Best Budget EDC Knife: Top 10 Knives (Affordable)

By Adelia Ladson

Having an everyday carry that you can depend on to perform every time you need it is absolutely priceless. With so many choices out there, finding one that is reasonably priced and of good quality can be frustrating. Here are some pointers and recommendations to make your life easier.

Things to Know

When you’re looking for the best value for your money, you should never sacrifice quality for cost. However, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank when you want a quality knife. Here are some things to look for an consider when shopping.

Blade Steel

Blade steel type is important when choosing an everyday carry because you need to consider the environment that you’ll be using it the most in and the wet or dry conditions. It’s a reality that all steel can rust when exposed to moisture but there are some types that are most rust-resistant than others. Stainless steel has chromium as a major ingredient, making it more corrosion-resistant. A high carbon steel is less rust-resistant but more wear-resistant. So, you’ll need to make sure that you store it well and be a little more vigilant about keeping it dry.

Handle Material

When it comes down to handle materials, you’ve got natural or synthetic to choose from because everything is going to fall into one of those two categories. Natural handles will be made of things like wood, bone and horn. Wooden handle scales are classic and traditional, giving them a good track record for performance. Bone and horn handle scales are attractive but can be less durable when it comes to every day carry use, especially if it’s hard use. Synthetic handles will be made of things like thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and carbon fiber. What I really like about synthetics is that they can be specifically textured for handle scales that offer no-slip grips.

Brand

When you’re shopping for a quality knife, always look at tried and true brands. If you buy from a no-name company, you’re going to get exactly what you pay for. The key is to get more value than what you actually pay. Believe me, this is possible. Just because it’s a brand name, doesn’t mean that it’s out of your price range. You’ll find that there are several options of everyday carries that are ridiculously low-priced and still the highest quality. Here are my recommendations below.

Smith & Wesson Sear Assisted Opening Pocket Knife

A legend in the world of firearms, Smith & Wesson also puts out an incredible line of knives. As far as getting a lot of pocket knife for your money, the Sear is one of my favorites. As smooth and polished as a custom trigger, it springs into action with just a touch of your index finger. The assisted opening pocket knife has an 8Cr13MoV stainless steel Wharncliffe blade and a stainless steel handle with grippy G10 inserts. It fits comfortably anywhere with its sturdy pocket clip and it is capable of any cutting task that comes up during your day.
Key features:

It is assisted opening, deploying the blade quickly with little effort.
The premium stainless steel blade has a Wharncliffe profile that’s highly versatile.
The handle is stainless steel with grippy G10 inserts.

Bushmaster Black Carbon Steel Utility Knife

For the most part, when you think of an EDC, you think of a pocket knife, but I really think the Bushmaster Utility Knife qualifies. It’s just a great, all-around utility knife with a premium 1065 carbon steel blade that’s up for anything. From cleaning wild game to simply opening a package, the overlaid rubber handle with its checkered pattern gives you a secure grip, even in wet situations. And at 8 1/2" overall, it’s not too bulky to carry on you in its molded, ABS sheath, which has a belt clip. This little fixed blade will give any pocket knife a run for its money and, speaking of money, it won’t break the bank either!
Key features:

It has a 1065 carbon steel blade that will retain its edge and is strong.
The overlaid rubber handle gives you a secure grip whatever the weather.
It has a sheath with a belt clip so that it is easy to carry at your side.

Gerber Airlift Pocket Knife

Gerber is one of the most well-known producers in the world of task-specific and mission-essential tools that are carried by soldiers, hunters and tradesmen alike. The Airlift, fusing a skeletonized steel frame with a streamline 5Cr15MoV blade is an EDC that’s light in your pocket yet extraordinarily resilient. Even years of heavy use in challenging conditions won’t break it or affect its performance. Talk about a long-term investment. Exactly what you can expect from a Gerber knife.
Key features:

The premium steel blade has a very streamlined profile but is still incredibly resilient.
It has a tough skeletonized steel handle that makes it exceptionally lightweight.
It’s a Gerber. Enough said.

Case Yellow Sod Buster Pocket Knife

After 130 years of handcrafting knives, there’s no question that Case Knives absolutely knows everyday carry knives. With designs that tamed the American wilderness and landed on the moon, these knives definitely have earned their place in our pockets. The Sod Buster is a great classic, manual EDC with a compact design that allows you to carry it practically anywhere. The Tru-Sharp surgical stainless steel blade and smooth, synthetic handle offers sharp ability combined with a comfortable feel in your hand.
Key features:

It has a compact design that allows for easy carry practically anywhere.
It has Case’s Tru-Sharp surgical stainless steel blade that is highly rust-resistant.
The synthetic handle scales are comfortable in your hand.

Schrade Tough Tool Multi-Tool

For now, and always, to me, the ultimate everyday carry is the multi-tool. To be able to carry, basically, a tool box around with you is an everyday must. Schrade’s Tough Tool is one of my favorites because it has all of the basic tools that you expect to have, plus, a few more. And its truly a tough tool because the handles are titanium-coated, and each tool is made of premium 2Cr13 stainless steel. Another great thing about this multi-tool is that it comes in a pouch that can be carried on your belt.
Key features:

It is basically like carrying an entire toolbox in your pocket.
Each tool is made of premium 2Cr13 stainless steel, making it extremely tough.
The handles are titanium-coated, which is another asset that make it tough and durable.

Contender Crosswind Advanced Ball Bearing Pocket Knife

With its cutting edge ball bearing opening mechanism, state-of-the-art materials and innovative design, the Contender Crosswind performs toe-to-toe with some of the most expensive EDCs on the market and at a price that’s well within reach of everyone’s budget. The modified sheepsfoot blade is so versatile and the jimping on the spine offers extra control when using it. The aluminum handle makes it extremely light and the ergonomically curved design is for maximum gripping.
Key features:

It has an advanced ball bearing opening system that operates quickly and smoothly.
The modified sheepsfoot blade has jimping on the spine for extra control.
The lightweight aluminum handle is ergonomically curved.

Ridge Runner Galileo Pocket Knife

If you’re looking for a gift for any occasion for a man, and EDC is always a great choice. The Galileo has become a staff favorite of ours for just that reason. With its handsome crafting of rich wood grain and polished stainless steel, it does look like it came from the legendary astronomer and engineer’s work bench. The traditional drop point blade is razor-sharp, and the handle has a comfortable feel in your hand. The assisted opener marries form and function for an EDC that any man would want in his pocket.
Key features:

It has a gift-worthy, handsome woodgrain and polished stainless steel design.
It is assisted opening so that the razor-sharp blade can be accessed quickly.
The wooden handle is crafted to fit comfortably in the hand.

Timber Wolf Money Clip Pocket Knife

What makes this little pocket knife a great EDC is that it has a couple of extra functions built into a small package. Along with an exceptional cutting tool, you’re getting a bottle opener and a money or card clip. The full-bellied, compact blade can be quickly deployed with assisted opening and the extended liners give you a lanyard slot for another carry option. For the low price of this mini everyday carry, you are getting the maximum in value!
Key features:

This is a compact pocket knife that is packed with extra functions like a bottle opener and money clip.
The small blade can be quickly deployed with assisted opening.
It has extended liners so that it can be carried on a lanyard or your keyring.

USMC Assisted Opening Combat Pocket Knife

You know you can’t go wrong with a pocket knife that’s officially approved by the United States Marine Corps. The combat pocket knife can be used in pretty much any environment because its grippy aluminum handle gives you a secure hold even in a torrential downpour. Combine this with a powerful, clip point blade and a glass breaker and you can see why the Marines like it. This is a workhorse EDC that’s a must-have for your tactical gear.
Key Features:

It’s been officially approved and licensed by the USMC.
It has a grippy aluminum handle, making it lightweight and no-slip.
It also features a glass breaker.

BugOut Rescue Orange Pocket Knife With Flashlight

Taking everyday carry to a new level of efficiency with its integrated flashlight, emergency whistle and carabiner clip, the BugOut Rescue Pocket Knife will be your best friend. The assisted opener has thumb jimping and a grooved and textured handle for maximum control when using, making it the ultimate rescue knife. Whether you’re on the job or on a camping trip, you can count on this pocket knife to back you up in an emergency.
Key Features: