The 13 Most Popular Pocket Knife Brands and Their Top Knives

The oldest known folding knife dates back to about 600 BC. It’s believed to be of Celtic origin, and it features an iron blade and a bone handle. (But no, for the record, it did not have a liner lock.)

Since those storied times, pocket knives of all flavors have undergone serious evolution. Today’s EDC-ready picks are constructed in innumerable variations of steel, titanium, aluminum, micarta and more.

If you’re looking for a new hobby or interest to occupy your free time, knife collecting is a rich ore to mine. Peruse any knife forum or Reddit thread and you’ll find strong and varying opinions on what makes a knife good; how to pick the right one for varying tasks; and which brands standout from the pack.

What follows are the most popular pocket-knife manufacturers, along with standout blade from each brand.

Benchmade

Benchmade BugoutPhoto by Sean Tirman

If you’re familiar with pocket knives, you already know all about Benchmade. Since 1987, the brand has cemented itself as one of the best manufacturers in the industry thanks to a focus on quality and for using a wide variety of materials.

Benchmade’s own site says it’s the “world leader in automatic knife manufacturing,” but don’t chalk this up to pure marketing fluff. Plenty of other independent websites and forums espouse the brand’s accessibility, quality and diverse number of knives.

Blade HQ

Read our full review of the Benchmade Bugout

Buck Knives

Buck Knives

Chances are, if your grandpa carried a pocket knife, it was a Buck. After releasing the iconic Model 110 Folding Hunter in 1964, Buck Knives has continued to produce insanely sharp blades with plenty of staying power.

Unlike many EDC-focused brands, Buck Knives has built a reputation for quality construction and fair price points. Although its knives are heavier and less focused on innovation than some of its younger counterparts, Buck’s strength lies in perfecting the classics. A Buck knife is one you can count on to be durable, reliable and, of course, sharp.

Buck Knives

Chris Reeve Knives

Chris Reeve

Make no bones about it. Chris Reeve is one of the most important and impactful knife designers in history, and when he launched his eponymous brand in the ’80s, it represented the pinnacle of knifemaking.

Innovation has admittedly shortened the distance between CRK and other companies like Benchmade and Spyderco, but the high-quality build of Chris Reeves knives — as well as it customer service and optional “spa treatment” — continues to set it apart from the crowd.

Chris Reeve Knives

Read our complete guide to Chris Reeve Knives

CRKT

Photo by Hayley Helms

CRKT markets itself as a brand that focuses on innovation, integrity and design, but a quick trip down the rabbit holes of Reddit will paint a slightly different picture. The popular opinion on CRKT knives is that they’re beaters of semi-cheap quality that benefit from licensing “some cool designs with some cool designers.”

According to one reviewer, CRKT’s downfall is in its components; in their experience, the folding knives can’t hold up to harder tasks but its fixed knives are somewhat better.

From our point of view, CRKT doesn’t make junk knives — not even close. In fact, we’ve reviewed them in the past and been plenty happy with our experience. The brand has also raised the bar over the past year or so, introducing higher-end materials and continuing to work with, yes, “cool designers.” That’s okay with us.

CRKT

Read our full review of the CRKT Pilar III

Gerber

Photo by Hayley Helms

Arguably more popular for its multitools than its knives, Gerber still has a solid reputation for well-built and rust-resistant designs.

Sitting in the middle of the pack, Gerber isn’t as affordable as Kershaw, nor as premium as Benchmade. But for anyone looking for a quality knife at a reasonable price, Gerber more than fits the bill.

Blade HQ

Kershaw

Kershaw

Kershaw is the champion of budget-friendly knives, making it a great brand for beginning collectors. The brand is owned by KAI Group, whose roster also includes Zero Tolerance.

Fans of Kershaw are quick to point out that the brand’s use of aluminum and steel for its handle designs, instead of more premium materials like titanium and carbon fiber, which helps keep costs down without sacrificing performance.

Heads up: while Kershaw indeed makes a selection of its knives in its facility in Tualatin, Oregon, the rest of its inventory comes from China.

Blade HQ

Microtech Knives

Microtech Knives

There are a lot of reasons to buy a Microtech tanto blade but the one that will make you fall in love with your purchase: they’re just fun to use. And given Microtech’s smokin’ aesthetics, we’re betting you’ll find more excuses than not to use the dang thing.

Blade HQ

Opinel

Photo by Hayley Helms

Opinel could be considered basic but a long history lends authority and experience to its designs. After all, the brand’s been around since 1890 and Pablo Picasso reportedly used one its knives as a sculpting tool.

Opinel knives do take two hands to open and close, which can be a negative for those looking for the quick action of, say, a Spyderco. But in terms of its overall quality and affordability, this factor is easy to overlook. Did we mention they cost less than $20?

Opinel

Read our full review of the Opinel No.08

Spyderco

Spyderco

Quality, durability, attractiveness. Steel nuts love Spyderco for its almost dizzying array of options and varieties. But there’s also provenance there.

Spyderco was the first brand to come out with the pocket clip for its folding knife, back in the 1980s. That same pioneering spirit continues in the brand today, manifesting in unique designs and plenty of material choices.

Blade HQ

The James Brand

The James Brand The CarterPhoto by Hayley Helms

Modern minimalism: The James Brand’s self-described ethos just about sums up its suite of EDC-ready knives and accessories, ranging from pocket knives to boxcutters, with plenty in-between.

The James Brand may not use the highest-end steel in the game. And there may be more capable knives from other brands. But when it comes to The James Brand, or TBJ for short, you’re buying mostly beauty and (some) brawn, without breaking the bank.

The James Brand

Read our full review of The James Brand The Carter

Victorinox

Victorinox

Swiss Army Knives (SAK) are performance-based pocket knives combined with a few useful tools. And if you want one, there’s really only one brand to recommend: Victorinox.

Developed in 1891, the original multitool boasts a strong fan following and industry dominance, thanks to a well-performing knife accompanied by a suite of useful, bite-sized tools.

Blade HQ

WESN

Photo by Scott Seiver

WESN is popular for its wide range of pocket knives as well as its successful Kickstarter campaigns. Reviewers across the web are quick to point out its impressive quality, precise design and higher-than-average price point.

If you’re only looking for made-in-America knives to add to your collection, WESN won’t fit the bill; its knives are made in China. However, WESN’s offerings are great for minimalists and knife collectors alike.

Blade HQ

Read our full review of the WESN Allman

Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance

Along with Benchmade and Spyderco, Zero Tolerance is one of the “big three” in mid-to-high-end knives; it’s the more premium sibling to Kershaw and has made a name for itself in a relatively short window of time considering the brand was only founded in 2006. A lot of that comes down to its use of high-performance materials and made-in-the-USA craftsmanship.

Blade HQ

Stay Sharp