If the blade is what interests you the most in the traditional pocket knife you want to buy, you will also have to make a trade-off between the styles of cutting edges that we may offer.
Therefore, the blade can be smooth, serrated or semi-serrated, which gives you information on the type of materials that you will be able to overcome. The shape of the toe is also a decisive choice criterion for overall satisfaction.
Choice of the Avant-Garde
Traditional pocket knife whose blades have smooth edges are undoubtedly the most widely used. A smooth blade will perform the classic cut expected of a classic knife.
The good thing about these blades is that they can be sharpened in case they start to get damaged as they are less sharp. However, you will not be able to use it for certain tasks, such as when it comes to sawing a very solid material such as leather or wood.
The stiffer the materials, the more you will congratulate yourself on owning such a tool. The serrated blade will be able to exert pressure when cutting, thanks in particular to its serrations.
In this case you will achieve your cut (or sawing) requiring less effort than if it were a smooth blade. However, sharpening the serrated blades will have to be done with professional equipment, sometimes at the factory, which is quite complicated.
Finally, some pocket knife blades are semi-serrated: one way of saying that they have a smooth part and another that it is serrated.
This can allow you to have a 2-in-1 accessory if you know how to handle it well, despite the location of the grooves, which is sometimes inappropriate depending on the use. You will also have some difficulties when sharpening this type of knife, at the height of its teeth.
Choice of Tip and Blade Shape
Every blade shape and point type has its uses when it comes to choosing the blade for your next portable knife. We can go over some possibilities that you may find.
- The raised point blade: it is the one that we find the most in the market. Its tip is very clear thanks to a well concave back of the blade. It’s the everyday blade that cuts well and pierces just as well.
- The Bourbon Sheet – This is a large sheet useful for various uses. These Bourbonnais bladed knives have fairly rounded bellies and a sharp point. It can be used for both hunting and hiking as a survival knife.
- The Centered Tip Blade: This blade can be sharpened on both edges as it can only be sharpened on one. Its shape is reminiscent of a pyramid. It is made to pierce but also to cut correctly.
- The needle point blade: It is a fine point blade with two completely symmetrical edges. It is recommended when drilling, but of course it will be more fragile due to its shape. However, you won’t find many pocket knives with needle point blades.
There are several other blade shapes, including the Tanto blade, the sheepsfoot blade for those who don’t want to risk getting too hurt, or the feather blade that is very sharp.
Pocket knives can have many surprises in store for you, so with shapes that you did not know before and that may delight you. In any case, it will be very useful to make your choice regarding the shape and general appearance of the sheet, so that it is effective in the function for which you decide to use it.
Sheet Size
A folding knife with a small blade has the distinction of being extremely discreet and light, although it can be limited when faced with certain tasks. When it comes to the skinning game, for example, the activity will likely take much longer to complete than with a larger sheet.
We consider that they are small leaves, those that do not exceed 7 cm. As long as this limit is exceeded, they will be medium blades, less than or equal to 10 cm, and large blades for those greater than 10 cm.
The only drawback of the larger pocket knife models is that their use is regulated in some localities. In some cases, you will need to declare ownership of a long folding knife, whereas it is not necessary to do so for smaller knives.
Blade Steel Quality
For the traditional pocket knife to be considered effective, its blade must be of very good quality, regardless of the shape and type of edge. The most requested blades are made of stainless steel, for a guarantee of durability but also of effectiveness.
The steel chosen by knife makers can also be carbon steel, or a combination of both (carbon stainless steel), for longer use and greater blade hardness. Carbon steel blades are widely used for hunting.
Some blades also contain more than 12% chromium, to make them harder. They are also resistant to corrosion, to help you do outdoor activities.
As for knives whose blades are made of damascus steel, they are most often found among collector’s knives, with very artistic designs.
Pocket Knife Handle
Despite all the pressure you have to put on your knife, the handle should be able to hold. From this part of the knife, therefore, we expect solidity thanks to robust materials; comfort at the time of handling; as well as good aesthetic quality.
The materials that are frequently used to make folding knife handles are:
- Aluminum, durable and with a very appreciable grip;
- Wood, well-treated and solid, or wood inserts in handles made mainly of aluminum;
- Celluloid, which is plastic synthesized from cellulose nitrate;
- The G-10, strong and light, made of fiberglass;
- Stainless Steel, Titanium, Rubber, Fallen Deer Antler, etc.
Each model of knife that you will have to explore on the internet will detail its specificities, but remember that many of those available online have aluminum handles.
Blade Opening Systems
Your traditional pocket knife can be opened in 3 main ways: the opening can be manual, automatic or assisted. The most common system.