Awesome Knives

A compact pocket knife is something everyone should have with them. These EDC tools can cut through rope, open packages, and protect you in emergencies. Everyday Carry rounded up 17 of the best small pocket knives, each with blades from 2.5″ to 3″ long. Most models fold, but there’s even a cool little fixed-blade knife.

This Swedish-made fixed-blade knife was designed to go from the city to the backcountry and everywhere in between. Its 2.75″ full tang blade is made from S35VN blade steel sandwiched between rosewood or G10 handle scales. Each knife comes with a handsome leather sheath. Pledge early on Kickstarter for the best price.

This three-piece set is a great addition to any fisherman’s toolkit. It includes a titanium-coated, salt-proof fillet knife along with a folding cutting board and a carrying bag. The board has non-slip rubber feet and a built-in knife sharpener on its edge. Available with a 7″ or 8.5″ knife.

This sturdy and capable pocket knife features a 2.9″ reverse Tanto blade made from D2 tool steel. That’s set into a handle with grippy G10 scales, a smooth ball-bearing pivot, and a confident liner lock mechanism. An orange thumb stud assists with opening. It comes in solid black, map, fracture, and digicam designs.

Black Beard Projects shows us how he created a unique weapon that looks like a single blade but can become two for dual wielding. Its halves required great precision to interlock and sandwich together so well. The design was inspired by Blade of the 47 Ronin, in which a mythical sword is split in two.

Every tool kit needs a utility knife for opening packages and breaking down boxes. Neiko’s folding knife also functions as a screwdriver, with its built-in hex driver and storage for Phillips and slotted bits. Its cleverly-designed blade holder provides a razor-sharp wire stripper, and the case has storage for spare blades.

This special-edition Swiss Army knife from Victorinox has beautifully engraved walnut wood scales featuring scenes from a nordic winter. The pocket knife features 12 useful functions, including two blades, a can opener, screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a wire stripper, a punch, scissors, a hook, and more. Limited to 10,000 pieces.

Family stressing you out at holiday gatherings? Command the attention you deserve when you whip out a chainsaw to carve the turkey. While an actual chainsaw would be entertaining, we’d suggest the Mighty Carver, an electric carving knife which won’t end up destroying the bird or your dining table.

This unique pocket knife features a geared mechanism to reveal its stubby 23mm (0.9″) 8CR13MOV steel blade. It’s the perfect size for a pendant or a keychain, though when it’s closed, it looks sort of those creatures Khan put in Chekhov’s ear in Star Trek II.

Designed by Lucas Burnley for CRKT, this limited-edition pocket knife is notable for its bold Fat Carbon Dark Matter handle scales. It’s made in Italy with Böhler M390 blade steel and a smooth-opening IKBS ball-bearing pivot point. Its 2.68″ blade has a satin finish and deploys quickly with a one-handed liner lock mechanism.

Folding pocket knives are great for many tasks, but when it comes to hunting and meal prep, a fixed-blade knife is essential. Everyday Carry rounded up their 20 favorite fixed-blade knives, with blades ranging from 2.6″ to 6.25″ long – including a couple with cleaver-style blades, which are great for chopping.

The SOG Kilowatt is great for electricians, homeowners, or anyone who works with wires. In addition to its 3.4″ clip-point blade, it has a built-in stripper with openings for wires from 10-gauge to 22-gauge. It’s also got a spring-loaded UTP stripper for cable jackets and a durable glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Saskatoon, Canada shop Ronin Energetics makes cool EDC gear with real carbon fiber. Among their wares is this palm-sized craft knife which is ideal for opening packages and cutting paper or foam board. It has a magnetic slide action for its snap-off utility blades, and its body is made from G10 fiber composite with carbon fiber twill trim.

Tacray’s tiny utility knife is the perfect addition to any keychain and makes quick work of opening boxes, cutting paper and twine, and other everyday tasks. Its body is made from titanium in a blue-tint finish, while its replaceable knife blade is made from 440C stainless steel. Spare blades are available in a 10-pack.

StatGear’s T3 tool has everything you need to escape a car wreck, including a 3.25″ stainless serrated blade, a seatbelt cutter, a spring-loaded window punch, and an LED flashlight. Comes with a belt clip and nylon sheath. Save 25% in The Awesomer Shop.

This palm-size pocket knife from MecArmy has a tough M390 steel blade with a curved back and straight edge. Its handle is made from lightweight titanium and has a smooth ceramic ball-bearing pivot. A liner lock mechanism ensures it stays closed until you need it. Choose from a stonewashed black, green, or grey finish.

A quality knife is a must for any kitchen, and the SEIDO Chef Knife fills that bill. The handmade Japanese knife has a sharp 15-degree blade angle and makes quick work of fruits, veggies, fish, meats, and more. Its 8″ high-carbon steel blade has an etched damascus pattern, and its handle is made from water-resistant pakka wood.

This modern pocket knife features a boxy design and a 1.5″ tanto-style M390 steel blade. A frame lock mechanism and ultra-smooth ball-bearing pivot ensure fast and reliable deployment. Its titanium handles have a ribbed texture for grip, and its rear has a loop for a key ring. It’s also available with smooth carbon fiber handles.

Metalsmith Koss shows off the build process for a rather distinctive modern knife with a chisel-style blade. They started with a rusty bar of W1-7 high carbon steel, then cut it down to size, shaped it with a cutting wheel, and refined its razor-sharpened edges. Those handle scales are made from brass flat stock.

We always enjoy seeing craftspeople turn one kind of object into another. Maker Jimmy Diresta shows off his blacksmithing skills by melting down a steel crowbar in his forge, hammering it into the shape of a bowie knife, and crafting a wood and brass handle. He only used about a third of the metal, so he could probably make another.

There are so many kinds of steel used in knife blades, and they all sound pretty fancy in the marketing materials. How do you figure out which blade steel is best for your needs? Everyday Carry put together a concise guide to different kinds of steel, and recommends a number of great knives based on their blade material.

NEBO’s pocket tool combines three useful functions in one. In addition to working as a 2200mAh emergency power bank, it has a tri-mode 400 lumen flashlight, and a 3″ utility blade. It’s made from anodized aluminum, is water- and impact-resistant, and is USB rechargeable.

The Altair FX is a lightweight knife with a 3.4″ fixed blade comprised of high-carbon steel, chromium, and molybdenum. This combo results in excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. It has a fastener-free, removable GRN handle and comes with a SOG Universal Mounting System compatible sheath.