The Most Popular Pocket Knife in the World, Ranked

Choose the pocket knife you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:46
In the bustling aisles of a local outdoor gear shop, shoppers often pause at the display of pocket knives, each pondering which tool might serve them best in their adventures. From wilderness survival to everyday practicality, the right pocket knife stands as an essential tool for various tasks. However, with so many options on the market, choosing the best one can be a daunting task for many. This is where the power of collective opinions comes into play. By casting votes for their preferred pocket knives, users contribute to a dynamic ranking that helps others make informed decisions. Such rankings not only reflect current trends and preferences but also guide newcomers towards choices vetted by the community’s diverse experiences and needs.

What Is the Most Popular Pocket Knife in the World?

  1. 1
    65
    votes
    Swiss Army Knife
    Jonas Bergsten · Public domain

    Swiss Army Knife

    Karl Elsener
    The Swiss Army Knife is a popular multi-purpose pocket knife, known for its versatility and quality. It was first developed in Switzerland in the late 19th century and has since become a global icon.
    The Swiss Army Knife is a versatile pocketknife that is often considered the most popular knife in the world. It is known for its compact design and multiple functions, making it a popular tool for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and everyday users.
    • Number of functions: Over 100
    • Primary blade length: Approximately 2.5 inches
    • Handle material: Cellidor or Alox
    • Tools and functions: Knife blades, screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, corkscrew, etc.
    • Number of layers: Usually 2, 3, or 4
    Swiss Army Knife in other rankings
  2. 2
    30
    votes
    Opinel Knife
    Ashley Pomeroy · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Opinel Knife

    Joseph Opinel
    The Opinel knife is a popular French-made folding knife that is known for its simplicity and reliability. It has been in production since the late 19th century and is still widely used today.
    The Opinel Knife is a renowned folding pocket knife that originated in France. It is known for its simple yet elegant design and high-quality craftsmanship. The knife features a wooden handle and a sharp stainless steel blade that can be easily folded and locked in place using the unique Virobloc system.
    • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
    • Handle Material: Wood
    • Blade Length: Various options available
    • Locking Mechanism: Virobloc system
    • Weight: Varies based on model
  3. 3
    29
    votes

    Buck Knife

    Hoyt H. Buck
    The Buck Knife is an American-made folding knife that is known for its durability and quality. It was first developed in 1902 and has since become a popular choice for hunters and outdoorsmen.
    The Buck Knife is a widely acclaimed and incredibly popular pocket knife known for its exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and versatility. It has become a symbol of American tradition and quality. The knife is highly respected by outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, military personnel, and everyday users alike.
    • Blade Length: Varies, typically between 2.5 and 4 inches
    • Blade Material: Stainless Steel (varies based on model)
    • Handle Material: Various options, including wood, bone, phenolic, and synthetic materials
    • Locking Mechanism: Different models feature lock-back, liner lock, or frame lock systems
    • Opening Mechanism: Manual opening with nail nick or thumb stud (different models may feature assisted opening)
  4. 4
    20
    votes

    Kershaw Knife

    Kershaw Knives
    The Kershaw Knife is a popular brand of folding knives that are known for their quality and affordability. They are made from high-quality materials and have a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
    The Kershaw Knife is a highly esteemed and widely recognized pocket knife known for its exceptional quality, durability, and versatility. It is a folding knife designed with precision and craftsmanship to cater to various needs of outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, adventurers, and everyday users.
    • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
    • Blade Length: 2.75 - 4.5 inches
    • Handle Material: Various options including G-10, aluminum, and composite
    • Locking Mechanism: Assisted opening, frame lock, liner lock, or lockback
    • Weight: 2 - 8 ounces
  5. 5
    12
    votes

    Gerber Knife

    Joseph R. Gerber
    The Gerber Knife is a popular brand of folding knives that are known for their quality and durability. They are made from high-quality materials and have a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
    The Gerber Knife is a highly popular pocket knife that has become a staple tool for outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and everyday users. Known for its durability, versatility, and quality craftsmanship, the Gerber Knife is designed to handle a wide range of cutting tasks with ease.
    • Blade Length: varies from model to model, typically ranges from 2 to 4 inches
    • Blade Material: varies from model to model, commonly stainless steel or high-carbon steel
    • Handle Material: varies from model to model, commonly aluminum, G10, or rubberized grip
    • Locking Mechanism: varies from model to model, commonly liner lock or frame lock
    • Opening Mechanism: typically features a thumbhole, thumb stud, or flipper for easy one-handed operation
  6. 6
    10
    votes

    Case Knife

    Case Cutlery
    The Case Knife is an American-made folding knife that is known for its quality and craftsmanship. It has been in production since the late 19th century and is still widely used today.
    The Case Knife is a renowned pocket knife that has gained popularity worldwide for its traditional design and exceptional craftsmanship. It is a folding knife that offers reliability and functionality in various everyday situations. With its rich history dating back to 1889, the Case Knife continues to be a favorite among collectors and outdoors enthusiasts.
    • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
    • Blade Length: 2.5 - 4 inches
    • Handle Material: Bone, Wood, or Synthetic
    • Locking Mechanism: Backlock
    • Number of Blades: Usually 1 or 2
  7. 7
    11
    votes

    Spyderco Knife

    Sal Glesser
    The Spyderco Knife is a popular brand of folding knives that are known for their quality and innovative designs. They are made from high-quality materials and have a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
    The Spyderco Knife is a popular pocket knife known for its innovative design and exceptional quality. It was first introduced in 1981 by Sal Glesser and his wife, Gail, who founded Spyderco, a renowned knife manufacturing company based in Golden, Colorado, USA. This knife has gained a loyal following worldwide and is highly regarded for its usability, functionality, and reliability.
    • Blade Length: varies (typically between 2.5 to 3.5 inches)
    • Blade Material: varies (commonly stainless steel)
    • Handle Material: varies (commonly G-10, FRN, or titanium)
    • Locking Mechanism: varies (commonly liner lock or compression lock)
    • Opening Mechanism: varies (commonly thumb hole or thumb stud)
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    Cold Steel Knife
    Michael E. Cumpston · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Cold Steel Knife

    Cold Steel Inc.
    The Cold Steel Knife is a popular brand of folding knives that are known for their durability and strength. They are made from high-quality materials and have a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
    The Cold Steel Knife is a highly popular pocket knife known for its durability, functionality, and versatility. It is designed to be reliable and suitable for various tasks and outdoor activities.
    • Blade Material: Various options including stainless steel and carbon steel
    • Blade Length: Ranges from 2.5 to 6 inches
    • Blade Type: Assisted opening, drop point, tanto, clip point, and more
    • Handle Material: Often made of durable materials like G-10, aluminum, or synthetic materials
    • Locking Mechanism: Liner lock or Tri-Ad lock system
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    The Benchmade Knife is a popular brand of folding knives that are known for their quality and craftsmanship. They are made from high-quality materials and have a reputation for being reliable and easy to use.
  10. 10
    5
    votes

    Leatherman Multitool

    Tim Leatherman
    The Leatherman Multitool is a popular pocket tool that is known for its versatility and quality. It was first developed in the 1980s and has since become a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals.
    The Leatherman Multitool is a versatile and durable pocket knife that combines multiple tools into one compact design. It is known for its high-quality construction and reliability, making it one of the most popular pocket knives in the world.
    • Overall Length: Approximately 4-8 inches
    • Number of Tools: Up to 21 tools
    • Closed Length: Approximately 2.5-4 inches
    • Weight: Between 2-10 ounces
    • Blade Material: Stainless steel

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Ranking factors for popular pocket knife

  1. Brand reputation
    A popular pocket knife should come from a well-known and trusted brand that is consistently praised for its quality and durability.
  2. Quality of materials
    The materials used for the blade, handle, and other components of the pocket knife should be of high quality, ensuring the knife's durability, reliability, and overall performance.
  3. Versatility and functionality
    A popular pocket knife should have multiple tools and features that serve various purposes, such as cutting, slicing, opening bottles, etc. This versatility makes the pocket knife useful in a wide range of situations and activities.
  4. Ease of use
    The pocket knife should be easy to open, close, and operate, with smoothly functioning mechanisms and tools that can be accessed with ease.
  5. Size and portability
    The pocket knife should be compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around in a pocket or bag without it becoming too cumbersome.
  6. Design and aesthetics
    A popular pocket knife should have an attractive design that appeals to a broad range of people, with options for customization and personalization.
  7. Safety features
    The pocket knife should have mechanisms to prevent accidental openings or closure of the blade, as well as safety features that prevent injury while using the tools.
  8. Price
    A popular pocket knife should be affordable and offer good value for money. It should cater to a wide range of budgets without compromising the quality or functionality of the knife.
  9. Customer reviews and ratings
    Positive customer reviews and high ratings can indicate a pocket knife's popularity and overall satisfaction among users.
  10. Sales figures and market share
    Popular pocket knives will typically have high sales figures and a significant market share, demonstrating their widespread appeal and customer satisfaction.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular pocket knife in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or knife is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1790 views
  • 192 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each knife once every 24 hours. The rank of each knife is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular pocket knife in the world

Pocket knives have been a staple tool for centuries, serving as a reliable companion for outdoor enthusiasts, craftsmen, and everyday people alike. With a wide variety of options available on the market, it can be difficult to determine which pocket knife reigns supreme in terms of popularity. This is where StrawPoll comes in, providing a platform for individuals to vote and share their opinions on the most popular pocket knife in the world. From classic Swiss Army knives to sleek modern designs, the possibilities are endless. Join the discussion and cast your vote to see which pocket knife comes out on top.

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