Best Folding Knives Reviewed and Compared

Yes, they will always be weaker by design. But they are a lot better now than what they used to be and can handle heavy outdoor tasks.

You don’t have to, and some models don’t even allow you to do that. That’s why keeping it clean is the best maintenance since you won’t track dirt into any of the moving parts.

They’re great for hunting, and sometimes due to space restraints, necessary. You’ll get a lot of mileage out of a folding knife if you’re a dedicated hunter.

Folding knives are great for consumers that want to conceal a weapon, or use little space while packing the rest of their materials. They can be used for personal protection and hunting, with the higher end models holding up well when compared to fixed blade models. The only downside to a folding knife is its lack of power for heavy duty tasks. But this is in comparison to a fixed blade, which was built for a lot of grunt work. So in most situations, a folding knife will be just enough for all tasks that you throw at it.

Every company has its own type of safety built into a folding knife. They don’t accidentally trigger while tucked away, and even if dropped the mechanics won’t send the blade flying out. This is a feature on all models, yet they didn’t get that way by making the product hard to open. There are plenty of folding knives that can be opened with a single hand, with the most famous being a butterfly knife. Useful in many situations, a folding knife gains a lot of respect for being safe without stalling the overall performance of the blade.

Not all folding knives come with sheaths, but it isn’t considered redundant to include them in a package. Sheaths for folding knives are available in lanyard style, on belts and even in a regular clip-on state. They are useful for consumers that are wearing pants without pockets and need full access to their blade. They’re also great for larger folding knives that would be uncomfortable to wear in non-baggy pants. It’s all about choice, so sheaths are great to have when available. Getting an aftermarket sheath for your folding knife is a pain and much different than looking for a customized fixed blade sheath.

There are no differences in price when buying a folding knife over a fixed blade knife. And if you’re buying a folding knife that comes with a sheath, then it is an overall better deal than getting a similarly fixed blade knife. Buyers shouldn’t be too concerned with the price of a folding knife unless it is substantially higher than the normal price in the industry. Blade style and materials will determine the price of a knife, so consumers can grab a good deal if they stick to the features they need the most. Getting a serrated blade when you don’t plan to use that feature is only adding to the cost.

Yes, a folding knife is less durable than a fixed blade knife. This has more to do with the way the mechanics are set up, and not about the quality of the blade. Lighter and efficient blades are used for folding knives leading to less power but better flexibility. This is also helpful for keeping the size of the knife down so that it fits in small areas. Other than lack of durability due to the folding mechanics, the knives are the same from the handle to the blade when compared to other knives. One thing to look for when wanted some added durability with the design is to look for brands that have the best locking features.

The amount of pressure you can use with a folding knife is limited based on how well the manufacturer handled the locking mechanics. If the knife has a weak locking point, then it won’t hold when you’re applying pressure. That means the knife will fold or even break when too much pressure is added to the blade. A good way to examine the pros and cons of folding knives is to think of their locking mechanism as the core. Just like the human body, a weak core drags down the overall performance of all other parts.

Blade length ranges from 2 to 6 inches for the average folding knife. The length isn’t set in stone so it isn’t out of the ordinary to see several products run longer (or even shorter) than competing knives. Multi-tool folding knives tend to run shorter, that way they can make room for the rest of the tools in the handle. Folding knives that concentrate on serrated blades will run longer so that they can handle the sawing motion fluidly. Blade length will come with its own sets of pros and cons, but you’ll notice a common theme when you match the length to blade style.

Like any good knife, the handle can make or break a purchase. Folding knives are in the unique position of working as both the sheath and handle, all in one. So right off the bat, there are more moving parts in the handle than in other knives. That doesn’t mean that folding knives can’t have comfortable blades, but be aware the first priority will go to safety/protection. Products that manage to have a comfortable handle are top tier and considered beneficial buys for users that want folding knives.

Even with the blade being protected by the handle when it is not in use, it is still prone to rust. Like any other knife blade, this can be prevented with proper cleaning and maintenance. On the rare chance you receive a brand new folding knife that came rusted out of the package, companies are good at taking care of the problem. Being rusted directly from the manufacturer isn’t common, yet customers should make it a point to look for any signs of rust once they take out the knife. Once a blade begins to rust, it can accelerate quickly in multiple spots. It’s best to avoid the problem altogether by taking care of the blade with sharpenings and oils.

Warranties are good to have for blades that come out of the package in bad condition. It’s also a good idea to have a warranty when some part of the knife breaks from regular wear and tear. Folding knife companies have wildly different warranty lengths. They also differ with what they cover, so buyers should pay attention to the fine print before purchasing a product. When purchasing a folding knife that will see a lot of use, having a bad warranty can lead to lost money when your product breaks down.