The high carbon factor yields a tough blade with a high RC factor and the happenstance that it is also suitable for using some synthetic flints for striking sparks. This list includes Doug Ritter, Alan Folts, Ken Onion, Glenn Klecker, A.G. Russell, Pat and Wes Crawford, and many more. The 710’s blade is made of 8Cr13MoV, which is what we found on a lot of sub-$40 knives. It’s just a theory, but I would not be surprised to learn if SRM made the Drifter.”. Second, you need to maintain them, which means sharpening them. The small handle has a simple arcing design that provides a nice grip and is easy to hold in a variety of ways. The Best Pocket Knives. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you. But in just 8 years, it’s developed a reputation for making highly refined pocket knives and tools at a reasonable price. As Sculimbrene told us, there are some really good cheap knives, but we could determine which were which only after handling them. Even with damp or sweaty hands, it’s easy to hold and grip. Bear Grylls uses the 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate knife from the From Gerber knife brand. A good knife brand uses high-quality materials for manufacturing their knives. Knife emporium ChefsKnivestoGo describes Tojiro’s DP series as “the gateway into the world of high end Japanese cutlery.” Simply put, you will be hard-pressed to find a blade that’s made better than this one for under $100. The Drifter offers a compact size and a butter-smooth blade deployment. 12 Best UK-Legal Pocket Knives. Like the Drifter, the Zancudo gets high marks from knife reviewers, including both of the experts we interviewed. Not only can you customize the handle color, but you can also choose the blade shape, the blade steel, and the handle material. A flipper is a small tab that sticks out the back end of the handle; when you give it a quick flick, the blade pops open and locks. However, I’ve cherry-picked folding knife options from Ka-Bar. For one, it makes the knife completely ambidextrous. Therefore, it could be time to have custom knives made. All of that comes at a cost, though, as the Mini Griptilian typically retails in the $100 range. The knife handle also seemed to twist slightly while we were gripping it, something that didn’t happen with the Drifter. For a knife typically priced under $20, that’s an expected sacrifice. Benchmade makes some of the best production balisong knives outside of the Philippines, and their model 62 features a 4.25“ D2 steel spear point blade that excels at slicing and piercing tasks. Some areas, such as New York City, have extremely prohibitive knife laws. We think that this added durability and performance are unnecessary for standard everyday use, and that the Drifter, with its adequate strength, lighter weight, and smaller footprint, is the better option for most. Ka-Bar is known to be a high-quality knife maker. Each knife produced has an extremely low carbon footprint. Gerber Paraframe Mini Knife. It has G10 scales, nested liners, a super-slick Compression Lock , and a full flat ground clip point blade in CPM S30V steel. We tested the Buck 55 against the Case Mini Copperlock, another well-regarded traditional knife, and each has its high points. Budget Pocket Knife Brands (that aren’t complete crap) These brands don’t make the highest-quality pocket knives. Although the Drifter’s handle is small, it’s comfortable in both big and small hands. Compared with our other picks, it’s simply a better knife—better pivot, better blade steel, better ergonomics, and better locking system. With the knife folded, it’s a good size for a pocket—big enough to find easily yet small enough that it can share the space with a set of keys, a wallet, or a small flashlight. Cold Steel makes folding as well as fixed blade survival knives with a wide selection so you are sure to find the one you need. CRKT’s Pazoda and Squid are typically less expensive than the Drifter, and both models have robust all-metal bodies and frame locks. The market is flooded with an overwhelming number of good knife makers, both new and established ones. There are a lot of reasons why the Buck 110 continues to have a loyal following, and that includes the 420HC stainless steel blade. The blade of the Drifter is made of 8Cr14MoV steel. Whether you’re cutting a line during a fishing trip or slicing a particularly hefty block of cheese during a park picnic, a pocket knife is nice to have on hand. If the Drifter isn’t available or if you’re looking for a real workhorse of a knife, we also like the Blue Ridge Knives ESEE Zancudo.1 Compared with the Drifter, the Zancudo has a larger handle, a stronger blade lock, and a lot more metal in the body. The Buck 55 is a small knife, less than 6 inches fully open, but it has a comfortable handle given its size. Name and Features. 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