But what if you just want a simple blade for times when you need to make a cut. And that blade needs to fit in your pocket without taking up too much room.
If that description sounds like what you’re looking for, then what you need is a minimalist, ready to go everyday carry knife. Here’s a list of the top 25 Minimalist EDC knives.
Gerber Pocket Square Knife
The normally aggressive Gerber name has been paired down significantly with the Pocket Square model. The Pocket Square comes with either a machined aluminum or glass-filled nylon handle. An easy to use thumb-stud deployment is used to drop the 3 inch drop point stainless steel blade. And a liner lock system holds the blade into place.
Opinel No. 7
The No. 7 is a versatile knife that can handle delicate fillets, sawing through paracord, or digging dirt under your nails. The blade is complemented with a beechwood handle and a collared stay mechanism.
CRKT Pilar
Jesper Voxnaes designed this no frills knife and named it after Earnest Hemingway’s boat. The curves in the knife make it sit well in your grip. The handle is a durable 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, and the frame lock holds it into place. Use the thumb hole for easy deployment. There’s also a convenient pocket clip.
Buck Nano Bantam
The injection molded handle makes the Bantam easy to use. And though it is small, the blade packs a powerful punch. It can handle a premium cut steak as well as it can handle thin rope.
DEEJO 37G
The Deejo takes the bold step of completely eliminating handle scales. But the blade and frame this knife gives you is reliable and well made. Despite its size, the skeletonized handle still features a strong pseudo-grip, which comes in several different cuts of wood or carbon fiber. You also have your choice of an unfinished steel blade or durable titanium coating on the blade.
Gerber GDC Tech Skin
The rubber handle, made of tachhide with a rubbery texture and rubber thumbstuds, makes the Tech Skin perfect for sitting in your pocket and not scratching up your cell phone.
But while it comes with a gentler handle, the Tech Skin’s blade is plenty tough enough to make all the cuts you need.
Nagao Higonokami Friction Folder
The Friction Folder is inspired by a knife used in Japan during the late 1800’s. The knife has no lock to hold it in place. You have to hold your thumb on the tab of the lever of the blade to keep the blade from swinging wildly. It also has a handle made of brass and a blade made of high-quality Japanese blue paper steel.
Ontario 8848 RAT
The RAT’s blade is made from solid AUS-8 steel that is durable and easy to sharpen. And its 8.5 inch length won’t weigh down your pockets. There’s also a pocket clip should the knife not fit easily in your pockets.
Grovemade Pocket Knife
Another higonokami influenced knife is the Grovemade, a model that is simply the blade, handle, and a few necessary bits for the pivot. The tang lever provides just enough pressure to keep this knife open, and it’s available in several different metals and woods.
Kershaw Ken Onion Blur
The blade on the Blur is made of Sandvik 14C28N steel. There’s also a Tungsten diamond-like coating on the handle and a reversible clip.
Civilware Pointer Folding Knife
The Pointer is inspired by the original folding knife invented during the time of the Roman Empire. The blade is crafted from corrosion-resistant AEB-L steel. It also features a handle made from titanium on one side and G10 on the other. The extended tang deployment system keeps the knife open. And instead of featuring a belt clip, the Pointer comes with a high-grain leather carry pouch.
Boker Plus Subcom Titan
This versatile Boker blade performs gentle and deep cuts equally well with its VG-10 blade. The money clip like design of the Subcom Titan gives you cutting surface while not taking up a ton of excess space. And the framelock is made of Titanium, and it won’t rust or falter.
Quiet Carry the Strand Knife
The Quiet Carry the Strand Knife is one of the best made knives on the market. The blade is made from D2 steel. The handle is a grade 5 6AL4V titanium handle with a frame lock. And the hardware is 416 stainless steel.
But while the knife (measuring in at 6.7”) might be the best on the market, it’s also one of the costliest. All those high quality products used to design it come at a high price.
CRKT No Time Off
The small size keeps a low profile for this rather thick blade. The NTO features a combination blade with a Veff flat-top serrated blade on top and a straight edge BD-1 steel blade on the bottom. The versatile NTO is capable of cutting quickly through rope, cable and wood. It also has a very secure safety lock.
Kizer Lundquist Feist Knife
The Feist knife features a CPM S35VN blade, a stonewashed titanimum handle, an integrated frame lock, and a unique front-flipper deployment.
But as you’d expect, all those high quality features means a much higher price.
SOG Zoom Mini
The opening mechanism for the Zoom brings it out quickly. The sharp, AUS-8 steel blade cuts through most anything. And the Zoom Mini practically disappears in your pocket
Spyderco Techno
This folding knife features a titanium handle and a Chris Reeve integral lock to hold it in place. The blade is a CTS-XHP with a toned-down shape for a Spyderco. It’s also compact, measuring in at less than six inches in length. The Techno also comes with a thin, wire frame deep carry pocket clip.
Al Mar Osprey Ultralight
The Osprey can be worked into the smallest of crevices thanks to its flat brown canvas Micarta handle. The Osprey is also good for longer or deeper cuts, as the handle keeps down both fatigue and cramping.
Malvaux Number 1 Knife
The Malvaux carries with it the look of a Swiss Army Knife. It has the brightly colored handle with the red cross on it. You’ll also notice from the picture the Malvaux’s unique shape with its ergonomic handle. But unlike a real Swiss Army Knife, the Malvaux comes with only one blade.
Cold Steel Recon 1
The Cold Steel Recon is made for hunters when the need to field dress their kill arises. The blade is made from Carpenter’s steel. The G-10 handle comes with finger grooves to provide maximum comfort for your fingers. But the blade handles hacking and slashing just as easily as it handles detail work.
JHO Knives GS1
The GS1 is a hatchet-style folder that features a CPM S35VN blade. It also has a titanium handle, a flipper tang, and stays open using only friction (so no functional lock necessary).
But the heavy duty materials and modern design mean this is a high priced item that runs in short supply. So get on a waiting list now if you want one of these bad boys.
Benchmade Pardue Design Axis Griptilian
The Griptilian gets its name from being a knife that’s almost impossible to drop. It also has an AXIS lock that keeps the modified drop point in place (almost like a fixed blade).
The James Brand Chapter Knife
The Chapter from James Brand has an exceptionally sleek design, is reliable, and is well-built. The Chapter Knife has a D2 drop-tip steel blade connected to a titanium handle. There’s a frame lock to hold it in place. There’s also a tip down pocket clip to store it.
Benchmade 761 Knife
The 761 is made from an M390 steel. It also features a titanium handle with integrated monolock (the frame and lock are one piece). The 761 also comes with a lifetime warranty.
Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 21
This exceptionally made model comes in various styles, blade shapes, and colors. The Sebenza is one of the few knives in this list that come with a rope (though many allow you to add your own) on the end so you can wrap it around your wrist.
