Overall, the selection, testing, and writing process used for testing pocket knives is similar to all our writer/tester categories. We scour the market for the latest and the greatest new offerings, check trends at top retailers and forums, and choose the top 1-2 dozen candidates we see as most worthy. We purchase each of them at retail and put them through the wringer with our trusted product experts. That testing process includes about 80% “real world” use, and the remainder we examine and deduce using more clinical means.
Blade and Edge Integrity
Mainly, we cut stuff. We cut meat, fruit, cardboard, paper, and wood with every knife. We cut whatever we needed to cut, as we encountered it, with each knife in its daily carry phase of testing. A visual examination upon opening the package for the first time for any burrs or defects in the edge bevel can give an indication of the QC process of the brand. After long-term use, deductions can be made about the quality of the steel through nicks, scuffs, or the dreaded chip of the blade. The manufacturer's chosen blade steel alloy will give clues to what the knife was designed for and how we should tweak our testing to assess its strengths and weaknesses. CPM 20CV and Nitro-V, for example, are chosen for exceptional hardness and edge retention — these knives are generally meant for heavier-duty use.
Ergonomics
We use the knives in daily and specialized tasks. How does the handle feel in the hand during intense tasks? Does it dig into the fingers, or does the pad of the thumb slip off the back of the blade? A simple battery of use tests draws out all you need to know about its ergonomics. To organize the observations of our testers, we prompted them to consider its opening style, handle size and shape, and lock mechanism(s).
Portability
We weigh each knife on an electronic kitchen scale to the nearest 0.05 ounces and check it against the manufacturer's claims. We measure each knife's length (open and closed), width, and thickness to the nearest 0.01 inches. We then prompted our testers to examine its carrying style, pocket clip effectiveness, and the knife's overall profile related to pocket snagging and wear.
Construction Quality
We have found that the initial impressions of a casual tester almost perfectly mirror the findings of a deeper investigation. So we hand each knife to a casual user and have them give us an opinion to start us off. Further, we examine materials and performance over long-term use. We look for initial or developed play, staining, sticking, and rattles or play in any moving parts. In rare instances, we have disassembled a knife to examine some unseen parts or reveal the “why” behind a particularly baffling design decision.
The wide variety of options and specialties in the Pocket Knife world are nearly without end. There's sure to be a knife to fit your needs and budget. Let our real-world experience guide that decision-making process.
