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

334 Results

SOA Scout Assisted Opening Pocket Knife - Black with Camo Paracord Wrapping

SOA Scout Knife

~~Price reduced from $15.99 to~~ NOW $8.98 You Save 44% -44%

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

The Benchmade Shootout is a light OTF automatic knife.

The handle is a CF-Elite, a carbon-fiber-filled nylon.

The Shootout automatic’s handle has a pocket clip.

The automatic knife has a carbide glass breaker.

The tanto blade is CPM-CruWear steel with a PVD-coating.

Benchmade Shootout Automatic OTF Knife

$317.99 - $350.00

Full image of the Lever Lock Automatic Knife open and closed.

Angled image of the Lever Lock Automatic Knife open.

Details and features of the Automatic Knife.

Compact Lever Lock Auto Knife

$44.99

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

Timber Wolf Gentleman’s Pocket Knife - Lock Back, Stainless Steel Blade, Nickel Silver Bolsters

Timber Wolf Gentleman’s Pearl Pocket Knife - Lock Back, Stainless Steel Blade, Genuine Pearl Inlays, Nickel Silver Bolsters

Timber Wolf Gentleman’s Pocket Knife - Lock Back, Stainless Steel Blade, Nickel Silver Bolsters

$26.99 - $32.98

Black OTF Karambit Knife - Stainless Steel Blade, Stonewashed Finish, Metal Alloy Handle, Pocket Clip - Length 9”

Viper-Tec OTF Karambit Knife

$89.99

Kissing Crane General Lee Trapper Pocket Knife - Stainless Steel Blades, Bone And Pearl Handle, Nickel Silver Bolsters, Brass Liners

Kissing Crane General Lee Trapper Knife

$54.99

Viper-Tec Black Tanto OTF Knife

$89.99

BEST SELLER

Bushmaster Mamba OTF Knife

$39.99

Kissing Crane Black Angus Pocket Farmer Folding Pocket Knife

Kissing Crane Black Angus Pocket Farmer Folding Pocket Knife

$21.99

USMC Colossal Blackout Stiletto - Large Assisted Opening Pocket Knife - Officially Licensed

USMC Colossal Blackout Stiletto

$24.99

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.