Complete Guide to Types of EDC Knives (2023)

Whether you’re a policeman, a logger, or an office worker, a pocket knife is a useful tool to carry with you every day.

With so many types of knives to choose from, how can you choose the best tool for you?

Why Carry a Knife?

I won’t list all of the ways that an everyday carry (EDC) knife might come in handy, but here are some of the things I use my pocketknife for: 

• Whittling 
• Cutting cordage
• Removing loose strings from clothes without them unraveling 
• Opening boxes and packaging
• Cutting roots in the garden 
• Cutting up food when I’m on the go
• Opening letters
• Dressing and skinning game 
• Cleaning/scaling fish 

I use my pocket knife all the time. It’s an essential part of my everyday carry. While I don’t always carry a phone, I’m rarely without a knife. 

Think about your daily routines and ask yourself, “How could a knife make my life easier?” While carrying a knife makes sense for my lifestyle, you might find that there’s not really a reason for you to carry a knife. That’s ok. A knife is a tool. If you don’t regularly need to use a tool why carry it?

However, whether in your pocket, in your work bag, or in your car, I think that most men should at least consider keeping a knife handy.

For one thing, it’s often overlooked how useful a knife is in emergency situations. For example, you can use it to cut gauze to dress a wound or to get out of a jammed seatbelt after a car crash. 

Hopefully, you never need a blade in an emergency, but even if you only ever use it for opening boxes or spreading peanut butter on a sandwich, it can be nice to have easy access to a knife.

How to Choose an EDC Knife

Out of all the items you own, your EDC is, almost without a doubt, going to get the most use. So make sure to buy quality, durable products that you love. This is especially true when you’re in the market for a new everyday carry knife.

I have a relative that has carried the same pocket knife with him every day for over 50 years. When you buy a quality knife and take care of it, it can last for generations. (Often the hardest part is not losing it!).

While it used to be common that a man would only own one pocket knife at a time, these days that seems to be more of an exception than the rule.

I think that one reason why a lot of guys own multiple knives is that they are usually relatively inexpensive (especially compared to some other EDC items such as smartphones and watches) and aren’t a major expense for most people. 

We’ll cover some things to consider when buying a knife below, however, if you come across a knife that you love be sure to take that initial reaction into account.

You’ll get more use and enjoyment from a knife that “speaks to you” than one that might seem like a more sensible choice on paper. 

That said, be realistic. If you teach preschool you shouldn’t be toting around a massive 14-inch bowie knife on your belt. However, if you hunt gators in the Flordia bayou, it would totally make sense to carry a monster-sized blade.

Besides your job and hobbies, you have to take into account local laws and other regulations. 

Blade Type/Shape

The most important element of a knife is, of course, its blade. The shape and type of blade will determine how effective a knife is for any given task. 

Clip-Point

This popular blade shape makes for a knife that is great at slicing. The back of this blade extends straight out from the handle until about halfway to the tip at which point it turns in towards the tip in a straight or curved line. 

The tip of clip-point blades can break easily so this blade shape is not ideal for some types of heavy work such as hacking or carving in tight spaces.

Drop-Point

Like the clip-point, its cousin the drop point is one of the most common blade shapes. Starting at the handle, the back of the drop-point blade gradually slopes to the tip. 

This sturdy type of blade is one of the most versatile shapes out there. However, drop-point blades aren’t great at stabbing because they generally have wide tips. 

Gut Hook

Next, we have one of the most uncommon blade shapes — the gut hook. This unusual shape has a hook in the back which makes it ideal for field-dressing game.

Apart from this very specific application, gut hook knives can be inconvenient to use. Even if you’re a hunter, you probably don’t want a gut hook blade as your everyday carry. 

Hawkbill

Another unusual blade shape, the hawkbill has become a more popular choice in recent decades, especially on self-defense knives.

These blades have a concave edge that is difficult to sharpen.

Pen

“Penknife” can be used as another word for “pocketknife.” However, I’m referring to knives with tiny blades traditionally used for sharpening the tip of quills.

I’m guessing no one really uses pen knives to make pens anymore, however, they are still useful today for high-precision tasks such as sharpening drawing pencils or creating delicate carvings.

Serrated

Blades of any shape or size can have a serrated edge. Unlike a smooth edge, serrated edges have small teeth that can allow you to cut through certain materials with ease.

Serrated blades are especially useful for slicing bread and tomatoes, sawing wood, and cutting fibrous materials such as rope.

Many modern tactical knives feature a hybrid blade that has both a serrated and a smooth section of the blade. 

When sharpening these blades, be sure to use a sharpener and a technique suitable for serrated edges. 

Sheepsfoot

With the back of the blade curving towards the end of the blade, the sheepsfoot blade doesn’t have a tip. This makes it ideal for cutting without risking accidentally stabbing something.

The sheepsfoot is great for many delicate tasks such as when medics need to cut seatbelts and/or clothing off of car crash survivors. 

This blade shape also is great for whittling because it allows the carver to safely and easily make straight cuts which is why it’s my favorite blade shape. 

Spearpoint

Unlike the sheepsfoot blade, the spearpoint is a symmetrical blade that is great for piercing. Different from most blade shapes on our list, the spearpoint is often double-edged.

Aside from self-defense applications, I’m not quite sure what you’d need a piercing blade for.

Spey

The spey blade, traditionally used for uh… “fixing” animals, is great for scraping and for precise cuts. 

The edge of this blade curves just before it reaches the tip. The back of the blade extends straight out from the handle until it drops to the tip near the end. 

Tanto

The tanto blade originated in ancient Japan. This samurai sword-esque blade is commonly found in both single and double-edged versions.

When sharpening these blades, be sure to use a sharpener and a technique suitable for serrated edges.

The tanto is a heavy-duty blade with a chisel tip.

Wharncliffe

The Wharncliffe blade is basically a sheepsfoot blade with a point.

That said, the point of a Wharncliffe still isn’t going to be great for stabbing or piercing.

Size

Large knives are better for heavy-duty tasks such as fending off attackers and dressing large game and the like. It’s not likely that you’ll want a huge knife for your everyday carry. 

Smaller knives are easier to carry and better equipped to handle detail-oriented tasks like carving ducks (what we wish we were using them for) and opening Amazon boxes without damaging your new toaster (what most of us actually use them for). 

Thin knives are less visible sitting in your pants pocket, while thicker knives can hold useful tools and sturdier blades. 

In many jurisdictions (and increasingly in many workplaces) the length of knives is regulated. (More on knife regulations in a moment). 

Types of Metal

The types of metals used for knives vary widely.

While you could easily spend weeks mulling over the minutiae of carbon percentages and tensile strength ranges, it’ll suffice to know the four types of metal most commonly used in knives: carbon steel, tool steel, stainless steel, and Damascus. These broad terms refer to different “families” of metals. 

You can get a sharper edge on a carbon steel blade than you can with stainless. However, carbon tends to dull more quickly and is more prone to corrode over time. 

Stainless steel has chromium added in, forging a rust-resistant alloy (hence the term “stainless”). In my experience, stainless steel is more low maintenance than carbon blades. 

“Tool steel” refers to a family of carbon metals alloyed with other elements.

Tool steel blades are generally somewhat resistant to rusting and supposedly can hold an edge better than any other type of metal. (Though you might be interested to know that obsidian blades can be made up to “500 times sharper than the sharpest steel blade”).  

Damascus steel is created in a labor-intensive process of folding and welding together layers

of molten steel and iron. The final product is a gorgeous blade with intricate banded patterns formed by hundreds of layers formed by the folding process.

Damascus steel knives don’t rust easily and can hold a sharp edge extremely well. 

Aside from steel, you can buy a knife made out of almost any hard, durable material —  titanium, ceramic, copper, or even iron made from meteorites. 

Locking Mechanisms

Many folding knives lock, meaning that the blade locks into place in an open or closed position (or both). Locks provide some assurance that the knife won’t accidentally open, or accidentally close on your fingers.

While locks have gotten more reliable over the years, they can provide a false sense of security because there is a possibility that they can fail at exactly the wrong moment. Also, locked-closed knives usually take slightly longer to open, often requiring two hands.

This can be problematic for people who need quick access to a cutting edge. Likewise, locked-open knives normally require both hands to close shut. 

There are tons of different kinds of knife-locking mechanisms out there. Here are just a few: 

Ring Locks

Ring locks are one of the most simple locking mechanisms. 

Once you open the knife, all you have to do is turn the metal ring or collar at the top of the handle. To disengage, you simply turn the ring back to the original position, lining up a channel so the blade can close.

Liner Locks

Liner locks automatically engage when a knife is opened. 

When closed, the blade keeps the liner in place, and when opened the liner springs forward, locking the knife into place. To close the knife, you just have to use your thumb to move the liner back over to the side. 

Frame Lock

Frame locks work pretty much the same way as liner locks. 

The only difference is that it’s an entire section of the frame (i.e. the handle) that springs forward rather than an inner lining. 

Lock-Backs

Sometimes called “spine locks,” a back-locked knife has a recessed section of its scales (i.e. handle) where the user can press down on a metal bar that disengages the lock, allowing you to close the knife. Like the frame and liner locks, lock-backs engage automatically when opened. 

If you do opt for a lock-back knife, keep an eye on the lock. I’ve had them fail on two knives. (However, I also have a lock-back on a utility knife that is still solid after almost 10 years of heavy use).  

Axis (Crossbar) Lock

The Axis lock was patented by Benchmark. Once a knife is in the open position, the operator engages the lock by sliding a small piece of metal near the top of the handle. This slides a bar into a grove in the tang of the blade, locking the knife into position. 

There are both automatic and manual versions of the axis lock. One iteration of an automatic axis-locking knife springs open when the bar is pressed down. 

Benchmark’s patent on the Axis lock expired a few years back so today you can find this locking mechanism, often under other names, employed by many different manufacturers.

Knife Opening Mechanisms 

How you open a knife varies between make and model. The three broad categories of knife opening mechanisms include manual, assist, and automatic opens. 

Manual-Open Knives

The majority of EDC folding knives are opened manually. There are many different manual mechanisms. 

The oldest and most common way to open a knife is to simply pull a blade open using a nail mark (also called a nail nick). 

Some knives have small metal thumb studs jutting out from the blade to allow the user to open the knife with one hand. 

Another one-handed variation is the thumb hole.  

Flipper knives have a small protruding tab that usually extends from a corner of the blade tang. You just have to push on the tab to open the knife. 

Assist-Open Knives

Many knives feature an assist or an automatic open. Just like it sounds, assist-open knives “assist” the user in activating the opening mechanism. 

Most often this means that once you begin opening the knife, the assist mechanism takes over, allowing for quick and easy access to your blade. 

Most of the manual options mentioned above are also available with an assist.

Gravity knives are a type of assist-open knife that operates by pressing down a button and turning the tip of the knife up or down. With the button pressed, by turning the top of the knife downwards, gravity assists in engaging the blade.

To disengage, you just turn the knife tip up and press the button. 

Automatic-Open Knives (Switchblades)

Automatic-open knives, commonly called switchblades, spring open rapidly when a button or switch is pressed. 

Assist and automatic-open knives are banned in many parts of the world. 

Knife Clips

Having a clip makes a knife easy to carry in your pocket. Not all EDC knives have clips.

Usually, knife clips are made from metal and screwed onto the (case?) with one or more small screws.

If you carry your knife by clipping it to your pants pocket, a careful observer can tell that you’re carrying a knife. Normally this isn’t a problem, but it’s something to be aware of. A simple, low-profile clip is going to be the most discrete option.  

Another thing to remember is that clips can easily scratch walls, furniture, or car doors if you’re not careful. 

Handle Material

Common materials used for knife handle construction include bone, antler, metal, wood, mother of pearl, and many different types of manmade synthetic materials.

The type of handle material you choose will depend mostly on your personal preference in what material you think gives you the best grip and looks the best. 

Aesthetics

How a knife looks is an important factor when buying a knife. You should like the way it looks or else you probably won’t carry it as much as if you did. 

Also, like it or not, people are going to judge you by how your knife looks. Pulling out a tactical-bodied switchblade at work to open a package will get a very different reaction from your coworkers than if you use a tiny keychain knife. 

That’s because, to most people, one looks scary and the other isn’t intimidating. 

Laws/Regulations

In most places of the world, you can carry some type of knife. However, laws and regulations often restrict knife type and blade length. It’s important to know the knife laws for where you live and travel. Also, some employers ban knives at the workplace.

In the US it is not permitted to carry a knife into a public school facility, courthouse, or through security at an airport. There are many state and local laws governing the carrying of knives.

Few places have laws restricting slip joint knives. In the US there are very few if any state or local laws that prohibit people from carrying non-locking folding knives under 3”. For a complete list of US knife laws, check out this guide. 

Some jurisdictions have laws against the “open carry” of weapons. Generally, open-carry laws prohibit weapons from being carried in plain sight of others. What types of knives are considered weapons? It depends on the jurisdiction.

These laws aren’t always clear so you pretty much just have to read the law and use your best judgment. 

If you live outside of the United States, check reputable sites to verify the national and local laws regarding carrying knives. 

Knife Safety

Have you heard the adage that you should never cut toward yourself? Did you know that the pull cut (cutting towards yourself) is an important stroke for whittlers?

With proper training and safety equipment pull cuts when carving are not that dangerous. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to knife safety.

Learn proper knife skills and safety protocols. Find a teacher, read a book, or check reputable sources online to learn basic knife skills and proper knife safety.

This may seem unnecessary, but if you’re not used to using knives taking a few minutes now can prevent a trip to the hospital later. This is especially important if you are going to be using your knife for fine-motor tasks such as carving.

Everyone knows that knives can be dangerous. You can mitigate the risk of harming yourself or others while using an EDC knife by using the right knife for the task at hand.

In many everyday situations, it won’t really matter what type of knife you use. However, some tasks require, or are made much safer and easier with, specialized blades.   

There’s a reason why the mantra, “a dull knife is a dangerous knife” is so commonplace. It is vital that you always keep your blade sharp. If you don’t know how to sharpen a knife, watch a few Youtube videos, get the necessary supplies, and hone your blade until it’s razor-sharp. 

Be sure to keep a distance from others when using a knife. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that others are at least an arm’s length away.

It almost goes without saying, but it’s a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand. You should know what’s in your kit and how to use each item. 

Where to Buy an EDC Knife?

You can get an EDC knife online or in a brick-and-mortar shop.

Online

Like most things, you can buy an EDC knife online. eBay is a great option for inexpensive used knives. As you might guess, Amazon sells almost any type of knife imaginable.

If you need help choosing a knife, contact one of the dozens of well-respected online knife dealers and they should be able to help you find a knife you’ll love. 

In-Store

At least here in the US, you can buy knives almost anywhere — you can find some incredible, inexpensive knives at Walmart, the grocery store, and even gas stations.

However, for the best knife-buying experience, I’d recommend stopping by a specialty knife shop, or a hunting store. In these places, you’ll find people able to help you make an informed decision about which knife to buy. 

Heirloom

If I was thinking about getting my first EDC knife I’d first ask older relatives and friends if they have a pocket knife that they aren’t using. They’d probably be more than happy to give you a knife. 

How to Carry an EDC Knife

If your EDC knife has a clip, just clip it to your pants or jacket pocket. 

However, if it doesn’t have a clip it can be more tricky to carry it comfortably. For small clipless knives, I just put them in my front pants pocket. Larger or longer knives I normally carry upright in my back pocket next to my wallet. This keeps it in place throughout the day. 

Fixed-blade knives usually have a sheath and are worn on a belt, or sometimes on a necklace. 

28 Types of EDC Knives

Below you’ll find 28 types of knives loosely grouped into categories — general, traditional, and specialty knives. It was difficult to group these knives as there’s a lot of overlap, so, you might disagree with my categories.

General Knives

Knives in this section are neither traditional knives nor specialty knives. 

Utility Knives

In lieu of a regular attached blade, utility knives have replaceable razor blades. The most common variety of utility knives has a sliding button on the spine to expose the razor. I prefer the more compact folding variety.

This is one of my favorite types of EDC knives. 

When I worked in construction and landscaping I carried this folding utility knife from Craftsman. I liked that I didn’t have to baby the blade — if it chipped or got dull I just flipped the blade, or threw it out and inserted a fresh one at the end of the day.

I still use it all the time. 

Keychain Knives

As hard as it is for a knife lover to admit, a simple keychain knife is probably sufficient for a lot of guys’ everyday carry. They are small and discreet, yet useful for opening boxes, packaging, and letters.

It defeats the purpose to have a big, bulky knife on your keychain so if you’re going to get a keychain knife, be sure to get a small one.

Tactical Knives

It’s difficult to define what a tactical knife is. It’s one of those cases of “you know one when you see one.”

Generally, a tactical knife has a synthetic or metal handle and a non-reflective folding blade that can be quickly deployed. 

Black is by far the most common color for a tactical knife. These knives are made to look somewhat intimidating.  

Some fixed-blade knives could be classified as “tactical.” Again, it kind of just depends on the look of the knife. 

Choose the tactical knife if you like the aesthetic. 

Peasant Knives

Peasant knives are perhaps the oldest type of folding knife. They’ve been used by European farmers and other workers for centuries.

Many peasant knives have an extended tang to allow for easy opening. Opinel knives are one of the most easily recognizable knives in the world.

Its iconic French design won this peasant knife a spot alongside Rolex and the Porsche 911 in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s list of the 100 best-designed items in the world.

If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive, beater folding knife, look no further than the peasant knife.

Switchblades

As already mentioned above, switchblades are knives that open automatically. There are many variations of the switchblade. Although they are infamous for their use in violent crime, they are still the knife of choice for people needing quick and easy one-handed access to a blade. 

Switchblades remain popular among emergency personnel, soldiers, hunters, and trappers.

Butterfly Knife

Originating from the Philippines, the butterfly knife (also called the Balisong) is a knife that has two handles and can be quickly flipped open and closed. 

One of my friends in Russia was really good at doing tricks with a butterfly knife. I’ve also watched a Russian kid take out an entire level of a Jenga tower at once with his butterfly knife without knocking it down.

In my mind, the butterfly knife is the preferred Russian method of showing off. (I mean, come on, they are pretty cool).

Before you get one, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you really don’t need it. 

When you decide you want one anyway, make sure they’re legal where you live before forking out any dough. 

Bowie Knives

The Bowie knife was created in the early 1800s for fighting. What sets a Bowie apart is its crossguard and clip point.

Gone are the days of Bowie knife duels. Today they are popular among hunters and adventurers. 

Survival Knives

“Survival knife” is a somewhat nebulous term that usually refers to a medium to large fixed-blade knife with added survival features. These add-ons can include a compass, serrated spine, space in the handle for a first-aid kit, or a flint striker. 

This Swedish knife has a flint striker in the pommel. To get a spark just scrape the back of the blade across the flint stick. When I go camping, this is a knife I always bring.

If you’re an outdoorsman that spends a lot of time in remote locations, you might want a survival knife as part of your EDC.

Gas Station Knives

If you’re not from the US, you might not know that in America you can buy knives at most gas stations (except in some cities). It’s hard to define what a gas station knife is, but after a while you know one when you see it.

They’re usually tactical-looking knives made out of the cheapest materials possible, cheap, unbranded traditional slipjoints, or wacky novelty knives.  

Slipjoint Knives (a.k.a. Traditional Pocket Knives)

Slipjoints are technically a “non-locking mechanism.” When a tension bar puts pressure on the blade of a slipjoint, the pressure just helps it stay open or closed but it doesn’t lock the blade. 

Since it doesn’t lock, you have to be careful not to accidentally close the blade of a slipjoint on your hand. You can still safely use your knife, even for many heavy-duty tasks such as whittling.

In my experience, it doesn’t take long to get used to not having a lock on a blade. 

One thing a lot of people love about slip joints is that they aren’t very intimidating. No one’s likely to bat an eye if you pull one out in the breakroom to cut up an apple for lunch. 

You can find a slipjoint version of many of the other types of knives on our list. 

Sodbusters

The sodbuster is a heavy-duty traditional knife.

It’s great, hardworking type of knife. 

Swiss Army Knives

When most people think of the word “pocketknife,” the first image that comes to mind is a Swiss army knife.

These knives can have any number of tools added on (the largest has 87!). Some of the newer versions even have things like a USB drive and laser pointer. 

Multitools

Multitools are like a Swiss army knives but with pliers. I always bring a utility knife when I go camping. The main reason why is that the pliers are useful for getting hot metal pans out of the fire after cooking.

Multitools can include any of a number of helpful tools, but the defining feature is the inclusion of a pair of pliers. 

They are popular among outdoorsmen, electricians, and plumbers. 

Canoe Knives

Canoe knives get their name from the distinctive shape of their handle kind of looks canoe-like.

The Canoe knife has two blades, each opening from opposite ends of the knife. 

Stockman Knives (also Sowbelly)

Stockman knives are a classic cowboy choice. The Stockman has 3 blades: a sheepsfoot blade, a spey blade, and a clip point blade.

I love my Stockman. It’s my go-to EDC knife, partially because I really enjoy carving with the sheepsfoot blade (the blade on the far right in the image above).

Trapper Knives

My very first knife was a trapper I got for Christmas when I was about twelve.

A trapper knife has a spey blade and a clip-point blade that open from the same side. 

Congress Knives

A congress knife is like a trapper knife doubled.

The congress has four blades — two on each side. It’s a great choice if you like to swap blades depending on the task at hand.

Peanut Knives (or Minis)

You might’ve guessed that a peanut knife is tiny. Peanuts usually have both a drop-point blade and a clip-point blade.

These knives are great to carry for everyday tasks like sharpening pencils or opening boxes. When you know you won’t need a heavy-duty knife, a peanut will do.

Barlow Knives

Barlow knives are similar to trapper knives except that they are a distinctive shape and normally swap out the spey blade with a spear-point blade.

This Barlow knife was used by my grandfather as he worked on his dairy farm. 

Sunfish / Elephant Toe Knives

The blades of sunfish knives (also called elephant toe, or simply toenail knives) are large and wide.

These hard-to-find knives were made to get tough jobs done. 

Toothpick Knives

The blade of a toothpick knife is long and thin — like a toothpick.

Toothpick knives are great for storing in a back pocket next to your wallet. 

Specialty Knives

The next group of knives isn’t as common as the ones we’ve covered so far. In general, if you need a specialty knife for your EDC, you’ll know it. 

Whittlers

Whittlers are knives made especially for, you guessed it, whittling.

Whittlers traditionally have Wharncliffe, pen, and coping blades contained in a slip joint body. Some modern variants feature tiny chisels or other tools.

However, for extended whittling sessions, I’ve found that a fixed-blade knife with a large handle and a small Wharncliffe blade is more comfortable to use than a slip joint. 

Pruning Knives

For all you green thumbs out there, a pruning knife might soon be your ideal EDC knife. Their special curved blade helps you prune most garden plants with ease.

However, for trees, bushes, and woody shrubs you’re going to need a more heavy-duty tool– so you still can’t throw out your loppers.

Be sure to sanitize your pruning knife regularly to avoid spreading pathogens within your garden or farm! (Rubbing alcohol should work just fine).

Kirpans

As one of the five symbols of their faith, devote Khalsa Sikhs carry the Kirpan — traditionally a sword, but today often in the form of a small curved dagger. (The size is largely up to individual preferences but most are under 9-inches).

When referring to the Kirpan it is respectful to use its name as “the Sikh community does not like the Kirpan to be referred to either as a dagger or as a knife as both of these terms suggest violence and an intent to cause injury.” (Amritsar.com)

The Kirpan is worn at all times, even while sleeping and bathing. The World Sikh Organization of Canada writes, ”Not wearing the Kirpan at any time, day or night, constitutes a grievous transgression for a Khalsa Sikh.”

The Kirpan is “worn sheathed, wrapped in a cloth belt, and worn next to the body; the kirpan signifies the duty of a Sikh to stand up against injustice.”

Unless you’re a Sikh, you won’t be carrying a Kirpan as part of your EDC.

Funny Folder Knife

I inherited this unusual folding knife from my grandfather. It is branded with the word “Iroquois,” the name of a local Native American confederacy. I’ve never seen another knife like it.

It opens and closes by folding the covering over on itself. After doing some research, I discovered that an almost identical knife, called the “funny folder,” is manufactured by A. G. Russell

For me, this is the ideal knife to carry when I’m wearing a suit. It’s super sleek and minimal while still bearing a respectable, albeit small blade. These days, this is probably the knife I carry the most.

Mushroom Knives

Mushroom knives have a hawkbill blade that allows mushroomers to harvest wild or farmed fungi with ease. The razor-sharp curved blade allows mushroom hunters to more easily see what they are doing as they cut the delicate stems of mushrooms.

Bristles, often made from boar hair, extend out from the bottom of the handle to allow adventurous mycophagists to brush off dirt, dust, and spores from their finds while out in the field.

Hunting Knives

Hunting knives are crafted specifically with field dressing, skinning, and butchering animals in mind.

While some hunters find prefer using multiple specialized knives for processing their kills, a single, well-made fixed blade hunting knife can be used throughout the entire process. Just be sure to have a backup knife in case you lose or break your primary blade in the field. 

While a sharp and sturdy hunting knife is crucial for larger game, I’ve found that my small stockman is sufficient for processing small game. 

If you live in a rural area, carrying a hunting knife with you every day might make sense — in the city, not so much. 

Fillet (Fish) Knives

These knives are designed to easily fillet fish. Long and skinny, these blades are usually fixed although you can find folding versions.

I can’t imagine that anyone other than a serious fisherman would need a fillet knife on a daily basis. 

Hobo Knives

A hobo knife is a pocket-sized tool that includes a fork, spoon, and knife (or alternatively, a knife and spork). Often, each component of a hobo knife is detachable, circumventing the need for awkwardly switching between utensils during your meal.

Carrying a hobo knife can simplify your lunch break, especially if you prefer to eat on the go.

Of course, you need to wash and dry this knife after every use. 

Commonly Asked Questions About EDC Knives

Still have questions about everyday carry knives? I’ll see if I can help. 

What Type of Knife Is Best for Self Defense?

Tactical folding knives and fixed blades (such as Bowie knives) are, in my opinion, going to be your best knife options for self-defense. 

What’s the Best EDC Knife?

How do you intend on using your knife? For instance, if you’re a gardener, I’d recommend a pruning knife. However, if you just plan on using your knife to open boxes, a keychain knife might be your best bet. 

Are Knives Allowed on College Campuses?

It depends on what country you’re in and, at least in the US, on the college itself. Generally, if they are allowed, there are blade size restrictions. 

What Size Knife Is Legal To Carry?

It really depends on where you live. If you’re in the US, check this guide. 

How To Carry a Knife?

You can carry a knife in your pocket (with or without the help of a clip), or sheathed on a belt. 

Why Carry a Knife?

There are lots of reasons to carry a knife every day including for opening boxes, whittling, self-defense, cutting cordage, preparing food, and as a tool in first-aid situations. 

Conclusion

While you might not need it every day, a knife is a good EDC item to have. With so many options to choose from, there is a knife with the perfect blade size and type, locking mechanism, and handle for you. 

So, take your time, explore your options, and have fun shopping for a new knife.

What types of knives did I miss? Let me know in the comments!