Buying a pocket folding knife for the first time can be intimidating, and it’s not just because you’re shopping for knives. There are many kinds of folding knives out there, and while most people think all knives are the same, they soon realize that this is not the case once they start shopping around for one.
You’ll need to know exactly what your needs are before looking for a pocket knife, and that’s usually the hardest part. But don’t have to worry; with this article, you’ll know everything you need to know about folding knives before buying one. Here’s what you need to consider before making a purchase.
Handle Material
One of the most important things you need to consider is the knife handle. Look for a knife with a size that fits your hands and a practical design to ensure the most comfort in the grip. Typically, wood and bone are the most popular choices, but you can also find folding knives with plastic materials that give you almost the same feel and style. If you’re looking for something more contemporary, you can go for metal or composite materials.
The Blade
The first thing you need to look into when inspecting a knife’s blade is its size and length. Specialists from Benchmade Knives Ship Free recommend identifying the tasks that you’re going to need the knife for before deciding on the size you want to buy. Small blades are designed for light tasks, and you can take them anywhere with you. On the other hand, medium to large blades are ideal for heavy-duty usage but may be illegal to carry around in some areas. You also need to decide how you want your blade edge to perform. Serrated edges are great for cutting rope and tough materials, while plain edges are perfect for slicing smoothly and push cutting.
Locking Mechanism
There are three types of locking systems in folding knives: manual, semi-automatic, and automatic. Some countries or states legally ban the use of fully automatic knives. This is why it’s important to learn about the locking and opening mechanisms of your knife. Manual knives require two hands to fully open the blade, semi-automatic ones require two hands to pull the blade out a little before it automatically locks, and automatic knives only require pressing a button to completely open the blade and lock it in place. You may also want to consider the frame locks, lock-backs, and liner locks of your knife to determine whether you’re going to need one hand to open it or two.
Knives come in different types and forms, and there are many options out there that will suit the kind of tasks you want to use the knife for. If you need a folding knife for cutting tough materials, make sure you opt for a large blade with a serrated edge. If you just need it for easy, light tasks, pick a small blade such as laguiole steak knives that comes with a comfortable, ergonomic handle so it would be easy to use.
