The next time that you and your adventurous pals are huddled around the campfire at night, you can leave them all gasping in astonishment.
How?
By revealing a truly fantastic pocket knife that is perfect for camping. There is a lot to choose from, effectively ensuring outdoorsmen are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a trusty tool to take into the wild.
In this article, we endeavor to make the decision a little easier for you. We’ve selected the top contenders on the market today, all of which can lay a substantial claim of being the best pocket knife for campers.
So, let’s get cutting.
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How We Chose Our Ratings
With so many options, you may wonder how we narrowed it down to the ones on this list. How did these knives make the cut? Well, a popular term that is bandied around by knife enthusiasts is EDC, which is an acronym for Every Day Carry. This refers to pocket knives that are consistently carried on your person so that you use them as you encounter tasks in your day.
Whether that’s stripping some plastic wrapping off a pallet in a storage warehouse, or using it to pick your teeth after a family-sized KFC bucket is up to you.
The knives on this list fall into the EDC bracket, many of which are pocket knives that are adaptable to common tasks, while some others are heavy-duty survival knives. Ultimately, the ratings have been drawn from a host of reputed industry sources and leading blogs that have reported on the topics in the recent past.
The Essential Aspects of the BestPocket Knife
Before we dive in, here are a few key considerations that will give you a clearer insight into how we chose the top knives. Furthermore, these are components you should think about when making a purchase.
Folding or Fixed
If you’re walking along trails or simply chilling at your campsite, then a folding pocket knife is fine. However, there is a strong case for buying a tool with a fixed blade. To put it simply, it is safer, cleaner, and stronger.
Let’s consider each of those:
- Safety – unlike a folding blade, you can’t accidentally close a fixed blade on your fingers. Even folding blades that havea lock can sometimes fail, which isn’t an enjoyable experience for anybodyinvolved.
- Cleanliness – Folding blades tend to accrue more debris when you use them for tasks like woodcutting or food preparation.
- Strength – Lastly, the single piece of steel is stronger than any folding knife.
Length
A lot of people make the mistake of buying a very long knife, which ends up being a cumbersome tool to carry around as it barely fits in your pocket. Ideally, something between 3” and 4.75” is best. It will fit comfortably in your pocket or hand, and it’s not so big that the cops will confiscate it on sight.
Weight
High-quality steel does weight a little more, and a thicker blade will be stronger. That being said, you don’t want anything too heavy. It should be solid and sturdy to deal with the rigors and challenges of the great outdoors, and yet you want a pocket knife that is easy to manage.
9 Best Pocket Knives of 2018
So, that’s enough beating around the bush. Let’s get to the point of this article and find out the best pocket knife for campers to buy this year.
1. Kershaw 1660 Ken Onion Leek Folding Knife
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Features
If you know anything about knives, then you’ll know about Kershaw. This US-based company is based in Portland, Oregon, and it has been manufacturing knives for over 40 years. With everything from kitchen cutlery to sporting knives available, it’s little surprise that the top spot on our list is claimed by Kershaw.
The Ken Onion Leek model is an elegantly-designed knife with safety and ease-of-use at the heart of its design. A great feature is the ambidextrous assisted opening system, allowing users to hold the blade in whichever hand they want – lefties rejoice! It also has a pocket clip that you can set up to carry the knife with the tip facing upwards or downwards.
The three-inch blade brings the entire tool length to seven inches when unfolded, and it boasts a slim and sharp tip that is excellent for piercing. At just 3.1 ounces, this knife is everything you should be looking for in a pocket knife – light, small, sharp, and strong.
- Blade length: 3”
- Weight: 3.1 oz
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2. BlizeTec Survival Knife
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In the wild, there is a lot more to do with a knife than chop up firewood and open cans of beans. Yes, of course, some may argue that a hatchet and can opener can do those jobs better than a knife. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of fun to be gained from frantically stabbing an aluminum can while your fingers freeze in the fading sunlight.
Imagine you had a knife that made that job a little bit easier. The BlizeTec Survival Knife is the answer. It is equipped with a flint, a firestarter, and a flashlight. So, not only will it help you start a fire to cook the beans, but you can also use its handy torch to find your way around the campsite. This LED light works for a maximum of 12 hours when fully charged, and there’s also a belt clip to make life easier.
With a body made from anodized aluminum, it is a lightweight tool, yet robust enough to take a few hits on the road.
- Blade length: 3.5”
- Weight: 5.46 oz
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3. Kershaw Blur Pocket Knife
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Kershaw is back in at #3 with the Leek’s bigger brother – the Blur. It’s a little heavier, and a little more pricey. The reasons for the weight and price boils down to the body, which houses the patented SpeedSafe tech. This enables this folding pocket knife to open quickly – always handy if you find yourself facing an angry alleyway mugger.
One of the biggest attractions to this tool is its looks. With a diamond-like carbon coated blade, this knife looks good and offers virtually unrivaled durability.
The blade also has a liner-lock mechanism, which ensures a solid lock. A nice add-on is the ability to customize this knife, and you can choose from multiple options such as a black blade, tactical, and partial serration.
- Blade length: 3”.4
- Weight: 3.9 oz
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4. SOG Trident Assisted FoldingKnife
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If you want a knife that makes you feel like a real badass, perhaps you should consider the Trident. This jet-black knife has a contoured grip and a partially-serrated blade. It is a blend of comfort and cool style that makes it a top contender for the best pocket knife among outdoorsmen.
The Trident is a versatile tool, which you can use for a range of purposes. The handle groove is useful for cutting any cables or ropes, and it has the open-assist tech to allow the user to flick the blade open with ease.
- Blade length: 3.75”
- Weight: 3.6 oz
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5. Surviv-All Survival Knife
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You could look for the best pocket knife, or you could just buy the toughest knife. There may be none tougher than the Survival Knife from Surviv-All. With a drop-point blade forged from high-carbon and stainless steel, this knife is made for the wilderness. The rubber handle allows a solid grip, and the inclusion of a steel pommel makes it a useful hammer too.
That’s not all – there is a cord cutter included in the sheath, as well as a paracord strap. The package even comes with a knife sharpener. All-around, this is a robust beast that is ready to take a beating.
- Blade length: 4.25”
- Weight: 7.5 oz
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6. Victorinox SwissChamp SwissArmy Knife
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To write an article on the best pocket knife and not include a Swiss Army Knife would be preposterous. So, at a respectable position on our list is the Victorinox SwissChamp. Unless you spent your childhood in the attic, you’re sure to be familiar with the standard Swiss Army Knife.
These multi-purpose tools wield much more than a simple blade, and the Victorinox puts the others to shame with an arsenal that any adventurer would be proud to show off. Whether or not you can remember how to quickly locate all 33 tools in the dark is another matter, but when you finally master it, this will turn you into a champion of the campsite.
- Blade length: Varies – tool lengthis 3.5”
- Weight: 6.5 oz
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7. Spyderco Tenacious Plain EdgeFolding Knife
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It may be far down the list, but there is a lot to like about Spyderco’s Tenacious Plain Edge Knife. The distinctive, large eyelets in the blades add an aesthetically pleasing touch to this knife, and the leaf-shaped blade makes it seem a little unique compared to many others in the market.
A 4-way clip allows you to set up the knife for whichever way you prefer to carry or draw. Furthermore, at just 4 oz, this is light and easy to carry around. It may lack the build quality of some others higher up, but this is a solid choice for a first-time pocket knife.
- Blade length: 3.39”
- Weight: 4.1 oz
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The Buyer’s Guide to the BestPocket Knife
Well, there you have it. We’ve whittled the dozens of available choices in the market down to just seven for you.
Now, it’s your choice as to which you believe is best. Before you run off to the shop or dare to swipe your dad’s credit card, you need to get a few things straight:
1. Understand Why You’re Buying a Knife
Is this knife destined to take up residence as a dust-gatherer on a lonely shelf just one week after you buy it? If so, maybe you don’t really need it.
If you think otherwise, define your reasons for getting a knife. Avid hunters and campers who hit the mountains and forests regularly will have no trouble finding uses for a survival knife or Swiss Army tool.
On the other hand, if you just go camping once in a while, perhaps a simpler knife that allows you to chop a bit of pepperoni and cheese at the picnic table will suffice.
2. Consider Your Budget
Even if you are an outdoorsman, you may not need to break the bank for a knife. Plenty of the entries on this list are at reasonable prices. That being said, paying a little more typically ensures a sturdy build and possibly some extra features such as a flashlight or cord cutter.
3. Think About Safety
Will you be the only person using this knife?
If you’re taking your sons on a fishing trip, you want to have the peace of mind knowing there won’t be any horrible accidents. A heavy-duty knife may be too much for them to handle, and a folding knife can quickly nip little fingers. Make sure you get a knife that is safe and easy for you and other users to operate.
The Final Point
Having a great pocket knife can give you a degree of security when you wander off into the wilderness. You can take comfort in knowing that you are prepared for almost anything that comes your way in the adventure ahead.
When you look for the best pocket knife, take your time and consider your budget, and the reasons you want one. This way, you’ll ensure you spend your money wisely and end up with a tool that serves you well for years to come.
If you choose the wrong knife, don’t fret. You can always return to the store and take another stab at it!
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