This Pocket Knife Is So Good, It's the Only One I Ever Carry (2024)

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I never thought of myself as a “knife guy.” Sure, I own dozens — and I even have a storage box to keep them all organized. But I never really felt like I fit the archetype.

I like camping but I’m not a hardcore survivalist. The closest I’ve been to a battlefield is playing Call of Duty on my couch. I’m not a hunter, nor do I partake in martial arts training. I’m just … a guy who carries a knife around. Then, two years ago, I got my hands on the WESN Allman.

WESN

The Allman Titanium Pocket Knife

• $175 at WESN

To be clear, I didn’t upend my life to follow in Bear Grylls’s footsteps, enlist in the USMC or get my hunting license and go on a big game safari. But I did find myself enthusiastically and openly leaning into the world of everyday carry (or EDC). Suddenly, I was eager to take a knife out of my pocket — not just to apply it to various cutting tasks but also to show it off and talk about how much I appreciate it.

Materials and Design

Available in a number of different material combinations and colorways, the version of the Allman I got my hands on was the blacked-out titanium edition, which comes with a Sandvik S35vn steel blade, grade 5 titanium scales and a sturdy frame lock. (For reference, it’s also available in a few other packages, including those with G10 handle scales.)

While those specs grant it solid durability and reliability, the materials aren’t particularly out of the ordinary; for reference, the Gerber Fastball and Benchmade Bugout I also have are comparably constructed.

Photo by Sean Tirman for Gear Patrol

Where the Allman really starts to stand apart, however, is in its appearance and how it feels in the hand — both in action and when inert. The handle is deceptively ergonomic; its gently curving silhouette, minimalist styling, ever-so-slightly-faceted handle scales and low-profile pocket clip look simple, but fit my grip perfectly — almost like they were made for my hands. Furthermore, the flipper and jimping on the spine combine beautifully to offer excellent grip security, especially while cutting.

Blade Shape

That all brings me to my favorite detail: the shape of the blade. Unlike most of my knives, the Allman doesn’t come to a sharp, piercing point — instead, offering a stocky, curved belly unlike most every full-sized EDC knife I’ve come across. In practice, this makes using it a truly satisfying joy. It just feels good, to the point that I find reasons to use it even when I probably don’t need to.

Photo by Sean Tirman for Gear Patrol

And I don’t miss having access to a sharp point for two reasons. First, the Allman does have an ever-so-slight point that works just as well as my other knives at starting a cut. Second, straightforward stabbing just isn’t as practical a use as one might think for an everyday carry knife. In fact, I’m struggling to come up with any genuinely good reason in daily life to stab something at all.

All told, this has culminated in a knife I enjoy carrying and using so much, I often have to remind myself that I have a collection of over 25 other knives.

The Allman is my favorite EDC knife — and it has been for the last two years since I first got ahold of it. Should you have the opportunity to pick one up, I highly suggest you jump at the chance. It might just become your favorite, as well.

WESN

The Allman Titanium Pocket Knife

• $175 at WESN

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