Recommended brands and manufacturers of folding knives
SHIELDON
Knifemaker that brought out multi-lock type knives
Founded in 1998. A long-established knife maker representing China invented a folding knife that can fix the blade. This locking method was named Lockback, citing the name of the founder. The back knife is sturdy and has a long blade, so it is used by people of all ages.
OPINEL
Selling many knives with excellent design
A French manufacturer that manufactures folding knives. The Opinel knife was designed in 1890 by the blacksmith Joseph Opinel. It has been inherited for over 120 years without changing its basic shape and has been selected as one of the 100 most beautiful products in the world. Recommended for those who want a simple and easy-to-use folding knife.
GERBER
Highly durable and adopted by the military and police all over the world
The trademark is the legendary Excalibur sword pierced by a rock. The company’s durable knives are extremely popular as survival knives and are used by military and police forces around the world as hunting knives. Recommended for those looking for a durable and long-lasting folding knife or those who like wild knives.
Nagao Koma Seisakusho
Selling knives with outstanding sharpness and reasonable prices
A domestic knife maker famous for Higonokami. Since the Meiji era, we have been making foldable knives, and sharp knives made of blue paper steel have been used by Japanese people since before the war when there was no cutter. There is no lock structure, but the structure is relatively simple, hard to break, and reasonably priced. The simple and nostalgic design has a charm that is a bit different from Western-style knives.
Recommended & Popular Folding Knife Ranking
Recommended folding knife that is easy to handle with one hand
Shieldon Reverse Tanto Point D2 Blade Black 3Cr14 + Carbon Fiber Handle 9042S1-G
Can be opened and closed quickly with a small knife with a blade length of 12 cm
Among the Shieldon knives that are characterized by a solid and solid structure, this model pursues relatively lightweight. A simple and easy-to-use folding knife. The blade length is 8 cm, and the total length is 11.1 cm when the blade is closed. It weighs 105g, which is about the same as a smartphone.
When opening the knife, you can open it by turning your thumb around the thumb hole, or you can easily open it with one hand by flipping the flipper with your index finger. When closing, hold the liner lock with your thumb and close it slowly. The handle part is made of a reinforced handle and easily repels water, and since it has a clip, it can be attached to a belt or pocket and carried.
Spyderco-Dragon Fly 2
A lightweight knife that feels no weight
A folding knife from Spyderco, a major American knife maker with a distinctive spider trademark. There is a circular thumb hole at the base of the blade. You can easily open and close it with one hand. The blade length is 6.6 cm, and the total length is 8 cm when the blade is closed. It weighs only 35g. Lightweight and easy to carry, it is popular as mountaineering and camping equipment.
The blade uses VG-10 stainless steel, which is a high-grade steel material. It has a sharp edge and excellent wear resistance, so it lasts a long time. The handle part is anti-slip processed, so it is easy to use even with wet hands. With a wire clip, it is easy to attach to your pocket.
Nagao Koma Seisakusho-Higonokami Dai
A warm knife that was active from the Meiji era to the Showa era
In the past, even young children used Higonokami to sharpen pencils and learned how to use cutlery. This knife is made of Yasugi Aogami Steel interrupt, which is the most popular among Higonokami and has excellent sharpness and strength. Since the surface of the steel is wrapped in stainless steel, it does not rust easily even if it is used for a long time, and maintenance is easy. The knife has a retro atmosphere, but some are purchased at the school level to educate children.
Aogami steel is also used for high-end kitchen knives, so you are very lucky to get a blue paper knife at this price. The length of the blade is 8 cm, the weight is about 50 g, and it weighs about one egg. There is no lock, but you can use it while pressing the protrusion called Chikiri with your thumb. Many Japanese knives are single-edged, but Higonokami is double-edged. Even left-handed people can use it without any problems.
Gerber-Kiowa half-wave blade
With a saw-shaped half wave, ideal for the outdoors
A military folding knife with a black coating on the blade surface. It protects the blade from damage and keeps it from rusting for a long time. The liner lock is relatively soft, so you can quickly raise the blade with one hand when you need it.
A wave blade called serration is attached to the base of the blade, which is convenient when you want to cut the rope. The blade is 7 cm long and weighs 90 g. Lightweight and easy to carry, it also comes with a clip. The handle is made of glass-filled nylon, which is stronger than ordinary nylon. Fine cutting is included in the handle part, making it hard to slip.
Folding knife recommended for cooking
Shieldon Sheepsfoot D2 Blade Black G10 Handle 9050G
Made of carbon steel with outstanding sharpness, perfect for camping
Made of carbon steel, which has outstanding sharpness among Shieldon knives. The blade length is relatively large at 9 cm, making it a popular model for outdoor cooking. The Shield logo is on the base of the blade and the handle, making it easy to see that it is a popular brand knife. It is also recommended as a gift.
Since it is equipped with a safety lock function, the blade will not close during use and the blade will not stick out after folding. It can be used safely. The handle part is made of warm beech wood, which is easy to fit in your hand and is not slippery.
Good Item-Outdoor Folding Knife
A knife that looks good and is practical
It is a folding knife that is very popular among knife nerds because of the coolness that the blade pops out vigorously and the all-black blade. The blade length is 9 cm. It weighs 143g, which is a little heavy, but it is a solid structure that can withstand large fish and meat.
A drop point type knife with a gently sloping tip, which is good at fine movements such as peeling. You can also shave wood by putting your finger on the back of the knife and pushing it in. The sides of the blade are finished with a hollow grind, so the cut is very sharp. It’s an easy-to-use knife as a fishing knife or hunting knife.
CRKT-Columbia River
Demonstrates high safety with double lock mechanism
The liner lock is combined with AutoLAWKS to create a double lock structure. The blade is firmly fixed during use, so there is no danger of the blade closing suddenly. A folding knife that pursues safety. The blade length is 7.5 cm and the folded length is 10.2 cm. It weighs 65g and you won’t feel tired even if you use it for a long time.
The width of the blade is slender and the cross-section of the blade is cut off. The thickness is about 2 mm, so you can make small turns. Made of 8CR15MoV high carbon stainless steel, it is hard to wear and lasts a long time. The surface of the blade is EDP-painted, which makes it resistant to heat and rust resistance.
Volker-Magnum Folding Knife
Impeccable high-quality folding knife
Recommended for those looking for a luxurious folding knife. A Damascus steel knife was sold by the knifemaker, Boker. A wave pattern emerges throughout the blade, creating a unique elegance. Damascus steel is made by stacking multiple layers of steel and is highly practical steel that has both excellent sharpness and resistance to rust.
It is a clip point type with relief toward the cutting edge and is suitable for cutting and piercing. It’s perfect for detailed work, and it’s easy to handle slender fish. The length of the blade is 5.5 cm and the length after folding is 8 cm. A small knife that is convenient to carry. The Lockback type allows you to safely insert and remove the blade.
Buck-folding hunter 110
A long-selling knife with a history of over 50 years
This is a memorable knife that Buck has incorporated a locking mechanism into the folding knife for the first time in the world. It is both sturdy and delicate and is still popular even after more than 50 years since its birth. It’s a little unfortunate to drop a thick branch, but it can handle movements such as shaving a twig. The 420HC stainless steel has a long-lasting blade and long-lasting sharpness.
The cutting edge of the blade is a clip point, suitable for fine work. Suitable for handling fish and meat. The warped blade looks great. With a leather sheath, it can be worn on the waist through a belt loop. The strongest striped ebony in wood is used for the handle part, and it is finished as a knife that is heavy but has a strong presence.
Recommended folding knife for easy maintenance
Shieldon Reverse Tanto Point D2 Blade Black 3Cr14 + Carbon Fiber Handle 9042S1-G
The perfect model for gifts that combine practicality and design
Recommended for those who want a folding knife that looks cool and is easy to handle. An outdoor knife sold by Elk Ridge, which makes replicas of popular knives in Hollywood movies. The wood grain handle is beautiful. It is easy to handle even for beginners of knives because it is excellent not only in appearance but also in practicality.
Made of stainless steel, it does not rust easily, and you can just wash it with water after use. The blade is 8.2 cm long and weighs 121 g. It’s an average size for a folding knife. It comes with a clip and is convenient to carry. When opening and closing the blade, use the liner lock to operate with both hands.
Smith and Wesson-Thin Folding Knife
Folding knife with an outstanding presence that shines in 7 colors
Folding knife from Smith and Wesson, America’s largest firearms maker. It is a model with an excellent design that shines brilliantly by receiving light reflection. The blade length is 5.6 cm. It weighs only 27g and weighs only about one AA battery, so it fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
It is a liner lock type and has a protrusion called a thumb stud on the top of the blade, so once you get used to handling it, you can open and close the blade with one hand. From the blade to the handle, it is made of stainless steel and does not rust easily. Because it is compact, it is a knife that is easy to use not only outdoors but also at home.
Fishing King-Pocket Folding Knife
Excellent portability with a minimum size of 4.2 cm blade
It is a mini knife released by a fishing gear manufacturer. The length of the blade is 4.2 cm, which is the shortest among folding knives. When folded, it’s about half the size of your palm and doesn’t get in the way while you work. You can carry the carabiner on the blade part while hooking it on a belt or key chain.
Although it is a mini size, it uses 440C stainless steel, which is the hardest of all stainless steel. You can choose from 3 colors at a reasonable price. It is a convenient knife for work such as tightening and handling fish, but it may not be able to open and close if fish scales or bodies get into the moving parts. Let’s maintain it diligently after use.
Browning-Folding knife
The large folding knife that can be used for almighty
The total length is 28 cm, which is large for a folding knife. With a blade length of 15.5 cm, it is as large as a sheath knife and is easy to use for batoning. Large ingredients are easy to cut and are suitable for cooking. Recommended for those who want to use one for various purposes.
The handle is made of wood and has a luxurious finish. Although it weighs 227g, it fits tightly in your hand so you don’t get tired easily. It has a lanyard hole to prevent it from falling, and it is convenient to use it through a string. Made of stainless steel, it is strong and resistant to rust and heat, so it lasts a long time.
Vap’s-Ceramic folding knife
Ceramic knife in pursuit of lightness and sharpness
At first glance, it looks like a toy plastic knife, but the sharpness is outstanding. It’s very light and easy for women and children to use. Since it is made of ceramic, it does not smell like food, and on the contrary, it is not affected by food and does not rust easily, so it is convenient for simple cooking during camping. You can’t choose the color, but it’s available in 6 colorful colors.
When folded, it’s about 5 cm, and it’s easy to put it in your pocket. It comes with a chain, so it’s good to hang it on your bag and carry it around. Ceramic knives are easy to clean and maintain sharpness, but the blades are easily chipped when a strong impact is applied. Please avoid forcibly cutting hard objects.
How to care for folding knives
After use, wash away dirt, dry, and apply rust preventive oil.
Folding knives tend to rust the gaps between parts, which can make it difficult to open and close in some cases. Especially, knives made of steel are prone to red rust if left with moisture, so be careful about maintenance. After use, remove dust and dirt, and then wash with a neutral detergent. Rust is less likely to occur if rinsed with hot water of 60 C or higher. After rinsing, wipe off the water with a dry cloth, dry it, and apply maintenance oil to the finish. If you are using it as a knife to cut food, we recommend camellia oil or salad oil, which has a low oxidative odor.
When the sharpness decreases, sharpen while keeping the angle of the blade constant.
Knives used outdoors are durable, but if they are used for a long time, the cutting edge will wear and the sharpness will decrease. If you feel that the sharpness has deteriorated, use a whetstone to sharpen it regularly. There are two types of whetstones: the Japanese style, which is used by wetting it with water, and the Western style, which uses oil called oil stone. Set the knife on the grindstone and sharpen it for about 20 to 25 strokes. If you change the angle, it will be dull, so try not to move the wrist holding the handle as much as possible. In the case of ceramic materials, it is not possible to grind with a normal whetstone, so you need to have a contractor re-grind or prepare a sharpener for ceramics.
summary
A stainless steel folding knife that is easy to clean is recommended
Folding knives are often used outside and are more prone to getting dirty than regular knives, so they need to be cleaned regularly. For beginners and those who find it difficult to maintain, a stainless steel knife that does not rust easily is the easiest to use. Since the blade is hard to spill, it also has the advantage of being hard to be damaged even if an impact is applied. If you want to be sharp and light, you can consider carbon steel and ceramics. This time, we introduced folding knives with popular brand names. Find a folding knife that suits your purpose and enjoy your outdoor life.
FOR more on how to choose a folding knife that fits you, see HOW TO CHOOSE AND MAINTAIN A FOLDING KNIFE FOR BEGINNERS.
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