Kershaw vs Opinel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Opinel had more branded searches than Kershaw among pocket knife brands worldwide. Opinel had about 135,000 branded searches, while Kershaw had 40,500. Opinel made up 16% of all pocket knife brand searches we track, and Kershaw accounted for 4.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pocket knife brands, Kershaw appeared in all five answers and Opinel in three. Kershaw was mentioned before Opinel in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Opinel, about 3 searches for every 1 for Kershaw
Who does AI mention more?
Kershaw, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Kershaw, named ahead of Opinel in 4 of 5 answers
Follow Kershaw vs Opinel and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top pocket knife brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kershaw appeared in all five answers. Opinel was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kershaw was listed before Opinel in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Spyderco1st
Benchmade2nd- Kershaw3rd
Victorinox4th- CIVIVI5th
- Opinel6th
Leatherman7th
Gerber–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Kershaw5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Benchmade4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Spyderco4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- CIVIVI4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Victorinox4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Opinel3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Leatherman1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Gerber0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about pocket knife brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pocket knife brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best pocket knife brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best pocket knife brand for everyday carry?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“everyday carry knife”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pocket knife brands”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Kershaw or Opinel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kershaw and Opinel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight pocket knife brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Opinel, Kershaw. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Leatherman | Benchmade | Opinel | Spyderco | Gerber | Kershaw | CIVIVI | Victorinox |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.6% | 17.7% | 11.9% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 17.7% | 2% | 0.39% |
| Nov 2025 | 42% | 18.8% | 12.6% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 12.6% | 2.1% | 0.41% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.1% | 19.3% | 15.8% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 0.52% |
| Jan 2026 | 40.9% | 18.3% | 15% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 3% | 0.49% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.3% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 0.48% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.7% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 8.6% | 2.6% | 0.42% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.4% | 16.6% | 13.6% | 9.1% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 2.7% | 0.36% |
| May 2026 | 42.9% | 19.3% | 15.8% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 0.34% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.7% | 18.7% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 0.33% |
| Jul 2026 | 44.5% | 16.3% | 16.3% | 8.9% | 6% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.43% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.6% | 15.3% | 18.7% | 10.2% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 0.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 43.6% | 16% | 16% | 10.7% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 0.43% |
How has the Kershaw and Opinel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Opinel took it in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kershaw’s share of searches among pocket knife brands worldwide moved from 17.7% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 40.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Opinel’s share of searches among pocket knife brands worldwide moved from 11.9% to 16%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
How did search popularity change for pocket knife brands worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Benchmade overtook Opinel to rank 2nd among pocket knife brands worldwide, with 16% of the searches.
In September 2026, Opinel lost share of searches among pocket knife brands worldwide, from 18.7% to 16%.
In September 2026, Kershaw lost share of searches among pocket knife brands worldwide, from 5.6% to 4.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kershaw’s and Opinel’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among pocket knife brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.