Friction folding knives are the original folding pocket knives before slip joint and locking knives come to light.
Now you can find most pocket knives brands combine the mechanisms of these old knives with modern manufacturing and high quality materials.
In our list of best friction folding knives, you will find the best folding knives on the market now; all you need to do is to pick up the folding Knife that suits you and your budget.
List of Best Friction Folding Knives
- Opinel Stainless Steel Folding Knives- best overall-B000UIIS38
- Gerber Gear 31-003731 Quadrant- premium choice-B07SZLY2ZL
- Kershaw Pub Carbon Fiber Multifunction Pocket Knife –best budget B06Y2YK45X
- Svord Peasant Knife- most popular-B004HVZ3N2
- KATSU bamboo style Japanese Pocket Folding Knife- razor sharp blade-B01LDOKVLY
- CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife-elegant choice- B01N3CG3KJ
- SOG TWI8-CP Twitch II 6.20 Inch EDC Folding Knife- high quality-B0001WC73K
- Kizer WPK Friction Folder Knife B07WNP9V98
- FN-41 Custom Handmade Damascus Steel Folding Knife-stunning piece of art – B00ZA0WLT8
- Victorinox Swiss Army friction folding Knife- multifunctional B0001GS19U
Read More: https://kitchenzad.com/best-ceramic-folding-knives/
Best Friction Folding Knives
1. Opinel Stainless Steel Folding Knives
- Blade Length: 2.9 inch, Overall Length: 6.5 inch
- High carbon blade
- Beechwood wood handle
- Blade Style: Clip point blade
- Grind: Convex
- stainless Opinel Virobloc safety ring
Opinel No.6 stainless steel folding Knife is one of the most popular friction folding knives since 1890 and till now. Wanna know the reason behind this? Let’s find out together.
Opinel No.6 is not a simple friction folding Knife; when you get it, you will be amazed by more than one thing.
First the blade, Second the ultimate durable wooden handle, third the rivet, fourth the functional rotating VIROBLOC locking ring, and last but not least, the fixed ferrule.
Let me tell you about the blade; the non serrated blade length is 3.51 inches, which makes it a unique blade for a pocket knife; it is a razor-sharp high carbon steel blade that can cut through anything.
For a strong and stable cutting process, every time you use your opinel assisted opening knife, it features a stainless Opinel Virobloc safety ring consisting of two sections. The first is a fixed blade, and the second is a sliding one.
When it comes to the handle, it is of the most durable and comfortable handles among all friction folding knives. It is made of Beechwood from France. We are so freaking sure you will love it.
Here is my favorite part, all opinel knives are guaranteed under normal use and in case of any defects, and you can easily exchange them. Amazing, right?
You can use opinel No.6 literally everywhere around home, kitchen, dinner table, garden, camping, and much more.
Sharpening this assisted opening knife is a breeze, so if ever you wanted to sharpen it, it won’t take more than a couple of minutes.
Read More:https://kitchenzad.com/best-folding-knives-including-knives-under-100/
Care and maintenance
Never wash your Opinel folding knife in the dishwasher, it is not dishwasher safe, and the high moisture and heat will damage both the wood handle and the stainless steel blade.
So we always recommend hand-washing the Knife and drying thoroughly right after this by using a soft, dry towel. We also recommend oiling the folding pocket knife from time to time to protect it from oxidation
- Patented VIROBLOC locking
- Durable and comfortable handle
- Easy sharpening
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Needs two hands to open
Bottom line
This folding pocket knife is such an important tool for both outdoorsmen and handymen. Whether you will use it at home, at the dinner table, garage, garden, it will perfectly get the job done.
2. Gerber Gear 31-003731 Quadrant
- Sleek 2. 7 Inch 7Cr17MoV stainless steel blade
- Bamboo handle scales
- Sturdy frame lock
- Straight edge sheep foot blade shape
- A pocket clip secures the Knife while not in use
- Plain edge
Gerber Gear 31-003731 Quadrant is the runner up in our list of “best friction folding knives” for all the right reasons. I will go more in depth in its features.
What sets this edc knife apart is its sleek 7Cr17MoV stainless steel blade (length blade 2. 7 Inch) and its Bamboo handle scales, both of them are so strong and durable to stay in your service long years.
You will love how this bamboo and G-10 composite handle looks; it gives your folding Knife a unique look that will catch everyone’s eye.
Deploying the blade of this assisted opening knife is so simple, and credits go to the sturdy finger flipper-frame lock, while the blade construction holds an edge and resists corrosion.
For handling your daily tasks perfectly, the edc knife features a straight edge sheepfoot blade with an ample cutting edge, which at the same time makes it an eye catching and multifunctional tool
For securing the edc knife while not in use, you will find a handy pocket clip, cool, right?
- Sturdy frame lock
- Unique handle materials and sleek blade
- Eye-catching look
- Satin finish blade
- A little bit heavy
Bottom line
If you are looking for a friction folding knife that is high quality, sturdy, and durable enough to stay with you for years and years, Gerber Gear 31-003731 Quadrant folding knife is the ideal choice.
3. Kershaw Pub Carbon Fiber Multifunction Pocket Knife
- Solid strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance
- Blade Style: Sheepsfoot
- 8Cr13MoV steel blade and Aluminum Handle Material
- A flathead screwdriver, a bottle opener
- Hollow grind
Kershaw Pub is a keychain multitool that everyone praises of; it features a flathead screwdriver, a bottle opener, and a freaking versatile blade that can cut through anything with no struggle.
When it comes to the size, this friction folding knife is the kind of “where did I keep that freaking little thing?” but here comes the role of the keychain attachment. The blade length is 1.625 inches, and the overall length is 4.5 inches.
When it comes to the knife blade, it is an 8Cr13MoV steel that includes carbon and nickel for excellent hardness and edge retention.
That knife blade is precision heat treated 8Cr13MoV steel that provides wear resistance which makes it able to withstand damages from abrasive and adhesive wear.
This automatic Knife is available in more than one design, and according to the design, the non-reflective stonewashed finish will vary from pronounced or subtle, but in whichever case, it transforms the knife blade with making a fade-resistant and scuffed look that hides fingerprints and such things.
The knife blade is tumbled with ceramic stones, giving stonewashed finish, enhanced rugged look, and strength.
You will love the handle of this Knife. To be honest, it is one of the best handles of non locking knives, and it is a high-performing and high-quality handle that contains chromium to make it rust resistant and corrosion resistant,
It offers great durability and combines ridges, patterns, and etching for a less slippery grip.
Opening the Kershaw Pub friction folding knife is super duper easy; just hold it at 90 degrees angle, then flick the wrist to take the knife blade out of the handle.
You don’t have to worry about security and safety issues since the friction lock is solid and will keep the knife blade secure and open while in use.
To close these kinds of non locking knives, push the blade for making Knife until the detent weakens.
Read More: https://kitchenzad.com/type-of-knife-blades/
- High-Performance Steel
- Budget friendly
- Wear resistant
- Attractive Blade Finish
- Fast Deployment
- Secure Locking System
- Efficient bottle opener
- No lock on in either open or closed positions
Bottom line
Kershaw Pub Carbon Fiber Multifunction Pocket Knife is a high performance pocket knife with a low price, designed to be your companion in your every day tasks.
4. Svord Peasant Knife
- High carbon steel blade and a Polypropylene handle
- Blade Length: 2.5 inches and Overall Length is 6.75 inches
- Blade shape: Drop point. And flat grind
- Simple screws and barebones scales
Svord Peasant Knife is one of the most popular friction folding knives on the market. It is actually inspired by the knives used 400 years ago in Bohemia and Bavaria, so let me tell you what makes it so popular and special.
Unlike all other svord peasant models of 3 inch blade length, this edc knife is smaller, with a blade length of 2.5 inches.
Want to know my favorite part? It is the high quality materials used in this folding Knife, and the price is so low when compared with the materials.
The Polypropylene handle and Swedish hard carbon blade make the pocket knife durable enough to stay ready to use in your pocket for ages.
For hair splitting sharpness, the blade is hardened and tempered with a special process of heat treatment; not only this, but it is also hand ground with water-cooled stones.
When ordering your svord peasant folding Knife, you will definitely fall in love with its slim and sturdy design, and most of all, how gentle to the touch and comfortable it feels in your hands.
For super effortless clean up and maintenance, the large, simple screws and barebones scales helps you to easily switch materials.
- High-Quality Materials
- Durable
- Sturdy
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Not super sharp
Bottom line
Nothing can go wrong with Svord Peasant folding Knife; it is one of the best friction folding knives you can come across on the market. Order it now and thank us later!
5. KATSU bamboo style Japanese Pocket Folding Knife
- Japanese Razor Pocket Folding Knife
- Pocket Clip
- Handmade D2 Steel, Double Bevel Blade
- Bamboo Style G10 Handle
- Finger Lever One Hand Opening System
- High Quality Modern Higonokami
KATSU folding knife is undisputedly one of the excellent, best friction folding knives that every outdoorsman should have. I will go more in depth into its brilliant features.
This solid pocket knife is a high-quality modern higonokami that has everything you have ever dreamed of in a folding knife.
What sets it apart is the razor sharp Handmade D2 double bevel blade that can cut through everything with ease.
The handle? It is the durable Bamboo style G10 that you can barely find in any other friction folding knife. And for easy carriage, the handle contains a pocket clip.
When it comes to length, the edc knife is 4.5-Inch when closed, with 7.5 inches overall length.
KATSU Japanese style tactical Knife features a thumb lever one hand opening system; isn’t that brilliant?
When ordering your KATSU Bamboo Style Japanese Pocket Folding, you will receive the katsu pocket knife (pocket clip included), Hessian Sack, and a high quality nylon sheath
Don’t ever worry about the blade coming open inside your pocket since the small hole in the blade’s base locks into the blade when it is closed and not in use. This folding Knife is designed with your safety in mind, can’t you see that?
You also don’t need to worry about wobbling, as the blade of this tactical Knife doesn’t wobble, and if it ever did, you can simply tighten it with a small hex key wrench.
The only downside is actually related to the pocket clip; when pulling the pocket knife out of the pocket, the end of the clip arcs scrapes across the hand, but to be honest, I don’t find it a big deal when compared with the other excellent features of the edc knife.
To maintain your friction folding knife, always remember to keep your Knife dry and oil it from time to time.
- Double bevel blade
- Cleans up easily
- The blade doesn’t wobble
- One Hand Opening System
- Shaved sharp blade
- The secondary grind forming the Knife’s edge is not equal both sides of the blade
- The end of the pocket clip scrapes across the skin painfully
Bottom line
KATSU folding knife is not a simple friction folding Knife; it is a perfect tactical knife and utility knife, and even more than that! Do I recommend it? I definitely do!
6. CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife-elegant choice
6. CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife
- Stainless steel blade and handle
- Frame lock and Thumb notch
- Sleek and solid design
- 20-degree beveled edge
- Satin finish and bead blast finish
CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife is another perfect choice for those looking for the best friction folding knives. Here is the reason why.
Well, this everyday carry knife has been popular for more than 25 years now; why? Because of its sleek angles, clean finish, and sturdy design.
It is time to make your dream of getting a folding knife that makes even, long and precise cuts come true, and credits go to the sheepsfoot flat grind blade and 20-degree beveled edge.
You will fall in love with the elegant look of this non locking knife. It comes with an aesthetic satin bead blast finish that doesn’t reflect lights and objects, making this friction folding Knife one of the most elegant knives in our list of best friction folding knives, plus the attractive exaggerated angles, of course.
What about the knife handle? It is a small and balanced stainless steel handle that is built with a curve to fit your hand with absolute comfort; the underside also has two notches, one fit for two fingers and a small one sitting at the choil.
The non locking knife it is smooth enough to resist pocket snags.
You can easily carry this folding Knife in your pocket with no concerns about size and weight; it is 2.4 inches blade length, 5.9 inches overall length, and 0.15 inches thick. It also comes with a reversible pocket clip and keychain connection point, awesome, right?
One more notable feature is the ease of use, the non locking knife is suitable for both right-handed and left-handed users. While the one-handed use is effortless, too, since the hinge and cut-out thumb notch will let you flick the blade simply with your thumb.
- Ergonomic design
- Effortlessly slip into the pocket
- Works with either right-handed and left-handed users
- Elegant
- Minimizes Reflectivity
- Frame lock
- A little bit heavyweight
Bottom line
Are you looking for a friction folding Knife with minimal design and maximum utility? Look no further than CRKT Pilar EDC Folding Pocket Knife, and you will definitely love it.
7. SOG TWI8-CP Twitch II 6.20 Inch EDC Folding Knife
- Solid, ultra sharp AUS-8 blade
- Tough, sleek aluminum handle
- Lockback Locking mechanism
- Small sliding lock on the handle to prevent accidental deploying
- Functional thumb stud
SOG TWI8-CP Twitch II EDC Folding Knife has got many fans over generations, and we can clearly see the reason behind that.
First of all, the size gives the size a 10/10 rating. It is 2.6 oz, with a blade length of2.7 inches and 3.6 inches overall length, which makes it sit comfortably inside your pocket and palm of the hand and attached easily to your belt.
Second of all, the blade, I mean it when I say that the blade is at the top rank in the blades of our best friction folding knives list; it is efficient enough to get a variety of tasks done with ease.
It is a razor sharp stainless steel blade that needs no sharpening for years to come, and if it ever does, it will take only a couple of minutes.
In other words, you can call this ultra sharp folding Knife a discreet emergency knife, or a hunting knife, a camping knife, a survival knife, or an outdoor knife. It is such a versatile edc knife for both men and women.
What about the handle? It is a sleek, gentle to the touch aluminum handle.
About deploying the blade, there is more than one way to do so, as the thumb stud is found on each side.
To prevent accidental deployment of the blade, the tactical Knife has a small sliding lock on its handle.
This friction folding Knife is durable to the point that it can stay in your service for long years, and the biggest thing that can happen to it is just some paint chipping off!
The assisted opening knife system will open your straight edge knife one-handed with complete comfort and ease, and you open the tactical Knife with any hand with slight pressure, just flick the kick on the Knife’s back, and the pocket knife is ready to use.
- Excellent size and slim profile
- Built to last
- Solid and durable
- Easy to open
- Prevents accidental blade deploying
- Efficient thumb stud
- Blade centering when folded is slightly off center
Bottom line
If you want a reliable EDC pocket knife that offers high quality at a reasonable cost, SOG TWI8-CP Twitch II EDC Folding Knife is the ideal choice for you.
8. Kizer WPK Friction Folder Knife
- Blade Material:CPM-S35VN , Blade Style: Sheepsfoot
- Handle Material: Titanium
- Carry System: Tip-up pocket clip
- Grind: Flat
- Tang-opener for the controlled and politically correct opening.
- Tip-up pocket clip for safe carry
Here are another best friction folding knives. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you Kizer Friction Folder Knives!
Jared Price, the designer of this tactical folding Knife, has a good history and reputation for making excellent EDC knives. Yes, all of them are larger than this edc knife, but it is said that this one is designed for legality purposes and fun little things.
Kizer Friction Folding knife features a solid titanium handle and razor sharp CPM-S35VN blade. The blade length is 2.5 inches, while the tactical blade knife’s overall length is 5.625 inches with a 3.36 oz weight.
When you first see a kizrer WPK automatic knife from the outside, you might think it is a regular, simple friction folding knife, but let me tell you that it is not like that from inside, as it has a detent slip-joint style mechanism for more protection and safety.
For a controlled and politically correct automatic knife blade opening, the edc knife features an efficient Tang-opener, and for a safe carry, it features a Tip-up pocket clip.
No exaggeration! This folding Knife is a perfect everyday carry knife for a huge number of tasks, including stripping wire, cutting zip-ties, opening boxes packages, making fire kindling, kitchen tasks, and more; in other words, it is a perfect survival knife and utility knife.
Kizer WPK Friction Folder Knife does not lock, making it not a simple everyday carry knife but an everywhere carry one, yes! It is legal to take it everywhere.
This tactical folding Knife is inspired by the mechanisms of the oldest friction folding knives, in combination with modern manufacturing and high quality materials.
What we didn’t like about this tactical folding knife is that it doesn’t feel so comfortable in the hands, but we are not surprised because Titanium was never known for its grippy features.
- Lightweight titanium handle
- Suitable for left handed and right handed users
- Tip-up secure pocket clip
- Not comfortable
Bottom line
Kizer WPK Friction Folder Knife is a great partner for anyone looking for an efficient and trusted survival knife to count on day-in and day-out; come on, what are you waiting for? Order it now!
9. FN-41 Custom Handmade Damascus Steel Folding Knife
- Olive wood handle and Alloy steel blade
- Brass File Work inside handle
- Handmade Durable Leather Sheaths Included
FN-41 Custom Handmade Damascus Steel Folding Knife is a great addition to your collection of the best friction folding knives. Let me tell you why.
It features a unique handle made of olive wood and Damascus Steel with 05.00 Inches length and excellent brass file work inside it. It makes the folding pocket knife as elegant and durable as the most expensive fixed blade knife on the market.
Even each lanyard hole looks elegant! In addition to keeping the utility knife from falling into your pocket
This Damascus steel contains high quality content and provides excellent edge retention and sharp cutting abilities.
When it comes to the blade, it is sharp alloy steel with a blade length of 04.00 Inches and HRC 58-60 hardness; it is hand sharpened to a sharp edge, making this folding pocket knife one of the sharpest best friction folding knives.
For added safety and protection, the folding Knife comes with a homemade leather sheath to put the Knife safely in your pocket.
The drawback is that the locking mechanism of the FN-41 Custom Handmade Damascus Steel Folding Knife has no edge or grip; in other words, it has no locking mechanism.
- Elegant Design
- Nice wood grip
- Leather Sheath
- Lightweight sna
- Durable
- A nice looking and sharp Knife
- The blade doesn’t fit entirely in the handle
- The locking mechanism has no edge or grip
- Bulky
- Noticeable gaps between wood and Damascus steel on the handle
Bottom line
FN-41 Custom Handmade Damascus Steel Folding Knife is a stunning automatic knife; it is versatile enough to meet all your daily needs. All in all, it is a great choice for those who don’t wanna settle for low quality friction folding knives with high prices.
10. Victorinox Swiss Army friction folding Knife
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene handle, and Stainless Steel blade
- Compact carry
- Tempered, annealed, and polished steel
- Corrosion resistant.
- Blade shape: straight back, blade edge: chisel
Victorinox Swiss Army friction Folding Knife is one of the best friction folding knives you might come across on the market. And since it is my favorite pocket knife of all time, I will be happy to talk about its breathtaking features.
With this slip joint knife, you will always be all set for any task that needs the help of a knife, and credits go to the utility, multifunctional and smart design this locking blade knife has.
Swiss Army knife is not a simple edc knife. It is a survival knife, utility knife, scissors, and much more.
The magical swiss army knife is a belt with durable and solid stainless steel in Switzerland; personally, I love the slim profile, extreme sturdiness, and resistance this slip joint knife offers, plus the lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Thanks to the tempered, annealed, and polished steel, you will have a stable, hard, and corrosion resistant locking blade knife.
Here is why I fell in love with this slip joint Knife from first sight; it is the breathtaking seven blades, which are
- A Screwdriver 2.5 mm
- A carving blade
- A nail file
- Scissors
- A Tweezers
- A keyring
- A Toothpick
The Screwdriver swiss army knife features are efficient enough to meet your daily needs in the kitchen, garage, garden, and outdoors for years to come, while the scissors will give precise cuts with control and stability.
The same goes with the lifesaving can opener!
We are all aware of the knife laws, which say that we can’t go around with a fixed blade knife in our pocket, and let me tell you that these non locking knives from victorinox are legal and way better than any other fixed blade knife.
A swiss army knife comes razor sharp and ready to use out of its box, but whenever it needs any quick fix-ups, it won’t take more than a couple of minutes.
Just make sure you use the sharpening at15°– 20°, which will give a30°– 40° cutting angle.
Not only sharpening the slip joint knife is easy, but cleaning up is the same too; open and close the locking blade knife 4 to 5 times inside a bowl of water, then dry it.
We recommend applying mineral oil on the joints and between the locking mechanism from time to time for a perfect performance all the time.
- Durable and solid construction
- Easy to carry
- Easy clean up and maintenance
- High quality materials
- Versatile
- Expensive
Bottom line
If you are sick of your drop point blade, clip point blade, switchblade knife, or whatever type of lock knives you have, this slip joint knife is undisputedly the ideal choice and will perfectly substitute your other different styles of locking knives, scissors, screwdrivers, and bottle opener.
Gets your Victorinox Swiss Army friction folding Knife now; you will never regret it!
FAQ about best friction folding knives
What are the types of locking mechanisms of friction folding knives?
Liner lock
The liner lock is the most popular locking mechanism in friction folding knives; it works by the metal spring bar in the knife handle, which you can find in the elongated Knife’s part.
The Knife can’t return back to the closed case because the spring bar falls behind the hinged Knife’s part, which can only happen when pushing away the spring bar from the Knife’s hinged part.
What makes the liner lock special? It is the safety it provides and ease of use since you can operate liner lock knives with one hand only.
Frame lock
The frame lock knives are also popular and not so different from liner lock knives; they have a milled-out part of the friction folding knife handle that handles the locking.
That will make you benefit more from the firmness of your handle instead of the spring pal found on liner lock knives.
What is used in designing the frame lock? Aluminum is the most common material, and these materials are what determine the lock’s strength and durability.
Yes, it is a one-handed mechanism like a liner lock, but it is not so safe as your fingers might get stuck between the handle and blade.
Slipjoint
The slip joint barely gives resistance while closing the folding Knife. In other words, it doesn’t really lock the Knife.
It can be a good choice if you want a knife with no locking mechanism all the time, you can find slip join in Spyderco endura pen knife, and most swiss friction folding knives
Virobloc/Ringlock
You can find Virobloc in Opinel friction folding knives, where the ring turns around the pivot whenever the Knife is opened, which is an excellent locking mechanism that secures the blades firmly in place.
It is a two-handed locking mechanism. And can be inflexible and hard to use sometimes, especially when it is wet.
We recommend oiling your folding blade knife with Virobloc/Ringlock for enhanced performance.
What are the types of friction folding knives blades?
- Clip point blade
- Drop point
- Pen blade
- Sheepsfoot
- Spey blade
- Tanto point
- Wharncliffe Blade
What are the types of pocket knives?
- Proto-pocket knives and the peasant knife
- The slip joint knife
- Barlow knife
- Camper knife
- Canoe knife
- Congress knife
- Peanut knife
- Pen knife
- Sodbuster knife
- Stockman knife
- Trapper knife
Final verdict
While reading these words right now, we expect you are ready to get the best friction folding knife on the market.
The best overall in our list of “best friction folding knives” is undisputedly the Opinel No. 6 Stainless Steel Folding Knife.
It is lightweight and super comfortable to carry around. It offers a sharp blade that will provide precise and controlled cuts and an ergonomic handle that makes the longest cutting process so comfortable.
The premium choice is the one and only Gerber Gear 31-003731 Quadrant. It comes with an eye-catching look and a sturdy frame lock of a knife, making it one of the best friction folding knives on the market.
And the best budget in this list of the best friction folding knives is the Kershaw Pub Carbon Fiber Multifunction Pocket Knife. It is a high quality folding knife with a surprisingly low price!
