Those entering the EDC world can experience a learning curve. While the basics are easy to understand, we all tend to go down rabbit holes once we get started. Because I have been where you are, I would like to offer you a brief look at Knives 101—The Basics of EDC Knives.

Learn The Basics of EDC Knives – Knives 101

Before jumping in, let me say this will be a basic look at knives. In Knives 101, if you spend 10 minutes online, you will find this field very complex. The knife culture is very deep in detail and preferences. People in the knife community are interested in aspects of blades at almost a molecular level. Most of us just want a good knife that will serve our needs. I will also say that if you become interested in knives, the blade community is welcoming and friendly.

We will first look at the general types of EDC knives. The most common knife is the classic folder. A folding knife has one or more blades that fold into the handle. They are also known more commonly as pocket knives. Our next knife is a fixed blade. A fixed-blade knife is a knife with a blade that is permanently attached to the handle. The blade does not fold or pivot. Fixed-blade knives are often stronger and more durable than folding knives. The last general category is automatic knives. An automatic knife is a pocket knife that opens automatically when a button or lever is pressed. The blade is spring-loaded and locks into place when fully extended.  One of the most common knives in this category is the old-school switchblade.

Steel Choice

Next, we need to look at the steel the knife is made from. This is where you can end up in Einstein-level discussions with hard-core knife people. The thing we look for in our blade steel is its ability to keep an edge. The most common material is stainless steel. The primary reason for the use of stainless steel is its cost. As a rule, they are cheaper to make. While less expensive, they still can still be sharp and durable. They are also highly resistant to water, thus reducing rust issues.

Another good option is carbon steel. Carbon steel knives have a reputation for being more durable than other kinds of steel. They hold a good edge longer and are easy to sharpen. The last one we will look at is tool steel. Tool steel is a type of carbon alloy used to make durable knives. The main benefit of tool steel is its toughness. They’re harder, resistant to abrasion, and retain their edge well.  Once again, these are three of the countless types of steel used in EDC knives.

Hard Steel

One important thing we need to consider is something called Rockwell Hardness. The Rockwell Hardness Scale is used to measure how hard a knife is. It works by applying a diamond point to the steel with a specified degree of weight and then measuring the size of the mark created. The biggest factor attached to this is how long our blade stays sharp. Generally, the higher the hardness, the tougher the blade is and, in turn, stays sharper longer. However, we are always looking for the perfect balance because the harder the steel is, the harder it will be to sharpen our knife.

Knives 101 – Tip Design

Now, we need to explore knife tip design. One of the most common is the drop point. A drop-point knife has a blade that slopes downward from the handle to the tip. This design makes the knife’s point stronger and more centrally aligned.  The second one we see quite a bit is the straight back. The straight-back knife is useful for piercing, skinning, and bushcraft and is most frequently found on fixed-blade knives. Next, we have a clip point. A clip-point knife has a blade that appears to have been “clipped” off at the tip. This blade shape is versatile and can be used for slicing, piercing, and detail work. Our last most common style is called tanto. A tanto point knife has an angular blade shape with a sharp tip for piercing and slashing. 

Most of the other aspects of knife design, such as grips and finish, are personal preference issues. In my opinion, a good EDC knife is something you should always have on you. Once you choose one, take good care of it. While I don’t suggest babying it, you should certainly keep it clean and sharp. Remember that a sharp knife is a safe knife.