If you’re looking to buy a pocketknife, it’s important to choose a model that can accompany you on your outdoor adventures. Here’s how to find the right pocketknife.
Why choose a pocketknife or EDC knife?
You may wonder why you would need to carry a pocketknife. In the past, a boy’s knife was seen as a sign that he had become a man. Men were expected to carry a knife as a symbol of courage and maturity.
Back to the point: a pocketknife is useful whether you’re at home or on the go. If you’re working on a project around the house, having one handy saves you from searching for something to cut with every time you need it.
A pocketknife can be particularly useful when you’re traveling by car. In an accident, you can quickly cut through your seat belt, making it a useful accessory in emergencies when you need to act fast to save lives. There are many examples of road accidents in which victims have been freed and rescued with the help of a knife. When every second counts, waiting for firefighters or the police is not always possible. In less urgent situations, a knife can help remove a bandage or a troublesome splinter.
If you’re camping, a pocketknife is great for setting up camp, preparing food, cutting small branches, opening cans and more.
Wild animals are never too far away when you’re out in nature. Although it’s rare, you could come face to face with a wild boar or a bear and need to react quickly to defend yourself. After all, remember where the Ka-Bar brand got its name. And don’t forget that a pocketknife can also help you defend yourself against an attack at home or outdoors.
As you browse the many pocketknives on our site, you’ll notice how much variety there is. Why not choose one that complements your style? It may sound strange to someone unfamiliar with knives, but carrying an attractive pocketknife can be much like wearing a fine watch. A gentleman’s knife can add to your charisma, especially when you head outdoors.
What should you look for when buying a pocketknife?
It’s essential to consider a few factors before buying a pocketknife. First, pay attention to its weight. A pocketknife generally weighs no more than 50 grams.
If your pocketknife is too heavy, it may weigh down and distort your pocket, making you reluctant to carry it. That defeats its purpose. A pocketknife should be lightweight and close at hand.
Price is another important factor to consider. Spending too much on a pocketknife may not be a good idea. Why? You might hesitate to use it as intended for fear of damaging it or having it stolen.
Of course, if a pocketknife is inexpensive, you may have to accept a compromise in quality. It could be damaged quickly, or you could even injure yourself. You should therefore choose a pocketknife that offers good value, such as a model costing around €50.
The third important factor to consider is the blade material. You can choose between carbon steel and stainless steel. Carbon steel is easy to sharpen but highly susceptible to rust. It’s well suited to working with wood, though you should avoid exposing it to water.
Opinel knives are a good example of carbon steel blades. Stainless steel blades, on the other hand, are harder to sharpen but resist rust. They cost more, but they’re well suited to food preparation. Leatherman knives are an example of stainless steel blades.
A pocketknife does not have to have a tiny blade—quite the opposite. If the blade is too small, the knife may not be useful. Choose a blade that’s too large, though, and the knife will be too bulky to be a practical pocketknife. We therefore recommend a blade of around 7 cm for ease of use.
LOCKING SYSTEM
As you may know, some pocketknives have a locking mechanism. It generally holds the blade in place when open, preventing it from folding during use and potentially providing extra safety for the user.
This helps prevent your fingers from getting caught between the blade and the pocketknife’s handle. If that matters to you, choose a pocketknife with a locking mechanism. Of course, if you only plan to use your everyday knife for small odd jobs, the lock may not be important.
For demanding uses such as hunting, however, you should get a pocketknife with a locking mechanism. In a future article, we’ll explain the different systems, including the Liner Lock, Frame Lock, Axis Lock and Back Lock.
Multipurpose knife
A multifunction or multipurpose knife is a true pocketknife. It puts a range of tools—between 5 and 20—at your disposal for different situations. In a single product, you might have a bottle opener, corkscrew, knife, saw, scissors, awl and more.
No need to ask anyone for help: keep what you need with you wherever you go. Finally, the Leatherman Wave+ is also ideal if you want a versatile survival knife at your disposal.
A knife with multiple blades
If you don’t need a multitool and simply want a knife for its blades, we recommend one with multiple blades. These knives have two or three different blades, so you have a small blade when you need one and a larger blade when that’s more useful. A multi-blade pocketknife can handle a range of tasks, including cutting thick leather, thanks to its high-quality steel.
Choose reliable knife brands
Lesser-known brands can sometimes be tempting because of their attractive prices. However, we recommend choosing a pocketknife from an established brand for greater confidence in its reliability and quality. Lesser-known brands often cut costs to offer such low prices. Explore a range of knife brands, including Spyderco, Benchmade, Boker and Cold Steel.
After a few uses, you may notice that the blade starts to lose its edge. An electric sharpener or a sharpening stone, such as the Fällkniven DC4, can help restore it to your liking.
Find your ideal knife at Kodiak Store
Because choosing the right knife matters for outdoor survival, consider the blade length in light of your needs. Above all, choose a model that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to handle. A fixed-blade knife is well suited to hunting in the woods. For everyday needs, choose a short-bladed knife that fits in your pocket or a versatile EDC knife that’s easy to use. Kodiak Store currently has several folding knives in stock that offer a practical alternative to traditional models. Lightweight, compact and equipped with safety features, they’re convenient for hunting or hiking.
In conclusion, we recommend taking your time when choosing a pocketknife. Remember that quality matters more than price, but there’s no need to break the bank. Consider the key buying criteria and find the right balance, and you’ll be happy with your choice. Your pocketknife may soon become a trusted companion you won’t want to be without.