused it not intend on doing so..to me for the money a Great knife..i have hen and rooster ...cold steel..some hand made ..so far this knife is with them all..rf...I run a rice mill not work for ontario
Comment by nick 05/26/2012
thats not a review and why should it have to live up to a ka-bar i think its better then a ka-bar
thats not a review and why should it have to live up to a ka-bar i think its better then a ka-bar
Ontario SP10 Marine Raider Bowie
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
Great once I changed the handle
Comment by Pete 03/22/2013
Anywhere to see the handle mods?
Anywhere to see the handle mods?
Comment by Divemonger 01/25/2013
I, too, would like to know about your handle mods.
I, too, would like to know about your handle mods.
Comment by pettsir 11/01/2012
how did you change the handle? what did you put on it??
how did you change the handle? what did you put on it??
Ontario SP1 Marine Combat
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
Very good for light camping useBoker Hyper by Chad Los Banos
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year
Comments:
Very good for light EDC.Boker Hyper by Chad Los Banos
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year
Comments:
This knife is a exceptional purchase. The size is good, and light. Definably not something for hard use, yet for EDC very good.Gerber LMF II
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
P.O.S! Spend a month on the Marshall Islands. Knife was rusted beyond recognition prior to being unpacked. By the end of the trip it was used 3 times and changed from flat black in color to Boiling Orange with rust. Used a leatherman everyday and it still looks brand new. DO NOT BUY THIS CRAPPY PRODUCT. customer service told me "too bad"
Comment by Falcon 06/18/2012
The LMF by Gerber has actually been produced, with three steels. First versions were Sanvick, next was a 440, and the later is 420HC, all of these are stainless steel, and all are common to many knife manufaturers, so I echo the comment would any knife have not rusted in that enviornment? Note as I understand it very few of the 440 variety were made. Many stainless steels particularly those with higher carbon content can rust or stain some, but not bad.
The LMF by Gerber has actually been produced, with three steels. First versions were Sanvick, next was a 440, and the later is 420HC, all of these are stainless steel, and all are common to many knife manufaturers, so I echo the comment would any knife have not rusted in that enviornment? Note as I understand it very few of the 440 variety were made. Many stainless steels particularly those with higher carbon content can rust or stain some, but not bad.
Comment by MRP 04/29/2011
Saltwater environments are some of the harshest that knives have to survive in. If you use a carbon steel knife, you *must* keep your blade clean, dry, and oiled or you will experience symptoms as you describe. Frankly, you shouldn't limit the treatment above to just carbon steel knives. Stanless knives will rust in saltwater environments if not properly cared for. There are a few blade materials out there that are suitable to withstand saltwater environments with little to no maintenance such as H1 steel. I don't own this knife, but *usually* a knife that rusts like you describe is on account of user neglect.
Saltwater environments are some of the harshest that knives have to survive in. If you use a carbon steel knife, you *must* keep your blade clean, dry, and oiled or you will experience symptoms as you describe. Frankly, you shouldn't limit the treatment above to just carbon steel knives. Stanless knives will rust in saltwater environments if not properly cared for. There are a few blade materials out there that are suitable to withstand saltwater environments with little to no maintenance such as H1 steel. I don't own this knife, but *usually* a knife that rusts like you describe is on account of user neglect.
Comment by duncan@yahoo.com 04/28/2011
I don't mean to be rude, but from what I understand you were on a "tropical island" of some sort. Would any knife hold up in that salt air environment?
I don't mean to be rude, but from what I understand you were on a "tropical island" of some sort. Would any knife hold up in that salt air environment?
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
I had my Small Sebenza for a year and a half before I was mugged and in that time had great memories of it.Initially I was a bit disappointing when I received the knife, no golden glow around it or anything screaming this is a great knife. Just a industrial look to a tool.
After some time carrying it on hiking trips from coastal areas to semi arid Savannah areas, office use, hunting and being my EDC for some time the knife started showing its character and I realised just how thoughtful and well designed this knife is.
It is a great EDC size and carries light in the pocket. Ergonomics might seem a bit dull, but there are no groves that constrict your hand into any position or a certain grip. Easy to clean and lockup and fit and finish was everything come to expect from Chris Reeve.
Edge holding for S30V in my use was great, 17* per side with a 20* per side micro bevel finished to a mirror polished edge. The steel lost its shaving sharpness (did use it to shave) in a few days but held a great working edge for 2 weeks of everyday use from cutting water pipes for irrigation to whittling sticks.
The knife is easy to take apart and maintain in perfect working condition. I generally on cleaned it with a hose, compressed air and a drop of fine machine oil.
I would recommend this knife to anyone looking for a high quality knife that will appreciate the fit and finish. Dont think it will knock your socks of from the get go but carrying it for a while you start to realise just how great this little knife is.
I paid a bit more the MSRP from Chris Reeve for this knife but at the end was very very pleased with the knife.