Before we jump in, let me get this out of the way. Big knives are a whole lot of fun. They definitely have a role to play in the bladed tool arena. But when it comes to the true workhorse, a smaller EDC knife gets far more use by the widest range of people. With that said, we take a look at 20 pocket carry fixed blades that fill the EDC role perfectly.
20 Pocket Carry Fixed Blades
One of the first decisions to make when choosing an EDC knife is whether to opt for a fixed blade or a folder. Speaking anecdotally, the latter is probably the more common option. However, over the last couple of years, the pocket carry fixed blade has seen a surge in popularity. For good reason.
Fixed blades lack moving parts that could get mucked up with dirt, lint, or other substances. Additionally, depending on the carry system, it can be faster to deploy than a folding knife. And they’re just plain cool.
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We’ve gathered together 20 great pocket carry fixed blades for your perusal. Enjoy the eye candy. And if you decide to pick one up, be sure to tell them where you saw the knife.
1 – Böker Plus Scalpel
Far and away, the smallest entry on our list, the Böker Plus Scalpel is like a cross between a surgical scalpel and a hobby knife. It’s slim, sleek, and weighs nearly nothing. Yet for all of that, it’s incredibly useful. As a bonus, few employers are going to give it any side eye at all.
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Specs
| Overall length | 4.92 inches |
| Blade length | 1.65 inches |
| Steel | D2 |
| MSRP | $48 |
2 – B. Goode Knives The Chase
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This is a larger option for pocket carry, at a bit over seven inches in total length. But that also gives you a 3.25-inch blade, which is comparable to a good-sized folding knife. The Chase comes with a handsome pocket sheath, which is a nice bonus. The steel and handle materials will vary, but the one shown is representative of the model.
Specs
| Overall length | 7.375 inches |
| Blade length | 3.25 inches |
| Steel | AEB-L |
| MSRP | $335 |
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3 – Nightwatch Knives Compensator
The Compensator punches well above its weight class. At less than six inches from end to end, it’ll disappear in your pocket until it’s needed. With hand-filed jimping, a Duplex grind, tapered tang, and the Night Watch Knives signature War Wash finish, this knife is definitely ready for prime time.
Specs
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| Overall length | 5.8 inches |
| Blade length | 2.0 inches |
| Steel | Nitro-V |
| MSRP | $400 as shown |
4 – Hellbender Blade Co. SO-2.8
With a drop point blade profile and a saber grind, the SO-2.8 is ready for just about any routine knife chore. Which is exactly what you want and need in an EDC knife, right? It features a satin finish and G10 handle scales. At just 3.2 ounces, you won’t even notice it in your pocket. The SO-2.8 comes with a leather sheath.
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Specs
| Overall length | 6.6 inches |
| Blade length | 2.8 inches |
| Steel | CPM S90V |
| MSRP | $280 |
5 – Night Watch Knives Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a dog breed prized for its intelligence as well as toughness. Like its namesake, this knife is ready for just about anything life wants to throw at it. The hand-ground serrations are paper-slicing sharp, while the rest of the blade can shave electrons from an atom. Well, probably.
Specs
| Overall length | 7.5 inches |
| Blade length | 3.0 inches |
| Steel | Nitro-V |
| MSRP | $415 |
6 – Böker Plus M.U.K.
Designed by custom knife maker Matthew Gentry, the M.U.K. is an ideal companion for outdoor pursuits. The blade pattern was inspired by the classic Nessmuk knife owned by George Washington Sears. The design offers incredible stability and control, while also looking amazing. It comes with a well-made and secure Kydex sheath.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.69 inches |
| Blade length | 2.4 inches |
| Steel | 14C28N |
| MSRP | $40 |
7 – B. Goode Knives Mid-Size Micro Skinner
The Mid-Size Micro Skinner profile makes for a great EDC knife, even if your plans don’t include harvesting your own lunch from the forest or field. The blade has plenty of belly for slicing fruit and cheese at lunch, as well as cutting cordage and breaking down boxes. A sturdy leather sheath comes along with the knife.
Specs
| Overall length | 5.875 inches |
| Blade length | 2.625 inches |
| Steel | AEB-L |
| MSRP | $335 |
8 – Szugyi Knives Trout Creek
Gorgeous, yet not afraid to get its hands dirty, the Trout Creek is a traditionally styled knife that combines great looks with practical appeal. The CPM 154 steel takes and keeps a sharp edge while the JRE pocket carry sheath protects it. The sub-three-inch blade keeps you legal in areas with knife length restrictions.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.25 inches |
| Blade length | 2.9 inches |
| Steel | CPM 154 |
| MSRP | $260 |
9 – Warlander Enterprises Fletcher
Amy Valerious, the maker behind Warlander Enterprises, is an artist in every sense of the word. Her knives are as functional as they are eye-catching, and that’s saying something. The Fletcher has a skeletonized full tang and a flat grind blade. The model shown features Juniper Burlap Micarta with a Natural Canvas Micarta liner.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.875 inches |
| Blade length | 3.0 inches |
| Steel | A2 |
| MSRP | $290 |
10 – Warlander Enterprises Talon
Sporting Curly Red Maple bolsters, Natural Birch Burl backs, and Natural Canvas Micarta liners, this Talon is an ideal partner for any occasion, including those of the formal variety. It’s large enough to get the job done but small enough to be discreet about it. That said, it’s bound to garner at least some attention due to its looks alone.
Specs
| Overall length | 5.75 inches |
| Blade length | 2.375 inches |
| Steel | AEB-L |
| MSRP | $320 |
11 – Joe Hauck Little Harpoon
The hollow ground blade on the Little Harpoon is thin and slices like a laser. Maker Joe Hauck has a background in the martial arts, and many of his blade designs serve an intentional dual purpose as workhorses and defense weapons. The handle on this knife locks into your grip, ensuring you won’t lose it no matter how wet things get.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.0 inches |
| Blade length | 3.0 inches |
| Steel | A2 |
| MSRP | Not listed |
12 – CRKT Minimalist Nessmuk
Designer Alan Folts put his spin on the Nessmuk blade style, producing a pocket fixed blade that is easy to carry and comfortable to use. Along the way, he upgraded a utilitarian knife design with modern sensibilities to create the Minimalist Nessmuk. The lanyard serves to extend the three-finger grip for added control. The sheath is set up for either pocket or neck carry.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.03 inches |
| Blade length | 2.98 inches |
| Steel | 12C27 |
| MSRP | $75 |
13 – MKM Knives DCA Pocket Tango
The Pocket Tango was designed by longtime knife authority David C. Andersen. It features a magnetic retention pocket sheath and a Nessmuk-inspired blade shape. The ergonomics of the Pocket Tango are incredible. It has a downward bend to the handle, allowing the knife to work more efficiently along with keeping it out of the way in your pocket.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.69 inches |
| Blade length | 2.91 inches |
| Steel | MagnaCut |
| MSRP | $170 |
14 – Benchmade Dacian
With a spearpoint blade profile and a razor-sharp edge, the Dacian is ready for serious work, even if the hardest part of your day is opening packages and making your granddaughter her lunch. It’s available in three different flavors of Canvas Micarta, and they all look amazing. The MagnaCut blade holds an incredible edge, too.
Specs
| Overall length | 7.57 inches |
| Blade length | 3.54 inches |
| Steel | MagnaCut |
| MSRP | $300 |
15 – 7 Forge Knives Siren
The Siren has sort of a modified scalpel profile, with a long handle terminating in a short but stout blade. This allows for excellent control for fine detail work. At the same time, it’ll handle more routine work like slicing cordage or even carving or whittling types of tasks. It comes with a low-profile pocket sheath.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.0 inches |
| Blade length | 2.0 inches |
| Steel | AEB-L |
| MSRP | $200 |
16 – 7 Forge Knives Artemis EDC
Perhaps pushing the limits of pocket carry, the Artemis EDC is a scaled-down hunting blade. It has a hollow grind with a convex secondary bevel, allowing for outstanding slicing capability, no matter what you’re doing. The AEB-L steel provides exceptional toughness as well as excellent edge retention, keeping you working longer.
Specs
| Overall length | 7.5 inches |
| Blade length | 3.25 inches |
| Steel | AEB-L |
| MSRP | $200 |
17 – Austin Custom Weaponry Backroads EDC
Joel Austin is a knife maker who has been involved with smaller utility-style fixed blades perfect for pocket carry for quite some time. The Backroads EDC is just one of several models he’s designed. It has an 8670-steel three-inch blade. It comes with a pocket sheath made by DRP Leatherwork.
Specs
| Overall length | 7.0 inches |
| Blade length | 3.0 inches |
| Steel | 8670 |
| MSRP | $275 |
18 – Bark River Knives Bravo Necker II
Modeled after the wildly popular Bravo 1 knife, the Necker II has a handle just large enough for all four fingers. The Bark River Knives standard convex grind is deceptively sharp. While, as the name implies, this was intended to be a neck-worn knife, it works just as well for pocket carry.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.9375 inches |
| Blade length | 3.625 inches |
| Steel | S45VN |
| MSRP | $218 |
19 – Dan Tope Knives Hellkat PK
This is the third or fourth variation of the original Hellkat designed by Dan Tope. The Hellkat PK is ideal for pocket carry and will handle all manner of real-world use and abuse. It has sleek lines and comfort for miles. Note, however, that the knife does not come standard with a sheath. Fortunately, there are almost as many sheath makers as there are knife makers.
Specs
| Overall length | 6.75 inches |
| Blade length | 3.125 inches |
| Steel | CPM 154 |
| MSRP | $275 |
20 – Vehement Knives Foreman
The Foreman is one of the newest models to come out of the Vehement Knives shop. Designed to be a working knife, it still somehow conveys a sense of class and style. The knife is perfectly balanced, and the ambidextrous leather sheath works well for pocket carry. Their in-house leather designer, Skin Bender Leather Works, can create a custom solution as well.
Specs
| Overall length | 7.3125 inches |
| Blade length | 3.187 inches |
| Steel | CPM 154 |
| MSRP | $345 |
