If you’ve been a prepper for some time now, you’ve likely heard people throw around the phrase, “gentleman’s folder”, “dress knives”, or, “gentleman’s knives.” These are all ways to describe a foldable pocket knife that looks classy and sophisticated, while also still retaining all of the main functionality for an EDC blade. They’re rather nice tools to own, and today we’re going to be talking about the best gentleman’s knife options that you should consider.
A quick look online will show you that there are a number of different items out there that are considered to be the best gentleman’s pocket knife, and while we aren’t disagreeing with the fact that there are a lot of great gent knives to be bought, not all of them are truly worth their asking price.
We’ve been using gentleman knives for quite a few years now, and after hours of research and testing, we figured it was time to create a list of the 5 very best gent knives that are actually worth your time and money.
1. TAC Force TF-469 Gentleman’s Assisted Opening Folding Knife
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We selected a couple of different TAC Force knives for this list, and the first one we’d like to talk about is the TF-469. TAC Force is a very well-known name in the folding/pocket-knife world, and the TF0569 is one of the company’s best gentleman knives to date.
A spring assist system is featured here to allow for rapid one-hand deployment of the blade, and when you’re ready to put it back, the liner lock holds the blade snugly and securely until you’re ready to whip it out again.
Speaking of the blade, this is made using a black straight edge stainless steel construction, and the end result is a blade that measures in at 3-inches long that is able to cut through a wide variety of things without any issue at all.
The wooden handle feels and looks great as well, and an included pocket clip makes it easy to take the knife with you wherever you go.
2. Elk Ridge Wood Gentleman Hunting Folding Pocket Knife
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A similar-looking option comes from Elk Ridge, and this is a great choice if you like the look of the TF-469 but prefer a blade thats slightly longer. The blade on the Elk Ridge knife measures 3.5-inches long, and when everything is closed up, the whole package is around 4.75-inches in length.
The blade is made using stainless steel, and our testing proved it to be extremely durable and sharp for excellent use in a number of different situations. The wooden handle here also looks fantastic, and from what we can tell, it’s made using the same type of wood found with the TF-469.
Also present here is a clip on the side of the handle so you can easily attach the knife to your pants or belt and swiftly remove it and pop it open should you find that you need to defend yourself against an incoming assailant.
3. KUBEY VG-10 Core Damascus Gentleman Folding Pocket Knife
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Preppers that have a bit more money to spend and want a knife that looks even more striking should go with the KUBEY VG-10 Core Damascus Gentleman Folding Pocket Knife. The blade of this knife is crafted from hand-forged Damascus steel, and it features an impressive hardness rating of 59HRC.
KUBEY’s handle is constructed using a high quality and natural abalone material, and the polished finish it features allows it to reflect beautifully in the sunlight. At the bottom of the handle is where you’ll find a built-in lanyard, and although this is a small touch, it adds a really nice look to the overall package.
A thumb stud on the knife enables for easy one-handed opening of the blade when you’re ready to use it, and we found this mechanism to be extremely reliable in our testing. The blade’s length is on the shorter side at just 2.4-inches, and while that may be a bit too small for some preppers, it’s still very usable in a lot of different settings.
4. TAC Force Gentleman’s Assisted Opening Folding Knife
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The second TAC Force gentleman’s knife on our list looks quite a bit different than the TF-469, and while some may be put off by the design that’s going on here, we actually really like how this particular knife looks.
TAC Force made this blade out of Damascus just like the KUBEY VG-10 above, but the look here is quite a bit different. The blade on TAC Force’s knife features visible etching throughout the entire blade, and it really is something to behold. The handle is also striking with its Pakka wood design, and it truly is one of the most unique aesthetics we’ve ever seen.
Along with its great looks, TAC Force also packed in some great functionality into this knife. Along with the blade, you also have a pocket clip and glass breaker that can be used to swiftly busting a car window if you happen to be stuck and need to escape.
5. Case Medium Camo Lockback Pocket Knife
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Our last pick for the best gentleman’s knife is the Case Medium Came Lockback Pocket Knife, ands this is another looker that’s bound to get the attention of others when using it. The stainless steel blade is of the Tru-Sharp design, and this allows it to be extremely sharp and functional in a wide variety of different situations.
The locking drop point system keeps the blade securely tucked away when you’re done using it, and the brushed stainless steel handle feels just as awesome as it looks. The knife is quite small at 2.5-inches when it’s closed, and the weight is also very low at 1.4-ounces.
Case makes its gentleman’s knife here in the United States, and it’s backed by the company’s limited lifetime warranty.
Final Thoughts
Gentlemen’s knives may not be the first tool that comes to mind if you’re new to the prepper world, but they certainly are something that’s worth investing into. These knives all look great and function admirably, and when it comes to pocket knives, those are the two best things you could ask for.