Best 2 inch Pocket Knife in 2023

In general, knife users usually look for small pocket knives, specifically a 2 inch Pocket Knife, for a variety of reasons. They are easy to carry, you won’t feel them in your pocket, and it keeps us out of legal trouble.

Despite the fact that 2-inch pocket knives are legal everywhere, if you are like me and in need of a 2-inch knife for your daily use, I have composed a list of the five best 2-inch pocket knives. This list is influenced by several factors, including the steel used in the blade, the ergonomics, as well as the brand of the knife, so let’s begin.

The best pocket knife for 2 inches

1. Spyderco Ladybug 3

Our Top Pick
small hunting knife Knife

Spyderco Ladybug 3 Signature Knife

Specifications:

  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
  • Handle Material: Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon
  • Style: Purple – PlainEdge

One of Spyderco’s smallest lightweight knife is the Ladybug, so small it attaches to your keychain and is nearly as small as your car keys.

My preferred blade is the Ladybug 3 from Spyderco. Spyderco’s knives are some of my favorites, and I own a few of them. This includes the Ladybug 3 as it was designed to be small, strong, lightweight, and sharp!

Featuring a stainless steel blade with a plain edge, it has a 2′′ (1.93′′ in precise measurement) blade for great strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, this little monster will cut and hold an edge for a long time. It consists of strong, lightweight Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon handles and has an ergonomic design, with a thumb rump, a front guard, and a smooth opening mechanism. 

All in all, this knife is made with high-quality steel that can just be cut! A great-looking and comfortable design combined with premium handles provide greater resistance and strength. I highly recommend this.

Pros:
  • The VG-10 is a premium steel of the highest quality
  • with excellent ergonomic properties
  • as well as a FRN handle
  • Durable, sharp, and will maintain an edge for a long period of time
Cons:
  • There was nothing wrong with the knife!

2. Kershaw Chive 1600

2nd Pick
2 inch outdoor Knife

Kershaw Chive Pocket Knife, 1.9 Inch

Specifications:

  • Blade Material: 420HC
  • Handle Material: Stainless Steel
  • Style: Pocketknife

This Chive Kershaw Knife is compact for easy storage and usage. It contains a Speed Safe-assisted opening, blade that is made of 420 high-carbon steel. The durable handle is 410 stainless steel and comes with a handy, removable pocket clip.

Kershaw’s Chive pocket knife features a 1.9″ plain edge blade in 420H stainless steel, offering outstanding corrosion resistance and good edge retention. The handle is also made entirely of 420H stainless steel, which has a non-reflective matte bead-blasted finish. 

The great part about this knife is its unique opening mechanism, It features an assisting opening mechanism that opens the blade so quickly and so smoothly and the ergonomics of the knife are also exceptional. These features are complemented by a thumb ramp, a tip-lock slider, a very solid lock mechanism and a single-position pocket clip. If Kershaw used premium steel for this knife, it would be my first choice!.

Pros:
  • It is easy to sharpen and corrosion-resistant stainless steel
  • opening system is fast and smooth
  • and provides excellent ergonomics
Cons:
  • This knife has decent edge retention (which can be easily sharpened)

3. Cold Steel Micro Recon 1

3rd Pick
2 inch Folding Pocket Knife

Cold Steel Recon 1 Series Tactical Folding Knife

Specifications:

  • Blade Material: Alloy Steel
  • Handle Material: Alloy Steel
  • Special Feature: Folding Knife

A popular knife with Military and Law Enforcement Personnel, Fire and Rescue crews as well as civilians who appreciate a hardworking, dependable tool for any occasion.

There are a number of sizes of the blade for the famous Cold Steel MICRO RECON 1 pocket knife, however we recommend the 2″ size. In addition, it is equipped with a 2 inch drop point blade made from AUS 8A stainless steel. 

As for the blade, it offers good corrosion resistance, good wear resistance and decent edge retention. This knife has a great design that makes it a great tactical/survival pocket knife, plus it features a G-10 handle that is tough and offers good resistance. 

The If you are looking for a tactical pocket knife with a 2 inch blade that is comfortable and easy to use, this is your choice, as its triad locking system is very secure and safe. In conclusion, if you are looking for a tactical/survival pocket knife with a 2 inch blade, this is your choice..

Pros:
  • Blade steel with good corrosion resistance and wear resistance
  • The locking mechanism is secure and safe
  • with strong and durable G-10 handles
Cons:
  • There is no thumb ramp on this knife, which would be a great enticement.

4. Gerber LST Ultralight Knife

4th Pick
Best Fine Edge

Gerber LST Ultralight Knife, Fine Edge

Specifications:

  • Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless Steel
  • Blade Length: 2.63 Inches
  • Blade Shape: Drop Point

Brought to market by none other than Pete Gerber himself, this little knife has a big history. With a handle completely constructed of all synthetic materials, it set a new standard in craftsmanship. Also featuring a 420HC blade and built in America, this classic can’t be missed.

For those seeking a simple pocket knife with a 2-inch blade, this is a perfect choice. A stainless steel blade with a drop-point design measures 1.96″ in length, and it is corrosion-resistant and easy to sharpen.

This knife is equipped with a glass-filled nylon handle for increased strength and resistance. As a result, it combines lightweight characteristics with the performance that is typical of a small pocket knife. Because of its smooth mechanical action, it is easy to open and close. There is a good balance between ergonomics and affordability. I would recommend it to anyone on a tight budget.

Pros:
  • It is extremely inexpensive when compared to its value
  • value
  • value. It is corrosion-resistant and can be sharpened easily
  • while combining lightweight and performance
Cons:
  • The thumb ramp is not present for improved ergonomics
  • and adequate edge retention

5. Cold Steel 20MT Mini Tuff Lite

5th Pick
Folding Knife with Pocket Clip

Cold Steel Tuff Lite Folding Knife with Tri-Ad Lock and Pocket Clip

Specifications:

  • Blade Material: Stainless Steel
  • Handle Material: Black Griv-Ex
  • Blade Length: 2 Inches

Tough enough to do the job and light enough to be handy, Cold Steel’s Tuff Lite folders are there when you need them. Perfectly sized to slip into any pocket, clip to your waist band or wear around your neck on a lanyard.

Made from Japanese AUS8a stainless steel, the Mini Tuff from Cold Steel is a great everyday carry pocket knife for everyday tasks.

 It has a 2″ long, hollow ground Wharncliffe blade with a plain cutting edge and offers good corrosion resistance as well as good edge retention, the pocket clip allows for easy carrying, and the blade can be opened with one hand thanks to a slot in the blade.

There is a small hole in the blade, and the finish is fine. It has good ergonomics, thanks to the index finger choil, it used to be ranked in my top 10 list about eight years ago, but it was overtaken by newcomers! So though it is last on my list, I recommend it, since it comes at a reasonable price.

Pros:

  • A good ergonomic design
  • made of a high corrosion-resistant steel that is durable and wear-resistant
  • with a slotted hole that is easy to open with one hand
Cons:
  • Although the knife is sharp, it does not hold its edge well 

Read Also: How does a Pocket Knife Work?

When selecting a 2″ pocket knife, what to look for

In selecting my knives, there are many considerations I personally take into account. Here are the four main considerations you should pay attention to:

1) The Steel:

In every knife, it’s important to consider the Steel, when you’re looking for a knife, consider your needs, and choose the right Steel for those needs. To illustrate this point, let me give you an example:

If you work in a moist environment, you will need a knife that is rock-solid, you’re not great at sharpening, so you’ll need steel that is corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, and holds an edge for an extended period of time.

 As an example, let’s assume that you require tough steel and that you enjoy sharpening knives. The high-carbon steel will be a good choice for you and you will save money for your subsequent purchase. Always do your research on Steel before making your purchase.

2) The Ergonomics

In addition to the handle, the shape and design of the knife, be sure that the handle of the knife is highly durable so that it will not slip off your hand, many materials are used to make knife handles (G-10, Micarta, Carbon fiber handle…), try to hold the knife in your hand and make sure it is comfortable to hold.

 OK, once you examine the handle, you will see that some knives have an index finger choil and thumb ramp, whereas some do not. The answer depends on the price you are willing to pay.

Most mid-range and high-entry-range knives have an index finger choil and thumb ramp, so if your hands need some help to be more comfortable, take the risk and purchase the blade. Lastly, the pocket clip is an essential component for a better carrying experience.

3) The Locker (If you’re looking for it):

Many folding knives have a locker system, it is imperative that you check whether the locker is sturdy, strong, and secure because you do not want to risk this part of the knife and, even with the greatest locker, ensure that you always treat your knife as if it were the worst one for your safety.

4) The Price:

Lastly, there is the price, one of the best ways to determine the price of a knife is to examine the Steel, the design, the ergonomics offered, and the material used in the handle, all of these characteristics have a price, if you are interested in a high-end steel knife, you can expect to pay at least 70-80 USD. 

The handle will be the next consideration, followed by the locking system and the opening mechanism, the ergonomics (if there is a choil, ramp, or Jim)

Now, these are the four things I look for in a pocket knife, but there are several other things to consider such as knife thickness, blade shape, and blade size, but those are individual choices and I will not be discussing them, but they should also be considered.

Conclusions

The purchase of a 2-inch pocket knife is a wise decision; most knife users have a secondary 2-inch pocket knife, which is very practical and useful in everyday use. In conclusion, I hope that I provided some assistance in making your decision and that my best list did meet your requirements. If you have another opinion, please include it in the comment section below.

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