Top 10 Best Pocket Knives For Self-Defense – Buyer’s Guide

The world is getting more dangerous by the day. While working the streets and neighborhood, you have to be vigilant and alert. What could make you safer than a pocketknife for self-defense? So many tools were developed for self-defense over the years such as pepper spray, Taser and so on but knives still come more in handy. Stay safe with the best pocketknives in 2020. In this article, we are going to enlighten you on the best 10 pocketknives for self-defense.

Let us dive in!

OUR TOP PICKS OF BEST POCKETKNIVES FOR SELF-DEFENSE

1. KERSHAW SECRET AGENT (check price)
2. BENCHMADE – BEDLAM 860 KNIFE, SCIMITAR BLADE (check price)
3. COLD STEEL EDC TACTICAL FOLDING POCKET KNIFE, RECON (check price)
4. GERBER PARAFRAME MINI KNIFE (check price)
5. KERSHAW LEEK SERRATED (check price)
6. ZERO TOLERANCE ZT0350TS (check price)
7. THE MOSSY OAK KNIFE (check price)
8. SOG FLASH 2 EDC POCKET KNIFE (check price)
9. THE SPYDERCO DRAGONFLY 2 (check price)
10. THE SPYDERCO MATRIARCH KNIFE (check price)

KERSHAW SECRET AGENT

Kershaw Secret Agent, a 5 oz. pocket knife that features a stainless steel blade. Its stainless steel blade contributes to its solidness, strength and durability. This lightweight pocketknife allows easy carriage and usage. The blade is made of high carbon and nickel, all which contributes to its high quality and performance. The nickel is responsible for strength and sharpness while carbon is responsible for its resistance to wearing and corrosion.

This particular features a scary and intense appearance with its black surface. This could be an advantage to scare off intruders when there is need. Handling is also has important as the blade itself. A pocketknife with a low quality can make or mar its usability. Kershaw’s offers a handle designed with a rubber surface, which contributes to its excellent grip. A pocketknife with an excellent grip indicates a safe and secure usage.

Kershaw Secret Agent Pocketknife is a multipurpose knife featuring a clip for easy transportation from one place to another. With this simple clip, you can hang it to your belt for quick access when the need comes. Lastly, it features a simple design with a sharp blade capable of cutting through rope, fiber, plastic, aluminum and so on.

What we like about it

• It is strong and long lasting
• It features a knife clip for easy accessibility
• It is not weighty which contributes to its portability
• High quality pocketknife

What we don’t like about it

• The blade is single edged

 

BENCHMADE – BEDLAM 860 KNIFE, SCIMITAR BLADE

This incredible pocketknife offers a G-10 handle, which makes it durable, strong and resistant to harsh conditions. It comes with a 154 stainless steel blade, strong and resistant to corrosion, rust and harsh conditions.

It was developed by Benchmade brand, a top ranked brand in the market. They are well known for producing high quality tools. This particular knife features an amazing design starting from the blades to the handle. It gives room for both left-handed and right-handed individuals. With just a single flip, you can gain access to the blades. Another awesome feature about Benchmade is that it is convenient to use.

A good knife for self-defense must possess an excellent grip, durable & strong handle and lightweight. Benchmade Pocketknife features a good grip, which prevents it from falling off while in use. It also offers a strong handle such that the handle does not break easily causing unnecessary injury.

Lastly, it is a lightweight pocketknife weighing 7.2 oz. This contributes to its ability to carry all around with a functional pocket clip for easy access.

What we like about it

• It is a high-quality product with life guarantee
• It features a simple and elegant
• Easy to use
• Quick accessibility
• Lightweight

What we don’t like about it

• It is very difficult to open

 

COLD STEEL EDC TACTICAL FOLDING POCKET KNIFE, RECON

COLD STEEL EDC TACTICAL FOLDING POCKET KNIFE is a 5 oz. pocketknife that makes our list of 10 best pocketknives. It features a strong blade made of stainless steel. This makes it resistant to corrosion, rust and wear. Pocketknives with stainless steel blades is often coated with DLC resulting into a scratchproof blade. It comes with an amazing grip; the G-10 handle is strong & well-placed ensuring maximum safety while in use. A pocketknife folds and unfolds only with a single hand, lightweight weighing about 8 oz. This implies that the knife is easy to swing back and forth by anyone without any complications. It features an ambidextrous pocket or belt clip, which allows you to carry your knife safely, and securely to anywhere you are going.

Cold Steel EDC Pocketknife is an incredible pocketknife made with high-quality materials. It features a safety mechanism known as tri-ad lock. The Tri-ad lock is a security design put in place by Cold Steel to ensure the tool is safe to use at all times.

What we like about it

• It is small and lightweight
• It is portable and easy to carry about
• It features an ambidextrous pocket clip for easy access by both right-handed and left-handed users.

What we don’t like about it

• The blade is too stiff

 

GERBER PARAFRAME MINI KNIFE

This is a finely made pocketknife for everyday use. It is lightweight weighing about 2 oz. so you do not have worry about carrying it about because it is very light. It also comes with some particular characteristics that makes it easier to carry about- a pocket clip and belt clip. A pocket clip allows you to fix the knife to your pocket in such a way that it would not fall off. A belt clip, on the other hand, enables you place your pocketknife on a belt hole with similar reasons.

Garber Paraframe Mini Knife is one of the smallest knives with equal functionality as regards self-defense. In the search to stay at all times, we must be super carefully not to injure ourselves or someone else. That is why a frame lock was included, to ensure that the blades are locked in at all times when not in use. It also features a strong blade made up of stainless steel, easy to clean and use. It features a flip-design that enables you unfold quickly and conveniently.

What we like about it

• It is portable
• Ensures maximum safety
• Opens and closes easily

What we don’t like about it

• The handle is fragile and breaks off easily

 

KERSHAW LEEK SERRATED

When you remove this blade from the case, you can tell that it is a well-structured blade produced using quality materials. The Kershaw Leek is a sum of 7 inches long when opened and 4 inches when shut. The sharp edge is 3 inches and comes in smooth. It is portrayed as a changed sloping sharp edge. The state of the edge of the Leek will not intrigue everyone. The cutting edge is superb, this blade would be reasonable for most travelers.

The pocket clip is strong and flexible. This accounts for its durability and swift performance. The state of the sharp’s edge is somewhat straighter than we used to, yet we have never thought that it was inadequate.

Ken Onion did a surprisingly great job on the Leek’s structure. It is rich yet strong inclination; the edge is sharp and expertly formed, and the handle is agreeable yet conservative. Over all that, the blade is made in the USA. In addition, if that was not sufficient, it is an incredibly affordable product.

What we like about it

• It is portable
• It is lightweight
• It is made up of high quality materials
• Safe and secure with pocket clip

What we don’t like about it

• It gets rust easily if not keep properly

 

ZERO TOLERANCE ZT0350TS

What makes any blade extraordinary is the metal utilized in developing its edge. The presence of Crucible’s CPM S30V steel is certainly one of the outstanding components in this blade’s quality. S30V steel is an excellent sturdy steel at the highest point of its group with other top-notch steels, for example, ELMAX and M390 steels. It is well planned and designed to withstand tough situations.

It opens rapidly and effectively with zero complications. The handle is features an incredible grip and a convenient flipper that makes it simple to open. It is sufficiently easy and comfortable to fit serenely in your pocket. The brace is so tight that it will not slip out and cause an injury.

However, talking about its weight, it features a lightweight of about 6 oz. The S30V tempered steel of the ZT0350TS is solidified through a sintering procedure that ties particles closer, subsequently reinforcing the blade’s capacity to slice through thick materials.

What we like about it

• It is easy and convenient to use
• It has an excellent grip
• It is made of high-quality materials
• It is portable

What we don’t like about it

• The pocket clip is not functional

 

THE MOSSY OAK KNIFE

The mossy oak fixed blade-hunting knife has high quality stainless steel blades, which accounts for its high strength, hardness and abrasion resistance. The mossy oak knife features an ergonomically styled grip with grooves, which prevents slipping during use. This also protects your fingers from getting hurt. The mossy oak is perfect for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, hiking or self-defense. The last part is the main reason why it made our list.

The mossy oak pocketknife features a back-lock mechanism that prevents the blade from cutting you while in use. The mossy oak knife is a little large for pocket use. It comes with its special pouch, which makes it unique. Unlike some other pocketknives, Mossy Oak Knife was designed mainly for left-handed people.

Lastly, this pocketknife is lightweight which makes it easy to transport around and thus keeping you safe at all times. It weighs about 12.3 oz., a little more than the previous ones mentioned.

What we like about it

• It is portable
• It is well organized
• Made with high quality materials
• It features an excellent grip

What we don’t like about it

• Females may not be able to use it properly

 

SOG FLASH 2 EDC POCKET KNIFE

SOG Flash 2 knife locking mechanism is super strong. There is no reason to think that it might unlock and slip to cut you. It is super light and very easy to carry. The pocket clip is sturdy, reversible and removable but does not interfere with grip in the hand.

The SOG FLASH blade is also of great quality. It comes sharp as the devil’s pitchfork from the factory. The safety lock works perfectly ensuring maximum security. It also features a pocket clip which is sturdy and easy to draw out when needed. It is light and unnoticeable when carrying in the pocket. You can actually carry it in your pocket without anyone noticing.

It has a deep carry pocket clip so it won’t stick out of the pocket. The ergonomics are great, provides a nice grip on the knife which balances it when held. It also helps keep your fingers away from the blade path when you close it. The SOG knife is a great knife with an excellent balance which offers a life time warranty. The blade has a little tendency to wiggle side to side.

What we like about it

• It is easily accessible
• It is safe to use
• It is lightweight

What we don’t like about it

• It is hard to flip

 

THE SPYDERCO DRAGONFLY 2

The SPYDERCO Dragonfly 2 is a full size knife pocket. Small, ergonomic, light pocket knife with an excellent steel. The handle is durable and easy to grip. It is just so surprising how full and secure the grip can be, despite the size. It is actually because of the finger grooves and the gimping at the back of the blade. The SPYDERCO dragonfly knife can be good/useful for everyone. It can also be used on a keychain due to its light weight.

The SPYDERCO DRAGONFLY knife is so small and light weight. You can even forget that you kept something in your pocket. The blade is actually short and it is made of excellent steel. The pointed tip of the blade would work for stabbing, and also the blade can be sharpened to such an edge that it could be used for slashing. The SPYDERCO Dragonfly knife can be used for cutting pepper, small ropes or cord. It can also be used to separate glue-attachments on envelopes or cartons.

What we like about it

• High-quality
• Strong and durable
• Lightweight

What we don’t like about it

• The tip of the blade gets broken easily

 

THE SPYDERCO MATRIARCH KNIFE

The SPYDERCO matriarch 2 is a historical knife which is easily pocketable. It is ridiculously sharp and will eviscerate almost anything. The SPYDERCO knife is a self-defense weapon, the handle is solid and has some dual skeletonized stainless steel liners. Actually, this SPYDERCO knife is not designed for stabbing/forward movements, it is designed for downward/slashing/pulling. It’s available across a wide range of styles and prices. It is a normal largish knife, easily pocketable.

The SPYDERCO knife is a purpose designed knife which is intended solely as a self-defense tool for people. It can also be used to inflict some serious damages on people or things. This isn’t the kind of knife you should be sharpening frequently. And also, it is obviously not a good choice for everyday utility carry. The SPYDERCO matriarch knives is one of the top names in the Hugh quality knives for well reserved reasons. The grip panels have alternating rubber like patterns. This is an amazing pocketknife for self-defense, it can serve as a great gift for family and friends.

What we like about it

• It features a simple appearance
• It is portable and lightweight
• It is a long lasting product

What we don’t like about it

• The pocket clip breaks easily

 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT POCKET KNIFE FOR SELF-DEFENSE

Having a pocketknife in your possession is one of the most amazing ways of staying safe and secured while roaming the streets. Getting an incredible pocketknife that will serve you properly might be a little difficult to find. It is important to know some basic information that would widen your knowledge as regard the best pocketknives for self-defense in 2020.

Before jumping into purchasing a pocketknife, it is advisable to know that certain factors have to be in place. Let’s take a look into the following factors that can assist in selecting the best.

1. SIZE OF THE KNIFE

A pocketknife for self-defense should not be too conspicuous. It should be small, lightweight and portable. When its small, it is unnoticeable and unexpected by the intruder. Also, when it’s small and less weighty, it would be easier to access, pick up and use. However, the size of a pocketknife may also determine how scared the intruder might be.

2. COMPOSITION

Before purchasing a pocketknife, check out what makes up that product. The composition of a product affects directly the functionality and efficiency of that product. If a product is made up of low quality materials, expect low efficiency and usability. In fact, products like that would not last. However, purchasing a product composed of high quality materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, G-10 Handle and so on, you should be expecting high efficiency and excellent performance.

3. GRIP

This is where the handle comes in! A pocketknife handle is responsible for housing the blade. It is also used to hold the pocketknife when in use. If the handle is made up of strong, solid and high quality materials then you are good to go. The handle of your pocketknife has to durable, strong and with an excellent grip. This would enable the knife to stay firm without slipping from your hands.

4. SAFETY

The pocketknife you intend to purchase is to ensure that you’re safe at all times, right? Knives could be dangerous if not handled properly. That’s why before buying a pocketknife, it is important to check if any safety mechanism was put in place by the manufacturer.

If after checking, you couldn’t find, then the product is not for you. A good pocketknife for self-defense must possess safety locks that will prevent the blade of the pocketknife from sliding down when in use. Also, check out for pocketknives with pocket clips to ensure easy and quick access at any time.

5. MULTIPURPOSE

Select a pocketknife that can be used for multiple functions. Even though you bought it solely for self-defense, you may eventually use to perform some other operations like cutting ropes, wires, boxes and so on.

6. DURABILITY

How do you know a durable product? You can know a product that will last for a long time by checking out what it is made with. High quality products tend to last because they are strong, solid, and resistant to harsh conditions such as corrosion and rust.

7. COST

Lastly, your budget is one of the most critical factors. We have several pocketknives within ranging prices in the market. It is however important to know that price doesn’t determine performance. There are low-quality products that are expensive and quality products with low prices. Check your budget properly and select the best pocketknife according to the money at hand.

8. REGULATIONS

Another important factor that determines the right pocket knife for you is your country’s regulations. What are the rules guiding the use of arms in your country? Some countries do not allow some kind of pocketknives that reveal the blade when folded. Before traveling, try to find out which type of knife is allowed in the country you are going to.

TOP RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

The essence of this review/guide is to ensure that you select the best. Instead of having to surf the net in search of the best pocketknife to purchase, we have made 10 best pocketknives available from which you can select. We have successfully reviewed 10 pocketknives for self-defense, what we liked about them and what we didn’t like. It is now left for you to pick the one that suits you perfectly. We highly recommend KERSHAW SECRET AGENT (View product)

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