Folding Knives

A good folding knife is one of the most-used tools most people own and one of the least thought-about — until the blade is dull, the lock is loose, or it's the wrong knife for the job at hand. Extreme Reloading stocks folding knives from EDC (everyday carry) blades to larger tactical and outdoor folders, in stock and shipping in 24 hours from a veteran-owned shop.

Blade steel: edge retention vs. ease of sharpening

Steel choice is a tradeoff, not a single "best" answer. Harder, premium steels (higher-end S30V, S35VN, and similar) hold an edge longer between sharpenings but take more effort and the right equipment to resharpen. Softer, more common steels (8Cr13MoV, 440C, and similar) dull faster but are quick and easy to touch up with basic tools. A knife that will get carried daily and used often benefits from easy sharpening; a knife used less frequently but needing to hold an edge across a long trip benefits from premium steel.

Lock types

Liner locks and frame locks are common, simple, and reliable for most EDC use — a spring-steel liner or the frame itself locks the blade open. Back locks (also called lockback) are a traditional, very robust design common on larger or harder-use folders. Button/axis-style locks offer fast one-handed opening and closing but add mechanical complexity. None of these is inherently unsafe when made well — the bigger factor is fit and finish from a reputable manufacturer, not the lock type alone.

Blade shape for the job

Drop-point blades are the most versatile all-around shape, good for general EDC and light outdoor use. Tanto and modified-tanto points offer a stronger tip for piercing harder materials, common on tactical-oriented folders. Sheepsfoot and wharncliffe blades trade point strength for a straight edge and blunter tip, useful for rescue/cutting tasks where accidental puncture is a concern. Match blade shape to what the knife will actually be used for rather than picking on looks alone.

Opening mechanism and one-handed use

Thumb studs, flippers, and assisted-opening mechanisms all allow one-handed deployment, which matters if the knife needs to come into action while your other hand is occupied. Traditional slip-joint folders (no lock, opened with a nail nick) are common on classic-style pocketknives and generally require two hands.

Brands we carry

Spyderco and Kershaw across a wide range of EDC and tactical folders, Outdoor Edge and SOG Knives & Tools, Hogue, Cold Steel, Real Avid (with folder-integrated tool features), and Camillus. Filter by manufacturer on this page to find the right folder for your use case.

Frequently asked questions

Is a heavier steel always better? Not necessarily — premium steels hold an edge longer but are harder to resharpen without diamond stones or similar equipment. For most everyday carry, a quality mid-range steel that's easy to maintain often serves better than a premium steel that goes unsharpened because it's inconvenient.

Can I carry a folding knife anywhere? Knife carry laws (blade length limits, lock-blade restrictions, carry in specific locations) vary significantly by state and even by city — check your local regulations before carrying, especially for larger or assisted-opening folders, which face more restrictions in some jurisdictions than plain manual folders.

How often should I sharpen a folding knife? This depends heavily on use and steel — a daily-carry knife used for cutting tasks may need touch-ups every few weeks, while a knife carried but rarely used might go months. Strop or hone regularly between full sharpenings to extend the interval.

Not sure which folder fits your use case? Reach out — we're happy to help you find the right knife for the job.