The Best Pocket Knives, Based On Months Of Testing And Expert Advice
Since 2022, we’ve put over 30 pocket knives to the test during camping trips, work projects and everyday home tasks, evaluating each for its blade sharpness, ergonomics, durability and overall design. In our most recent update to this guide, Forbes Vetted editors and staffers spent two months testing 13 knives across six categories to identify the top pocket knives of 2024. Our overall favorite is the Benchmade Griptillian, with its perfectly balanced large, sharp blade. For outdoor use, the Buck 110 Folder stands out as the best, offering a secure and durable feel for its size. Meanwhile, the Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza 31 takes the title of the best premium pocket knife.
We tested 13 pocket knives for two months to determine the best pocket knives in 2024.
Ahead, you’ll find six of the best pocket knives, with full reviews on each one. At the end, we also included seven other knives we tested that didn’t quite make the cut, as well as more information about our evaluation process.
The popular Benchmade Griptillian was first released in 2001, and while carrying a pocket knife that’s been around for over 20 years might seem old-fashioned, this pick remains a mighty folder with few flaws. Sporting an overall length of eight inches, it’s a full-size pocket knife that’s built to handle every task without strain; Benchmade did a particularly great job of distributing this knife’s weight with the blade deployed.
Speaking of the blade, Benchmade designs the Griptillian in three different styles, and we tested the drop-point CPM-S30V blade, which happens to be the most popular model. After weeks of use, we found that it holds an edge incredibly well and stands up to corrosion, so you won’t spend much time sharpening it. On the opposite end, the nylon handle has an ergonomic shape, and the proprietary Axis lock is easy to use. As you might expect, the Griptillian is a durable design from tip to grip, so those who use and abuse their pocket knives shouldn’t have any problems.
With an overall length of about eight inches, the Griptillian is a full-size pocket knife, but it … [+]
While the Griptillian is our top pick, it’s not perfect. As a full-size pocket knife that weighs nearly four ounces, it’s pretty big whether you’re using it or storing it in a pocket. The design also lacks an assisted opening mechanism to quickly deploy the blade, although we had no trouble using the thumb stud. If you’re looking for a smaller Benchmade, consider the Bugout or even the Bugout Mini, our favorite small pocket knife. Otherwise, pick up the Griptillian for its overall versatility.
What our testers say: “During testing, I used the knife for various tasks, including whittling sticks, and it performed admirably,” says Forbes Vetted content strategy analyst Luke Frangis. “It effortlessly sliced through small branches and proved to be efficient in various tasks, whether opening boxes or assisting in outdoor activities. It has quickly become my favorite pocket knife.”
Long-term testing notes: “The Benchmade Griptillian has truly stood the test of time,” says Frangis. “Despite weekly use, I haven’t needed to sharpen it yet. It has remained my go-to knife due to its design, weight, blade size and overall feel.”
The Kershaw Leek has been around longer than the Griptillian, and it’s known among enthusiasts as the “ideal EDC knife.” Designed by legendary knifemaker Ken Onion (hence the “Leek” in the name), it’s something of a Goldilocks pocket knife. With a three-inch, razor-sharp 14C28N blade, it slices and dices its way through packages and perishables, and because it’s really thin, you won’t have any trouble carrying it in a pocket. We loved the sheer simplicity of the design, and the weighted stainless steel handle offered a confident grip that looks good to boot. Really, this pocket knife checks a lot of boxes because it doesn’t try to fix what isn’t broken. It just works.
The Leek isn’t a full-size pocket knife, but it isn’t miniature either, which makes it perfect for … [+]
With that said, we have some concerns with the Leek. For example, the thin blade can easily snap if pressure is applied in the wrong direction, and because the handle is equally thin, applying even pressure presents its own handling challenge every now and then. If you need a heavy-duty knife that can bully its way through big tasks, a full-size option like the Griptillian would better meet your needs. But if you’re simply looking for a reliable pocket knife that’s been around for decades, handles most tasks and costs less than $100, this is a great option for the money.
What our testers say: “The Leek worked well on firmer items like apples and surprised me by beautifully slicing through overripe cherry tomatoes without crushing them,” says Forbes Vetted assistant editor Jordan Thomas. “I was also able to slice through several Amazon packages and break down some cardboard boxes without a notable drop in quality.”
Take a moment to browse online knife forums and you’ll quickly discover the buzz around the Benchmade Bugout. Enthusiasts praise its lightweight design, durability, grippy handle and overall excellence as a full-size pocket knife weighing less than 2 ounces. After two months of testing, we couldn’t agree more.
Sporting a Grivory (nylon) handle with small bumps to improve grip, the Bugout feels secure in hand. Our tester immediately preferred the size, shape and texture of the handle over the other ultralight knife we tested, the Hogue Deka. Complete with a proprietary Axis lock, the Bugout inspires confidence.
As for the blade, Benchmade went with CPM-S30V, a steel that’s relatively affordable and offers great edge retention and corrosion resistance, as well as adequate toughness. After weeks of use, the blade has held an edge that seems to be just as sharp as it was when we first unboxed it, and there are no signs of corrosion. Benchmade includes a cloth drawstring storage pouch with the Bugout, and while we would have preferred a hard-sided case, this wasn’t a major concern.
Weighing less than two ounces, the Benchmade Bugout is a beautiful pocket knife for the money.
You might think the Benchmade Bugout’s lightweight design would make it less durable, but we found it to be plenty rugged. The real tradeoff here is the higher price tag that often comes with ultralight gear. If you can handle the cost, you’ll get a full-size pocket knife that’s been a favorite of ours for years. Plus, if the basic Bugout doesn’t quite fit your needs, Benchmade offers the knife in a slew of different styles and the option to customize your own design.
What our testers say: “After using this knife frequently over the past few weeks, mostly to open and break down boxes, the blade feels just as sharp as when I first used it,” explains tester Robert Tietjen, a former Boy Scout who lives in Florida and has often relied on pocket knives in the outdoors and beyond. “It cuts apples with ease and cleanly slices through a soft tomato without squishing it at all. Perhaps the biggest con—but not dealbreaker—is that it only comes with a cloth drawstring pouch as opposed to a sturdier, more secure carrying case.”
If the full-size dimensions of the original Bugout are a bit too big, consider downsizing to the slightly smaller (but no less capable) Mini Bugout. Weighing 1.50 ounces, it’s incredibly light in hand, but the blade is only a half inch shorter than the Bugout, so you’re not sacrificing utility for size. And like its sibling, the Mini Bugout features a textured Grivory handle, CPM-S30V steel and Benchmade’s famous Axis lock. In every way, it’s a miniature version of our favorite ultralight folder, and that’s what makes it so great.
The size of the Mini Bugout doesn’t compromise its utility.
Really, our biggest problem with the Mini Bugout is its price tag. While the version we tested retails for $190, the basic Mini Bugout retails for $170—that’s only $10 less than the full-size Bugout (though you can find it on sale from outlets like Blade HQ). In our opinion, a smaller version of a full-size knife with these specifications shouldn’t cost more than $150, but that hasn’t stopped the EDC (everyday carry) community from falling in love with it anyway. Look beyond the price and you’ll find every excuse to break out this mini folder. Like the original Bugout, the Mini is available in different versions, and you can customize your own.
What our testers say: “I preferred this knife over the other two I tested because, while it folds up small enough to fit in any pocket—even comically small women’s jean pockets)—the blade is long enough to chop various fruits and vegetables or open boxes,” says Forbes Vetted operations manager Catherine Miller. “In addition to opening boxes, a standard test I performed across all three knives was cutting a thin slice of ripe tomato, which isn’t possible with a dull knife. The Mini Bugout excelled in this test, with the blade long enough and sharp enough to easily cut a slice off the fruit without making a mess.”
Getting people to agree on the best pocket knife for the outdoors is like trying to get everyone to agree on the best pizza topping—everyone has their own opinion. In our view, a pocket knife for the outdoors should be durable, portable and comfortable, which is why we like the Buck Knives 110 Folder. First released in 1963, the 110 Folder was designed to offer the strength and reliability of a fixed-blade knife without the large size, and it’s been a popular model for over 60 years.
While it is a bit heavy at 7.2 ounces, the extra weight makes the 110 Folder feel more solid and durable—its