Get to Know These 3 Types of Pocket Knives

You never really know when it might come in handy.

A good pocket knife can’t be underestimated. Emergencies happen all around us, and having one may just save someone’s life, your own life, or simply come in handy as a useful tool to use at any given time.

The instances that one can use a pocket knife could be as simple as opening the mail from your uncle and aunt, to breaking open a window because you’re either locked out or someone’s trapped in a vehicle.

Given the many different types of pocket knives, there are obviously HUNDREDS of uses for them.

And depending on what you’re looking for, you might want to get to know the following types of pocket knives before making any purchases.

But first, let’s go over some history.

Pocket knives have existed for centuries.

That’s no surprise. For as useful as pockets knives can be, it isn’t any wonder why they were developed very early on in human history.

And seriously, researchers have found that pocket knives were used as early as the iron age – although they weren’t necessarily “pocket” knives. You see, pockets weren’t always a thing, and knives were carried by other means.

But nonetheless, the concept of pocket knives has been around for some time. They folded shut exactly like many do now and allowed for very easy carrying and storing.

These early knife forms were known as “spring blades” because they were held open by a spring.

Nowadays, thankfully, there are locking mechanisms that hold the knife into place and we don’t have to worry about them slicing off our own fingers.

Not until the 17th century, however, did pocket knives become an everyday item for those even in the lower classes.

Before the age of the industrial revolution, owning a pocket knife was an expensive thing, and only the few that were able to afford one were lucky enough to be seen with one. But that all changed as companies started manufacturing their products by cheaper means and with better materials.

The simple foldable pocket knife developed into all types of pocket knives: fixed blades, very small ones for minor tasks, outdoor–specific knives that are good for cutting and carving wood, and far more.

There are endless types of pocket knives that can be discussed.

Some, even, are mostly for show. Which takes us into our first option

Butterfly pocket knives have surprisingly been used for some time now.

They seemed to have surfaced in the 18th centuries in Europe in places such as France and Spain, where sailors were known to have used them to help operate their canons.

And now, they are simply a great addition to your pocket knife collection.

There are simply no other types of pocket knives out there like butterfly knives.

They allow for extremely quick action when you’re in need of using a pocket knife, and because they fold into themselves, they are easy to carry around as well. And this is because these types of pocket knives are specifically designed for self-defense, which also means they are designed to last and you won’t have to sharpen them as much.

If collecting these are your thing and you don’t have one – or if you simply need a quick–action knife to defend yourself – this should be your next buy.

But careful. Be sure you know what to look for when buying a butterfly knife – such as if it’s a self–defense knife or a training knife for beginners learning how to use one.

Your eventual purchase will depend on your skill level using a knife and the purpose behind the purchase itself.

But some of us don’t care about concealing our knives.

Certain types of pocket knives don’t necessarily go “in” the pocket but are carried on the outside.

A lot of these are fixed blades carried in a sheath. And the benefits of owning a fixed blade over many others cannot go unstated, and you shouldn’t underestimate them when making your next pocket knife purchase.

Fixed blades are more often than not stronger and more durable than other knives because they are a single piece of material. They are also easier to operate because they don’t spring open, and usually the blade lengths are a little longer.

These characteristics are important for any knife to have, but as mentioned before, fixed blades are less concealable.

Although companies have made changes to accommodate those who like smaller knives, these are still more difficult to hide.

But if you use your knives outdoors, a fixed blade is especially good for you because you’ll need something a little more reliable than a folding blade.

And besides, you won’t get the Crocodile Dundee, “That’s not a knife, this is a knife” moment out in the woods, so don’t have to worry about people staring.

But some of us don’t want to be seen with our knives and are willing to sacrifice some strength in order to hide their weapon.

If you’re in the market for a more concealable pocket knife, and the types of pocket knives that are fixed don’t offer you small enough options, then you should consider the classic foldable knife.

This will give you a knife that you can conceal within your actual pocket that can be used during emergencies.

And that’s the best part of a foldable knife – people will have no idea you’re carrying protection on you and you won’t get stared at, but you will feel completely safe knowing that you do in fact have something on you just in case something happens.

Also, although fixed blades are typically stronger than foldable knives, really good foldable knives are as strong as other types of pocket knives on the market. But because you’d be getting both a really durable knife and one that is perfectly concealable, you will be paying for the extra benefits.

But you don’t have to settle for a basic foldable knife

They even make foldable types of pocket knives that have serrated edges instead of the historical straight edge – or, they even make combo ones. Personally, I enjoy a knife that cut through a little thicker material – just in case I run into a more difficult task. And knowing me like I do, these tasks can occur anywhere.

So, if you need just a knife to get minor tasks done but also make you feel safe for having some form of protection on you, a foldable knife is probably the choice for you.

And if you think you’ll be needing to cut through some thick material, definitely get serrated edges, too!

There are obviously more types of pocket knives than the ones on this list.

But these are simply the three we wanted to mention here, because they are not only our favorite but comprise a lot of the types of pocket knives out there to choose from.

And with that said, there are PLENTY of different kinds within each of these options. Two knives may be both fixed blades with serrated edges, but they can still be completely different knives with different uses and quality.

So, don’t rush any decision you’re making.

There are so many types of pocket knives out there that you have the luxury of sifting through all the ones that have been developed over the years.

And trust me, it isn’t a difficult task.

Once you get into searching for that perfect pocket knife for you, you likely won’t stop. Like any hobby – getting tattoos, playing soccer or hockey, skateboarding, or gambling – purchasing pocket knives can become addicting.

You’re going to keep wanting to find that next perfect knife.

But that’s why it’s important to buy that perfect knife at each moment, so that when you get that knife you’ll be completely satisfied with your purchase… at least until that next urge to buy one kicks in.

So, go out and start looking at different types of pocket knives now, and see what clicks for you!