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

367 Results

The Armed Force Urban Camo Automatic OTF Knife shown in an open and a deployed position

A view of the automatic knife's blade deployed

Close-ups of the blade tip and the glassbreaker

Two views of the automatic pocket knife's handle

Urban Camo OTF Knife

$69.99

Kissing Crane Abalone Damascus Lockback Knife

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

Hawk-bill style blade pocket knife with blue accents and "Mavrokniv" etching.

Closed hawk-bill pocket knife with blue ball bearing and blue pocket clip.

Mavrokniv Talon Pocket Knife - D2 Tool Steel Blade, CNC-Cut Aluminum Handle Scales, Ball-Bearing Opening - Closed 4 1/2”

~~Price reduced from $77.99 to~~ $32.98 Save 58%

The Armed Force Non-Reflective Tactical OTF Knife in its open and closed positions

A view of the automatic knife blade deployed

Detailed looks at the blade and the glassbreaker on the handle

Both sides of the pocket knife on display

Armed Force Auto OTF Knife

$69.99

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The Armed Force Tactical Black Automatic OTF Knife shown open and closed

Detailed views of the knife's blade and glassbreaker

Armed Force Tactical OTF Knife

$69.99

Shadow Warrior Assisted Opening Pocket Knife | DamascTec Steel Blade | Black And Gold

Shadow Warrior DamascTec Steel Black Gold Knife

~~Price reduced from $18.99 to~~ $11.98 Save 37%

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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

Kissing Crane Black Angus Pocket Farmer Folding Pocket Knife

Kissing Crane Black Angus Pocket Farmer Folding Pocket Knife

~~Price reduced from $24.99 to~~ $15.98 Save 36%

Large OTF automatic stiletto knife with slide button trigger and mirror-polished blade on a background of black and green utility gear.

Large OTF automatic knife enclosed in a black nylon sheath with a buckle closure.

Closed automatic stiletto knife with matte black G10 handle scales and silver sliding trigger button.

Open automatic stiletto knife with matte black handle and silver mirror-polished blade.

Closed OTF matte black automatic stiletto knife with silver accents and handle scales.

Jumbo OTF Auto Stiletto Knife With Belt Sheath- Stainless Steel Blade, G10 Handle, Slide Button Opening - Length 11”

$79.99

The Hibben Raven Karambit is so eye-catching yet so completely functional, as you’ve come to expect with a Gil Hibben original

https://images.ontheedgebrands.com/images/var/D19-GH5103_140.jpg

Gil Hibben Warbird Folding Karambit

$57.99

Ridge Runner Herdsman Traditional Assisted Opening Pocket Knife

Ridge Runner Herdsman Traditional Assisted Opening Pocket Knife

$18.99

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

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.