Best Slip Joint Knives of 2023

If you’ve ever owned a good quality slip joint knife then you’ll know how incredibly valuable they are for on-the-go utility work. You can use them for a huge range of basic utility work from opening boxes and slicing fruit to cutting up a shirt or defending yourself.

Slip joint knives give you a taste of the performance and cutting power you’d get from a larger and more expensive fixed knife, without needing to struggle with the extra bulk and weight of carrying one. They’re lightweight, easy to open (usually one-handed), and incredibly reliable. The issue is that there are so many choices on the market that it’s easy to get bogged down and never make up your mind.

Our guide is here to help you separate the wheat from the chaff and find the best slip joint knives for your style, budget, and needs. We want you to get a knife that’s practical and makes your life more convenient. Our goal is to help you find a knife that leaves you with zero buyer’s remorse and confidence that you have the perfect knife for you! Let’s get started!

Top 7 Best Slip Joint Knife Reviews in 2023

We’ve hunted the market to bring you 7 knives we feel strike the right balance between performance, price, durability, ease of use, and consistency. We think these are the most important aspects to consider when you’re on the market for a slip joint knife.

Just as all knife users aren’t the same, not every knife is the same – and we’ve tried to reflect this idea in the models we’ve chosen. The trick is to have a versatile selection without compromising build quality and functionality. You’re going to find out what’s unique about each knife, how it performs in the real world, what it gets right, and what we didn’t like.

By the time we’re done here, you’ll have all the information you need to get the best possible value for your money and a knife that is tailored to your needs/planned uses. Let’s get started with our best slip joint knives reviews!

Gerber Gear Wingtip Slip Joint Knife

Here’s our first and most popular knife of the bunch. It immediately stands out for its sleek design, smooth transitions, and mirror polished blade finish. There’s a larger-than-usual nail nick along the blade’s spine that gives you good contact and a quick blade release – though you’ll need to build up the muscle memory first.

Using this Gerber knife is very simple and straightforward. The slip joint doesn’t lock and is very responsive, meaning you can quickly open it with either hand. You’ll also get a lanyard hole near the handle’s spine that helps the knife hang straight down when it’s folded up. It’s wide enough for you to put a bunch of different lanyards or cords through it and still have good mobility.

7CR17 steel gives this knife loads of durability and ruggedness to match the excellent cutting edge and aesthetic appearance. The blade is slightly shorter than some other options at 2.5”, but still has fantastic versatility and functionality. Overall, this is one of the best slip joint knives for the money and an excellent choice for a daily utility carry.

ArtisanCutlery Biome Slip Joint Knife

If you want a knife that looks and feels like the Kizer we just reviewed, but want a more budget-friendly option – then this knife might be perfect for you. It’s a half-stop slip joint (which isn’t everybody’s favorite choice) but offers you a fantastic and safe alternative to the lock-free options.

If this is your first slip joint knife and you’re worried about carrying a knife that doesn’t lock, this is a great compromise. You will still have a swift and smooth opening action with a little extra safety. Sandvik 12C27 steel gives you impressive edge retention for the money and adds quite a bit of corrosion resistance to the knife.

Despite the budget-friendly price, you’re still getting a durable and robust G10 handle. It’s textured to give you a non-slip grip, slim, and contoured so that you can hold it with either hand. This is one of the best slip joint knives on the market.

SOG Specialty Slip Joint Folding Knife

Here’s a wonderfully versatile and easy-to-use split joint knife. It’s simple and minimalistic – perfect for a knife you’d keep in a pocket or on your belt. This SOG knife has been designed for states or areas that have more restrictive laws regarding daily carry knives.

The blade sits at a respectable 3” which is just at the legal limit for pocket knives in many places (please check your local laws before buying any EDC knife). It’s got a large and comfortable anti-slip handle that gives you good control over the longer blade.

It sits well in both hands – especially larger hands – and gives you quick access to the flipper. There’s a toothed section on the spine for your thumb to rest during more vigorous cutting, and to help you find a more suitable grip when opening and closing the knife. You’ll love how durable this knife is with its G10 handle.

You don’t need to worry about fading or discoloration for long after you’ve bought this knife. All-in-all, you’re getting massive utility from the 3” blade, in a knife that’s been designed to comply with the law, all in a slim and compact body with excellent durability – a steal considering the price!

Bear & Son India Stag Slip Joint Knife

The genuine stag bone handle immediately sets this slip joint knife apart from a lot of the competition. It’s durable and sturdy enough to be reliable in the long term, while still looking and feeling like a premium handle. This is made even better by the high-carbon steel that gives the knife great edge retention and corrosion resistance.

You can put a very sharp cutting edge on the knife without needing to worry too much about chipping. You’ll find the knife sits comfortably in your hand thanks to its contoured design and balanced feel. At a closed length of under 4”, it’s compact and sleek enough to take with you everywhere you go. Each blade has a nickel bolster to improve the durability and ease of handling.

They’re quick and easy to open, even with the other blades out at the same time. It’s an incredibly versatile knife with 3 different blades (hollow ground) with different tip styles and sizes – without making the knife too heavy to be practical. Overall, if versatility and performance are important to you, but you still want something attractive, this might be one of the best slip joint knives for you!

Bear & Son 218R Slip Joint Knife

Here’s another excellent versatile utility powerhouse for your collection. The handle is crafted from Rosewood and treated to improve its long-term durability. It feels smooth (but not slippery) to the touch and sits comfortably in your hand. There’s a contoured shape to give you better control over the two-blade side of the handle – with less emphasis on the single-blade side.

You have plenty of functionality from the blade that measures just under 2.5”. It’s the perfect length for everyday utility work while keeping the knife light and mobile. We love that the blades have been taper ground. They cut surprisingly well and hold their edge better than expected thanks to the high-carbon steel.

It’s very resistant to corrosion, with the handle and blades being scratch-resistant and slow to show signs of wear. Overall, this is a knife you can quickly and effortlessly whip out on-the-go for basic utility. It’s one of our top picks for the best slip joint knives you’ll find on the market.

Kizer Non-Locking Detent Slip Joint Knife

Here’s a precision-engineered knife by Kizer who are renowned for their premium material choice and ergonomic designs. You’re getting a 3” Bohler blade that’s non-locking and can fold quickly and easily into a compact and slim form. A detent joint further secures the blade to make sure it doesn’t accidentally slip open or closed.

We love the quality of this G10 handle. This, along with its exceptionally ergonomic design, brings you one of the easiest and most intuitive slip joint knives you’ll find on the market. At first glance, you might think the handle is a little thin in the middle, but it fits incredibly well into your palm and can be used ambidextrously.

High-quality steel gives you corrosion resistance and fantastic edge retention, and it cuts smoothly without needing too much extra force. When you consider the build and material quality, it’s surprising that it doesn’t cost a lot more. This is a no-brainer if you’re happy with a simple (but attractive) 3” knife.

Zero Tolerance Jens Anso Slip Joint Knife

If you’re into top-performing and premium knives, then you’re going to want to pay attention to this one. It’s got an ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber handle that’s impressively durable despite its slimmer and more compact construction. If you’ve never used a sheepsfoot blade before, it might take a while to get used to.

When you do though, it’s an insanely capable and versatile choice for a smaller knife. There isn’t a locking mechanism on this knife, meaning you can whip it open quite easily. This is often seen as a possible safety issue on other knives, but in this case, the risk is completely offset by an intelligent double-detent system.

One is to keep the blade safely in place while the knife is folded/being used, and the other is to improve the opening and closing action of the blade. It’s an exceptionally clean-looking knife with a classy and robust handle. You’ll find it sits comfortably in your hand and can be used ambidextrously. These are top-quality best slip joint knives that are well worth the high price tag!

Picking a Favorite Out of the Best Slip Joint Knives

Are you considering a slip joint knife? It might be challenging searching for the right one for yourself among several models on the market. When selecting the best slip joint knives, it is ideal to be armed with enough information to avoid making mistakes. This buying guide promises to inform you of the factors you should consider before getting a slip joint knife.

Safety

When you select a slip joint knife, you need to be sure it comes with the necessary safety features. Generally, a slip joint knife allows for safe use, but you need to be sure before paying for anyone. When using a slip joint knife, it can fold back when you are not using it. Hence, with a slip joint knife, you have to exercise special care to improve your handling and technique.

Size

The size of a slip joint knife depends on your needs. Some slip joint knives perform minor kitchen tasks. Using these same knives for camping purposes would be disadvantageous because there are more heavy-duty tasks at the campsite than in the kitchen. You also need to select a slip joint knife with portable size, something that can conveniently fit into your camping gear. It would help if you also had something you can easily reach out to use in emergency cases.

Handle

It is ideal to select a slip joint knife with an ergonomic handle. It would help if you had something that would feel convenient in your hand to use and not something that would cause a hand strain. Also, any slip joint knife you purchase needs to come with the non-slip feature to slip off your hands. To get the right one, you have to conduct extensive research to get the right one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do Slip Joint Knives Lock?

A: Slip joint knives do not come with a locking mechanism. Therefore, you have to use both hands to open up the blade. Because of the absence of a lock, slip joint knives are legal to carry almost everywhere; you just need to check the legal blade length.

Q: Are Slip Joint Knives Safe?

A: Yes, they are. Many people think that since there isn’t a locking mechanism, slip joint knives would be unsafe, but that’s not true. Because you need both hands to open up a slip joint knife, you have to pay more attention to it.

It would help if you also focused when you’re cutting or slicing with it because otherwise, the blade might snap closed. Since you have to be more aware while using it, these knives are usually safer than the locking or fixed blade sort of knives.

Final Thoughts

You should have everything you need to choose the knife that’s perfect for your style, budget, and needs. We’ve taken a look at some of the best slip joint knives on the market. You’ll find great options at different price points, with different strengths, and with various blade styles. All that’s left is for you to make your choice. You’ll feel more capable and handy with one of these powerhouses in your pocket!