Folding knives are the usual knife that most people carry for EDC, they are usually more compact than fixed blade knives. While they are not the only choices they do work really well for EDC knives. As with my fixed blade recommendations, you do not need to limit the blade length, it all depends how large a knife you want in your pocket. Let’s look below at some folders that I feel can work really good for your pocket, belt, pack or wherever.
Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 Axis Knife
When it comes to all around functionality, you can’t beat the Griptilian®. There are more shapes, sizes and colors available in the Griptilian than any other product family from Benchmade.
Benchmade Griptilian 551 Knife
When it comes to all around functionality, you can’t beat the Griptilian®. There are more shapes, sizes and colors available in the Griptilian than any other product family from Benchmade.
Boker Plus Subcom Titan Knife
The Boker Plus Subcom by Chad Los Banos was one of the cornerstones of the Boker Plus series and has become one of our most popular knives ever. Its versatility and extremely high beneficial value in everyday life in combination with the ultra-compact design have become legendary. The Blade is made of VG-10 and has a ambidextrous thumb stud for quick opening. The Titanium framelock secures the blade and prevents unintentional closing. The Titanium handle scale has bead-blasted edges and milled features, whereas the surface is equipped with a fine lengthwise satin finish, which makes for a particularly refined presentation in combination with the Titanium clip.
Buck Nano Bantam Knife
The Buck Knives ® Nano Bantam ® Folding Knife is an excellent companion for any outdoor activity. This small, compact and lightweight knife has a classic lockback design and a contoured handle for enhanced control. Whether you are fishing, hunting or on a camping trip, the Nano Bantam ® can help you with any task.
Buck Vantage Force Pro Knife
This Buck knife is one of their tactical & Survival knives. When failure is not an option, whether it’s for emergency rescue situations or in a war zone, there are tough and reliable Buck knives expressly designed to meet any challenge. Tool failure could mean life or death, and at Buck, we choose life. The Vantage Force boasts an ultra-fast and smooth opening with a blade flipper. It works so quickly, you would think it’s an assisted opener. Using an oversized liner lock and stainless steel frame, it provides ultimate strength and durability. When faced with a critical situation, the Vantage Force is prepared to protect in a moments notice. With a variety of non-reflective handle materials and blade steels, there is an option for every professional.
Cold Steel American Lawman Knife
Cold Steel is proud to introduce the American Lawman – named in honor of, and expressly designed to serve, our brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement. Available in two sizes, these rugged knives are designed to perform in the most extreme environments while still remaining comfortable to use and easy to carry.
Cold Steel Code 4 Knife
The Code 4 was designed to be a solid knife you can depend on and take with you anywhere you go. The Code 4 accomplishes this by being thin, lightweight, and comfortable, but most importantly functional. This knife is available with several different blade shapes and edges.
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tactical Knife
Now with an American S35VN Blade Steel Featuring DLC Coating* Our Recon I series continues to set a standard for Tactical Folding Knives that’s hard to beat. These tough, dependable knives have been a mainstay in the world of tactical knives for many years, with a hard earned reputation for reliability and strength.
CRKT Terrestrial 5370 Knife
CRKT Hi Jinx Z Knife
The Hi Jinx™ Z is a gentleman’s beast of burden everyday carry blade with all the classical curves and subtle elegance that has become the anthem of Ken On-ion knife design. This knife has a IKBS™ Ball Bearing Pivot System, a satin finish and a locking liner safety. It’s as comfortable in Sunday church as it is on your work-bench, and will hurry headlong into any task that stands in your way.
Fox 479 G-10 Folding Karambit Knife
The Fox 479 Stonewashed G10 Black Folding Karambit is the best self-defense tool and utility knife available on the market. This tool has been field tested in the most extreme climates by some truly hardcore people, and has proven itself time and time again to be of the highest quality. Whether you need a utility knife to open boxes and clamshell packaging or a reliable self-defense tool to open a can of whoop ass, Fox karambits are a force to be reckoned with. If you want the most reliability in any situation where a need arises for a good blade that works and works well, this is your knife.
Fox 599 g-10 Folding Karambit Knife
The Fox 599 G10 Black Folding Karambit offers a stunning balance of form and function. Built for hard use in the world’s most hostile environments, this wicked little blade has been field tested and given the stamp of approval by some truly elite people who rely on their knives for their lives. Like all Fox Knives, the Fox 599 karambit is durable, reliable, and high quality. Due to its specifications and design, the Fox 599 karambit is best suited for wielders with hand sizes measuring 3.5” or less across the back of the knuckles. The compact build and tighter safety ring readily lends itself to bare-handed use (read: without gloves) or use by those seeking a more easily controlled blade. If your hands are larger than 3.5” across the back of the knuckles or you plan on utilizing your karambit while wearing gloves, check out our Fox 479 G10 Black Folding Karambit.
Fox 479-TK G-10 Folding Karambit Trainer
The Fox 479-TK G10 Karambit Trainer is a dull version of its more lethal twin brother, the Fox 479 G10 Karambit. Like the 479 live blade, it also features the Emerson Wave. The trainer has drilled holes through the length of the blade, giving it the same weight, balance, and function as the paired live blade version. Now you can learn how to properly handle the sharpened live blade version without having to pay for your mistakes with your own blood and tears! Despite having a blunted blade, the trainer still has a quality blade made of 440C stainless steel, which can allow it to double as a blunt force object and/or control device. Training karambits can cause serious pain if used in a forceful manner or on sensitive areas, so please be aware that you should still practice using appropriate protective gear, especially if sparring with another person. Some people may choose to carry this trainer instead of the sharpened edge live blade, as this blade still offers an effective method of self defense without the use of potentially lethal force. The red G10 handle allows you to quickly tell the difference between the live blade version (black) and the trainer (red). With a blade length of 3″, it is 7.5″ long when open and 5″ when closed. It also features a liner lock mechanism and tip up carry with an adjustable pocket clip. It is designed to mimic and mirror its live blade brother in every way possible. Made in Italy.
Kershaw Blur Knife
Like all Blurs it’s equipped with a big, slightly recurved blade that’s ideal for multitasking. The blade shape offers both excellent slicing and piercing capabilities and the high-performance Sandvik 14C28N stainless blade steel offers corrosion resistance and hardness. The black Blur has a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated blade for extra corrosion resistance and enhanced looks. Also available with a partially serrated blade as 1670BLKST. This black Blur has, as you might expect, black handles with Trac-Tec grip-tape handle inserts for an extremely solid grip. The handle itself is durable 6061-T6 anodized aluminum, sometimes described as “aircraft aluminum” since it is a common material used for aircraft fittings. But the main point is that it’s lightweight, extremely durable, and—when anodized—accepts a dye so we can create colored handles that are scratch resistant and extra tough. For easy one-handed opening, the Blur is equipped with SpeedSafe® assisted opening. A short push on the thumbstud overcomes the resistance built into the torsion bar in the SpeedSafe mechanism. The SpeedSafe® takes over and the blade moves out of the handle quickly and easily. One-handed opening is easy with SpeedSafe. The pocketclip is reversible for your choice of tip-up or tip-down carry. There’s even a pre-drilled lanyard hole.
Kershaw Cryo II Knife
The new Kershaw Cryo II is 20% larger than the original award-winning Cryo, designed by Rick Hinderer. With its bigger 3.25-in. SpeedSafe-equipped blade, this classic design was built for those who just demand more from their pocketknife. A classic Rick Hinderer design, the Cryo II is built of pure stainless steel coated with matte-grey titanium carbo-nitride for a no-fuss look that lets the design shine through. Like all Rick’s knives, the Cryo II benefits from Rick’s real world experience as a fire fighter and EMT. It’s designed to be a sturdy knife that’s still aesthetically pleasing and feels good in the hand. For secure blade lock up, the Cryo II offers a tough frame lock with lockbar stabilization. The Cryo also comes with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted opening for fast and easy one-handed opening. Access it with either the built-in flipper or the thumb stud. Though it’s a larger knife, the Cryo II is remarkably slim and rides comfortably deep in the pocket thanks to our deep-carry clip. EDC this guy for a while and we think you’ll soon appreciate its virtues. You get the tactical, hard-use looks you’re looking for, a Hinderer design, and SpeedSafe opening in this amazingly affordable Kershaw that’s destined to be the Hinderer for the rest of us.
Kershaw Cryo G-10 Knife
The Kershaw Cryo, designed by Rick Hinderer, is one of Kershaw’s best-selling knives. And now it’s available with one of our customers’ most-asked-for modifications: a G10 front scale. This new Cryo not only looks good, it also offers the extra grip some of you have been asking for. The G10 scale also lightens the overall weight of this very practical knife. The Cryo was the result of collaboration between Rick Hinderer and the design and production engineers at Kershaw. It’s designed to satisfy users’ craving for a Hinderer knife, but at a price that meets the demands of their wallets. The original Cryo (model 1555TI) was selected as a Blade Show “Best Buy” and as Men’s Journal Approved Gear. Like all Cryos, the G10-handled Cryo is equipped with SpeedSafe assisted opening for smooth and easy one-handed opening. Access it with the built-in flipper or thumb stud. The blade steel is heat treated to Kershaw’s exacting standards. The handle has a G10 front scale with a stainless steel back. A sturdy frame lock secures the blade open during use and a Hinderer lockbar stabilizer ensures the lock doesn’t over-extend. The new Cryo G10 is equipped with a four-position deep-carry pocketclip for maximum carry flexibility and discretion.
Kershaw Skyline Knife
Even if you’ve never carried a knife with you every day, the Skyline just may convert you. Why? It’s so lightweight, slim, and comfortable to carry that it takes away any excuse for not having the right answer when someone asks, “hey, has anybody got a knife?” With the manual opening Skyline, you’ll always have the blade you need for everything from opening packages to slicing snacks. The drop-point blade is versatile and offers good balance and a strong tip. The high-performance Sandvik 14C28N blade comes razor sharp and offers high wear and corrosion resistance. The profile of the Skyline is extra thin and it weighs in at just over two ounces making the Skyline a great choice for comfortable and discrete carry. The textured handle scales are G10, barely add to the Skyline’s weight, and provide for a secure grip. The handle design itself, with its deep index-finger contour, further enhances the Skyline’s very secure grip. The Skyline opens manually with a built-in flipper. Just pull back on the flipper and add a slight wrist roll for quick and easy opening with left or right hand. A liner lock keeps the blade locked open for secure use.
Ontario Rat II Knife
The immensely popular RAT folders are among OKC’s top selling products. Featuring versatile AUS-8 stainless steel and a nylon handle, the RAT folder comes in a variety of styles including different blade and handle colors. The RAT folders are an ideal and affordable every day carry.
Schrade SCHA8B 24/7 M.A.G.I.C. Assited Opening Knife
Schrade® 24/7® M.A.G.I.C. Assisted Opening Liner Lock Folding Knife, Black AUS-8 High Carbon Stainless Steel Clip Point Blade with Ambidextrous Thumb Knobs, Grey Aluminum Handle with TPR Inserts, Safety Lock, and Pocket Clip
Schrade SCHA5B M.A.G.I.C. Knife
Finished off in stealthy matte black with an aggressive angular design, the Schrade SCHA5B MAGIC Assisted Folding Knife looks to be inspired by Batman’s Tumbler.
While it doesn’t quite serve up the functionality of Bruce Wayne’s crime-fighting ride, it will certainly come in handy as part of your EDC kit. Made by the Taylor Brands-owned company Schrade, the pocket knife features a 3.5-inch fine edge blade crafted from durable, bead blasted AUS-8 high carbon stainless steel designed to take a beating. The ambidextrous knife weighs just 5 ounces and measures in at 4.5 inches when closed, and thanks to the M.A.G.I.C. spring assist system can be open and closed with ease. The lanyard hole on the bottom end of the handle and pocket clip give you several different carry options to choose from
Schrade SCH707 Tanto Point Knife
The Schrade SCH707 folding knife features black ABS and Kraton textured handles and an extended green backspacer with lanyard hole. The bead blasted 3.125″ blade is made from 9Cr18MoV, a high-quality stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and excellent edge holding capabilities. This attractive design features fast operation using the dual thumb studs for quick, easy deployment. It is a great EDC carry option with a tip-down stainless steel pocket clip and liner lock mechanism. KnifeCenter carries the full line of both Schrade and Smith & Wesson knives and they are some very cool and functional tools always at a great price!
Schrade SCH109 Knife
This bead blast finish folding knife from Schrade offers a ton of features. If you’re looking for a compact, hard-working blade that can handle almost any material you need cut, then this may be the blade for you. The drop point blade is made of high carbon 9Cr18MoV stainless steel that will keep its keen edge despite whatever punishment you hand out. The black G-10 handle scales have finger grooves and a highly textured surface to enhance your grip while you’re working, and the liner lock mechanism keeps the blade locked securely in place. There is bead blast finished, tip-down pocket clip or a lanyard hole so you can keep this excellent tool at the ready.
SOG Centi II Knife
The SOG Centi II is a slim, lightweight design that accommodates attachment to a keychain or lanyard for convenient everyday carry. It features a 3Cr13 stainless steel blade with a black finish and an elongated thumb hole for easy opening. A lock back mechanism ensures the blade stays securely open during use. This compact folder can be stowed almost anywhere for quick everyday tasks.
Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight Knife
The fiberglass reinforced nylon handles come molded with Bi-Directional Texturing™ for preferred traction and improved ergonomics. Inside the handle dual skeletonized stainless steel liners make the knife stronger without adding weight and make an anchor for all external and internal components to attach through adding sturdiness and rigidity. Their VG-10 blades are flat saber-ground with a stronger tip and larger 13mm opening hole. Added to the blade’s spine is slip resistant jimping. Phosphor bronze washers smooth out the open/close action and the clip is upgraded to a four-way tip-up, tip-down, left- or right-handed clip.
Spyderco Manix 2 Knife
The Manix 2 is a dependable, all-purpose folding knife that showcases Spyderco’s Made-in-USA quality and patented Ball Bearing Lock™. Its broad blade is precision machined from Crucible’s premium CPM® S30V® particle metallurgy stainless steel and features a full-flat grind for an exceptional balance of edge geometry and strength. Matching areas of jimping (textured grooves) on the thumb ramp and the index-finger choil complement the handle’s refined ergonomics to offer an amazingly secure, comfortable grip. Constructed with full stainless steel liners, a stainless steel back spacer, and textured black G-10 scales, the Manix 2’s handle is home to a high-strength Ball Bearing Lock™ mechanism. One of our strongest, smoothest operating lock mechanisms, it consists of a hardened steel ball bearing encased in a polymer cage. When the knife is opened, a plunger drives the ball bearing forward onto a ramp on the blade, wedging it securely open. Pulling back on the cage releases the lock and allows the blade to pivot smoothly closed. Both opening and closing are easily performed with either hand and without ever placing your fingers near the blade’s edge. To ensure instant access and ease of carry, the Manix 2 includes a reversible hourglass clip that supports left or right-side tip-up carry. It complements the blade’s Trademark Round Hole and lock mechanism to make every aspect of the knife’s carry, deployment, and operation completely ambidextrous.
Spyderco ParaMilitary 2 Knife
Our 2010 Para Military 2 has several changes over the classic version. The G-10 handle is narrowed at the end improving the ergonomics. The handle and blade have been profile thinner; removing uncomfortable angles when in the closed position. It features a Compression Lock® and an ambidextrous-friendly four way clip which carries tip-up/tip-down, left/right-hand and rests deeper in a pocket. We kept the same high-performance CPM S30V full flat-ground blade but we’ve also lengthened the blade’s tip and added additional surface jimping to both the spine and finger choil. Implementation of a new Bushing Pivot System generates fluid action and more consistent manufacturing tolerances. Larger lanyard gives more options for carry. Refinements to overall construction may not be drastic or even visible to the eye but from the G-10 textured handle to the CPM S30V steel full flat blade, everything is sharper, smoother and guaranteed to provide performance and user comfort.
Spyderco Tenacious Knife
Being tenacious means one holds fast. One is persistent and cohesive. It means being tough and tireless until achieving your goal: all knife-worthy definitions for a worthy knife. The mid-sized Tenacious has a black G-10 laminate handle, milled with prolonged fatigue-free cutting in mind. Tucked inside are skeletonized steel liners increasing the handle’s rigidity and strength without adding non-functioning weight or bulky thickness. The 8Cr13Mov stainless blade is leaf-shaped and ground flat from spine to cutting edge for cutting performance. The blade’s shape coupled with an oversized Spyderco Round Hole and textured spine jimping allow you to open the blade and position your thumb on the spine in slip-proof confidence ready for work. A Walker Linerlock (with jimped liner) and a 4-way pocket clip lets you set your carry and draw preference: Tip-up/tip-down left-hand/right-hand. Screw together construction.
Tops Covert Anti Terrorism #203 Knife
One of the earliest TOPS models in production. It has been carried by law enforcement, military, as well as hunters and campers. It is a small, strong, highly versatile knife that is easy to use and maintain. Features a low profile carry and it’s simple to draw when needed. It includes a Kydex sheath with 360 degree positioning.
Uncle Henry LB5 Knife
The Uncle Henry folder is 3.75″ closed lockback. has a 2.8″ stainless clip blade. Wood handles with brass bolsters. Brown leather belt sheath and made in China.
Uncle Henry 55UH Knife
Uncle Henry® Special Edition Bruin Lockblade Folding Pocket Knife, 7Cr17 High Carbon Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade with Nail Pull, Staglon Handles with Nickel Silver Bolsters, Brass Pins, Heat Treated Back Springs, and Lanyard Hole
Victorinox – Camper
When you hear the words Swiss Army Knife, chances are you think of the legendary Officer’s knife. And that legend continues with the Camper pocket knife. Along with the tent, the sleeping bag and the portable camping stove, the Camper has achieved essential status for anyone looking to spend some quality time in the great outdoors.
Victorinox Multi-Tool, Swiss Champ Knife
When you hear the words Swiss Army Knife, chances are you think of the legendary Officer’s knife. And that legend continues with the Swiss Champ pocket knife. It’s the ultimate pocket knife, packing no less than 33 functions and countless possibilities. Wherever you are and whatever happens, if it can be fixed, it can be fixed with the Swiss Champ.
Zero Tolerance Hinderance 0566 Knife
The Zero Tolerance 0566 is a Hinderer designed assisted opening folder. This knife is more compact than the larger 560/561. The blade is stonewashed S35VN steel which offers excellent edge retention, strength, and toughness. The front scale is textured G-10. The back is stainless steel with a frame lock and a lockbar stabilizer. Quad-mounting system with deep carry pocket clip.
Zero Tolerance 0801 Titanium Blackwash Knife
The all-metal, all-the-time look of the Zero Tolerance 0801 is even better in BlackWash™. Premium ELMAX® stainless steel enables ZT to give the 0801BW a blade with a razor edge, excellent edge retention, strength, and toughness. The ELMAX blade is paired with machine-grooved titanium handles for a secure grip—and with a matching BlackWash finish, of course. A sturdy frame lock with hardened steel lockbar insert secures the blade open during use. The blade deploys using the built-in flipper. Just pull back on the flipper and the razor-sharp ELMAX blade rotates out of the handle on ZT’s glass-smooth KVT ball-bearing system. No springs required; just simple, one-handed opening. The 0801BW pocketclip is designed for deep carry and is reversible for left- or right-handers. Decorative pivot hardware completes the 0801BW’s handsome look. The new BlackWash finish gives the 0801BW the look of a well-worn favorite tool, while its top materials, Todd Rexford design, and ZT excellence are sure to make it your new favorite.
Zero Tolerance 0350 Knife
The ZT 0350 is 10% smaller and lighter than the Zero Tolerance 0300. The 0350 is fully equipped with SpeedSafe for one-handed assisted opening. Even in combat gloves, the user can easily deploy the blade using the large, ambidextrous thumb stud or blade protrusion flipper. The blade is S30V stainless steel with a Tungsten DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating and a plain cutting edge. S30V provides extreme durability, while the black Tungsten DLC is non-reflective, enhances hardness, and reduces friction drag. Textured matte black G-10 scales provide a secure grip. Includes a quad mounting system for tip-up, tip-down, left- or right-handed clip carry.