Choosing the best EDC knife for You

     Every person has differing lifestyles and needs that should be considered when choosing an EDC (Everyday carry) knife for optional functionality. Knives are available in many different materials and styles, each having their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Pairing your personal lifestyle with the right blade steel, shape, handle material, and knife style will offer the best benefits while minimizing the drawbacks.

Choosing the best knife steel for you

     A blades steel is arguably the most important factor when choosing the best knife for yourself. The type of steel used will determine a blades hardness, edge retention, wear resistance, and these aspects inverse relationships, corrosion resistance, ease of sharpening, and toughness. Knife steel types can be categorized into four types. High carbon steel, stainless steel, tool steel, and powder-metallurgical steels. Each of these offer benefits and disadvantages over the others.

          High Carbon Steel – A popular option in medium/high quality knives. High carbon steels like 1080 and 1095 are often used when durability is a factor. Many fixed camping or “survival” knives are made with these steels.

               Advantages: Toughness, ease of sharpening, low cost, and can be made and heat treated at home with minimal tools.

               Disadvantages: Very low corrosion resistance, lower edge retention and wear resistance then other steel options.

          Stainless Steel – Stainless steel knives are excellent in wet or humid environments and while not rust proof they are composed of 12-18% chromium making them the best choice for corrosion resistance. Stainless knives are available in a wide range of grades from the traditional 400 series, the improved AUS steels, and the newest SXXV series that include “super steels” like S30V.

                Advantages: Large variety of stainless steels available, The best corrosion resistance, low maintenance, flexible steels with good edge retention

                Disadvantages: Quality stainless steel knives are pricey, more difficult to sharpen, mid-grade stainless will not be as hard meaning less sharpness to the blade. Stainless is also a heavier steel weight wise.

          Tool Steel – All tool steel can be considered high carbon steels, but not all high carbon steels are tool steels. A2, D2, 01, and M4 are very popular tool steels used by knife makers.

                Advantages: High hardness, excellent edge retention, wear and abrasive resistance, and some corrosion resistance

                Disadvantages: Costly, very little flexibility (ie: not a good choice for filet knives or used for prying) harder to sharpen

          Power-Metallurgical Steel – Commonly referred to as super steels or powder steels. These include steels that can be classified as either superior grade stainless steels or high-grade tool steels. Many powder steel knives are made from Crucibles CPM series. Powder-metallurgical steels can offer benefits of both high carbon and stainless steels with minimal inverse characteristics.

                Advantages: Extremely high hardness for a superior sharpness, great toughness, good corrosion resistance, superior edge retention, and excellent abrasive wear. Bar stock can be purchased, shaped, and sent out for professional heat treating at moderate costs. (Below you will see my EDC, that I designed, shaped, and crafted myself.)  

                Disadvantages: Very difficult to sharpen, expensive.

Blade Shapes 

     Knife blades come in many different shapes and they’re not all just for aesthetics. Each design has a purpose that is better suited for some applications over others. Five of the most used EDC blade shapes are the drop-point, tanto, clip-point, sheepsfoot, and spear points.

          Drop-Point – Drop-point blades are an excellent all-around design that’s durable, versatile, and effective at stabbing strikes in self-defense situations.

          Tanto – Tanto blades are often used for tactical style knives as they’re strong, piercing, and can be used to stab into hard materials

          Clip-point – Similar to the drop-point except the spine has a concave curve to the point. Clip=points have a traditional look that gained popularity with the bowie knife. Good for detail work and excellent for stabbing through hides or softer materials.

          Sheepsfoot – Sheepsfoot blades are primarily used for highly controlled cutting or slicing when a point is not needed or wanted.

          Spear-point – Spear-point blades can be sharpened on one or both sides. They offer a strong and sharp point ideal stabbing. Many boot knives and throwing knives incorporate the spear-point.

Handle Materials 

     The list of materials used for knife handles is endless. When choosing a handle material, comfort, durability, amount of grip, and aesthetics are often looked at. G-10 and micarta grips are both excellent choices for durability and grip. Bone and antler handles can give a unique aesthetic value, good durability, and grip. Wood handles offer infinite aesthetic appearances. A few of the other popular materials include aluminum, FRN, stainless steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. When selecting a handle material choose what bet fits you and fit comfortably.

Knife Styles 

     When it comes to an EDC knife there’s two options in style or type. Folders (pocketknives) or fixed blades. Local or state laws may hinder certain blade lengths or styles that can be carried regularly and should be taken into consideration when choosing which is best for you.

          Fixed Blades – Fixed blade knives have blades that extend into the handle of the knife and can not be folded. They are inherently stronger than folders and can be used in more applications. Fixed blades knives are easily maintained and do not have the small springs and parts most folders will.

          Folders – Often referred to as pocketknives, folders unlike fixed blade knives can be easily concealed or carried in your pocket. Many folding blades do offer strong locking mechanisms that add some durability when cutting or chopping at tougher materials.