For many community members, a Kershaw knife was their first everyday carry knife. And over the decades, Kershaw has continued to make some of the best EDC folding and fixed blade knives. From timeless classic designs to modern EDC collaboration blades, there’s something for everyone in the everyday carry community in Kershaw’s lineup. This guide will introduce you to some of our favorite Kershaw EDC knives and explain why they deserve a place in your pocket.
Our Top Picks
The Best Overall Kershaw Knife: Composite Leek [Buy]
The Best Kershaw Knife on a Budget: CQC-6K [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Most Premium Kershaw Knife: Lucha Carbon Fiber [Buy]
The Most Compact Kershaw Knife: Launch 9 [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Most Versatile Kershaw Knife: Blur S30V [Buy]
Composite Leek | CQC-6K | Lucha Carbon Fiber | Launch 9 | Blur S30V |
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| $$ | $ | $$$$ | $$ | $$ |
| Blade Length: 3″ | Blade Length: 3.25″ | Blade Length: 4.7″ | Blade Length: 3.36″ | Blade Length: 3.4″ |
| Blade Steel: 14C28N | Blade Steel: D2 | Blade Steel: 20CV | Blade Steel: CPM 154 | Blade Steel: S30V |
| Key Features: Speed Safe assisted opening | Key Features: Wave Shaped Feature | Key Features: Live blade balisong | Key Features: Automatic deployment | Key Features: SpeedSafe assisted opening |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Very Best Kershaw Knives
Kershaw’s EDC cutlery offerings span the entire range of everyday carry knives. In recent years, Kershaw has brought designs in collaboration with custom knifemakers sourced from offshore to ensure they are affordable for everyone in the community. Some of their most recent offerings have embraced a pure made-in-the-USA supply chain featuring the best of the best materials and craftsmanship. Kershaw has also upped their game, offering more automatics (including OTF autos) and one of the best butterfly knives you can buy today with the Lucha.
The Best Overall Kershaw Knife: Composite Leek
Purchase
The Best Kershaw Knife on a Budget: CQC-6K
Purchase
The Most Premium Kershaw Knife: Lucha Carbon Fiber
Purchase
The Most Compact Kershaw Knife: Launch 9
Purchase
The Most Versatile Kershaw Knife: Blur S30V
Purchase
Kershaw Livewire OTF
Purchase
Kershaw Misdirect S35VN Blue
Purchase
Kershaw Federalist Slipjoint
Purchase
Kershaw Strata Cleaver
Purchase
Kershaw Iridium
PurchaseThe Competition
Now that we’ve introduced you to some of our favorite Kershaw everyday carry knives, it’s time to show you some honorable mentions. These knives are popular in the EDC community, and you should look at them if you’re looking for something different from our leading picks.
- Kershaw Skyline: The Skyline features a deep guard and a flipper opening with a Sandvik 14C28N drop point blade with a hollow-ground edge.
- Kershaw Link: The Link features a 20CV stainless steel blade and an anodized aluminum handle with Speedsafe assisted opening mechanism that makes it easy to open, especially with the flipper opening knife tab.
- Kershaw Launch 1: If the design of the Launch series appeals to you, but you want a longer folding knife length, consider the Launch 1, which comes with a 3.5″ CPM 154 steel blade.
- Kershaw Cryo II: The Cryo II is based on a Rick Hinderer design, and it is one of the best frame lock thumbstud knives you can buy from Kershaw.
- Kershaw Clash: If you’re on a budget, the Kershaw Clash offers excellent value for money while still featuring the recurved edge geometry that a Ken Onion-designed blade is known for.
- Kershaw Brawler: With its tanto blade shape and all-black tactical self-defense design, the Brawler is made for quick piercing and cutting through rough material.
- Kershaw Scallion: The Scallion is a smaller, more EDC-friendly version of the Kershaw Leek, letting you carry a similar liner lock knife with less bulk.
Kershaw Knife FAQs
With as many knives as Kershaw has available, it’s understandable that you may have many questions about which of their knives is suitable for EDC. We’ve written about and tested plenty of knives, and we’re well-suited to get you the answers you need to make an informed decision.
What makes a good EDC knife?
A good EDC knife has the features, ergonomics, and performance that make it well-suited for the tasks you expect to accomplish every day. You need the right kind of blade, with sufficient length, to get what you need. Quality steel is crucial because you want to ensure it can stay sharp after multiple cuts. And the handle and lock of a knife can make or break what would otherwise be an excellent blade for EDC.
Are Kershaw knives any good?
Kershaw knives have made some of the best everyday carry folding and fixed blade knives that people have relied on for decades. Their most recent offerings predominantly feature made-in-the-USA quality with premium steels and modern designs that come with what EDCers demand.
Is Kershaw as good as Benchmade?
Both Kershaw and Benchmade are knife brands that make high-quality blades in the United States in Oregon, with a wide range of designs with much to offer. Benchmade tends to hover in the premium to super premium range. At the same time, Kershaw provides more affordable options for EDCers at a budget price point. That does not mean that Kershaw is a cut-rate knifemaker, however. Some of the best knives on this list feature premium blade steel, top-end attention to quality, and a lifetime warranty. Kershaw even offers a balisong that gives some of Benchmade’s designs a run for their money. Overall, it would be best to look at all the knives each brand offers and make your own choice.
How We Picked the Best Kershaw Knives
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.
