Small inexpensive pocket knife recommendation

[TheShaun]

Very specific. Recommendations please

Small (no more than 2-3 inches closed)
Inexpensive (less than $15)
Single blade
Absolutely zero jagged edges (going to be tossing this in my suit pants and don't want the pockets to get ruined)
Locking would be good but not a deal breaker
Does not need to be one hand opening
Do not want a pocket clip

 

[talibeard]

Sounds like you need an Opinel #6 or #7. Available in carbon steel (a must have....) and stainless and by far my fav cheap pocket knife.

 

[Legion]

+1 to Opinel. I have this little one on my keys, and a bigger #7 that lives in my desk draw for general home duties. They take a wicked edge.

 

[galopede]

Don't know what the Swiss Army Knives cost over there but they are very cheap here and excellent value. They do small ones with a single blade. Nice rounded edges and sharp out of the box.

Gareth

 

[benvh]

Yeah swiss army would be a good choice. Lots of different options, they are smooth and relatively cheap. I keep one on my keychain at all times.

Ben

 

[73mountaineer]

Don't know what the Swiss Army Knives cost over there but they are very cheap here and excellent value. They do small ones with a single blade. Nice rounded edges and sharp out of the box.

Gareth

Yeah swiss army would be a good choice. Lots of different options, they are smooth and relatively cheap. I keep one on my keychain at all times.

Ben

This. The small Swiss Army knives are very "pocket friendly" and even the scaled down tools are surprisingly useful. I can't tell you how many times I found use for the small scissors (great for trimming off loose strings on clothing, for example), tweezers (I have kids, kids=splinters), and toothpick, in addition to the wicked sharp little blade for opening envelopes, boxes, etc.
Inexpensive, well-made, small, and useful, this one covers all the bases:
http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Sw...d=1356101504&sr=8-3&keywords=swiss+army+knife

 

[Mike H]

Swiss Army is a great choice, but I like the more traditional pocket knife, like an Old Timer.
http://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Schrade-12OTCP-Timer-Pocket/dp/B0000DEZM7/ref=sr_1_6?s

 

[daccpa]

Above recommendations are all good, if you are interested in a lock-back you might try a Kershaw.

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerc...kbone+Handle+and+Leather+Sheath/KS3120JB.html

 

[Acmemfg]

If you can see your way to pony up another $5.00, you simply will not find a better all purpose, no-frills pocket knife than this one. Have had one in my pocket most days since 1975.
Great knife.http://www.amazon.com/Case-Cutlery-...=1356104703&sr=1-3&keywords=case+sodbuster+jr

 

[rushchairman]

For a classic, All-American, gentleman's knife fitting your size criteria, I'd recommend the Case Small Texas Toothpick.
I like it in Orange Peel Bone, but there are a number of different materials to choose from.

Be careful not to go too "bargain-basement" when knife shopping. Cheap can often equal dangerous.

http://www.wrcase.com/knives/view_all/orange-peel-bone/

 

[DS/B MCS]

Gave a bunch of these to coworkers as Christmas gifts. They are available in a few different colors.

http://www.gpknives.com/crktmcginnisshrimpblack1180.html

 

[babweiner]

Buck!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0038EX2ZU/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1356135840&sr=1-5&pi=SL75

 

[Graybeard57]

Sounds like you need an Opinel #6 or #7. Available in carbon steel (a must have....) and stainless and by far my fav cheap pocket knife.

Just did a little reading on these, hadn't heard of them till now. They look flimsy, but are loved by their owners. Got to pick one up someday. Oh, everyone calls them sturdy, reliable, etc.

 

[Legion]

Just did a little reading on these, hadn't heard of them till now. They look flimsy, but are loved by their owners. Got to pick one up someday. Oh, everyone calls them sturdy, reliable, etc.

They are kind of flimsy compared to some knives. At least, they have a thin blade. But they really are designed for cutting only, and they excel at that. If you need a pry bar you will want a different kind of knife. I've used Opinel for years, and I've never broken one, they are about as simple and foolproof a knife design as you can get. Over a century's worth of French users can't be wrong.

 

[jlanger]

I love my CRKT Pazoda, I got it on Woot for $12 I've seen it at Fry's and a few other places on line for about that.
http://www.frys.com/product/5855513?source=googleps&gclid=COP5-6uvrbQCFYs7MgodOnwA0Q

 

[Legion]

That looks like a very nice knife for $12.

 

[talibeard]

Just did a little reading on these, hadn't heard of them till now. They look flimsy, but are loved by their owners. Got to pick one up someday. Oh, everyone calls them sturdy, reliable, etc.

The oldest one in my house is a carbon steel #8 and around 30 years old now. In that time I retightened the blade 2 times, lost about 1mm of steel due to grinding, opened dozens of cans and tins with it and laquered the handle a couple of times. The carbon steel holds its edge very well and cuts like no other.

I didn't expect it to be that robust either so I bought me some spares in France decades ago (they are really cheap there) and a #10 and #12 for camping and outdoor activities. I am a bit of a folding knife collector and have some nice ones that are 20 or 30 times more expensive; good reliable knives too but in the end it is an Opinel that is in my pocket, day in and day out.

For the money check out for yourself, they are cheap and for what you get they are an unbelievable bargain.

 

[jlanger]

That looks like a very nice knife for $12.

It's now my go to knife for EDC. Used to carry a Spyderco Ambitious and while not quite as big,it's much more carry friendly.

 

[Vickers]

I have about 15 pocket knives (including many of the more well-known ones mentioned already) but I carry an Opinel No. 8 with me every day. About two Christmases ago I bought that model for all the guys in my shop, and about half of them use it as their EDC.

 

[breitlingman]

Opi's are great. Super lightweight and lock open. However, the OP didnt say if he was looking for a one handed opener or whether or not a locking mechanism is important. I would consider the importance of these features and also find out how important a pocket clip is and use that info to narrow down your choices. Opi's dont open one handed, but that crkt pazoda does it all.