Ask HN: What is your favorite pocket knife?

I carry daily the Kershaw 1660PUR Leek Folding Knife (Purple) with SpeedSafe. I originally purchased one for my wife after extended research for her uses and hand size but liked it so much myself I purchased another to keep on me. I really like the very sharp point for detail work, efficient size, and the fact that it opens easily with one hand. It can be locked closed for keeping at the ready safely in a purse, for transport, or if walking about in NYC. It's just a bit small for my hands but this is a known and accepted trade-off. I can be agile with it despite the fact I wish it reached a bit farther towards my pinky grip when in my hand. I carry in my back right pocket. The knife an its vibrant color sticks out of my pocket just a small amount.

I'm considering changing to either of the following wooden handle 'gentleman' knives:

Benchmade - North Fork 15031 Knife, Drop-Point with Stabilized Wooden Handle

Boker Plus 01BO734 Urban Trapper 3 1/2 in. Blade

If you end up going with either of these let me know how they feel!

I used to carry a leatherman wave, but that was so big and bulky. I downsized to a leatherman juice, but even that got annoying to carry after a while.

Now I carry a Gerber Dime. I hardly know it's there, but when I need a knife or a pair of pliers it's almost always enough. If it's not enough, then I'm fine to go find something bigger.

https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/Butterfly-Opening/Dim...

Old Timer series. Something like Old Timer workmate. Affordable and quality and easy to sharpen.

Stay away from stainless steel IMOP. Harder to sharpen, hard to get as sharp.

When I was a kid a lot of old guys had these knives. Something like this https://www.knivesplus.com/oldtimerlumberjacksc-858otb.html.

They would open the blades and stick them in a potato for a few days which would turn the metal black and prevent further oxidation (downside of not choosing stainless).

The flat blade (shortest on one in link) would be kept literally razor sharp and used only when real sharpness was needed. The somewhat rounded blade much less sharp (for rough utility usage, maybe cutting a cable or the like) and the long blade moderately sharp for general usage.

This is the general type of sharpener they used. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/lansky-1-x-3-double-sided-p...

First they would use the grit side, then steel the "sharp" blade with the steel side, then strap it on the leather case. The sharp blade was sharp enough when it would shave hair on your arm like a razor.

These were guys that actually used pocket knives a lot. And it was a common brand/system among them.

I carry an Opinel everyday. They are great for the following reasons:

- Traditional french knife with a rich history

- Cheap (from $ 8)

- Mechanically very simple

- Lockable

- Many sizes available

- Stainless steel and carbon steel available (I prefer carbon because I like the patina)

- They can't be opened with one hand which would make it illegal to carry them publicly in Germany

The biggest disadvantage is the untreated wood handle. It can swell up if it gets wet which makes the knife harder to open and close. Some people deep fry the knife to make the wood water resistant.

I'd say the best pocket tool/knife I've used is the Leatherman Sidekick.

I've got a handful of different Leatherman multi-tools (Charge, Wave, Wingman, etc.), but for my money, the Sidekick is best one for every day usage. It combines useful features, reasonable price, and a lightweight package that just can't be beat: https://www.leatherman.com/sidekick-9.html

The Sidekick retails for around $50, but it's well worth the money. So much so that I've bought a few over the years for friends and relatives.

If I were to recommend "just" a knife for everyday carry, it would be the Spyderco Tenacious G10. Both the Leatherman and Spyderco can be found on Amazon.

- Leatherman Squirt PS4

- Victorinox Bantam Alox

- Leatherman Wave

I initially bought the Leatherman Wave. It basically replaced my toolbox. I would carry it every day using the pocket clip. After a few months, I started to notice how bulky and overkill it was for everyday carry. I started carrying it in my backpack (which eventually got stolen from my car).

I then purchased the Victorinox Bantam Alox. It's minimalistic, extremely thin and light. The blade is large and comfortable, and the combo tool (flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, wire stripper, bottle opener, can opener) is very useful. It's so thin I eventually lost it.

I finally got the Leatherman Squirt PS4. It's tiny, yet has lots of features (blade, scissors, file, pliers, flat screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, bottle opener, wire cutters, sewing pin mod). I carry it every day in my pants coin pocket. The only downside is the blade, which is not as big and comfortable as the others (which I used for cooking, crafting, wood prepping, etc).

I like my Chris Reeve Sebenza. Spendy, but works like a champ. https://www.chrisreeve.com/sebenza-21.html

Honestly, the favorite pocket knife is whatever I have on me at the time. I have one of these which is TSA approved and it does ok for opening boxes and packages and stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Boker-09BO310-Access-Prying-Steel/dp/...

I do a lot of flying. If I got a nice pocket knife I really liked and then got it confiscated, I'd be really sad. That little prybar rides on my keychain constantly and I don't have to think about it.

It's not sharp as a knife, but does most of what I need to do with it day to day.

I’ve every-day-carried a number of expensive knives of various sizes over the years. I eventually landed on the tiny and cheap Swiss Army Classic SD. I am a knowledge worker who mostly sits at a desk during the week. It easily serves for everything that I need a knife to do and then some with its tweezers, scissors, toothpick, and nail file. It’s very small and light. It’s also cheap enough that I don’t really care if I lose one to carelessness or a security checkpoint. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004YVB2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_u...

When I’m camping, I carry a Leatherman multitool.

100% depends on what you are using it for.

Want something fun to keep your hands busy? Check out butterfly knife trainers: https://hobanco.com/collections/practice-butterfly-balisong-...

Want something more serious? Check out benchmade: https://www.bladehq.com/cat--All-Benchmade--62

Want something high quality and cheap? Check out Kershaw: https://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/kershaw/

It all depends on what I am doing. Lately, my everyday carry has been a Benchmade H&K 14440SB. It's small and cheap enough that I don't worry about losing it. Prior to that, I usually carried a Benchmade 943 Osborne. Right now, it sits on my desk, in my home office, so it gets used. (I have a couple of Benchmades that don't get much use.) My Kabar Rigging Knife is my only knife with a leather case; so, if I working outside and don't want a knife in my pocket, I might carry it.

For me, a knife is just a tool, like scissors. The most used/useful knife I own is this tiny folding pocket knife.

https://www.crkt.com/shop/everyday-carry-knives/delilah-s-p-...

It is undersized for hunting or boating but for actual day to day use it really excels. I use it mostly for opening boxes and occasionally trimming bits off 3D printed parts. I used to carry it in my watch pocket but now it lives in my laptop bag.

The quality of the steel is the most important consideration when choosing a knife. See:

http://knifeinformer.com/discovering-the-best-knife-steel/

Victorinox knives provide the best performance for the price:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Army_knife#Design_and_ma...

I always carry the RSK Mk1, which is Doug Ritter's take on the Benchmade Griptilian.

I picked it because I like drop point blade geometry, it's heavy-duty enough to chop with in a pinch, like all high quality pocket knives it holds an edge very well, and it's at the upper limit of how big a knife can be without being uncomfortable or inconvenient to carry in my waistband.

The Benchmade Bugout is ONLY 1.85 oz, super easy to carry in your pocket without compromising blade size. Great for backpacking too.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-Bugout-AXIS-Lock-Kni...

Leatherman Squirt. I used to carry a small pocket knife but realized the squirt was smaller than it and had a lot more functions.

Milwaukee fastback 2. Its a box cutter but it flips in and out so quickly, it’s amazing to use. And to carry extra blades if it breaks.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/utility-knives/48-2...

When I'm outdoors or on my motorcycle, I carry a Leatherman Titanium. For general carry or "self defense"* I carry a Benchmade 710

* It's unlikely one is trained enough in knife fighting to defend oneself. Even most military aren't trained enough for a knife to increase their safety in a physical altercation.

Spyderco Caly 3.5 Carbon Fiber.

The reason is - the blade is 3-layer steel - where the middle is: ZDP-189 - notably the hardest steel your can buy in pocket knife for the price.

It's hard and non exactly stainless and is brittle due to hardness and hence - 2 layers of stainless steel on each side.

I don't like it's shape - but i like the quality.

I’ve been using the Victorinox Cybertool 32 for... about 6 years now. I don’t a lot of use for the extras in most multitools (who needs a metal file or a saw on a daily basis), but pliers, scissors, and a multi-tip screwdriver (including a glasses screwdriver) is super handy.

Cold Steel Code 4. It has a titanium handle, so it's super light and smooth - you almost don't feel it in your pocket, it's super-comfortable to wear. I carry it as an EDC knife for 5 months now, and it's the best knife I have owned so far.

I swear by the Leatherman Skeletool - super durable, less features than a wave but much handier. From a product design perspective I have not seen its equal - I'm always finding new uses for it. Its my everyday carry, I feel naked without it most of the time.

Leatherman wave, hands down. Unlike most multitools, the wave is nicely pocketable with fully practical tools.

I use tools several times a day, sometimes all day... The wave eliminates 90 percent of the runs to the toolbox. Also, lifetime guaranteed.

Victorinox Farmer - just the tools I need without the heft of a multitool.

A close second is the Victorinox Lumberjack. If I remember correctly it is/was the smallest SAK with a saw, which I use for all kinds of things.

Victorinox Tourist.

Always attached to keyring. I have never felt a need for a pocket knife until I got this one as a gift. Now I use it all the time at home, car, travels etc.

Leatherman Wingman. I bought it especially because it has a tool designed for opening that awful plastic clamshell packaging.

In my briefcase I always carry a Leatherman Wave. For personal defense I like the Spyderco Matriarch 2.

spyderco endura straight edge with the stainless handle. weighty, robust, very easy single hand open. lasts for .. forever. every few months clean out the cavity behind the lock to get the snick back. I replace the clip screws with socket head #2-56s

Opinel

How do guys sharpen your day to day carry?

Case peanut. Nice old timer's knife.

gerber paraframe mini