1. How will you use it? Everyday: Are you opening boxes or cutting twine? Outdoor (Backpacking/Climbing/Hiking/Camping): Does your activity involve using rope? Hunting/Fishing: Are you field dressing game or cleaning/filleting fish? Tactical/Survival: Do you need a heavy-duty knife that won't fail? Limited Edition/Custom: Are you a collector?
2. What features are important to you? Fixed-blade: Always ready for use and dependable. Folding knife: Compact, safer to carry; improved dependability with locking blade. One-handed opening: Has a thumb stud, blade hole or other feature to facilitate one-hand use. Some models are one-hand opening and one-hand closing as well. Gutting/skinning blade: For field dressing game. Thick