14 Best Small Pocket Knives in 2020
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When it comes to your EDC knife, size matters. And bigger isn't always better. A pocket knife that's too big can be unwieldy to use and carry, not to mention illegal depending on where you live. On the flip side, a pocket knife that's too small might take more effort for even simple tasks. For a lot of you, the best EDC knife is just under 3" long. In this guide, we'll break down why you might want to consider small pocket knives, what to look for in a pocket-friendly EDC knife, and highlight the best EDC knives around the 2.5” to 3” sweet spot that are a cut above the rest.
What to Look for in a Small EDC Knife
- An ergonomic handle: The best small pocket knives should have an ergonomic handle, since these more compact form factors have less room for error. Make sure to choose a knife that’s comfortable to hold and makes use of jimping or smartly placed finger notches for a better grip.
- A legal blade length and lockup: Be aware of your local knife laws as they vary from place to place. Some places don’t allow you to carry locking knives, while others don’t allow any knives to be carried at all. A good EDC knife can be a super useful tool, but it won’t do you much good if it gets confiscated.
- A space-saving design: While it's important to consider the cutting length on your EDC knife, don't gloss over how big it is when it's closed. Folding knives and flip knives are great at saving space, which is why they’ve found their way into the pockets of many EDCers.
- A sturdy, low-riding pocket clip: If you’re going to be carrying your EDC knife in your pocket, it’s a good idea to be aware of the clip orientation of the knife. Do you prefer tip up or tip down? Are you a righty or a leftie? Pocket clips are great for keeping your EDC knife easily accessible while freeing up space at the bottom of your pocket.
The following small pocket knives are some of the most popular and widely recommended options for EDC that measure in around the 2.5” to 3” blade length range.
Benchmade Mini Bugout Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Popular design
Lightweight
New Grivory scales
Specifications
Blade Length
2.82“
Weight
1.5 oz
Materials
CPM-S30V, Grivory
Reviews
No reviews yet
Price
$$$
The Benchmade Mini Bugout delivers full-size EDC knife performance with a compact 2.82" blade length and an overall weight of just 1.5 ounces in total. It’s super-lightweight owing to its smart design, especially with its Grivory scaling that delivers impressive grip for the user without being too bulky and heavy for your pockets. And with its CPM-S30V stainless steel drop point blade and AXIS lock, you can take on tasks both big and small with the Mini Bugout in hand.
Spyderco Lil Native Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Versatile blade shape
Compression lock
Ergonomic grip
Specifications
Blade Length
2.47“
Weight
2.4 oz
Materials
CPM-S30V, G10
The Lil Native features Spyderco’s unique compression lock technology, which ensures a secure blade that won’t wobble around or much less close up on you even during hard use. That reliable locking technology allows you to leverage its compact 2.47" S30V stainless steel blade to the max. And with its G10 scales and the additional grip surface at the choil of the blade, you can get a full and tight grip on the pocekt knife during use, giving you precise control over the cut.
CRKT Sketch Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Burnley design
Unique blade shape
Liner lock
Specifications
Blade Length
2.894“
Weight
3.7 oz
Materials
8Cr14MoV , stainless steel
Reviews
No reviews yet
Price
$
CRKT designed this small pocket knife in collaboration with custom knifemaker Lucas Burnley to be a heavy-duty EDC knife that’s well suited for utility cutting and slicing tasks. It features a 2.894" K-Tip style blade that’s a bit of a mix: it has a somewhat cleaver-style shape that makes for great chopping, but it pairs that with a pronounced belly for maximum slicing power. And unlike some utility-oriented pocket knives, the Sketch keeps enough of a sharp tip that you can use it for piercing tasks as well.
The James Brand Ellis Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Multi-function design
Combo blade
Lockback
Specifications
Blade Length
2.6“
Weight
2.8 oz
Materials
Sandvik 12C27, anodized aluminum
Reviews
No reviews yet
Price
$$
The Ellis is a minimalist EDC knife that can do more than just cut, but with its 2.6" Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel drop point combo blade it can definitely cut well. It features clean styling and a more-traditional lockback mechanism and nail nick opening, but it is a cut above your grandpa’s old timer knife. But what makes The Elis even more useful than other small pocket knives is the fact that it comes with a separate screwdriver, scraper, and bottle opener, making this a veritable multitool for your everyday carry needs.
CRKT Vox Piet Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Vox design
Versatile drop point
Reversible clip
Specifications
Blade Length
2.689“
Weight
2.5 oz
Materials
8Cr13MoV, glass-reinforced fiber polyamide
CRKT partnered with custom knifemaker Jesper Voxnaes to put together this sleek EDC knife with a formidable 2.689" drop point blade that’s easily deployed with either hand thanks to the big eyehole opening. The glass-reinforced fiber polyamide scales make for a lightweight 2.5 oz package, but it’s also sturdy with a stainless steel liner lock and a gorgeous blue backspacer that contrasts the rest of the knife’s design.
Morakniv Eldris Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Compact fixed blade
Included sheath
Plenty of colors
Specifications
Blade Length
2.2“
Weight
2.8 oz
Materials
Sandvik 12C27, polypropylene
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 Scandaniavian blade featuring a 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 firesteel 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 hang it from your neck safely via the lanyard hole in the back of the blade itself.
Spyderco Insistent Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Affordable
Ergonomic design
Reversible wire clip
Specifications
Blade Length
2.48“
Weight
3.7 oz
Materials
8Cr13MoV, G10
The Insistent is a budget-friendly compact Spyderco knife that doesn’t skimp on performance. Based on the popular Efficient, the Insistent is a slightly scaled down version that retains the favorable ergonomic design that makes the original such a great choice for everyday carry. It starts with the now 2.48" flat ground blade with Spyderco’s hallmark eyehole opening. The G10 scales on the handle allow for a sure grip even when your hands are wet, and the curved choil also acts as an additional grip section for increased control over the cut. A secure liner locks holds the 8Cr13MoV blade in place during use.
Bestech Isham Reticulan Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Unique design
Premium materials
Frame lock flipper
Specifications
Blade Length
2.00“
Weight
1.25 oz
Materials
CPM-S35VN, titanium
Reviews
No reviews yet
Price
$$$
The Besttech Reticulan is a collaboration design made with custom knifemaker Elijah Isham, and it has a distinct look that looks as sharp as its premium S35VN blade can cut. The attractive titanium handle is precision-machined into an organic curved shape that conforms to the shape of your hand for a tight grip during use. Deployment of the blade is easily accomplished with one hand, either from the flipper index tab on the blade itself, or the ambidextrous eyehole cut into its sides. The titanium frame lock is reinforced even further with for a secure lock-up, even during hard use.
Benchmade Micro Pocket Rocket Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Unique compact design
Premium materials
Frame lock flipper
Specifications
Blade Length
1.87“
Weight
3.52 oz
Materials
CPM-20CV, titanium
With an overall length of just 4.83" fully deployed and a blade length of just 1.87" total, it might be easy to dismiss Benchmade’s Micro Pocket Rocket as a novelty. But the premium CPM-20CV blade composition combined with the secure titanium frame lock means that this is a super-compact EDC flipper knife that can perform like its larger cousins.
Zero Tolerance ZT 0022 Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Galyean design
Premium materials
Flipper
Specifications
Blade Length
1.8“
Weight
1.7 oz
Materials
CPM-20CV, carbon fiber, titanium
Not to be outdone, Zero Tolerance partnered with Tim Galyean to bring you the smallest pocket knife they can offer, featuring a 1.8" CPM-20CV premium stainless steel blade with a versatile clip-point style blade shape that combines a strong piercing tip with a curved belly for slicing work. This small pocket knife weighs in at just 1.7 ounces, and that is thanks to the use of carbon fiber on one side of the scaling, which contrasts well with the stonewashed titanium frame lock design on the opposite end of the blade.
CRKT Pilar D2 Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Vox design
Ergonomic shape
Frame lock flipper
Specifications
Blade Length
2.669“
Weight
3.8 oz
Materials
D2, G10
The Pilar quickly became one a community-favorite compact EDC knife when it was released two years ago. Recently, CRKT has refreshed its design by sizing it up slightly and upgrading the blade composition to formidable D2 tool steel. This updated design is still compact, with a 2.669" long blade and the ergonomics that let it cut above its size.
OKC RAT II D2 Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Affordable
Plenty of value
4-way pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Length
3“ (2.75" cutting edge)
Weight
2.75 oz
Materials
D2, G10
The RAT series from Ontario Knife Company earned its well-deserved reputation as an excellent set of value EDC knives for their slim, sturdy design and useful blade. The RAT II is 20% smaller than the original model, with a blade length coming in just around 3”. Slicing is a breeze with its thin, AUS-8 steel blade and ergonomic handle. The 4-way pocket clip offers plenty of flexibility in terms of how you choose to carry it, as does the lanyard hole and reversible thumb stud.
Benchmade 556-1 Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Popular, versatile design
Premium steel
Grip-focused handles
Specifications
Blade Length
2.91"
Weight
2.9 oz
Materials
CPM-20CV, G10
The Benchmade Mini Grip is a classic EDC knife and an excellent option for beginners and southpaws. Benchmade’s ambidextrous AXIS lock system gives it a smooth action so you can quickly deploy the blade with just a flick. It has a 2.9” drop-point blade made from 58-61HRC steel that many EDCers swear by. Between the knurling on the handle and the smartly placed jimping along the spine, it’s easy to see where the Mini Grip gets its name.
Opinel No 6 Carbon Steel Pocket Knife
PurchaseKey Features
Classic design
Affordable
Excellent for food prep
Specifications
Blade Length
2.87“
Weight
1.2 oz
Materials
Carbon steel, Beechwood
If you want a more traditional looking knife, an Opinel from France is a classic that still holds up today. The Opinel No. 6 is an affordable folder with a 2.7” carbon steel blade placed firmly in a classic wooden handle. Its unassuming design makes it easier to use around others without raising too many eyebrows. It does require some maintenance because of its carbon-rich steel, but if you take care of it you’ll be rewarded with a handy knife that can handle daily tasks with ease.
Do you carry a knife on the smaller side? What's your favorite EDC knife in the sub-3” class? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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