If you're looking for a small everyday carry knife, you might think a folding knife is your only option. But have you considered a fixed blade? At first glance, they might not seem like the best for EDC, but you'd be surprised. They offer a few advantages over their folding counterparts, making them better suited for your EDC. In this guide, we'll break down the benefits of fixed blades and show you 14 excellent compact options that offer serious performance at a size and weight that puts some folders to shame.
Picking an excellent fixed blade can be challenging, and there are a few things to be aware of before making a decision. First, ensure that the knife's length works for how you typically carry gear and with your local laws. You should also pay attention to the kind of metals and materials used. A knife you will carry every day should be able to live up to the task.
For a beautiful yet practical fixed blade, look no further than the GiantMouse GMF1. The overall length is a manageable 5.4”, but the actual edge is only 2.6”. Made entirely from Bohler N690 stainless steel, the GMF1 has a drop-point blade perfect for everyday cutting tasks. The handle curves slightly with three holes to help it weigh only 1.9 ounces. Cutouts for your fingers and jimping on the back help give you that extra bit of control for more challenging tasks, giving you a little more leverage while staying safe. A bonus is that it also has a gorgeous handmade leather sheath that can turn this into a handy neck knife.
Whether you’re looking for a way to carry a useful knife more discreetly or want to double up just in case, the WE Knife Co. Quark might be worth looking into. This 0.47” Kiridashi-style fixed blade is roughly the size and shape of a bottle cap making it super easy to EDC. You can wear it around your neck or toss it in your smallest pocket for added peace of mind. It’s made of premium M390 steel and comes with a titanium/carbon fiber sheath. If you go by the adage that two is one and one is none, this is a good way to cover your bases with a small second knife.
If you think a fixed blade knife can’t have an edge under 3" and still be worth carrying, you haven’t seen the Morakniv Eldris. It’s a pocket-sized Scandinavian blade with a blade length of 2.2" edge and corrosion-resistant Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. Its stubby blade profile is well-suited for outdoors cutting tasks, and it’s even designed to work well as a fire steel striker for getting a flame going when you’re camping. It comes with a symmetrical sheath that positively locks the blade into place, so you can be sure it won’t come out until you need it. This also means that you can safely hang it from your neck via the lanyard hole in the back of the blade itself.
The Buck 113 Ranger has a timeless, traditional design that breaks from the tactical skeletonized knives that dominate this list. It features 420HC blade steel and premium walnut wood handles that fit any gentleman's EDC. It's a bit bigger and longer than its peers on this list, but it is one of the smaller traditional fixed blades you can carry.
Spyderco is one of the most trusted knife brands in the EDC community, and the Subway Bowie fixed blade is no exception. This all-black blade is a versatile tool to add to your carry thanks to a blade length of 2.8” and a clip-point style blade. It also has lightweight scales so the knife weighs only 2.3 ounces, and the blade is made of LC200N rustproof steel, so you know it can handle the wear and tear of everyday use on both land and sea. It also features practical jimping along the spine to rest your thumb for challenging cutting tasks and comes with a molded polymer sheath.
The CRKT Scribe Blackout doesn’t even look like a knife at first glance. It snaps into a cap that makes it look more like a piece of tech than a practical tool, but when out of the case, it’s a tough blade worthy of everyday carry. The 1.72” drop point blade is made from D2 steel, known for above-average edge retention. Not to mention that it has an excellent stonewashed finish and a sleek glass-reinforced nylon handle. It also has a built-in lanyard hole and pocket clip, so you can toss it on your key fob or clip it to some MOLLE-compatible bags.
If you want a knife that’s as beautiful as it is practical, check out the CIVIVI D-Art fixed blade. The knife is 5” with a 1.75” spearpoint blade, making it a tremendous minimalist knife for everyday tasks. At first, what stands out immediately is the unique twisted handle and all-black D2 steel. It also comes with a Kydex sheath for a more convenient carry, adding to its functionality as an EDC blade. The combination of all of this makes it one of the best fixed-blade knives you can get, small or otherwise.
The Boker Plus Prymini Pro is a solid fixed blade emphasizing build quality and design. This full-tang D2 steel blade has a compact build with non-slip fiberglass G10 handles to help when you’re doing more than just opening boxes. The entire knife is roughly 5.3” in length, but the blade measures 2.3”, which is a suitable size for everyday carry. It also has three deep jimping notches to place your thumb for tougher cutting tasks and comes with a Kydex sheath. It also has two holes in the handle, perfect for adding some paracord.
Benchmade makes some of the most reliable EDC knives around, and the Flyway fixed blade stays true to the formula. It has a straightforward, slim aesthetic that helps make it great for tricky cuts where versatility is needed. It has a 2.7” CPM 154 stainless steel blade that’s corrosion-resistant so that you can use it for years. It comes with bright orange G-10 scales for better low-light visibility and a matching black and orange sheath.
If you’re looking for a tough fixed blade for the outdoors that can be a solid hunting knife, then look at the ESEE Knives Candiru black. This knife has a 2” drop point blade with 1095 Carbon steel. It also has a textured powder finish and high-quality Micarta G-10 handles for better grip and still weighs less than two ounces. It’s also designed to be comfortable whether you’re left-handed or right-handed. Plus, the blade design is an excellent option for anyone backpacking, thanks to the bright orange handle scales.
The Bradford G-Necker should be on your shortlist if you’re looking for a compact EDC knife. The knife has a gorgeous stonewashed finish and an overall length of around 6.1”. It features a 2.8” drop point blade that is great for everyday cutting tasks and comes with a Kydex carrying sheath so that you can have it on the belt or around your neck safely. The Elmax stainless steel also helps to maximize the blade's toughness and longevity. Plus, quality jimping helps provide a better grip when slicing. The skeletonized handle also has a convenient lanyard hole that you can wrap some paracord around for good measure.
Gerber excels at making EDC favorites that won’t break the bank. Take the Gerber Stowe fixed blade, for example. It features a clip-point carbon steel blade, and the handle material is a black moisture-wicking Micarta handle, making for a practical EDC knife. It has a quality leather sheath that lets you take the blade anywhere, which makes a great self-defense or survival knife option if you want to always have one on you. You get all this for around $40, which stays true to the Gerber trend of checking all the boxes at an affordable price.
If you’re looking for a tactical knife that you can rely on in a pinch, there’s the SOG Instinct. This compact knife features a full-tang 2.3” blade. The clip-point blade shape is great for EDC, and it’s made using 5CR15MOV steel. Not to mention that it comes with G10 scales for an improved grip. Like some of the other options on this list, the SOG Instinct can be worn on your body thanks to the included sheath. Whether wearing it around your neck or clipping it to your boot as a backup, this small but tough knife won’t let you down when it counts.
Anyone looking for a classic fixed blade made with quality materials needs to look no further than the Ferrum Force Pro Series Lackey fixed blade. This 6.25” knife is about as good as it gets with a 2.87” drop-point blade made from D2 steel. D2 is known for its ability to hold an edge, so you can trust it’ll have a sharp edge when needed. The combination of jimping on the spine and the textured G10 handle means this knife will stay faithful to your aim. It also comes with a Kydex sheath to help you carry it when not in use.
What's a “fixed blade,” and why would I carry one instead of a folding knife?
The short answer is that a fixed blade is a knife that does fold into the handle. With your typical folding knives, folding into the handle is a protective measure that keeps the blade tucked away when the knife is not in use. Since fixed blades do not fold, they usually come with sheaths to protect the user from the blade.
Using a fixed blade has a few distinct advantages over a folding knife. For one, there are no moving parts, meaning they won’t break when you need them most. There are also plenty of regulations against folding knives, depending on where you live. You should double-check your local carry laws, but a smaller fixed blade can be a legal option for you. You can free up pocket space while still covering your bases with a practical tool you can rely on.
What material do fixed blade knives come in?
Just like folding knives, fixed blades come in all kinds of metals and materials. A typical metal you’ll find is D2 stainless steel, thanks to its edge retention. Full-tang blades can also sometimes have rugged handles and jimping on the spine to allow for better ergonomics when using the knife.
What size knife is best for EDC?
The best-sized knife depends on your use case, but for most people, a knife blade less than 3” long is likely the most practical. Not just because that’s a great size for everyday cutting tasks but also because it abides by most local laws.
What fixed-blade knife do Navy SEALs use?
Navy SEALs carry different gear depending on the country, and there is no single correct answer. Searching around the web reveals one of the options to be the Ontario 497 Mark III.
Can you EDC a fixed blade?
Yes! Depending on where you live, it might be a better legal option, but it’s always good to check your local knife laws.
What are the benefits of owning a fixed-blade knife?
A fixed-blade knife has all kinds of benefits over folding blades, the most prominent being that since there are no moving parts, it’s tough to have one break on you. On top of that, they’re usually legal to carry if they’re under a certain length.
What color fixed blade knife is best?
The best color for a fixed blade is usually black or orange, depending on whether you want a knife that can go unnoticed or is easy to spot in a pinch.
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.
How about the LT Wright Patriot or the Heafner Knives Little Bear. Both are extremely well made hademade EDC fixed blades. The LT Wright Patriot should without a doubt be on this list as is was designed and built as an EDC fixed blade.
I love my CRKT Dogfish, been with me for 4 years or so, my preference for urban carry, and I do carry either my Izula or the BK-11 when I'm doing outdoor stuff.
Great list!
I personally like carrying little fixed blades additional to a folder.
My favorites are:
TRC Knives TRC 12S or Mini
Spartan Blades Enyo
ESEE Izula
Bark River Necker, PSK or Pocket Bravo
Enzo Necker
Kind regards,
Chris
The reverse legality issue should be noted. In California one needs to be extremely careful of carrying fixed blades. They absolutely must be completely open carry or one runs the risk of being charged with carrying a concealed weapon, no matter the length. It's an absolutely ridiculous law, you can actually legally walk around with a broadsword on your back (its been done) but a sub one inch fixed blade in your pocket can get you in a world of trouble.
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