Tested: The Best Self-Defense Knives for EDC

In our experience, the performance of knives tends to exist on something of a spectrum. On one end is practicality and utility, while at the other is self-defense-capabilities. When a blade excels strongly in one of these areas, it will usually be somewhat lacking in the other, with a tradeoff and balance between self-defense and everyday carry abilities. There does, however, exist a small handful of knives that manage to perfectly balance day-to-day workhorse abilities with close-quarter combat-readiness, simultaneously being conducive to both uses. And it’s this myriad of blades that we’ll be exploring today in this guide to the best self-defense knives for everyday carry.

Selection & How We Tested

There’s admittedly no shortage of stellar self-defense-capable everyday carry knives on the market. Well aware of this reality, we began our search for the best-of-the-best in this segment by first compiling a list of factors and characteristics that would be used to guide our hunt. This included size, blade length and thickness, blade steel construction, handle material, deployment, locking mechanism, hardware and secondary details, and CQC-specific design elements. What’s more, rather than limiting our search to a single type of knife, we instead opted to consider the larger edge-weapon space, looking at both fixed blades and folders, and considering everything from Karambit knives to OTFs. Additionally, the actual design of each knife, blade profile, and handle shape were also taken into account and scrutinized, along with the type of sheath the knife comes paired with (at least in the case of fixed blade models), as these areas can play a major role in determining how well a knife lends itself to everyday carry and self-defense use.

Using the aforementioned criteria, we then selected a handful of fixed blades and folders that we suspected may stand as some of the very best on the market. And while reviewing product descriptions, spec sheets, and photos of knives can provide a fairly decent feel for how a given knife will perform, it isn’t until actually getting your hands on the product that a more comprehensive understanding of the blade can be gleaned. So, that’s exactly what we did, sourcing an example of every self-defense/EDC knife on our shortlist before proceeding to test each one both individually and then comparing and contrasting each one side-by-side.

This hands-on testing portion of our search would help to reveal additional qualities and traits such as the smoothness of a blade’s deployment action and a handle’s overall ergonomics and grip — whether held traditionally or when reserve gripped. What’s more, our hands-on testing also helped shine a light on the overall build quality of each self-defense knife we tested, giving us a better opportunity to scrutinize the tolerances, fit and finish, and craftsmanship each model displayed.

These areas were reviewed by conducting a battery of trials that included practice-drawing each knife, cutting rope, opening boxes, and performing a myriad of other standard day-to-day cutting tasks, and conducting a stab test on paper-stuffed cardboard boxes in order to get a better sense of how each knife feels under hard use. Using data and intel uncovered during our field-testing phase, we were then able to narrow our initial shortlist of knives down to a final hard list of blades that we found to be the very best of the very best. 

Kershaw Emerson CQC-7K

Best Value Knife: The Emerson CQC-7 is a legendary folding knife that’s been offering a solid combination of self-defense and workhorse capabilities for more than a quarter of a century. Successor to the CQC-6, the CQC-7 was originally licensed out to Benchmade in 1994, though by the time the deal had expired, Ernest Emerson had founded his namesake knife brand, and in 1999 began producing the seventh-gen Close-Quarter-Combat model under the banner of Emerson Knives. Now produced by Kershaw for Emerson, the modern iteration of the CQC-7 that I tested is constructed around a frame-locking 410 stainless steel handle with a G-10 scale on its show side — handle pieces that are separated via a glass-filled nylon backspacer. Paired with the handle is a 0.114-inch-thick, 3.25-long blade that features a versatile yet attack-ready American tanto profile brought to life in 8Cr14MoV steel. 

Tipping the scales at 5oz even, the knife spans 7.75” overall and 4.5” closed, making it big enough to serve as an effective CQC weapon and a competent workhorse while still being compact enough to lend itself to everyday carrying. Winner of a Blade Show Best Buy Award, the CQC-7 undeniably offers pretty exceptional value, with a level of performance that’s typically reserved for more expensive blades — though the knife admittedly lacks the more premium materials found on its more premium counterparts. Over the years, the CQC-7 has been manufactured in a variety of different constructions and versions, but the latest mass-produced 8Cr14MoV and 410/G10 model built by Kershaw for Emerson offers some of the best bang for your buck — without it feeling like either brand cut corners or made sacrifices in other areas that in any way compromised the CQC-7’s durability or dependability.

A markedly more affordable alternative to Spyderco’s PM2, there’s a lot to like about the CQC-7. Whether it’s carried normally or reverse-gripped, the knife felt great in my hand and its stellar ergonomics make it abundantly clear just how calculated its handle design is. As a self-defense weapon, I also love the fact the the CQC-7 comes loaded with multiple deployment methods for its blade — plus one of said methods is Emerson’s patented Wave Opener which automatically opens the blade as the knife is being removed from its user’s pocket. Despite a decent-sized collection, I don’t personally own any knives with Emerson’s Wave Opener, so it admittedly took a little bit of getting used to using the Wave at first, but I was able to just about master it after only a few minutes. How well I’d actually be able to pull this off in the heat of hand-to-hand combat is another thing entirely.

Credit where credit is very much due, I do have to applaud the use of the knife’s 410 stainless steel framelock, as it allows for super robust and sturdy lockup while still keeping the thing’s price at an affordable figure — just one of several areas that collectively allow this folder to afford exceptional value. I was also legitimately surprised by just how razor-sharp the CQC-7’s edge came straight from the factory — to the point where I even became suspicious that the company may have specially-prepped or sharpened the sample they sent us. After testing another independently-obtained CQC-7 we also had at the office, however, it became clear that our factory-sourced sample hadn’t been given any special treatment, and that the CQC-7 just has a superb factory grind. Aside from the fact that its blade would benefit from being a bit thicker and that its deployment action was nothing to write home about, my only real complaints about this knife are the fact that it uses a fairly budget blade steel and it lacks the build quality of the more premium knives on this list —undeniable downsides, though areas that are hard to fault Emerson or Kershaw for considering the CQC-7 is made to be a budget-friendly, value-laden model. 

Verdict: Dollar-for-dollar, the Kershaw Emerson CQC-7 almost certainly offers the best combination of workhorse and self-defense capabilities for the price, making this the obvious-go-to option for anyone looking for a capable combat-ready EDC knife on budget. 

GiantMouse GMF1

Best Fixed Blade: An absolute masterclass in fixed-bladed minimalism, the Giantmouse GMF1 is a compact knife that, despite measuring just 5.4”, is capable of punching well above its weight. Co-penned by renowned knife designers Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes, the GMF1 (short for “Giantmouse Fixed Blade Gen-1”) was engineered to be as versatile and utilitarian of a blade as possible, while coming in the smallest possible package. Made by hand in Italy, the GMF1 is crafted from a single piece of Böhler N690 cobalt high-performance steel, though Giantmouse also offers this fixed blade model in an even more top-shelf Böhler M390 variant. 

Despite its blade only being 2.60” long, the full tang N690’s 0.157-inch thickness actually allows it to stand up to both hard cutting tasks and self-defense applications. Further enhancing these abilities is the strategically-placed jimping that Ansø and Voxnaes have bestowed the knife with just behind the blade’s choil, at the base of its spine, and bottom of the back of the handle. Though small in size, this trio of machined areas actually manage to massively increase the user’s grip on the knife’s handle. Weighing less than 2oz, the GMF1 also ships with an included leather sheath that’s also made by hand in Italy. 

Because of its size, it was obvious to me that the GMF1 would be highly conducive to EDC use, though I expected its diminutive form to partially — if not greatly — compromise its utility or performance, though I’m happy to report I was very wrong about this. Even though I was only able to use a three-finger grip, the GMF1’s handle design affords excellent ergonomics and inspires a great deal of confidence — even when reverse gripped. And, while it is devoid of moving parts and is comprised of a single piece of N690, this Italian-made fixed blade nonetheless benefits from the same top-notch level of fit and finish that all of Giantmouse’s knives possess. Even its leather sheath has an unmistakably premium feel to it. 

While its litany of strengths no doubt outweigh its shortcomings, the GMF1 does have a few minor issues that I noticed while testing — though most of them can actually be remedied fairly easily. For starters, while it does offer stellar ergonomics for its size (and for being a three-finger handle), it simply doesn’t afford the same level of grip as a full-sized fixed blade or folder. I also didn’t love the fact this knife ships with a leather sheath, as that may be perfectly fine for regular EDC use, a hard sheath is always more preferable for self-defense use, though Giantmouse does sell an optional Kydex sheath which instantly solves this issue — albeit for a small financial premium. Lastly, in order to maximize grip strength and combat readiness, one has to either custom-wrap the GMF1’s handle in Paracord, or fabricate or purchase a set of handle scales — many of which can actually be found for the GMF1 online, again, instantly solving this issue. 

Verdict: The Giantmouse GMF1 makes for a fantastic self-defense fixed blade knife with its easily-concealable size, robust blade thickness, and stellar ergonomics, though its compact size and genuinely utilitarian nature also make it one of the best rigid self-defense knives for everyday carry that money can currently buy — and simply one of the best fixed blade EDC knives on the market, period. 

CRKT Provoke

Best Tactical Knife: Easily one of the most innovative, idiosyncratic, and envelop-pushing knife designs in recent history, Joe Caswell’s “Morphing Karambit” was first launched via a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter before Colombia River Knife and Tool purchased the license to the design and began mass-producing it as the CRKT Provoke in 2019. Boasting one of the quickest — and quite frankly coolest — blade deployment methods of any knife on the market, the Provoke is comprised of a main handle piece and a hawkbill blade that are mated together via a pair of kinematic-pivoting arms. By pressing at the bottom of the blade, it causes its two arms to pivot, thereby dropping the Provoke’s hawkbill item down and locking it into place. 

Measuring 7.25” overall, the Provoke is made from aluminum and comes paired with a titanium nitride-finished 2.41” blade forged in rugged D2 tool steel. The Provoke’s handle also features a cleverly-designed pocket clip that’s been integrated into the handle’s Karambit finger hole. CRKT also offers an available Kydex sheath for its Morphing Karambit, affording even more carrying options. And while its unique blade deployment has no doubt played a major role in the Provoke’s success, the knife actually offers solid performance — at least in certain areas. The idiosyncratic blade deployment is also just fun to play with, plus makes for an eye-catching party trick of sorts. 

With its rugged construction, rapid-blade deployment, and slash-ready hawkbill blade, the CRKT Provoke unequivocally makes for an effective self-defense weapon. Having said that, my testing (as expected) quickly revealed the Provoke to be decidedly lacking in day-to-day utility. Sure, it had no problem opening up boxes or cutting rope, but there’s no denying the fact that the Provoke will never measure up to a knife like the Benchmade Bugout or Spyderco PM2 when it comes to general utility and EDC-readiness. For those who appreciate the Provoke’s unique Kinematic deployment setup but want a more utilitarian tool, the brand also makes an EDC-specific version of the Provoke that boasts a more practical 2.56” drop point profile — though this version of the knife is just as lacking in self-defense capabilities as the hawkbill-bladed version is in general utility and practicality. 

At the end of the day, practically all of my complaints surrounding the Provoke stem from its generally lackluster utility. And while it undeniably falls short as a workhorse, the Provoke more than makes up for this in my opinion with its attack-readiness and conduciveness to CQC scenarios — a fact that’s made the knife prized amongst law enforcement and first responders. The Provoke also isn’t the result of Caswell or CRKT setting out to deliver a well-balanced EDC knife, and instead it’s the result of them trying to make a tactical, rapid-deploying self-defense and first-responders blade — and in those regards they’ve absolutely knocked it out of the park. 

Verdict: If your personal priorities see general utility taking a backseat to CQC-readiness and overall self-defense capabilities, the CRKT Provoke is a fantastic knife — and a wildly unique one to boot. 

Benchmade Claymore

Best Auto Knife: Now widely recognized as one of the most lauded and revered knife brands currently in operation, Benchmade has slowly expanded its catalog over the years in order to produce ranges of blades for specific industries, applications, and uses. A great example of this is the Benchmade Claymore, which is part of the Oregon City outfit’s lineup of tactical knives designed specifically for law enforcement and military personnel — a range formally known as the Black Class. Boasting a level of durability that allows elite operators to trust it with their lives in CQC scenarios, the Claymore is constructed around a super rugged handle made from Grivory — a proprietary glass-filled thermoplastic composite. 

Spanning 8.60” overall — making it the biggest knife on this list — while weighing in at a mere 3.5oz, the Claymore’s Grivory handle has been paired with a 3.60” Cerakote-finished tanto blade composed of Crucible Industries’ powder metallurgy tool steel CPM D2. Equipped with an integrated side-arm-style safety switch to prevent accidental deployments, the handle also sports a waffle-pattern push-button firing switch that automatically deploys the blade — and is used to unlock it as well. As per usual, this auto knife does require that you pay the so-called “Benchmade Tax,” though its admittedly steep price not only gets you a fantastic knife that benefits from Benchmade’s top-notch build quality and use of premium materials, but its MSRP also includes a lifetime warranty and the brand’s LifeSharp service, which offers a lifetime of free factory cleaning, oiling, adjustments, and re-sharpening — a major plus, especially if you plan on carrying the thing daily. 

With jimping on the top and bottom of the handle front and back, and a dotted, textured pattern adorning the center of the Grivory handle’s construction, it was obvious the Claymore would afford solid grip just from looking at photos — whether barehanded or wearing gloves — though I was still surprised by just how perfectly dialed-in the handle’s ergonomics are, as it feels insanely secure and comfortable in the hand, whether carried regularly or reverse-gripped, and even when grasped during hard-use tasks. This area is not only of major importance as it hugely impacts the knife’s workhorse and self-defense capabilities, but also because it helps to mitigate the biggest issue I had with the knife; the fact it sometimes feels like it wants to jump out of your hand upon blade deployment. I also don’t love the fact the blade only measures 0.114” in thickness, though increasing this spec would increase the mass of the blade, further exacerbate its main shortcoming. The fact this knife can’t legally be carried in many regions is also a definite drawback in my eyes, as there are plenty of great self-defense knives for everyday carry that won’t potentially get me into trouble with the fuzz.

Made in America, the Benchmade Claymore is a clear example of why the brand has become such an eminent force in the knife world. It’s incredibly strong, well-built, and durable, it benefits from top-shelf materials and meticulous craftsmanship, and, most importantly, it offers a level of performance and dependability that its more budget-focused counterparts simply can’t hold a flame to. Sure, it doesn’t come cheap, but its laundry list of strengths and world-class build quality more than justify its MSRP in my opinion — and that’s before you consider its lifetime warranty or included LifeSharp service. It’s also probably worth mentioning that, in addition to producing an auto-folding Claymore with a slightly more utilitarian — albeit less CQC-ready — drop point blade, Benchmade has also recently released an OTF Claymore model, though its markedly more CQC-focused compared to even the tanto-bladed auto-folding version. 

Verdict: If you’re looking for an American-made automatic EDC knife that brilliantly balances workhorse and self-defense capabilities, the Benchmade Claymore is hard to beat. 

Spyderco Para Military 2

Best Overall Knife: In 2010, Spyderco blessed knife enthusiasts with the creation of the legendary Para Military 2. Now widely regarded as one of the all-time best everyday carry knives, the Para Military 2 — or “PM2” — is famous for affording an unparalleled combination of true workhorse capabilities and genuine combat readiness. Made in  America, the Spyderco Para Military 2 features a slew of the Colorado company’s signature design cues, from its ultra-sturdy compression lock to its leaf-shaped blade to the item’s thumb hole opener. Spanning 8.26” overall, the latest iteration of this iconic folder comes loaded with a G10 handle and a blade made from CPM S45VN steel. 

The overall size of the knife and its beefy ( 0.145-inch-thick) leaf-shaped blade make for one of the most competent and utilitarian EDC folders on the market. The PM2’s super rugged build quality and insanely ergonomic handle design simultaneously allow it to double as a super effective self-defense weapon, with the knife feeling natural and comfortable when tightly gripped regularly or in a reverse grasp. The use of a compression lock furthers both areas as well. Tipping the scales at less than 3.5oz, the PM2 also features a blade with a full-flat grind. 

As someone that’s both owned and daily-carried a PM2 for an extended period, I already knew what to expect before my recent testing of the knife, though it wasn’t until using it and comparing it side-by-side with other blades in this space that I was reminded of just how incredible of a design the PM2 truly is. In fact, if I had to pick just one knife to convey what a well-balanced EDC-self-defense blade should be, it would unquestionably be the Para Military 2. It’s also interesting that the most common issue most EDC enthusiasts have with the PM2 is the fact that it’s a bit too large, aggressive, and self-defense-focused for everyday carry use, though I’d argue these perceived shortcomings are actually benefits and strengths when being viewed through a CQC and self-defense lens.   

The only real issue that I have with the Para Military 2 is the fact that its 8.26” overall length makes it a bit larger than what I’d normally want for everyday carry use, though I also recognize that its ample size plays a direct role in its ability to excel at both workhorse and CQC applications. And I really can’t criticize the Para Military 2’s size without acknowledging the existence of Spyderco’s more compact Para Military 3, which boasts a 2.93″ blade and a 7.2″ overall length — versus the PM2’s 3.45” blade and 8.26” length. Additionally, it’s also worth pointing out that the immense and continued popularity of the knife has resulted in a massive number of available aftermarket upgrades for the PM2, ranging from hardware kits to custom scales and back-spacers to even custom blades. Lastly, I’ll acknowledge the PM2’s somewhat steep price, though when you consider the level of performance that it offers, and the fact it will almost certainly provide a lifetime of dependable use, the thing’s MSRP starts to look a lot more reasonable. 

Verdict: If you’re looking for a knife that offers what can only be described as the perfect balance of utility and self-defense capabilities, look no further than the legendary Spyderco Para Military 2. 

Self-Defense Knife Comparison Chart

What Exactly Is a Self Defense EDC Knife?

As the monicker suggests, self-defense knives are a type of knife that’s been designed specifically for hand-to-hand combat and close-quarter scenarios — i.e. for self-defense. On top of partially being characterized by their immense durability and robust build quality, these knives are engineered with a few key design principles in mind such as the ability to quickly be drawn and deployed, the ability to be firmly and securely grasped in hand, and the ability to deal ample damage to an opponent. These knives are typically equipped with larger blades that, rather than being designed with versatility and utility in mind, are primarily designed for piercing and slashing. What’s more, self-defense knives’ blades usually feature beefy blade thicknesses and partial or full serrations to amplify damage and injury. It’s also common to see CQC-specific features on this style of knife such as striking pommels and Karambit-style finger holes. 

Self-defense knives that also lend themselves to everyday carry use have a difficult balancing act to pull off, as they need to be conducive to CQC and self-defense use while still being pocketable and utilitarian enough to be ideal for EDC use. Traditionally, utilitarian and defensive capabilities have been somewhat at odds with each other. If you know where to look, however, there are blades that manage to excel at both CQC and EDC applications.

Why Carry A Self Defense Knife?

There’s a laundry list of reasons why you should carry an EDC-friendly self-defense knife on a regular basis. For starters, when in the right hands, knives can be incredible effective (and incredible deadly) self-defense weapons, affording the ability to deal ample damage with little energy or effort, plus the mere sight of drawing a blade can serve as a major deterrent for would-be attackers. Compared to even subcompact sidearm, everyday carry-capable knives are markedly smaller, more pocketable, more compact, and easier to conceal. 

Additionally, EDC self-defense knives are relatively affordable — at least compared to firearms — and don’t require any permits or registration of any kind. They can also easily be carried while traveling thanks to the ability to check a knife in your packed luggage (without having to declare it either). More importantly, however, EDC-focused self-defense knives can also provide immense utility in common day-to-day applications from opening packages to cutting tags to slicing rope — a trait that is in no way shared by handguns. 

Learning To Wield: THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING

You’re almost certainly better-off being equipped with a knife in a self-defense situation compared to being completely unarmed. With that said, knives are exponentially more useful and effective when carried by someone with some basic training and understanding of knife fighting and edge-weapon combat. Consequently, we urge anyone carrying a self defense knife to take a basic course, or at the very least read up extensively on the matter, which videos from reputable proven sources, and actually practice in order to develop the necessary techniques and muscle memory needed to excel in CQC scenarios. It’s also vital to train with the particular type of knife or blade that you plan on carrying, as different styles of self-defense knives are used in different ways and employ different attacks and techniques. 

FOLDERS VS FIXED BLADES

When it comes to purchasing a self-defense knife for everyday carry,  buyers have two main options; fixed blade knives; and folding knives — both of which possess their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Fixed blade knives are typically easier to draw, as, unlike folding knives, their blades are already exposed and ready to go as soon as they leave their sheath. Assuming that they’re of the full-tang variety, the single-piece construction of fixed blades also makes them stronger and more robust — and therefor more conducive to combat and self-defense use.

Unlike folding knives that pretty much always have to be carried using their pocket clip, fixed blade knives have the ability to afford more carrying options, as their sheaths can be paired with standard pocket clips, Ultimate Belt Attachments, or any variety of Ulticlip, thereby offering a huge number of ways to carry, from in your pocket to inside your waistband to horizontal belt carrying. The rigid nature of fixed blades, however, makes them far less pocketable than folding knives — a major factor when looking at knives for everyday carry use. It’s also worth pointing out that, while not as strong as an actual fixed blade, most modern locking mechanisms are plenty robust and more than capable of the extreme stresses and rigors that come with CQC use.

What To Look For in A Self Defense knife

When shopping for self-defense knives for everyday carry, there are a handful of common areas that will overlap with regular EDC knives — such as blade steel, size, locking mechanism, and handle construction — though there are also a myriad of elements that are largely unique to EDC blades with genuine self-defense capabilities. Below, we’ll be breaking down both those commonalities and idiosyncrasies in this mini guide on what to look for when shopping. 

Type & Genre: One of the most important factors to consider is undoubtedly knife type — i.e. whether you want a folding or fixed blade model. In short, fixed blades are stronger and more robust, plus are ready-to-go as soon as they’re deployed, unlike folding knives which first need to be opened. With that said fixed blades are almost always bulkier, much less pocketable, and generally a bit less conducive to EDC use. Assuming you aren’t looking exclusively at fixed blade designs, there are numerous genres of EDC-friendly self-defense-style folding knives, from folding daggers to Karambits to automatic knives to out-the-front knives. We recommend exploring a plethora of different available styles before making your selection.

Blade Tang: Though this area is unique to fixed blade self-defense knives, it’s nonetheless worth touching on as it’s of monumental importance due to the fact that it plays such a major role in a knife’s overall durability and structural integrity. When shopping for fixed blade self-defense knives for everyday carry, you’ll exclusively want to consider blades that feature full-tang constructions — i.e. where the knife’s actual blade construction runs the entirety of the tool and weapon, from tip to pommel as a single construction cloaked in handle scales, rather than having the blade merely set in the top of the handle. 

Blade Shape: Unlike regular non-self-defense-focused everyday carry knives that tend to feature more utilitarian blade shapes, self-defense knives are typically designed primarily for piercing and or slashing — resulting in specific, largely combat-focused blade silhouettes such as double-edge daggers and hawkbill blades. When buying a self-defense knife for EDC, you’ll want to look for blades with shapes that will allow them to be conducive to both day-to-day chores and tasks as well as CQC scenarios. Because the shape of these knives’ blade play such a pivotal role in how they perform, blade shape is undoubtedly one of the most crucial areas to consider when shopping. We also recommend factoring-in what type of blade shape you’re most comfortable using as well as what type you have the most training with (as touched on above). 

Blade Length: Blade length is another area of monumental importance that should be closely considered when shopping, as a blade’s conduciveness to both CQC and EDC use is hugely impacted by this one measurement. On top of being more pocketable and therefor more EDC-friendly shorter blades are also more concealable and allow for more agile attacks — though tend not to deal out as much damage as their longer, more-difficult-to-wield counterparts.

Blade Grind & Edge: Another area that impacts a blade’s deadliness and ability to deal damage as well as its general utility is no doubt its edge. Not only are they typically more preferable for everyday carry, but straight-edged blades also have the ability to more easily and more cleanly pierce and puncture. Serrated edges, on the other hand, deal markedly more damage to skin, tissue, muscle, and organs as they enter and exit the body. Thanks to their ability to amplify damage, a great many of today’s best self-defense-specific knives feature partially or fully-serrated blade edges. Partially-serrated blades are a great way of splitting the difference here and striking a solid balance between utility and defensive capabilities. It is also worth noting that serrated edges can be more difficult to sharpen. 

Blade Thickness: It’s not uncommon for cheaper knives with thinner constructions to see their blades snap or break while being used in close quarter combat. For this reason, the knives on the market that you can truly trust with your life almost always feature fairly robust blade constructions that boast beefy thicknesses — in some cases up to a quarter inch or more. 

Blade Steel: The type of steel used to construct a knife’s blade is another area that’s of monumental importance when shopping — and self-defense EDC knives are no exception. Considering the fact that they’ll possibly be used for CQC use, self-defense knives for EDC need to feature blade constructions with exceptional levels of hardness and rigidity. With that said, EDC use requires that a blade have the ability to hold and maintain a razor-sharp edge, even after extensive use. As a result, the most reputable and trustworthy self-defense and EDC knives typically feature hardwearing tool steel constructions like D2 or blades forged in modern powder metallurgy steels that are formulated specifically as blade steels — such as CPM 154 and S30V. It’s worth noting that the more premium blade steels that hold an edge for longer are also harder to sharpen when the time finally comes to do so. 

CQC Design Elements: There are certain features and elements on self-defense-specific knives that it make abundantly clear that these blades are engineered specifically for slashing and piercing rather than opening packages. Examples of CQC-specific features on self-defense knives include striking pommels, handles with reverse-grip-focused ergonomics, Karambit-style finger holes, tissue and flesh-specific blade serrations, and blade shapes and lengths formulated specifically for piercing the body and/or reaching vital organs. While this won’t always be an option, we recommend opting for a knife that possesses one or more of these features — while still being plenty compatible with EDC use — whenever possible.

Handle Materials: Another area of monumental importance to consider when shopping is handle construction. This is because the type of material used to craft a knife’s handle scales will play massive roles in determining its durability, level of grip, and ability to stand up to the elements — factors that very much matter, whether dealing with EDC knives, self-defense knives, or knives that lend themselves to both. Selected for their impressive strength-to-weight ratios and ample grip, some of the most common handle scale constructions used on self-defense knives include G-10, Micarta, and various polymers. Additionally, on top of a handle’s construction, you’ll also want to examine whether or not said handle has been treated to any kind of texturing or pattern to further enhance grip. In the case of folding knives, on top of the scale’s material, you’ll also want to look at the material used to construct the handle’s underlying liner or frame. 

Ergonomics: It’s not only a handle’s construction that you’ll want to review when shopping for a knife, but also shape and contours, as these latter areas play a huge role in determining overall ergonomics and grip — an area that’s absolutely vital as being able to maintain a firm and steady grasp on your knife is absolutely essential whether in self-defense scenarios or performing hard daily cutting tasks. Consequently, you’ll want to pay close attention to the handle’s shape, contours, notches, cutouts, and texturing, as these elements collectively determine grip. What’s more, you’ll also want to keep in mind that the vast majority of self-defense knives are designed to be carried in a reverse grip (i.e. with the handle held above the blade). As a result, the best knives for both EDC and self-defense tend to feature handles with ergonomics that allow the user to comfortably yet firmly and securely grasp the thing in both standard and reverse grips.

Locking Mechanism: Though only applicable to folding knives, a self-defense-ready EDC folder’s locking mechanism will directly determine its ability to firmly lock-up and remain in place while being used. From framelocks to liner locks to button locks to proprietary mechanisms like Benchmade’s AXIS Lock and Spyderco’s Compression Lock, the vast majority of modern locking mechanisms are incredibly robust and offer high levels of strength and wear-resistance. Most also require very little maintenance. 

Deployment: Another area that only applies to self-defense EDC knives of the folding variety, blade deployment is a crucial area to consider, as your ability to easily and rapidly open a folding knife is of monumental importance in CQC and self-defense scenarios where every fraction of a second matters. As a result, quick-draw-friendly flipper tabs have become increasingly popular on folding self-defense knives, though there are also plenty of models that employ thumb hole opening or thumb-stud-deployed setups. Push-button and side-switch-style items are also used on self-defense-focused automatics and OTFs. On top of how the blade is deployed, the manner in which it’s guided is also of major importance, as a smooth, buttery, and consistent action will always be crucial in self-defense scenarios — plus is always a welcome feature on EDC knives. 

Concealability: Whether it’s a fixed blade or a folder, the ability to stealthy conceal a self-defense knife is crucial —making this another vital area to consider when shopping. For folding knives you’ll want to look at knives’ pocket clips and their respective placements and angles. For fixed blades you’ll want to look at the type of sheath that the knife comes paired with and its construction, along with its available mounting options. Additionally, whether a fixed blade or folder, you’ll want to think about the overall thickness of each knife (handle scales and all) as this will also play a major role in how low profile it will be when worn against the body and how easy the knife will be to conceal — and to draw. Fortunately, most EDC-friendly self-defense knives are on the smaller side. What’s more, self-defense everyday carry knives that are easy to conceal also have the additional advantage of not announcing to your attacker or opponent that you’re armed. 

Sheath: While only applicable to fixed blades, the type of sheath that the knife comes paired with is extremely important. Almost exclusively offered in hard plastic or Kydex constructions, self-defense knives’ hard sheaths can vary in size and type, as well as in available mounting options, as factors such as number of rivets and their placement will largely determine what type of clips and mounts the sheath will be compatible with, as well as the angles and locations that it can be mounted at. 

Secondary Elements: Though elements such as blade steel and handle material are admittedly of greater importance, you’ll still want to pay attention to smaller secondary details on a knife such as its back-spacer, lanyard hole, and hardware. The use of more premium hardware is also an element — albeit a subtle one — that separates the more high-end knives on the market from their more budget-focused counterparts.

Price: Self-defense knives for everyday carry can hugely range in terms of pricing. While it’s easy to make the argument that, because its carrier is trusting the blade with their life, that they should probably splurge on one of the more high-end options, the truth is that there are plenty of affordable, even sub-$100 options that we’d feel comfortable deploying in QCQ situations. With that said, higher prices tend to get you more premium materials in the form of nicer handles and more high-end blade steels, as well as better fit and finish and typically a superior overall build quality — factors that together can make for a much sturdier and more dependable knife.

Versatility: Generally speaking, there are two sides of the EDC-ready self-defense knife-spectrum, with utility being on one side and CQC-ready abilities on the other. The knives with better utility will often be a bit lacking in combat readiness while blades at the opposite end of the spectrum will usually be lacking in workhorse capabilities. The trick here is to find a knife that falls somewhere in the middle, being capable of lending itself to both applications with decent competency.

Legality: With the exception of automatic models, self-defense knives for EDC are typically legal to carry in most regions. In some locales — such as where we’re based in California — fixed blade knives of any length can be carried, however, they must be carried openly and can’t be concealed. Obviously a great many individuals opt to concealed carry anyway, though we think it’s important to at least be aware of your local laws and the potential consequences and repercussions for illegally carrying a concealed fixed blade or auto-firing OTF or folder.

Manufacturer: One way to ensure that you’re getting your hands on a high-quality self-defense or everyday carry knife is to purchase a blade from a reputable manufacturer with a proven history of delivering top-notch, well-designed and well-crafted knives. Additionally, while it does typically come at a financial premium, opting for a blade from a smaller, more premium, boutique knife brands often gets you superior build quality and craftsmanship, benefitting from small-batch production and more stringent quality control.

Honorable Mentions

The latest iteration of John Wick’s CQC blade of choice, the Microtech Combat Troodon Gen III is a super tactical OTF model that’s brought to life using premium materials and Microtech’s usual brand of world-class craftsmanship and build quality. Spanning 9.375″ and sporting a double-edge dagger blade forged in proprietary M390MK super steel, this newly-released third-generation knife sadly hadn’t hit the market when we began our testing phase so we weren’t able to include it on this list — relegating it to the most honorable of mentions. 

Meticulously handcrafted in San Diego by a brand known for making blades that today’s most elite military operators can trust with their lives, the Toor Knives Jank Shank is a super pokey tactical fixed blade that offers deadly combat readiness in a compact and EDC-friendly package. Sold with an excellent hard sheath, the Jank Shank measures just 7.0” in length, though its full-tang CPM 154 construction clocks in at 0.1875″ thick — allowing it to easily stand up to the rigors of close-quarter combat. 

Spanning just 6.25” overall, the Benchmade 177BK Mini SOCP is a USA-made, rapidly-deployable backup blade that’s crafted from black Cerakote-finished 440 stainless steel and equipped with a Kunai ring. While its 2.22” spear point blade admittedly doesn’t make for the most utilitarian tool, the Mini SOCP’s rugged nature, compact size, and thoroughly-concealable and rapidly-deployable shape actually make it a solid choice for a self-defense-capable everyday carry knife. 

Engineered from the ground up specifically for law enforcement, military operators, and first responders, the LionSteel Emerson L.E.One admittedly isn’t the most utilitarian knife, though what it lacks in workhorse capabilities it more than makes up for with its laundry list of highlights and CQC readiness — plus it’s compact enough to be daily-carried. Made in Italy, the L.E.One features a single-piece integral handle that’s been machined from a block of aluminum billet before being mated to a 3.25” hawkbill blade that’s forged in CPM MagnaCut and can be deployed in four-different ways (front flipper, rear flipper, thumb-hole, and Wave Opener). 

Saving the best for last…Collaboratively designed by Michael Donvito and Javan Roberts of Grays Custom, the Skallywag Tactical MDV Plus One offers one of the best combinations of EDC abilities and combat readiness of any fixed blade knife on the market, with a super concealable, low-profile full-tang construction with a hook-equipped handle that offers ridiculously easy — and lightning fast — drawing. With a price hovering around the $100 mark, it also affords exceptional value. In fact, if you’re simply looking for a purpose-built CQC or self-defense knife and aren’t concerned with everyday carry conduciveness, Skallywag Tactical unequivocally makes some of the best blades that money can buy.  

Tested: The Best Tactical Pens To Carry Everyday

Looking for a self-defense-capable piece of EDC gear that can also provide its fair share ofr utility? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best tactical pens for our hands-on testing and reviews of our favorite writing-striking tool combos.