Having trouble deciding which knife to choose for your EDC (Every Day Carry) or how to choose the best one for you? Are you overwhelmed by all the choices available on the market?
Before we begin, what does the term EDC mean for a knife?
EDC knives are folding knives that can fit comfortably in your pocket. They must be lightweight, compact, multifunctional and durable. This design makes them easy to access and use quickly. This makes them ideal for everyday use.
If you are considering adding a new knife to your arsenal you will find below several essential tips for purchasing your pocket knife, as well as our 6 favorite models of EDC pocket knives according to your needs.
Summary
1. It all depends on your usage
2. Characteristics of a good EDC knife
Selection of 6 knives ideal for EDC use:
3. Bugout-2 Black Elite Folding Knife – Benchmade
4. Terminus XR LTE Folding Knife – SOG
5. Free K2 multifunction knife (8 tools) - Leatherman
6. Strike Coyote Tanto Automatic Knife – Boker Plus
7. 0350 Folding Knife – Zero Tolerance
8. Griptilian 551 Folding Knife – Benchmade
1. Use
When choosing a knife as an EDC, it is always important to keep in mind the purpose of carrying a knife. Being one of the oldest forms of tools dating back to the Stone Age, the knife has accompanied us on all kinds of occasions.
This is by far the most important thought. Ask yourself why you plan to use your knife and what you expect from it. Most of the best EDC knives are versatile enough to do just about anything. However, some models will always be better suited to certain things than others. Depending on your needs, a knife with a small serrated blade might, for example, suit you much better than a knife with a large straight blade.
Start by thinking about what you will use your EDC for. If you work in a warehouse, you may use it to cut boxes. If you spend a lot of time on a farm, your knife might be used daily to cut thick ropes or open hay bales.
Once you have a good understanding of what you will use your knife for, you can then start to focus on specific qualities, like blade type, overall size, or opening mechanism.
How you use the knife will influence the type of knife you want to purchase.
What characteristics of the knife are important to take into account?
Once you have an idea of what you want to do with your knife, it's time to familiarize yourself with some of the different models and features so you can choose the perfect knife.
1. Height and weight
Find an EDC knife that's a reasonable size and weight for daily carry and everywhere you go. For general EDC tasks, a 5cm to 10cm blade will be quite sufficient.
2. Steel and blade shape
The higher the price of your knife, the more quality the blade is likely to be. In general, a modest blade will be sufficient for typical everyday uses. But for more intensive use it is important to have a high quality steel blade so that it maintains its sharpness and shape.
Besides the material, the shape of the blade is also important to consider, and there are different blade types you can choose from. The most common types are: clip point, drop point, tanto, spear point and standard. Your intended end use should dictate the type and shape of blade you choose. If you want a knife that pierces more than it cuts, tanto and drop point blades are ideal. If you want to do detailed work, the clip point blade might be nicer and suitable.
3. The knife handle
Look for a handle that is wide enough to fit your entire palm and ergonomically shaped for a solid grip and comfortable hold.
Many materials make good knife handles, from textured plastic to metal to wood to composite materials. But by far the best option is G10, a composite material that is heavily textured for its lightness and grip. You will find it on many knives on our store.
4. Locking system
Having a solid locking mechanism on your knife makes it safe to use during rigorous cutting tasks.
This factor is more a matter of personal preference than anything else. A knife that requires manual opening simply takes longer to deploy than a knife with a thumb stud or liner lock with assisted opening. Unless you find yourself in frequent emergency situations, there is no real benefit to a faster opening blade other than convenience. Of course, if you intend to use your knife for self-defense purposes, a knife with a faster opening will better suit your needs. But if you're not in a constant hurry, a knife that opens in other ways should do the trick.
Here are now our 6 favorite knives for EDC use!
Bugout-2 Black Elite folding knife - Benchmade
Bugout-2 Black Elite folding knife - Benchmade
The Bugout series is one of Benchmade's flagship series, a true cult classic in the EDC community and for good reason. No knife has ever combined such lightness with excellent ergonomics and a premium steel blade. Equally at home in the outdoors or in the office, the Bugout has a non-threatening, tool-like style perfect for any EDC type use. The Bugout wins the prize for best EDC knife.
Terminus XR LTE folding knife - SOG
Terminus XR LTE folding knife - SOG
The SOG Terminus XR LTE is at the forefront of what the SOG company can offer the EDC community in folding knives. This "Light Edition" knife improves on the revolutionary original blade by reducing it to just 60 grams thanks to the integration of carbon fiber into its design. And thanks to its tongue, this knife is completely ambidextrous. The choice of blade steel for the Terminus
Also available in gold version here: Terminus XR LTE Gold folding knife - SOG
Free K2 multifunction knife (8 tools) - Leatherman
Free K2 multifunction knife (8 tools) - Leatherman
Lightweight and easy to carry, the FREE® K2 integrates everyday essential tools into a folding pocket knife. With an 8.4 cm blade and 7 additional tools, including a pry bar and a Phillips screwdriver, the K2 redefines what a multi-tool is. Each element is housed outside an ergonomically redesigned aluminum body for easy access. You will never fumble for your tools again!
Strike Coyote Tanto automatic knife - Boker Plus
Strike Coyote Tanto automatic knife - Boker Plus
If you need a knife blade in an instant, look no further than the Boker Strike. Since this is an automatic knife, the only thing you need to do to deploy the blade is press a button. In an instant, the blade is out and locked, ready to take on whatever you need it to. Once deployed, the blade feels exceptionally comfortable in the hand, as Boker has taken considerable time to ensure that the weight and balance of the knife meet the highest standards. Right-handers will appreciate the ease of use of this excellent EDC knife.
Folding knife 0350 - Zero Tolerance 
Folding knife 0350 - Zero Tolerance
Due to its style and size, the Zero Tolerance 0350 would be a great choice for someone who appreciates a more tactical look and feel in their daily activities. This knife is exceptionally crafted from the choice of materials to the incredible finish, design, ergonomics and excellent pocket clip.
High performance and premium S350V stainless steel makes the recurved blade extremely durable, corrosion and wear resistant.
The non-reflective black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) Tungsten blade coating and black G-10 handle scales combine cleanly to form a sleek, smooth and aggressive knife.
Griptilian 551 folding knife - Benchmade
Griptilian 551 folding knife - Benchmade
Benchmade, one of the big names in the knife industry, always offers premium products. It goes without saying that the Benchmade 551 Griptilian, one of their most successful series, is a great choice among all EDC pocket knives. Probably one of the most attractive features of the Griptilian is its blade. Featuring CPM S30V powder steel, the blade's edge retention and corrosion resistance are superb. For almost any type of job, the Griptilian is up to the task. The Benchmade 551 Griptilian also features the ambidextrous Axis lock, which is one of the strongest locking mechanisms on the market for folding knives.
The knife you carry every day is an extension of your personality. It shows people what you are about and should be something you find useful and enjoyable. The composition and construction of a pocket knife play an important role in choosing one, but ultimately it all depends on your personal preferences and what you use your knives for.
Our article did not meet your expectations? Contact our team or leave a comment and ask us your question directly!
See you soon,
Maïssane M.
