When it comes to everyday carry, a good pocket knife is about as essential as it gets. I mean, think about it – how many times have you found yourself in a situation where you desperately needed to open a package, cut a piece of string, or trim a loose thread? For me, it’s a daily occurrence. That’s why I’m so passionate about finding the perfect pocket knife to have on hand at all times.
The Best Overall Pocket Knife
If you asked me what the best pocket knife for everyday carry is, without any other info, I’d still have to go with the Hogue Deka. Ounce for ounce and dollar for dollar, this knife simply delivers the most value. It’s got a top-tier CPM MagnaCut blade steel, a conveniently ambidextrous dual thumbstud deployment, and a versatile design that can handle everything from tactical to outdoor to everyday tasks.
The Deka’s design is similar to the super popular Benchmade Bugout 535, another everyday carry favorite. They’re about the same size and shape, they’re both lightweight, they both use an ambidextrous dual thumbstud deployment and crossbar lock, and they’re both made in the USA. But the Deka pulls ahead in a couple key ways – it features MagnaCut steel, which is one of the most performant and sought-after blade steels on the market, and it actually costs a few bucks less than the Bugout.
The 3.25″ blade on the Deka is just the right size and shape for most tasks, and that CPM MagnaCut steel is an absolute beast. It holds an edge like nobody’s business, can take a beating, and is super resistant to corrosion. I love not having to worry too much about chipping the blade, dulling it too quickly, or worrying about rust. I can really put this knife through its paces without babying it.
The deployment is also super smooth and easy, whether I’m flicking it open with my thumb or reverse-flicking it with my index finger on the back of the blade. Hogue’s version of the crossbar lock is ambidextrous and has worked flawlessly for me so far. The only potential downside is that, like the Bugout, the polymer handles can flex a bit under pressure, which doesn’t inspire the most confidence for hard use. But for most everyday carry tasks, I think anyone who picks up the Hogue Deka will be more than satisfied.
The Best Pocket Knife on a Budget
When it comes to good quality budget knives, we are truly spoiled for choice these days. I’ve tried a bunch of ’em, and my personal favorite of the bunch is the CJRB Pyrite Alt. Despite its low cost of under $50, this knife has the fit, finish, functionality, and fidget factor of something much more expensive.
The specific configuration I recommend is the Pyrite Alt with a button lock and a reverse tanto or wharncliffe blade shape. This version ditches the dual thumbstuds in favor of a handy thumbhole cutout in the blade, which makes it super easy to deploy and fidget with – which is honestly my favorite thing about this knife.
The AR-RPM9 steel used on the 3.1″ blade is a powder metallurgy steel, which is a type of steel usually reserved for more premium knives. It offers great edge retention, corrosion resistance, and cutting performance, all for a budget price. I also prefer it over more common budget steels like D2, since it’s fully stainless.
The button lock on the Pyrite Alt is another highlight for me. It’s consistently snappy and satisfying to use, even straight out of the box. I’ve tried other button locks that can be finicky unless they’re broken in, but this one is smooth sailing. The steel handle scales also have a nice stonewash finish and feel plenty tough, although they do add a bit of heft at 3.7 oz.
If weight is a concern for you, there’s also a Micarta-scaled version that cuts the weight down significantly. Either way, with its excellent action, solid blade performance, durable build, and impressive fit and finish, the CJRB Pyrite Alt is an awesome way to get the modern EDC knife experience without breaking the bank.
The Best Tactical Pocket Knife
Within the everyday carry and knife enthusiast communities, the Spyderco Para Military 2 (PM2) is so highly regarded, it’s almost a meme at this point. And for good reason – this decades-old design from Sal Glesser of Spyderco is just an absolute workhorse.
Yes, the PM2 is a large knife. In my initial testing, I thought I might struggle with the bigger size, especially if you have smaller hands like me. But in actual use, the knife is much more nimble and maneuverable than its dimensions might suggest. I attribute a lot of that to how the bulk is concentrated in the handle, which gives you plenty of grip.
Combined with the jimped finger choil and spine, and the light weight of the handle, you can really choke up on the blade and get precise control. The blade shape, with its slight upsweep to a precise point, makes it excellent for all but the heaviest piercing or prying tasks. I can comfortably use it for food prep and opening packaging alike.
Deployment on the PM2 is also a unique experience, thanks to that large thumb hole and the Spyderco-signature Compression Lock. It’s worth noting that I can still operate the knife even when I’m wearing gloves, which could be a key consideration if you plan to use this in a tactical setup.
The CPM S45VN steel on the standard model is already a premium high-performance steel. But you can also find variants with even higher-spec steels like S90V, and even the top-tier CPM MagnaCut on some recent models. With its larger proportions, excellent performance, and proven design, the Spyderco Para Military 2 is definitely one of the best pocket knives for tactical and everyday carry use.
The Best Everyday Pocket Knife
Few knives are built with as much expertise about what makes a truly excellent everyday carry knife as the Banter from WE Knife Co. This knife was made in collaboration with Ben Petersen, formerly of Blade HQ, one of the community’s favorite places to buy knives for everyday carry. Essentially, it’s his dream knife, and it has quite a lot to offer any knife enthusiast.
Starting with a dead-simple blade made of S35VN stainless steel that’s great for all-around cutting, slicing, and piercing tasks, the Banter also has a non-threatening appearance and a smaller size that won’t turn too many unwanted heads when used in polite company. When the knife is closed, the blade sinks deep into your pocket, and the lightweight G-10 handle keeps the profile nice and discreet.
If I had to nitpick, the deployment and lockup on the Banter aren’t quite as refined as some other knives. The dual thumb studs can be a little small and hard to actuate, especially with your non-dominant hand. And the liner lock does favor right-handed users a bit more. But those are relatively minor gripes, especially considering the Banter’s overall value and performance.
At the end of the day, the WE Knife Co Banter is an excellently designed everyday carry knife that nails the balance between cutting capability, pocketability, and inconspicuous looks. It’s a great option if you want a capable folder that won’t draw too much attention.
The Best Premium Pocket Knife You Can Actually Buy
The Tactile Maverick is a premium modern crossbar lock pocket knife made in collaboration with Richard Rodgers, a two-time Blade Show award winner who’s been making great everyday carry knives in New Mexico since 1996. And let me tell you, this thing is something special.
Tactile starts with American-forged CPM MagnaCut steel and turns it into a 3.5″ clip-point blade with a slight upswept shape, making it excel at detail cutting and slicing with a fine, pointy tip. You can choose between a Grade 5 titanium handle or a canvas Micarta scale – either way, the rest of the knife evokes a sleek, modern gentleman’s design with quality-of-life features like a deep-carry pocket clip, a custom pivot tuned for smooth draw and closure, and titanium hardware that won’t rust over time.
The fit and finish on this knife are exactly what you’d expect from a premium everyday carry option. Tactile has taken everything they’ve learned through years of precision machining great EDC pens and stationery, and poured it into this field-ready folder.
What’s even better is that the Tactile Maverick isn’t a limited-edition knife. If the looks and performance appeal to you, it’s available for purchase right now. No waitlists, no secondary market hype to navigate – just a top-tier everyday carry knife from one of the best in the business.
Honorable Mentions
No roundup of the best pocket knives would be complete without at least a few honorable mentions. Here are some other knives that deserve a shoutout:
The Benchmade 945 Mini Osborne takes everything that made the original 940 a classic, then reins in the proportions to something more efficient and streamlined for everyday carry. With a just-under-3″ blade of premium CPM S30V steel, it’s plenty capable for most users.
The Gerber Assert is another great semi-premium American-made lightweight ambidextrous knife for outdoor and EDC use. It uses CPM S30V steel with a 2.99″ blade and lightweight glass-filled nylon handles.
The Kizer Azo Drop Bear features highly corrosion-resistant LC200N steel, making it a great choice for everyday carry in humid or wet conditions. Its overbuilt design and crossbar lock also give it a substantial, premium feel.
And the Kershaw Iridium is a more recent addition to the budget EDC knife category, offering elegant proportions, D2 tool steel, and a satisfying crossbar lock mechanism, all for under $100.
Wrapping Up
Whew, that’s a lot of knives to consider! But the truth is, there’s no single “best” pocket knife that will be perfect for everyone. It really comes down to your personal needs, preferences, and budget.
The key is finding a knife that checks all the boxes for you – great blade steel, comfortable ergonomics, reliable lockup, and a size/weight that works with your everyday carry. And don’t be afraid to try out a few different options until you land on the one that feels just right.
Wherever your search takes you, I hope this guide has given you a solid foundation to work from. Happy hunting, and stay safe out there! Let me know if you have any other questions.
