Not all daily-use tools boast one purpose or even a particularly flashy exterior for that matter.
Take, for example, the Every Day Carry or EDC knife: similar in appearance to a slightly larger switchblade, the EDC knife is designed to assist in a number of tasks in the most efficient way possible.
While certainly capable of being used as a weapon, the EDC knife is far more practical for breaking down shipping materials and boxes, slicing food, opening mail, cutting plant matter, and handling all manner of common chores.
Easy to stash in the pocket of one’s jacket or pants, the EDC knife carries lightly and performs impressively. Few of us have time to seek out designated tools on the run, and the EDC knife is instantly capable of tackling the unexpected. The modern man is seldom bound to one task or terrain, and is even less likely to want to be weighted down with cumbersome supplies.
Ideal in the office as well as the great outdoors, the EDC knife is a one-size-fits-all accoutrement.
Blade sizes vary according to preference and routine lifestyle tasks, with across-the-board durability. With the holiday season just around the corner, the EDC knife makes a perfect -and perfectly practical -gift for coworkers, partners, friends, and family.
In these chaotic times one can use all the fuss-free help he can get, and the EDC knife is no less than assistance at one’s fingertips. With that in mind, Go ahead and discover the top 50 best EDC knives for men below.
Best EDC Knives for Men
1. Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556
With a tough yet attractive design, this rust-resistant stainless steel knife has a glass-filled nylon handle that’s strong enough for difficult jobs or everyday carry. Its AXIS lock is fully ambidextrous and because of its smaller, lighter design, the knife is comfortable to hold and take anywhere. The drop-point, utility blade style makes it ideal for tactical or outdoor activities.
2. Ontario 8848 Rat Folding
Weighing around five ounces, this folding knife is made of AUS-8 stainless steel and features a 3.5-inch plain edge blade. It’s complete with a four-way position pocket clip and lanyard for easy carrying and also features an open post construction to make it easier to clean. The Liner Lock locking mechanism ensures the blade is secured into place while the knife is opened for your safety.
3. Kershaw Cryo
This knife’s blade and handle is coated with titanium carbo-nitride and is equipped with an ambidextrous pocket clip for easy access. The flipper and thumbstud make it more convenient when it comes to opening and closing the blade while the SpeedSafe assisted opening keeps your fingers away from danger. The lockbar stabilizer ensures the blade is securely in place while it’s in use.
4. Spyderco Delica4
This Spyderco Delica4 Lightweight EDC knife comes in a variety of bright colors and features a fiberglass reinforced nylon handle and a drop-point, flat-grind blade. It has a four-way clip and screw-together construction for easy cleaning, along with a manual opening and ambidextrous thumb hole. The crosshatched jimping along the blade’s spine improves grip and the phosphor bronze washers help to make opening the knife smoother.
5. Case Medium Amberbone CV Stockman
Being no bigger than your hand, this Stockman style pocket knife has three chrome vanadium steel blades where two blades sit on the pocket end and one sits on the cap end. The Clip, Sheepfoot, and pen blades are attached to a peach seed jig amber bone handle for an easy and comfortable grip, making it great for everyday situations whether it be outdoors, indoors, for hiking, or for hunting.
6. Spyderco Paramilitary 2
Although it’s a bit bigger than most EDC knives, this Paramilitary 2 black pocket knife is ideal for everyday use and keeps its sharp edge while being thin enough for easy handling. It features a handy forward slot for more detailed cutting and a closer grip, and the ergonomic handle is grippy enough to comfortably hold but won’t ruin your pants while it’s clipped on.
7. Sog Cashcard Folding Knife Ez1 Cp Stainless Steel
ou can easily open this knife with one hand anytime you need it for general use. Combined with a money clip, the knife is also equipped with a time-tested liner lock system in a slim design. The blade itself is of a straight edge style made of stainless steel for durability and strength. Its minimalist design provides you with lots of versatility and can easily become a go-to pocketknife.
8. Spyderco Manix 2
Made in the USA, this plain edge folding knife’s handle is made of translucent FRCP injection molded lightweight scales. The stainless steel blade is flat-ground and lightweight, but it’s built rock-solid and can stand tough against any virtually any cutting job. Axis lock ensures the blade is locked in place while in use and the deep carry pocket clip allows for discreet carry.
9. Benchmade 940 1 Reverse Tanto Carbon Fiber
This stainless steel blade is equipped with high quality edge retention as it maintains its strength and durability. Being that it’s a manual knife, it can be opened and closed with just one hand while the reversible pocket clip makes for easy accessibility. The reverse tanto blade style gives the knife great versatility for everyday applications and other general uses.
10. Kershaw Volt SS Stainless Steel Speedsafe
This stainless steel SpeedSafe knife has an assisted opening with a frame lock to make sure the blade is securely locked in place during use. Its narrow, clipped tip gives you extra cutting control and makes for a rather good slicer. The size of the knife is slim enough to fit right in your pocket and the pocket clip is reversible for either tip-up or tip-down carry.
11. Benchmade Adamas 275
The manual D2 stainless steel blade retains its sharp edge well while the handle is durable enough to withstand a wide range of temperatures, which makes it an ideal tool for versatile and tactical use. Its AXIS lock is incredibly strong and comfortable to hold, not to mention it’s easy to reach for with the reversible pocket clip and Cordura sheath.
12. Boker Boker Plus Voxknives Gnome
Known for its very compact size, this fixed blade knife lets you carry it everywhere with comfort. The contoured green canvas Micarta scales on the handle give you a secure yet comfortable grip as it boasts an attractive contrast with the bright red fiber layers. The blade is made of 440-C steel for everyday applications and it includes an Kydex sheath for easy accessibility.
13. Buck Knives 0095BKSTP Tops Buck CSAR T Tactical Folding
With a non-slip handle that provides a sturdy grip and comfortable finger groove, this knife holds up to scraping, prying, or piercing tough materials. It retains its edge and resists corrosion, making it great for use in extreme conditions. The heavy-duty polyester MOLLE sheath protects the blade and the integrated lanyard hole and reversible carry clip gives you more carrying options.
14. Buck Knives Vantage Select Folding
Meant for everyday carry and general use, this drop-point 420HC steel blade offers great edge retention, strength, durability, and cutting ability with its safe and secure grip made from reinforced nylon. The thumb hole on the blade makes for smooth one-hand opening and the removable, reversible carry clip makes it easy to place the blade on your belt or bag.
15. Case Burnt Amber Bone Trapper
This trapper style steel pocket knife is ideal for either around the house, outdoors, and even hunting. It features a slender Clip and a long Spey blade which are attached to a standard jigged burnt amber bone handle for a comfortable grip as you use it for activities such as filleting fish, cutting open boxes, cutting rope, or skinning small game.
16. Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21
This is a small right-handed blade with a simple yet beautiful design that’s meant for everyday use. The Sebenza style features superior cutting action while the titanium integral frame lock ensures the knife acts like a fixed blade while it’s open. Aside from the tough and solid feel, the blade provides smooth operation making it easy to use indoors or outdoors.
17. Cold Steel Finn Wolf Folding
Made of Japanese AUS 8A stainless steel, this folding pocket knife has an ambidextrous pocket clip with a thin and super lightweight design. It’s pretty easy to carry with you anywhere you go and is versatile since you can use it for activities both indoors and outdoors. The strong lockback and convenient size makes this knife a great tool to have with you, especially when you need it the most.
18. Cold Steel Micro Recon 1 Spear PT Folding
Equipped with a two-inch Japanese stainless steel blade that’s been vacuum heat treated and sub-zero quenched, this knife is designed to be strong, durable, and flexible for everyday carry and use. The handle is made of G-10 laminate scales that are contoured and scalloped for a sturdy and non-slip grip. Its innovative Tri-Ad lock prevents lock failure, and instead of a pocket clip, in its place is a nifty key ring.
19. Columbia River Knife And Tool 2380 Ritter Rsk Mk5
This folding knife has a handle that features a forward slanted friction grooved thumb ramp and a deep finger choil for exceptional grip, also known as the “fencer’s grip.” It also has a high hollow grind which curves upward neat the tip along with a long false top edge, making this blade a flexible tool both indoors and outdoors.
20. Columbia River Knife And Tool Drifter 6450k G10 Plain Edge Folding
The Drifter knife is made of premium stainless steel with a drop-point style blade. It’s a locking liner folding knife with black G10 handle scales for a sturdy grip and it also features an interframe build with stainless steel liners and a black stainless steel clip for easy access. The knife is easy to open and close securely thanks to its thumb stud blade deployment.
21. Columbia River Knife And Tool Hammond Cruiser Folding
Designed with an ergonomic curved handle for easier handling and cutting, this compact knife is made of 3Cr13 stainless steel for long lasting durability and strength. You can use this blade to construct an outdoor shelter, skin small game after hunting, or even for self-defense. It weighs less than an ounce and the stonewashed finish makes for improved corrosion resistance.
22. Gerber Gator Folding Fine Edge Clip Point
![Gerber Gator Folding Knife, Fine Edge, Clip Point [06069]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31+Np7z-uxL.jpg)
The gator grip handle on this folding knife gives you maximum grip for any situation be it in wet or dry conditions. The design focuses on safety for it features a lock-back mechanism that keeps the blade secure while it’s in use. Made out of 420HC stainless steel for durability, the knife comes with a nylon sheath and is compact enough to place it in your pocket or backpack.
23. Gerber Gdc Money Clip
![Gerber GDC Money Clip w/ Built-in Fixed Blade Knife [31-002521]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41hWXVCNA0L.jpg)
This particular pocket knife acts as both a money clip and a blade. The sleek and small fine edge blade has a titanium nitride coated steel body for peak performance and durability with a G10 front plate. The clip can hold five credit cards and can fit right in your pocket or backpack, not to mention it’s rust proof to withstand wet environments.
24. Kershaw Chill 3410 Folding
The slim build of this stainless steel pocket knife allows you to carry in your pocket or backpack for everyday use. The lightweight basic black handle provides a secure and comfortable grip as it’s being used for opening boxes, cutting stubborn cords or wires, or dressing game. The blade is resistant to wear and rust since it’s coated with a non-reflective bead-blasted finish.
25. Kershaw Emerson CQC 6K Folding
Designed for cutting open boxes to cleaning small game, this folding pocket knife is an ideal and versatile tool for the avid hunter or, adventurer, or knife enthusiast. The modified clip-point blade is great for delicate handiwork and the three-inch stainless steel blade offers quality edge retention and resistance from gradual wear. You can open the blade using the convenient thumb disk which is Emerson’s patented “wave shaped feature.”
26. Maxpedition Frmlcks Excelsa Small Titanium Framelock Folding
With a full height flat grind for maximum edge retention and geometry, this framelock folding knife is equipped with a unique concealed lock over its travel limiter mechanism. The stainless steel ramped thumb stud makes it easier to open and the D2 tool steel with cryo-heat treatment makes this blade the ideal tool for general and outdoor use.
27. Micro Praetorian Blue Anodized Medford
This drop point blade is featured with a framelock for safe and stable use whether you use it indoors or outdoors. The black oxide finish on the handle and the thumb ridge makes the blade easy to handle, along with a pocket clip for accessibility. There’s a handy little glass breaker on the end of the handle and the knife comes in a black plastic storage case.
28. Opinel Carbon Blade No8 Folding
This EDC knife is for men who love the outdoors since it’s simple, efficient, and easy to use. Its carbon steel blade is exceptionally tough which makes for good cutting quality, wear resistance, and easy regrinding. The handle is made of Beech wood which is durable and comfortable to work with, along with the Viroblock safety ring which has two sections for locking the blade open and closed.
29. Sanrenmu 7010LUC SA 710
Being the perfect size for everyday carry, this folding knife is ideal for the great outdoors whether you’re an adventurer or avid hunter. It’s compact, lightweight, and sharp enough for almost any situation. There’s a pocket clip on the side to make it easy to reach for and the thumb stud makes it more convenient to open the knife without hurting your fingers.
30. Sog Instinct Fixed Blade Nb1011 Cp Satin Polished
Weighing less than two ounces, this straight edge steel blade is compact and economical. It’s designed to be easy to carry on your belt or in your boot while you’re outdoors. The lightweight, stainless steel, skeletonized handle design makes it comfortable to hold and the knife additionally comes with a hard-molded nylon sheath with 360 degree mounting options.
31. Sog Snarl Fixed Blade Jb01k Cp Satin Polished
Being no bigger than the palm of your hand, this fixed pocket knife has a satin finish with a stainless steel construction and finger coil. The oversized finger hole and ring pommel gives you options for carrying and the sheepfoot blade shape makes for effective cutting. The overall length of the knife is no more than 4 ½ inches and the knife comes with a removable belt clip for horizontal carry.
32. Spyderco Dog Tag Plain Edge Folder
This is a rather unique folder blade since it’s shaped like a dog tag when it’s closed. It has a 1.23-inch blade and a one-piece handle made from durable and visually attractive carbon fiber/G10 laminate. It also features a non-reflective black titanium carbo-nitride coating while the singe-beveled blade is chisel-ground. The small size of this knife allows you carry it in your pocket or on a necklace through its ring hole.
33. Spyderco Endura4
Considered one of the best selling knives that Spyderco makes, this knife is available in many vibrant colors for the fiberglass reinforced nylon handle. The Directional Texturing® provides slip-free tactile traction and the dual skeletonized stainless steel liners reinforce the knife without adding more weight. The blade is full flat-ground with a thinner yet highly refined cutting edge for efficient use in general activities.
34. Spyderco Roadie
The double dent feature on this lightweight, plain edge knife makes for easy, fingernail-free, two-handed opening. It also provides a unique non-locking design with a full-flat ground sheepfoot style blade for efficient cutting action. The notched-joint mechanism helps hold the blade open while in use and is supported by an index-finger choil to prevent the knife from accidentally closing.
35. Spyderco Sage Linerlock
This plain edge folding knife has a CPF-S30V steel blade which is ground flat for effective and precise cutting. You can handle the blade with comfort thanks to its twill-woven carbon fiber handle and the LinerLock folding system ensures the blade is secured into place while it’s in use. For easy access, the knife also includes a silhouette wire pocket clip for either left or right-handed carry.
36. Spyderco Tenacious
Tenacious means toughing it out until you reach your goal, and this knife does exactly that. With a black G10 laminate handle, this blade is milled with prolonged fatigue-free cutting and skeletonized steel liners for improved strength without adding extra weight. The blade’s shape and textured spine jimping allows you to open the blade and place your thumb on the spine without worrying about slipping.
37. The James Brand The Chapter Black Stainless Straight
Great for general use and everyday carry, this classic, single-blade, straight pocket knife has a D2 stainless steel blade with a titanium handle. Its simple titanium frame lock construction makes for safe and sturdy cutting with little to no moving parts and maintenance. The blade itself holds its edge, resists corrosion, and is fairly easy to take care of.
38. Wilson Combat G10 Extreme Lite Carry
This extremely light pocket knife gives you exceptional control and is up to any tactical task for it’s easy to open, carry, and use. It’s highly resistant to rust and can be easily sharpened, not to mention the added molybdenum, vanadium, and cobalt to the blade’s steel gives it a long-lasting edge to give you peak performance for years.
39. Wilson Wtk Starlight Combat Star Light Tactical
Equipped with an oversized button lock, this particular folding knife by Wilson Combat weighs only four ounces and has a drop-point blade with a razor-like finish. When the blade’s semi-auto safety is pushed in the forward position, it will “double lock” the blade upon opening for extra security. The deep pocket carry clip allows for either tip-up of tip-down carry along with a recessed lanyard loop.
40. Benchmade Ti Monolock 761 Drop Point
Considered the best in resisting corrosion of any martensitic stainless alloy, this drop-point style blade has a titanium handle that withstands many natural elements and industrial chemicals with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Its unique monolock mechanism makes the knife liner one in the same as the knife handle while its M390 steel blade has a pretty impressive cutting ability and wear resistance.
41. Winchester Brass Folding
This visually gorgeous brass folding knife sports a surgical stainless steel blade. The handle includes wood inlays with brass bolsters for both style and functionality, and the size is no bigger than an ordinary Bic lighter. It’s rather easy to keep sharp and is an ideal starter knife for the beginning camper or scout, and the blade locks quickly for ensured safety.
42. Zero Tolerance Sinkevich Carbon Fiber
With a stonewashed, satin finish, this titanium folding knife has a manual open design with a KVT ball-bearing system. It features a frame lock mechanism to make sure the blade is tightly secured when in use and the deep carry clip allows for either left or right-handed accessibility. It’s also a fairly light blade since it weighs less than three ounces, making it easy to carry with you anywhere.
43. Zero Tolerance Sinkevich Titanium Folding
Featuring a titanium frame lock and hardened steel lockbar insert, this durable carbon fiber knife is ready to take out and use at a moment’s notice. It has a KVT ball-bearing opening system, a flipper, a reversible clip, a carbon fiber front, and a titanium back handle. It’s highly ideal for detailed/surgical cutting and is lightweight for more comfortable handling.
44. Benchmade Triage 915
This N680 stainless steel blade claims to have the best corrosion resistance of any blade steel which makes it ideal for saltwater applications. The G10 handle is great at keeping moisture out and is stable under extreme temperatures. Its sheepfoot blade style, safety hook, and glass breaker make the knife good for rescue situations, but also for tactical or everyday use.
45. Spyderco C186tip Slysz Bowie Folding Titanium
With a plain sharp edge, this pocket folding knife has a titanium handle that can withstand all kinds of wear and tear. Its high performance, full-flat ground stainless steel blade is up for almost any job you put to it, making it ideal for use both indoors and outdoors. The thumb ramp gives you enhanced control while opening the knife and reversible wire clip provides tip-up carry.
46. Helle Knives Skala
This stainless steel blade is both slim and stiff and its gorgeous Cocobolo wood handle covers the integrated steel liners. It’s slightly larger than most ordinary folding knives but it can be used for just about anything from cutting rough material, skinning game, or simply slicing an apple. It also comes with a leather pouch for safe carrying and accessibility.
47. Hinderer Knives Eklipse Gen Ii Tanto Flipper Titanium
Known as one of the toughest tactical folding knives you would come to own, this Eklipse flipper knife is designed to be ready for any challenge from simple cutting tasks such as skinning game to high speed, low drag operations like cutting tough rope. The titanium finish handle makes the blade easy to hold and the CPM-20C steel blade holds its own with almost anything you put it through.
48. Buck 171TTS B 171 Mayo Waimea Bos S30V Lightweight Titanium Framelock
For those that want a lightweight knife, the Buck 171TTS is an ideal pocket knife with a clip to make it easy to reach for. Its handle is made of framelock 6AI-4V titanium for excellent durability and strength for activities such as fishing, hunting, or tactical use. It’s a manual knife that can be opened with only one hand and comes with a Buck 501 Squire leather sheath.
49. Jake Hoback CF Carbon Fiber Kwaiback
Made in the United States, this pocket knife has a frame made of heavy-duty carbon fiber for strength and durability while its blade is made of 20CV stainless steel. The handle design is for left-handers, which can be a bit difficult to come across, and the whole blade is nine inches in length making it a bit larger than most pocket knives.
50. Fox Usmc Knives 521dlb Desert Fox Blue Titanium Damascus
This manual knife is made of Damascus steel with a standard edge blade. Its handle is built with titanium to stand tough against cutting, prying, or scraping materials. It’s additionally equipped with a lanyard hole, a pocket clip, and a thumb ridge for effortless opening and closing. For storage, the blade comes with a convenient brown leather zippered case.
