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

316 Results

Kissing Crane Damascus Lockback Knife

~~Price reduced from $65.99 to~~ $46.98 Save 29%

The Black Dagger OTF Knife in its open and closed position

A view of the textured handle of the pocket knife

A close look at the glassbreaker and the blade

A view of the knife with the trigger switch visible

A view of the full length of the OTF knife

Black Dagger OTF Knife

$89.99

Kissing Crane Medium Brown Mule Pocket Knife

Kissing Crane Medium Brown Mule Pocket Knife

~~Price reduced from $20.99 to~~ $14.98 Save 29%

United Cutlery Rampage Black Assisted Opening Stiletto

Rampage Black Assisted Opening Stiletto

~~Price reduced from $44.99 to~~ $27.98 Save 38%

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Bushmaster Bushmaster Mamba OTF Knife

$39.99

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The Mini Black Automatic OTF Knife is quick and tactical with its double action trigger and OTF design

The 3 1/2” handle is black CNC-milled, anodized aluminum, and the trigger switch is conveniently located on top

Mini Black Automatic OTF Tanto Knife - Stainless Steel Blade, Anodized Aluminum Handle, Double Action Lock - Length 5 1/4”

$19.99

Black stiletto knife with a sleek design and sharp blade

Closed black stiletto knife showing the handle and clip

Diagram of black stiletto knife with measurements and features

Hand holding a black stiletto knife with a sharp blade

Close-up of the black stiletto knife handle with screws

Assisted Opening Micarta Stiletto Knife

~~Price reduced from $22.99 to~~ $12.98 Save 44%

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

Viper-Tec OTF Karambit Knife

$89.99

A detailed view of the handle with its artwork

A close-up view of the blade with its partial serrations

The automatic knife in the deployed position

Army OD Green Dagger OTF Knife With Pouch - Stainless Steel Blade, Metal Alloy Handle, Glassbreaker, Pocket Clip

$69.99

The Stiletto Auto Knife in its fully deployed position

A close-up of the gold blade of the stiletto

The specs of the automatic stiletto knife

The pearl-handled automatic stiletto knife in its closed position

Stiletto Auto Knife

$39.99

Dimensions of the knife opened and closed

Rampage Pocket Knife

$14.99

A view of the Spiked OTF Knuckle Knife in its deployed position

The knucklebuster handle of the automatic knife

A close look of the spikes and glassbreaker pommel

Spiked Knuckle Knife

$129.99

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.