EDC Knife

The term “EDC” (Everyday Carry) refers to a tiny blade carried in your pocket. With the help of this handy tool, you may cut through rope, open packages, and perform other activities where a larger tool would be ineffective. Since it’s common for people to carry several tools in their pockets, an EDC knife is a must-have item. The benefits of keeping a folding knife in your pocket are numerous. For example, they’re useful for anyone carrying them because they’re simple to keep and move. They are also small and light, making it easy for you to conceal them under your clothing.

A good EDC (everyday carry) knife is a safe and reliable companion for your next outdoor adventure. Carrying the ideal EDC knife may enhance any outdoor experience, whether you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail or simply spending a weekend in the great outdoors with your family. An everyday carry (EDC) knife serves as a go-to tool for opening packages, carving a clean tip on a stick for marshmallow roasts, slicing through rope, and even harvesting a sprig of fresh herbs. EDC knives may also be considered as a vital survival gear.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Everyday Carry Knife

Pay attention to these important factors while looking for a good EDC knife.

Use Case

You might choose a knife to keep in the toolkit for irregular use or one that can be utilized regularly. In general, your pocket knife may be used for three different things: everyday tasks, outdoor activities, and self-defense.

• General everyday use: The blade of these knives is more important than the tip or point because they are often used for slicing and cutting rather than penetrating.
• Outdoor knives: these must be durable and water-resistant so they may be used to cut off fishing line or nets, rope, and wood strips to make kindling for a fire, while also being able to withstand exposure to the sun, chilly winds, and rain. It’s crucial to keep in mind that if the blade isn’t well maintained, it will quickly lose its edge.
• Self-defense: The blade should open quickly when the owner is in danger rather than requiring them to battle with it. These knives are perfect for penetrating bursts since their tips are located at or around the midline of the blade.

Be aware that some state and local regulations may restrict the carrying of specific models of pocket knives.

Size

A standard pocketknife is small enough to fit snugly within a pocket, however a clip-on knife may be fastened to a waistband or the outside of the pocket. A typical pocketknife will weigh around 3.5 ounces, with a handle that is 4 inches long, and a blade that is about 3 inches long. On the contrary, good pocketknives may come in larger sizes for activities needing a broad range of motion, like cutting wood, or more delicate tasks, like whittling.

Blade Material

Although the majority of knife blades are constructed of carbon and stainless steel, others are composed of laminated steel.

• Stainless Steel: Compared to carbon steel, stainless steel blades are more rust resistant. Although stainless steel has become less costly and needs less upkeep, it does not keep sharpness as long as laminated or carbon steel.
• Carbon Steel: The most popular kind of pocketknife blades are those constructed of carbon steel. Carbon fiber blades are ideal for cutting through wood or other challenging materials because they require less honing to keep their cutting edge. But if these blades aren’t often lubricated, given regular maintenance, and kept in the right storage conditions, they might rust, weaken, and ultimately stop working.
• Laminated Steel: During the forging process, several steel grades are layered to produce blades composed of laminated steel. Because of this, they keep their sharpness longer than blades made of stainless steel while also being more rust resistant than those made of carbon steel.

Shape

A pocket knife may be purchased with the ideal blade length and form for a number of functions and applications since they come in a broad variety of sizes and shapes. Here are some styles you can try out:

• Spear Point: Pocket knives with spear points feature symmetric edges with a point that is parallel to the knife’s center. Due to their symmetrical design and good balance, these blades—which might have between one or two cutting edges—are frequently employed as throwing knives.
• Drop Point: From the blade’s spine to its tip, a drop-point blade features a convex curvature. These pocket knives have great stabbing strength, are robust and adaptable, and are suitable for daily carry for self-defense.
• Tanto Point: These knives are among the greatest EDC knife kinds to keep on standby for self-defense because they have been used for hunting and battle for many years. Its legendary blade type, which was well-liked in ancient Japan, can serve many purposes. Its sharp edge transition, which takes the place of the blade’s more conventionally curved belly, creates a blade that is great for penetrating, slicing, and cutting.

Locking Mechanism

Some folding knives have a locking mechanism, which is commonly found on spring-assisted variants. Frame, Linear, collar, and lockback locking systems are just a few examples of the different lock types that may be found on knives.

Handle

Though the knife’s blade is frequently its most important part, the handle greatly affects the blade’s stability, weight, and durability. Additionally, the knife’s handle is what makes it comfortable, and a poor grip could cause your hands to become fatigued. Hardwood, steel, or plastic are frequently used for the majority of knife handles.

Types of EDC knives

Every EDC is a utility knife. Edc knives are small enough to carry in your pocket but big enough to do everyday activities like opening boxes, cutting rope, chopping food, and other similar tasks. A high-quality utility knife has to be reliable and never break. To fulfill your demands, you might wish to get a few utility knives in different sizes. While larger knives are better for more demanding labor, smaller knives are perfect for everyday jobs. Here are some different types of everyday knives you should consider:

Fixed Blade Knives

Compared to folding knives, fixed blade knives are bigger and often have a stronger blade. These knives are perfect for harder jobs like skinning game or chopping kindling for a fire. Some fixed-blade knives have a sheath included for quick and secure transportation.

Multi-Tools

Multi-tools are versatile tools that provide a number of functions in a small package. Numerous multi-tools come equipped with a knife blade in addition to other practical tools like pliers, screwdrivers, can openers, and saws. These are ideal for those who appreciate ease and adaptability.

Folding Knives

Compared to utility knives, folding knives are smaller and fold up into a smaller size. You can keep these in your pocket or purse until you need them. They can be used for many tasks when unfolded, such as cutting vegetables, carving meat, and fileting fish. Knives with a folded blade are also called clip point knives.

Tactical Knives

Larger than utility knives, tactical knives are designed for use by police enforcement authorities, military people, security guards, hunters, and anybody else who needs a blade that can handle demanding duties. Due to the fact that edc knives were first created for soldiers fighting in World War II, tactical knives are frequently referred to as “combat” knives. Tactical knives of today are stronger than ever thanks to materials like titanium, carbon fiber, and stainless steel.

Combat Knives

The most common type of knives is the combat knife. Everyday Carry knives are made to cut through anything. Combat knives, which range from machetes to tomahawks, are adaptable weapons that may be used for self-defense, as well as for hunting, fishing, camping, and pretty much any other use you can think of.

How We Chose Our Top Picks

We started by searching for the best-selling EDC knives. We limited our search to knives that were either manufactured in or shipped from the United States. Additionally, we looked into the suppliers and made sure to exclude any that had been reported for questionable behavior or having low-quality goods.

Our search was narrowed based on personal ownership, in-person examination, and carefully reading manufacturer’s specs. We also spoke with specialists in the field of EDC knives, including knife makers, law enforcement officers, and military members. Our specialists put the knives through a number of tests, including opening and closing, cutting rope and cord, and trying to break the blades. After that, they put the locks’ strength, safety, and ease of opening and closing to the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

How thick should an EDC knife be?

Depending on the functions for which it is intended, an EDC knife’s thickness will change. We advise using something between 3 and 4 inches for ordinary utility activities. Choose something thicker, like 5 inches or more, for tasks that require greater precision, such as de-hairing animals or opening parcels. Choose something at least 5 inches thick if you intend to carry it on a belt loop to prevent your pants from being scratched or harmed. Make sure to get a knife with a blade length that suits your preferred carrying technique if you intend to wear it with a sheath.

How is it different from other folding knives?

EDC means for everyday carry, to start. In contrast to items that are exclusively utilized for particular tasks or circumstances, it usually refers to equipment that is constantly carried for daily usage. Unlike a knife that is made for a specialized activity, like skinning an animal or opening a package, an EDC knife is made for broad utility use. EDC knives need to be compact, strong, and comfortable to carry.

What is the best type of steel for an EDC knife?

There are many various kinds of steels, and each one has advantages and drawbacks of its own. We suggest something in the medium, such as 8Cr13MoV or AUS-8, for an EDC knife. Even though these steels are strong enough to handle routine activities, they are also simple to sharpen. Go for S30V or ELMAX if you want a little bit more edge retention. These steels have a longer durability of an edge, but they require a little more effort to sharpen.

What is the best type of blade for an EDC knife?

Drop point blades are perfect for general utility jobs because of their wide, curved cutting edge. The wide cutting edge offers plenty of space for slicing, and the curved shape makes it simple to manipulate the blade when cutting through thick materials. Choose a spear point or clip point blade if you need a little bit more precision. These blades are perfect for more accurate work because they have a thinner cutting edge and a sharper tip. They aren’t the best for general utility use because they’re also more challenging to handle.

What is the best handle material for an EDC knife?

A lightweight, strong material, such as G10 or aluminum, makes the perfect handle material for an EDC knife. These materials are lightweight and convenient to carry while being sturdy enough to handle daily duties. Choose a material like carbon fiber or titanium if you want a little more style. These materials cost more, but they’ll offer your knife a distinctive appearance.

What is the best way to carry an EDC knife?

An EDC knife is best carried in a pouch or sheath. By doing this, you can prevent the knife from tearing your garments or causing skin irritation. If you’re wearing a sheath to carry the knife, be sure to pick one that is secure and comfortable to wear. Make sure the pouch has a secure closure and isn’t overly big if you’re carrying the knife in a pouch.