JayIf there has been one thing that’s been in my pocket the longest, that would be a decent pocket knife. Of course, that has expanded from my first boy scout pocket knife to a collection of over 80 knives of varying types and degrees.
I’ve always found the entry point to knives to be rather unique. Generally, you were tossed one as a kid from your dad or older brother. You carried it for a bit and used it but didn’t care too much for it. Then you catch the bug. And then you’re wanting a tanto, a drop-point style blade. And then S30V or D2 Steel. And then… and then… you’re overwhelmed. Keep reading and let’s slice through some of this confusion with a quick and dirty guide to Everyday Carry knives.
Folding vs Fixed
Definitely, the most common knife type you’ll see out and about will be a folder. They become much more compact than their tanged counterparts without sacrificing much in the way of integrity. Folding knives also feature a few different methods of locking their blade, some without the option to at all.
Fixed Blades will come in 2 types, full tang and half tang. Full tang is by far the strongest type of blade you can find as the steel of the blade runs all the way to the bottom of the handle.
The SOG Small Fixed Blade features a tang knurled and carved to better fit your fingers when holding. The CRKT Minimalist is another knife to look at if the SOG Small Fixed Blade interests you.
Serrated vs Plain
The Kershaw Leeks shown above give a perfect example of a knife model having different blade types. I’ve always favored plain blades (Left Kershaw Leek) over serrated ones (Right Kershaw Leek). Both types serve their own purpose though, serrations provide a better ‘bite’ when attempting to cut through more fibrous and wound materials like a rope. Serrations serve better with sawing and plain blades with push cuts.
Blade Shapes
Drop-Point
A pretty common blade type, This design results in a strong and versatile blade that’s well-suited for quite a few different tasks. Common among hunting knives like the CRKT Hunt’N Fisch shown above.
Tanto
A Japanese-styled blade, the Tanto has thick steel angled to a tip. This makes the blade type popular for tasks that require thrusting and poking as the tip is reinforced due to its shape. The Kershaw Brawler features a Modified Tanto shape.
Wharncliffe
A Wharncliffe blade features a straight spine with a sharply curved edge, sweeping downward to meet the point of the blade. The shape does not promote poking and thrusting, but they are useful for tasks that require precision. The curved edge is prominent in the Spyderco Endura 4.
Recurve
Recurve blades have an inward curving edge, which gives them a larger belly on its cutting edge. Promoting strength within the blade. They can be more difficult to sharpen than other blades. The Kershaw Blur is a Recurve blade that stays in my normal rotation.
Honorable Mentions
While there are a lot of blade types, I wanted to give you a quick introduction to some of the common ones you’ll see. You’ll also find blades that come in the following shapes:
- Bowie
- Sheepsfoot
- Cleaver
- Kukri
- Persian
- Modified
- Straight Back
- Clip
- Spear Point
- Dagger
- Hawksbill
- Leaf Shape
Care and Maintenance
The Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker is a godsend. The praises for this thing never seem to end in my circles of the EDC world.
Caring for and maintaining your knife is essential. It’ll allow your knife to practically outlast you in most cases. You’ll want to keep the blade clean and dry, sharpening when needed and ensuring it’s stored in a safe location when not in use. Avoid materials that may damage the blade, handle or finishes like harsh chemicals and abrasive materials.
It All Comes Down to Preference
The Gerber EAB Lite is pictured in its natural habitat, surrounded by helpless boxes.
Now you’ll never find a one size fits all recommendation when it comes to something like a knife. It’s a tool that is very personal and needs to fit your specific needs, hands, and pockets just right. After a while, you may develop your own rotation of knives. It may just depend on the day or task. Your perfect EDC knife doesn’t have to be expensive either.
My #1 carried knife right now is the Gerber EAB Lite, which you can generally find for $10 to $20 dollars and the cost of razor blades. For day-to-day use, I almost prefer cheaper blades as I don’t worry about the wear and tear on them as much. I fret a lot less handing over the EAB Lite than I do my Benchmades or Spydercos when a clumsy friend needs a knife.
Get a handful that matches your fancy and see which ones pan out. Remember to cut away from yourself and don’t practice sharpening on your most expensive knife.
Holly Meyer
