A cool pocket knife is a folding knife designed to be carried in a pocket. Pocket knives are generally produced with four- to six-inch (10–15 cm) blades that can open via one hand, although some models may have shorter blades or manual opening mechanisms.
The handle is nearly always metal and shaped like the blade's crossguard so it can fold into the handle when not in use. The blade may be straight or serrated and folded many times to fit inside the handle. These knives have been popular among civilians for hundreds of years. Many kiddie knives, made from stamped metal, were sold in the United States by the early 1900s (images). In 1902, James Golen first used the term "pocket knife" in an advertising campaign for his company's knives (Bryan/Rosenberg).
The early industry focused on mass-producing general utility pocket knives or kiddie tools. By the middle of the twentieth century, when pocket knife production shifted to higher-end cutlery and specialty knives, many companies shifted their focus away from easy-to-manufacture pocket knives.
Pocket Knife Design and Function
Cool Pocket knife design and function have changed over time. Many early pocket knives, especially those made in the United States and Western Europe, were largely utilitarian. These knives made for everyday use had blades as small as 2 inches (5 cm) long and as large as 6 inches (15 cm) in length. More recently, because of their popularity with civilians, military utility knives have been reintroduced with larger blades.
These "outdoorsman's" knives are produced by different companies. The classic pocket knife design has remained mostly unchanged since Charles Buck's "Buck Buddies" appeared during the 1870s. Modern knives are frequently made with a blade that can be opened with one hand, commonly known as a "one-handed opening" (or O.H.O.) design.
Blades can also be found manufactured with a hole in the handle (known as a "spear point" or "lanyard hole"), which allows the knife to be carried on a keychain or lanyard. Other designs include blades designed to attach directly to keychains. When carrying pocket knives in public areas, many jurisdictions require that they have their blades closed when not in use.
Utility Uses of Pocket Knives:
Knives are a very important tool in many kitchens. Their utility usage is varied and vast, so it is important to have the right knife for the right use. Here are some utility uses of a cool pocket knife:
1. Useful Knife
This utility knife is a smaller knife that is used in a variety of ways. These knives are usually folding; they have blades that fold into the handle. This makes them more compact, which means they are easier to store in a pocket or purse. This knife can also double as an eating utensil, with the blade hidden inside the handle. This knife is often single-edge (i.e., sharp on one side only) but it can be serrated if that suits its use better.
2. An Extra Pair of Hands
A tool like a pocket knife can be used to open boxes or packages and pry things loose from tight spaces.
3. Some Cutting Chores
A knife like the cool pocket knife can cut items like string, twine, or fishing line. It can also be cut through plastic wrap and cardboard easily.
4. Preparing Food
These knives can be used for cutting up raw meats and fish before cooking, slicing tomatoes, garnishing platters, and so on. A sharp knife like this is also handy for cutting smaller foods into bite-size pieces or wedges.
5. Peeling Things
A good quality knife can make quick work of peeling fruits or vegetables. This is especially useful if you'd rather not do the peeling with your expensive chef's knives!
6. A Last Resort
If you are caught without a knife, like when you're on an outing and forgot your self-defense knife, this cool pocket knife can come in handy as a last-ditch effort to cut something. If you've ever encountered the need, you know how important it is to have some way of slicing a cord or opening something!
Keep Your Knife Sharp!
These knives are the quintessential survival tool. They don't just help people hunt and prepare food, they can also literally save their life. But as every knife owner knows, it's not always easy to keep a cool pocket knife sharp. These knives can get dull and lose their edge after frequent use or if you let them sit for long periods of time. If your pocket knife is not cutting like it used to, here are some tips:
Always Keep your Knife Dry
Your knife is not waterproof. It's not made that way; it's durable, but it can still become rusty from moisture. Keep your knife dry by keeping it in a safe place and never leaving it lying around. If you leave your pocket knife laying on its side for a long period of time, the metal of the blade can get so cold that bacteria begin to grow on it. The corrosion begins to weaken the edge.
Keep Sharpening your Knife
Most people don't know how to sharpen a cool pocket knife correctly or they put off sharpening the blade until their tool gets too dull to cut anything. A dull blade is not just annoying, it's also dangerous because you are more likely to hurt yourself. A dull blade can slip while cutting and can even break while you're using it. If your knife is not sharp enough to cut through objects, use a whetstone (whetstone) or a diamond hone (diamond hone) to sharpen the blade.
A rusty blade or a blade covered with dirt can also make your tool less effective than it should be. If you keep the blade clean, the edge will remain sharp for longer periods of time.
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