The best knife in the world is the one you’ll have with you when you need it.
And, just like The Best Gun in the World, the features of a knife you don’t have with you, don’t matter.
A knife may have been mankind’s first tool. A knife can make the difference between life and death although self-defense is not its primary use. There’s so many uses for a knife that it’s just plain sub-optimal to be without one, ever.
I prefer access to four types of knives, at all times:
- Kukri for chopping
- Full-Tang Hunting & Utility
- Multi-tool
- Folding knife
Access to all four is no problem around the house, if traveling by vehicle or in a group. All four are too much weight to carry on foot and alone.
The concept of “Best Knife” is to focus on what can be with you at all times. Given size, weight and bulk the only knife I can count on to have with me anytime, anywhere is a folding knife. None of the others can be tucked away in a tuxedo or a bathing suit.
A kukri, hunting knife and multi-tool are what I would bring to a survival situation. A folding knife is all I can expect to have when one occurs. Not having one makes it too likely I won’t have a knife, at all. With so many everyday (Sometimes urgent) uses for a knife I find that unacceptable.
Minimum Criteria
Modern technology enables the luxury of the following minimum attributes for a folding knife:
- Solid Locking Blade
- Hard, but not brittle Steel that holds an edge, has some rust resistance and doesn’t break or chip in tough circumstances.
- Ambidextrous Open
- Non-slip, hard, tough and lightweight handle
- Deep carry clip (Accessible but not legally concealed)
- Fits every wardrobe, comfortably
- Easy to maintain
- Fits your hand and can be held rock steady in tough use
Ambidextrous open is mandatory. Ambidextrous carry is not. I carry on the right side front pocket and have never needed to retrieve with the left hand. If I did then the deep carry clip and ambi open would save the day. Either hole or thumb studs are fine for ambi-open.
One should have to destroy the knife before the blade lock fails. How important are your fingers?
Blade materials are getting better all the time. While most steel HRC58 or greater will do I’ve had excellent results with ATS-34, 154CM, D2 and AUS-8 (And have read of extraordinary results with M2 and ZDP-189). ATS-34 and 154CM are metallurgic brothers. The D2 holds an edge better than ATS-34 and I hear M2 and ZDP-189 hold their edge even after the knife dulling exercise of cutting up a few dozen cardboard boxes. I’ve found that D2 and AUS-8 will rust when around salt water. Since my blades are black coated I sharpen’ that rust off.
The Best Knife in My World for the last 8 years is made of ATS-34 and I have no complaints. However, I’m always game to try new metals. My next folding knife will be made of either ZDP-189, M2 or D2 depending on price. The first two metals cost more because of the expense of the metal and the effort and equipment wear involved in the forging process.
I wouldn’t get fancy with handle shape. The closed knife must be flush with clothes and not stick or catch when retrieving.
The drop point tip is the most versatile with plenty of tip reinforcement for most work. Unless you’re stabbing cans or such all day there’s little need to give up cutting surface for a tanto point.
Zeroing in on Your Optimal
Less obvious attributes I’ve discovered optimal are:
- Not so expensive you won’t use it or take risks with it.
- Not so expensive you won’t replace it if lost.
- Not so flashy it draws attention at social occasions.
- Partially serrated (No more than 1-inch or so).
Optional, but nice to have is an overall length (When closed) that is 1-1.5 inches longer than your palm width. If so, it can be ‘palmed’ to apply blunt force as a hammer or as an alternative to the blade for self defense.
A knife is no place to skimp on quality. And yet, I’d rather have two that meet my criteria than one I’m afraid to use or lose.
My all black tool often goes unnoticed when used during social occasions. With the added advantages of corrosion resistance and salt-water protection I now insist on a black coated blade and handle for a folding knife that has to go everywhere.
That 1-inch of serration has saved me many times when primary blade dulls. I can still cut now and sharpen later which makes all the difference. I won’t give up cutting surface for a tanto tip, but, that 1-inch (Only) of serration has been a lifesaver.
In order to meet all the above criteria the Best Knife in My World needs to be:
- 3-4 inch Blade Length
- 5-6 inch Overall Length
- 6 ounces or less
- Black coated blade made from one of (ZDP-189, M2, D2, 154CM or ATS-34)
- Black handle – Tough, light, non-slip (G10 Works well)
- Drop point tip
- Partially serrated
- Solid locking blade
- Ambidextrous open
- Deep carry clip
Even if you tweak some values you’ve got a solid framework for deciding on Your Optimal Folding Knife. However, the most Optimal knife is not The Best Knife in Your World unless it’s in your pocket when you need it.
Settle on The Best Knife in Your World . . . sooner, rather than later. With so many everyday (Sometimes urgent) uses it may be no laughing matter that. . .
“The features of a knife you don’t have with you don’t matter.”
