Five Best Everyday Carry Knives

A trusty knife is indispensable. Whether you just use it to open boxes and packages, trim or strip cable, cut rope for camping or any outdoors activity, or just like having one in case you need one, you have tons of options. This week we’re looking at five great options, based on your nominations.

Of course, trying to look at the five best everyday carry knives is a bit like asking people what their five favorite colors are, and everyone has a specific pantone number they like—when we asked you for your favorites, you responded with hundreds of options, from the kind of locking, folding blades we were looking for to some familiar names from our five best multitools rundown a while back.

Also, and we shouldn’t have to remind you, but since it’s come up: Carrying a knife in public isn’t legal in all jurisdictions. Some states and countries have restrictions against specific blade sizes, only allow you to carry utility knives but not locking blades, and so on. Make sure you know what’s legal in your community before you strap a utility knife to your belt and head out, but what you use in your home to open boxes, do handy work around the house, or set up a campsite is likely up to you. For those of you not sure why you would want a utility knife at all, this great post from Indefinitely Wild offers some solid reasoning worth reading. They also have some great tips on how to choose the right one for you.

That all said, keep in mind that these five were based on your nominations and voted on by fellow commenters, and there’s no way we could include every great knife you suggested. Here are the ones that got the most support, in no particular order:

Kershaw Cryo

Five Best Everyday Carry Knives

If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills, yet-still-safe everyday carry pocket knife, the Kershaw Cryo may be just what you need. its blade is 2.75” long, and the “speedsafe” assisted opening mechanism makes it easy to open one-handed. There’s also a lockbar stabilizer so the blade goes where it’s supposed to go when it opens, instead of opening part-way, and a thumbstud for controlled opening (which some of you said you loved, and others said you hated.) The handle has a pocketclip on the side for easy carrying, and the pocketclip can be positioned tip up or down, making it easier for lefties and righties to carry their Cryo where it’s most comfortable for them. The handle and the body are both steel, with a tarnish-resistant titanium carbo-nitride coating on the exterior for texture and to protect it from wear and tear. It’s a small blade, perfect for regular use, and—as some of the testimonials at Kershaw’s site note—it’s easy to sharpen after you’ve used it for a long time, and sharp knives are safer than dull ones. If you want one, $25 at Amazon is all it’ll set you back.

Those of you who nominated the Kershaw Cryo praised its look and feel, for one, but also noted that it’s easy to open and close, especially with one hand, and that when it’s open, it locks in place for safe use, so you don’t have to worry about it closing on your fingers, or trying to close while you’re in the middle of something. Others pointed out that the assisted open is illegal in some places, while still others noted that the assisted open is exactly the kind of thing that makes the Cryo such a great knife—and safe to use. Many of you commented on its weight, that it was heavier than it looks (which was a good thing), and more than a few of you said you owned one—or were planning to buy one. Check out the whole nomination thread here.

Read the Whole Article

Gerber Ripstop I Knife... Best Price: $9.57 Buy New $17.00 (as of 11:20 UTC - Details)

Spyderco Endura 4 Ligh... Buy New $84.59 (as of 10:49 UTC - Details)

Opinel No.07 Carbon St... Buy New $14.95 (as of 10:47 UTC - Details)