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How To Pick Your First Pocket Knife

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.

How To Choose A Pocket Knife

Sadly, I don’t believe many people give too much thought about picking a pocket knife. Not only is that unfortunate, but it can be downright dangerous! The wrong pocket knife in the wrong hands doing the wrong job can end up in disaster. I’ve got the scars to prove that picking the right pocket knife is important! I’m not attempting to review a specific knife in this article, so if you looking for pocket knife reviews on a particular knife, you’ll have to look elsewhere. This article is meant to help the beginner choose their first pocket knife.

If you have a specific use you’re wanting a pocket knife for, then match the knife to the use. For example, if you’re just wanting to use the knife to cut tape or cellophane off of packages down at your job, then a small pocket knife with a clip blade may be just what you want. The same knife may be next to useless for an electrician who wants to strip electrical wires though!

You can find pocket knives with one, two, three or more blades. I prefer no more than three myself. The Swiss Army type knives are bulky and it’s hard to find a place for them. The smaller ones seem a little too flimsy for my taste.

A medium sized Stockman pocket knife is a good choice for all around use. This knife usually comes with three blades; a Clip blade, Spey blade and Sheepsfoot blade. These three blades can handle just about anything you throw at them. Just don’t go out and abuse them because abused knives generally have a way of getting back at you!

Also, if you don’t like the idea of routine cleaning of your pocket knife and sharpening of the blade, then avoid carbon steel blades and look for stainless steel. Be advised, not all stainless steel is created equal. I prefer the surgical stainless steel that Case uses in many of it’s pocket knives. They come highly polished and are razor sharp. You can go wrong choosing a Case pocket knife!