The Best Pocketknives For Women Are Knives That Are Easy To Maintain And Can Be Deployed In A Flash. These Pieces Stand Out From The Pack.
A pocketknife in and of itself isn’t gendered. It’s a piece of steel and aluminum, maybe Micarta®, that’s shaped to be a cutting tool.
However, certain knives are better for women due to the convenience, the fact that they are a bit smaller, or that they are excellent knives that are great at protection as well as standard EDC tasks. Below are a quartet that stand out from a crowded field of knives, any of which would be a great gift for your wife, sister, or yourself.
Kershaw Leek
Kershaw makes excellent knives at excellent prices, and the Leek is no exception. With a 3-inch blade and coming in at just three ounces, the Leek would be a perfect carry in a bag or a clutch as it doesn’t take up too much space.
The drop-point blade of 14C28N stainless steel is shaped to be a great EDC cutting tool as well as a puncturing implement if called upon. The bead-blasted blade and steel handle give the knife a clean, monochrome look. Made in the USA, the Leek opens easily with a flipper, and will serve you well for a very long time.
MSRP: $79.99
Benchmade Mini Griptilian
Benchmade makes high-quality knives with exceptional craftsmanship. The Mini Griptilian is small, nimble, and rugged knife that will be your loyal sidekick. It starts with the glass-filled nylon handle that provides a great grip and can take a beating.
The 2.91-inch plain-edge drop-point blade is CPM S30V stainless steel, opens with a thumb stud, and has a flat grind designed for slicing through pretty much anything within reason. The AXIS lock is fun to use and secures the blade safely and solidly in the open position. At just 2.81 ounces it’s incredibly light and perfect for life on the go.
MSRP: $150
Brighten Blades Green Day
Brighten Blades is a small, women-run factory knife outfit based in Utah. The Green Day knife is part of the company’s “Not So Heavy Metal Series.”
The knife is a small, minimalist blade with a 2.5-inch 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade and an aluminum handle in a rich green. The blade also comes with a suede carrying case to store in a purse or pocket. This also keeps the knife in one secure place and doesn’t allow for accidental deployment.
The knives are fun to use and come in many different colors and designs.
MSRP: $29.99
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
The unstoppable Alpine Swiss Army knife (SAK) from Victorinox is a great pocketknife for women. Even this small version features numerous tools that will help every day, from a spear-point blade to tweezers, scissors, nail file, and screwdriver.
All of the tools are made from stainless steel and are designed to last for life. The Swiss Army knife isn’t just for the intense outdoor enthusiast or craftsperson; the tool is excellent for busy parents looking to have a small toolbox at hand for whatever the kids can throw at them. The SAK is utilitarian and has endured for a reason.
You can also customize this version in 10 different colors, ranging from teal and pink to black and lime green.
The New Lucid From Kershaw Is An Exciting New Entry To The EDC Market That Can Also Be Your Companion On A Jobsite.
There are thousands of knives that are great EDC options but nowhere near as many that can also handle the abuse of being a workhorse on the jobsite. The new Kershaw Lucid is an exception.
The handle provides an excellent grip. One side is a glass-filled nylon scale in a rich shade of blue, and the other side is made from stainless steel with a nylon inlay. The 8Cr13MoV blade holds an edge well and is easy to resharpen. The knife looks great, feels great, and sits well in the hand. The assisted flipper is fun and easy to use, and the frame lock keeps everything tight and secure.
It’s a simple knife that is more than the sum of its parts. And there’s an elegance in that. Add in a price tag under $50, and you have a knife that’s a winner in multiple ways.
The New Kershaw Noventa Is A Fun Knife. The Art Deco-Inspired Handle And D2 Steel Blade Make For A Showpiece That Can Handle Being An EDC.
Kershaw’s last product drop of 2022 featured the Noventa. The stylish drop point is inspired by Art Deco architecture with a two-tone blade made from robust D2 high-carbon tool steel. The hidden flipper adds to the sleek look and feel of the knife.
The D2 blade is highly wear-resistant and retains an edge well. The two-tone black oxide and satin finish looks great and is a wonderful complement to the handle’s textured stonewashed steel. Aesthetically, this knife stands out from almost every other comparable knife on the market.
Kershaw’s dropped a beautiful knife at a great price. What more could you ask for?
CRKT’s Newest Knife Is Inspired By Dia De Los Muertos And Is A Sexy, Exciting Folder Designed By Michael Rodriguez.
In honor of Dia de Los Muertos, knife designer, and former Green Beret, Michael Rodriguez has created a knife to honor the holiday, his heritage, and his military service.
The new Xolotl Black from CRKT is named for the Aztec god of fire and lightning who ferries the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. It features all-black features from the coffin-shaped G10 handle to the liners and EDP-coated blade to give the blade a sleek, dark look.
The blade is made from 1.4116 steel and is 3.64 inches in length. Overall, the piece is 8.64 inches long.
The flipper not only deploys the blade quickly but also acts as a cross guard to help provide a secure grip on the knife. The coffin-shaped handle features 21 ribs, which symbolize Rodriguez’s 21 years of military service.
The knife is also a part of CRKT’s Forged By War program which donates of a portion of the money from every Xolotl Black sold and donates it to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, of which Rodriguez is the president and CEO.
CRKT Has Reimagined The Squid II With Their New Carbon Fiber Version Of The Beloved EDC Folder.
The Squid line of folding knives is one of the most beloved in the cutlery world. CRKT has given the classic a new look with the Squid II Carbon Fiber.
The Italian-made knife features a 2.68-inch blade made from Bohler M390 steel, designed for edge retention and to resist wear, and treated to a 59-61 HRC. The satin finish gives the knife a clean, elegant look. The steel is connected to the carbon fiber handle and stays securely in place via a liner lock, which is the first liner lock on a knife in the Squid line.
Even with the carbon fiber handle, the knife has a nice bit of heft at 4.9 ounces. As you would expect from the Squid line, nothing was forgotten. The new Carbon Fiber is an excellent addition to the Squid line.
Custom Flipping Folders Are Becoming More And More Popular By The Day. These Are Some Of The Coolest Custom Flippers.
The energy surrounding the custom flipper folder market is rising to new heights these days with the fit and finish, good looks and liveliness of high-quality materials, incredible skill, and, best of all, imagination.
A look at the current trends among some of the best in the class offers the custom knife market perspective on the future while also allowing a moment to appreciate and absorb the excellence around us. The commitment to make flipper folders isn’t taken lightly; it involves a concentrated effort to achieve, meet, and overcome the challenges in bringing this type of custom knife to life.
Dan Thornburg – Albuquerque, NM
Of his flipper folders Dan Thornburg said, “Little things like the cutout on the lockbar or depth of bearing pockets all affect how smooth the action will be.” The blade is Moku-Mai by Baker Forge and the handle is ancient walrus ivory. Closed length: 5 inches. His price for a similar knife: $2,000. (Image: SharpByCoop)
“I really enjoy making flipper folders because of the challenge they present in both mechanical function and working with different materials,” explained Dan Thornburg of Albuquerque, New Mexico. “I like figuring out how things work or why something doesn’t.”
Thornburg got started in flipper folders after meeting Paul Lusk at a Houston knife show years ago. “This guy is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and is one heck of a good businessman,” Dan said of Paul. “His encouragement helped my knifemaking get to the next level.”
Evidence of that next level is readily apparent in Dan’s flipper in a handle of ancient walrus ivory with damascus bolsters. Made by Baker Forge, the blade material is Moku-Mai—mokume forge welded over 80CrV2 carbon steel. Dan said it’s not unlike a san-mai construction using mokume. The product of his ingenuity reflects an intense technical appreciation.
“I don’t think I’ve changed the design as much as refined the design,” he reasoned. “Little things like the cutout on the lockbar or depth of bearing pockets all affect how smooth the action will be. I do try to keep it simple and not reinvent the wheel, so to speak.”
Thornburg succeeds handsomely in his mission, paying close attention to detail and applying a natural talent for precision. He indicated he likes the flipper tab to double as a single guard and fashions it with the same material as the blade. Then, he advises the owners of his flipper folders to learn their safe operation.
“I think, just like most things, operating a flipper folder is a learned thing,” he said. “The more you flip it open, the easier it becomes. My dad still couldn’t open the best and smoothest folder I’ve made—too old school I guess! For someone that owns and loves flippers, most will fly open.”
Eliot Maldonado – Bulverde, TX
“Having a shorter tab is easier on pockets and looks cleaner,” Eliot Maldonado stated. “When the knife is closed, the tab doubles as a guard, but it is still short enough so that it does not ‘ouch’ your finger when closing.” His flipper employs a tanto blade of Moku-Mai by Baker Forge Steel and a marbled-carbon-fiber handle and Micarta® bolsters. Closed length: 4 inches. (Image: SharpByCoop)
Eliot Maldonado of Bulverde, Texas, started his custom knifemaking career making slip joints and then saw an opportunity. About 15 years ago, he had helped knifemaking friend Alan Davis work with slippies, and Davis assisted Maldonado with linerlocks in turn.
“Soon after, and knowing the function of linerlocks, I experimented with flippers,” Eliot explained. “It was a successful outcome and the passion for flippers started.”
Eliot’s flipper in Baker Forge damascus, a Micarta® bolster, and a marbled carbon-fiber handle demonstrate his appreciation of the finer points in the endeavor. His use of materials has also progressed from the early days. Back then he used basics just in case something went wrong. As he has become more proficient, upgrades to higher-quality blade and handle materials followed.
“I also started changing up patterns, those patterns that appealed to me,” Maldonado said, “like, I enjoy making folders with a classic kind of western—cowboy—look but still make more traditional tactical-type flippers as well.”
Eliot pays special attention to the flipper tab, applying a technique that enhances the action of blade deployment.
“Of course, the use of bearings changes the game when it comes to flippers, and I like a shorter tab with a checkering or ridge for traction. I feel having a shorter tab is easier on pockets and looks cleaner. When the knife is closed, the tab doubles as a guard, but it is still short enough so that it does not ‘ouch’ your finger when closing.”
Eliot is a firm believer in the assertive action of a flipper folder, and he makes no apologies for being a purist.
“I believe a flipper should snap to open position when flicked by a finger,” he related. “Anything other than that is just not acceptable to me. The way I achieve that is by using caged bearings, stop pin position, the liner relief cut, and the perfect tolerance on the blade and back spacer. The result should be a fast opening with zero blade play and strong lockup.”
Todd Rexford – Florissant, CO
Todd Rexford’s futuristic flipper folder features a stainless damascus blade and a handle of DarkTi zirconium and titanium overlays. The overlays extend into the inside of the frame, while the mechanism features an inlaid lockbar and detent pin. Closed length: 4.6 inches. (Image: SharpByCoop)
The flipper folder genre has changed since Todd Rexford of Florissant, Colorado, began his journey some years ago. He credits demand as the catalyst for focusing his creativity on flipper folders.
“They were in their infancy when I started making them,” he commented. “There were some very good makers doing it, but back then the thumb stud still ruled the folder world. It was really my customers that wanted me to start making them, and I had ideas for my own flippers as well, for what I wanted to see and what the way forward was for my knives.”
The way forward for Todd is clearly indicated by a fine flipper folder of stainless damascus with a handle of DarkTi zirconium and titanium overlays. The overlays extend into the inside of the frame, while the mechanism features a hardened stainless pivot, inlaid lockbar, and detent pin with the Rexford radius bearing system integrated. A titanium pocket clip and back spacer complete the stunning package.
Todd sees the operation of the flipper folder as a critical element of the overall presentation, but hesitates to favor fully opening vs. more of an assisted movement.
“I don’t judge,” he offered. “If a wrist snap is needed, then so be it. We can’t forget that when I make a stiff-detent lockbar flipper, you won’t be able to open it slowly. It will open with authority and everyone around you will hear it. This goes to show that each detent force has its own place depending on the end users and their task requirements.”
Nonetheless, the smooth operation of the flipper folder is a hallmark of a successfully completed professional effort.
“The detent force, and how much preload you can place on the system before it overcomes the detent, is one factor that determines if the knife will fully open or not,” Rexford asserted.
“The other factor is the person and his or her finger,” he continued. “Through my years of building flippers, I’ve built everything on the spectrum of this force. Take a stiff detent to a show and half the people love it; half the people can’t open it. I’ve had users time some of my very fast knives in a pseudo drag race using camera-frame timing because they love it, but for a lot of people they may not be able to open that knife. At the end of the day it’s a preference, and I have stopped ‘standardizing’ my force. Yes, a flick will open the knife, but the velocity of the tip may change to suit different customers.”
The Skiff Family – Broadalbin, NY
The Culprit flipper folder by Steven Skiff, Jr. and Sr. won Best in Show at the 2022 NCCA Show. The blade is Damasteel stainless damascus in a Fafnir pattern. Closed length: 4.25 inches. The makers’ price for a similar knife: $1,495.
The father-son team of Steven Skiff, Sr., and Steven Skiff, Jr., from Broadalbin, New York, collaborates to make their own bold statement in the flipper folder realm. While Steven, Sr. makes the blades and does fit and finish, Steven, Jr. handles the CNC milling and produces blade bearings for the Skiffs’ projects, as well as bearings for other customers in the knife industry.
The Skiffs enjoy tackling the relative intricacy of flipper folder construction and relish the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency, particularly with their team approach.
“Making flippers is a challenge,” Steven, Sr remarked. “They are deceptively simple looking to make. It can be difficult to get the action exactly the way you want. It’s that challenge that I enjoy and it makes me prefer making them over other knives.”
The Skiffs’ Culprit framelock flipper folder features a blade of Damasteel stainless damascus in a Fafnir pattern, and a titanium handle with zirconium accents and seafoam anodizing. The result is dazzling, and Steven, Sr. credits custom knifemaking greats Andre Thorburn, R.J. Martin, and Kirby Lambert for “having a hand in increasing my interest to continue making flippers.”
The flipper construction process has progressed in the years since the Skiffs began to concentrate on the style. One aspect of that progress is the addition of an over-travel stop.
“That’s an example of one important advancement that [a number of] us makers started using on framelocks a while ago,” Steven, Sr. observed. “Another advancement includes the evolution of using bearings instead of thrust washers, and we also use a hardened insert in the lockbar to prevent wear.”
The Flipper Folder Continues To Grow
The firm foundation of the flipper folder, both in popularity and mechanical and aesthetic quality, sets the stage for the future.
“I do predict we will see further refinement in materials, as well as in material quality over the coming years,” Rexford assessed. “We have also seen new locking mechanisms being adapted for the flipper category of knives.”
Maldonado looks ahead to “future advances in making a double-action flipper/auto. Of course, using new and exotic blade and handle materials is always something that keeps evolving.”
Future generations of collectors and users come to mind with Thornburg’s ideas of tomorrow. He commented, “I like to use materials that are not common when making my flippers. Mammoth, walrus and elk antler are my main scale materials, and my idea is a fine gentleman’s flipper folder for the upscale customer that will be handed down to their children.”
Altogether, the custom makers and their colleagues are doing their part to ensure that the flipper folder has staying power.
The New Kizer Drop Bear Is An Excellent EDC, And The Clutch Lock Is A Worthy New Addition To The World Of Axis Lock Knives
In the ever-growing world of EDC knives, finding ways to stand out is difficult. So many brands, so many steels, so much of everything. And even in that crowded field, the new Drop Bear from Kizer finds ways to catch the eye.
Boasting a high-quality blade, simple handle, and innovative lock, the Drop Bear is the kind of knife you’ll want to use every day … more so, it’s the type of blade you’ll go out of your way to use.
Getting The Drop On The Drop Bear
The Drop Bear in both of its colorways: Gunsteel on top and Black, with the bright purple thumb stud, below.
First that name. For those wondering it originates from a beast of Australian folklore that–as the legend goes–drops from trees to attack humans. Pleasant.
However, Kizer’s Drop Bear (MSRP $158) allure isn’t its reference to free-falling arboreal bruins. Instead, it’s Kizer’s twist to Benchmade’s Axis™ lock configuration.
Called a Clutch Lock by the China-based company, the mechanism provides a dead-tight lockup. I put this through the wringer, but we’ll get to that in a moment. And while few locking mechanisms have ever sold a knife, this adds enough of a spin to the traditional drop point to make it stand out.
So, let’s talk a little bit about the Drop Bear’s Clutch Lock.
Clutch Player
The clutch lock seen after removing one of the scales. The lock can be adjusted, and scales replaced, in less than two minutes.
As the fidgety type, I have to confess up front I love this knife. Right off that should give some indication of what the Clutch Lock brings to the table.
Where Kizer gets it correct is by not improving an already proven system, with the blade unlocking similar to most other Axis-type locks. For those unfamiliar, a pair of buttons situated on either side of the knife–in this case behind the pivot–are retracted, thus releasing the blade. As mentioned, it’s an ideal lock for those of us who fidget.
However, Kizer has improved the system by tinkering with the pair of Gemini springs hidden beneath the scales. The rub here, their tension is adjustable. This is a big deal.
This concept is not entirely foreign to those bold enough to have skunk worked spring tension for years. Many times the results were less than optimal, which is why Kizer’s setup is desirable. Basically, you won’t make the Drop Bear a victim of shoddy kitchen-table knifesmithing.
The tension adjustment itself is simple, even for the mechanically challenged. The frame has five holes on each side in which the spring is loosened or tightened. If you want a faster open and tighter lockup, crank it up to the holes closest to the blade. Desire a looser action, dial it down.
Interestingly, and probably grasped by the mathematically inclined in the audience, the five holes on each side don’t add up to five settings. Instead, it’s 5X5 settings for a total of 25. Boy, if you can’t find what you’re looking for in that range, then nearly any knife is likely to leave you cold.
Bear Necessities
The Drop Bear is a sleek, nimble knife as seen from above.
Novel as the Drop Bear’s Clutch Lock is, it wouldn’t add up to a pile of scrap if Kizer didn’t finish the job with all the parts to make a solid knife. Overall, they make it worth the price of admission.
With a quality EDC knife in mind, Kiser outfitted the Drop Bear with a blade a shade under 3-inches long–legal in most jurisdictions. The 154CM stainless steel, again becoming popular in this role, offers a Rockwell hardness of 58-61 HRC.
Topping off this end of the knife, Kizer applies a flat grind to help create the edge. Good choice, because it comes out of the box frighteningly sharp. Outfitted with moderately sized thumb studs with plenty of clearance, this attribute is quickly deployed.
In the hand, the knife feels light–listed as 3.7 ounces–but not light as air. This is a good middle ground for this class of knife, where it feels substantial in your hand yet won’t tear the rivets out of your jean’s hip pockets.
Much of the weight savings come from an attractive skeletonized frame, under the aluminum handle scale. With an ergonomic swell toward the middle of the handle, the Drop Bear offers purchase and plenty of control.
As for aesthetics, the knife comes in two colorways. The first style is a gun steel blade with a satin finish and black thumb stud. The second has a black blade with an eye-catching purple thumb stud.
Finally, a tip-up clip keeps the knife at hand and riding deep in the pocket.
Testing The Drop Bear
The Drop Bear was a joy to test and cuts most types of material with ease.
It’s an EDC so I wasn’t going to try and chop through the vines slowly overtaking the corner of my backyard fence. I used it around the house for a few days.
It cut through plastic and tape like there was nothing there at all. It’s a perfect letter opener. The Drop Bear easily handles the daily tasks you’ll see every day. Taking it a step further, I used it as my only knife when prepping dinner for my wife and I.
First was the romaine lettuce, which the knife handled with ease. Whether holding the Drop Bear in the pinch grip like a chef’s knife or by using the jimping and pressing down with my thumb from the top down, the knife dispatched the lettuce easily.
Up next was the tomatoes, and it was the best experience I’ve had with a flat-edge knife cutting tomatoes. They were Campari tomatoes, so smaller and more delicate than beefsteak or Roma tomatoes, and the Drop Bear went through the flesh easily. This was best done in a pinch grip and got incredibly thin slices of tomato for the salad.
Celery is stiff and crunchy, and it was no problem for the Drop Bear. The chicken breast was easy too. I preferred cutting the chicken by utilizing the jimping, and the knife bit down easily and sliced through the meat without a hiccup.
My single favorite cutting task was the bell pepper. I chose to cut the pepper through the skin side as that is traditionally more difficult than cutting through the interior flesh. I have never cut through a bell pepper easier than I did with the Drop Bear. It left me thinking that this could reasonably replace a paring knife.
However, the Drop Bear did meet its match against a large carrot. The knife did not enjoy fighting through the harder, denser flesh, forcing me to switch to a kitchen knife to finish the job.
Beyond the kitchen, the Drop Bear shined. It gets through cardboard boxes like nothing. The corrugated cardboard can be the test upon which many knives fail, but the Drop Bear didn’t even blink.
Additionally, I tested it on some brand new ⅜-inch polypropylene cord. I figured that the cord would provide some sort of fight for the Drop Bear. Instead, it was a first-round knockout as the blade smoothly sliced through the rope, leaving a clean cut with little in terms of frayed strands.
As for the action, I preferred the knife a little looser and set it at the second position. And the lock, I put the strength of the lock through the ringer. I did everything I could to break it. I bent it backward, sideways, every which way I could to flex the knife. The lock held firm and never budged.
Final Cut
Overall, the Drop Bear makes the cut for me.
The knife has enough mechanical allure to make it intriguing while remaining practical. For tinkers and fidgeters, this is a big plus. For those less inclined to get wowed by engineering wizardry, Kizer’s creation still shows sharp.
The Drop Bear is more than ready to tackle most EDC jobs, though you might not want to push it too far out of its comfort zone. What knife isn’t that true for? But for the price, it seems Kizer has hit the mythological sweet spot for this class of knife.
