The Latest Selection Of Pocketknives To EDC
Pocketknives are made in so many variations that it can be intimidating to shop for if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
When you leave the house, which pocket essentials do you reach for first? Your smartphone, wallet and keys are must-haves. Other essential tools most likely include a pocketknife and flashlight. If you don’t already carry a knife, we highly suggest doing so. It may not seem like it, but you’d be surprised just how much use you get out of a knife throughout the day.
This ageless tool serves a variety of purposes and can be used many times a day without the user even realizing it. From opening freshly delivered packages to slicing up fruit on your break time, the pocketknife comes in handy for too many daily uses to list.
In emergency situations, a knife can even be a lifesaver. Breaking glass to rescue someone stuck in a crashed vehicle or deployed as a defensive weapon, a knife can be an indispensible tool to have with you.
Pocketknives are made in so many variations that they can be intimidating to shop for if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Where do you start your search for your every day carry (EDC) knife? We recommend considering your intended practical use, desired size and your budget.
What does your daily routine look like? Do you spend most of the day in the office or are you usually out in the field all day long? How much do you carry in your EDC setup? How do you dress? Do you tend to keep things simple and carry only what fits in your pockets or do you prepare for all eventualities and haul a bag around with you? What’s your budget? What tasks would you need a knife for? Addressing these questions realistically will give you a better idea of what kind of knife you will want to carry.
Other aspects that one should think about include the way a pocketknife feels when held. Does it feel comfortable and secure? Can you deploy its blade and control it easily? Your knife should be balanced and controllable, also it should be easy to open and close its blade if you’re looking at a folding or automatic knife. Also don’t underestimate its looks. It should fit your sense of style as you will be carrying and using it day in, day out.
The following guide features a wide variety of popular everyday carry pocketknives. This collection is purposefully varied in terms of style, purpose and budget. Let’s take a look at which knife, or knives, you will carry with you on the daily. EDC
1. Morakniv Eldris Knife
Type: Fixed Blade
Overall Length: 5.6 in.
Blade Length: 2.3 in.
Weight: 2.8 oz.
Blade Material: Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Synthetic
MSRP: $30
industrialrev.com
2. Gerber Vertebrae
Type: Fixed BLADE
Overall Length: 6.4 in.
Blade Length: 2.4 in.
Weight: 4.4 oz.
Blade Material: 7Cr17MoV
Handle Material: Textured Rubber
MSRP: $31
gerbergear.com
3. Kershaw Antic
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 5.5 in.
Overall Length Closed: 3.75 in.
Blade Length: 1.75 in.
Weight: 3.1 oz.
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV
Handle Material: Stainless steel, blue PVD coating
MSRP: $33
kershaw.kaiusaltd.com
4. Benchmade Boost
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 8.26 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.83 in.
Blade Length: 3.43 in.
Weight: 4.49 oz.
Blade Material: CPM-3V
Handle Material: Versaflex
MSRP: $190
benchmade.com
5. Kershaw Faultline
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 7 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4 in.
Blade Length: 3 in.
Weight: 3.4 oz.
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV, black-oxide coating
Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon, rubber insert
MSRP: $46
kershaw.kaiusaltd.com
6. Outdoor Edge Knives/Tools Razor-lite EDC
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 8 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.5 in.
Blade Length: 3.5 in.
Weight: 2.8 oz.
Blade Material: Japanese 420J2 Stainless
Handle Material: Grivory with TPR inserts
MSRP: $42
outdooredge.com
7. Kershaw DuoJet
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 7.75 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.5 in.
Blade Length: 3.25 in.
Weight: 4.8 oz.
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV, titanium carbo-nitride coating
Handle Material: Stainless steel, titanium carbo-nitride coating, dual carbon fiber inlays front
MSRP: $52
kershaw.kaiusaltd.com
8. CRKT Prequel
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 6.56 in.
Overall Length Closed: 3.87 in.
Blade Length: 2.72 in.
Weight: 3.8 oz.
Blade Material: 8Cr14MoV
Handle Material: Glass-Reinforced Nylon
MSRP: $70
crkt.com
9. Ruger LCK
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 7.5 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4 in.
Blade Length: 3.33 in.
Weight: 2.6 oz.
Blade Material: 8Cr13M0V Steel
Handle Material: Glass-Reinforced Nylon
MSRP: $28
ruger.com
10. Spyderco Lil’ Native
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 5.92 in.
Overall Length Closed: 3.47 in.
Blade Length: 2.45 in.
Weight: 2.5 oz.
Blade Material: CPM S30V
Handle Material: G10
MSRP: $180
spyderco.com
11. Tops Knives Backup
Type: Fixed Blade
Overall Length: 5 in.
Blade Length: 2.38 in.
Weight: 1.6 oz.
Blade Material: 1095 RC 56-58
Handle Material: 1095 RC 56-58
MSRP: $75
topsknives.com
12. Gerber Obsidian
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 7.06 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.13 in.
Blade Length: 3 in.
Weight: 4.6 oz.
Blade Material: 440
Handle Material: Glass-Reinforced Nylon
MSRP: $43
gerbergear.com
13. Benchmade Tactical Triage
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 8.33 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.85 in.
Blade Length: 3.48 in.
Weight: 5.28 oz.
Blade Material: CPM-S30V
Handle Material: G10
MSRP: $235
benchmade.com
14. Spyderco Endela
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 8.1 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.69 in.
Blade Length: 3.41 in.
Weight: 3.1 oz.
Blade Material: VG-10
Handle Material: FRN
MSRP: $123
spyderco.com
15. Zero Tolerance 0460TI
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 7.5 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.4 in.
Blade Length: 3.25 in.
Weight: 2.9 oz.
Blade Material: CPM 20CV
Handle Material: Titanium
MSRP: $220
URL: zt.kaiusaltd.com
16. CRKT Ripsnort with D2
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 7.75 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.47 in.
Blade Length: 3.25 in.
Weight: 5.8 oz.
Blade Material: D2
Handle Material: POM with 2Cr13 inlay
MSRP: $80
crkt.com
17. Zero Tolerance 0393GLCF
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 8.25 in.
Overall Length Closed: 4.75 in.
Blade Length: 3.5 in.
Weight: 5 oz.
Blade Material: CPM 20CV
Handle Material: Titanium with glow-in-the-dark carbon fiber overlay
MSRP: $280
zt.kaiusaltd.com
18. Boker Plus 01BO753
Type: Folder
Overall Length Open: 8.4 in.
Overall Length Closed: 5 in.
Blade Length: 3.4 in.
Weight: 5.7 oz.
Blade Material: D2
Handle Material: G20
MSRP: $120
bokerusa.com
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the EDC Buyer’s Guide Winter, 2020 print issue of American Survival Guide.