Pocket knives???

Kershaw Ken Onion has served me well.

I'm sticking with the same answer I have for years.

Opinel No.7

If you lose it, it won't bother you too much.

I have a Spyderco Dragonfly that's in your A group price range that I wear everywhere. It weighs 1.3 ounces

Also have a mini Bugout that I mix in occasionally

Will never carry just a pocket knife. Carry the leatherman free p2 every day, and I always own 2 in case I lose one.

It fits in the change pocket of jeans like my pocket knife and has a pocket clip. I couldn't imagine not having my leatherman on me all day and instead only having a pocket knife. It's too useful, too many times a day.

Spyderco, Benchmade, ESEE, Tops, Cold Steel, Ka-bar. I have a few unless they're labeled assault knives in which case they all fell out of the boat we were in.

I'll second Civivi and add QSP.

Love my Civivi elementum
For around 50 bucks you won’t feel bad for loosing it it, beating it up, etc.
It sharpens easily enough, feels great in hand, opens great, and holds up fine.

It doesn’t have that hey look I own a benchmade factor but you will never tell the difference while opening boxes, cutting cardboard , slicing apples, picking toe nails, prying, digging, stabbing, spreading butter, fidgeting, etc

Need anything more than that get a fixed blade.


Can also buy a Case trapper. Great sharp knife to pass down. Good ole gentleman’s knife. Love mine and it’s in the rotation of carry.

Case has been my go to for over 50 years

Start with the metal you want, which will tell you how it will hold an edge, how often you have to sharpen, and how long the blade will last with regular usage. A lot of people like S90V as the gold standard for hard steel that will hold a good edge, but that means it is more difficult to sharpen. I bought a CJRB S90V knife (Chinese) for $75 (it is now $100 now) that is an absolute steal and a real beauty well made. Civivi is also Chinese. Spyderco is American and uses a lot of VG-10 steel from Japan. That is the steel the Japanese prefer for their excellent chef knives. It is harder and a bit more brittle than some. I really love Benchmade for the feel of the handle and overall craftsmanship but the steel they use can be a step down. Again, you may not want or need the most expensive steel. A lot of people would prefer a softer steel that needs more sharpening but is easier and quicker to sharpen.

Have a Gerber that I bought at Fort Beauregard in Louisiana. Still in good shape and gets the job done.