The Best EDC Folding Knife - How to Pick the Perfect Blade

What’s up guys, it’s your favorite outdoorsman, John, back again with another kick butt knife review. Today, we are going to be examining how to pick the best EDC folding knife for your daily needs. People are constantly asking me to tell them the exact knife I am carrying with me. The problem with this is, I’m a knife guy, so I always pack a very specific blade for whatever it is I think I may encounter. I mean guys, you know my collection is getting kind of out of hand. That being said there are a few blades that I won’t leave home without.

An everyday carry knife or, EDC folding knife, can be a critical part of your survival strategy. Now that being said, let me mention, if I was stuck in the wild, I would definitely prefer a fixed blade survival knife to an EDC folding knife. I also feel like I should mention that your EDC knife is not a weapon. This type of blade is designed to perform everyday tasks effectively. If you find yourself using your EDC knife for extended periods on a daily basis, you may require something a little more rugged such as a work knife or a multi-tool.

The Best EDC Folding Knife – Why it can make Your Life Easier?

Few blades in your collection will get as much use as your EDC folding knife. I think of my EDC blade as an essential part of my daily tool list. You never really know when a blade is going to come in handy, and having one on your person at all times can prove to be priceless in the right scenarios. The best EDC knife for you should fit your lifestyle. There are endless variations of this trusted tool to choose from.

The Best EDC Folding Knife – What to Look for?

An EDC knife can be described as having a short blade, usually around 3″ in length. Obviously, this style of knife is not designed to fell trees, or even to cut branches for that matter. The primary purpose of your EDC knife is to give you continued access to a blade, so you can handle small tasks and chores. This can include cutting string, carving tent stakes, or even opening envelopes. The point is this is your traditional pocketknife. It’s going to be hard to fight a bear with this little guy, but you could whittle a decent spear if you were expecting any furry contenders.

The Best Small EDC Knife for You

EDC knives come in endless variations and there are a few traits, you should always consider. You are looking for a knife that has a thin profile when in the closed position. This is because you are going to have this little guy in your pocket the majority of the time. Before the age of cell phones, I’m sure there was still plenty of real estate available in your jeans pockets, but today your EDC knife will be sharing the pocket space with any number of other items.

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You should also make sure the blade feels comfortable in your palm. This leaves you kind of performing a balancing act to see what feels best in your hand vs. what feels best to carry around all day. When it’s appropriate I try to use a knife pouch, but let’s be honest, nobody is rocking their stylish knife pouch around town nowadays. This is especially true when you are in a professional atmosphere.

This is why I usually opt for a pocket clip EDC knife when going to the city. This type of carry method gives you quick access to your blade, as well as added discretion. I hate when my knife is sticking out like a sour thumb.

EDC Folding Knife – Blade Locking Methods

There are four main locking methods. These all work so this part is kind of up to your personal preference. You may want to try to get your hands on one of each type, to get a better feel for what you like. Below are my favorite EDC folding knife locking methods.

Slip Joint – This type of blade simply folds out. It is not locked in place so you always need to be aware of the blade angle. You find this type of system on multi-use pocketknives like Swiss Army knives.

Lock Back – This is one of my favorite types of lock. The unlock mechanism is usually located on the spine of the handle so you can easily manipulate it. This is a very durable blade locking system.

Liner Lock – This type of lock uses a tensioned liner to keep your blade in the open position. I find these to be reliable, without being overly complicated.

Frame Lock – This type of locking mechanism uses the frame to create the locking tension. It’s a variation of a Liner lock.

The Best EDC Knife – Different Blade Materials to Consider

Aluminum – This lightweight metal is known for producing a very sharp blade. This blade is not as strong as steel variants, but the added carry comfort and exceptional price point make this a strong option to consider.

Steel – Steel has been used to make blades for centuries. There is a wide variety of steels to choose and each kind of steel has its own characteristics. Things such as strength-to-weight ratio and edge resistance should be examined. Steel is definitely my favorite because of its extreme durability in any situation.

Titanium – Titanium outperforms steel in stress tests and it is lighter than aluminum. That being said, I don’t always go with titanium EDC knives because they can dull quickly. This means you are going to give up some of your cutting power, in exchange for a reduced weight and added strength.

The Best EDC Folding Knife – My Top 5

Spyderco Sage Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife

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The Spyderco Sage Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife gives you instant access to this rugged well-built blade. The CPF-S30V steel blade is strong and it holds its edge very well. I can’t stand a knife that constantly loses its edge. I mean it’s a knife, not a spoon, right? That’s what makes this blade a smart choice for anyone looking for a solid EDC folding knife. This knife fits comfortably in my hand and the twill-woven carbon fiber handle adds style while reducing weight.

Pros

Precision Cutting Blade
Twill-woven Carbon Fiber Handle
LinerLock Folding System
Lightweight

Cons

Not Razor Sharp Out-of-the-Box

Sage2 Titanium PlainEdge Knife

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The Sage2 Titanium PlainEdge Knife uses a combination of materials to improve its weight-to-strength ratio. A titanium handle reduces overall weight while improving overall durability. The spear-point blade is constructed from CPM-S30V steel so you can cut through anything. The Sage2 reduces weight further by updating their locking system to a new lightweight variation of their Linerlock system.

Pros

Titanium Handle
CPM-S30V Steel
Reeve Integral Lock System
Lightweight

Cons

Extra-Thin Handle

Cold Stl Code-4 3.5″ Tanto Point

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The Cold Stl Code-4 3.5″ Tanto Point is a solid EDC folding knife that gives you a great balance of form and function. I use this blade a lot. The fit is great and the finish is high end. This top-notch blade carries comfortably in my pocket with no discomfort. The only complaint I have is this blade is difficult to open.

Pro

Ultra light
Aluminum scales
Thin
Triad lock
No need for liners

Cons

Hard to Open
Pocket Clip Short

Benchmade – 943, Plain Clip-Point, Black Anodized Aluminum Handle, Standard

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The Benchmade – 943 comes with an S30V stainless steel blade with a satin finish that gives this EDC folding knife added protection from the elements. The black Anodized Aluminum handle is lightweight and comfortable. This blade comes ultra-sharp from the factory.

Pros

Lightweight
Axis Lock
Blade Strength
Solid Grip

Cons

Blade Dulling

Zero Tolerance 0801BW Flipper Titanium BlackWash Knife

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The Zero Tolerance 0801BW Flipper Titanium Knife is constructed from ELMAX steel for added durability. The 3.5″ blade is extremely resistant to wear and tear. The blade is held in place by a Frame lock system and the handle is titanium. This blade stays by my side and it has gotten me out of numerous scenarios that I can think of.

Pros

ELMAX Steel
Titanium Handle
Frame Lock
KVT Ball-bearing System

Cons

Close Lock can be Difficult to Open

When I went in search of the best EDC folding knife, I knew that I was embarking on a long, arduous journey through the endless maze of knife manufacturers that currently flood our search results. Luckily, I had a good idea of what makes a good EDC folding knife. Any of the knives on this list are sure to not disappoint. Yes, all these blades get the official “Hunter John’s” stamp of approval.

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John Smith

I am a family man love outdoor activities such as hunting and hiking.
Since I have limited time for my hobbies, I look for quality tools to let me REALLY enjoy what I do.

The Best EDC Folding Knife – How To Pick The Perfect Blade

The Best EDC Folding Knife – Why it can make Your Life Easier?