5 Top Folding Pocket Knives of The Year
Selecting the 5 top folding pocket knives of the year is not an easy task at all when you consider how much really good knives are out there. You have to really know your blades well and sometimes what is popular isn’t always the best.
When making your decision you have to look at several factors and here at KnifeGenie.com we tasked ourselves with the job of just doing that. Our selection may not meet your approval and some of you may think, “hey these guys don’t know a Gerber from a hamburger”.
However we tried our best to give you the best.
We had certain criteria for the contenders, which were:
1. Must be a folding knife
2. Must have an automatic or semi-automatic deployment mechanism
3. Must be certain weight
4. Must be a certain length
5. Must be made of the best material
6. It must handle well and have a good feel
7. It must be easy to carry if I wanted to be with me everyday
8. Must be gorgeous to look at (in other words, pleasing to the eye).
Now there must be some others that you say should be there but our selection and criteria is not only for the knife connoisseur but for the person who just wants an EDC and knows absolutely nothing about knives. We combed major retail stores like Amazon and other retailers plus the manufactures websites like Buck and Benchmade.
We also had a look at knife shows like the Blade Show and cruised some online forums on hunting, camping and the like. In addition, we had a look at many outdoors oriented websites in their knives section to see what was popular and trending. So without any further ado here are the contenders.
1. ZT Zero Tolerance 0999
This exquisite knife was selected as the American Knife of The Year 2015 at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia. With a blend of beauty and brawn, this futuristic knife shows where knife making is heading in the future especially for ZT. The look is really something else. The Blade Show is the Academy Awards of the knife industry awards where all practitioners get together and make their choices.
These industry insiders would include other knife manufacturers, experts and affectionados. What was looked at included quality, design, innovation, craftsmanship and function.
Here are the specs:
a. Blade – Composite – CTS-204p & CPM D2
b. Clip – Titanium
c. Opening – KVT ball-bearing
d. Cutout – Flipper
e. Frame lock & backspacer – Titanium
f. Handle – Carbon fiber with Titanium overlay
MSRP – $745 – Limited Edition (when gone its gone)
Click here for other Zero Tolerance Knives
Zero Tolerance video
2. Gerber 31-001709 Swagger AO Knife
This is an updated version of the original Swagger and it features Gerber’s new Assisted Opening 2.0 mechanism which allows for ultra-quick blade deployment.The grip scales on the handle allows for a very firm and comfortable grip with a black coated drop point serated blade. This makes the Swagger an excellent EDC tactical knife.
Here are the detailed specs:
a. Blade – Black serrated with titanium nitride coating – 3.25 inch
b. Clip – Utilitarian pocket clip
c. Handle – G-10 composite handle with textured scales
d. Reliable plunge lock secures blade when in use
e. Weight – 3.5 ounces
f. Lifetime Warranty
Click here for the Gerber 31-001709 Swagger AO Knife
3. Spyderco Tenacious Plain Edge Knife
The Spyderco Tenacious Plain Edge knife is a tough and worthy knife with a black G-10 laminated handle with steel liners to increase strength but not weight or bulky thickness. The 8Cr13Mov stainless blade is leaf-shaped and ground flat from spine to cutting edge for cutting performance.The blade is uniquely shaper with an oversized Spyderco Round Hole for quick blade opening and security and A Walker Linerlock.
Here are the specs:
a. Blade – Blade steel 8CR13MOV – 3 3/8″ (86mm)
b. Handle – Handle material G-10
c. Clip – 4-way pocket clip
d. Weight – 4oz (115g)
e. Walker Linerlock (with jimped liner)
f. 1,239 Customer reviews – 4.5 out of 5 stars
Click here for Spyderco Tenacious Plain Edge Knife
4. Custom Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback Knife
This New Buck 110BO21 in box with leather sheath has all you would want in a folding knife. Take you back to the good old days when knives looke like knive and not something out of a space movie. Custom Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback Knife Koa Wood & Light Stonewashed Blade w/ Rare Circular Tang Stamp – Comes with a Black Leather Sheath and only 50 were made.
Here are the specs:
a. Blade – 3 3/4″ Stonewashed 420HC; rare circular tang stamp
b. Handle: exotic Koa Wood with Brass Bolsters/Liners *Koa grain varies
c. Closed Length: 4 7/8″
d. Handles change color when you turn the knife in the light.
e. Only 50 made
f. Covered by Buck’s “Forever Warranty
Click here for Custom Buck 110 Folding Hunter Lockback Knife
5. Benchmade 580 Barrage Osborne Design Knife
There is a lot of fuss out there over this knife’s handle but truth be told although you will find better handles around, its not a bad handle at all.The grip and feel is very good inho. It is good for right or left handers, is very durable under all conditions and the assisted opening mechinism is very smooth.Very reliable and durable blade which doesn’t need sharpening as frequently as some I have encountered.
Here are the specs:
a. Blade – Blade Length: 3.60-Inch – 154CM Stainless Steel/ 58-61 HRC
b. Handle – Re-enforced Valox a very strong polymer which makes for a lighter weight knife
c. Sharpens easily
d. Weight – 4.2 ounces
f. Lock Mechanism:AXIS-Assist Lock
e. Overall Length/Closed Length: 8.35-Inch / 4.75-Inch
f. Blade Drop-Point; Ambidextrous Thumb Stud
Click here for Benchmade 580 Barrage Osborne Design Knife
Well there are so many knives out there that compiling a 5 Top Folding Pocket Knives of The Year list is almost impossible and ultimately boils down to personal taste. So what you choose as yours will not always correspond with mine or anyone else, its all a matter of your personal choice.
Related