Buzz
With school out and summer in full swing, it's the perfect time for a picnic. As you pack your drinks and snacks for a day at the beach, park, or campsite, don't forget one crucial item: the trusty pocket knife.
A few weeks ago, I organized a picnic in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. I brought along snacks, cheeses, fruits, and some French butter from a recent vacation. I also packed my pocket knife, and it turned out to be a lifesaver: friends showed up with an unsliced loaf of homemade bread and a cake. My knife became the star of the picnic, slicing cheese, bread, and cake. A quick napkin wipe, and it was perfect for spreading butter. Had there been a melon, we could’ve easily sliced that too. But imagine if I had forgotten my knife – a dreadful thought.
You might already be in the habit of bringing a knife on trips, and a picnic is no different. Even if you're not heading to the Florida Keys, you're still enjoying time away from your kitchen. The last thing you'd want is to be out by the lake, an hour from the nearest town, with a block of cheese and some melons, and no way to cut them. But a small, single-blade folding pocket knife in your picnic basket is all it takes to avoid that unfortunate situation.
Here are some key features to look for in a good picnic knife.
Why a pocket knife is the better choice over a kitchen knife for your picnic.
I recommend opting for a pocket knife instead of a kitchen knife because they're lightweight, compact, and versatile. An eight-inch santoku knife, for example, is cumbersome on a picnic blanket and, since it's meant for use on a cutting board, may not be the safest option.
What to consider when choosing a picnic pocket knife.
Just the right size. A solid picnic pocket knife typically has a three-inch blade. This size is perfect for cutting through thicker foods at a picnic. Most items like blocks of butter, wedges of cheese, loaves of bread, and even baby watermelons can be easily sliced with this blade length. Even a Dirty Dancing-sized watermelon can be tackled with this size, though you'll have to get creative with your slicing.
Dependable quality. Choose a blade made of high-quality steel for durability. I prefer forged metal over stamped metal for extra strength. While there are some durable stamped blades, they might require more frequent sharpening.
Sturdy blade lock. Pocket knives fit securely into the handle, which makes them portable and safe to carry. This feature is particularly useful when you're on a picnic blanket. When you're not using the knife, simply wipe the blade and slide it back into the handle. It's important to select a model that locks when open, allowing you to apply pressure without the blade shifting.
My top choice for a picnic pocket knife.
Personally, I use a Carved pocket knife with a titanium handle and a Damascus steel blade (and as a bonus, it’s also quite a stunning piece). However, if you’re not a fan of beautiful designs and prefer something more simple, the Smith’s 3-inch blade could be a great option for you.
