When you’re on the trail, having a sharp pocketknife with you is an essential tool, and having one that is immediately accessible is a crucial component of preparedness to handle a bad situation when you least expect it. We’ve selected five pocketknives for everyday carry.
Gerber 39 Series Micarta
Designed and built in Portland, OR, the Gerber 39 Series Micarta is a premium folding knife named for its unique handle material that utilizes a CPM-S30V stainless steel blade for superior corrosion resistance and sharp edge-holding ability. A polymer bolstered Micarta handle provides a safe perch on the knife and a stainless-steel liner lock frame ensures reliable lockup. The 39 Series knife features a large thumb disk and low-ride pocket clip. Blade length 3 inches, Open length 7.5 inch, Weight 3.80 oz. Photos courtesy Gerber
CRKT Homefront EDC
Designed by Ken Onion in Kaneohe, HI, the Homefront EDC, is among the first in CRKT’s fleet to feature Field Strip technology. The technology allows you to easily disassemble the knife for cleaning without tools, shown below.
Blade length 3.5 inches, Open length 8.25 inches, Closed length 4.7 inches, Weight 4.3oz. Photos courtesy CRKT
Benchmade Freek Family
From Benchmade comes the Made in the USA Freek Family knife. The knife will slice though anything in front of it. The handle is built to fit comfortably in your hand for both men and women and is strong enough for harder tasks. If you work near water or in a humid climate where grip is an issue, you won’t have a problem with this knife. It won’t slip out of your hand. Lock up is quick with zero blade play. Blade Length 3.60 inches, Open length 8.46 inches, Closed length 4.86 inches, Weight 3.7oz. Photo courtesy Benchmade
Schrade 602T1 Frame Lock Folding Knife
The Schrade 602T1 Frame Lock Folding Knife offers a titanium coated D2 high carbon stainless steel drop point blade with ambidextrous thumb knobs and thumb ramp jimping. A machine textured titanium handle with lanyard hole and pocket clip complete the package. Blade length 3.5 inches, Open length 7.85 inches, Weight 4.8 oz. Photos courtesy Schrade
Spyderco C188AL Dog Tag Gen4
One of the most novel and innovative everyday cutting tools available, the Dog Tag Folder Gen4 may be the ultimate “carry anywhere” folding knife. Custom knifemaker Serge Panchenko’s designed the Dog Tag knife to replicate the look, size, and convenience of a military dog tag. This fourth-generation design, features twin aluminum handle scales for a secure grip and protection from the blade’s sharp edge. A purpose-designed non-locking folder, features an integral spring bar and ball-bearing detent in the larger scale that help hold the blade in place in both the open and closed positions, but does not mechanically lock it. The blade is double-beveled and saber-ground to provide a symmetrical edge angle that is more easily sharpened and allows greater controlled during use. Precision machined from American-made CTS BD1 stainless steel, the compact sheepfoot blade features Spyderco’s trademark Round Hole for fingernail-free ease of opening. Blade length 1.18 inches, Open length 3.23 inches, Closed length 2.05 inches, Weight 0.9oz. Photo courtesy Spyderco
What knife do you carry?
