Best EDC Knives – Knife Reviews & Advice

Every day carry, or EDC knife, is one of the most important tools you can have. Having really well-made EDC knives make outdoor chores and tasks a breeze. They are a great and simple way to prepare for anything life throws at you.

So where’s the catch? With literally thousands of blades available today, you need to know which is the best option for you. Read on to find out my top 10 best EDC knife picks as well as some of the features and functions that make them so perfect.

1. Kershaw Cryo EDC Knife

When this folding knife first hit the market, the negative reviews hitting the web were a huge turn-off. Initially piquing my interest, I thought I would add my two cents and review why this EDC knife made my best-of list.

A Closer Look

The Cryo measures 6.5″ long with a blade that takes up 2.75 of those inches. Weighing 4.2 ounces, this folding knife is perfect for everyday use because of its features. Not originally intended as an EDC knife, this certainly gets the job done and fits the job description well.

This knife features a drop-point blade with a fine tip, making it the perfect tool for slicing and dicing. The blade steel is an 8Cr13MoV stainless type, a material that has been made in China. Because of the price of this drop point blade, I didn’t mind so much where it was manufactured. The edge retention isn’t great, having to sharpen it after some basic cutting tasks, but the cold steel holds up well when being sharpened.

More Details

To match the cold steel blade, the handle has also been made from stainless steel. The contrast between the black stainless steel blade and gray here is very pleasing to the eye. Overall the handle construction is a solid effort, with all of the corners being rounded off and everything lining up extremely well.

To open and lock this everyday carry knife, Kershaw has provided us with options of thumb studs and a flipper. They have also included their Speedsafe-assisted opening technology, which I love and have talked about in many a knife review. The flipper is perfect because it’s easy to reach and is well-built. The thumb studs, though? What a flop! They are placed somewhere that is almost impossible to reach, making them very difficult to use.

Locking the drop point blade in place on this knife uses a stainless steel frame lock design. This is reminiscent of Kershaw’s titanium frame lock knives. Overextension of the knife is prevented because of the lock bar stabilizer, and I fell in love with this feature because it’s not commonly used in cheaper, everyday knives.

Final Verdict

On paper, at the start of this review, I thought the Cryo seemed like a decent enough knife, which it quickly proved right because it’s small and functional. The blade steel is of acceptable quality, and including a pocket clip means it comes with bonus features worth the money. As a cheap everyday carry knife that is a lower-priced alternative to titanium or anodized aluminum options, I found that it was unique and decently made.

That being said, because of the price drop when this knife was built, some of the corners were definitely cut. There’s no liner lock, and the blade feels very off-center, the deployment thumb studs are rendered useless, and weighing 4.2 ounces means that the knife is heavy to carry. Kershaw definitely didn’t spend enough time making this into the perfect everyday carry blade, and I see it more as a starter knife than a timeless tool you will use for years to come.

2. Spyderco Paramilitary 2

As a professional knife reviewer, I have compared this pocket knife to hundreds of others I’ve used over the years. From the blade shape to the deployment, this tool had to make it onto the best EDC knife list.

A Closer Look

The Para 2 measures 8.3″ long, with the blade measuring 3.4″. At 3.75 ounces, it’s relatively lightweight for its slightly larger design. Originally made to be a heavy-duty folding knife or a tactical knife, many people now prefer to use it daily as the best EDC knife in its category.

For blade shape, Spyderco went with the classic drop point, which is common and seen a lot with pocket knives. The edge is extremely sharp, and the features, like the ergonomic grip, made this knife one I had to review. The blade itself has been constructed from cold steel – the ever-popular S30V that has been used for almost a decade in everyday and survival knives. Because of the material, it’s made from the Para 2, is easy to sharpen, and has great edge retention as well. Also, as part of my check, I found that these EDC knives are also resistant to corrosion and rust.

More Details

As one of the best EDC knives on my list, I was happy that the handle of the knife had nested stainless steel liners. The black G10 handle has a reduced weight, meaning that this 3.75-ounces folding knife is quite light to carry. All in all, I love the construction and found it to be built very sturdy and solid.

You can carry the Para 2 in your pocket, making it a perfect choice as an everyday knife. I use it a lot and find that it is so thin and lightweight that I can barely feel it. Deploying the blade is smooth, fast, and consistent thanks to the G10 handle and blade steel features. Even though this knife isn’t made of higher-grade titanium, I find it to be one of the best deploying folding knives available today.

The liner lock at the back of the folding knife works using compression that puts a liner between the stop pin and the tang. As far as EDC knives go, this is one of the best locking mechanisms there is because it’s incredibly strong and really cleverly made.

Final Verdict

Compared to other EDC knives or even a fixed blade option, this pocket knife packs a punch. It’s a tough knife made from high-quality steel, providing the user with an ergonomic tool that is certainly worth the stellar review and price tag based on its features and capabilities.

3. Benchmade 940 EDC Knife 

The Benchmade 940 had to appear on the best-of list purely because it’s been a staple EDC knife for so long. One of the most popular designs from Benchmade, here we are going to look at what makes this one of the best in our review.

A Closer Look

I review so many knives that they all become a bit of a blur, but this model is definitely from a brand that is close to my heart. The length of the knife is 7.87″ with a 3.4″ blade, and it weighs only 2.90 ounces, making it one of the better lightweight options that you will love. As a folding knife, it has a lot of versatility and can get many jobs done well.

Instead of a titanium blade, we are looking at the perfect S30V blade steel for this knife’s construction. It’s one of the best carry knife materials you can get for everyday use, and the level of toughness and lightweight features are what make it so brilliant. Benchmade always does a great job with S30V steel, and this knife is no exception to that.

More Details

The aluminum handles of this knife are striking. As anodized aluminum handles go, the texture is beautiful and isn’t slippery when used. Also included in the handle are stainless steel liners.

The 940 has both an axis lock and thumb studs for deployment. Because of this, the deployment of the knife is both smooth and fast. You can easily access the studs on each side of these EDC knives, and the blade flicks out at quite an alarming speed.

Final Verdict

The 940 has all of the features you would come to expect from one of the best everyday knives. The blade steel is strong, and as a folding knife, everything works well and as it should. The only potential downside that this knife may have is that it doesn’t come cheap but for all the bells and whistles included, this is something that should be expected.

4. Kizer Feist 

Although the first run of Kizer Feist EDC knives had its problems, the production was swiftly put on hold to make this a strong pocket knife. Now in its second production run, this knife sold out at record speed, and the features definitely make it a knife to check out.

A Closer Look

Because the Feist is a pocket knife, it’s on the small side with a 6.55″ overall measurement. This is perfect for one of the best EDC knives because it makes it compact enough for everyday use. The knife only weighs 2.68 ounces as well, making it a pretty lightweight option to carry around with you.

Simplicity is everything with this knife, and the stonewash finish is a beautiful addition to a great piece of survival kit. The blade is keen and sharp, plus it doesn’t have that wobble that you would come to expect from pocket knives.

More Details

The handle of the Feist is just plain and contoured titanium which makes it luxurious to hold. There’s no scalloping or bumps to deal with, which treats me just fine. The only thing included for vanity’s sake is a pivot screw, but this is easy to remove if you like your EDC knives looking basic.

The front flipper is one of the main reasons I wanted to review this knife. As EDC knives go, this isn’t a fixed blade with the everyday button releases. Instead, you will find a front flipper with the Kizer Feist. It’s a very elegant choice that may make some ordinary knife carriers check twice to see how the blade actually deploys. But it provides no problems to carry, and it also stops gunk from accumulating around the release studs.

Final Verdict

Overall I have been pleasantly surprised and impressed by the Kizer Feist. As far as EDC knives go, the second production of the blade seems to have done away with the shoddy manufacturing of the first run and has fixed any problems very well. The only problem I have encountered with this knife is that the milled clip can be a bit stiff, but this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for anyone looking for one of the best EDC knife options.

5. Civivi Anthropos 

The Civivi Anthropos is the sort of EDC you would give to a friend as a gift, even if they don’t carry one with them every day. The attention to detail of this product and the quality of the craftsmanship make it a usable knife that is also pleasing to look at. If you enjoy any other of the Isham designs and appreciate owning a high-value folding knife, then the Anthropos is definitely a solid option for you.

A Closer Look

Elijah Isham is the creator behind the Anthropos, and it is a perfect embodiment of his unique and one-of-a-kind design style. It looks much different from other EDC knives and also has very good ergonomics for a knife that is focused more on style over substance—not going for the traditional CPM S30V material to make the blade. Instead, this has D2 tool steel and a drop point, which has plenty of girths. The overall blade length measures 3.25″, making the entire knife just 7.40″ in total length.

More Details

For cutting tasks, I found this knife to be an excellent companion. It’s sharp and light enough to carry with you. The handle doesn’t add many ounces to the weight either, crafted from a milled G10. Carbon fiber lays over the stainless steel liners of the handle, and it also comes with a pocket clip included that sits deep within your pocket for safety.

Final Verdict

Not knowing much about the Ishram range of knives beforehand, I found the design of this tool to be well thought out and quite well-executed as well. While I wouldn’t call it a go-to carry blade for me personally, it’s a solid enough option to have as a backup or even to give to somebody as a starter knife to get them used to EDCs and what they can do.

6. Steel Will Modus F25-13

Steel Will is a relatively new company on the EDC scene, so I didn’t get my hopes up that this knife would be able to offer me much. I definitely have some quibbles with it, but for the price tag, it’s hard to moan about it.

A Closer Look

The Modus measures 7.625″ in length, so it isn’t as long as some of the other EDC knives on this list. The blade fits nicely into the handle, and every part of the knife is utilized for something. Steel liners are included in the knife, but these don’t significantly affect the overall weight. It’s actually quite light to carry, which is something you definitely want to check with an EDC knife.

The blade of Modus has a thin blade stock with a high flat grind. Both of these could spell trouble for a lot of knives, meaning they can’t cut well and get bound up in any material harder than cardboard. I found the blade to retain its sharpness without having to treat it constantly, but I do tend to wipe it down with cleaner almost every day, even if I haven’t used it, because it stains very badly.

More Details

The way the handle is crafted should have made this knife stand out as a carry knife in this list, but I had one massive problem with it – the pattern on the handle. To carry it, it makes indentations in your hand, and the whole experience was quite uncomfortable. As for the mismatched and splotchy flecks of color, it’s a retro design that would do well in the 1990s but not today.

Despite hating the handle, I found the knife to be unobtrusive to carry in my pocket. The only problem in this area was the flipper latch, which felt like a small bird pecking at my leg intermittently because it should be much smaller.

Final Verdict

This could be a great knife if it were thought out properly. While I know that it is a budget knife, I think the ergonomics could have been better thought out, and the handle design needs a complete revamp. The oversized flipper made carrying the knife an issue, and other competitors in this area could easily outdoor the performance of the Modus.

7. Smith & Wesson SWMP4L

The Smith & Wesson brand has long been hailed as one of the best gunmakers in the country. When they first started crafting knives back in 1974, they made sure their heavy focus on safety and security was at the forefront of their designs. The Smith & Wesson SWMP4L was originally designed as a military and police knife and is a popular go-to for a carry knife.

A Closer Look

The blade is made out of 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, a very popular material from China to make EDC knives. Even though the steel is quite a low cost, the knife is actually very high quality. It’s been heat-treated, so the sharpness is retained for a long period of time. I also found it sports quite good corrosion resistance, too.

With this knife, you get what you pay for. While it’s good at everything, it excels at nothing. It is a steel EDC knife, so it will take on most jobs for you, like cutting, but I couldn’t find one task that it was specifically built for.

More Details

The handle is made out of the same sort of budget material as the knife. What sets them apart from your normal cheap EDC knife is that they are stylishly colored and made from a combination of rubber and aluminum. Because of the inclusion of aluminum in the handle, there are some definite drawbacks. It’s very susceptible to being scratched and dinged, as well as being quite slippery to hold despite the textured grip.

As a spring-assisted knife, the SWMP4L deploys using a trigger, and the blade whips out at quite a pace. When you close and lock the knife, the spring keeps it in place, so it’s relatively safe to carry in your pocket.

Final Verdict

Despite the incredible name recognition behind this industry giant, the knife seems to be slightly lackluster. Although the blade deployment is fast, and there are several different safety features, the design as a whole feels cheap. The handle is badly made and hard to grip, and even with the inclusion of a pocket clip, this knife just doesn’t want to be carried.

8. CRKT Pilar 

When CRKT first came into the market, I found their knives to be outdated and somewhat stodgy to use. Having got the Pilar, I found that it does have strengths, and there are some applications I could see myself using it for as part of my survival kit.

A Closer Look

The overall length of the Pilar is 6,” and it weighs around 4.2 ounces. I found the best parts of this knife are the way that it looks and not so much the jobs it can perform. For such a heavy knife, there definitely needs to be utilities, but the most common chores will be done with the help of this blade.

Made from 8Cr13MoV steel, it’s not a brilliant choice for any sort of EDC tool, and this one is particularly poor. Even after sharpening it multiple times after using the edge retention is terrible. The steel smudges and discolors, too, if it comes into contact with moisture or oil off the skin.

More Details

There are thick scales for grip featured on the handle of the Pilar, which helps you to use the knife properly. All of the handle steel is held together by an aesthetically pleasing aluminum backspacer. While it’s a very comfortable knife to hold, the ergonomics of the handle with the shape of the blade actually means it’s much more difficult to use the knife. When you hold it, you will think yes, this is the EDC for me, but using it will soon change your mind. The placement of the choil means there isn’t a gap between whatever you are cutting and your finger, making it highly uncomfortable and leaving me with a need to wash my hands after use.

The knife’s blade actually deploys quite quickly for how poorly the knife has been made, and the thumb oval is placed far enough down the handle for both right and left-handed people to use. As well as the stellar deployment mechanism, the frame lock also works well. There’s no wiggle room or play in any direction once the blade has been locked in, which completely cuts out any potential of the blade disengaging from the handle when it’s been closed and carried.

Final Verdict

Even though this isn’t one of the best choices for an EDC knife out there, it’s pretty much the best CRKT has to offer. It’s crying out for the materials to be upgraded even just slightly so you can use it for one job and do it well. But the standard price of the knife is nice, even though it can’t offer the user much.

9. SOG Flash II

The Flash II is a shining example of a knife that has been through the SOG mill and made it out to the other side without being ruined. It’s somewhat of a collectible for fans of the brand, coming in multiple edges and handle styles that still make this one of the classics that I would go to for an EDC knife.

A Closer Look 

The Flash II comes in at a length of 8″ and weighs a steady 3.1 ounces. The longer blade and lightweight knife definitely make it an interesting choice as an emergency or tactical knife. If you like a bigger blade on your EDC and don’t want to be weighed down, then this is the perfect option.

The knife has no frills, with a full flat grind and a traditional drop-point blade. The satin finish on the blade is something that bothered me as it attracts fingerprints like no tomorrow, and I find myself constantly having to wipe it down. The AUS8 steel the blade has been made from is a great choice for the price point, and I found it useful for a number of different chores around the campsite.

More Details

The boxy designed handle of the Flash II has been made from thicker fiberglass and reinforced nylon that makes it sturdy and nice to grip. The fiberglass keeps the whole item light without feeling like it might fall apart in your hands.

There are no liners on this blade handle, which does have its disadvantages, but for such a chunky design, it’s relatively comfortable to use. I wouldn’t want to do a lot of carving or whittling using this knife, but for cutting up smaller pieces of wood, it works pretty well. The dual coils and thumb ramp on the handle help with grip and lead to more control when doing detailed work.

Final Verdict

Overall I found the Flash II a good knife to use. The assisted open, as well as its lightweight, make it practical and fun to own. There is a downside to the knife with a blade that wriggles around in the handle even when locked, but it’s still a classic folding option for many people who are fans of this brand.

10. Off-Grid Black Mamba

As an EDC knife, I love this as an option. Even though it’s not from one of the ‘big boy’ brands in the industry, it provides a really solid choice for EDC and self-defense. Read on to find out why this is definitely one of my go-to’s in this category.

A Closer Look

Weighing only 4 ounces, this is definitely a lightweight blade, and it comes with a deep pocket clip, so it’s easily carried wherever you want to take it. The blade has actually been made from the Bohler M390 premium steel, which is one of my favorites for its strength and great usability. Over the blade’s metal is a powder coating that gives the whole item incredible corrosion resistance. The blade retention is also excellent, and the keen edge lasts through multiple uses without having to keep sharpening it constantly.

Now let’s move to the handle, which has been crafted from a grade 5 titanium that also makes up the spacer as well. The open-back design is stunning, too, with a blackwash DLC extending from the frame to make the whole knife feel cohesive and well-thought-out.

More Details

To engage the blade, there is a flipper lever on the back of the knife. The blade flips out super fast, and it’s smooth as butter because it rolls on ball bearings. The short blade of the knife makes it legal to carry as well, making it a perfect option as an EDC.

I would say that this is one of the most well-balanced blades I’ve come across when it is open. But I wouldn’t say this is a knife that could carry out your everyday tasks. Instead, it’s been aimed for defense purposes, but it’s still a nice blade to have on the shelf.

Final Verdict

If you want a knife that is more suited to tactical tasks, this is the one for you. The carrying capacity is superb, and the blade’s balance makes it perfect for EDC.

FAQs

What Is The Best EDC Knife Brand?

The best EDC brand I would go for above the rest is Spyderco. They always provide stellar blades that have been handmade in the USA. They’re truly dedicated to making brilliant knives, and many of their products are used by the military, law enforcement, and even paramedics.

What Is The Best Steel?

Blade steel is incredibly important to EDC knives, and the material I would choose above the rest is the 1095 carbon steel. This adds 0.95% of carbon to the blade, helping it to keep its edge as well as fight off rest. With the right storage and the proper care, these knives can last a lifetime, but you want to get a thicker blade made from this steel, as thinner ones tend to be brittle and break easily.

What Does EDC Stand For In Knives?

EDC means Everyday Carry, referring to a blade that can be carried with you every day in your pocket or bag.

What Is The Best-Fixed Blade Knife For Every Day Carry?

The best-fixed blade for EDC, in my opinion, would be the Spyderco Ronin. This brand makes solid blades, and the lightweight design makes it easy to carry. It’s also very efficient at cutting and slicing.

Final Words

Choosing the best EDC knife isn’t as easy as it seemed at the beginning now, is it? There are so many different factors like blade shape length, its material, and the material for the handle, and all of these need to be combined perfectly to make a usable EDC Knife. Or do they? At the end of the day, I think that besides what the spreadsheet at Amazon says, there isn’t a single best knife, but rather one for everyone, based on the feel in hand, their relationship to the brand, and looks.

The perfect combination is one with good characteristics and the one you personally like, so my advice is to look at all of the knives we have chosen here and get the one that grabs your eye the most. That way, you will feel confident about your choice and use your knife with real confidence. Well, what are you waiting for? Grab a knife and be prepared for the adventure at any time.