9 Of The Coolest Knives You’ve Ever Seen - Ranked!
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Some knives blend into the background, mere utility tools tucked away in a pocket or drawer, and then there are cool knives—the kind that makes you do a double take, raise an eyebrow, and think, "That's really cool." While these knives aren't always the most practical or come with a conventional style, they make a statement, making them great to consider as part of your everyday carry.
Practicality and conventional style are excellent qualities of an everyday knife. Still, sometimes you want to mix it up with an extra dash of flair or an unusual style or aesthetic. This guide lists our top picks of the coolest knives worth checking out for your next EDC.
Our Top Picks
The Coolest Knife (In Our Opinion): CRKT Provoke EDC Morphing Karambit [Buy]
The Coolest Knife on a Budget: Boker Magnum Rainbow Mermaid [Buy]
The Coolest Knife You'd Actually Use Every Day: Exceed Designs TIRANT RAZOR V3 [Buy]
The Coolest Knife if You Own a Tesla: Kizer Cyber Blade Titanium [Buy]
The Coolest Knife for Fidgeting: Reate EXO-M Gravity Knife [Buy]
- Unique "morphing" kinematic technology
- More versatile drop point shape
- Flush-mounted pocket clip for easy carry
- Affordable
- Iridescent mermaid theme
- Large blade
- Flipper deployment
- Titanium frame lock handle
- Compatible with standard utility blades
- Glass breaker tip
- Titanium frame lock handle
- Tip-up pocket clip
- Exoskeleton-designed titanium handle
- Pivoted frame lock
- Gravity-based blade deployment
- Tip-down pocket clip
- The morphing system and ring may still be a bit excessive to some
- Not perfectly ambidextrous
- Only comes in blue
- Design isn’t for everyone
- Frame lock is right-handed only
- Edges and corners on the blade means it's not ideal for slicing
- Right-handed only
- Gravity knives aren't legal in a lot of places
- Lock system isn't ambidextrous
Scroll to see the full table
The Coolest Knife (In Our Opinion): CRKT Provoke EDC Morphing Karambit
The CRKT Provoke EDC Morphing Karambit is hands-down the coolest pocket knife on the market, and it lives up to the hype. Like the original Provoke karambit by Joe Caswell, the knife's kinematic technology lets you deploy the blade seamlessly, in a unique display of integrated moving parts. It's swift, clean, and highly intuitive (almost like a tactical spring-assisted knife), with a solid lock up—as in, this-bad-boy-isn't-going-anywhere kind of solid. The innovative flush-mounted pocket clip lets you secure your knife with only light thumb pressure and gets out of your way when not needed.
While the traditional karambit, with its hawkbill shape, serves its niche, this EDC version is more versatile and suited for a broader range of tasks. It combines the secure utility of a karambit knife’s finger hole with everyday usability. Its solid D2 steel blade boasts excellent edge retention, and the aircraft-grade aluminum handle provides a secure grip. This combination ensures that the knife performs well at daily tasks, whether at home or outdoors, and that you have good control of your knife. So, if you want a reliable EDC pocket knife with a little bit of mechanical flair, I highly recommend the Provoke EDC.
The Coolest Knife on a Budget: Boker Magnum Rainbow Mermaid
Being budget-friendly doesn't always mean boring, and that's especially true for the Boker Magnum Rainbow Mermaid knife. Blade HQ’s popular pocket knife emphasizes ocean lore in its craftsmanship. The blade and ergonomic handle, both crafted from 440A stainless steel, gleam in rainbow shades, with a detailed mermaid engraving gracing the back of the blade complete with a fin-shaped flipper and water bubble cutouts on the blade.
This knife also features a sturdy liner lock for easy deployment and folding of the blade and a deep-carry tip-down clip to secure it. It also comes with a fish scale-textured handle, complementing the mermaid theme, with finger cutouts and aggressive jimping that ensure a firm grip and tactical functionality. When it comes to conversation-starting knife designs, this one certainly makes waves, pun intended.
The Coolest Knife You'd Actually Use Every Day: Exceed Designs TIRANT RAZOR V3
If your primary use for an EDC knife involves breaking down boxes or cutting cardboard, maybe what you need is a high-performance utility knife. The TIRANT RAZOR V3 is a utility knife taken to the next level, boasting premium features like 6AL-4V Titanium handles, Ceramic and brass bearings, a swappable lockbar insert, and a smooth flipper action that you would expect from regular EDC knives and not a utility blade. The rear flipper deployment and titanium framelock is also a fun and fidgety combination that works to help keep your hands busy or take the edge off on a busy day.
The RAZOR V3 accommodates most standard utility blades, which is convenient. It also has a keychain attachment hole on one end, so you can carry it on your keys. I'd recommend getting this knife if you're looking for an affordable cool knife that you won’t be afraid of using regularly.
The Coolest Knife if You Own a Tesla: Kizer Cyber Blade Titanium
The Kizer Cyber Blade stands out as one of the coolest-looking knives I've ever seen. Its design, clearly inspired by the futuristic Tesla Cybertruck, is a refreshing change of pace. The Cyber Blade diverges from traditional knives' typical contours and silhouettes, opting instead for a compact skeletonized frame, sharp angles, and minimalist aesthetic.
The S35VN stainless steel tanto blade (which deploys through the extra-large cutout or the really neat bolted-on thumb stud) cuts through tough materials, and the modified tanto tip with a straight edge could be useful for scraping tasks. The framelock built into the titanium handle provides sturdiness, and its width ensures a firm grip, even when used with gloves. It also comes with a practical glass breaker tip that can come in handy in emergencies like, say, breaking out from your own Cybertruck if you somehow get trapped inside.
The Coolest Knife for Fidgeting: Reate EXO-M Gravity Knife
The EXO-M gravity knife is one of the coolest knives on the market. Its unique gravity deployment mechanism is perfect for fidgeting because it allows for a tactile, repetitive motion that's both soothing and engaging, and extracts the knife with a satisfying slide.
The blade is made from ELMAX steel, giving it top-tier corrosion resistance and hardness. The safety slide lock on the titanium and UItem handle keeps the blade safely stowed away when it's not in use, which is great for preventing accidents. The exoskeleton design of the knife also adds an aesthetic touch to the design and provides excellent grip while reducing overall weight.
However, while the EXO-M is an absolute gem, it's always better to be on the right side of the law. Gravity knives aren't legal everywhere, so before you carry one in public, be sure to check your local laws regarding their possession and use.
Our other recommendations
Squid Industries Krake Raken Balisong: The Krake Raken butterfly knife is one of the premiere production knives you can flip, and features a 7075 aluminum handle that's stronger and more durable than the usual 6061 found in most EDC knives and flashlights. It also comes with either a clip point or tanto AEB-L blade, which rides on bushings, making the flipping action much smoother and more tuneable after extended flips. Be sure to check your local laws before buying or carrying one, or opt for its trainer variant instead if you’d still like to check it out.
Spyderco SpydieChef Titanium Knife: As its name suggests, this knife is designed to take on EDC tasks as well as kitchen duties. Its LC200N stainless steel blade offers unparalleled corrosion resistance and sharpness, making it suitable for water-bound activities and food prep. Titanium handles give it a premium finishing touch.
Hogue Deka MagnaCut: The Deka is outfitted with Magnacut, the latest and greatest premium steel on the market. MagnaCut is resilient, tough, and corrosion-resistant, nearly all the qualities that make it a true supersteel. Ambidextrous usability via its crossbar ABLE-Lock and a very approachable price considering its steel make it an exceptionally cool choice for carry
Glow Rhino Fermi Tritium Knife: On paper, the Fermi may seem fairly standard, made from D2 stainless steel with a black PVD drop-point blade and offered in all-black G10 scales. What's really cool about this knife, though, is its innovative tritium incorporation. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that emits a gentle glow when combined with a phosphor material. This glow on the handle scales and thumb studs of the Fermi ensures that you can find your knife in pitch-black scenarios. Now, "radioactive" doesn't mean it's dangerous. The radioactivity of such small amounts of tritium is minimal and negligible.
Tips for buying knives
Today's market is brimming with an impressive collection of cool knives, and with all these cool knives designs and impeccable craftsmanship, there's never been a more exciting time to buy a knife. However, the vast array of choices can become overwhelming when you're just starting out or simply looking to add to your knife collection. Well, I'm here to help with that, and here's a guide to make it easier:
What is your knife-buying budget?
As with many other things, a budget is one of the primary things to consider when making a purchase. This is essential because, with countless cool knives on Amazon and other marketplaces, it can be tricky to set out without a budget. Setting a budget narrows your choices, making the selection process less overwhelming. That way, you can focus on getting the best value within your range. It allows you to find the perfect balance between quality and cost to get a reliable knife without breaking the bank.
Will the knife be factory stock or custom-made?
Choosing between a production or custom knife depends on your needs, preferences, or budget. Most knife makers mass-produce their products and list them for sale on different marketplaces with uniform models and prices. Buying any of the knives listed means you get a readily available production knife.
Getting custom-made knives can be a little more challenging, but the degree of difficulty varies based on your specifications, research, budget, geographical limitations, and the manufacturer's quality assurance processes. On the plus side, the results can be rewarding. You get a unique piece tailored to your specifications, bearing the personal touch that factory-made knives may not always have.
Do you want/need a fixed blade or folder knife?
One of the most important things you must first consider before buying a fixed-blade knife or folding knife is what you intend to use it for. Determining the primary use of the knife will guide you toward making the best choice. Fixed-blade knives are often better for harder use cases like camping and hunting, where absolute reliability matters, and folding knives are designed to be more compact for easier everyday carry. So, accurately identifying your use cases will help you choose between the two types of knives.
Does the type of knife blade steel matter?
Absolutely! The knife blade steel is one of the most defining qualities of a knife. Here's why.
Each kind of steel performs differently in several categories, including edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and how easy it is to resharpen after use. How steel performs in each category determines the best use cases for the knife and usually defines how expensive the blade–and thus the knife–is. For example, some steels may not be great at holding an edge, but they may be easier to sharpen or may not be as tough but also bring down a knife’s price. It’s all about finding the right steel on the right knife at the right budget for your needs.
Here's my advice: Get the best steel that fits your budget and aligns with your requirements, whether stainless, tool, alloy, or carbon steel. Ensure that you check the blade steel information before you buy a knife, and steer clear of unmarked blades or those with ambiguous or unclear information. Also, be sure to check out our blade steel guide!
Does the knife fit well in my hand?
How a knife feels in your hand is as important as its technical specifications. Ideally, it shouldn't be too bulky that it becomes uncomfortable or too small that it's hard to hold on to. A good fit ensures you can control your knife and easily complete your tasks. Where possible, it's always a good idea to hold and test the knife before buying it. If you can't do that, double-check the dimensions, size, and weight and be sure it's right for you.
What is the knife's purpose?
Knives have many purposes and benefits, from practical cutting utility to handling more specialized tasks like food preparation, hunting, or emergencies. Owning a knife can help you deal with unexpected situations and give you a feeling of self-sufficiency.
However, it's essential to determine the purpose of a knife before buying one. Most people assume that all knives cut or that any knife will do for every situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all. An EDC pocket knife, for instance, may serve you for your daily tasks, but a custom-designed chef’s cleaver may be impractical for the same purpose.
Before you get a knife, check that it meets all your requirements and can handle its intended tasks. Regardless of the intended purpose, some features are essential for every knife—a high-quality blade steel, a sturdy and comfortable handle, a secure locking mechanism (for folding knives), and suitable rust or corrosion resistance are basics a good knife should have.
FAQs
What knives do Navy SEALs use?
Navy SEALs tend to use military-issued knives that aren’t always available to the general public. But some brands are often associated with Navy SEALs, including SOG, KA-BAR, and Toor knives.
What is the most useful knife shape?
The drop point is arguably the most useful knife shape with its broad belly and sharp point. It's versatile for many tasks, from slicing to piercing.
What is the most popular combat knife?
The KA-BAR USMC fixed-blade bowie knife is one of the most popular combat knives, having been around since WWII.
What is the most expensive knife?
The Shah Jahan Kard Dagger, a Mughal art masterpiece, is the world's most expensive knife, having closed at a whopping $3.375 million auction on June 19, 2019.
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 life. 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 in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.
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