EDC Knives

What is EDC? EDC or “Every Day Carry” means the stuff you carry with you every day. Naturally, an EDC knife is a knife that you carry with you every day. These EDC knives aren’t primarily designed to be used as weapons, instead they are meant to help out with common tasks like opening mail, preparing food, breaking down boxes and handling all the other chores of every day life.

Depending on where you live and what you do your definition of “EDC knife” could vary greatly. EDC to someone working in an office and someone working on a ranch are likely to be very different. I don’t have a hard and fast rule when defining an EDC knife, but if I had to assign some numbers they tend to have a blade length of 3.5″ or under and a weight of 3.5 ounces and under.

Again, that is just a ballpark, many of the knives in this section do not adhere to those guidelines. My advice is to carry what you like, and to not get bogged down with arbitrary lengths and weights. If you are interested in my most highly recommended EDC knives you can find them here. If you want to skip the list of reviews below and read about what I personally look for in a good EDC knife then click here to check that out.

EDC Knife Reviews:

• Benchmade 940 Review

  If you are as obsessed with knives as I am, you may be on the hunt for "the perfect EDC knife." You know, the one blade that has it all. Naturally, it is the perfect size, features great materials, is beautifully desi ... continue reading

• Spyderco Lum Chinese Folder Review

  Having previously reviewed a number of Bob Lum's creations (including the Spyderco Lum Tanto and the Benchmade Onslaught) I have always enjoyed Lum's elegant approach to designing knives. The Lum Chinese Folder is no ... continue reading

• CRKT Ikoma Sampa Review

  This is a guest post by my buddy Eric, aka "Ebbs" from HausofGuns.com. Eric is the founder, editor, and main contributor to HausofGuns.com, a Gun & Gear Review website for the Average Joe Shooter. After 12 months of r ... continue reading

• CRKT S.P.E.W. Review

  Ah, the CRKT SPEW... So we need to get one thing out of the way; the name chosen for this knife is a little funky. I kind of danced around that issue in my video review, but I'm just going to straight up say it here. ... continue reading

• Buck Vantage Pro Review

  I know my father has a couple Buck Knives stashed away in a sock drawer somewhere, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a majority of American men over the age of 40 are in a similar position. Buck is known for m ... continue reading

• Benchmade 581 Barrage Review

  Benchmade has always struck me as a company that both innovates and inspires. They can take a functional object, refine it's performance, and give it a slight twist to elevate a knife something beyond mere G10 and ste ... continue reading

• Iain Sinclair CardSharp 2 Review

  I can safely say that the Iain Sinclair CardSharp 2 is unlike anything else I have previously reviewed. A few months back the folks at Iain Sinclair contacted me about reviewing their latest version of their lightweig ... continue reading

• Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Review

  I get reader requests from time to time to take a look at a particular knife. I try to oblige, although it isn't always possible. I really appreciate the feedback and it's extremely humbling to hear that someone wants ... continue reading

• Zero Tolerance 0350 Review

  My Zero Tolerance 0300 got a lot of looks when I carried it around. At over 9" long and with a weight of 8.6 ounces, it definitely raised some eyebrows. The excellent S30V blade was a force to be reckoned with, and I ... continue reading

• Benchmade Mini Griptilian Review

  As much as I enjoy discussing the latest and greatest knives, sometimes we need to stop and appreciate the modern classics. As someone who tries to stay on top of all the new stuff coming out, I can tell you that the ... continue reading

• SOG Visionary II Review

  To many, SOG is known for their more inexpensive knives. As far as folders go, when you say "SOG Knives" people often have images of the Aegis, Trident and Flash in their head. Perhaps a SEAL Pup fixed blade might be ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Voyager Review

  New for 2011, the updated Cold Steel Voyagers are taking the knife world by storm. There was a lot to like about the original CS Voyagers, but as technologies advance old classics need updating. And I gotta say, the n ... continue reading

• Chris Reeve Knives Umnumzaan Review

  The ink had barely dried on my Sebenza review. I was sitting peaceably at my desk and distinctly remember saying how it would be a good while before I got my hands on another Chris Reeve knife. Shockingly enough it wa ... continue reading

• Kershaw Nerve Review

  I could probably spend all of my time writing about Kershaw budget EDC blades. Their roster is deep, and for many it can be a challenge to pick out just one. Thankfully they are all pretty good so the odds are great t ... continue reading

• CRKT Shenanigan Review

  I find myself typing this review as I usually do, in the wee hours of the morning. Dregs from a once cold beer are drying on the side of the glass at my desk, and knives scattered across the room are glinting faintly ... continue reading

• Benchmade 890 Torrent Review

  It has been decided - I am a total sucker for a cool "gentleman's tactical folder." I remember first drooling over the 890 Torrent when it came out in 2009. Flash forward a couple years, and today I am the proud owner ... continue reading

• Chris Reeve Knives Small Sebenza 21 Review

  I don't think many people get into knives with the idea that one day they would buy a pocket knife that costs hundreds of dollars.Well, at least I didn't start out my little edged adventure with the thought of pu ... continue reading

• Kershaw Volt II Review

  It's been too long since I've examined a nice budget EDC blade. This time around I picked up a Kershaw Volt II, and could immediately tell that I grabbed a real winner. First off, the original Kershaw Volt is a true c ... continue reading

• Spyderco Dragonfly Review

  The Spyderco Dragonfly is a knife that, frankly, I didn't think I would like. As far as every day carry goes, I'm into medium to large size folders. Maybe it's a macho thing, I really don't know, but I just felt like ... continue reading

• CRKT M16 Review

  My recent reviews of the CRKT Minimalist and the Drifter have proven that CRKT is legitimate contender in the affordable EDC game. But for many this is old news as knives like the popular CRKT M16 have been around for ... continue reading

• Boker S2 Review

  I've been drooling over Sniper Bladeworks custom knives for a long time now. For the uninitiated, Sniper Bladeworks is the brainchild of Lance Abernathy and Jody Muller. Jody handles fabrication and Lance comes up wit ... continue reading

• Spyderco Delica 4 Review

  Ah, the Spyderco Delica - is there a more classic EDC design? Well, if we are talking about modern folding knives, I'd argue there really isn't. One of Spyderco's most popular knives, the Delica 4, is the brand's brea ... continue reading

• SOG Aegis Review

  The term "aegis" has ancient roots. Commonly used in Greek mythology, aegis means "protector" and has been often symbolized in the form of a shield. In many ways the SOG Aegis is emblematic of a protector as well. If ... continue reading

• Benchmade Bone Collector Mini Review

  I must confess I never grew up hunting. It was something my family never got into, and so I was deprived of that early introduction to the classic hunting knives that so many Americans get to enjoy. (My family was big ... continue reading

• Kershaw Needs Work Review

  In my opinion the wharncliffe is one of the most under-appreciated blade shapes out there. Many may write the shape off as a novelty, but in my experience a wharncliffe blade can be incredibly useful for a lot of ever ... continue reading

• Cold Steel Recon 1 Review

  I love it when knife companies refine their existing designs. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for new and exciting models, but I'm almost more excited when a "good" knife turns into a "great" one. Cold Steel did just that ... continue reading

• SOG Flash II Review

  SOG is a company that has always intrigued me. They have eschewed the more mainstream model of production knife design, which typically involves a team of in-house designers and a deep roster of freelancers, instead f ... continue reading

• CRKT Drifter Review

  For those who can't get enough high value EDC knives, or simply need a tool for every day use that is both well made and inexpensive, I think it's going to be tough to ignore the CRKT Drifter. For some, this may be th ... continue reading

• Spyderco Sage 1 Review

  A while back I took a look at the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage 2 is an absolutely fantastic knife and with it's eye catching titanium handle, I find that the Sage 1 often plays second fiddle. Case in point, it has taken ... continue reading

• Kershaw Blur Review

  While I enjoy reviewing all kinds of knives, it's the mid size edc "working man's" knives that I especially enjoy reviewing because these mid size EDC's are what spend the most time in my pockets and in my hands. The ... continue reading

• CRKT Ripple Review

  The CKRT Ripple is a design that had me doing a double take. The flowing lines and sharp looks were very "Ken Onion-y" and upon closer inspection the knife was in fact designed by Ken Onion. It turns out Mr. Onion has ... continue reading

• CRKT Folts Minimalist Review

  The CRKT Folts Minimalist is an intriguing design from acclaimed custom knifemaker Allan Folts. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Folts (there may be an Alan Folts interview in the mix - stay tuned) an ... continue reading

• Benchmade Dejavoo 740 Review

  Today I am taking a look at the ultra classy Benchmade Dejavoo. Designed by the late Bob Lum, known for his simple and elegant designs and the Dejavoo is no exception. Now that he is no longer with us, his custom piec ... continue reading

• Al Mar Hawk Ultralight Review

  From big to small, I review them all. That little jingle may be pretty lame, but it is also pretty true. My last review was of the ESEE Junglas, 16 inches of high carbon steel. Worth a look if want a knife that you ca ... continue reading

• Spyderco Manix 2 Review

  The Manix 2 is one of those knives that I have been meaning to review pretty much since the start of this website. I've examined a lot of blades since then and now I finally have my thoughts on the Manix 2 together an ... continue reading

• Kershaw Junkyard Dog II Review

  To the average person the pocket knife has remained virtually unchanged over the years. But as collectors and enthusiasts know, this industry is full of innovation. In fact, I argue that there has been more innovation ... continue reading

• Mcusta MC-1

  Nestled in the heart of Seki Japan, Mcusta has been a part of Japan's renown knifemaking industry since 1964. Often compared to Solingen, Germany, Seki is a knife-nut's dream. Rich in resources such as iron sand, char ... continue reading

• Emerson CQC7 Review

  With so much buzz about tactical knives these days, it's easy to get swept up in the latest trends. While I have seen a lot of great new knives come out recently, I'm still drawn to the classics... and you can't talk ... continue reading

• Spyderco Sage 2 Review

  Today I am looking at another beautiful knife, the Spyderco Sage 2. The Sage series is designed to pay homage to various pioneers in the knifemaking industry and to recognize some of the talented custom knifemakers th ... continue reading

• Boker SubCom Review

  Boker has recently done some great collaborations with custom knife makers (like the previously reviewed Boker Eskelibur). The Boker SubCom is another collaborative effort, this time with designer Chad Los Banos. A ... continue reading

• Spyderco Endura Review

  The Spyderco Endura is a knife that you won't fully appreciate until you hold it in your hand. I remember when I first saw this blade at a local gun show. I had heard a lot about the Endura from friends and on various ... continue reading

• Benchmade Griptilian Review

  The Benchmade Griptilian is practically a household name in the knife world. It is one of Benchmade's most popular designs and it appears in countless variations. And for each of these variations I know there are cou ... continue reading

• Kershaw Leek Review

  The Kershaw Leek is a very popular EDC knife designed by legendary custom knife maker Ken Onion. Between the Zero Tolerance knives and a couple other Kershaw reviews I have done, Ken Onion knives have received a lot ... continue reading

• Spyderco Gayle Bradley C134CF Review

  The Gayle Bradley is one of those knives built for use and abuse, but is so elegant that I am not sure if I could bring myself to scuffing it up. I guess the only reasonable answer is to buy two of these, one for car ... continue reading

• ESEE Izula and Izula II Review

  Named after the South American Bullet Ant, the ESEE Izula is designed to be a small, sharp and incredibly tough blade that you can easily carry with you every day. It's simple yet durable construction and ability to ... continue reading

• Spyderco Native Review

  On paper the Spyderco Native looks like a truly awesome knife. Made in Golden Colorado, its light weight and small footprint make it ideal for EDC while it's S30V blade is made from some of the finest knifemaking ste ... continue reading

• Cold Steel AK-47 Review

  The original AK-47 rifle was designed by Russian Gunsmith Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1946. These guns were designed to be simple and rugged, and for these reasons the AK-47 design has enjoyed much popularity for over 60 ... continue reading

• Benchmade 14210 Heckler and Koch Snody Review

  For those looking for a rock solid edc knife with a sub 3" blade, the Benchmade 14210 may be just the ticket. This knife is part of Benchmade's Heckler and Koch (HK) line, which is a partnership between the two compan ... continue reading

• Spyderco Caly3 Carbon Fiber Review

  Hands down the best part about operating a site like bladereviews.com is the excuse to play around with bad ass knives like the Spyderco Caly3 Carbon Fiber. This special version of the Caly3 uses exotic Japanese lamin ... continue reading

• Boker 01BO001 - Exskelibur I Review

  Every now and then I see a knife that I absolutely have to own. Now, believe it or not, my collection of knives is small in comparison to the size (and value) of many knife collectors, so I like to think I exercise so ... continue reading

• Cold Steel American Lawman Review

  For those seeking a beefy folding blade capable of handling heavier EDC tasks and perhaps even used as a defense knife, the Cold Steel American Lawman may be what you are looking for. With an attractive blackened drop ... continue reading

• Kershaw Skyline Review

  High value EDC knives always catch my eye so today I will be taking a look at the ultra high value Kershaw Skyline. The Skyline is an American-made, lightweight, EDC knife with all the features you would expect from a ... continue reading

• Benchmade 950 Rift Review

  Ah, the Benchmade 950 Rift. What a sweet piece of steel. The Rift originally came out in 2008 as part of Benchmade's "black class" which are designed to be military and police grade blades built for extreme duty. Des ... continue reading

• Kershaw Ken Onion Scallion Review

  The Kershaw Ken Onion Scallion is another one of those timeless EDC knives that should be considered by collectors and enthusiasts alike. The Scallion is a remarkable little blade that shares some great similarities ... continue reading

• Spyderco Tenacious Review

  I found the Spyderco Tenacious when I was looking for a good sized EDC knife on a budget. I did some research and saw the Spyderco Tenacious ticked a lot of my boxes. At the time I was interested in a knife with a fu ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson CH400DLB Cuttin Horse

  The Smith & Wesson CH400DLB Cuttin Horse is another unusual offering from S&W. This knife is actually 2 knives in one, and for $15 I think it is just a plain cool knife. Lets take a closer look at what makes the Cutti ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson SWMP5LS M&P Review

  The Smith & Wesson SWMP5LS M&P is an interesting looking EDC blade that is the subject of today's review. What we have here is a second generation MAGIC assisted opening knife. If you are unfamiliar with the MAGIC sys ... continue reading

• Smith & Wesson SW423B Oasis Linerlock Knife

  Smith & Wesson's SW423B Oasis is a robust liner lock knife. This is Smith and Wesson Knives' bread and butter; a no frills, rock solid folding knife done right at a price anyone can afford.The entire knife is ... continue reading

• Schrade SMEDB/SMEDY California Issue Knife

  The Schrade SMEDB California Issue is often referred to as a large version of the Schrade SCALY a very popular small folding knife that can be easily converted in to a "California Legal" automatic knife.Mo ... continue reading

• Schrade Extreme Survival Assisted OTF

  I was at a gun show outside New Orleans when I first saw the Schrade Extreme Survival Assisted Out The Front (OTF). I think I said something like "Dang that is COOL" when I first shot the blade out the front of the kn ... continue reading

• Schrade Old Timer: Sharpfinger

  The Schrade 152OT, more commonly referred to as the Schrade Sharpfinger is one of Schrade's most iconic designs. The Sharpfinger was originally produced in 1974 and has been in production now for over 35 years. It's ... continue reading

• Schrade SCALY California Issue Pocket Knife

  The Schrade SCALY is small knife that has received a large amount of attention. There is a lot of interest in a discrete, legal, automatic knife and the Schrade SCALY claims to be just that. Below is my review of the ... continue reading

What to Look For in a Good EDC Knife

Over the years I have found out what I like in an EDC blade, and I will attempt to discuss that for those wanting a little more guidance in selecting their own EDC knife. Naturally, there are a lot of EDC knives to choose from and it’s largely a decision made on personal preference. What is about to follow here is just my opinion so please keep that in mind.

General Dimensions

I have found that I really like carrying a smaller knife for EDC. I have several reasons for this. First, I like something lightweight that doesn’t take up much room in my pockets. I simply prefer a more minimalist style of EDC and have a slimmed down wallet, key chain and flashlight so it only makes sense that I reach for a slimmed down knife as well. This isn’t always the case, and it depends on what I’m doing that day, but for my “urban carry” I find a knife like the Spyderco Dragonfly works just fine. Some might think I am “undergunned” with this knife but I find it’s got plenty of performance for common tasks and doesn’t alarm the public. I may pair this with a larger tactical knife or I might go with something slightly larger with say a 3″ blade – like a Spyderco Sage or something along those lines.

Blade Steel

Believe it or not, the blade steel isn’t a huge factor for me. Don’t get me wrong, it needs to have a decent steel but I find that I’m pretty particular about sharpening and maintenance so if it starts to lose it’s edge I give the knife a touch up. VG10, 154CM, heck even 8Cr13MoV works fine for me when it comes to my EDC blade.

Corrosion resistance may be a property people look for in their EDC knife steel – and if you use your knife for a lot of dirty jobs or food prep, I might be inclined to agree. That said I think most modern steels offer plenty of corrosion resistance – it’s gonna come down to where you live and what you do.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

Handle material doesn’t always play a huge role for me either. I like a quality material but I especially appreciate a handle design that is lightweight, strong and offers decent grip. This could be anything from FRN (reinforced plastic) to Carbon Fiber over stainless steel liners.

Good ergonomics is one thing I find absolutely essential in my EDC knife. These blades get a lot of use so it must work well in my hand. It’s gotta be big enough to provide a comfortable grip and I prefer features like thumb ramps and choils for added control.

The pocket clip is another crucial factor to a good EDC knife. I like tip up carry, and I like a nice discrete carry. The clip needs to be sturdy, have good retention and not stand out so much. I like a nice blackened clip or a small wire clip. For me the clip doesn’t have to be an ultra deep carry clip, but it should ride fairly low in the pocket.

Deployment and Lockup

A good deployment system is very important if the knife is going with me every day. Thumb studs or a thumb hole are my preferred methods – but a good flipper works too. The important thing is that the knife opens easily and consistently without a lot of concentration.

Lockup isn’t super important in an EDC knife. Obviously it needs to be decently secure with little to no blade play, but I don’t require my EDC blade to lock up like Fort Knox. I tend to gravitate towards lockbacks, liner locks and axis lock knives for EDC but really anything could work here – as long as its strong enough for regular tasks and is easy enough to disengage.

Selecting the right EDC Knife – Final Thoughts

These were just some general guidelines for you to consider based on my own experiences. Really you are going to want to try out a few different knives to see what you really like – and as you do that your tastes will change. For me a nice discrete knife that doesn’t weigh me down or scare the public is what I like best. Then again I often find myself in an urban environment. If you work on a ranch or need a strong utility knife then my idea of EDC and yours will be very different. The important thing is find something that works and to carry what you like.