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Whether youre camping or fishing, these are our favorite compact blades for outdoor adventures.
Credit:Travel + Leisure
To help you narrow down your options, here are a few top picks for every purpose and budget.
This is an investment piece, so be sure to pack it appropriately so it isn’t lost.
Its smooth to open and close, and reliably rigid when in use.
Credit: REI
There are lighter options of a similar size and blade length on this list.
The Kershaw Clash Black Serrated pocket knife is a high-quality choice with a reasonable, mid-range price tag.
A liner lock keeps the blade firmly in place while a reversible clip adds portability.
Credit: Kershaw
Its roughly 2.5 times heavier than the next heaviest knife on this list.
Ive been a multi-tool fan since my parents gave me my first one at age 11.
All tools except the plier head lock securely in place, and many are operable with one hand.
Credit: Leatherman
Choose yours in stainless steel or oxidized black.
The smaller blade offers less functionality than a full-sized version.
I also like that you’re free to open it with one hand.
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The stainless steel handle features cutouts for added lightness and is contoured to comfortably fit in your hand.
Although the clip can be switched from left to right, it only allows for tip-up carrying.
The 4.1-inch, drop-point blade is made from S35VN stainless steel for impressive sharpness and chip resistance.
The knife has caged ball bearings and a one-handed flipper for instant blade deployment.
It also locks firmly in place when open.
I particularly like the dual handle design that combines a carbon fiber front with a titanium back.
The handle can feel a little flimsy given its relatively large size.
The Coast Crew DX344 is an excellent budget pick thats roughly eight times cheaper than our overall winner.
Use the thumb studs on the side of the blade to initiate the knife with one hand.
The knife includes a single-position, deep-carry clip.
The knife’s interlocking mechanism can make opening and closing it tricky.
It doesn’t fold.
When it comes to camping, it pays to be prepared.
While a multi-tool offers the luxury of versatility, they can be quite heavy and bulky to carry around.
Its compact size doesn’t make it particularly useful for outdoor activities.
It may have difficulties locking and staying closed.
If there’s one knife that screams tactical, its the Smith & Wesson SW1101 Folding Knife.
The all-black pocket knife features a rubberized and textured aluminum handle for a firm grip.
Do you want a fine-edge blade for slicing or a serrated blade for sawing?
You should also consider frequency of use when deciding how much to spend on a pocket knife.
Knives that can be operated one-handed are also a good idea for fast and efficient deployment in an emergency.
TSA prohibits any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage, which automatically excludes all sizes of pocket knife.
However, different transport authorities have different rules, so you may want to confirm before departure.
Leatherman Wave+: This pocket-sized multi-tool kit offers 18 easy-to-use tools that are perfect to travel with.
Her current favorite is the Leatherman Surge multi-tool.
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Credit: James
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