Although some snobs will say they’re pre-broken, a folding pocket knife can offer a lot of advantages over fixed blades, including discretion and convenience, not to mention the fact that you won’t need a sheath.
If you’re looking for one, here are some things you need to consider.
Size and Weight
If you’re going to carry a bruiser, you might as well get a fixed blade. At a certain point, it makes more sense to skip the folding aspect and reap the benefits of fixed construction.
That said, there may also be legal limitations in your area on what you can and cannot carry.
Also, weight is an important factor, as lighter, more discrete folding knives are easier and more comfortable to carry.
Blade Profile and Steel Composition
The blade profile is another important aspect. If you carry a knife for general utility, you can’t go wrong with a spear point, pen knife, or drop point.
If you’re going to do a lot of processing, cutting bait, or cleaning small game, then a clip point or swept skinning knife with a curved belly might make more sense.
If you are very rough on your knives, consider a tanto point or a sheepsfoot blade which will have a stronger tip.
Also, keep steel chemistry in mind. Stainless alloys, which typically have more chromium than high-carbon alloys, are softer and will not hold an edge as long, but will not rust as easily.
How Will You Carry It?
Some folding pocket knives don’t have any special features that make them easy to carry and must just be dropped in a pocket.
Others have pocket clips that are reversible and can be used to carry both tip-up and tip-down Think about how you intend to carry and what works for you and go from there.
Deployment and Lock Type
How you’ll open the knife is another important matter. Some folding knives have nail nicks, but keep in mind that these are difficult to open and require two hands.
Other knives have flipper studs, thumb studs, or thumb holes and allow for one-handed opening; for day-to-day use, these folding blades are easier to deploy.
You’ll also want to consider the lock type. Lock backs are strong, but they’re difficult to operate with one hand. Liner locks and frame locks are easy to engage and disengage with one hand.
A folding knife may also have a bar or button lock; these are easy to operate with one hand, are extremely strong, and keep your hands out of the path of the (razor) sharp blade when closing, increasing their safety.
White Mountain Knives: Your Source for Your Next Folding Pocket Knife
Looking for a high-quality knife to use for EDC? White Mountain Knives is your premier spot for a folding pocket knife. They carry top popular brands like Victorinox Swiss Army Knives, Buck and Cold Steel Knives, along with newer contenders, such as CIVIVI Knives, Kizer Knives, QSP Knives, and Artisan Cutlery Knives, among many others.
White Mountain Knives is the sweet spot for great tools at even better prices, and they even offer free shipping in the United States. Check out their website today.
