13 Best EDC Fixed Blades

Are you an avid outdoor enthusiast or a survivalist looking for the perfect tool to always keep on hand? A fixed blade for EDC is all you need! With its durable and reliable design, this is the go-to choice for anyone wanting a versatile and powerful tool for everyday carry. Most people will still opt for folding knives when choosing a knife for everyday carry. Besides their versatility, folders take up less space and give a decent cutting result. But a growing number of people have started to notice how folding knives don’t really do the work. Relying on folders to do the tough job may only result in abusing your favorite knife. Besides, there are hardly any folders as tough as a full-tang fixed EDC blade.

Many argue that fixed blades aren’t as lightweight as their folders counterparts. But it’s safe to say that this argument is outdated since you can easily find a lightweight one these days. But with so many options on the market, how can you choose the best for your needs? In this article, we’ve researched and reviewed the top fixed blades available today to help you make an informed decision. Whether you need a knife for hunting, camping, or everyday tasks, we’ve got you covered. From high-quality materials to ergonomic designs, we’ve taken a deep dive into the features that matter most. So sit back, relax, and read on to discover the top fixed EDC blades on the market.

Bradford 3D Guardian 3

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Most unique. If you plan to switch from a folder, Bradford 3D Guardian 3 could be a starting point. This fixed blade is designed to handle tasks that typical heavy folders would cover. And its Machined Micarta scales offer a comfortable handle and are not too abrasive. Although Bradford is relatively new in the knife manufacturing scene, its knowledgeable machining boasts loud and promising. Available in various selections of steel, its skillful heat treatment gives you a well-made blade that is sharp, durable, and strong. Not to mention its compact design is perfect for comfortable everyday carry.

Ka-Bar ESEE BK14 Becker Necker Eskabar

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Most features. This knife was born when KA-BAR combined two favorite designs: the Becker Necker and the ESEE Izula. They even let one of the customers come up with a pretty solid name; The Eskabar. With 1095 Cro-Van steel, you’re in for a service in many years to come with this one. It’s truly the best knife you can find out there.

And as you know from the Izula model, this blade comes with a steel handle. Promising strength, durability, and a cool look to its own. It also feels superb in your hands. Its 1095 steel is a perfect choice if you’re a camper or just generally prefer a larger blade. Known for its toughness and rugged use, the ability to hold an edge is no doubt.

Spyderco Street Bowie

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A smooth blade with a full-flat grind. That’s the first thing you’d have in mind when you lay your hand on Spyderco Street Bowie. Its flat bevels extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. Such texture reduces dragging during cutting and decreases its overall weight. Also, with FNR (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon) handle as a finishing touch, you’re guaranteed a high-performance as it’s locked with your grip.

You’re holding a masterpiece designed by Fred Perrin, one of Europe’s most sought-after self-defense instructors and knifemakers. Optimized for military and personal-defense use, this blade offers both strength and finesse. And with high ergonomics to minimize fatigue and increase cutting power, you can expect top-class performance from the best folding knives with this one.

SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath

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Most rugged. Many people consider SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath as the perfect backup for your fixed blade. This is of their most popular fixed-blade knives. Measuring 9 inches overall length, it’s a perfectly balanced combat knife, boot knife, and hunting knife all in one. It comes complete with a sheath for easy transport, so you can take it wherever your adventures may lead you.

But what sets this blade apart from other knives is SOG’s cryogenic heat treatment process. This process hardens the blade steel at the atomic level, making it far more robust than your average belt buckle knife. This ensures that the knife can easily handle even the most demanding tasks, from slicing through thick branches to skinning game.

ESEE Knives Izula II

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Named after Peruvians’ scariest ant, “Isula,” or the Bullet Ant as we know it, this blade is built for survival. Living up to its name, Izula II was designed for real aggressive survivors. The blade is the same as its predecessor except for an extra half-inch length on the handle and a full Micarta scale handle. Making it the best knife you can buy.

As the ESEE official website states, this blade is made of 1095 carbon steel. With this blade, you’re getting yourself one of the toughest steel out there. It’s also perfectly made for heavy-duty and capable of doing tough tasks. Make sure to get yourself one of these for your next adventure!

Benchmade 15016-2 Hidden Canyon Hunter

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As its name suggests, Benchmade 16016-2 Hidden Canyon Hunter is designed specifically for hunters around the globe. It’s right up there with some of the best deer calls. The wood handle gives you a traditional look to a modern tool. With a blade length extending 2.79 inches, it’s the shortest blade on this list. This Hunting line from Benchmade features CPM-S30V steel for maximum corrosion resistance, durability, and edge retention.

For an everyday carry blade, this knife is a wonder. With a fantastic handle for different control points, it makes fine detail work secured. Have we mentioned how easy it is to carry it on your belt? Once you secure the blade on your pocket/belt, it goes unnoticed. You’d even forget that you’re carrying a knife with you!

Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter

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Our next best knife is reserved by none other than Cold Steel Pendleton Lite Hunter. Its popular predecessor, Pendleton Hunter, pushed many to demand a more affordable version. Cold Steel heard what people want without compromising its main functional design and delivered Pendleton Lite Hunter to the mass. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this blade later became an award-winning hunting/utility knife.

The Lite version strongly resembles Pendleton Hunter. With a practical drop point of the blade, modest guard, hollowed bolster area, and a flared butt to aid retention, it caters to your needs accordingly. This blade is the perfect choice for regular campers and hunters. It’s the one you go to for about everything you need.

Fallkniven F1 Survival Knife

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Simplest. Sharing the same survival knife with Swedish Air Force pilots can add several cool points to yourself. Fallkniven F1 has been the official survival knife for the team since 1995. One of the most distinctive features you can find in this knife is its laminated steel. It’s proven to be 20% stronger than solid stainless steel. As the blade is originally designed as a survival knife, it’s no wonder that Fallkniven added this furnish as a coup de grace.

Add your personal touch by choosing your preferred steel. Choose between Laminated VG10, Laminated CoS, or 3G while purchasing. Each gave out a different strength and varied in price. Whichever type you choose from, owning a single Fallkniven F1 is more than enough to cover a wide range of needs. Complemented with a Thermorun handle, the blade provides a comfortable grip in any situation, wet or dry. You can also check the field test on Youtube.

CRKT Minimalist Bowie

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Your next best knife is from the widely-known knifemaker Columbia River Knife & Tool. Aided by three-finger choils and friction grooves for the thumb, you can expect total comfort and control from this compact blade. With a full-tang unique geometry as a finishing touch, CRKT Minimalist Bowie is specifically built for anything that needs to be cut. The knife and the sheath weigh about two ounces, making it perfect for an EDC fixed blade. The blade is suitable for cooking, camp cores, skinning, and dressing. It’s also a great survival knife. You’d be surprised to see how something so small can perform at a decent strength with such great control.

ESEE-3MIL-P-BLK

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The NTOA scored this 3-inch blade 4.77 out of the possible 5 scores. Making its way to number 4 on our best blade list, ESEE 3P is an affordable field knife targeted to the military, law enforcement, and the special operations community. And it’s still their favorite! The blade is made out of high-carbon 1095 steel, a top choice for professional cutlery and hard use. Totally suitable for outdoor activities!

With a supporting G10 handle, its lightweight design perfectly matches the blade. Shaped to ensure a solid grip, there’s no question that this blade would feel like it’s a part of your hand. Your purchase includes a Black molded sheath, paracord, boot clip, cord lock, and Cordura MOLLE back. For a tip in maintenance, ESEE Knives suggests using a dry film (as a rust inhibitor) such as TUF-GLIDE or TUF-CLOTH.

TOPS Bull Trout

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You can find tons of fixed blades these days, all of which try to offer something unique to its user. But none are like the TOPS Bull Trout. Originally made by and for fishermen, this blade has now made its way to many people’s belts, whether they’re a fisherman or not. It’s the perfect small blade you can rely on doing heavy tasks.

Picking up your first TOPS Bull Trout would give an unforgettable impression. Its choil is thoughtfully designed to give a firm grip. It doesn’t even feel like it’ll slip out of your hand even once. Featuring a 154cm blade, this blade was designed for outdoors and handling hard tasks. Although originally made for the ultimate fishing knife, it’s no doubt that this blade has grown to be many people’s favorite blade.

Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife

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The Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife is an ultra-light fixed blade with the main purpose of self-defense knives. Originally designed to free an aircrew from a downed aircraft, this knife is built to be tough enough to cut through the fuselage of an aircraft, making it one of the most durable and reliable knives on the market today.

It also features smooth lines, intuitive features, and polished aesthetics that take it up a notch in terms of style and design. This blade is available in two finishes, black oxide coating for extra corrosion resistance and stonewash. It offers two carrying options depending on your preference and the task at hand. You can either secure it in your pocket with a clip or tie it down with an integrated lanyard hole.

Benchmade Nimravus Knife

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The all-time best-selling Nimravus is up for no debate! You wouldn’t be surprised that this model is securing the top rank of our best fixed blade for EDC list. Sturdy with a high-quality 154 cm stainless steel drop point extending to 4.5”, this blade is far from disappointing. Its Benchmade propriety blade coating is done an excellent corrosion-resistance job. Opt for the Tanto shape if you’re more of a fan of the ergonomic tip.

Nimvarus was originally manufactured to appeal to customers who wanted everything from Benchmade folders but in a fixed blade format. Designed by Allen Elishewitz, this model maintains the same features, materials, and even styling as its older counterparts. And for more Nimravus series, check out Benchmade official website.

Our Verdict!

After much research and consideration, we chose Benchmade Nimravus Knife as the best fixed blade for EDC. We picked it for its superior quality, durability, and functionality in everyday carry situations. Whether you’re a hunter, outdoorsman, or just looking for a reliable tool to carry with you, our list has something for everyone. This list also covers a range of designs, features, and price points. Here are the best options based on other categories:

• Most rugged: SOG Fixed Blade Knives with Sheath
• Simplest: Fallkniven F1 Survival Knife
• Most unique: Bradford 3D Guardian 3
• Most features: Ka-Bar ESEE BK14 Becker Necker Eskabar

How to Choose the Best EDC Fixed Blade

There are a few things you need to consider first before picking your EDC fixed blade. Keep in mind that a fixed blade is not as versatile as an EDC pocket knife. It isn’t about finding the best knife for survival or hunting. But it’s more about finding the right balance between utility and size. Choosing the right blade usually boils down to personal preferences. But there are a couple of general things you should consider beforehand.

Utility

The first thing you need to consider is what you want your blade to be able to do. A good blade should be able to cover almost anything. From opening a letter to breaking a stack of wood, it depends on what you will do with it daily. Break down a list of what you want to do with it before choosing.

How Easy to Open

As an everyday carry, the next thing you should consider is how easy it is to take out your blade from its sheath. It should be comfortable and quick enough to open. When it comes to the opening mechanism, an assisted opening is the easiest and quickest one. But this mechanism only works for retractable knives, not a fixed blade. As for fixed blades, they’d go with a one-hand or two-hand opening mechanism.

Size, Weight, & Steel Type

The weight of your blade should be reasonable enough to carry. If you’re opting for the big knives, you might have to be ready to lug it around anytime you need it. And this can create a hassle on its own. That said, small knives might not do the work for certain tasks. So, choose yours accordingly. 

Are fixed-blade knives good for EDC?

Fixed-blade knives are generally stronger and more durable than folding knives because they do not have any moving parts that can break or malfunction. This makes them ideal for heavy-duty tasks, such as camping, hunting, and survival situations. However, fixed-blade knives may not be legal to carry in certain areas, so it’s important to check local laws and regulations before choosing a blade.

How sharp should an EDC knife be?

A blade with a sharpness level of around 15-20 degrees per side is ideal. This level of sharpness strikes a balance between durability and cutting performance, allowing the blade to cut through most materials with ease while retaining its sharp edge for extended periods of use. Be wary of dull knives. A dull knife can be more dangerous than a sharp one because it requires more force, increasing the risk of slipping or losing control.

Are fixed blades suitable for self-defense?

Fixed-blade knives can be effective for self-defense in certain situations, but their suitability depends on several factors. Firstly, you must be adequately trained in self-defense techniques and understand how to use the knife effectively and safely. Secondly, the size and design of the fixed-blade knife can impact its effectiveness. Lastly, the laws in your jurisdiction regarding taking and using a knife for self-defense should also be considered. In some places, carrying a knife may be illegal or could result in serious legal consequences.

How often should I sharpen my EDC knife?

If you use your knife regularly for demanding tasks such as cutting through rigid materials or opening boxes, you may need to sharpen it more often. On average, sharpening your EDC knife every few months is sufficient for most users. However, it’s important to note that a dull blade can be dangerous, so it’s best to sharpen your knife before it becomes too dull.