Buyers Guide for Pocket Knives
One pocket knife does not necessarily fit all needs. While some knives contain every kind of tool imaginable, from corkscrews to magnifying glasses, a simple pocket knife may only have a couple of small blades. People in the market for a pocket knife should consider whether they just need a basic all-purpose cutting tool or particular tools for specialized needs. They should also bear in mind that even the fanciest knife requires care and maintenance to work properly.
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Uses
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Pocket knives serve as an all-purpose solution in one folding package. Typical pocket knives include not only one or more knife blades but also a bottle opener or can opener, screwdriver, tweezers, nail file, magnifying glass and other handy gadgets, according to Knives Unlimited. Some pocket knives even include electronic components such as LED lights or digital clocks.
Blades
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Pocket knives range from bare-bone units with two or three blades to elaborate multi-tool knives such as the famous Swiss Army Knife family. Typical blades include the largest blade in the knife, known as a master blade, along with a tiny blade called a pen blade or pen knife, named for its one time use as a quill-pen sharpener, according to Knives Unlimited. Blades may have one or two sharp edges, and some feature serrated, or notched, edges for more serious cutting chores.
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Size
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Despite the impressive appearance of a large knife, small pocket knives often prove safer and more practical to use for most applications. A simple four-inch blade can serve most light cutting needs if properly maintained and sharpened, according to Boy’s Life magazine, while the knife’s convenient form factor and folding ability make it safer to carry and easier to manipulate in close quarters. Shoppers must consider whether their cutting needs really call for a heavy, bulky single-use blade.
Cost
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Pocket knives can vary widely in price depending on features and blade quality, according to Gear Guy. People who simply need a reliable everyday knife can spend as little as $27 on a Swiss Army knife that includes a pair of blades, reamer, can opener and saw, while the more fashionable camper can easily pay $200 or more for a corrosion-resistant stainless steel knife with a handle carved from buffalo horn or other exotic materials. Gear Guy advises that most knife shoppers have little reason to consider a product beyond the $80 range.
Proper Care and Handling
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Even the best pocket knife can give its owner a negative experience without proper care and handling. Allowing the knife blade to grow dull not only causes the knife to lose its effectiveness, it also poses a slip hazard as the user tries to force it to cut, possibly causing injury, according to Boy’s Life. Occasional application of a sharpening stone will keep the blade sharper and make the knife safer to use. Pocket knives can also suffer from rusty hinges unless the user keeps the blade clean and dry, lubricating the hinges as an extra protective measure.
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References
- Photo Credit army knife #2 image by Adam Borkowski from Fotolia.com
