
This is why I started American Gear Guide. I know how hard it is to find honest recommendations and to narrow down American made gear. 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.

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. 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 , which is run by a PhD steel metallurgist and fellow knife nut from Pittsburgh, Larrin Thomas. Tons of misinformation abounds on the internet concerning blade steels. I’ve included both the best high end and affordable production knives to suit a range of budgets. High end materials like titanium, carbon fiber, and premium steels are icing on the cake. 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. Fortunately for us nuts, there are thousands of excellent knives made in the USA. Growing up in the Rockies, I’ve carried a pocket knife since I was boy. That’s why I made this guide: to help you find the best folding knife made in the USA to suit your needs. What’s the best pocket knife right now? Well, that depends on your performance needs, budget, and personal preference.


Review of Exo Mountain Gear’s K3 4800 BackpackĪ good knife is an essential outdoors tool.
