Four new entries help show why locking folders rule the pocketknife world.

Locking folders are the most popular pocketknives—perhaps even the most popular sporting knives of all. Slipjoints have the romance and tradition, vintage style, natural materials and many other things that make knives coveted by so many users and collectors, but locking folders are a lock in terms of being the king of pocketknife sales.

For one thing, while slipjoints can have anywhere from one to multiple blades, they are basically limited to one non-locking mechanism, that being the slipjoint mechanism itself. Locking folders, on the other hand, come in a wealth of locks, including the lockback, linerlock, Integral Lock/framelock, Benchmade AXIS Lock/crosslock, ring lock, button lock, Spyderco Compression Lock and others. Not only that but since they lock they’re much less likely to close accidentally than slipjoints.

Meanwhile, since the explosion in lockbacks after the introduction of the Buck 110 folding hunter in 1964 and the introduction of the linerlock by BLADE Magazine Cutlery Hall-of-Fame® member Michael Walker in 1981—that by the end of the decade was catching on with custom and factory makers far and wide—locking folders have experienced booms in types and runaway sales that continue to this day.

As Matt Salazar, general manager of House of Blades retail knife store in Fort Worth, Texas, noted in “2025 Trends and Takeaways” of the Spring 2025 BLADE Complete Knife Guide, “While slipjoint collectors are diehards, they’re a drop in the bucket compared to those into locking folders.”

All of which brings us to the subject at hand: a sampling of a few of today’s top factory pocketknives that lock.

KA-BAR State & Union F01OD

State & Union F01OD Specs
Lock Type: Lockback
Blade Length: 3.25”
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
Blade Grind: Hollow
Blade @Thickest: .16”
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: Olive drab G-10
Closed Length: 4.1”
Country of Origin: USA
MSRP: $175

The KA-BAR State & Union F01OD is the first all-USA-made folding knife by KA-BAR in over 50 years. The sleek, reliable edged tool features a sharp drop-point blade. The handle provides a solid grip and is complemented by eye-catching anodized orange hardware.

Designed for everyday carry, the F01OD has a reversible wire clip, ensuring it stays securely in your pocket. Checking in at a lightweight 3.2 ounces, the knife is suited for most any cutting adventure—whether in the field or around the house. Available in several colors, it also looks good while doing it.

Spyderco Alcyone

Alcyone Specs
Lock Type: Linerlock
Blade Length: 2.91”
Blade Steel: CTS BD1N stainless
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .11”
Blade Finish: Shiny satin
Handle Material: G-10
Closed Length: 4.08”
Country of Origin: China
MSRP: $115

The Spyderco Alcyone is named after a multi-star system in the constellation Taurus. The locking folder combines high performance with classic Spyderco design at an affordable price, featuring premium U.S.-made blade steel. The leaf-shaped blade has a sharp PlainEdge and a Spyderco trademark round hole for ambidextrous opening.

Thanks to its open-backed construction and full skeletonized stainless steel liners, the ergonomic handle is lightweight and easy to clean. The rugged gray scales provide a secure grip with a non-slip peel-ply texture for sure handling. The four-position pocket clip provides left/right side, tip-up/tip-down carry. A generous-sized lined lanyard hole completes the handle package.

CobraTec Olympian

Olympian Flipper Specs
Lock Type: Framelock
Blade Length: 3.5”
Blade Steel: M390 stainless
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade @Thickest: .13”
Blade Finish: Satin
Handle Material: Titanium
Closed Length: 5.375”
Country of Origin: China
MSRP: $279.99

The CobraTec Olympian flipper folder is a marvel of precision engineering, seamlessly blending high-quality materials with an elegant, ergonomic design. A lightweight yet exceptionally durable titanium grip ensures effortless handling and superior strength. The right-hand carry clip provides convenient accessibility.

The modified drop-point blade is tailored for precision cutting and slicing. The ball-bearing pivot system provides smooth, swift deployment. A robust glass breaker and lanyard loop enhance versatility.

CRKT Ibis

Ibis Specs
Lock Type: Framelock
Blade Length: 3.08”
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN stainless
Blade Grind: Saber
Blade @Thickest: .13”
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Handle Material: Titanium
Closed Length: 4.14”
Country of Origin: China
MSRP: $200

Designed by Lucas Burnley, the CRKT Ibis is named after a graceful wading bird. For a distinctive look, the blade features a sleek curve along the spine. The drop-point blade boasts a prominent belly great for slicing, while the black finish complements the titanium handle. As Burnley notes, “It just looks good.”

With fast flipper deployment, the Ibis opens smoothly thanks to the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS)/ball bearing pivot. A low-profile pocket clip keeps the 2.9-ounce knife securely by your side.

Carrying

How a knife rides in your pocket is essential. The Olympian carried deep with enough handle to grab onto. The sleek diameter, closed and open, never felt bulky.

The Ibis also carried deep and was easy to retrieve. It came in second to the Olympian for sleekness. The black color also made it the most subdued of the gang, attracting less attention.

The Alcyone carried bulky and a lot more exposed. The protrusion makes it easier to get at but screams, “I have a knife!” If that bugs you, you can always opt for a different folder.

The State & Union carried exactly how I like—deep and almost invisible. It has the right amount of pocket capacity to let me know it was still there. It and the Olympian were my favorite pocket carry folders of the test bunch.

All the knives come with a lanyard hole.

Opening

The Olympian has a flipper-style opener—and it was smooth and sleek. The Ibis has two ways of opening. Despite how smoothly the flipper operated, the thumb studs were another animal. CRKT should remove the thumb studs altogether. I’ve handled hundreds of one-handed openers. I could not open this one, no matter how hard I tried. All the king’s horses couldn’t open it using the thumb studs.

The Alcyone, on the other hand, has the eternally trusty large opening hole. I could open the blade in an inverted position, using my middle finger to lightly disengage the blade and let a wrist flick do the rest. That’s a Spyderco. It doesn’t vary in quality from any other Spyderco. The State & Union has an undeniable thumb stud for easy access. It opened smoothly, and the sound of the lockback engaging gave a sense of confidence. Solid as can be—it’s a KA-BAR!

Ergonomics

An easy winner in hand comfort was the State & Union. I had it the longest and exposed it to more use than every other test model. Second was the Olympian, though it was close. After all, I spent more time with the S&U. The Alcyone earned a third place yet was very solid. The Ibis wasn’t uncomfortable but would show hot spots as a long-cutting task knife.

Final Cut

Packaging peanuts, leather, light phone cords, 550 paracord, cardboard and nylon webbing are all part of my test gauntlet for folding knives.

The State & Union made feather sticks in the forest for a winter fire with ease. I found some stray nylon rope in the woods and tried slicing it with the S&U. It did not slice through. The task may have dulled the edge. During the gauntlet test, the knife faltered on packaging peanuts, nylon webbing, leather and 550 paracord. It made it through phone cord and cardboard but was a step behind the others.

The Olympian deploys with a fierce snap and displays a ready-to-go attitude—and means it. It slices well and can easily fit the role of a gentleman’s carry knife. The Ibis deployed almost as smoothly as the Olympian. It sliced all materials with authority. It ranked second among the review bunch in knife tasks. However, the Alcyone absolutely smashed it—maybe I should say slashed it. It was the best slicer across the board. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

More Pocketknife Info:

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• What Makes A Great Pocketknife? The Pros Weigh In
• What Makes The Perfect Pocketknife?
• How To Close A Pocketknife