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Best Pocket Knives of 2025: Brands, Budgets, and Types

January 10, 2025 By: Seth Vietti Categories: Best

Here at the KnifeCenter we see thousands of new knives every year, so we’ve had to get pretty picky when it comes to finding the very best of the best. After looking through customer reviews, sales data, and staff picks, we’re confident that the pocket knives listed here on this page are as good as it gets. From ultra-light folders to robust tactical designs, this guide highlights the best pocket knives for the money in 2025. Whether you’re new to knives or a seasoned enthusiast, this list has something for everyone—organized by price range, purpose, and brand, these are the best knives you can get in 2025.

Best Budget-Friendly Pocket Knives

Best Budget EDC Knife

Pyrite-Light folding knives open on marble background

If we had to pick just one, the new CJRB Pyrite-Light is consistently the best value pocket knife for the money available in 2025. CJRB has long been a leader in the budget space, and their standard Pyrite has been a top pick for several years thanks to its elegant design, ultra-smooth button lock mechanism, proprietary spray-formed blade steel, and competitive price.

The Pyrite-Light shaves off the ounces (and the dollars) with molded FRN handles that are even more comfortable without sacrificing anything that made the original work so well. Starting at just under $30, it’s a no-brainer!

Best Pocket Knives Under $50

Three knives open, numbered 1 through 3

Ontario Camp Plus Series – You simply won’t find a better knife for less. Starting at just $14 the Ontario Camp Plus series offers sturdy, comfortable, and surprisingly well-built blades for a fraction of the cost of the rest of the knives on this list.
Ruike P801 – If you want the strength of a solid frame lock knife without the premium price tag that usually comes with it, the Ruike P801 is our top choice. The design is excellent, the flipping action is top-notch, and the 14C28N blade steel is a staff favorite.
Boker Kihon DC – Designed by Lucas Burnley, the Boker Kihon DC is the right-sized work knife for just about everyone. Every element of this knife works together to give you more than your money’s worth, from the capable D2 blade and gently contoured handle to the strong crossbar lock, smooth ball-bearing pivot, and comfortable wire pocket clip.

Best Pocket Knives Under $100

three knives open, numbered 1 through 3

CIVIVI Vision FG – It may look unconventional, but the Vision FG is arguably the best knife CIVIVI has ever offered. The novel Superlock mechanism is strong, easy-to-use, ambidextrous, and fun to operate. The tough Nitro-V or beautiful Damascus blade is made to allow full contact with a cutting board so you can confidently use it everywhere, including the kitchen.
Kizer Drop Bear – While premium versions of the Kizer Drop Bear go for more than $100, the budget options are no less capable, boasting the same innovative adjustable crossbar lock mechanism, efficient ergonomics, and do-it-all blade shape that make it one of the most frequently recommended knives on our shelves.
Kershaw Iridium – We love the Iridium not just because it works great, but because it looks great too! Whether open or closed, the Iridium looks fast standing still while offering the kind of handle comfort and ergonomic flexibility you need in an actual user. Truly, it’s one of the best new knives from the brand and a consistent best-seller!

Best Pocket Knives at $100-$200

Kershaw Bel Air – Compare the Kershaw Bel Air to any of its competitors and it comes out on top—this knife goes toe-to-toe with the Benchmade Bugout, Hogue Deka, or any American-made EDC folder. Equipped with MagnaCut supersteel, a crossbar lock, an excellent pocket clip, and a blade shape optimized for precision cutting, it’s hard to recommend any other EDC pocket knife at the price!
Spyderco Stretch 2 – If your daily needs require a tool that can stand up to hard use, the Spyderco Stretch 2 is our top choice. Pairing classic Spyderco design features—like a forward finger choil and full-flat grind—with one of the most comfortable handles in their catalog and supersteel variants that won’t break the bank, and you have one of the best work knives ever made.
Benchmade Presidio II – The Benchmade Presidio II is simply one of the most well-balanced tactical knife designs of all time. The blade is slicey behind the edge but sturdy at the tip to support forceful cuts, and the handle is perfectly shaped to lock your grip in place without demanding any one specific grip. Plus, Benchmade’s legendary warranty means that you can use this knife hard without hesitation!

Best Pocket Knives by Type

Best EDC Knives

Spyderco Sage – Spyderco’s Sage series is built to showcase the diversity of knife locking mechanisms, with each numbered version featuring a different lock type. It also happens to be Spyderco’s best EDC knife. The drop point blade, keen blade geometry, wire clip, and compact yet hand-filling proportions are simply perfect for everyday carry. And with MagnaCut, SPY27, Maxamet and even Rex121 steels available, it’s a great way to try out superior and exotic supersteels for a reasonable price.
Vosteed Raccoon – The original Vosteed Raccoon was an instant hit, and has since expanded to a whole family of different designs with a variety of blade shapes, sizes, handle materials, and lock types to choose from. We like to think of it as a no-nonsense work knife that just happens to also be good looking, fidget-friendly, and easy to carry.
Demko Shark Cub – Andrew Demko has designed several of the strongest knife locks on the market, including Cold Steel’s legendary Tri-Ad lock. His latest and arguably greatest invention is the Shark Lock, an ambidextrous spine-mounted system that is easy to operate, safe, and strong. Demko is known for making overbuilt tactical knives, but this Shark Cub is slim and perfectly proportioned for everyday carry. It’s also available with either high-end 20CV steel or more affordable AUS-10 so whatever your budget you can’t go wrong here.

Best Tactical Pocket Knives

Microtech Amphibian – Microtech dove into their archives to bring back the Amphibian, a thoroughbred tactical design dating back decades. This new version is no throwback, however, since it features all the most advanced features Microtech can muster, including their innovative RAM-LOK mechanism and proprietary M390MK blade steel. Its nearly 4 inch blade is recurved for aggressive cutting power, and the handle has plenty of ergonomic features to keep you locked on target.
Pro-Tech / Terzuola ATCF – Bob Terzuola is known as the godfather of the tactical knife, and this modern expression of his classic ATCF (Advanced Technology Combat Folder) design by Pro-Tech updates the design with advanced materials, precision manufacturing, and powerful automatic action. This is simply one of the finest and most effective switchblades money can buy.
Spyderco Military 2.0 – After years of customer requests, Spyderco updated their flagship USA-made fighting folder with operational improvements borrowed from the ultra-popular Paramilitary 2, namely, the compression lock, 4-way reversible pocket clip, and enlarged finger choil. Plus, they lowered the price! Truly, you’re getting more for less with the Military 2.0.

Best Traditional Pocket Knives

Rosecraft Blades – While Rosecraft does offer modern locking pocket knives, their traditional knives are the true heart of the brand. The fit and finish is impressive for the money, with gleaming satin finishes, clean polished blades, flush inlays and pins, and delightfully crisp “walk and talk” that collectors know is the hallmark of a truly well-made blade.
Case Knives – Case has been making traditional knives since we just called them knives! Case has tremendous heritage, and still makes all their knives the old-fashioned way 100% in the USA. Their design library is filled with traditional knife archetypes that set the standard, so every Case knife is like a little piece of living knife history.
Jack Wolf Knives – What started as a one-man passion project has turned into one of the most exciting new traditional knife brands on the market. Jack Wolf borrows the best patterns from the past and updates them with the best materials and manufacturing quality that today’s knife market has to offer. Nobody else is making truly traditional, yet truly modern pocket knives quite like these.

Best High-End Pocket Knives

Chris Reeve Sebenza 31 – The venerable Sebenza is still the yardstick by which all other premium knives are measured. Now that the Sebenza 31 features MagnaCut steel as standard, there’s really no reason not to get one if you can afford it as long as you can find one in stock!
Spartan Blades SHF – If you want your high-end knife to be just as burly as it is fancy, the Spartan Harsey Folder (SHF) should be at the top of your list. This USA-made titanium frame lock owes a lot to Chris Reeve, but takes off in a totally different direction with its own character, including a ton of engraved versions that look amazing in person.
WE Knives Ezinta – It’s hard to see how a knife this expensive could be considered a good value, but when you compare it to other knives with the same specifications—integral titanium handle, 4? blade, sculpted titanium pocket clip, intricate finish work, perfect fit & finish—the WE Ezinta starts to look like a steal.

Best Pocket Knife Brands

Benchmade Knife Company

Benchmade Knives is one of the largest American knife manufacturers, and is celebrated for its precision engineering, high-quality materials, and innovative designs. Founded in 1988, the company has built a strong reputation among outdoor enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals. Benchmade is particularly known for its AXIS lock mechanism, which offers smooth, ambidextrous operation and exceptional strength.

Some of their most iconic designs include:

Benchmade Osborne 940: A uniquely stylish folder with a reverse tanto blade, loved for its unique combination of hard-working character and charming good looks.
Benchmade Bugout: A category-defining ultralight pocket knife with a versatile design ideal for everyday carry.
Benchmade Griptilian: A longstanding favorite that is durable, highly ergonomic, and relatively affordable.

Spyderco Knives

Spyderco is a trailblazer in the knife industry, renowned for its innovative designs and dedication to functionality. Founded in 1976, the company revolutionized the folding knife market with features like their trademark round hole for easy one-handed opening and integrated pocket clip for quick access. Spyderco’s designs emphasize ergonomic comfort, blade steel performance, and cutting efficiency.

Some of their most notable models include:

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (PM2): A versatile and robust knife, popular for its proprietary Compression lock and exceptional cutting performance.
Spyderco Delica 4: A compact, yet hand-filling knife perfect for everyday carry, available in various colors and blade steels.
Spyderco Tenacious: A budget-friendly, all-purpose knife that offers Spyderco’s signature features at an approachable price.

Microtech Knives

Microtech is a premier American knife manufacturer known for detail-orientated craftsmanship and bold designs. Established in 1994, the company specializes in tactical and automatic knives, with a strong reputation among military personnel, law enforcement, and knife enthusiasts. Microtech is particularly recognized for its out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives, which are celebrated for their reliability, speed, and sleek aesthetics.