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Comparing Pocket Knives

Showing 20 products | Change
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award  Top Pick Award Top Pick Award 
Price $190 List$220 List
$198.00 at REI		$285 List
$199.99 at Amazon		$200 List
$180.00 at REI		$200 List
$89.39 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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79
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74
Star Rating
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Pros Incredible blade quality, assisted open, perfect combination of compactness/functionalityRecurve blade, classy wooden handle, Axis lockTop-of-the-line materials, tight construction, great bladeLight, simple, well-made, full size blade, full-functionExcellent blade quality, solid construction, great grip design
Cons Pricey, blade lock mechanism not intuitiveExpensive, no assisted opening functionSuper expensive, small handle profileExpensive, low profile handle, flexy plastic constructionHeavy and bulky, assisted opening requires some force
Bottom Line An immaculately constructed knife in a form-factor that is easy to carry and large enough for virtually every taskThis is one of the best and most beautiful knives we have ever tested with a wooden handleA high-end pocket knife that is readily available at proven retailers; we only wish the handle were a little bulkier for heavy usageFor a full-function, full-size pocket knife, this is as light as it gets, and is the premier option for all sorts of human-powered adventuresThis top performer has a large blade and ergonomic handle for big cutting jobs and all-day use
Rating Categories Benchmade Mini Barr... Benchmade 15031-2 N... Zero Tolerance 0450... Benchmade 535 Bugout Kershaw Link
Blade and Edge Integrity (30%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Ergonomics (25%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Portability (20%)
7.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
Construction Quality (25%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Specs Benchmade Mini Barr... Benchmade 15031-2 N... Zero Tolerance 0450... Benchmade 535 Bugout Kershaw Link
Blade Length (Measured) 2.8 in 2.9 in 3.2 in 3.0 in 3.2 in
Overall Length (Measured) 6.9 in 6.9 in 7.4 in 7.4 in 7.6 in
Closed Length (Measured) 4.0 in 3.9 in 4.1 in 4.2 in 4.4 in
Weight 3.4 oz 3.2 oz 2.4 oz 1.9 oz 4.7 oz
Thickness w/o Pocket Clip (Measured) 0.6 in 0.5 in 0.4 in 0.4 in 0.5 in
Blade Style Drop point, straight edge Drop point, straight edge Drop point, straight edge Drop point, straight edge Drop point, straight edge
Blade Material 154CM stainless steel S30V stainless steel S35vn stainless steel S30V stainless steel CPM 20CV steel
Blade locks closed? Yes Yes No No No
Lock Mechanism AXIS Assist (Proprietary) AXIS Assist (Proprietary) Frame lock AXIS Assist (Proprietary) Liner lock
Handle Material Plastic Stabilized wood Carbon fiber Grivory Anodized aluminum
Opening Style Assisted, ambidextrous thumb stud Ambidextrous thumb stud Back of knife finger tab Ambidextrous thumb stud Assisted, flipper
Carry Style Pocket clip and lanyard hole Pocket clip Pocket clip and lanyard hole Pocket clip and lanyard hole Pocket clip and lanyard hole
Other Features or Functions Lanyard hole, modular clip None None None Lanyard hole, modular clip