Nick Italiano in Gear

Choosing an EDC Knife

In This Article

Budget
Intended Use
Fixed vs. Folder
Legalities
Steel
Carry Options
Ergonomics
Recommendations
Are Switchblades Legal?
Read More From Issue 67

The knife, or perhaps it’s more accurate to just say a sharp edge, is one of mankind’s oldest tools. Since time out of mind, we’ve kept a blade close at hand as we’ve gone about our day. It’s a valuable tool that does everything from slicing food and cutting cordage to carving needed implements and even defending lives. Thankfully, today, you need not hunt around for a chunk of obsidian or flint to knap into a handy size. Instead, you can head online and select an EDC knife from a dizzying array of choices. Honestly, it can be a little overwhelming.

How do you narrow down the choices?

Budget

This is where most people start, and rightfully so. You need to determine how much you’re comfortable spending on an EDC knife. You can get something quite serviceable in the $50 range, no doubt about it. That said, you largely get what you pay for in the knife world. A $5 gas station knife is going to perform like a $5 gas station knife. It might do OK opening your mail, but anything more strenuous than that will likely lead to failure sooner rather than later.

There’s a school of thought that says not to spend a lot of money on a knife because you can always buy a new one if it breaks. While that’s true, if you’re five days into a two-week wilderness trek, it might be difficult for Amazon to find you and deliver your new knife. A better option, all things considered, is to get the highest-quality knife you can afford. But again, this doesn’t mean you need to spend several hundred dollars on one.

Remember the saying, “Buy once, cry once.” It refers to the idea that it’s better to invest what might feel like a considerable cost up front and purchase something that’ll last than to buy something you’ll probably need to replace sooner rather than later. Cry over the money spent at the outset and be done with it.

The Axiom from Smith & Sons Knives is a compact fixed blade that’s easy to carry

Intended Use

How you plan to use the knife will help inform the type and style of knife that’ll be best for you. Granted, for most of us, our EDC knife has to be sort of a jack of all trades, doing everything from breaking down boxes to opening those maddening plastic blister packs everything seems to be packaged in these days. But give some thought as to the primary types of work your EDC knife will be called upon to perform.

Is this going to primarily be a backup defense weapon? Then, you’ll want something that’s easy to deploy in a hurry. On the other hand, if you’ll mostly be using it to slice cheese and sausage in the office lunchroom, steel type and blade geometry probably matter more than speed and stealth.

110 Folding Hunter from Buck Knives is a venerable, classic EDC selection.

Fixed vs. Folder

This is probably the biggest decision on the knife choice flow chart. Do you want a fixed blade or a folding knife? There are pros and cons to each.

A fixed blade is stronger and less likely to fail under pressure, as it has no moving parts. It’s also faster and easier to deploy in a hurry, since you don’t have to open it in any way. But, depending on your working environment, a fixed blade knife could be a little more problematic than a folder. It might be slightly more likely that human resources will want to see the cool knife you’ve been bringing to work.

Pocket carrying a fixed blade knife is absolutely a thing that exists. There are many options out there in that regard. One downside to this approach is that deploying the knife can be a two-handed operation, where the knife is removed from the pocket and then pulled from the sheath in a separate, two-handed movement. However, this can be remedied in some cases by attaching a short length of cordage to your belt and then to the bottom of the sheath. The Paracord or whatever you use should be just long enough to allow the knife to sit in your pocket tip-down and handle up. As you pull the knife from your pocket, the knife will automatically draw from the sheath when cordage gets taut.

On the other hand, a folding knife is easy to carry concealed. If you get an automatic or assisted-open knife, deployment speed may not be as much of an issue. A folder is more commonly seen as an EDC knife and thus isn’t likely to raise many eyebrows, all other things being equal. The trade-off is that a folding knife is the weaker option of the two. Depending on the nature of the work you’re going to be doing, that could be a concern. Also, consider the working environment. If you’re routinely operating in dusty or gritty areas, such as a foundry, there’s a good chance the dirt and whatnot that’s floating around is going to foul up the pivot of your knife at some point. Staying on top of maintenance, including cleaning and oiling the knife regularly, will help mitigate that problem.

The wood saw on the Hiker model of Swiss Army Knife works remarkably well.

Legalities

This is where you might want to do a little homework. The last thing you want to happen is for you to end up in hot water with law enforcement because your EDC knife violates local law. Blade length is the most common issue, with some statutes or ordinances dictating a concealed knife must have a blade shorter than 3 inches.

Keep in mind that if you work some distance from home, the laws in the two jurisdictions may differ. I spent many years working a day job that was just over the state line from where I lived, so I had to be very conscious of what was legal in one area and illegal in another.

For a truly handy pocket fixed blade, look no further than the Model 1 from White River Knives.

Steel

If we’re being honest, the vast majority of knife users couldn’t tell you the steel of their EDC knife if it wasn’t printed on the blade, the box, or the paperwork. At best, they might be able to tell you if it was stainless or not, and even that might be questionable. But yes, there are plenty of steel snobs in the knife community, some of whom are quick to ditch whatever they’ve been using when a hot new steel hits the market. Truth be told, you see that in any hobby.

When it comes to steel selection, there are a few factors to consider. Edge retention is important, as you don’t want to have to touch up the blade after every single use. At the same time, you don’t want something that’s going to be a bear to sharpen when you do have to maintain the edge. This is perhaps doubly important for knives you’ll be carrying out into the field for days and weeks at a time. The ideal is a knife steel that you can just strop back to razor sharp on the back of your belt, without needing to break out stones or other equipment.
Corrosion resistance is also a consideration. If you’re going to be operating near saltwater, for example, stainless steel is a necessity.

Remember, though, that stainless doesn’t mean stain-proof. It can and will rust under the right conditions. You can get away with a carbon steel in many areas, but you’ll want to apply some sort of preservative to the blade to help prevent rust from developing. Wicked Wax is an outstanding option in that regard.

Among the more popular knife steels that have proven to be reliable are MagnaCut, CPM-3V, CPM-154, CPM-S35VN, and AEB-L. There are dozens of others that are just as good. I look at it like this: If a knife company with a stellar reputation is using a particular steel, there’s probably a good reason for it.

A newer model, the Guardian 3.2 from Bradford Knives is robust without being a boat anchor in your pocket or on your belt.

Carry Options

A folding knife will typically be carried in a pocket. Sure, there are belt carry options for folders, such as pouches or sheaths, but nine times out of 10, people toss the folder into their pants pocket. Many of today’s folding knives come with a pocket clip, which will serve to keep the knife at the top of your pocket, rather than buried down with your spare change. Some of those models allow for changing the location of the clip, which is especially nice for left-handed users.

Personally, I often choose to pocket carry a small, fixed blade knife. This isn’t a great option if you prefer wearing tight pants, of course. For those who aren’t into the skinny jeans look, this is definitely one way to go.

Kershaw’s Livewire is an OTF automatic that’s snappy and reliable. It looks amazing, too.

Ergonomics

This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. Whether we’re talking about a knife or any other piece of kit, if it’s awkward or clumsy to use, or if it’s uncomfortable to carry, you’ll find yourself leaving it at home. It doesn’t matter how whiz-bang awesome it looks; you’ll end up just leaving it behind every day. That defeats the entire purpose of buying an EDC knife.

Understand that we’re all different and what works great for one person might be terrible for another. Hand size alone can play a major role in knife preference. Body size and shape will influence how you prefer to carry a knife.

It’s important to actually use your gear. Play around with it. Get familiar with it. Learn what it can and cannot do. This applies as much to knives as it does to anything else you carry. That’s how you’ll learn what’s best for you.

Recommendations

With all of those considerations in mind, let’s take a quick look at a few different options for EDC knives:

Victorinox Swiss Army Hiker

Based strictly on anecdotal evidence, Swiss Army Knives are probably the most commonly found knives on the planet. It seems as though anywhere you go, those red handles are familiar. There are dozens of different models with various tool configurations. I’ve carried the Hiker for the last few years, simply because it has a decent wood saw along with the standard knife blades and such.
MSRP: $39
URL: victorinox.com

Buck 110 Folding Hunter

The 110 Folding Hunter is a true classic. It has been in production since 1963 and millions of them have been produced. It has a sturdy lockup when opened and plenty of blade to accomplish anything you need done. The 420 stainless steel blade isn’t difficult to maintain yet holds a great edge. It’s available in a number of different styles, but I’ve always preferred the original. This is a great knife with loads of history behind it.
MSRP: $65
URL: buckknives.com

White River Knives Model 1

White River Knives is a premier knife manufacturer. They produce knives for several well-known brands in addition to their own. The Model 1 is their flagship knife, and it’s available in several different build options. The deep finger choil provides excellent control while maintaining a high level of comfort in hand. The 3-inch blade keeps you legal in most places while not shortchanging usefulness.
MSRP: $150
URL: whiteriverknives.com

Smith & Sons Axiom

The Axiom has everything you need in an EDC knife, and nothing you don’t. Its ergonomic scales are a dream to hold. The MagnaCut steel holds an outstanding edge while the jimping on the spine gives you incredible control and precision as you use the knife. A sturdy and well-made leather sheath completes the ensemble. The is the type of knife that you can use for years and eventually pass down to the next generation.
MSRP: $185
URL: smithandsonsknives.com

Bradford Knives Guardian 3.2

The Guardian 3.2 is the second-generation version of the venerable Guardian 3. User feedback was factored into the new design, which features an upgraded choil. The end result is a slightly longer knife with even better balance. The Guardian 3.2 works great for any number of common duties, from breaking down boxes to working in the field. It comes with the Bradford Knives standard leather sheath that’s set up for front cross-draw carry.
MSRP: $209
URL: bradfordknives.com

Argali Carbon Stealth

This is a ridiculously lightweight-but-durable fixed blade option for EDC. It tips the scales at less than 2 ounces. That’s lighter than two AA batteries. It has a skeletonized handle that’s comfortable, even after long periods of continuous use. It’s made in the United States with S35VN stainless steel, so it’s perfect for outdoor use as well as around the house. It comes with a Kydex sheath.
MSRP: $229
URL: argalioutdoors.com

Kershaw Livewire

This is Kershaw’s first OTF (out the front) automatic knife. It’s available in a few different colors. It features a MagnaCut blade that extends and retracts with authority. That snapping sound is so satisfying. It operates by means of a staircase-like button on the side. There’s just enough stiffness to the mechanism that it won’t accidentally open in your pocket. In addition to the cool factor, an auto knife is great for situations where you don’t have both hands free to deploy the blade.
MSRP: $270
URL: dlttrading.com

Are Switchblades Legal?

Every time I get an automatic knife, my inner 12-year-old gets giddy. Growing up, these were verboten and unavailable unless someone’s older brother needed some quick cash. The closest thing we had were novelties that looked like switchblades, but had combs instead of blades. Admittedly, I toyed with the idea of replacing the comb in one with a straight razor but never got around to actually trying it.
Today, automatic knives are legal in most parts of the United States. The American Knife & Tool Institute maintains a page on their site that details the laws on automatic knives state by state. You can find it here: akti.org/state-laws-regarding-automatics/