six models of utility knives in a collage

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This Is the Year of the EDC Utility Knife — Here’s Why

This long-overlooked function-first cutting tool is going through a renaissance, and we have the proof.

By Sean Tirman

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With a huge number of outstanding knifemaking brands producing a wide variety of offerings, several large knife-focused retailers currently operating (and many more that have integrated the sale of knives into their business) and literally thousands of available examples of knives — pocket/folding, fixed and otherwise — it’s never been a better time to be an everyday carry enthusiast.

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But this year, there’s one category that has started to stand out: utility knives. Often overlooked by the larger knife enthusiast community — likely because the category is typically function-first and, often, function-only — several new, outstanding examples have dropped just in the last couple of months alone. And it looks like a trend that’s going to continue. In fact, I’m so sure of it, I’m going to just go ahead and say it: 2024 is the year of the utility knife. Here’s the proof.

Products in the Guide

There’s been a lot of high-quality utility knife releases already

While most of these noteworthy utility knife releases dropped within the 2024 calendar year, a couple launched just at the end of 2023. Either way, each of these releases is newsworthy in its own unique way. Check them out below.

CJRB Breeze

CJRB

Best Compact Utility Knife

CJRB Breeze

At just over three inches in length, this utility knife is positively tiny. Yet it still supports standard-sized utility blades, has a clever slider mechanism, and packs in a few extra functions (including a bottle opener and hex driver).

Specs

Compatible with Standard-sized utility blades
Deployment Slider
Handle Material Aluminum, steel and/or titanium
Handle Length 3.1 inches

Pros

  • Intuitive, reliable slider mechanism
  • Several additional functions
  • Small, discreet and EDC-friendly

Cons

  • Might be too small for some hands
Read our full review of the CJRB Breeze

The most recent of our coverage (our article dates to February 9, 2024), CJRB’s Breeze is a handy micro-sized utility knife with a few different construction options — including aluminum, steel and titanium — and several additional integrated functions (like a hex driver slot and a built-in bottle opener). Between its size and usefulness, this EDC utility blade proves that tiny can, in fact, be mighty.

small utility knives on a black background
CJRB (an offshoot of Artisan Cutlery) packs a ton of functionality into the tiny Breeze multi-tool utility knife.
CJRB

EDC Monster Phantom 2

a silver and black utility knifeKickstarter

EDC Monster Phantom 2.0 Utility Knife

Combining the best parts of traditional flipper EDC knives and utility knives into one sleek package, this futuristic-styled cutting tool deploys super fast and closes back up securely when you’re done. It also has quick-change blades and a host of other neat features.

Specs

Compatible with Standard-sized utility blades
Deployment Flipper (front and back)
Handle Material Titanium
Handle Length 3.64 inches

Pros

  • Multiple flipper deployment options
  • Easy quick-change blades
  • Folds for safety and security

Cons

  • Not as sturdy a blade as traditional EDC knives
Read our full review of the EDC Monster Phantom 2.0 Utility Knife

Covered back on January 27, 2024, the EDC Monster Phantom 2 is definitely geared toward the knife enthusiast crowd, courtesy of its titanium construction, frame lock handle, flipper deployments (yes, it has more than one) and sci-fi-inspired styling. Yet it still works with standard-sized utility blades and even has a handy quick-release to make replacing them a snap.

the phantom 2 utility knife
EDC Monster’s Phantom 2 is the perfect EDC utility knife for folks who love flipper deployments (as opposed to more typical sliders).
Kickstarter

Jimmytronics Sardine

Jimmytronics

Jimmytronics The Sardine

Tiny enough for discreet keychain carry yet strong enough to stand up to just about any amount of punishment (within normal use), this novel OTF utility knife is practically the definition of ‘tiny but mighty’ and is compatible with the most commercially available X-Acto blade size.

Specs

Compatible with X-Acto #11
Deployment Slider, spring-loaded
Handle Material Titanum
Handle Length 2.36 inches

Pros

  • Ultra-compact
  • Super-strong
  • Novel button/slider mechanism

Cons

  • Possible risk of extending the blade when pocketed
Read our full review of the Jimmytronics The Sardine

A sleeker, smaller, spring-loaded offering we covered on January 25, 2024, the Jimmytronics Sardine eschews full-sized utility blades for more svelte, detail-focused X-Acto ones. It also boasts a clever button locking mechanism, a quick-release (to pull the blade back into the handle) and a titanium frame that’s about the same size as a standard-sized key (yes, it can attach to your keychain).

a small utility knife with it's blade sticking into a cardboard box
Tiny enough to fit on your keychain, the spring-loaded Sardine uses universal X-Acto blades.
Jimmytronics

Rivery CNC Zero

One of the more unique takes on a utility knife, the Rivery CNC Zero is almost entirely hardware-free, instead relying on a clever, proprietary mechanism to extend and retract its standard-sized utility blades. Covered back on January 15, 2024, this all-metal offering (made with either aluminum or brass) is equal parts a useful EDC knife and an engaging fidget toy.

two textured utility knives sitting on rocks
Rivery CNC’s Zero is almost entirely hardware-free, utilizing a patent-pending internal mechanism instead.
Kickstarter

Ship John SJSN4 Cutter

Ship John

Ship John SJSN4 Cutter

A love letter to the Stanley 299, this solid metal reimagining of the aforementioned iconic utility knife is a craftsperson’s dream. The new material and improved grip make precision cutting tasks much simpler, while the overall appearance stays true to its inspiration.

Specs

Compatible with Standard-size utility blades
Deployment Fixed
Handle Material Solid copper, solid brass or aluminum
Handle Length 7 inches

Pros

  • Absolutely gorgeous
  • Will age beautifully over time
  • Compatible with all standard utility blades
  • Handle can store up to 6 more blades

Cons

  • Extremely limited edition
  • Expensive
  • Non-retracting blade
Read our full review of the Ship John SJSN4 Cutter

Although its not exactly EDC-friendly (the blade is fixed, rather than retractable or folding), Ship John’s Stanley 299-inspired SJSN4 Cutter still begs mentioning. Covered more recently on February 2, 2024, this gorgeous, heritage-quality cutting tool is made from solid copper and can carry a whopping seven total blades (courtesy of an in-handle storage slot). Sadly, only 25 were made and, since publishing, have already sold out.

a copper utility knife sitting on a table
A gorgeous tribute to Stanley’s legendary 299, this Ship John utility knife is made from solid copper.
Ship John

DailyGizmo Kiwi

Kickstarter

DailyGizmo Kiwi Titanium Keychain Utility Knife

Tiny enough to fit on your keychain and stripped down to just the most essential of parts, the Kiwi is one of the most compact, smallest utility knives around. But since it’s made from titanium, it’s still super-strong.

Specs

Compatible with Standard-size utility blades
Deployment Slider
Handle Material Titanium
Handle Length 3.01 inches

Pros

  • Super-compact
  • As minimalist as it gets
  • Beautiful design

Cons

  • Fairly small handle

While we missed out on covering this one while its campaign was active, this tiny EDC-friendly slider utility knife was also launched and funded in 2024 — beating its goal by more than double. Boasting quick-release blades, a titanium and brass construction and one-hand operation, we’re hoping the Kickstarter campaign isn’t the end of the Kiwi’s availability (tl;dr: we hope it goes on sale elsewhere).

a person cutting paracord with a utility knife
Keychain-sized, the Kiwi still fits a full-sized utility blade in its titanium frame.
Kickstarter

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Other EDC-friendly utility knives are also available

While the above mark the most recent releases (and speak to the existence of a larger trend for the year 2024), they’re hardly the only available utility knives that are EDC-ready and/or -friendly. We’ve picked out a few of our favorites that existed before the 2024 calendar year, which are all available for purchase right now — and you will likely recognize most, if not all of these brands.

Big Idea Design Titanium Pocket Tool Slide

Amazon

Big Idea Design TPT Slide

Small enough to slip into the most crowded of pockets, Big Idea Design’s TPT Slide is a utility knife first (housing either the included stainless steel insert or a standard-sized utility razor), but also has several other built-in functions — including a hex driver/wrench, flathead screwdriver, bottle opener and much more.

Specs

Compatible with Standard-size utility blades
Deployment Slider
Handle Material Titanium
Handle Length 3 inches

Pros

  • Compact, travels easy
  • Multiple integrated functions

Cons

  • Expensive for a utility knife

While the Big Idea Design TPT is a bit older (it’s been around for at least five years in some form or another), it’s still among the best utility knives for EDC — and has a bunch of additional functionality to help extend its value. Of course, for those who find the TPT a bit too small and prefer something a little more knife-like, the brand also offers the folding Ti Utility Knife.

Gerber Prybrid

Gerber

Gerber Prybrid

Along with its slider-deployed razor blade, Gerber’s Prybrid also houses seven other tools — including a bottle opener, pry bar (as the name suggests), nail puller, wire stripper, dual drivers and more. And that’s all in a package small enough to fit on your keychain.

Specs

Compatible with Standard-size utility blades
Deployment Slider
Handle Material G10
Handle Length 4.25 inches

Pros

  • Highly durable
  • Additional integrated functions
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Might be too "tactical" for some

Another “old standard” of the EDC utility knife world, Gerber’s Prybrid looks to capitalize on the more tactical/outdoor crowd. That being said, this razor-based multi-tool is still definitely small enough to sneak into most EDC loadouts. For those who prefer an X-Acto blade, Gerber also offers the Prybrid X.

The James Brand Palmer

Along with being gorgeously minimalist and incredibly easy to use, the Palmer is also available in a whopping eight different colorways, making it one of the more stylistically customizable offerings. And if you ditch the blade before you travel, it’s also completely TSA-compliant.

Slice 10496

Slice 10496

An outstanding budget-friendly option for those looking for an EDC utility knife, Slice’s 10496 uses a simple slider to deploy the blade, which is housed in a grippy aluminum handle. It’s not fancy, but it will get the job done.

Specs

Compatible with Standard-size utility blades
Deployment Slider
Handle Material Aluminum
Handle Length 2.64 inches

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Simple to operate

Cons

  • Not as good looking as others

While the above is definitely Slice’s best attempt at an EDC-friendly utility knife (it’s even in the name), the brand also offers a slightly different one: the Slice 10562. While it uses proprietary blades (which are, therefore, harder to replace), the folding format might be preferred by some.

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