Best Work Folders

A post shared by @6six6_edc on Jan 7, 2017 at 10:53am PST

While all knives are meant to cut, there are only a few knives you’d really want to put through the wringer on a busy job site. So I did my best to pick out a few folding knives you can bet your fingers on at work after getting some recommendations from blue-collar workers (not some blog boy like myself).

The pocket knives on this list are a mix of “overbuilt” knives that you can pretty much pry with and less expensive but very serviceable blades you could happily carry onto a construction site.

I tried to take price into consideration, which is why you won’t see a Medford Praetorian, Hinderer XM-18, or a few others that are around $500. Also, if you’re serious about a true work knife, you might want to consider a more reliable and easier to maintain fixed blade. With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to the list.

Post originally posted in September 2018 before being updated in February 2023 to include current knives.

Cold Steel AD-10

When it comes to hard-use folders that are overbuilt and ready for work, there’s a new king in town: the AD-10.

This relatively new knife boasts a 3.5-inch chunk of S35VN steel for its blade. The sculpted G-10 handle feels great in the hand. The AD-10 also has a Tri-Ad lock for even greater power. This may be pricier than others, but it will never fail on you.

There is also a “lite” version of the AD-10 that’s a bit cheaper.

Benchmade Adamas Auto

The Benchmade Adamas is one of the most common models you’ll see on lists about work knives. The reason? It’s large, reliable, and strong. The blade is 3.78 inches and uses exceptionally strong CruWear steel on a no-nonsense drop point blade. Not only is the blade stock thick but so are the liners and G-10 scales.

The AXIS lock is pretty easy to use with gloves and can withstand more force than you’ll need.

The original list had the standard version, but the upgraded automatic version of the Adamas is well worth the price difference. It weighs a solid 5.81 ounces.

Cold Steel Recon 1

The Recon 1 is a tried-and-true design from Cold Steel and one that works well for tough jobs. It has aggressive G-10 texturing for a secure grip and a long 4-inch blade that now uses S35VN steel. There is probably too much of a tactical look to the knife but your fingers will be very safe.

Even after all these years, the Cold Steel Recon 1 is one of the best tactical and hard-use knives you can buy.

This version has a 4-inch tanto blade made from S35VN steel, but you can also grab it with a clip point blade if you prefer.

The handle is heavily textured G-10 with a grip that conforms naturally to the hand. Like any good Cold Steel, the Recon 1 uses Demko’s highly durable Tri-Ad locking mechanism.

Benchmade Claymore

Since the tough Ontario Utilitac is now discontinued, we had to replace it with a completely different knife. The relatively new Benchmade Claymore takes the spot.

The Claymore was one of the best new automatic knives of 2021 (serrated) and 2022 (non-serrated). This is a beast of a knife with hard-use D2 tool steel for its blade and tough Grivory with texture for its handle.

It’s easy to open and close with gloves on, and the shape of the handle feels absolutely fantastic.

Spyderco Para Military 2

There PM2 is already considered one of the best knives of all time. So it’s only obvious that it should be among the best work knives as well.

The original has a strong 3.44-inch S30V blade that locks open using the safe and reliable Compression Lock. The handle is made from black G-10 scales. People have put this knife through the wringer, and it’s held up well.

However, we highly recommend the upgraded version with a CruWear blade and Micarta handles. This may be one of the best knives ever made period.

Kershaw Launch 16

Kershaw has been lacking a good hard-use folder for a few years. The Clash used to occupy this spot until it was recently discontinued, but it still didn’t hold up as well as some of the others on this list.

Then Kershaw introduced the Launch 16.

The Kershaw Launch 16 is the ultimate work automatic. It uses a tanto-style blade with a partially serrated edge, two things that excel on a good work knife. However, it’s the use of M4 steel that really makes it stand out.

When you add in the aluminum handle with Trac-Tec inserts for additional texturing, you get one of the best work folders ever.

Cold Steel 4-Max Scout

When this article was first published, I had put the Cold Steel 4-Max in this spot. However, I was very reluctant because of the exorbitant price tag. Cold Steel made my life easier by making the 4-Max Scout.

This budget version is just as big and tough as the original (4-inch blade and Tri-Ad lock) but a fraction of the cost.  It even corrects some of the mistakes of the original by adding more grippy Griv-Ex handle scales.

Despite being quite big, the knife has surprising ergonomics, which makes this a fantastic work knife.

KA-BAR MULE

Most of the knives so far have been pretty pricey. Now we get to the KA-BAR MULE. MULE stands for Military, Utility, and Law Enforcement and is another large folder with a thick blade. The blade is 3.9 inches and locks in place with a reliable back lock with a Boye dent to prevent accidental closure.

The handle is nearly indestructible with G-10 scales and gun-metal bolsters. This knife isn’t beautiful or expensive but it will get the job done.

Spyderco Military 2

Are we cheating here a little bit? Maybe.

The Millie has been one of the best and most iconic large folders ever made. However, its design was getting a little long in the tooth and its little brother was getting all the attention.

That is until Spyderco released the updated Military 2.

The Military 2 adds a few welcomed changes like a Compression Lock, four-position clip, and expanded stainless steel liners. All of these things make the knife a little stronger and a little safer — two attributes any work knife should have.

The fact that this all-timer somehow got even better makes it a truly superb knife.

Cold Steel Recon 1

I initially wanted the Code 4 on this list because it’s a beefy folder designed for work, but the aluminum handles are just too slick to use reliably on a job site. That makes the SR1 one of the strongest Cold Steel.

Whereas the SR1 is one of the best hard-use knives, the more budget-friendly SR1 Lite is just as good at a fraction of the price. SR1 stands for Survival Rescue knife and for good reason.

The 4-inch clip or tanto point blade is designed to be used in the most unforgiving environments as Cold Steel puts it. The black Griv-Ex handles are highly textured to prevent accidental slippage. Of course, the real star of this knife is the Tri-Ad lock.

Hogue Ballista I

When Hogue came out with the Ballista I, it was billed as a tactical knife, but it quickly became one of the best all-around hard-use EDC autos.

The Ballista I has a lot going in its favor: a straightforward design, a 3.5-inch blade, a strong aluminum handle, and a lightning fast opening mechanism you can engage with one hand.

The only downside of the Ballista I is the sleeker alinuminm handle (though it does have some texturing), so you can grab the larger HK Ballista XL if you prefer.

Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2

I was torn between the Gayle Bradley 2 and Shaman for a second Spyderco but ultimately went with the GB2. The Shaman is a good work knife, but the GB2 has people from all types of jobs singing its praise.

The GB2 has a 3.66-inch blade made from the popular work steel CPM M4. Here’s more about the handle from Spyderco:

The Bradley Folder 2’s handle features exceptionally thick full skeletonized stainless steel liners, a high-strength LinerLock mechanism, and carbon fiber/G-10 laminate scales that are slightly smaller than the profile of the liners. This handle style offers a hand-filling grip and excellent tactile orientation, while still keeping the knife slim and easy to carry.

The whole thing was slimmed down from the original so if you can find it I recommend grabbing one of those.

CRKT M16-14SF

Kit Carson’s M16 series has been among CRKT’s  most popular models and a top choice for hard-use folders. There are plenty of variations to choose from, but the CRKT Special Forces M16-14SF is one of the best for hard-use.

It has a 4-inch partially serrated tanto blade that flips open. The flipper also doubles as a guard to keep your hand from slipping up onto the blade.

The aluminum handle features cutouts to reduce the weight of the knife while adding some texturing.

Gerber 06 Auto

Since its introduction in 2006, the Gerber 06 Auto has been a top choice for those who need a hard-use automatic.

This big and beefy folder has a 3.8-inch blade with a few variations: tanto or drop point, aluminum or G-10, or the 10th anniversary edition. It has a button-activated automatic opening mechanism with a safety lock to prevent accidental firings.

The 06 Auto is the type of knife you can use with gloves or in all types of weather conditions. When countless people use the knife for everyday carry while deployed, you know it’s a good design.

Buck 110 Hunter

Finally, there’s a classic. You might not think the Buck 110 Folding Hunter as the best work knife out there but have you actually stopped to think about it?

The clip point blade is large at 3.75 inches. The 420HC stainless steel is made even better by the heat treatment from Paul Bos. The back lock is almost as reliable as the Tri-Ad (which is essentially a modified back lock). The handle is not as grippy as the others but this can be remedied by getting the version with the finger grooves. Ebony DymaLux is nothing to scoff at either.

The only major downside is that you need two hands to open it — unless you have an auto version. This pretty much gives you the best of everything.

Take a look at this destruction video for evidence of its strength.