Search
Close this search box.
Spyderco Manix 2 Knife in the Wasatch Mtns

The Best American Made Folding Knives

By Matt Mullins    Updated December 4, 2023

A good knife is an essential outdoors tool. What’s the best pocket knife right now? Well, that depends on your performance needs, budget, and personal preference. That’s why I made this guide: to help you find the best folding knife made in the USA to suit your needs.

 

 

Growing up in the Rockies, I’ve carried a pocket knife since I was boy. I’m now a bit of a knife nut. Fortunately for us nuts, there are thousands of excellent knives made in the USA. Each person has their own particular preferences… my personal criteria for an everyday carry “EDC” folding knife include having a non-serrated blade (much easier to sharpen) around 3 or 4 inches long, a comfortable handle, weighing less than 4.5 oz, easy one-handed opening and closing (except for traditional knives), a strong lock, and a good quality blade steel with a great heat treatment. High end materials like titanium, carbon fiber, and premium steels are icing on the cake. I’ve included both the best high end and affordable production knives to suit a range of budgets.

 

 

Tons of misinformation abounds on the internet concerning blade steels. If you want to cut through marketing BS and the subjective bias of forums, then the ONLY resource I trust to learn about steels which is supported by data is KnifeSteelNerds.com, which is run by a PhD steel metallurgist and fellow knife nut from Pittsburgh, Larrin Thomas. Don’t allow anyone to persuade you that this or that blade steel sucks, all steels are a compromise between edge retention, toughness, and rust resistance… unless it’s the common cheap imported knife with a poor heat treatment, those really do suck. Rather than collect a bunch of cheap knives, I prefer to save my money for the best American made knife I can afford, one that I will truly be proud to own and use for decades.

Why Trust Me?

I know how hard it is to find honest recommendations and to narrow down American made gear. This is why I started American Gear Guide. I take my recommendations seriously and only recommend the best of the best. Here are a few reasons to trust me.

  • I make independent recommendations based on personal experience (not paid to endorse a product).
  • I’ve hunted, fished, gathered, and gardened since childhood. I fill my freezer with meat via bow, rifle, and rod.
  • As an avid outdoorsman that reviews gear for a living, I also actually own and use all American made gear.
  • My background includes 10 yrs working with the Forest Service as a Wildland Firefighter, Ranger, Wildlife Crew-leader, and Forest Ecologist. I certified as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). I’ve backpacked extensively throughout the USA and 45 countries including in the Middle East, Central & South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. See About page for more.
  • I attend industry trade shows like Hunting Expos & Outdoor Retailer to stay informed on the latest innovative equipment.
  • This guide receives regular updates with the newest gear.
  • Continuous learning & self improvement are encouraged, so I welcome your criticism. If you think I missed anything then please leave some helpful suggestions.

Best Folding Knives at a Glance

  1. Zero Tolerance 0452CF: Editor’s Choice Best Knife
  2. Benchmade Bugout 535: Best Ultralight Knife
  3. Kershaw Leek: Best Spring Assisted Knife
  4. Case Copperlock: Best Traditional Knife
  5. Buck 112 Slim: Best Budget Beater Knife
My personal ZR 0452CF, our Editor's Choice Best Knife
My personal ZT 0452CF which receives American Gear Guide's Editor's Choice Award.

Top Recommended Pocket Knives 2023

A more in depth look at my favorite knives and what makes them my top recommendations.

Editor's Choice Best Folding Knife

Zero Tolerance 0452CF

My favorite knife of all time and the one I carry most, the 0452CF has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. It may be a little big for some people but it’s just right for me. I love the sleek Sinkevich design, premium materials, and precision craftsmanship. I’ve field dressed elk and mule deer with it, carried it most days for a couple years and even lightly batoned wood with it in a wet pinch on multiple occasions (I don’t actually recommend batoning with folding blades, you WILL eventually break it). Though it boasts a relatively large 4.1″ blade made of excellent CPM-S35VN steel, it still weighs a comfortable 4.4 oz. It’s slim design and deep carry pocket clip make it feel like carrying a smaller knife. The blade detent, ball bearing pivot, frame lock, and flipper combine perfectly for a fast, silky smooth flipping action. The secret of it’s great size to weight ratio are the handle materials, with carbon fiber on one side and titanium on the other. It might be a bit pricey but I doubt you can find a better premium knife costing twice as much, including Sebenzas in my opinion.
Last price range observed: $260

 

More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Best Ultralight Knife

Benchmade Bugout 535

The Bugout has become a best-seller for Benchmade. Why? Because it’s unbelievably lightweight at 1.8 oz, yet it sports a great 3.24 inch S30V blade, Grivory with steel liner grips, a deep carry clip, & Benchmade’s smooth Axis lock.  It’s certainly become one of my new favorite ultralight EDC knives. A new smaller version, the Mini Bugout 533, is also available.
Last observed price range: ~$132 – 149

 

More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon

Best Spring Assisted Knife

Kershaw Leek

For those who love a spring assisted knife for a fast auto-like action, the Kershaw Leek is the stand out choice. The Leek is a longtime classic that helped start the spring assist craze. With it’s slim yet solid and handy size it almost disappears in the pocket. The Leek has an excellent razor sharp 3″ Sandvik 14C28N blade and weighs only 2.5 oz. Some newer models sport a handsome reverse tanto blade.
Last price range observed: ~$54

 

More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon

Best Traditional Knife

Case Copperlock

Yes, this one’s a little different than the ultra-modern knives on this list, but it too is a favorite of mine. The Navy Blue Bone Copperlock is an exceptionally classy yet capable traditional knife. Long ago I inherited my Grandfather’s Case knife, and I expect to pass my Case Copperlock down when it comes time. The Copperlock has a 3.25″ easy to sharpen polished stainless blade, polished bolsters, a lock back, and beautiful blue bone scales. This work of art only weighs 2.8 oz. I’ve given the copperlock as gifts for friends who could use a solid knife but don’t necessarily want fast opening knives. They’ve loved it just as I do.
Last price observed: ~$74

 

More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Best Budget Knife

Buck 112 Slim

The Buck 112 Slim is a simple and practical lockback knife for a great price. The original Buck 112 and 110 are absolute classics, I inherited my Dad’s original 110 and love it, but many people wanted slimmer and lighter knives. The Slim versions deliver that. 

The 112 comes with an EDC friendly 3″ 420 HC blade, comfortable nylon handles, and a good deep carry pocket clip. Nobody does 420 HC steel better than Buck, which comes extremely sharp, holds a decent edge, and sharpens easily back to shaving.  You can find the 112 slim with various handle colors, materials, and blade steels for a premium. The 110 model is more or less a larger version of the 112 .
Last price range observed: ~$25 – 100 (depending on model)

 

More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com

Spyderco Manix 2 S110V

If you prize a vault like grip and incredible edge retention, this is the knife for you. The ergonomic design, non-slip G-10, and extensive jimping make this an incredibly grippy knife. I like Spyderco’s ball bearing lock and the 3.37″ S110V blade holds a sharp toothy edge like a champ. The S110V Manix 2 weighs 4.1 oz.
Last price range observed: $101-182 (depending on model)

 

Manix 2 with S110V Steel
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

 

Manix 2 with S30V Steel and G-10 Handle (less expensive)
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

 

Manix 2 Lightweight with BD-1 Steel (least expensive)
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

ZT Sinkevich 0450CF & 0450

The little brother to the 0452CF, the ZT 0450CF shares the same excellent materials and design but weighs a scant 2.45 oz with a capable 3.25″ blade of CPM-S35VN. The handle scales on the 0450CF are carbon fiber on one side and titanium on the other, while both scales on the 0450 model are titanium. Two green back spacers on the 0450CF and red back spacers on the 0450 add a subtle and classy accent of color.
Last price range observed: ~$185 (depending on model)

 

ZT 0450CF
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

 

ZT 0450 (less expensive)
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Benchmade Osborne 940-1 Carbon Fiber

The Osborne 940 is a classic for a reason. I love the original 940 with its slender aluminum handles, an axis lock, and a 3.5″ reverse tanto S30V blade. The 940-1 takes things to the next level with carbon fiber scales and premium S90V steel. The 940-1 weighs only 2.44 oz. Note, the aluminum and G10 handle versions cost significantly less but all are top end knives.
Last price range observed: ~$160 – 294 (depending on model)

 

Osborne 940-1
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Osborne 940 with S30V Blade & Aluminum Handle 
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Spyderco Paramilitary 2

The Paramilitary 2 offers fantastic ergos with G-10 handle scales and a premium 3.44″ S110V steel blade. The innovative compression lock allows for quick and easy one handed opening and closing. The Paramilitary 2 weighs 3.75 oz. Spyderco also offers the smaller and less expensive Para 3 with a 2.58″ S30V blade. Like the Manix, the Paramilitary is extremely grippy, even when wet.
Last price range observed: ~$154 – 196 (depending on model)

 

Paramilitary 2 with S110V Steel
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Paramilitary 2 with S30V Steel
More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

Kershaw Link

Kershaw’s popular Link has recently been updated with premium CPM 20CV blade steel. The Link has a fast opening spring assisted blade. With CPM 20CV, the Link’s 3.25″ blade has some of the highest edge retention available while being highly corrosion resistant. The downside is more effort sharpening.
Last price range observed: ~$89

 

More Info/Current Pricing from Amazon.com
More Info/Current Pricing from BladeHQ.com

ZT 0450 Knife in the Uinta Mtns
Case Copperlock knife in the Absarokas, Wyoming

Some of my other knives pulling field duty for Forest Service work: ZT 0450 (top right), and Case Copperlock (bottom).

Popular Pages:

Find the highest quality survival preparation equipment to take on any emergency.

Only our favorite gear, the top American made equipment that earns our Editor’s Choice and Best Buy Awards.

My search for the best American-made phone cases and screen protectors has ended in success. Here are the results.

Here you’ll find a lineup of the best headlamps made in the USA for camping, backpacking, running, hiking, biking, fishing, and all things in the dark. ​

Whether you’re looking for adventure sandals, flip flops for the beach or fashionable sandals for a hot summer night on the town, you’ll find awesome and affordable American made men’s and women’s sandals.

​Want the best hiking, backpacking, or work boots made in the USA for Men and Women? Here they are!

Your guide to the best water bottles, reservoirs, and hydration systems you can find.

Looking for the lightest, highest-quality, weatherproof tents available? You should look here.

Looking for the top sunglasses made in the USA? You’ve come to the right place.

Discover the best sleeping bags in the world, which happen to be made in Seattle, WA and San Jose, CA, USA.

The top performing water filters for backpacking and international travel.

Nothing but the lightest, the comfiest, and the most durable camping mattresses available.

Recommendations to find the best American made axes.

Find the most reliable, best engineered flashlights available.

Leatherman makes the world’s best multi-tools. I’m familiar with Gerber, Sog, and Victorinox multi-tools but none compare to Leatherman tools…

You can follow American Gear Guide on InstagramFacebook, or Pinterest.

PLEASE! I NEED HELP TO KEEP RUNNING THIS WEBSITE, AND IT’S EASY AND FREE FOR YOU TO HELP OUT! 
Sharing the best locally made gear is a passion project close to my heart and if I’ve helped you find some cool US made gear then please consider helping my site going and growing. Running this site costs me a lot of cash to use secure and speedy web servers, purchase new gear, and to contribute my personal time and effort. Thus, I need your help to cover my costs and continue providing quality free information on the latest American-made gear.
It’s easy and free to help out.

If you ever want to purchase ANYTHING from AmazonREI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse… even for dog food or toothpaste, then you can help me without costing you a single penny. If you use my links to make a purchase within 24 hrs then I will receive a tiny credit that will help my site pay its dues and continue running. So all I ask is that if you find the free info here useful and you need to make a purchase at Amazon, REI, etc. then please use the links on this site. This costs you nothing extra but will help provide myself and this website a dollar or two to help keep on trucking.

You can bookmark the following sites and each time you purchase something it will help American Gear Guide in a small but significant way. Bookmarkable links: AmazonREI.com, Cabela’s, or Sportsman’s Warehouse.

 
Another way you can help is by donating any amount you choose, even $1. If you would like to donate to this site, you can use the paypal donate button below or you can do so by following the DonorBox link here (includes options for PayPal and Google Pay) and enter the donation amount of your choice. I provide this website’s information for free without annoying ads or membership fees so any donation is incredibly helpful. Thank you!