In an business outlined by constantly evolving developments, the knife market’s craze du jour is the pocket mounted blade. In case you’re questioning why, I define the historical past and justification for the development in my full explainer on pocket mounted blades. (Begin there for some context, after which come again right here whenever you’re prepared to start out buying.)
Like several good knife, pocket mounted blades all have their very own nuance that make them significantly well-suited to varied customers and duties. Beneath are my prime 5 fixed-blade knives for people within the EDC, hunt, tactical, store, and outside recreation areas. Learn on to seek out which pocket fixie is greatest for you.
5 Nice Pocket Fastened Blades
I think anybody may gain advantage from a pocket mounted blade. I’m additionally a vocal advocate for carrying the knife that most closely fits you, so if that’s a folding pocket knife, nice!
But when you want to carry out a selected set of demanding duties, or identical to to have a just-in-case backup knife, then you definately match the mildew for a pocket fixie.
The 5 knives beneath every have a particular use case for which they’re greatest tailor-made. However all of them make the record as a result of I can attest to and suggest their high quality and utility.
On a regular basis Carry
-
Modern, slim design -
Premium metal at worth value -
Elective pocket sheath affords concealment
-
Kydex sheath clip shouldn’t be common
Launching in February 2025, the Knafs Lander 4 ($65) marks the primary mounted blade within the in style Lander knife lineup. The mix of its general size of 5.9 inches, its swooping design, and 14C28N drop-point blade make the Lander 4 nice for on a regular basis utility.
Over the course of the final month, I examined the primary manufacturing pattern. The Lander 4 has been an amazing task-master, from making vacation decorations to breaking down many Amazon packing containers. Mounted on my left facet (and me being left-handed), the Lander 4 proved simpler to entry than my pocket knife.
The Lander 4 comes with a Kydex sheath designed to suit in your belt or pack strap. With the precise clip, it may simply match into your pocket as properly. And when it launches in February, prospects will see an non-compulsory in-pocket leather-based sheath ($75) for buy.
Moreover, Knafs will launch a Black Sheep ($120) variant of the Lander 4 similtaneously the Moondust model proven right here. It’ll carry an S35VN Sheepsfoot-style blade.
I might suggest both knife to anybody in search of an all-around hardworking blade. Nevertheless, the Moondust model ought to show extra adaptable to extra duties due to the drop level blade form — fairly actually probably the most common blade form in existence.
Woodworking
-
D2 metal is made for powerful duties -
Good dimension and weight steadiness -
A number of grinds are adaptable to a number of duties
-
Metal requires maintenance to forestall rust
Knifemaker Jon Graham’s “Razel” knife design, a mix of chisel and blade, was a testomony to his blue-collar roots. Although he handed away in 2022, the Razel Compact Fastened carries on that uniquely utilitarian legacy. It’s at residence in a workshop, whether or not for a dwelling or a passion.
The CRKT Razel Compact Fastened ($65) was designed to chop, slice, chop, shave, and form wooden (or every other workable materials), however with an general size of simply 5.27 inches. This compact type permits you to take the present on the highway and do any of these duties wherever they pop up.
The blade’s D2 metal is hearty and difficult. Simply be certain that to dry it off earlier than you place it away, or it could type floor rust.
I used my Razel Compact Fastened for making repairs on my cabin in Vermont. However it could simply slice by and form aluminum cans, which is my most well-liked materials for patching the holes mice make within the partitions. It’s additionally nice for trimming down swollen doorways and home windows, and even rugged meal prep.
The Razel Compact Fastened comes with a Kydex sheath. That sheath has a built-in pocket clip, just like that discovered on a folding pocket knife. Moreover, its lanyard acts as a deal with extension to your pinky and, in the end, extra leverage.
This knife is nice for the crafter, hobbyist, and handyperson who wants a utility knife however doesn’t wish to fuss with changing razor blades that uninteresting shortly on a razor knife.
Searching/Cooking
-
Nessmuk-style blade -
Powerful N690 metal -
Micarta deal with scales
-
Requires a lanyard to be a four-finger knife
When legendary woodsman “Nessmuk” (George W. Sears) designed his fixed-blade knife greater than a century in the past, he wished it to have a blade fitted to area dressing and processing small recreation. It additionally needed to be good at meal preparation.
The tip outcome was a drop-point knife with an enormous, skinny stomach. GiantMouse invokes this blade form on its Jagt looking and tenting folding knife. On the GMF1-XL ($195) mounted blade, nonetheless, I discover it really works out even higher. You may have extra blade management as a result of compact dimension and flowing design.
With an general size of 6.5 inches and N690 Cobalt high-performance metal, the GMF1-XL is designed to get down and soiled. I’ve loved slicing hen, beef, and sausage simply as a lot as processing squirrel with the GMF1-XL. Its superior ergonomics results in a heightened stage of precision.
N690 metal is nice for a knife like this. It excels in energy, toughness, and corrosion and abrasion resistance. It additionally holds a factory-sharp edge for a chronic time period. When it does come time to sharpen it, it’s a fast and simple process; just a few passes on a strop for either side.
Notice: The GMF1-XL doesn’t have a pocket sheath, but it surely actually wants one.
Out of doors Recreation
-
General form is nice for EDC and utility -
Sheepsfoot blade form -
MagnaCut metal -
Made to order
-
Lengthy lead time to obtain order
Although it may be argued that each one of those knives are well-suited for the outside fanatic, the Schwarz Overland Sport ($265) performs exceptionally properly within the outdoor. That is owed to its MagnaCut metal building, G10 deal with scales, and general form, which permits slicing on flat surfaces with out interference.
It’s a efficiency piece designed to work exhausting and quick; it’s additionally the sharpest knife I’ve ever laid my mitts on.
The Overland Sport is custom-made for each order, providing quite a lot of supplies and finishes. Mine has a stonewashed blade to throw sparks with a ferro rod, and G10 deal with scales for sturdiness and grip.
Additionally, the Overland Sport has a full four-finger grip for optimum management and energy. But, at 6.6 inches, with a 2.8-inch blade, it nonetheless doesn’t lose any blade performance. This owes considerably to the kitchen knife-like form, which has the blade drop down from the deal with. This allows a variety of articulation and precision work.
The Overland Sport is the one knife on this record that comes inventory with an UltiClip. Bear in mind that after you clamp an Ulticlip to one thing, it’s not going anyplace with out some targeted effort.
Tactical
-
Cerakoted MagnaCut metal -
Sculpted Micarta scales -
Consideration to element -
Compact dimension makes it nice to hold
-
Belt clip doesn’t match all belts -
Colours will throw some folks off
The Benchmade Dacian ($320) appears to be like prefer it got here from the longer term and determined to stay round to alter the sport. One thing of a type and issue departure from Benchmade, this model of the Dacian has blue titanium-coated MagnaCut metal and brown Micarta handles.
At 7.57 inches in general size, it’s the biggest knife on this record, but it surely nonetheless meets the standards for a “pocket fixie.” For my part, that is the primary fixed-blade knife particularly aimed on the pocket market for the reason that development was established.
This knife may make a viable EDC knife for anybody in search of a high-performance knife that may slice, minimize, and pierce. However it’s greatest fitted to tactical and self-defense conditions. Spear level blades are made for piercing and stabbing, with a secondary perform of slashing. It may appear slightly colourful for a soldier at conflict, however nobody stated every little thing must be olive drab.
The Dacian’s sheath is internally ambidextrous. This implies it has grooves molded within its single-piece building so you may flip the knife round, and it’ll work for left- or right-hand carry.
The pocket clip screws into one of many grooves contained in the sheath and could be changed, but it surely’s a spring metal clip — often discovered on a pistol holster — and gained’t are inclined to bend or snap. On the backside of the sheath is a drain gap that permits any moisture to flee.
I had enjoyable carrying this knife round. It suits inside pockets, again pockets, and the fifth pocket of a pair of Carhartt Double-Knee pants. It doesn’t sit as little as many different pocket fixies. So it’s pretty conspicuous. For its meant functions, although, that’s not a lot concern.
Conclusion
Count on to see extra pocket mounted blades from extra manufacturers because the development continues towards its apex. There are little doubt extra knives for extra conditions — and a few that aren’t on this record could also be your ideally suited pocket mounted blade.
So, try The Hottest Development in Knives: All the pieces You Must Know About Pocket Fastened Blades to be taught why the market is so scorching proper now, and what to think about when buying to your personal. Then you may determine all of the options that you really want and duties you want your ideally suited knife to carry out. Comfortable looking!