I don’t know about you, but knives are one of those gear items I just can’t get enough of. They are incredibly versatile and nowadays, there are so many different designs, new materials being used, and innovations that one could spend a lifetime testing out this classic tool.
With so many to choose from I wanted to take a moment to share four of my recommended best EDC knives, some older and some more modern. A quick note, for this article I will be focusing on folding pocket knives.
SKIP AHEAD
Best EDC Knives: My Top 4 Picks
Let’s take a look at four great pocket knives that I have carried off and on for years. Here are my top picks at a quick glance:
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#1 EDC Knife
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1. Buck 110 Folding Hunter Knife Review
Specifications
- Blade length 3 ¾”
- Blade thickness 0.12”
- Blade material is S30V
- 7.2 oz
- Leather sheath with convenient belt loop
- Made in the USA
- Lock back mechanism
Pros
- Nail notch on the blade for easy opening
- Lock blade for safety
- Easy to sharpen
- Affordable
Cons
- Two hands for closing. The blade can be closed one handed but in my opinion two hands should be used.
Here are pictures of my personal Buck 110 Folding Hunter knife:
This is the classic knife from my childhood. It is the knife that comes to mind when thinking of my grandpa sitting on the porch cutting slices of apple for his afternoon snack. This knife was introduced to me at a young age by my dad and his dad.
Its sturdy construction and simple design allow for comfortable use in everyday tasks. I have bought several of these throughout my life, and they always come razor-sharp right out of the box. Even after hours of cutting, this knife is quite easy to sharpen back to that perfect edge.
It may not have some of the modern attributes we have come to expect, but after being around for fifty years, this knife is still a top seller. It is beautifully crafted, and it gets the job done.
Some people may find this blade a little large to carry in a pocket (not me) but you can always get a leather belt sheath, which will make the pocket knife much more accessible. Plus, leather just has that classic design that looks great.
- Razor Sharp Blade - 3-3/4" 420HC stainless steel blade has excellent strength, edge retention and is...
- Strength and Safety - Easy to open with a nail notch on the blade. The lockback mechanism locks the...
Last update on 2024-04-15 at 18:25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Victorinox Swiss Champ Review
Specifications
- Weight 6.5 oz
- Overall length 4”
- Made from stainless steel
- Scale material ABS/Cellidor
Pros
- Extremely versatile
- Extra tools included
- Affordable
- High quality
- User friendly
- Great for all ages
Cons
- Not as durable as a single use tool, such as just a knife or just a pair of pliers
- Is bulkier than a regular pocket knife
- No locking mechanisms for the blade or other tools
- Many of the tools cannot be opened one handed
Here are some close-up pictures of my SwissChamp:
Many times while talking with people, I find out that the Swiss Army Knife was their first knife as a child. And that story is no different for me. A knife by itself is versatile, but a Swiss Army Knife can put a whole toolbox right into your pocket.
There are so many great models to choose from that it really is hard to pick just one knife from Victorinox. But, when push comes to shove, I will always go with the Swiss Champ.
The SwissChamp has always been my favorite pocket knife due to the amount of tools included and its compact size. I couldn’t even begin to guess the hours I have spent with this knife tinkering away, completing outdoor projects, fixing things around the house, or starting a campfire with the magnifying glass.
In my mind, a Swiss Army Knife, like the Swiss Champ, is one of the best EDC knives that I have carried because it’s more of a multi-tool than a pocket knife. This lends itself to being incredibly useful in an urban setting or in the outdoors. I have probably carried a Victorinox knife more than any other throughout my life.
Featuring thirty-three tools and an endless amount of uses, there isn’t much I can’t accomplish when I carry my Swiss Champ.
- READY FOR WHATEVER, WHENEVER. Features (33) functions including: 2.45" blade, Phillips screwdriver,...
- TRUSTED QUALITY. Made in Switzerland; Victorinox provides a lifetime guarantee against defects in...
Last update on 2024-04-15 at 21:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. CRKT M21-02 G10 Review
Specifications
- Blade length 3.13,” blade thickness is 0.12”
- Weight is 3.8 oz
- Plain cutting edge
- The 8Cr14MoV blade is coated in titanium Nitride
- Handle material is made from G10
Pros
- High carbon stainless steel blade
- Liner Lock for safety
- Light weight
- One handed opening and closing
- Pocket clip
- Due to the open frame, it is easy to clean
Cons
- In my opinion, a bit pricey for a pocket
Here are pictures my of my CRKT G10:
I have always liked CRKT knives, but this model stood out for me. The knife started out as a general every day carry knife, but it soon turned into a work knife. I have cut my way through carpet, cardboard, rope, tubing, and straps and it still maintains a good edge.
I have dropped this knife from ladders, off of a roof, run over it with my truck and it has been through the washing machine more than once. Yet, it feels just as solid as the day I bought it.
About the only thing that has loosened up over time are the three small screws attaching the pocket clip to the frame. They are not difficult to tighten but a bit of an annoyance as the hex head screws are very small.
The holes in the scales help to keep the knife lightweight while at the same keeping the overall feel of the handle sturdy. They can be a bit of annoyance as they can be a catch all for random debris or becoming hung up on other objects.
One of the other features that I have really enjoyed is the large thumb stud on the side of the blade, which makes assisted opening quick and eas
- Safe And Secure: Automated liner safety provides extra layer of lock security
- Fast Opening: The flipper deploys the blade fast
Last update on 2024-04-15 at 18:25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Cold Steel Pocket Bushman Review
Specifications
- Blade length 4 ½” blade thickness is 3.5mm
- Overall length 10 ¼”
- Blade material 420 stainless steel
- Handle material is German 4116 Stainless Cryo Quenched
Pros
- Has Cold Steel’s Ram Safe Lock
- One handed opening
- Pocket clip
- Will not open in your pocket
- Razor sharp with great edge retention
- Affordable
- Easy to clean
- Maintains edge. Easy to sharpen
Cons
- Requires two hands to close
- Due to its size and the method for closing the blade, it is not for everyone
Here are close-up pictures of my Cold Steel Pocket Bushman:
I am not one to judge a book by its cover, but the first time I saw this knife it just looked like a hunk of metal. Once I got my hands on it, I realized that it is a no nonsense, no frills hunk of metal – and I mean that in a good way.
The handle is a single piece of steel rolled over with no scales or mosaic pins to speak of. The handle houses the blade and the Ram Lock feature locks the blade in place when it is fully opened.
Coming in at over ten inches long when fully opened, the Bushman is probably one of the largest folding knives I have ever carried. For years now, I have used this knife in all manners of tasks, and I am still amazed that it feels like a fixed blade when I’m using it.
It was razor-sharp out of the box and maintained that edge longer than most knives I have used. Even though I have used this knife a lot, it is the one knife I have sharpened the least.
The locking mechanism is tough and has held up to a lot of abuse, but I don’t personally care for the two handed requirement for closing. In, fact at times it seems a bit unsafe. The way this works is that there is a small hole at the bottom of the handle. A piece of cordage (paracord) is threaded through and tied off to make a loop. When I am ready to close the blade I have to pull on the cordage with my right hand while either holding onto the spine of the blade or the handle with my left hand and then the blade can be closed. It is a bit awkward the first few times, but after some practice it becomes a smoother process.
But considering the insanely low cost of this blade and how much I have used it, I can look past the detail of the locking mechanism.
For those interested, we did a more deep-dive review of the Cold Steel Pocket Bushman.
Last update on 2024-04-15 at 19:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
EDC Knives Buying Guide – What I Look For:
Uses
How the knife is going to be used is definitely something that needs to be considered. Am I going to be slicing open boxes and cutting cordage or straps? Will I be using it for food prep? Am I going to be using the knife a few times a day, or is it going to be used frequently?
Thinking of questions like this will help me to choose a design that better suits me and my needs.
Size
The size of a knife comes into play for two reasons.
The first reason has to do with the previous section, what I’ll be using the knife for. The size of the pocket knife will also play a role in how you carry it. Will it be in a pocket, on your belt, or in a purse or bag?
The second reason has more to do with local laws. Many areas now classify a knife over a certain length as a concealed weapon. This is a situation where size does matter, so it is important to check your local laws before purchasing a knife.
Material
The material a knife is made from is going to affect many things like:
- How well will it hold up to the elements
- Ease of sharpening
- Weight
- Durability
- Price
I like to purchase items that will last me a long time and can be passed down to others, so what it is made from is an important factor. However, if you are looking for a “throwaway knife,” then this won’t really apply to you.
Price
Price can be a bit of a catch-22 for me, and I generally have the belief that I get what I pay for. I will spend three hundred dollars on a knife if that knife will be used a lot, and it’s a quality tool. Having said that, I also don’t want to spend three hundred dollars on a knife when a twenty-dollar knife will serve the same purpose.
But price range really is a personal choice. So, weigh all the options of the above categories to determine what price range is best for you and your everyday carry knife.
Wrap Up
It’s funny. It’s not until I get to the end of this article that I realize I left out a fixed-blade knife. I think that is because, for a lot of people, a fixed-blade knife is not an everyday carry knife so much anymore.
However, there are certainly plenty of people that still carry them, and there are situations that call for them. A fixed blade can be a great everyday carry knife, and it doesn’t have to be some monster blade hunk of steel. While this is an extreme example, a neck knife is a fixed blade, but is generally quite small.
Anyway, these are but four of the best EDC knives I have used in my lifetime. I hope to share more with you soon. Please feel free to leave a comment or question below. Stay sharp!
