Best EDC Knives – Top Prepping and Survival Knives

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A knife that you can comfortably carry every day is an important tool for any prepper. Knives have always been a big part of my life. As a child, my dad always had a massive knife collection and would have friends over that he would trade with or fix their knives up and sharpen them. As early as 8 years old, I had a little knife collection of my own.

Boker and Case Knives bring back a lot of memories for me because when I was a little girl, I had a knife collection. I had a few that were okay and then I had some that were novelty knives with Coca Cola ads and even one that had Betty Boop on it.

I was so proud when I traded someone out of a Boker knife. I got the better end of the bargain and rushed home to tell my dad all about it. I managed to get a knife made in Solingen, Germany which to me at that age was a huge deal. I was always on the lookout for a Case Knife to add to my collection.

In grade school, my everyday carry knife was a cheap little lock back that I wore on a string around my neck at times. It was German steel but not a pricey knife. I wasn’t about to carry something that it would be a huge and expensive loss if I dropped it or something.

I wore my fingers out sometimes whittling with that thing! I even dragged a small tree into the yard once and tried to carve a totem pole with it before giving up after I gave myself one too many blisters.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to find a knife to suit your needs and give you our top picks for the best EDC knives in the market.

Key Considerations

Before we get into the knives found, let’s go over a few things to consider when deciding on which EDC to purchase.

Check Laws Regarding Knives in Your Area

Some areas have limits on how long of a blade you can legally carry. While you might ignore this rule in a SHTF scenario or on your own property, EDC knives that you are going to have on your person when out in public or in your car should fit within the rules so you don’t get hassled.

Personally, I don’t think these rules make much sense but they are there and no one needs a concealed carry violation.

Weight

Heavy knives are cumbersome to carry and that can lead to you not carrying them daily, which is the whole point with everyday carry knives. Some people like more heft to a knife than others. You also need to consider the size and shape of your hand.

Ruggedness

A knife that you carry all the time needs to be able to hold up to daily duty. Look for tried and true knives that are well-reviewed and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily carry.

Easy to Open

It’s no good to carry a knife that you can’t open when you actually need it. Hand strength and size vary from person to person.

If you have smaller hands or low grip strength, consider spring-assisted knives or those with one-handed opening mechanisms.

Easy to Sharpen

If you discover that your EDC is not holding a good edge and needs constant sharpening, or simply is too hard to sharpen, it may be time for an upgrade.

Place of Manufacture

A lot of knife companies have different lines that are made in different places. If it matters a lot to you where a knife is made, always double-check the model that you are considering buying.

The same company may have knives that are made in three different places or they may make knives in Taiwan but use American steel like some of the Cold Steel lines.

Our Top Picks for EDC Knives

Now that you know what to look out for, it’s time to start browsing for the knife of your dreams. These are our top picks for the best survival EDC knives.

Columbia River Knife & Tool Ignitor

Open length: 7.5 inches
Closed length: 4.25 inches
Blade length: 3.38 inches

Weight: 3.5 ounces

This knife looks like a tactical knife and it was definitely inspired by quality tactical knives but it is actually a very functional everyday carry knife at a great price. The sturdy locking design and single blade are exactly what most people need for everyday carry.

The outburst mechanism makes it easy to open this knife with one hand. Quality stainless steel adds strength and durability.

I like that special attention was made to machine this knife to have a comfortable grip when performing the typical tasks one expects from an everyday carry.

Columbia River Knife and Tool Law Enforcement Tanto

Open Length: 9.25 inches

Closed Length: 5.5 inches

Blade Length: 3.75 inches

Weight: 6.2 ounces

For those that like some serration and a bit of a different blade, there is a lot to be said for the Tanto. I bought one of these for my father and one for my husband many years ago and they seem to be happy with them and they can be pretty darn picky when it comes to a knife.

The steel is good and it is very easy to open. This knife is a bit narrower and has a thinner blade than the Columbia River Knife.

Cold Steel Finn Wolf Folder

Open Length: 7.875 inches

Closed Length: 4.375 inches

Blade Length: 3.5 inches

Weight: 3.4 ounces

The Finn Wolf Folder is a solid knife from well-known maker Cold Steel. This is the folding lock-back version of the Pukko knife that some of you may already be familiar with. The Finn Wolf is part of a design collaboration with custom knife-maker Andrew Demko.

This lightweight knife features a satin polished Japanese AUS8A blade that is easy to resharpen when needed. An ambidextrous pocket and belt clip help secure it to your person.

The biggest complaint users seem to have is that the knife has a very stiff locking mechanism. Some have left their knife open for a few days to simulate everyday wear and the lock is a bit better.

Cold Steel Recon 1

Open Length: 9.375 inches

Closed Length: 5.375 inches

Blade Length: 4 inches

Weight: 5.3 ounces

If you have bigger hands or want a more substantial size blade then there is a lot to be said for the Recon 1. It gets solid reviews but it is also one of the more expensive Cold Steel Knives out there.

If you like the look of this knife but it seems a little large for you then you will be happy to know that it also comes in different blade lengths that will also allow you to comply with any restrictions in your area.

One of the stand out features of this knife is the USA-made steel. The overall knife is still made in Taiwan though. All of the Cold Steel Knives I looked at during my research appear to be made there even if some of the actual components are not.

Case Mini Copperlock Knife

Open Length: 6.35 inches

Closed Length: 3.63 inches

Blade Length: 2.72

Weight: 2.7 ounces

Sometimes you just want something small and light to do the job but still durable enough to take some rigorous use. This knife is a solid little choice for those that want a traditional style everyday carry lock back. The bone handle comes in many different colors so if you like a bolder color you are covered.

Like all Case Knives, this one is made in the USA. Tru Sharp surgical steel will hold an edge very well over the years. It is hard to go wrong with Case. With many years of experience making knives, there are a lot of people that are loyal to Case for everyday carry needs.

Trapper Classic Yellow 2 Blade

Open Length: 7.38 inches

Closed Length: 4.13 inches

Main Blade Length: 3.25 inches

Weight: 4.0 ounces

What list of EDC knives would be complete without the Case Trapper? For those that like the versatility of two different sizes of blades, this is a classic choice. Made in the USA of chrome vanadium steel, this knife is made to last a lifetime, and like with all Case Knives, you actually get a lifetime guarantee.

Boker Plus Urban Trapper

Open Length: 7.75 inches

Closed Length: 4.25 inches

Blade Length: 3.5 inches

Weight: 1.8 ounces

This super sleek and lightweight trapper is thin enough that you will barely notice it. The light weight comes from the titanium handle and VG-10 steel. This knife is made to stand up to a lot of use. It is made in China though so for those of us that remember Boker always being German-made, I don’t want you to order this and be disappointed.

There are a lot of people that are big fans of this knife and attest to its durability and ease of carrying. Scales on the grip make it easier to handle than some other metal-handled folders out there.

Boker Copperhead Pocket Knife

Open Length: 6.75 inches

Closed Length: 3.75 inches

Blade Length: 3.0 inches

Weight: 2.84 ounces

High carbon stainless steel blades make this Boker easy to sharpen and keep a good edge on even with daily use. Two blades and a bone scale handle are nice touches. Finger grooves make for a great grip.

For the price, this is a good option for everyday carry. It comes with a leather sheath so you can put it on your belt and start carrying it securely right when you get it.

Not all knives come with a sheath, especially for this price. A 3-inch blade length means it is not going to draw a lot of attention by being too large. A lock back mechanism keeps you safe while you carry out daily tasks.

Puma SGB Folder Trapper Knife

Open Length: 6.3 inches

Closed Length: 3.5 inches

Blade Length: 2.8 inches

Weight: 3 ounces

This classic Puma Trapper is budget-friendly and rugged. You are getting German Steel for cheap, and there is a lot to be said for that. It holds an edge well and the classic trapper design is one that a lot of people are comfortable with.

Not everyone wants or needs a knife that looks like a military tactical knife. Puma is a good alternative to some of the more expensive Case trappers out there for EDC. The handle on this knife is genuine stag too, which is getting harder to find.

Puma SGB Blackcat

Open Length: 9.4 inches

Closed Length: 4.9 inches

Blade Length: 4.5 inches

Weight: 6.3 ounces

This knife is on the larger side and made of high-quality German Steel. A liner lock keeps this firm and solid when in use. The sturdy spring assist is nice for those that have a hard time opening traditional knives.

A belt clip holds it in your pocket for easy retrieval. However, the size may mean that it does not fit so well in the small pockets that some pants have, especially women’s.

Hen & Rooster Brown Pick Bone Trapper

Open Length: 7.375 inches

Closed Length: 4.125 inches

Blade Length: 3.25 inches

Weight: 3.5 ounces

It really is hard to go wrong with Hen & Rooster. This quality-made trapper will stand the test of time. Another knife made from quality German Steel, these knives hold their value and often even increase in value over time if you put one back and keep it.

Nickel bolsters and the classic Hen & Rooster inlay make this a classy-looking EDC knife that will serve you well. The brown pick bone handle offers a good grip and is made to last.

Hen & Rooster Peanut

Open Length: 4.88 inches

Closed Length: 2.75 inches

Blade Length: 2.13 inches

Weight: 1.6 ounces

The Peanut is a good EDC for those looking for something small and practical. If you have small hands or you are buying this for a younger person then this is a great value for a German-made knife.

The blade length makes this legal to carry almost anywhere that knives are allowed at all. The genuine buffalo horn handle and grip are beautiful and a good, affordable alternative to stag handles.

SOG Flash II

Open Length: 8 inches

Closed Length: 4.5 inches

Blade Length: 3.5 inches

Weight: 3.1 ounces

The Flash II features a low-profile clip for discreet carry and a quality stainless steel blade. The assist makes it a reasonable choice for those that need some help or just want quick access to their blade at times. SOG is a great brand that offers some quality knives at a good price.

The grip is made to be very comfortable and reduce slippage when performing tasks. This is a larger knife when open but the profile is sleek enough that it is not a big deal unless you have really small hands. I am impressed with what SOG offers for the amount they charge.

SOG Escape Folding Knife

Open Length: 8.2 inches

Closed Length: 4.8 inches

Blade Length: 3.4 inches

Weight: 4.8 ounces

The SOG Escape is not your average EDC knife. While the partially serrated blade is up to a wide variety of tasks, you also get a wire cutter, strap cutter, and even a glass breaker!

This handy lock back knife has an aluminum handle that helps make it lightweight yet strong. A wire stripper and extra line cutters are hidden discreetly under the handle slab.

There Is No Perfect Every Day Carry for Everyone

Knife preferences vary a lot. It may take buying a few knives before you find the one you are comfortable with if you are starting out with little to no experience with everyday carry.

It is advisable to avoid any weird shapes or designs for a first everyday carry. I am not going to say that all designs with unique handles are bad but until you get a feel for using and carrying a knife daily you might consider just sticking to a basic one or two-blade lock back folder with standard nonserrated blades.

A lot of the knives on this list are quite affordable so you may want to get a couple of them and figure out what one you like best.

An extra knife is not a bad trade item to have and you can probably find someone in your family that would like to use it if you find that it is not the right one for you. Knives of good quality maintain their value and sometimes even increase in value.

My Dad has sold quite a few knives on eBay and made a profit off them. It is a good way to get rid of any knives that are just not right for you or if you one day find that you have more than what you know what to do with.

If you buy a used everyday carry knife at a flea market or gun and knife show from a prominent maker like Case you may want to look up what they are selling for on eBay before you start carrying it. Who knows, you might hit the jackpot!

Sometimes people don’t know what they have and you might find that you are better off reselling and making a profit and then getting something more reasonable and not as a collectible for everyday carry. These are just a few things I have learned about knives from my Dad over the years that I think are worth sharing so you can make the most of your money.

I apologize if I left off a brand that you admire. There were far more knives and companies worthy of inclusion than I could put in this article. It was a challenge to narrow it down to the ones I did include.

However, if you want please feel free to email or comment below on what EDC knives you love and I will try to include them in future posts! Also please ask any questions you may have and I will try to respond ASAP!