More and more people are choosing to be better prepared and to carry certain items on their person at all times. Some of those items may include a wallet or ID cards, phone, or keys. A lot of people think it’s a good idea to carry a knife at all times to help prepare for any type of situation they may encounter.
We think it’s a good idea too.
EDC knives have many different uses ranging from cutting boxes to self defense. EDC knives are small and compact allowing for quick access and convenient carrying. There are many different brands that make EDC knives and the selection can be overwhelming.
We have researched and reviewed many different knives and have come up with the 10 best EDC knives.
1. Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556
The Benchmade Mini Griptillian is one of the most customizable knives from Benchmade, and it’s lightweight and compact design makes for an excellent EDC knife. The Mini Griptillian has a 2.91″ 154CM stainless steel blade that is .1″ thick. The knife is 6.78″ open and 3.87″ closed, it weighs 2.81 ounces.
With the options of the reversible tip up clip, you’ll forget you’re even carrying this blade. It is available in plain and serrated edges, satin or coated finish, drop point, tanto, or sheepsfoot blade style, and a glass filled nylon or g10 handle in your choice of seven different colors! With the Benchmade lifetime warranty and LifeSharp service, your Mini Griptillian will always be a reliable EDC knife.
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2. Cold Steel American Lawman
The Cold Steel American Lawman was designed with law enforcement in mind, it honors their service while providing a solid knife worthy of any situation a civilian or professional may encounter. The 3.5″ blade is made from American CTS XHP Alloy steel and is DLC (diamond like) coated to help prevent corrosion and provide added durability.
The Lawman is 8.5″ overall and weighs 4.5 ounces. The textured handle is G-10 for extra confidence in your grip. This folder is also equipped with Cold Steel’s Tri-Ad locking mechanism.
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3. Spyderco Delica 4
The Spyderco Delica 4 is an incredibly light and affordable blade that Spyderco has been improving since it first developed the Delica series in 1990. This knife is 7.125″ overall, 4.25″ closed and has a 2.875″ VG-10 steel flat ground blade. Amazingly, this knife only weighs 2.5 ounces and makes for a great EDC knife.
It has jimping on the spine to improve grip, along with a 0.5″ blade hole for easy one-handed opening. The Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) handle has texturing to improve grip. It also features a 4 way clip for your choice of carrying options.
The Delica 4 series is one of Spyderco’s more popular lines, and blades are available with plain edge or partially serrated, and feature seven different handle colors.
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4. Cold Steel Recon 1
The Cold Steel Recon 1 series knives are rugged and versatile, making them a great choice for any professional or EDC use. The classic Spear Point Plain Edge is a 4″ knife made of CTS XHP alloy blade steel with a comfortable G-10 handle.
The blade also features the patented Tri-Ad lock for increased confidence and stability in whatever situation you find yourself. The Recon 1 series features a wide variety of blades 2,3,4, and 5 1/2 inch long, with clip point, tanto, and spear point options as well as serrated, plain, and 50/50 options.
5. Kershaw Launch 3
The Kershaw Launch 3 is an automatic folder, perfect for EDC when you need to have your knife easily accessible and ready at a moment’s notice. This blade is CPM154 steel with a DLC coating to protect the blade and provides the dark finish. The blade is 3.4″, 7.8″ overall, and 4.4″ closed, weighing 3.4 oz.
The handle is made of durable anodized aluminum and features a reversible clip for ambidextrous use. The blade opens with a push button, that is even with level of the handle to help prevent the blade from opening unintentionally.
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6. Spyderco Manix 2
The Spyderco Manix 2 uses Spyderco’s patented ball bearing lock, which provides a strong and secure opener without your finger ever getting near the blade. The ball bearing lock works by utilizing a hardened steel ball bearing inside of a polymer cage. When open, the ball bearing is securely wedged into the blade, providing confidence when in use.
To close, pulling back on the cage releases the ball, allowing the blade to smoothly close. This action can easily be performed one handed with the reversible ambidextrous tip up clip design. The blade is made of CPM S30V flat ground stainless steel, 3.37″ long. Overall the knife is 8.03″ open and 4.66″ closed, weighing 4.9 oz.
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7. Buck Vantage Pro
The Buck Vantage Pro is a lightweight versatile knife, with solid craftsmanship and backed by Buck’s solid lifetime warranty. This drop point blade is 3 1/4″ long and made of S30V steel which contains carbon, Chromium, Molybdenum and Vanadium. This combination provides edge retention with corrosion resistance.
The knife is 4 3/8″ closed and only weighs 4 ounces, making it a great choice for everyday carry. It also features a one-hand open with a thumb hole in the blade and has a two liner lock system made of stainless steel for strength and added confidence. The handle is made of a comfortable G-10 nylon and the clip is fully reversible for a deep pocket, tip up carry.
8. Gerber Razorfish
The Gerber Razorfish is a solid, budget-friendly compact knife with a sleek design. This knife is a great option for EDC.
This knife is a good size with a handle of 4.25″ and an overall length of 7.00″. The knife also features a paracord cutting notch which makes it handy in survival situations. The knife is coated with gray titanium-nitrade and the blade comes in a Wharncliffe style.
The knife of course comes with an industry standard lock mechanism for safety. It also has a tip-down pocket clip making every day carry convenient. Overall this is a solid option for a knife to have with you for every day. Don’t let the good price fool you. Gerber has a reputation of making good quality knives for a good price.
9. Zero Tolerance 0801
The Zero Tolerance 0801 is different from some of the other pocket knives we have reviewed, it is made of ELMAX steel and stonewashed so that the blade will always have a clean look and hide how hard it’s been working. The ELMAX powdered steel also allows for razor sharp edge that stays sharp for longer and is easier to maintain.
The blade is 3.5″, 4.7″ closed and 8.2″ open, weighing 5.8 oz. The handle is titanium with a secure blade lock. It is a manual open folder, but the KVT ball bearing system makes the knife open smoothly with one hand every time. The handle also has a reversible clip designed for deep pocket carry.
10. Kershaw Skyline
The Kershaw Skyline is a simple and affordable EDC option. It is a manual folder and smoothly opens with a flipper, with a liner lock keeping it securely into place. The blade is 14C38N steel with a stone-washed finish for easy maintenance and hiding scratches.
The blade is 3.1″, overall length is 7.4″ open and 4.25″ closed, weighing only 2.5 oz, and is a great size for easy and comfortable everyday carrying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s an EDC knife and why do I need one?
EDC(Everyday Carry) items are things that people believe to be necessary to have access to at all times. These items can include wallets, ID cards, phones, knives, and even guns. Another important item that people are choosing to carry is a small and compact knife. There are so many reasons for carrying a knife that it makes sense to have one on you at all times. When choosing the right knife for you, there are some things to consider. Another great guide to check out is- best edc knives.
Length/size/weight– One thing that helps identify a knife and an EDC knife is its compact design and its short size. Typically the overall length of an EDC knife is between 5″ and 8.5″ on the high end. It really depends on preference and what you are using it for. Also when carrying a knife on your belt clip or in your pocket you will want something lightweight.
Features– Typically EDC knives are pretty plain but they do have some features worth talking about. If you are looking for an option with more features, check out our top ten survival knives article. Most of the knives we reviewed have a pocket clip feature which allows for tip up or tip down carry. Other notable features include a parachord cutter and a lock-back mechanism.
Blade Material-Knowing the type of metal that your knife is made of is very important and crucial for the longevity of your knife. There are many different materials that blades are made out of or have coatings on them. Blades are commonly made of either a high carbon steel or stainless steel. Stainless steel is popular because it resists corrosion and is easy to sharpen, however it still can rust. High Carbon steel tends to be tougher and more durable than stainless steel, however it can corrode easier and requires more maintenance.
Brands/Quality/Price– In the knife industry there are some brands who have been around for a long time and have established a solid reputation like Benchmade and Buck Knives. Other brands like Gerber haven’t been around as long but are starting to gain a good reputation as well. There are many different knife manufacturers so it is important to do your research. Some come with lifetime warranties and others come with blade sharpening programs.
Let us know what knife you prefer to carry and why you carry a knife in the comments below.