When you think of an everyday carry knife, chances are you will have a folding knife in mind. But a fixed blade knife is the best option when you need a knife that cannot and absolutely will not fail on you. Unlike folding knives, fixed blades don't have moving parts to break or opening mechanisms to fumble around with when you're in a rush. Their inherent durability makes them well-suited for hard-use critical tasks, especially when you're outdoors or in a survival situation.
A fixed blade knife might be your only legal carry option in many jurisdictions. And if you think that they're too big for everyday carry, know that not all of them are built like the comically huge knife in Crocodile Dundee. While that hunting knife was iconic, it was not the be-all-end-all for a fixed-blade knife. They’re also the best choice for neck knife carry. There are plenty of EDC-friendly fixed blade knives out there, and there's a great selection of designs released in the past year. This guide will round up our favorite recent fixed blade knife releases and go over why they deserve a place in your carry.
Jump to Our Top Fixed Blade Picks
Our Top Picks, Ranked
The Best Overall Fixed Blade Knife: KA-BAR Becker BK2 [Buy]
The Best Fixed Blade Knife on a Budget: Ontario RAT-3 Utility [Buy]
The Most Premium Fixed Blade Knife: WE Knife Co. Reazio [Buy]
The Most Versatile Fixed Blade Knife: Morakniv Garberg [Buy]
The Best Fixed Blade Knife for the Outdoors: Buck Knives 124 Frontiersman [Buy]
The Best Tactical Fixed Blade Knife: SOG Recondo [Buy]
The Best Fixed Blade Knife for EDC: CRKT S.P.E.C [Buy]
KA-BAR Becker BK2 | Ontario RAT-3 Utility | WE Knife Co. Reazio | Morakniv Garberg | Buck Knives 124 Frontiersman |
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Blade Length: 5.25
| Blade Length: 4"
| Blade Length: 4.15"
| Blade Length: 4.3"
| Blade Length: 6.25"
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Blade Steel: 1095
| Blade Steel: High carbon steel
| Blade Steel: CPM-20CV
| Blade Steel: Carbon
| Blade Steel: 420HC
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Key Features: Ergonomic Zytel handles
| Key Features: MOLLE-compatible sheath
| Key Features: Shredded CF handle
| Key Features: Scandi grind edge profile
| Key Features: Made in the USA
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| Buy Now
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The Top Fixed Blade Knives for EDC
![CRKT]()
Key Features
Contoured handle for exceptional control
Hybrid blade shape
Strong and lightweight
The CRKT Catchall is a cross between a handy outdoors camp knife,
hunting knife, and a kitchen blade, thanks to its sheepsfoot profile and upswept edge. Its standout ergonomic feature is the secure contoured handle with cutouts in the glass-reinforced nylon scales for each of your fingers. The high-quality handle design lets you hack away at dense material and outdoors brush without fear of losing your grip on the knife. You often see this feature with large machetes and survival knives, but the Catchall features a much more manageable 5.51” 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade that’s easy to sharpen after you nick it up a few times in the field.
![WE]()
Key Features
Drop point style
Shredded CF handle
Unique blade grind
If you’re looking for a modern gent's fixed blade knife, you should take a look at the WE Knives Reazio. Designed in collaboration with Toni Tietzel, the Reazio features a unique compound grind and blade shape that allows you a flat grind near the handle for rougher chopping and a hollow grind as you approach the tip for delicate slicing. That unique design is further complemented with premium CPM-20CV stainless steel built into this full-tang non-folding fixed blade, and the beautiful carbon fiber scales (attached to the knife with 6AL4V titanium screws) look great in hand.
![Schrade]()
Key Features
Thermoplastic belt sheath
G-10 handle slabs
Lanyard hole
Specifications
Blade Steel
65Mn high carbon steel
The Schrade CH57 fixed blade full tang knife is a stout and durable
EDC knife featuring 65Mn high carbon steel. The shorter design of the blade makes it well-suited for demanding use in tight situations. Its blacked-out look makes it a low-profile EDC knife as well. And the scalloped grippy G10 nylon handle scales help you keep a secure grip on the knife during use.
![Spyderco]()
Key Features
Fiberglass reinforced nylon handle
Rust-resistant steel
Designed for neck carry
Ark stands for “always-ready knife,” and this small fixed blade is designed for neck carry as a backup when needed. Part of Spyderco’s Salt line of highly-corrosion resistant
EDC knives, the Ark is made out of CPM-H1 stainless steel that’s nigh-invulnerable to rusting even when left in saltwater conditions. The tradeoff with this steel is that the Ark has softer steel than most blades in this list. It is easier to sharpen, but you’ll have to maintain this knife more often than others after needing to use it.
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![Morakniv]()
Key Features
DLC-coated blade
Scandi grind edge profile
Survival kit included
The venerable Morakniv is one of the EDC communities’ favorite fixed blade knife for everyday carry, with its keen Scandinavian design and immense durability for its price. The Garberg model is one of the most EDC-friendly options in their line, with reliable full tang construction, which allows you to use and abuse this knife when you have to, especially if you rely on it to keep you alive in the outdoors when making fire or shelter.
![Cold]()
Key Features
Standard issue knife for Navy SEALs B.U.D.S.
Comfortable and secure grip
Secure-ex sheath
When lives are on the line, and you’re looking for a big knife to take on big tasks, Cold Steel should be at the top of your mind. Their SRK (Search Rescue Knife) sports a handy 6" of cutting power enhanced by super-premium CPM-3V stainless steel composition. The knife has a classic clip-point shape that makes it good for cutting, slicing, and piercing tasks, and the large rubber handle with blade guard makes this an ideal choice for carrying on or near the water.
![Boker]()
Key Features
Natural handle materials
Historical roots
Made in Germany
The Barlow knife is a venerable traditional everyday carry knife, and Boker’s version was made in collaboration with Lucas Burnley as a fixed blade. Unlike the original Barlow knives of old, this modern take on the knife features an ice-hardened German AEB-L stainless steel blade. At 2.76 inches long, it has a clip point shape that’s reminiscent of a Bowie knife, but it’s much more compact and minimal than that design. The handle material features beautiful walnut wood with brass studs and bolsters to add even more class to this modern classic.
![DROP]()
Key Features
Multiple colorways
Full-grain leather sheath
Lanyard hole
With its colorful and bulbous handle, the Massdrop x Bradford Guardian 3.5 fixed blade knife is a compact EDC-friendly tool. It comes with a handmade full-grain leather sheath that allows for easy side carry on a belt, making it easier to conceal and carry everywhere. And its 3.5" Nitro-V stainless steel full-tang drop-point blade is fit for all everyday carry cutting, slicing, and piercing tasks. The jimped spine allows for superior control over the cut, and the pommel features a lanyard hole for paracord carry if you prefer.
![Buck]()
Key Features
Micarta handle
Bushcrafting
Made in the USA
Buck Knives has been making EDC fixed blade knives for decades, and their 124 Frontiersman Knife is one of their premier offerings. The Frontiersman is a dedicated hunting knife with a satin-finished bowie blade made of 420HC stainless steel. As a modern touch, this made-in-the-USA knife features a black canvas Micarta handle scale where old knives would have a wood inlay. The Micarta scales are resistant to cracking in extreme conditions and the presence of water, allowing you to carry this knife confidently in the great outdoors.
![ESEE]()
Key Features
Replaceable handle scales
Molded sheath
Made in the USA
The ESEE-4 is one of the most popular everyday carry fixed blade knives ever made. It features a 1095 carbon steel design made for survival work. The drop-point blade can survive batoning and abusive pry actions in the field. It has serious toughness and cutting efficiency. It also comes with a lifetime warranty to protect against any issues you might encounter during the long life of the blade.
![Fallkniven]()
Key Features
Cerakoted blade
Thermorun handle
Zytel sheath
The Fallkniven F1 has been the official survival knife of the Swedish Air Force for decades. It features a laminated powder steel drop point blade and a grippy thermorun handle for impressive ergonomics. Whether you’re roughing it out in the field or using it to slice boxes and other everyday tasks, you’ll appreciate its smartly-proportioned knife and versatility. And you can pick between a Zytel or leather sheath for carrying convenience.
![KA-BAR]()
Key Features
Versatile drop point
Ergonomic Zytel handles
Made in the USA
The KA-BAR Becker BK2 is a chunky knife built for serious outdoors work. The 1095 Cro-Van tool steel blade is ready to take on all challengers, even being batoned through wood when you’re preparing to make a fire for your shelter. The black Zytel handle is ergonomically shaped to give you a good grip on the blade for more delicate tasks like splitting kindling or skinning game. The small choil at the heel of the blade also works for dealing with twigs of small rope, making it an even better companion for you when you’re out in the field. This made-in-the-USA knife also comes with a hardshell black nylon sheath for plenty of carry options.
![Gerber]()
Key Features
Fully customizable on the Gerber site
Unique ergnonmic handles
Made in the USA
The Gerber Terracraft is an American-made fixed-blade knife with a full-tang construction ready for EDC regardless of where you spend more time, the city or the outdoors. The striking look of the G-10 handle scales features a layering technique that improves the ergonomic shape of the grip. That unique grip lets you leverage the extra-thick premium S30V stainless steel blade to its max potential. The full-tang means it’s sturdier than the cheap knives you might find at the surplus store or gas station, and it certainly looks the part with its beautiful hand-sanded profile and the made-in-the-USA leather sheath. Gerber even offers a full customization system to tailor a Terracraft perfectly for your needs.
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![CIVIVI]()
Key Features
Included Kydex sheath
Textured G-10 handle
Paracord lanyard
The Elementium by CIVIVI is one of the community’s favorite EDC folding knives, and it also comes in a sturdy fixed-blade version. The fixed blade construction makes it an excellent choice for EDC when failure is not an option because there’s no opening mechanism or lock to get in the way of being able to do work with the knife once it’s in your hand. The Elementium fixed blade also features a slightly-larger 3.98” D2 tool steel blade that retains the hollow-ground drop-point shape from the original fan-favorite tool.
![MKM]()
Key Features
Vox design
Skeletonized tang
Carbon fiber scales
The MKM Makro 2 has a modern look that denotes it as a Jesper Voxnaes EDC knife design. Its high-end Bohler M390 2.87" blade features a flat grind and an organic sheepsfoot shape that's both beautiful and practical for utility cutting and slicing tasks. The classy carbon fiber handle scales help significantly with the overall aesthetics of the knife. The skeletonized tang keeps the MKM Makro 2 lightweight at just 2.33 ounces despite its 7" overall length.
![Benchmade]()
Key Features
Cerakoted finish
G-10 scales
Included Kydex sheath
The Benchmade ANONIMUS is a super-premium fixed blade knife featuring durable CPM-CruWear steel. It's an upgraded version of D2 tool steel, and it has impressive hardness and wear resistance while still being relatively easy to sharpen and maintain. To improve its chops as an outdoors EDC master knife, the 4.375" drop-point blade has been treated with a gray Cerakote finish for heightened resistance against scratching and corrosion.
![Ontario]()
Key Features
Chisel grind
MOLLE-compatible sheath
Micarta handle
Specifications
Blade Steel
High carbon steel
The Ontario RAT-3 utility fixed blade knife is a compact high-carbon steel cleaver knife. It's unique on this list for having a one-sided chisel grind reminiscent of the edge you'll find on high-end Japanese kitchen and cutlery knives. But unlike those household knives, the RAT-3 utility features a canvas Micarta handle and a MOLLE-compatible nylon sheath for EDC.
![TOPS]()
Key Features
Compound edge
Includes Kydex sheath and emergency whistle
Made in the USA
The TOPS Knives Mini Tom Brown Tracker is a tiny fixed blade knife with a 3.38" edge that you can conceal in the palm of your hand. This petite size makes it great as a backup knife in an emergency when you forget a larger knife. It also features a unique compound edge blade profile featured in TOPS Knives' full-sized fixed blade offerings. This lets you leverage the full power of the 1095 carbon steel blade with its extended belly tip and recurve edge.
![CRKT]()
Key Features
G-10 handle
Thermoplastic sheath
Paracord lanyard
The CRKT S.P.E.C. stands for “small pocket everyday cleaver,” and the knife is as advertised. Derived from the original CRKT Minimalist cleaver designed in collaboration with custom knifemaker Alan Folts, the S.P.E.C. is purpose-built for the chopping block, letting you have a cleaver-style knife for outdoor cooking or chopping tasks you encounter. And its 2.44" 8Cr13MoV stainless steel bead-blasted blade is easy to maintain and sharpen after a day's work.
![SOG]()
Key Features
Titanium nitride blade finish
Rubberized grip
UMS-compatible sheath
The SOG Recondo FX is built from the bottom-up as a modern, tactical fixed blade knife. It features a cryogenically heat-treated 440C stainless steel blade design with a full tang for outstanding corrosion and wear resistance. The over-molded hand grip makes it easy to grip even when wearing tactical or shooting gloves, and it allows a secure grip at all angles no matter what environment you bring it into. The blacked-out design also keeps it low-profile with no reflections to give yourself away in the field. The sheath is compatible with SOG's UMS system, allowing ambidextrous carry and multiple mounting options with a toolless tension adjustment.
Fixed Blade FAQ
What's a “fixed blade,” and why would I carry one instead of a folding knife?
In short, it's a knife that doesn't fold into the handle and is usually carried in a protective sheath. While folding knives are more convenient for many people, a fixed blade has its own advantages:
- More reliable: with no moving parts to break, they won't fail on you during hard use.
- Knife legality: if folding knives are restricted where you live, a small fixed blade might be a legal carry option instead.
- Alternative carry options: you can carry one at your belt, on your leg, in a boot, around your neck, or even attach it to your bag, instead of taking up more space in your pocket.
What material do fixed blade knives come in?
Fixed blade knives are usually made of stainless steel, but carbon and tool steels are also used. They usually have grips made out of synthetic materials like nylon or polymer. Sometimes traditional fixed blade knives feature brass and wood handles with stone inlays for decoration.
What size knife is best for EDC?
In general, you want a knife that features a blade length shorter than five inches for carrying convenience. You may need a larger knife to take on large tasks especially in outdoors survival and emergency situations. But a blade for everyday carry should be smaller and lighter so that you’ll actually carry it with you.
What fixed blade knife do Navy SEALs use?
The US Navy SEALs use a standard issue Ontario Knife Company MK3 Navy fixed blade knife. It has a six inch blade. Individual operators can carry the blades of their choice.
Can you EDC a fixed blade?
You can EDC a fixed blade knife. There may be rules about where and you can EDC a fixed blade. Check your local laws.
What are the benefits of owning a fixed blade knife?
Fixed blades don’t have moving parts that can fail during rough use. They are also immediately ready to use when you draw the knife.
What color fixed blade knife is best?
The best color of a fixed blade knife is based on your choice and how you plan to use the fixed blade knife. Black knives give a knife a more tactical feel and are low-profile. Wood knives have a timeless look to them. And uncolored steel knives are always a good bet.
How we picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why you should trust us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
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