What is a pocket knife?

A pocket knife is simply a knife with a blade that folds out or “opens” from the handle, where it is housed when not in use. The idea being that it will easily fit in the pocket for everyday carry. Generally, a pocket knife is either assisted opening or manual opening.

What is an assisted opening knife?

These knives are opened by the user employing either the “flipper”, which is a lever on the back spine of the knife or a “thumb stud”, which is a small stud on the blade. This action starts the deployment of the blade and a mechanism like a spring or ball-bearing finishes opening the blade and then it locks into place.

What is a trapper pocket knife?

This is a style of manual opening pocket knife that has two blades, which fold out from the handle. Traditionally, there is a spey blade and a clip blade, each having a nail nick so that they can be deployed with just an upward pull on the blade.

What is an OTF knife?

When you see a knife listed as an OTF, it stands for “out-the-front” and means that it is a knife with a blade that extends straight from the handle. An OTF pocket knife can be opened with a manual slide, with assisted opening, with an automatic mechanism or by using gravity.

How do I choose a pocket knife?

A good, quality folding pocket knife should be a tool that you can take for granted because it will be able to perform whenever and wherever you need it. Choose one that will perform the specific tasks that come up for you in your everyday life. For example, if you’re in emergency services, a rescue knife with an integrated seatbelt cutter and glass breaker would be perfect for you.

Pocket Knives - Automatic Knives, Assisted Opening, Butterfly Knives, Pocket Razors, Tactical Knives

340 Results

Black folding knife with button lock and clip

Close-up of black knife blade and button lock

Diagram of mini auto drop point blue knife

Close-up of knife handle and locking mechanism

Mini Auto Drop Point Knife

$18.99

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Black tactical knife with carbon fiber handle

Black nylon knife sheath with Velcro closure

Diagram of Nightpiercer OTF knife with features labeled

Hand holding a black tactical knife with carbon fiber handle

Close-up of knife's glass breaker pommel

Back view of black tactical knife with pocket clip

Nightpiercer OTF

$59.99

There’s no question that this a truly impressive pocket knife with its length, from tip to end, coming in at 13” overall

The impressive stiletto pocket knife can be carried and stored in its tough nylon belt sheath with Velcro closure flap

7 1/4” closed pocket knife, with push button and slide lock conveniently located on top

Automatic Italian Stiletto Knife

$59.99

BEST SELLER

The Armed Force Tactical Automatic OTF Knife shown open and closed

Detailed views of the knife's blade and glassbreaker

Armed Force Tactical OTF Knife

$69.99

Full image of the Benchmade Claymore OTF Knife open and closed.

Close up image of the handle on the Claymore OTF Knife.

Angled image of the handle and deep carry clip on the OTF Knife.

Benchmade Claymore OTF Knife

$362.99

BEST SELLER

The Aluminum Automatic Knife shown fully deployed

The automatic knife shown in its closed position

A detailed look at the automatic knife's handle

A detailed look at the pocket knife's blade

Stealth Auto Pocket Knife

$39.99

The Morpheus Extra Large Stiletto Knife closed and deployed

A look at the stiletto otf knife in its deployed position

A detailed view of the stiletto knife handle with the pocket clip

A detailed view of the stiletto's handle

Viper Tec Morpheus Extra Large OTF Stiletto Knife and Pouch

$99.99

Timber Wolf Expedition Pocket Knife

$19.99

Stiletto OTF Knife - Automatic

$59.99

Full image of the Executive Office Automatic Brown Pocket Knife.

Close up image of the blade on the Automatic Brown Pocket Knife.

Details and features of the Brown Pocket Knife.

Full image of the Pocket Knife halfway open.

Executive Office Automatic Brown Pocket Knife

$75.99

The Lever Lock Automatic Stiletto Knife open view

Lever Lock Automatic Stiletto Knife - Stainless Steel Blade, Brass Pins, Stainless Steel Bolsters - Closed 4 1/4"

$39.99

BEST SELLER

Bushmaster Mamba OTF Knife

$39.99

POCKET KNIVES FAQS

What is a pocket knife?
A pocket knife is simply a knife with a blade that folds out or “opens” from the handle, where it is housed when not in use. The idea being that it will easily fit in the pocket for everyday carry. Generally, a pocket knife is either assisted opening or manual opening.
What is an assisted opening knife?
These knives are opened by the user employing either the “flipper”, which is a lever on the back spine of the knife or a “thumb stud”, which is a small stud on the blade. This action starts the deployment of the blade and a mechanism like a spring or ball-bearing finishes opening the blade and then it locks into place.
What is a trapper pocket knife?
This is a style of manual opening pocket knife that has two blades, which fold out from the handle. Traditionally, there is a spey blade and a clip blade, each having a nail nick so that they can be deployed with just an upward pull on the blade.
What is an OTF knife?
When you see a knife listed as an OTF, it stands for “out-the-front” and means that it is a knife with a blade that extends straight from the handle. An OTF pocket knife can be opened with a manual slide, with assisted opening, with an automatic mechanism or by using gravity.
How do I choose a pocket knife?
A good, quality folding pocket knife should be a tool that you can take for granted because it will be able to perform whenever and wherever you need it. Choose one that will perform the specific tasks that come up for you in your everyday life. For example, if you’re in emergency services, a rescue knife with an integrated seatbelt cutter and glass breaker would be perfect for you.