2. Benchmade - Crooked River

Over the years, we’ve seen so many amazing high-quality products come from Benchmade, the knife manufacturing company headquartered in Oregon. It would have been an injustice to not include a pocket knife from them.  The Crooked River is a simple but well-functioning all-purpose pocket knife that looks just as good as it cuts.

The knife features a 4-inch clip point blade made of premium grade knife steel. It delivers highly controlled and precise cuts, allowing you great command over the most delicate of slicing applications. The blade is insanely sharp from the factory and not easy to dull but if you need it, the company will provide a re-sharpening service free of charge. Its long aluminum and stabilized wood handle provide a comfortable and secure grip on the knife.

Largely unique to Benchmade pocket knives is an axis locking mechanism. It provides a super-secure lock on the blade, up to three times more than the standard liner lock. Of course, this type of mechanism also has its drawback having more small parts and thus, can be finicky if it gets dirty.

3. Kershaw Blur Black

A razor-sharp blade, exceptional durability, and highly ergonomic design all delivered in a highly affordable package, that’s how we’d describe the Kershaw Blur Black. It’s a cut above the rest (pun intended) because of the sheer number of different design variants it offers. 

Each option is built for multitasking and does a tremendously amazing job at it. However, they all feature just enough variations between them to allow you more flexibility in matching your exact preferences. For instance, one of them also boasts a glass breaker, useful for emergencies.

The blade is 3.4-inch long, which makes it the perfect size for most everyday applications – small enough for easy carry and more delicate applications but still big enough to be durable and not falter in the most demanding of tasks. It’s super sharp and packs decent edge retention.

For additional toughness and protection against the harshness of outdoor elements, the blade is coated with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), which also grants it an attractive shine.

The well-crafted handle is a combination of anodized aluminum and Trac-Tec inserts, guaranteeing a secure and comfortable grip. Deployment is smooth and quick thanks to the company’s patented SpeedSafe Assisted Opening system and the blade locks in place with great assurance.

One minor quirk about this otherwise exceptional pocket knife that we would like to criticize is its angled thumb studs. Presumably, this is a nice idea, but unfortunately, one that is poorly executed. With a relatively sharp point, they can be a cause of bother for one’s thumbs as well as have a tendency to catch on the insides of one’s pockets.

4. Gerber Ripstop I

Gerber is a well-known brand known for its good quality but affordable outdoor gear. Their new knife, the Gerber Ripstop is no exception. The most immediate feature you’ll notice is its highly distinct stainless-steel design.

An effort has been made by the company to reduce the knife’s weight as much as possible without compromise to strength and functionality. As a result, the knife weighs less than 2 ounces and will go virtually unnoticed in your pocket.

Its pronounced dual thumb studs make it very easy to open with one hand. The knife features a 2.3-inch partially serrated straight blade, the perfect design combination for a versatile jack-of-all-trades.  The blade steel for the ripstop in 5cr15MoV, a close sibling of 8cr13MoV.

Overall, this is a solid little go-all pocket knife offered at a great price from a reputable brand. You’d hardly go wrong with its purchase. If there is any criticism of its merits, we’d say it would be the frame lock, which while secure, awkward to get to and release.