Here at TacKnives, we like to emphasize how there isn’t a “one size fits all” policy for finding a good knife. Why? There are simply too many variables to take into consideration. No pithy proverb or catchy aphorism can completely take into account elements such as use case, hand size, deployment mechanisms, state and local laws, and aesthetics. Purchasing a “good” knife requires careful consideration of all these elements — and many more besides. But despite the fact that one can’t boil down a knife purchase to a single statement, we can find common elements that go into making ever good blade, you know, *good*. In this article, we will list eight of the qualities you should expect to find in an excellent OTF or pocket knife.

Appropriate Size and Weight

Let’s say that you decide that you want — nay, need — an axe. What kind of axe do you choose? Should you select something small that you can buckle on your belt? What about a more traditional kind of axe that you could expect to see in a farmyard? Or maybe even a huge (and hugely impractical) sword? Of course, a word like “impractical” only really applies if there’s a mismatch between your stated goal and the tool you employ to achieve it. That’s what we mean when we talk about how a knife needs to fit your use case.

When it comes to a knife’s size and weight, both ought to work well for the context in which they’ll be put to work. You may want a somewhat bulky and heavy folder if you plan on batoning wood in the forest (i.e., using your knife as an improvised axe). But that’s exactly what you wouldn’t want when you need a blade for simple everyday tasks. Additionally, some poorly made knives don’t have the characteristics that they ought to for their end use. Imagine a teeny, tiny EDC knife. Now imagine that it weighs so much that it feels as though it was crafted out of osmium. That’s a bad knife.  

Appropriate Blade Shape for Desired Use Case(s)

Our next pair of points riff off of this idea of “use case.” Let’s start with the most important part of any knife: the blade. Blades can perform three basic functions, namely cutting, chopping, and piercing, and much of the way in which they perform these tasks depends on their shape. If your use case requires a blade to perform all three decently well, you’ll probably want an all-around shape like a drop point. A tanto or clip point will work well for piercing, while a cleaver-style blade excels at chopping. There are even blade types that exist primarily to minimize one of these functions, such as the blunt-pointed sheepsfoot. No matter the shape, though, your knife’s blade must work well for your desired task before it can be considered good.

Balanced Blade Steel for Desired Use Case(s)

The kinds of steel employed in knives also introduce end-use complexities. Note how we said “kinds” of steel. Although steel is a simple alloy primarily comprised of iron and carbon, small variations in its formula can lead to major differences in the resulting metal. How? Steel and other ferrous (i.e., related to iron) metals have four primary quantifiable characteristics, and different compositions will alter them. These characteristics are …

• Hardness (the amount of force needed to make a permanent indentation in a metal)
• Toughness (the amount of force needed to crack or break the metal)
• Edge Retention (how long a metal can hold an edge after sharpening)
• Corrosion Resistance (a metal’s ability to resist oxidation when exposed to moisture)

Understand that these characteristics do not exist independently of each other. In other words, you can not have a knife steel that earns high marks in every category. Why? These qualities have inverse relationships to one another. Harder steels tend toward brittleness. Tougher steels lose their edges faster. And the more a steel resists rust, the softer it tends to be. 

No steel can be all things to all users, and thus trade off become the name of the game. In order to find a good knife for your particular context, start by comparing how you’ll use it, determine the characteristics that best facilitate such use, and select a blade steel accordingly. Super-tough knives may employ 1095 steel and then coat the blade since this metal is vulnerable to rusting. EDC knives that you don’t want to sharpen regularly and that can handle most tasks without deforming are often made of D2 steel. Hard-use knives that prioritize toughness over everything else (including remaining sharp!) might employ something like A2 steel. An all-rounder that can take a moderate amount of abuse, resist rusting, and won’t break easily would match well with 440C steel. The world of knife steel is filled with nuance, and you should take the time to study it before making a major purchase. 

Easy Opening and Smooth Operation

Not every indicator of knife quality depends on its use in a specific scenario. Some exist across every example. From here on out, we will talk about universal characteristics you should expect to find in every pocket knife. Also, our focus here is on knives whose blades fold, swing, or retract into their handles. Criteria would look different if we were discussing fixed-blade knives.

Every good pocket knife should open easily and smoothly. While convenience is always a consideration, not needing to fumble with a knife speak to both its design and construction. Numerous options exist to facilitate blade deployment, everything from the old nail notch and thumb stud to the Byzantine inner workings of an OTF. A difficult-to-open knife speaks of poor design, of a creator who has failed to consider or learn the right lessons from all the available options. Relatedly, if you encounter a knife that seems well-designed but doesn’t function smoothly (e.g., feels loose, has give in the blade), then shoddy manufacturing is likely the culprit.

Stable Locking Mechanism

Appropriate manufacturing tolerances also show in a folding knife’s locking mechanism. Yes, some locking mechanisms are inherently less stable than others. A ring lock (like those used by Opinel) will be inherently weaker than, say, a liner lock or frame lock or spine lock. Don’t mistake design limitations for production defects. However, if a lock seems wiggly or prone to slip, it’s a sure sign that a producer has allowed too much variability in its manufacturing process. Good pocket knives simply shouldn’t do that.

Durable Materials

The hardiness of a knife doesn’t necessarily depend on its price point. You will find plenty of less-expensive materials that can provide you will an enduring tool, and good knives will use them. Still, remain cautious about spongy handle materials and blade coatings, even if they carry top-tier pricing. Not every rubberized handle or adonized layer necessarily signifies trouble, but they could. Study up on a particular offering, because good pocket knives should last for some time.

Comfortable Grip

Having a comfortable grip in an essential part of owning a good knife — and an incredibly subjective one, at least in part. If you have giant mitts, an itty-bitty knife will never feel comfortable to use and vice versa. General ergonomic principles tell us that a good knife should have a handle you can get all of your fingers on and around, as well as one that feels good in your palm. We can extract some broad axioms from that individualized advice, too. A good pocket knife will avoid sharp edges that dig unnaturally into the hand, obstacles that prevent your fingers from pressing together when you grip, and any patterning that doesn’t help you maintain that grip. 

Beauty

Can you truly quantify beauty? Great minds have tried, but we think the words of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart apply best here: “I know it when I see it.” And when you see a good knife, it should pluck at some aesthetic thread in you. Don’t settle for an ugly knife. Pick one you find beautiful instead.

We offer a whole host of beautiful OTFs, folding knives, and more. Browse our inventory here.