Choosing a first pocket knife may sound simple at first, but when you start analyzing what you’ll be using it for and then trying to match your needs to the pocket knives on the market, it starts to get confusing pretty quick. For starters, you shouldn’t run out and buy any ole pocket knife. Having the wrong pocket knife is like having the wrong tool for the job. You never seem to have the right tool for the right job plus it can be downright dangerous.
Before buying a knife, try and imagine what you’ll be using it for. If you’ll be cleaning your nails, using it for small cutting jobs like cutting tags off of clothes or opening packages, then a small, one bladed pocket knife may be just the thing you need.
On the other hand, let’s say you’re a mechanic or electrician and you plan on using your pocket knife as a tool during your job, that small one bladed knife will be insufficient. You’ll want a larger, multi blade pocket knife like a Medium or Large Stockman.
Also, you’ll need to take into account the type of steel the knife will be made of. Carbon steel knives sharpen really well but they rust very quickly if not kept cleaned and oiled. Stainless steel can be a little harder to sharpen, but resist stains and rusting much better. Oh, and just so you know, not all stainless steel is rust proof or stain proof. Some imported stainless steel isn’t much better than carbon steel!
My preference in pocket knives is the Case Saddlehorn pocket knife with surgical stainless steel. These knives are made in the U.S.A. and are of the highest quality. The surgical stainless steel holds an edge very well and its highly polished finish resist stains and rust better than any steel I’ve owned. You can’t do much better, if any, than a Case pocket knife.
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