Guide to Folding Knives

Kinds of Folding Knives include the following:

Jack knives

Jack knives, also known as slipjoint knives, have one or more blades hinged from the handle. They are usually very compact, ranging from three to five inches long.
They can be single- or double-ended, although in multiple blade models the single-ended blades are usually more prominent.

Multi-blade knives

Multi-blade knives include several blades, some of which are special-purpose tips such as can openers and scissors. Basic multi-blade knives have at least three blades, while highly specialized models can have over a hundred. They are often as compact as jack knives, although usually thicker to accommodate the extra tools.

Pen knives

Pen knives are light and double-ended, with narrow bodies and a number of slim blades.
The blades can be hinged on one or both ends, and sometimes include small tools like awls and corkscrews. They are primarily used for cutting small items like pen nibs, although some of the more advanced models include more add-on tools than actual knives.

Durability: Choose a folding knife with a firm and sturdy construction. Make sure all the blades are made of high-grade metal, preferably stainless or carbon-reinforced steel. The handle should be rigid and able to support all the blades and tools. Check for any loose hinges.

Features: Choose a folding knife with only the features you need. Avoid those with too many add-ons, unless you really need the extra tools. Generally the more tools there are, the less compact the knife gets and the less reliable each tool is.

Locking: Choose a folding knife with a locking mechanism to keep the blades inside when folded. For most knives a simple bar over the blade opening should do. The knife should be easy to unlock, but make sure it will not unlock unintentionally and cause accidents.

Are you a manufacturer or supplier? Be listed here! EMAIL US

Do you have something to add to this guide? If your suggestion passes our editorial standards, we will add it in and acknowledge you as a contributor.

Cutler's Cove
Wikipedia
Wikipedia