36 Of The Best Pocket Knives For Your EDC

Unlike many other websites that claim to have a former SEAL, Green Beret, firefighter or cop testing every day carry (EDC) knives for them by running through a jungle barefoot while battling three tigers with only their trusty little knife, I won’t make the same claim. And if that’s the kind of knife you’re looking for, may I suggest looking at some of the best camping knives available. That said, I do have an appreciation of pocket knives that are not only well built, but also reliable, and to go further with the theme of this site, somewhat fashionable and minimalist.

Because let’s get real… sure you’ll use your knife in some capacity that will justify its price at some point, most likely on a camping trip or when you’re fixing something up around the house. But for a lot of gentlemen of discerning tastes these days, they also want their EDC knife to look as good as it functions. So with all that in mind, I went scouring the depths of the retail web in search of some the the most beautiful and best-rated EDC knives that should feel right at home in your pocket, but also match your sense of fashion and decor. Here I present to you some of the best pocket knives you’ll find anywhere.

This knife from Zero Tolerance (a very high-end brand of pocket knives I’m told) caught my eye immediately because of its uniform colour that perhaps serves some unknown tactical advantage of cloaking where the blade ends, and the handle begins. Nevertheless, it’s not a cheap knife, and that’s because it’s made of high-quality materials and as Zero Tolerance puts it… nearly indestructible. Now I don’t know about that claim, but the fact that it’s a premium 3.5″ long stainless steel blade with an excellent looking titanium handle and includes a unique and reversible pocket clip, makes this one badass knife. Oh, and one more thing… straight out of the package, it’s terrifyingly sharp, so mind your bits as the Brits would say.

One of the things that I like most about this particular knife is that it’s been around for a long time. The Delica line of knives has been produced since 1990, which should tell you something about their quality and popularity. The Delica 4 folding knife is a lightweight, clip-carry (that means it includes a clip with it), one-handed instrument that has a blade fashioned out of VG-10 Stainless Steel. For the uninitiated, you may be wondering what VG-10 stainless steel is. Put simply; it’s a cutlery grade stainless steel made in Japan. The alloy contains 1% Carbon and 15% Chromium, amongst other insane materials.

The VG-10 stainless steel was initially designed for the Japanese chef market but eventually found its way into more casual, sport knives like this. All this to say, this is a very high quality, compact EDC knife with some terrific features, including the shape of the blade. And if you’re concerned about the colour of the handle, don’t worry it comes in 7 different colours.

This American made pocket knife from Benchmade, first, comes with a lifetime guarantee. So that should begin to tell you something about its quality. Made with, what they call an AXIS assist opening technology, this is one of the easiest knives to open on the market. Additionally, it comes with a very lovely looking valox handle and a sturdy and reliable 154CM steel-drop point plain edge blade. As with most pocket knives, it comes with a reversible pocket clip and is quite lightweight at only 3.4oz. Available in silver and black blade finishes, I love the stealthiness of this pocket knife. And of-course its compact nature means you’ll be able to fit it into even the most crowded of pockets.

This sleek and compact folding pocket knife from the Columbia River Knife & Tool company is made of a very nice brushed aluminum two-tone handle and also features a lifetime warranty. The satin finish on the blade makes it easy to clean, and it comes with a patented flipper opening technology. It features one of the slimmest blades on this list if you prefer relatively narrow knife blades on your EDC knife. The defining design feature of this knife that caught y eye is the slightly perforated diamond-shaped holes in the handle along with the “H” shaped polished aluminum that gives this knife a unique look. Discreet, fashionable, and functional, this Crossbones knife is a terrific and versatile every day carry knife for nearly any application.

You know those movie scenes where the bad guy always does that sneaky pull out a tiny knife out of their tiny little boot pocket or sleeve or some other impossibly tiny space where no pocket knife belongs move and then proceeds to cut the good guy? This is probably the type of knife you’ve been seeing. Designed as an ultra-stealthy blade, this satin-polished stainless steel knife is extremely compact and can be carried on your boot, belt with its clup-equipped hard-moulded sheath, or even around the neck with the included chain. It’s great in the hand as a capable and compact utility knife that you can have on your in almost any situation.

Dubbed as “The Modern Gentlemen’s Pocket Knife,” the Duval uses an American-made (is that good or bad in the knife world?) Crucible s35n stainless steel for the blade. So while its origin I’m unaware of whether it bestows any particular advantage, what I have learned is that Crucible S35N Stainless steel is necessarily the best stainless steel for knife making available anywhere in the world. The chemical breakdown of this stainless steel alloy is the following: Iron: 79.1%, Carbon 1.4%… wait, who cares about that technical mumbo jumbo, all that matters is this blade is probably the most hardened knife blade you’ll find anywhere. The chemical engineers and metallurgists behind this alloy have made this steel ultra-tough and chip-resistant, which is to say it makes for a fantastic choice for the Duval Knife to use.

Taking some cues from mid-century design, the knife is a very nice looking combination of retro and modern with a frame-lock design. With a front-flipper opening style, this is an easily handled one-handed knife that combines a beautiful symmetry amongst its slim body.

This is a knife whose expressed purpose is to be stealthy. That’s why the blade is covered in a non-reflective black Tungsten diamond-like carbon coating. Paired with a black handle, which is moderately scaled, it makes for a very sleek but aggressive-looking knife. Made from S30V steel, which is a hardened and corrosion-resistant steel developed by Crucible Industries. I’m going to spare you more of the technical details, you can see some of those below or by clicking through to the product page, but suffice to say, this is a very nice pocket knife that will fit nicely amongst your other black EDC gear that you tote around.

I love simple, clean lines of this knife along with the silver-coated blade. Additionally, the orange handle completes a lovely look. The Chase, from Quiet Carry, is an exceptionally rugged knife that’s been designed to look both at home in the office and the woods. The included clip allows for a deep pocket carry and coming in at a mere 2.7 oz in weight; it’s very light.

Probably my favourite part of this EDC knife’s design is the blue accents on the ball-bearing pivot, screws and blue anodized pocket clip. It’s this accent colour when framed against the backdrop of the gorgeous silver blade and handle that makes it a feast for the eyes. The handle is made of bead-blasted titanium, and a steel lock bar insert. The full-flat ground blade is a bit stonewashed and is made of CPM-S35VN steel — a genuinely great flipper EDC knife, made of very high-quality materials.

With an overall length of over 10 inches and a blade length of 4.26 inches, this is definitely one, if not the largest knife on this list. Sure, it’s a bit overkill for what one would normally consider an EDC knife, but the XOC folding knife has a unique feature amongst many folding pocket knives. Brazilian designer, Flavio Ikoma created a discreet torx screw in the handle for customizing the detent for an easier or more powerful flip. I would say that this is no gentleman’s knife. There’s not much overly subtle about it, and yet I had to include it on this list because I still believe it a very nice looking knife with some traditionally minimalist design values.

From a minimalist design perspective, there is one thing that would make this knife perfect. The removal of the company’s logo. But even with that minor transgression, this is a sharp-looking knife. Minimalistic, clean lines along with the choice of fine materials, and excellent finish on all the elements of the knife, including the screws, lock and even pocket clip, make for an outstanding design.

Without a doubt, Buck Knives is an old master at making knives. They’ve been doing it for over 110 years. Using exclusive heat-treating technology, Buck Knives blades that are made from 420HC stainless steel are superior in both durability and corrosion resistance. Another bonus of this heat-treating is a blade that is easier to resharpen. Easily opened with one hand, this EDC knife exudes a classic knife look with minimalist features. I particularly appreciate this manufacturer’s resistance to blasting their brand name in far too large font across their blade.

Better known for its wide variety of products that take advantage of gorgeously shaped wood, Grovemade has now made their foray into the world of pocket knives. And with a name such as this, how could I not include this stunning knife on this list. Available in two finishes including this Black treatment, this minimalist EDC knife was inspired by the classic Japanese Higonokami which is a type of folding pocket knife which originated in Miki, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan all the way back in 1896. The ever-so-slightly curved blade nestles exceptionally flush with the handle providing no wasted space. A gorgeous blade and body, I may need this one in both finishes.

This knife, in addition to being sexy looking, is rather popular with military, law enforcement and fire and rescue crews. At least that’s what the manufacturer claims. Sharp as a scalpel and tough as a tank, this tactical folding knife has been over-engineered on purpose. With a black coated finish, the blade has three significant advantages, including rust resistance, elimination of glare and light reflections and coated with a lubricant, which causes the blade to slip through even the toughest of materials. An incredibly sharp knife with incredibly sharp looks.

You usually don’t think of pocket-knives as being travel friendly, but in the case of the Bandit Titanium Keychain Knife, we can easily throw it into that category. Why? Cause it’s primarily considered a micro-knife. With a size that is no larger than a standard house key, I’d almost liken this to an Exacto knife, except that it’s gorgeously made and tough as nails. Designed as a super-handy, super accessible knife, the Bandit is a distinct every-day-carry item that comes in three or four finishes. Attach it to your keychain, zipper or necklace to cut through life’s daily tasks.

Another very small, and very every-day-carry friendly knife, the Fat Boy utility folding knife is made out of Japanese AUS8 steel. This means the blade is imbued with relatively low carbon content, meaning it resists rust quite well and is easy to sharpen. One of the disadvantages, however, of low-carbon blades is that they will become dull a bit faster than their high-carbon content cousin blades. That said, the button lock-release on this small knife along with all of its other design flourishes makes for an attractive looking knife.

Another knife maker that has eclipsed the century mark of existence, Opinel certainly has the experience of making a tremendous folding knife. That said, the quality of knife you get here for the meager price of only $35.00 (at the time of this writing) is a remarkable achievement. No matter whether you’re planning on this being your everyday carry knife or simply occasional utility knife you like to bring on your latest adventure, the partially serrated Sandvik stainless steel blade is married to a fiberglass-reinforced polyamide handle that’s shock, humidity, and extreme temperature resistant. Available in four color handle options, including the orange pictured above, the knife also features a 4-10mm shackle key and all-weather 110 decibel emergency whistle.

There’s something about the drop point blade shape that makes my heart flutter. Sure it’s not quite as nice as the Tanto or Sheepsfoot or even the Wharncliffe, but there’s still something very flattering about this blade shape. The blade grind is a full height flat grind and the handle is made of a Titanium alloy that houses a concelead lock over travel limiter mechanism. If you don’t care about any of that technical mumbo jumbo I just spewed at you, what you should care about is that this is a very nice knife at a very reasonable price point.

A single straight-bladed knife in a slim, and modern form is what the County EDC pocket knife presents. But it’s not just that. It’s extremely reminiscent in shape and form to what you could see in your grandfather’s knife. A classic, yet modern interpretation of the non-locking slipjoint. With an overall length of 6″ and a blade length of 2.5″, it truly is a beautiful pocket knife you can be proud of just tossing on the table with your other EDC gear.

Not only is this a very high-quality knife, at a reasonably affordable price, it also comes in a variety of choices for both the blade and handle. That means you can choose from four different handle colours as well as choosing either a serrated or plain edge and also choosing between a satin or coated finish. With a lifetime guarantee, this Benchmade pocket knife is intended for everyday outdoor or tactical use, comes with a standard lanyard hole and a nice reversible clip. Definitely a super sharp, flick-open knife you can depend on.

While this is not an overly subtle pocket knife, the ESCAPE is an incredible and awesome looking knife. Just look at it… it looks so impressively aggressive. It’s been designed and optimized in consultation with active-duty SEALS and has been built with 9CR18MOV steel. With a smooth and rapid one-handed opening mechanism, the knife has been designed to be opened in one of three ways. If you want a beautiful and aggressive looking everyday carry knife, you’d be hard-pressed to go wrong with this one.

Another fine looking tactical looking EDC knife on offer here with the Cold Steel Micro Recon 1 Spear Point (someone over there needs to learn how to shorten their product names). Also popular with law enforcement and rescue crews, this is a very nice looking tactical folding knife that is available in a variety of blade lengths, from 2″ all the way up to 5.5″. The smaller versions of this knife make for a very versatile and lightweight keychain EDC knife, while the larger versions can easily be used in a wider variety of situations. While most key-chain sized knives are made with poor materials, the Micro Recon knife is the opposite. Made of high-quality Japanese AUS 8A Stainless steel, this knife is quite frankly a powerful little workhorse.

There’s just something about a Tanto shaped blade that I can’t resist. It’s probably the perfect blade shape as far as minimalistic and stylish features go. Apart from possessing an incredibly sexy blade, this EDC knife can easily fall into the tactical category with a premium design and corrosion-resistant S30V steel blade. In addition to that drool-worthy Tanto shaped blade, the knife also a unique design for the handle with diagonal slots designed to increase grip.  Finally, the bottom fo the handle includes a striking pommel and a lanyard hole.

This silver finished comfortable EDC knife is compact, lightweight and incredibly sharp. It’s one of the cheapest knives on this list, so don’t expect that it will compete with some of the premier pocket knives on this illustrious list of everyday carry blades, but in a pinch, and if you’re currently penny pinching as many of us are, it’s definitely a nice little blade to take with you. Shhhh, it’s a Sebenza clone, but for pennies on the dollar.

Elegant, stylish, and unbelievably light. That’s a nice summation of this stylish take on a classic everyday carry knife. With a black titanium-coated 420 stainless steel blade along with a matte finsihed carbon fiber handle, this is one of the most uniquely shaped knives on this list. Aggressive, functional and sexy, this black pocket knife is an extremely handsome addition to any EDC outfit.

This unsual and tiny knife exactly for its dimunitive size. Lightweight and seemingly entirely made of the same metal the straight edge blade is made of a VG-10 Steel with a titanium frame lock. While made in China, which doesn’t often denote the highest quality of blades around, the price of this micro-knife, or rather one that you could easily slip into a boot or carry on your keychain is very affordable. Makes for a great backup or small EDC knife along with a “cool” factor that is as Tim Cook would say… OFF THE CHARTS!

Going from one extreme to the other, this is definitely one of the larger knives I’m going to include on this list and once again it comes from CRKT. This partially serrated EDC knife is finished in a beautiful black that carries another focus. Its G10 handle (G-10) is a type of fiberglass laminate that is terribly good at being both strong but also provides low moisture absorption and a high level of electrical insluation. Additionally the handle’s design is particularly good at providing superior grip in all weather conditions. Let’s add to that the fact that it’s an extremely good looking knife, and although I’m usually not a fan of partially serrated blades, this knife makes even that look good.

Just one quick glimpse at this knife tells you that someone with a mind for meticulous design must have envisioned this. With a unique yet somehow still minimalistic flair, this EDC knife is not exactly made out of the same level of steels seen in some of the other more expensive knives on this list. But perhaps what it lacks in that department, it more than makes up for in style. With a removable and reversible pocket clip, this knife gives you the ability to execute various carrying options and makes for the perfect daily companion.

This, for lack of a better word… cute EDC knife from The James Brand, is just the type of knife you might want to hang on your keychain as a backup to your main EDC knife. Why? First, it comes in a huge variety of handle colors and blade finishes. So matching the rest of your outfit as well as the rest of your EDC gear is easy to do. Second, the Elko comes with a very compact, yet capable Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade and an included pry bar that doubles as a key ring, bottle opner, screw-driver or pry tool. That’s a whole lotta capability from a very small EDC knife. But of-course without a sense of minimalism and design that tickles my fancy, this knife, despite all that functionality would have never made it on to this list.

Made by Italian manufacturer LionSteel, this everyday carry folding knife is may perhaps be the perfect pocket knife for any adventure you may encounter. Light and equipped with an M390 Sintered steel satin finished blade, it includes a frame lock system that allows for rapid and smooth blade movements. In addition to its awesomely curved and sculpted lines, particularly on the handle, this knife is unique for one major innovation. As is its namesake, the T.R.E. (Three Rapid Exchange) is a unique and patented system that allows the knife to be opened in one of three ways. This is no miser’s knife, it’s not cheap, but I guarantee that it is made with the most utmost quality.

Another beauty of an EDC knife comes from manufacturer SOG (Studies and Observations Group) who have made this light, simple and compact minimalist tool that can double as a money clip. The thin and well designed handle is the first thing that drew me to this knife because of its judicious use of empty space and matching silver colored bolts. Small, capable and utterly charming, that’s how we like our EDC knives around these parts.

This, once again, is the type of pocket knife that your dad or granddad would be caught wearing. With an obvious nod to classic pocket-knife design, closed, this knife almost resembles what you would expect to see at your local barber shop as a shaving knife. That said, despite its classic shape, the Gentleman’s Knife from True is packed with modern features. Made with slipjoint opening the blade is made from finely crafted and dependable 8CR13MOV stainless steel which provides a superior measure of strength and sharpness. And to top it all off, the handle is made from real rosewood which will feel absolutely terrific in your hand.

This knife, from Kershaw, who is one of the companies dominating the everyday carry folding pocket knife market, was created with the idea that the company could create a nearly perfect knife out of a slightly recurved blade, which is ideal for both piercing and slicing. This knife features a blade constructed out of Sandvik 14c28CN steel, which provides an excellent level of corrosion resistance and hardness. The DLC coating on the blade also adds extra hardness and low friction. Anodized for colour, this EDC knife also has a lightweight aluminum handle designed for durability and scratch resistance. And of-course, perhaps what I like most about this EDC knife is its availability in a decent variety of colours and blade finishes.

This is the type of knife that just simply looks like it was transported along into the past from some distant future. Perhaps equipped by some super-soldier or the Terminator himself, the Schrade knife is an all-around tactical knife that can easily complement your EDC gear with its black blade and handle.

The people at The James Brand dub this as their most advanced everyday carry knife, and it may well be. But luckily, while outfitting this fantastic pocket knife with all the bells and whistles, they didn’t forget to pay attention to the aesthetics of this drool-worthy knife. Using slide-lock technology, this knife is designed for use with one hand and includes a symmetrical thumb-disc on top of the blade, making it extremely easy for one-handed opening.