Around 35 million households across America own a pocket knife, making them a surprisingly popular tool. If you’re in the market for one yourself, then you may be wondering how to go about choosing the right pocket knife for your specific needs.
To answer this question, you’ll need to understand the role of pocket knives and how to use them.
In this guide on how to choose a pocket knife, you’ll learn why pocket knives are useful, how to wear them, how to use them, the different uses, and the safest pocket knives available. This should help you narrow down your search in order to choose the best pocket knife for you.
Why Carry a Pocket Knife?
Pocket knives, while being lightweight and compact, are incredibly useful. You should keep one at home and carry a pocket knife almost every time you go out. You just never know when you might need to use one!
Before you learn the items to consider when purchasing a pocket knife, think about what you need it for.
Pocket knives are useful for:
- Everyday tasks: Whether you’re unboxing the mail, cutting butchers string, or cutting the labels off a new pair of jeans, having a pocket knife around the house is endlessly useful.
- Food preparation: Your knife can also be used to slice up meat for the barbecue or peel potatoes for the family meal. For when there just aren’t enough kitchen knives, reach for your trusty pocket knife.
- Camping: Pocket knives are primarily outdoor tools, so keen campers should always have one. Whether you’re whittling wood, chopping fire logs, or cutting string to tie up the hammocks, a pocket knife is necessary.
- Self-defense: Though we hope you’ll never need to use the knife as a weapon, it can certainly offer protection. Should you get into any dangerous situation just flashing the knife should scare off an attacker. By wearing the knife on your belt, you’ll instantly deter any dangerous characters.
When thinking about a pocket knife purchase, consider which of these tasks you most need it for. A simple lightweight knife is fine for small household tasks, whereas a more rugged and capable knife is necessary for surviving in the wild.
How to Wear a Pocket Knife
When browsing the knife shop, consider how you feel wearing the tool. If you feel confident wearing it, you’ll feel confident using it. You need easy access to your knife, so don’t just throw it loose into your backpack.
Instead, have it clipped to your body. Most knives nowadays will come with a clip, which can easily be attached to your pants pocket.
Be aware of your location and local regulations. Some states will ban visible knives in certain areas, so be wary.
In cases where you wish to conceal the knife, clip it to the inside of your pocket. When out in the wild, at home, or anywhere a knife needn’t be concealed, you may prefer to strap it to the outside of your pants.
When thinking about how to choose a pocket knife, clip it on and make sure it feels sturdy.
For bigger knives that you plan to use in the wild, consider investing in a holster. This is perfect if you’ll be out in the elements, since the holster prevents dirt and moisture from damaging the knife.
This can be clipped onto the inside or outside of your pocket or onto a belt, much like the clip on the knife, but offers more protection. It also keeps your knife separate from everything else so nothing gets damaged.
How to Use a Pocket Knife
If you’re still wondering how to go about choosing a pocket knife, then you need to consider actually using it. When in the shop, grip the knife firmly and visualize yourself using it.
If you feel confident, then this is probably the knife for you. In order to gain confidence using a pocket knife, follow these 4 basic rules:
- Establish a safety circle: Every time you pick up your pocket knife, hold it at arms length and spin in a circle. This ensures that no one is close enough to get accidentally hurt.
- Use your dominant hand: When using the knife, use your preferred hand and hold the knife tightly. When folding a pocket knife away, hold it with you non-dominant hand and use the dominant hand to pull the blade in and out.
- Sharpen regularly: A dull knife is far more dangerous, so keep your pocket knife clean and sharp at all times. Keeping your knife well-maintained so that it is joyful and safe to use.
- Safe sharing: When passing the knife, put the blade down first. If the blade is exposed, then you as the person passing should carefully grip the blade, while the other person takes it by the handle.
When deciding on a pocket knife, consider whether you can confidently practice these four knife use habits. If you don’t feel comfortable, then try a different knife.
Different Uses for a Pocket Knife
Before choosing a pocket knife, make a list of what you wish to use it for. You can then select the knife that best allows you to achieve those goals.
Here’s a list of uses for a pocket knife to get you started:
- Cutting fruit
- Opening packages
- Freeing trapped animals
- Removing nails
- Cutting tangled string
- Sharpening wood
- Breaking zip ties
- Opening a bottle
- Slicing meat and fish
- Cleaning out trapped dirt
Make your own list and choose the pocket knife that fits.
What is the Safest Pocket Knife Available?
For most people, safety is paramount. If you’re looking for a pocket knife that’s safe, then stick to reputable brands.
Victorinox, Spyderco, CRKT, Benchmade, and Schrade are just a few of the top brands that you know conform to the highest safety standards.
Be prepared to spend a little more cash when considering to buy a new pocket knife. If the knife is sharp – and will stay sharp for a long time – then you can be sure it is safe.
The most important factor, however, is practicing safe knife use. A pocket knife is only as safe as the person using it.
By now you should have learned a lot about how to choose a pocket knife. It all comes down to how you want to use it and what for.
Choose a pocket knife which makes you feel confident. Take pride in your pocket knife, look after it, keep it sharp, and you’ll reap all the amazing benefits these little tools provide.
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