The 5 Best New EDC Knives of December 2021

The holiday season has always been a great time to show your admiration and appreciation to friends and family through the giving of presents, however, the tail-end of the year is also something of the perfect time to show yourself some love by acquiring a new everyday carry blade. So, with this in mind, we’ve thoroughly pored over the newest top-shelf models being offered on BladeHQ in order to highlight a selection of new knives with which to reward yourself after a long and difficult year. So, without further adieu, let’s dive into the best new knives of the month.

Spyderco Sage 5 Lightweight

Exclusively available via BladeHQ, this version of the Spyderco Sage 5 Lightweight features a set of mint-colored fiberglass-reinforced nylon scales backed by a stainless steel liner and Spyderco’s signature compression lock. Weighing less than 3oz, the knife sports a 3.00” flat-ground, satin-finished spear point blade that’s crafted from Crucible’s CPM-M4 steel, deployed via a thumbhole, and guided via a washer pivot. Lastly, the Sage 5 Lightweight includes a deep-carry wire pocket clip that comes in the standard tip-up configuration but is also reversible.

Purchase: $154

WE Knife Co. Arsenal

Constructed around a titanium frame adorned in G-10 scales and titanium bolsters, WE Knife Co’s Arsenal is a frame-locking folder that packs plenty of utility — with an overall length of nearly 8.59” and a 0.125” thick blade — while still remaining compact enough to lend itself to EDC duties. On top of a stonewashed 3.56″ tanto blade made from CPM-20CV super steel, the Arsenal also sports a bearing-guided pivot and a titanium deep carry pocket clip.

Purchase: $268

BRNLY SQD-2

Spanning 7.00” when open, this pocketable powerhouse of a knife sports a modern yet minimalistic design that’s executed using an array of premium materials. Penned by Lucas Burnley, the BRNLY SQD-2 is comprised of a 4.125″ frame-locking titanium chassis — with a matching milled titanium pocket clip and a titanium liner — that’s been mated to an ultra-top-shelf 2.875″ (0.14” thick) Böhler M390 blade.

Purchase: $325

Williams Blade Design Hira Zukuri HZT 004

Taking ample inspiration from Samurai-era Hira Zukuri swords, this model from Williams Blade Design puts a Japanese spin on modern tactical fixed blade knives, with a grooved OD green G-10 handle decorated in black G-10 “X” inlays — a nod to the Sageo cords that wound through the holes of a Japanese sword’s Saya. Sold with a Kydex sheath, the Hira Zukuri HZT 004 is equipped with a full-tang, 4.5” Caswell-finished, straight back, 80CrV2 steel blade — another element inspired by traditional Samurai swords.

Purchase: $450

Microtech UTX-85 D/E Damascus OTF

Equal parts elegant and tactical, Microtech’s UTX-85 D/E Damascus OTF knife is built around a lightweight yet durable handle crafted from an amalgamation of black-anodized aluminum and carbon fiber. Composed of top-shelf Damascus steel, the 3.125″ dagger-style blade on this automatic OTF knife is deployed and retracted using a textured thumb slide. Made in America, this thoroughly top-shelf tactical blade also features ringed hardware and a glass-breaker adorning the bottom of the handle.

Purchase: $779

The 5 Best New EDC Knives of November 2021

Looking for a slightly more affordable selection of new blades? Then be sure to check out our previous month’s guide to the best new EDC knives on BladeHQ for a supplementary, handpicked selection of noteworthy new models.