Pocket Knives: Styles & Safety Essentials

The clip point blade gets its name from the “clipped” appearance of the spine near the tip. This creates a finer, sharper point that’s great for piercing through materials. It’s a popular choice for everyday carry and hunting knives. However, keep in mind: the narrow tip can be more prone to breaking if used for prying or heavy-duty tasks.

One of the most common types of pocket knives, the drop point features a convex spine that slopes gently down to the tip. This shape creates a strong, durable point that helps with finer cutting work. Drop point knives are great for many things, from cutting boxes to skinning fish, or working outdoors. A drop point is one of the best pocket knives for first-time buyers and longtime knife users.

These knives feature a blade that folds into the handle. Most have stainless steel blades with fine or partially serrated edges. Locking mechanisms improve safety during use.

Though less common in the “pocket” category, these are usually selected for convenience purposes in one-handed operations. They don’t fold but can be compact enough to fit in a pocket. The length of the blades varies, and they can either be fine or partially serrated.

A sheepsfoot blade is easy to identify thanks to its unique shape: a straight spine that curves sharply down toward the cutting edge, ending in a blunt tip. Originally popular in kitchens for food prep, this blade shape has found its way into many pocket knife setups.

Tactical knives are built for durability and quick deployment. They are designed for rescue and combat use and are common in military or survival applications.