7 Best EDC Knives Under $50 & $150 [Hands-On Tested]

What's one of the most critical pieces of gear for your everyday carry setup?

(Hint: it's not always a gun.)

A good knife is a great addition to any EDC kit. Aside from self-defense benefits, they're pretty handy tools for everyday use. I bet you reach for your knife more than any other EDC item except your phone.

But which one should you pick? We rounded up some of our favorites based on personal experience to help you decide on the very best EDC lives for you.

Let's slice and dice!

Disclaimer: We are not attorneys. State and local knife laws vary, so do your research before buying or carrying a knife.

EDC Knife Comparison Chart

Best Every Day Carry Knives

1. Spyderco Delica 4 - Best Overall

Best Overall

Spyderco Delica 4

$94

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$94 at Amazon

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 2.9"
• Blade material: VG-10
• Blade style: Drop point
• Blade edge: Combination
• Handle Material: Fiberglass-reinforced nylon
• Opening action: Manual, thumb hole
• Lock type: Lockback
• Overall length: 7.11"
• Weight: 2.6 oz
• Country of Origin: Japan

The Spyderco Delica 4 is a smaller knife, and its 2.9-inch blade is perfect for states with silly 3-inch rules. Despite the relatively short blade, I find that the Delica 4’s grip actually fills my hand well.

It’s a little thin, but it's a compact knife, so you make concessions. The grip is made from fiberglass-reinforced nylon, a super-tough polymer composite. 

The Delica 4 chewed through just about everything I tossed at it. I did give it a quick run through a sharpener, and it shined up really nicely. It features VG-10 steel, which is more common in kitchen knives.

This steel is corrosion-resistant, easy to sharpen, and gets nice and sharp without much effort (except for the serrated portion). Although it didn’t seem to hold that razor’s edge for long, sharpening it was easy enough. 

Overall, the Delica 4 is a handy, lightweight little knife. It feels great in the hand the upward swooping thumb rest is great for carving motions.

It's state-compliant, lightweight, and tough as nails. The combination blade might not be ideal for some jobs, but it's versatile enough that you'll want to carry it, well, every day.

2. Benchmade Mini Griptilian - Best Features

Best Features

Benchmade Mini Griptilian

$150

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$150 at Amazon

Scheels (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 2.91"
• Blade material: CPM S30V
• Blade style: Drop point
• Blade edge: Plain
• Handle Material: Grivory
• Opening action: Manual, thumb stud
• Lock type: Crossbar lock
• Overall length: 6.78"
• Weight: 2.56 oz
• Country of Origin: U.S.A.

The Mini Griptilian puts the pocket in pocket knife. This small knife cuts above its size. When slicing through cardboard, the knife would actually get away from me and cut deeper than I intended.

The blade is extremely sharp and never seems to lose that sharp edge. Older Griptilians used 154 CM steel, while newer ones get S30V. Benchmade also offers a sheepsfoot blade.

The Mini Griptilian uses a simple thumb stud to flick the blade open.

You can also pull the sliding lock release and flip your wrist; the blade comes flying out. Close the knife the same way. One-handed operation is easy.

The lock has zero give to it, and the blade doesn’t budge forward, rearward, left, or right.

There are metal textured portions (jimping) on the back of the grip and the spine of the blade for controlling the knife with the thumb or index finger, depending on your grip.

This is a smaller knife than I typically prefer, but I can’t deny it's a well-built, well-thought-out, and intuitive knife. 

What's your take on the Griptilian? Rate it below!

3. Kershaw Leek - Best for Light Duty

Best for Light Duty

Kershaw Leek

$79

at BladeHQ

Prices accurate at time of writing

$79 at BladeHQ

Amazon (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 3"
• Blade material: 14C28N
• Blade style: Drop point
• Blade edge: Plain
• Handle Material: Stainless steel
• Opening action: Assisted
• Lock type: Frame lock
• Overall length: 7"
• Weight: 3 oz
• Country of Origin: U.S.A.

The Kershaw Leek sports a blade made from Sandvik 14C28N knife steel, which is commonly used with high-end chef’s knives.

The well-rounded Swedish steel is hard, corrosion-resistant, and easy to sharpen. This is the kind of knife you sharpen maybe once a week or right before a lot of slicing. It didn’t take much before I started plowing more than cutting. 

This knife is super small and easy to carry. Although my extra-large mitts are a little big for the streamlined stainless steel handle, I was still charmed by this knife. I love the all-metal look.

The grip is not textured, so this isn’t a knife designed for super hard work. It’s perfect for normal chores, though. 

It’s non-threatening and well-suited if your dress is more professional. At only 3 ounces, it's at home in the pocket or the purse. 

The blade dulls pretty fast, but remember that this is a light-duty knife. If you just want a simple blade with a splash of style, this is it.

4. Spyderco Tenacious - Best Value

Best Value

Spyderco Tenacious

$59

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$59 at Amazon

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 3.39"
• Blade material: 8Cr13MoV
• Blade style: Drop point
• Blade edge: Plain
• Handle Material: G10
• Opening action: Manual, thumb hole
• Lock type: Liner lock
• Overall length: 7.76"
• Weight: 4.1 oz
• Country of Origin: China

The Spyderco Tenacious packs a 3.39-inch blade made of 8CR13MoV stainless steel. As you already know, this steel is tough, easy to sharpen, and holds an edge well.

The Tenacious weighs only 4.1 ounces and has an overall length of 7.76 inches. It features Spyderco’s thumb-hole opening device and is available with a straight blade or serrated blade. 

It’s a Spyderco, so of course it’s a great knife. The Tenacious is one of the more compact Spydercos, but it doesn’t hold anything back. It feels great in my hands, and the G10 material is nicely textured. 

Like every Spyderco, it has a stylish appearance. The blade design allows for a long cutting edge that is efficient for the blade’s length.

The thumb rest on the rear of the blade curves upwards. This design really allows you to take control of the blade for fine cutting tasks. 

Slicing and dicing is easy, and it cuts through thick materials well with nothing more than a gentle rocking motion.

The blade chews through cardboard, cloth, rope, and more without much challenge. Overall, the handle and blade design work well together, and it's comfortable even after cutting for long periods of time.

Spyderco builds knives in several countries, and this one comes to us from China. That keeps costs down, and makes it more affordable to put a Spyderco in your pocket.

5. Cold Steel Recon 1 - Best Large Folding Knife

Best Large Folding Knife

Cold Steel Recon 1

$106

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$106 at Amazon

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Scheels (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 4"
• Blade material: CPM S35VN
• Blade style: Spear point
• Blade edge: Plain
• Handle Material: G10
• Opening action: Manual, thumb stud
• Lock type: Lockback
• Overall length: 9.37"
• Weight: 5.06 oz
• Country of Origin: Taiwan

In a crowd of solid EDC knives, the Cold Steel Recon 1 stands out due to its (relatively) massive size. You might need to have giant pockets.

This is a tactical folding knife and isn’t for everyone. However, the massive grip fits my big hands perfectly. The handle is contoured for the ergonomics, and the G10 material is lightweight and textured for a good grip. 

What I was really disappointed in was the fact that Cold Steel didn’t seem to sharpen the blade very well prior to shipping it out. I took it through a cardboard test, and it absolutely failed.

I knew Cold Steel was better than this, so I took the blade to a diamond sharpener. It took forever to really get this thing sharp, but once it was sharpened, it went through the cardboard without too much issue. 

The blade is made from CPM S35VN, which offers additional toughness over the already great CPM S30V. It also has a flat spine that is nice for striking ferro rods to start fires with. 

6. Kershaw Cryo - Best Budget

Best Budget

Kershaw Cryo

$39

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$39 at Amazon

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 2.75"
• Blade material: 8Cr13MoV
• Blade style: Drop point
• Blade edge: Plain
• Handle Material: Stainless steel
• Opening action: Spring-assisted flipper
• Lock type: Frame lock
• Overall length: 6.5"
• Weight: 4.1 oz
• Country of Origin: China

The Kershaw Cryo is proof that you can get a solid EDC knife without breaking the bank. If you want to keep costs down or add an affordable knock around knife to your collection, give this one a look.

The Cryo has a 2.75-inch blade and an overall length of 6.5 inches. The blade has a spring-assisted flipper that's easy to reach with either hand, and it opens nicely. 

The 8CR13MoV steel is tough, holds an edge well, and is corrosion-resistant, but it doesn’t get razor-sharp. 

I kind of feel like the Cryo is a confused knife. It’s short, but heavy and wide (thanks to the metal handle). I don’t mind a heavy knife, but I really don’t care for the super short grip on the Cryo. 

A stainless handle and offset screws and bolts give it good looks.

The pocket clip leaves some room for improvement. The screws aren’t flush so they catch and tear at the outside of my pockets. It’s especially tough with my work pants.

The entire knife looks sleek, but it's my least favorite knife on the list. This is another knife that plows more than cuts through harder materials. For the money, though, it gets the job done.

7. Benchmade North Fork - Best High-End

Best High-End

Benchmade North Fork

$230

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$230 at Amazon

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Scheels (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

Specs

• Blade length: 2.97"
• Blade material: CPM S30V
• Blade style: Drop point
• Blade edge: Plain
• Handle Material: Stabilized maple
• Opening action: Manual, thumb stud
• Lock type: Crossbar lock
• Overall length: 6.87"
• Weight: 3.8 oz
• Country of Origin: U.S.A.

The Benchmade North Fork is significantly more expensive than our other picks, but it's a great option if you're looking for a higher-end EDC knife.

Benchmade pitches the North Fork as a folding hunting knife, but that also makes it one hell of an EDC knife.

The S30V blade is razor-sharp out of the box, and offers a nice balance of steel properties. Blood is surprisingly hard on metal, so if this knife is good enough for field-dressing a game animal, it'll take your daily routine in stride.

It flicks open quickly thanks to a smooth action and ambidextrous thumb studs, and the AXIS crossbar lock keeps the blade super secure while it's open.

The stabilized maple handle looks like a million bucks and it's more durable than untreated wood. You don't have to mess with maintenance, but giving it some mineral oil or beeswax every now and then won't hurt and gives the wood some deep, rich color.

Yes, it's expensive, but the North Fork is tough enough to be your knock around blade and classy enough to add some style to more formal outfits. It really is everyday-worthy.

How to Pick the Best EDC Knife

Choosing only one knife is like only shooting one caliber, drinking one type of beer, or watching only one TV show. You're inevitably going to end up with a collection.

Here are some things to consider every time you shop for a new knife.

Plain vs. Serrated Edge

The debate over serrated and plain edges is going to be a battle fought utill the end of time. It’s a personal preference, and there are disadvantages and advantages to both. 

Plain edges are easy to sharpen and consistent from end to end. They're great for making smooth cuts and deep slices. They tend to be poor at sawing through rougher materials. 

Serrated knives (think of a bread knife) are the exact opposite. Opening a package, for example would be a nuisance with a serrated edge because the teeth get caught up in finer materials. Cutting through something coarse and fibrous, like rope or small pieces of wood, is much easier with a serrated edge.

Serrated edges are very tricky to sharpen, and most people either never bother or take their knife to a professional. Never tried sharpening a knife? Get all the info in our How to Sharpen a Knife tutorial!

Generally, a partially serrated blade is going to be more versatile than either alternative. The downside is you're always working with one half the blade or the other, never the whole thing. 

Knife Steel

Knife steel could be an article (or several articles) unto itself.

Basically, steel is a generic term for a mixture of metals. Steel manufacturers create different blends for different purposes, and knife manufacturers pick what's best for a given product.

You'll hear terms like corrosion resistance, edge retention, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance. I'd throw price into that list, too. When you improve a steel in one category, you typically sacrifice another.

For example, knives with excellent edge retention are typically difficult to sharpen. It goes the other way, too. Kitchen knives are generally super easy to get razor sharp, but you might have to give the edge attention every time you use it.

That's one of the reasons we own so many knives!

Country of Origin

Who made your knife? Like a lot of products these days, that's complicated.

We've used great knives from all over the world, so it's good to keep an open mind. Having a personal preference is fine, but so is collecting knives from as many countries as possible!

Knife manufacturers don't create their own steel, grow their own trees for wood, or produce their own synthetic handle materials. Those all come from suppliers.

Just focusing on blades, you'll see knife steel that came from China, Japan, Sweden, the U.S., and other countries if you look around enough.

Brand name doesn’t mean everything, but in the knife world, it's pretty important. If a knife maker doesn't tell you what steel they used, that's probably a red flag.

How We Tested the Best EDC Knives

The entire Pew Pew Tactical team contributed to this post with hands-on time with the knives recommended — that means carrying them regularly and actually using them.

During testing, we evaluated the knife's ability to cut, ease of use and maintenance, as well as its ability to fit into an EDC setup. Finally, we compared all this to the price to assess value.

Not every knife on this list is right for everyone, but we’ve included some of the most popular brands and models that work for us.

Meet the Experts

Heading up this article is Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike. Travis spent a lifetime shooting and hunting before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. Travis is also an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry instructor in the state of Florida.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Man, I had some fun testing these pocket EDC knives. 

I learned quite a bit about knives, steel, and what goes into designing the best EDC knives -- I bet you did, too!

Nobody owns just one knife, so let your journey start here. Tell us what else you discover along the way, and it just might make an appearance on this list!

What's your go-to EDC knife? Let us know in the comments. If you're looking for fixed blades, check out our 4 Best Survival Knives, then complete your EDC kit with one of the Best EDC Flashlights!

Latest Updates

• May 2025: Removed the Gerber Highbrow Compact, Kershaw Zing, and Opinel #8. Added the Benchmade North Fork. Added a comparison chart and updated supporting content.
• May 2024: Added data detailing how we tested the EDC knives on this list, also added supplemental data to each product with more information, and changed the organization of this article.