Pocket knives are great tools. They have many uses and therefore there are many types of pocket knives. Click here and learn which type is best for you!
The most expensive knife in the world is valued at 2.1 million dollars!
However, most of us do not have that kind of money to spend on a luxury knife. Besides, you’d be so self-conscious about losing it, you probably wouldn’t take it out at all.
Instead, a handy, sturdy pocket knife makes for the ideal tool. It packs in both, convenience as well as aesthetic. Plus, pocket knives come in variations so you can always find one that’s catered to your needs.
Let’s take a look at the various types of pocket knives there are, and find out what’s right for you!
The Peasant Knife
A peasant pocket knife is made up of a single blade. They also have an extended tang blade that allows you to open or close the knife.
In earlier times the handles were made from bone or wood, and the blade was made from bronzer iron. Nowadays, most peasant knives use carbon steel blades.
With no locking mechanism in place, older versions of the knife simply allow the blade to fold back into the handle. These knives were low cost and easy to procure, hence giving them the name “peasant knife”.
Slip-Joint Knife
The slip-joint knife was created with the idea of having a knife that could lock into place.
It consists of single or multiple folding blades that are held in place with back springs or some other form of tension. The pressure on the blade keeps it from slipping or moving out of place whether it’s in use or not.
It’s one of the most popular knife designs out there, and a great buy for any enthusiast looking to start their collection.
In fact, it’s so popular that many other pocket knives are simply a variation or extension of the slip-joint design.
Here are a few noteworthy examples.
Peanut Knife
The peanut knife is much smaller than a regular knife, making it a good choice for anyone who’s looking to keep things compact. Like the Barlow knife, it has a clip point, but instead of a pen blade, it features a drop point instead.
These knives are usually less than 3 inches in size with both blades varying in sizes as well.
Barlow
The Barlow knife was named after its inventor. The knife features two kinds of blades – a clip point and a pen blade. It’s easy to identify a Barlow knife due to its tear or elongated oval-shaped handle and it’s two distinctive blades.
They are convenient, safe, sturdy, uncomplicated and a great tool to take around with you.
Canoe Knife
A canoe knife is generally wider with two blades that open at opposite ends. It also has a slight curve at the center giving it a boat-like shape.
The blades come in varying combinations, but the most common kinds you see include a drop point blade and a pen blade.
Depending on the reason you want a pocket knife you can look for varying combinations until you find the right pairing of blades for your needs.
The Penknife
A penknife was originally used to sharpen and shape the tips of writing quills. However, today it serves a wider set of purposes for its users.
In the U.K a penknife is simply used as another word for a pocket knife. However, the simplest penknife is a single-blade pocket knife that is small, compact and excellent for work that requires more precision.
If you want something simple and classic that serves its purpose, a penknife is a fantastic choice.
The Swiss Army Knife
This multi-tooled knife is a fantastic asset to have if you’re a traveler, hiker or anyone who loves the outdoors. The tools usually include screwdrivers, openers, sharp blades, scissors, fish scalers and plenty more.
The multiplicity of tools depends on the size of your swiss knife. Larger knives understandably pack in more variety than their smaller counterparts.
Most Swiss army knives have an in-built locking mechanism to prevent any accidents or injuries during usage.
Some people also refer to these knives as “multi-tooled knife”, but the name is almost synonymous with a Swiss army knife.
How the Different Types of Pocket Knives Are Identified
When you’re buying knives online you need to look out for a few specific characteristics. Pocket knives vary from each other depending on the following features.
Function
Some pocket knives are built to perform a specific function. If you want a knife to carry out a very specific kind of task, it’s advisable to look into something that was custom-made for that purpose.
Blade
A blade is perhaps the most important part of a knife. While choosing your knife to be certain to check for the kind of blade it comes with and the purpose it serves.
Also, look for a safety mechanism to keep yourself injury-free while using your knife. A knife can be a deadly weapon in the wrong hands.
Finding the Right Knife
With the various types of pocket knives out there to choose from, it can be extremely exhausting to find the right one. Be sure to visit online forums, participate in discussions and make your intentions clear.
This is especially helpful if you’re new to the world of knives and are looking to buy your first pocket knife. Research is absolutely key in these situations, however, as you get more accustomed to using different knives you’ll also figure out what works best for you.
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