Gentleman’s knives always remind me of James Bond. The image of a tall and mysterious man whipping out a devastatingly sharp knife and cutting through ropes to free himself. Despite this unrealistic imagery, the best gentleman’s knife has been around for a very long time. In past ages, men carried swords and women often had a smaller dagger or stiletto knife.
They relied on these knives for everything from self-defense to peeling an apple, to skinning a rabbit to a march. They became an inseparable part of life and would be carried almost everywhere. Over time as technology improved, folding knives and smaller knives came into the fold. High-status people would carry these knives around with them, often concealed or out of plain sight.
Even to this day, many people won’t leave their house without their trusty gentleman’s knife. There are loads of unique and interesting designs available on the market and choosing the one that’s right for you can be a challenge. We’ll lay out what to look for and where to find it so that you don’t need to worry about it. Let’s get started!
Top 7 Best Gentleman’s Knife Reviews in 2023
We’ve chosen 7 excellent gentleman’s knives based on their value for money. We know that you get what you pay for – but within reason. You need to get the best possible knife for your budget and we want to help you get a knife that excels where you need it to – without compromising on quality, durability, and performance.
If you’re looking for a knife that focuses on aesthetics, then that’s where you should spend your money. By the same thinking, there’s no point in spending a pretty penny for a pretty knife if you know it’s going to be put through some demanding work.
Your money would be better spent on a knife that performs and handles as you need it to. We’ll show you what’s unique about each of these knives, why they’re worth paying attention to, and what we did and didn’t like about them. You’ll have everything you need to find the best gentleman’s knife for you. Let’s go!
CRKT Snap Lock Folding Pocket Knife
If you’re not a fan of manual opening folding knives and don’t want to have to worry about the durability of an assisted opening folding knife – this might be the perfect gentleman’s knife for you. The cam-action snap opening blade is blindingly quick and snappy. You can open and close the knife one-handed and the mechanism is exceptionally durable.
We loved the quick-release lanyard that allows you to unhitch the lanyard from its hole in a fraction of the time it would usually take you with other gentleman’s knives. While the overall size is smaller, this knife still has excellent functionality and capability. The symmetrical blade is razor-sharp and comes to a sturdy and sharp tip.
You can use this CRKT knife for anything from prying open boxes to everyday cutting tasks and utility work. It’s one of the lightest gentleman’s knives on the market thanks to the inward closing blade. There is a sizable gap in the handle and you only have the handle frame to rely on. This would have been an issue had the knife not been so well designed.
It maintains all its functional strength and adds a support piece on the backside of the handle for improved sturdiness and protection. You’re getting one of the best gentleman’s knife in this price range – and a unique utility powerhouse to add to your collection.
- Exceptionally fast opening and closing action
- Easy to use and build up the necessary muscle memory
- Very lightweight and compact
- Strong and sturdy tip (and blade)
- Not as strong as some other standard gentleman’s knives’ handles
- Skeleton frame handle is quite difficult to hold – especially when your hands are wet
SOG Fielder Folding Pocket Knife
SOG is known for its incredible pocket knife ranges – and this knife is no exception. It’s probably the most widely known and popular gentleman’s knife in this review. With a 3.3” blade you’re getting plenty of utility and functionality without having to carry a heavy and bulky knife.
It’s made from good quality stainless steel so you don’t need to worry about corrosion, and edge retention is decent. The G10 handle is one of our favorite features of this SOG knife. You’ll notice how slim and light the knife is, and this is largely due to the well-made handle.
Its design is classy and comfortable on either hand. It’s slightly textured to improve your grip without taking anything away from the smooth and classy appearance. We love that you can quickly and easily open this knife with one hand.
The thumb stud is just the size and is easy to reach. With the combination of the robust G10 handle, the 7CR17 handle, and the high build-quality, this knife is a steal considering its price. It’s one of our favorite picks for the best gentleman’s knife and well worth the money.
- G10 handle is slim and durable
- Great corrosion resistance
- Smooth and classy appearance
- Comes very sharp out the box
- Shows scratches quite easy
- The handle might be a little slim if you have large hands
CRKT Hunt’N Fisch Gentleman’s Knife
We loved the well-placed and thoughtful non-slip thumb rest. It might not seem like an impressive feature, but it’s extremely useful in practice. You’ll find your grip strength, stability, and accuracy are improved because of it. Despite its sleek and attractive appearance, this is an exceptionally durable and robust knife. The G10 handle gives it a well-balanced feel and comfortable handling.
You’ll also get an excellent quality durable leather sheath that’s built to last. It’s full-grained, looks great, and comes with a versatile and functional belt loop that can be set up in a couple of different ways. Also, you’re getting a triple-riveted handle with an attractive wood grain handle that’s contoured to fit the shape of your hand.
You’ll be able to use it with either hand and it’s suited to people with larger hands. You can easily control the tip and straight cutting edge without sacrificing cutting power or performance. Overall, this is one of the best gentleman’s knife in this price range and worth the money when you consider its looks and performance.
- Easy and comfortable to use
- Comes very sharp out the box
- High-quality G10 handle
- Excellent durable full-grained sheath
- Quite difficult to clean and maintain
- The glossy handle is a little on the slippery side and shows scratch rather easily
KeySmart Dapper 150 Gentleman’s Knife
If you want a knife that’s durable to last quite a while, but don’t want to spend premium money – this knife offers an excellent balance between the two. The knife is made from 420HC stainless steel which is functional, practical, cost-effective, and durable. It’s also very resistant to rusting and corrosion, adding another element to the overall durability of the knife.
You might find the squared-off shape of the closed knife to be a little awkward at first, but it’ll quickly grow on you. It’s surprisingly comfortable to hold and it fits neatly into your pocket. The lightweight and compact design of the knife further improves its performance and mobility – making it a hard option to ignore if you want value and versatility.
We love the modern and well-designed appearance. This, combined with the swift opening action and discreet handle (hides totally inside the handle when folded) brings you a convenient and reliable knife worth adding to any collection.
- Excellent value for money
- The blade is hidden inside the handle
- Fits comfortably in your hand or pocket
- Modern design is lightweight and compact without sacrificing performance
- Quite tough to keep clean
- The handle isn’t very ergonomic if you’re used to standard pocket knives
CRKT Eros Folding Gentleman’s Knife
This classic Columbia River knife uses the high-regarded and well-renowned IKBS ball-bearing pivot. It offers an exceptionally smooth and consistent opening and closing action, along with being very durable and low-maintenance. The flipper opening is well-located and can be reached easily with right-handed use.
The left-handed opening is a little trickier, but you’ll get the muscle memory down in a matter of days. We love the stainless steel handle and how resistant and robust it is. You’re not going to need to worry about rusting or corrosion any more than you’d need to worry about dragons crashing your car.
It’s top-of-the-line resistant which is excellent considering the affordable price. The handle gets a little thinner near the neck, just before widening out to give you a better grip. This contouring is comfortable and intuitive, as well as being well suited to ambidextrous use.
You’ll find the blade is great for piercing and more detailed cutting thanks to the sharp and sturdy tip. It’s well-balanced and lighter than you’d expect. Overall, this is a top-quality best gentleman’s knife and it’s hard to find better value at this price point.
- Sleek, lightweight, and compact design
- Very sharp tip and cutting edge
- Durable and comfortable handle
- Exceptionally smooth opening and closing action
- A little slippery when used with wet/oily hands
- Doesn’t come as sharp as it could out of the box
ELK Ridge Outdoors Gentleman’s Knife
The mix of high-quality materials like 3CR13 steel and a dependable design and build quality gives this knife all it needs to be a top pick in its price range. We love drop-point style blades for their raw performance and functionality, and this knife is no exception. As a result, you’ll get massive utility on-the-go in a compact and stylish form with some attention-hogging aesthetics.
It’s a fantastic outdoor knife with a wooden satin finish. It’s coated further to protect the handle from splitting and taking water damage. You’ll find it is lightweight despite having quite a thick and robust handle and is easy to handle and work with one-handed.
The blade sits at 2.75” which is just under the legal limit for pocket knives in many states – just be sure to check your local laws before you decide to buy this knife. You’ll find the opening and closing action smooth, consistent, and enduring.
We love knives that still feel new after months or even years of use – and that’s the kind of quality you’re getting here. In conclusion, you’re getting a heavy-duty best gentleman’s knife that’s suited to both outdoor and indoor use. You get excellent value for money and a very reliable folding knife.
- Excellent build quality
- Reliable and dependable
- The satin finish is durable and hides scratches
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Quite a heavy knife compared to other of the same size
- Not easy to sharpen
Beretta Bascula Gentleman’s Knife
Our final knife is as unusual as it is elegant. It’s super compact and is termed as being a “drop in your pocket and go anywhere” kind of knife. It’s crafted to high-quality 440C stainless steel which is highly resistant to corrosion, discoloration, and won’t show signs of wear that quickly.
The HRC rating isn’t too high and this gives the steel fantastic chip resistance and makes it easy to sharpen and maintain – all without sacrificing much edge retention. We also love the handle for its Cocobolo wood panel handle that’s easy grip and exceptionally lightweight.
It fits comfortably into both hands but better suits the right-handed user (due to the unique blade design). To sum it up, the dual-sided cutting edge is versatile and extremely functional, though you might need to practice a lot before you feel natural with it.
- Dual-edge blade with a sharp tip
- Unique and attractive design
- Ultra-lightweight and compact
- Swift opening and closing action
- Takes a while to get used to the handle and blade
- Edge retention isn’t fantastic
How to Get Yourself the Best Gentleman’s Knife
Buying just any knife seems easy if you know what you are searching for. If you are a knife enthusiast, you should know that one of the must-have items is a gentleman’s knife. Those who are aware of this have one or two for themselves that they use for emergency purposes.
It would interest you to know that even women are not exempted from owing the best gentleman’s knife for themselves. If you want to get one for yourself, here are some factors to consider
Blade Materials
Generally, the blade of a gentleman’s knife is made of either carbon steel or stainless steel. If you want to get it for someone, be sure to know their preference. If you are buying for yourself, here are some tips you should know. First off, stainless steel does not last as long as carbon steel knives. And carbon steel knives are more susceptible to corrosion and stains. Also, stainless steel knives are ideal for wet conditions, while carbon steel knives are good for heavy-duty tasks.
Blade Size
The size of the knife’s blade is one crucial factor to consider. And it primarily depends on the frequency of its usage. Usually, the versatile ones are those with lengths ranging from 3-4 inches. Knives in this category are sturdy and suitable for heavy-duty tasks.
In comparison, the best gentleman’s knife below three inches is great for small tasks because there’s much you can achieve with minimal effort. In some places in the world, it is not legal to move around with large-sized blades.
Handle Materials
Handles can be made of any material. Most manufacturers opt for materials that are lightweight, durable, and stylish. One ideal material you can opt for is Aluminum because of its durability and lightweight nature. Aluminum handles allow for easy carriage anywhere you are going.
Another durable material is Titanium. Like Aluminum, they are lightweight, and they have a stylish appearance, and the same applies to stainless steel knives. However, Zytel is the most durable knife handle, and it is suitable for those who intend to do heavy-duty tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What Is a Gentleman’s Knife?
A: While technically anyone can carry a Gentleman’s knife, it has some essential features that makes people call it so. The general idea is that it should be functional, aesthetically pleasing yet discreet, so it doesn’t attract unwanted attention when on a Gentleman’s person.
In short, it should have a compact and slim silhouette so you can slip it into your pocket. Nowadays a lot of Gentleman’s knives have shapes and colors that go well with jeans or suits. Moreover, it should be simple in design. You’ll notice that these knives do not have intimidating features such as serrations or gut hooks.
Most often these will have a drop point blade or at best, a modest clip point or polished spear point. Lastly, a Gentleman’s folder should also be lightweight and sharp, because what’s a knife if it isn’t sharp enough to assist your daily tasks? We could hardly call it a knife at all, right?
Q: Why Should Every Man Carry a Knife?
A: After reading about Gentleman’s knives, you might be wondering why a man should carry a knife at all. Even though we’ve entered a modern era, an ancient tool such as a knife is still relevant and functional enough in daily tasks, and if possible you should definitely carry one.
Let me tell you the reasons in short. First, no matter how modern a life you lead, you still need to cut things. Be it a delivery package or an apple for lunch, you’re going to need something to cut, and an EDC is perfect for these.
Second, you could also use it as a crude replacement for a tool box, or even use it to start a fire if you’re the type that spends time outdoors. Last but not least, in case of a medical emergency, you’ll find out that a sharp knife can be the difference between life and death. And that’s certainly not something to be taken lightly.
Final Thoughts
You should have quite a clear idea of what you need in your next purchase – and we hope it’s the best gentleman’s knife you’ve ever owned. Then, take what you’ve learned here, check out some of our knives, and see if you’re ready to leap. Having a quality knife in your pocket wherever you are might not turn you into James Bond, but you’ll sure feel like it – and you’ll probably enjoy it just as much as we do! Good luck!