If You Buy Just One Pocket Knife, Make It This One

There are two types of people in the world: Those who carry a pocket knife, and those who don’t. In my experience, once you’ve given the non-carriers a taste of knife life — and the usefulness therein — they quickly switch teams without a look back.

But, picking a pocket knife for everyday use can feel like a daunting task. There are features, materials and capabilities that can overwhelm a newbie. So allow me to do the heavy lifting and humbly submit the Pilar III from CRKT, the best overall pocket knife you can buy today.

I’ve had a plenty of pocket knives in my time — I started out with my grandfather’s Swiss Army Knife whittling sticks as a kid, and from there have tried my hand with several different blades. I appreciate an uncomplicated design; often, the most seemingly simple items seem so due to a hell of a lot of background engineering.

Which brings us to the Pilar III — a practical design that’s straightforward enough for the most inexperienced wielder of knives to handle but built with enough know-how to keep die-hard enthusiasts satisfied, as well.

Hayley Helms

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

How does the Pilar III feel?

Hayley Helms

Right out of the box, the first thing that struck me about the third iteration of the Pilar was its unique look — the clean and curvy lines help it stand out from the pack, and give it a handfeel that feels both capable and creative. The fine point on the D2 steel blade is an update from the almost axe-reminiscent blade of the Pilar II and came in handy when opening packages.

I found myself using the knife even when scissors would have been the rational choice; taking tags off clothing, cutting cords and dismantling my Amazon packages felt way more fun with the Pilar III.

What features does this knife have?

Hayley Helms

In terms of useful attributes, the Pilar III has plenty: the IKBS ball bearing pivot kept opening and closing smooth, the D2 steel blade is easy to sharpen, the G10 with stainless steel handle feels and looks bombproof and the frame lock felt secure during use. I tended to deploy the blade with two hands more often than not, even though there is a thumb slot for easy one-handed opening; those more experienced with pocket knives (or with bigger hands) may find it more useful than I did during testing.

I found myself using the pocket clip more frequently than I had imagined; taking the knife with me on hikes and runs made me feel safer being out alone, and the clip is secure enough that I didn’t need to worry about losing the blade during runs.

Is the Pilar III worth buying?

Hayley Helms

CRKT’s Pilar III strikes a balance between modernity and history, with both urban styling and nostalgia serving as inspiration for the blade’s look and feel. Jesper Voxnaes designed the original Pilar in his Logstrup, Denmark shop, and named it after the beloved boat belonging to Ernest Hemingway during World War II — one used to monitor German U-boats in the Caribbean. Even with that storied background, the knife itself belongs very much in the 21st century, and I found myself using it in my daily life as though I’d had it for years.

The only drawback I’ve found to this rekindled love of blades? Getting to the TSA checkpoint at the airport … and realizing I’ve still got it in my pocket.

Wait, isn’t there a Pilar IV?

Sean Tirman, Hayley Helms

Yes, CRKT released the knife’s successor, the Pilar IV, in 2023. My colleague and fellow blade enthusiast, Sean Tirman, happily has one: “It’s a great knife,” he says, “especially for EDC purposes — just like its predecessor.”

Blade HQ

CRKT Pilar IV

The Pilar IV retains the vibe of its forebears but boasts a bigger clip point blade and a thumb slot opening. An IKBS ball bearing pivot, frame lock and pocket clip round out the compelling package.

Specs

Blade Length	3.09 inches
Blade Material	D2 steel
Handle Material	G10 with stainless steel
Locking Mechanism	Frame lock
Total Length	7.34 inches

• 
  $59.95 at Blade HQ
  
  $99.99
  
  (40% off)

But there aren’t a ton of differences between the III and IV other than the blade shape, which changed from a spear point to a clip point and gained 0.12 inches in length, as a result. “While one might argue that a clip point makes the blade better for more detail-oriented work, the difference in practice (for an EDC knife, especially) is mostly insignificant,” Tirman says.

The standard Pilar IV comes with a D2 steel blade, but there’s already a III with that option. Beyond that, both knives have the same G-10 and stainless steel frame lock handle, one-handed deployment, grip pattern, pocket clip and so on. And the III can be significantly cheaper (when the IV is not on sale, anyway).

All told, the IV is a stellar blade, and it’s a solid option if you prefer the look of a clip point. But for me, the III is still the knife to beat.