By Knives Illustrated Staff
Photography by Larry Atil
You can never be 100% prepared for an unprovoked attack, but you can help even the odds a bit. Whether someone is out to just steal from you, or commit far greater crimes, having a concealed knife within arm’s reach will throw a surprising wrench into your assailant’s malicious plans.
You can carry an EDC knife at various locations throughout your body (review local carry laws). From a belt clip behind your back to a chain hanging around your neck, to simply stuffing it into your pocket, having a blade accessible at the first sign of danger is a very wise and lifesaving strategy.
To see each one of these blades close up, click on it. Use the arrows to scroll through the whole library.
- Tops Knives Viking Tactics Patriot; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 6.75 inches; Blade Length: 3 inches; Blade Material: 1095 RC 56-58; Blade Thickness: .130 inches; Handle Material: Canvas Micarta; Weight: 2.4 ounces; MSRP: $190; TopsKnives.com
- Tops Knives Bull Trout; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 6.13 inches; Blade Length: 2.75 inches; Blade Material: 154CM RC 58-60; Blade Thickness: .130 inches; Handle Material: Burlap Micarta; Weight: 3.1 ounces; MSRP: $160; TopsKnives.com
- Gerber Gear Tri-Tip; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 5.75 inches; Blade Length: 3 inches; Blade Material: 7Cr Steel; Handle Material: Textured Machined Aluminum; Weight: 0.125 ounces; MSRP: $38; GerberGear.com
- Benchmade Aller; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 4.48 inches; Blade Length: 1.60 inches; Blade Material: CPM-S30V 58-60; Blade Thickness: .090 inches; Handle Material: Black G10; Weight: 1.8 ounces; MSRP: $160; Benchmade.com
- Gerber Gear Quadrant; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 6.75 inches; Blade Length: 2.7 inches; Blade Material: 7Cr Sheepsfoot; Handle Material: White G10 or Bamboo; MSRP: $36; GerberGear.com
- Benchmade Freek; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 8.46 inches; Blade Length: 3.6 inches; Blade Material: CPM-S30V 62-64; Blade Thickness: 0.114 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 4.3 ounces; MSRP: $225; Benchmade.com
- Benchmade Proper; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 6.65 inches; Blade Length: 2.82 inches; Blade Material: CPM-S90V 59-61; Blade Thickness: 0.09 inches; Handle Material: Carbon Fiber; Weight: 2.11 ounces; MSRP: $240; Benchmade.com
- Benchmade Boost; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 8.26 inches; Blade Length: 3.43 inches; Blade Material: CPM-3V; Blade Thickness: 0.12 inches; Handle Material: Versaflex; Weight: 4.49 ounces; MSRP: $190; Benchmade.com
- Benchmade Vector; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 8.42 inches; Blade Length: 3.6 inches; Blade Material: CPM-20CV 59-61; Blade Thickness: 0.10 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 4.5 ounces; MSRP: $325; Benchmade.com
- Wilson Combat EDC-X Tactical; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 8 inches; Blade Length: 3.5 inches; Blade Material: ELMAX Stainless Steel; Blade Thickness: 0.16 inches; Handle Material: Titanium X-TAC Pattern; Weight: 5.4 ounces; MSRP: $329.95; WilsonCombat.com
- Wilson Combat – Defiant Flipper; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.75 inches; Blade Length: 3.25 inches; Blade Material: CPM 154; Blade Thickness: 0.0160 inches; Handle Material: Titanium w/Starburst Pattern; Weight: 4.64 ounces; MSRP: $549.95; WilsonCombat.com
- Wilson Combat Starburst Suru; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 5.85 inches; Blade Length: 2.3 inches; Blade Material: Bohler M390 Stainless Steel; Blade Thickness: 0.160 inches; Handle Material: Carbon Fiber/Titanium; Weight: 3.2 ounces; MSRP: $289.95; WilsonCombat.com
- Chris Reeve Knives Sebenza; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 6.98 inches; Blade Length: 2.99 inches; Blade Material: CPM S35VN; Blade Thickness: 0.117 inches; Handle Material: 6AI4V Titanium; Weight: 3 ounces; MSRP: $475; ChrisReeve.com
- Wilson Combat ELC Elite; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.50 inches; Blade Length: 3.50 inches; Blade Material: ELMAX Powdered Metal Stainless Steel; Blade Thickness: 0.117 inches; Handle Material: Titanium Starburst; Weight: 3.8 ounces; MSRP: $249.95; WilsonCombat.com
- Camillus Knives Dominator II by Darrel Ralph; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.5 inches; Blade Length: 3.5 inches; Blade Material: VG10; Blade Thickness: 0.14 inches; Handle Material: Carbon Fiber / Stainless Steel; Weight: 5.8 ounces; MSRP: $69.99; CamillusKnives.com
- A.G. Russell Pocket Semi-Skinner; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.625 inches; Blade Length: 3.154 inches; Blade Material: CPM-S35VN; Blade Thickness: 0.125 inches; Handle Material: Carbon Fiber w/Stainless Steel Bolsters and Inlay; Weight: 2.50 ounces; MSRP: $99.95; AGRussell.com
- Camillus Knives Barber; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7 inches; Blade Length: 2.75 inches; Blade Material: 440; Blade Thickness: 0.106 inches; Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon; Weight: 2.6 ounces; MSRP: $29.99; CamillusKnives.com
- Camillus Knives Cirque Folding Knife; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7 inches; Blade Length: 2.75 inches; Blade Material: AUS-8; Blade Thickness: 0.108 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 3.1 ounces; MSRP: $39.99 CamillusKnives.com
- Steel Will Chatbot F14-01, F14-02, F14-04, F14-33; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.5 inches; Blade Length: 3.15 inches; Blade Material: D2; Blade Thickness: 0.12 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 3.10 ounces; MSRP: $69.99; SteelWillKnives.com
- Steel Will Shaula F61-08, F61-10, F61-11, F61-13; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 8.03 inches; Blade Length: 3.40 inches; Blade Material: D2; Blade Thickness: 0.12 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 3.63 ounces; MSRP: $59.99; SteelWillKnives.com
- Steel Will Modus F25M-11, F25M-14, F25M-18, F25M-19; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 6.69 inches; Blade Length: 2.75 inches; Blade Material: D2; Blade Thickness: 0.12 inches; Handle Material: FRN; Weight: 2.86 ounces; MSRP $54.99; SteelWillKnives.com
- CRKT CEO Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.625 inches; Blade Length: 3.11 inches; Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV; Blade Thickness: 0.086 inches; Handle Material: Glass reinforced nylon; Weight: 2.1 ounces; MSRP: $50; CRKT.com
- Steel Will Sargas F60-10, F60-08, F60-13, F60-11; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 7.80 inches; Blade Length: 3.25 inches; Blade Material: D2; Blade Thickness: 0.14 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 4.41 ounces; MSRP: $64.99; SteelWillKnives.com
- Steel Will Gienah F53-01, F53-13, F53-18, F53-23; Category: EDC; Overall Length: 8.78 inches; Blade Length: 3.90 inches; Blade Material: D2; Blade Thickness: 0.12 inches; Handle Material: G10; Weight: 3.88 ounces; MSRP: $74.99 SteelWillKnives.com
Index of EDC Buyer’s Guide 2020 Manufacturers
- TopsKnives.com
- GerberGear.com
- Benchmade.com
- WilsonCombat.com
- ChrisReeve.com
- CamillusKnives.com
- SteelWillKnives.com
- CRKT.com