The Best EDC Knives

The Benchmade Bugout is widely recognized as one of the best EDC knives. The drop-point blade and mid-sized footprint make it a great all-around knife. Whether you're using it for EDC purposes or as a lightweight hunting knife, it's a great option to keep in your pocket.

MeatEater’s Tony Peterson has carried the Bugout for several years now and quickly tabbed it as his go-to EDC.

"I'd rather leave home without my pants than this knife," he said. "I've used it for just about everything, except maybe staving off a ninja attack."

Tony noted that while the Bugout doesn’t look like a traditional hunting knife, that hasn’t stopped him from using it to piece out countless pheasants, grouse, turkeys, and even several deer.

Benchmade offers the Bugout in several different iterations, ranging from the standard $180 to a premium $400 with an S90V stainless steel blade. Tony pointed out that the standard version includes S30V steel, which is durable and easy to maintain.

If you happen to notice Tony in a public setting without his pants, you can rest assured that he’s still carrying the Bugout. Just don’t ask him where.

Specifications

• Blade Material: CPM-S30V Stainless Steel
• Overall Length: 7.46 in.
• Blade Length: 3.24 in.
• Closed Length: 4.22 in.
• Weight: 1.85 oz.
• Pros: Wicked sharp, Lightweight, Slender profile
• Cons: Pricey, After two years, the thumb button disappeared
• Price: $180+

Like the Bugout, Benchmade’s Osborne is a renowned EDC knife but with more poise and style. The reverse tanto blade gives an incredible balance, and the blade’s slim profile makes it agile for precise work. Its aluminum handles add to the Osborne’s durability and give it a heft that makes it the EDC of MeatEater's own Janis Putelis.

"I don't need a lightweight EDC," Janis said. "The Osborne is heavy, robust, and it feels good in the hand."

The CPM-S30V offers excellent steel that’s easy to touch up when you need to. Janis mentioned that the Osborne’s blade is one of the main reasons he prefers it for his EDC.

"I won’t use a knife that I can’t sharpen myself," he said. "This knife holds an edge extremely well, and it’s easy to sharpen."

At $240, the Osborne isn’t cheap. Still, it’s one of the best EDC knives that excels at a variety of tasks, and you can always take advantage of Benchmade’s LifeSharp Services when you need it factory-sharp.

Specifications

• Blade Material: CPM-S30V
• Overall Length: 7.87 in.
• Blade Length: 3.4 in.
• Closed Length: 4.47 in.
• Weight: 2.9 oz.
• Pros: Great edge retention, Well balanced, Robust feel, Easy to sharpen
• Cons: Pricey
• Price: $240

There’s a reason classic folders like the Case Mini Trapper have been around for so long—they’re reliable, affordable, and easy to sharpen EDC knives. Not to mention, you get two blades (clip and spey) in one knife. These nimble blades make it easy to do close, precise work or for cleaning a host of small game. It should be no surprise that Brent Reaves won’t be found dead without his Mini Trapper.

"I may forget my glasses or my billfold, but I’ll never forget my pocketknife," Brent said. "I prefer the Case Mini Trapper above all others."

Brent said the clip and spey blades work best for everything from farm work to hunting and fishing chores, making it a no-brainer EDC that he and his family have carried for generations. In fact, that’s why Brent has his own Red Bone Mini Trapper that Case recently unveiled.

"For the record, I was singing the praises of this knife long before I was involved with outdoor media," he said. "That’s how our partnership came about."

Brent also highlighted each blade’s edge retention, noting that they don’t dull quickly. The Tru-Sharp stainless steel offers easy sharpening and solid corrosion resistance. While some might prefer a locking blade, the Case Mini Trapper excels at a variety of close, precise work tasks.

Specifications

• Blade Material: Tru-Sharp Stainless
• Overall Length: 7 in.
• Blade Length: 3.5 in., 2.7 in.
• Closed Length: 3.5 in.
• Weight: 2.7 oz.

If you prefer an EDC knife that disappears in your pocket, you should consider the GiantMouse Ace Bleecker. This compact folder weighs just 2.2 oz., making it the lightest knife in this review. The 0.11 in. blade thickness gives it a sleek, thin look, while the CPM Magnacut makes it ultra-durable. For these reasons, MeatEater’s Jordan Sillars said the Ace Bleecker checks all the boxes for him.

"The best kind of EDC knife is one that you forget is there," he said. "It should have the proportions and durability to do all things EDC, yet it should be small enough to carry no matter what you’re wearing."

If you’re a Magnacut fan, the 3.26 in. blade on the Ace Bleeker will handle any EDC task you throw at it, Jordan said. Instead of a thumb stud, the Ace Bleecker features a thumb hole on the blade, and the jimping is situated near the lower third of the blade, making it an ideal placement for most hand sizes.

"I’ve been carrying this knife for the last few months, and it’s still as sharp as the day I got it. I like it so much that I’d miss my next flight before surrendering it to TSA."

Specifications

• Blade Material: CPM Magnacut
• Overall Length: 7.4 in.
• Blade Length: 3.26 in.
• Closed Length: 4.14 in.
• Weight: 2.2 oz.
• Pros: Lightweight, High quality steel, Comfortable carry
• Cons: Capable but not excellent for outdoor pursuits, Pricey
• Price: $285

The Benchmade Taggedout combines the best features of a hunting knife and a lightweight EDC. Its full-size grip and clip point blade make it ideal for cleaning wild game. Yet, its light weight (2.9 oz.) makes it almost non-existent in your pocket. Sometimes I forget I’m carrying it.

While it’s certainly pricey ($300), the G10 handles make it super durable and lightweight. Some might see the overall length of 8.13 in. as pushing EDC boundaries, but I don’t care. I’ll take a full-sized handle in the field any day.

The G10 handles could be grippier, and I prefer the jimping to be extended. Otherwise, the Taggedout makes an excellent option for those who want an ultra-durable hunting knife they can carry well past hunting season.

Specifications

• Blade Material: CPM-S45VN
• Overall Length: 8.13 in.
• Blade Length: 3.5 in.
• Closed Length: 4.63 in.
• Weight: 2.9 oz.
• Pros: Lightweight, Disappears in your pocket, Durable G10 handles, Full grip handles
• Cons: Expensive, Short jimping
• Price: $300

Sometimes your line of trade requires more than a knife. If that’s the case, you’re probably better suited with a multitool like Leatherman’s Signal. Designed for the outdoors, the Signal features a ferro rod, hammer, safety whistle, and diamond sharpener. Whether you’re driving tent stakes or sharpening a hunting knife, the Signal has plenty of convenient tools in a lightweight package. MeatEater’s Brody Henderson cited the Signal’s versatility as to why he prefers this multitool for EDC.

"The thing about EDC knives is they're only good for one thing—cutting stuff," he said, "but you often need more than a single blade when you're in the field or on the water. That's why I prefer a compact, simple, lightweight multi-tool like the Leatherman Signal."

The Signal weighs two to three times more than the best EDC knives in this review, but it also gives you 19 different tools. You might not get the same quality of steel in the Signal’s primary blade, but it can handle most EDC tasks like cutting thicker ropes, whittling a hot dog stick, or even gutting birds and fish, Brody said. Just don’t expect the same edge retention as a premium EDC knife.

Specifications

• Blade Material: 420HC Stainless Steel
• Overall Length: 6.75 in.
• Blade Length: 2.73 in.
• Closed Length: 4.5 in.
• Weight: 7.5 oz.
• Pros: More versatile than traditional EDC, Partially serrated blade, Compact and lightweight for a multi-tool
• Cons: Lacks blade quality of some EDC knives, Bulkier and Heavier than typical EDC knife
• Price: $140

I have what is essentially an older version of the Brawler with slightly different handle material. I’ve carried many Kershaw knives, and this one makes an excellent backup or budget option. The tanto blade, while not the easiest to maintain, is great for punching through various materials like leather or even canvas.

I know a lot of folks aren’t keen on serrated edges, but they certainly have their place. I keep this one in my hunting pack when I might have to trim limbs or small brush. The budget-friendly price also means I’m not worried about putting it through the ringer.

This isn’t a premium knife. It’s not meant to be. However, like the name suggests, it can take a beating, and it’s tough to hang with some of the best EDC knives available.

Specifications

• Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV
• Overall Length: 7.1 in.
• Blade Length: 3 in.
• Closed Length: 4.1 in.
• Weight: 3.9 oz.
• Price: $50