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 AK47
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
This is one tough pocket knife. This has a very strong lockback design and a great blade design. The handle is not as ergonomic as the Cold Steel Recon 1, but they aren't bad. The thumb plate that is used to deploy the blade is not for me. I prefer thumb studs. The AK-47 is one of the biggest, strongest, edc knives I know, but there are more ergonomic slimmer blades on the market for the price.Kershaw Brawler
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 3 months
Comments:
The Brawler is a big let down. It is not ergonomic, and very thick and clunky. The quality that Kershaw offers us in their budget line of knives is present in the design of the Brawler, but that doesn't save its overall poor design in the handle. The Kershaw Freefall is a much better option for the price.
Comment by Jake 05/01/2014
This knife is great, and unbeatable for an assisted opener costing only $25. I even lost it and found it two months later on my lawn after a cold Maine winter. i had clearly dropped it getting out of my car and it was likely plowed or snowblown onto my lawn where it sat until the snow and ice began to melt. When I found it I dried it off with a blow drier and it still works/looks like new. The blade is solid, doesn't wiggle around and the spring action feels fast unlike other cheep knives I've seen. For $25 I think you would have a hard time finding something better.
This knife is great, and unbeatable for an assisted opener costing only $25. I even lost it and found it two months later on my lawn after a cold Maine winter. i had clearly dropped it getting out of my car and it was likely plowed or snowblown onto my lawn where it sat until the snow and ice began to melt. When I found it I dried it off with a blow drier and it still works/looks like new. The blade is solid, doesn't wiggle around and the spring action feels fast unlike other cheep knives I've seen. For $25 I think you would have a hard time finding something better.
KaBar Johnson Adventure Potbelly
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 3 months
Comments:
The Potbelly is a tank of a knife. This is a really good camp/hunting knife. I would not say it is a survival knife though it is on tough blade. The sheath is well made. Good at chopping and batoning and basic camp chores.Cold Steel Recon 1
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
The Cold Steel Recon 1 is the STRONGEST POCKET KNIFE I have used and reviewed to date. The handle is very ergonomic for such a big pocket knife and is nice and slim in your pocket. The TRIAD lockback design is so strong and has fast deployment. The only thing is that although the AUS-8A is a good steel, for $60 I can get a VG-10 Spyderco Endura which is a much better steel, although the Endura would break under the use I did in my video testing of the Recon 1. Overall for light EDC use there are better quality steel knives out there for the price, but if you want a hard use indestructible pocket knife the Recon 1 is KING!Emerson Knives P-SARK
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
The Emerson PSARK is a model that many do not have familiarity with. Most people that have them typically have the SARK version, not the PSARK version in which the point is rounded off as an emergency rescue knife to cut clothing off of injured areas who sustained injury or cutting yourself free from restraints. The P in the title stands for "pointed" in which it is sharpened to the tip and very pointy. It is a mix between a hawk and wharncliffe blade shape and due to it, makes an excellent self defense blade. It has enough geometry to slice and is not so curved that it is only limited to slashing. It should pierce in thrusting without much effort. The steel is the same in all Emersons, 154CM. I have been able to put a very sharp edge that surpasses the factory edge with a Spyderco pocket stone and have maintained it since I have owned and used the knife. The wave works well and the finish is attractive with its bead blast. I have never had it develop rust, only discoloration from standard use. The wear on the knife has been minimal as I preserve the edge for defense yet will use it for utility which, it does well at. The clip is fantastic and of all my knives, Emerson puts a great looking and strong yet enough tension on its clips to make the knife easily accessible. The only thing I have had to do with this knife once was Blue Loctite the pivot screw to keep the tension in pivot screw from loosening. Since then, knife has worked flawless. I have had different models of Emersons and while I usually fondle the rest as safe queens, I decided to actually use one and chose this model to see how it holds up. It is a strong knife, but every knife has its limits. If you try to baton with it or wedge it in a door frame for tactical entry, don't expect it to have the same lock up it did when it was new. My friend ended up destroying a CQC13 I gifted him long ago. Of course he is abusive of his gear in that he neglects his tools and frequently breaks them. I believe you can use the knife hard and it will serve you well, but don't have the expectations that you can dig through tree roots and rocks to set a foundation for a log cabin in which you intend to use the knife to cut down the trees with. Overall, I recommend this model if you want a reliable tool for social work.Cold Steel Finn Bear
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for Greater than 1 year
Comments:
The Cold Steel Finn Bear is a good Stainless Steel alternative to High Carbon Steel Mora Knives.BLADE- the 4116 steel can be made razor sharp in a matter of minutes, but it is a soft budget steel, meaning it will dull quickly. Very rust resistant. It is great at cutting, carving, and slicing. It is only a partial tang.
HANDLE- the thermal plastic handle is unique and offers medium traction, but is comfortable for extended used when carving.
SHEATH- the heavy duty nylon sheath is well built and holds the knife well.
CONCLUSION- for $15 this knife can't be passed up. Extremely lightweight, and rust resistant. As a side note, the Mora Classic 1 knife is the same price and it is made in Sweden and is full tang. That is a great knife as well for camp/bushcraft.
Buck Reaper
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
The Buck Reaper is one of the funnest knives I have used. The unique design makes it able to chop extremely well for its weight. The ergonomics are great for my large size hands. The sheath is a joke and costs about a dollar to make. The 420HC that the blade is made out of has a great heat treatment so it holds and edge well and is easy to resharpen (for a budget steel). This would make a great wilderness/tactical blade.
Comment by Winston 03/02/2016
I paid $38 tax for my Reaper at wally world.Mine came with a rosewood handle instead of nylone and mine had NO lanyard holes.The 420hc steel has that type of blade coating that sorta has that"apshalt" like texture,but after going thru apprx. a cord of wood the only "scuff" marks are at the grinds,and where the baton struck.I've NEVER chipped or rolled the edge and it's been thru knots in ash,maple,oak,hickory,cherry,some of the hardest woods around.As for the sheath,mine is made in CHINA and is nylon with plastic insert.Holds the knife snug,but does have slight rattle,when strapped it cant go anywhere.It hangs nicely on side with the handle almost parallel with belt line,unlike some that ride way too high,are uncomfortable,and has the knife handle poke you in the ribs..There's NOTHING wrong with the quality of the sheath as i find it MUCH more comfortable,and easier to withdrawl and insert knife as Kydex sheaths are.For under $50 this is a winner!!!
I paid $38 tax for my Reaper at wally world.Mine came with a rosewood handle instead of nylone and mine had NO lanyard holes.The 420hc steel has that type of blade coating that sorta has that"apshalt" like texture,but after going thru apprx. a cord of wood the only "scuff" marks are at the grinds,and where the baton struck.I've NEVER chipped or rolled the edge and it's been thru knots in ash,maple,oak,hickory,cherry,some of the hardest woods around.As for the sheath,mine is made in CHINA and is nylon with plastic insert.Holds the knife snug,but does have slight rattle,when strapped it cant go anywhere.It hangs nicely on side with the handle almost parallel with belt line,unlike some that ride way too high,are uncomfortable,and has the knife handle poke you in the ribs..There's NOTHING wrong with the quality of the sheath as i find it MUCH more comfortable,and easier to withdrawl and insert knife as Kydex sheaths are.For under $50 this is a winner!!!
Gerber CFB
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 1 year
Comments:
The Gerber CFB (Combat Fixed Blade) is an awesome lightweight Tactical/Utility Blade.BLADE- the tanto design of the knife with the 154CM steel is perfect for stabbing and prying and the serrations make cutting of man made materials easy. The blade design falls short in slicing tasks and wood processing because of the tanto design.
HANDLE- the kraton handle scales make the knife very comfortable in your hand and the thumb ramp and aggressive jimping give you great traction when stabbing with the knife.
SHEATH- the injection molded plastic sheath holds the knife well and has a very slim profile and has many different carry options.
CONCLUSION- the Gerber CFB is the perfect knife for military and law enforcement use. Lightweight, tough, and perfect for stabbing or cutting tough materials. This is not a camp/survival knife. It will not chop, baton, or cut wood well and is not designed for that.
Ontario RAT 2
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
This is a great budget edc blade. Small, lightweight, well designed, and at a great value. The handle is a little small for my large size hands and the AUS-8 steel will not hold an edge as long as SOG or Cold Steel's AUS-8. All and all, for under $30 a great little blade.SOG Team Leader
-Used for Outdoor/Survival
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
The SOG Team Leader is one good camp knife.BLADE- the FFG leaf shaped blade is perfectly designed for cutting and slice. The tip is thin, good for skinning or stabbing flesh, but too weak for prying. The AUS-8 is a good quality stainless steel.
HANDLE- the handle has GRN scales with an exposed full tang, making it very strong. The handle is very ergonomic.
SHEATH- the nylon sheath mine came with is so terrible its hilarious. You will need to upgrade the sheath immediately.
CONCLUSION- this is good for around the campsite for cutting, carving, and food prep. This is not a good survival or tactical knife.
SOG Flash II
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
The SOG Flash II falls flat on its face. You can watch the video to see all the details, but this is a great idea that was poorly executed. The blade itself is really well designed, but the handle is not ergonomic at all and was not fun to use. For the price SOG wants for the Flash II you can buy the SOG Aegis or the Kershaw Blur, Thermite, CRYO II, or Freefall all of which are open assist and feel way better in you hand.SOG Blink
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months
Comments:
The SOG Blink is one of the better mini edc knives around.BLADE- the blade on the Blink is just over 2in. long with tons of belly and a FFG, making it slice really well. The AUS-8 steel will hold an edge well and take an edge well.
HANDLE- the aluminum handles are slick with no traction, but are strong and comfortable in your hand. I have large size hands and my pinky finger will not rest on the handle because of how small the handle is.
OTHER- the lockback design is strong, the open assist is quick, and the pocket clip is well designed.
CONCLUSION- the SOG Blink is a great pocket knife if you want something small and lightweight.