9 Best Swiss Army Knives for EDC (Pocket or Keychain)

Looking for a Swiss Army Knife? Here’s a hand-picked list of the best Swiss Army Knife models for everyday carry (EDC).

This article was written by Matthew Ferrans, a student of economics, minimalist and Swiss Army Knife enthusiast.

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best Swiss Army Knives you can buy right now:

Read on for more info and the complete list…

Why Swiss Army Knives?

Let’s start with my relationship with the Swiss Army Knife…

In college, my next door neighbor was having a garage sale and decided to give me an old Swiss Army Knife (Sportsman model) that didn’t sell.

The knife blade was beat up, and the tweezers were missing. But, even though it was past its prime, I was fascinated by this knife’s economy of space and varied functionality.

I ended up losing it, but that little knife ignited my interest in Swiss Army Knives, and these days I’m fully invested in the product.

I even buy Swiss Army Knives as gifts for friends, family and colleagues (usually the Classic Alox, Rambler, Manager or Cadet Alox).

I truly believe that a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is a quintessential EDC knife for pretty much any type of person. These little tools are worth their weight in gold (metaphorically speaking, of course).

They come with great customer service and a trusted brand name. They’ve stood the test of time and have been used by military personnel all around the world.

Since there are so many Swiss Army knives to choose from, I want to give you a list of the best models for regular use and EDC, based on my in-depth experience with the brand.

The 9 Best Swiss Army Knives for EDC

Here they are, in no particular order:

#1: Jetsetter

This small multi-tool features:

• Bottle opener
• Magnetic Phillips screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Scissors
• Toothpick
• Tweezers

Pros: Good for travel (no blade); simple double fold-out design; extremely keychain-friendly; small and portable

Cons: No blade; scissors may violate some airport security protocols

#2: Classic Alox (Small)

This small pocket knife features:

• Small blade
• Scissors
• Nail file
• Flathead screwdriver

Pros: Slim profile; sleek design; keychain-friendly; minimalist toolset

Cons: Lacks tweezers and toothpick

#3: Classic SD (Small)

This small pocket knife features:

• Small blade
• Scissors
• Nail file
• Flathead screwdriver
• Toothpick
• Tweezers

Pros: Perfect balance of size and functionality; very keychain-friendly; available in variety of colors

Cons: Slightly thicker than other models (like the Jetsetter)

You can see our full review of the Classic SD here.

#4: Rambler (Small)

This small pocket knife features:

• Small blade
• Bottle opener
• Magnetic Phillips screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Nail file
• Scissors
• Toothpick
• Tweezers

Pros: The handiest of minimal EDC, features (nothing heavy) two common screwdriver options.

Cons: Moderately thick for a keychain knife; may cause slight pocket bulge

#5: Rally (Small)

This small pocket knife features:

• Small blade
• Magnetic Phillips screwdriver
• Bottle opener
• Nail file
• Flathead screwdriver

Pros: All the functionality/portability of the Jetsetter plus a small blade

Cons: Not air travel friendly

#6: Manager (Small)

This small pocket knife features:

• Small blade
• Bottle opener
• Mini Phillips screwdriver
• Mini flathead screwdriver
• Nail file
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Toothpick
• Pen

Pros: All the functionality of the Rambler plus a pen; expansive toolset for its size

Cons: Thicker than many models

#7: Bantam (Medium)

This medium size pocket knife features:

• Combo tool (flat head screwdriver + can/bottle opener)
• Blade
• Tweezers
• Toothpick

Pros: Slimmest of the medium size non-Alox models

Cons: Not the best flathead screwdriver; bulky for keychain use

#8: Bantam Alox (Medium)

This medium size pocket knife features:

• Combo tool (flat head screwdriver + can/bottle opener)
• Blade

Pros: Slimmest medium-sized Swiss Army knife (i.e., pocket-friendly)

Cons: Limited toolset; not keychain friendly (consider the Kershaw Cinder for something smaller)

#9: Cadet Alox (Medium)

This medium size pocket knife features:

• Blade
• Nail file/cleaner combo
• Can opener
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Bottle opener

Pros: Perfect size for your pocket; has all the most essential tools

Cons: Large for a keychain

Which model will you choose?

When it comes to buying a Swiss Army Knife, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming. But this deep and varied product catalogue ensures that everyone can find the perfect knife for their needs.

The only question is: what’s your favorite Swiss Army Knife model? Let me know in the comments section below!