Made the Cut: 2020 Pocketknife Buyer’s Guide

Choosing a Dependable Pocketknife from the Latest Releases

If you’re not in the habit of carrying a pocketknife on you at all times, you’re missing out. Until you stop to realize it, the usefulness of a pocketknife in your daily activities can be easily overlooked. Whether your need is to open a freshly delivered package at home or cut through some rope on the trail, you never know where and when you’ll need a dependable blade by your side. We know there are plenty of great knives to choose from to service your needs so here’s a list to help you decide which one is right for you to stick in your pocket.

James Brand: The Chapter

James Brand pocketknife titanium

CLOSED LENGTH: 3.75 inches

OPEN LENGTH: 6.5 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 2.75 inches

BLADE MATERIAL: Crucible S35vn

HANDLE MATERIAL: 6al4v Titanium

WEIGHT: 2.65 ounces

MSRP: $295

thejamesbrand.com

Gerber: Obsidian

Gerber nylon pocketknife

CLOSED LENGTH: 4.13 inches

OPEN LENGTH: 7.06 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3.0 inches

BLADE MATERIAL: 440 stainless

HANDLE MATERIAL: Glass-Filled Nylon

WEIGHT: 4.6 ounces

MSRP: $43

gerbergear.com

Kershaw: Boilermaker

Kershaw stainless steel pocketknife

CLOSED LENGTH: 4.25 inches

OPEN LENGTH: 7.6 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3.3 inches

BLADE MATERIAL: 8Cr13MoV

HANDLE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel, Brown PVD Coating, Stonewashed Finish

WEIGHT: 4.4 ounces

MSRP: $66

kershaw.kaiusaltd.com

Spyderco: Endela SpyderEdge C243SBK

Spyderco FRN pocketknife

CLOSED LENGTH: 4.69 inches

OPEN LENGTH: 8.1 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3.41 inches

BLADE MATERIAL: VG-10

HANDLE MATERIAL: FRN

WEIGHT: 3.1 ounces

MSRP: $123

spyderco.com

Benchmade: 591BK Boost

Benchmade Versaflex pocketknife

CLOSED LENGTH: 4.83 inches

OPEN LENGTH: 8.26 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3.43 inches

BLADE MATERIAL: CPM-3V

HANDLE MATERIAL: Versaflex

WEIGHT: 4.49 ounces

MSRP: $190

benchmade.com

Zero Tolerance: 0562TI

Zero Tolerance titanium pocketknife

CLOSED LENGTH: 4.8 inches

OPEN LENGTH: 8.3 inches

BLADE LENGTH: 3.5 inches

BLADE MATERIAL: CPM 20CV

HANDLE MATERIAL: Stonewashed Titanium

WEIGHT: 5.3 ounces

MSRP: $350

zt.kaiusaltd.com

 

Editor’s Note: A version of this article first appeared in the November/December 2019 print issue of Tread Magazine

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