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Pocket knives are folding knives that are designed with a size to be fit in a pocket. These devices contain one or more blades inside with the blade length ranging from 1/2 inch to 12 inches. There is also an advanced and commonly used model of these knives which works as multi-purpose tools and contain other additional tools to open an envelope, slice an apple, or to be used in self-defense. The early history of these knives goes back to the Iron Age. But those cannot be exactly called as these knives as pockets are added much later to clothes. Carrying these knives has become much popular in modern age as certain jurisdictions banned the carrying of fixed-blade knives. Based on their designs these knives are divided into different categories like, slipjoint knives, multitool slipjoint knives, locking knives, and tactical folding knife.

Slipjoint Knives

As the name suggests, in this category of pocket knives the blade is not locked and once you open the blade it is held by spring device in place. The spring device also lets the blade fold if you put a certain amount of pressure. The slip joint knives can contain only a single large blade that can be fit in the handle. Because the knife uses a locking mechanism that depends on the spring at the back of the blade for locking. So if there are multiple levers for each blade then it becomes difficult for the spring to control. Slipjoints are much smaller in size in comparison to other pocketknives and normally used for light duty.

Multitool Slipjoint Knives

This category of pocket knives is a combination of knife and other tools. It contains more than one blade with different assortments like, serrated, plain edged, or saws. There is also some other variety of tools like bottle openers, corkscrews, and scissors added along with these blades. There are some army versions of the multitool knives which come with more additional tools and were commonly in use during wars by the U.S.A and German armies. There is also a model designed for electricians with a locking screwdriver blade but a non-locking knife blade. There is a much smaller version of this knife known as credit card knife and can be carried inside your wallet. They also contain more simplistic but useful tools like toothpicks.

Locking Knives

There are models like lockback knife and claspknife which are coming under this category of pocket knives. These knives use a twisting ring or catch mechanism which has to be released in a separate action before folding the knife. These knives are comparatively safer in comparison to slipjoint knives as these prevent accidental blade closure while cutting.

Tactical Folding Knife

This category of pocket knives became popular in the USA due to the gun laws restrictions in the 1990s. These knives normally use linerlocks, but some makers also use axis lock. The lengths of its blade vary from 3 inches to 12 inches. But die to the legal restrictions in some US Jurisdictions the blade length never exceeds 4 inches. There was a huge demand for these knives which make number of companies produce their own version of the tactical folding knives.

Most models of pocket knives are designed to be used as multi-purpose tools still these can also be used as weapons. So even though there is no legal restriction on carrying these knives, there are legal restrictions on the usage. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on their size and locking or opening mechanisms. Also these are banned in secure areas like schools and airports. So while using these knives you must ensure that you are not breaking any law relating to knives usage.