Much more so than a snowboarding kit, dress watch or sports car — all of which have a time and a place to be enjoyed — a new knife or tool has the power to transform your experience on a constant basis. You’ll carry it every day, everywhere, after all.
Are you looking to revitalize your EDC kit, add to your growing collection or like to keep up with the latest goings-on from your favorite brands and newcomers? Check this page every month for the most up-to-date news in the world of knives, multitools, and related gadgets galore.
Editor’s note: For a look back at notable releases from last year, check out our 2023 roundup.
Designed by USMC veteran Michael Burch, the Swoopy is a hard-use knife that hinges on a long-bellied Wharncliffe blade and an extra grippy G10 handle, making it perfect for anyone who needs a little extra security and cutting power. While not as refined as some other EDC knives, this formidable folder that will get the job done right the first time.
Inspired by the Persian fixed blades of ancient times, CRKT’s Ritual Compact is one of the most unique folding knives presently available, marked by its extreme curvature and materials that really sell the silhouette. While the carbon fiber and Damascus high-end version is certainly a stunner, there’s also a Micarta and Sandvik steel version for nearly $200 less.
This wildly popular (re: continually sold out) fixed blade features a high-end Magnacut stainless steel blade and a G10 handle. Although it has a bushcraft vibe, it was designed with the intention of being an EDC blade.
A departure from TJB’s usual bladed tools, the Martindale is the brand’s first wallet (or perhaps wallet-adjacent accessory). It still boasts the brand’s signature minimalism and quality construction, offering little more than a beautifully beveled piece of titanium, while allowing the brand to expand into a new category entirely.
A spin on the popular Japanese-inspired knife design from designer Lucas Burnley (the Kwaiken), Civivi’s KwaiQ is a more stylized, budget-friendly take — almost like something out of a cyberpunk movie. And while this is definitely an affordable folder, the materials are still very solid and make for a reliable, durable EDC blade.
Consider this the “big brother” to Giant Mouse’s classic Biblio design. This knife features a few design departures from its smaller brethren: brass backspacers instead of standoffs and two aesthetic variations, Green Canvas Micarta with Elmax steel and Textured Titanium with Vanadis steel.
The Hogue Knives Mysto is a trifecta of premium materials, balanced ergonomics and an elegant design: everything you’d want in a pocket knife. It features a CNC-milled titanium handle, ABLE lock design and a CPM MagnaCut blade.
When you’re named after a famous bucking bull, chances are you’re set to make an impression. The Bodacious does just that — it’s geared toward hunting as well as EDC tasks and features no-nonsense materials including a CPM S30V steel blade and skeletonized stainless steel liners for weight reduction. This knife is big, burly and ready to throw down.
This variant of Terrain 365’s best-selling Invictus folder carries a slimmer profile while retaining its signature silhouette and extremely high-end materials — including a Terravantium blade, titanium slab frame lock and G10 handle scale. All that means it’s also non-magnetic and rustproof. Yes, it’s overbuilt, but that’s the beauty of it.
The third update to Bellroy’s sleek leather key organizer, this version has upgrades to its durability and security. However, it still fits 2-4 standard keys, has a D-ring for your car key or key fob, boasts a magnetic closure and remains as slim as ever.
A unique EDC folder boasting a Nitro-V drop point blade and Micarta handle, Civivi’s Sendy ups the ante by incorporating a couple of additional, removable tools — tweezers and a toothpick. These elements make it a little more multi-tool than knife without sacrificing its cutting power and performance.
With seven different handle options — including Richlite, carbon fiber, Ultem, Micarta and G10 — Jens Anso’s Aros is a brilliant, versatile small pocket knife perfect for everyday carry. Like everything Anso designs, it’s gorgeous to behold and easily stands out from the crowd.
CRKT took one of its coolest folding knives — with a design harkening back to WWII field knives — and made it into a more compact, EDC-friendly package. It also got a steel upgrade to S35VN, a combination G10 and aluminum handle and — the piece de resistance — that no-tool Field Strip tech that made this Ken Onion knife so exceptional to begin with.
An unusual venture for Spyderco on multiple accounts, this limited-edition knife is a flipper made in collaboration with lionSTEEL and produced exclusively for Spyderco. It boasts a super-steel Böhler M390 drop-point blade mated to a Micarta and titanium handle (with a Reeve Integral Lock, no less). Oh yeah, and the flipper is removable.
Named after everyone’s favorite San Dimas flunkies, Boker’s Bill N Ted is a dual threat, featuring a drop-point D2 folding blade on one end and a retractable, locking utility knife on the other. That means you can save the knife blade for big work and use the utility blade to open packages and the like.
Simplicity and minimalism are the name of the game with this solid titanium keyring. With just one piece, the bottle cage artisans at King Cage crafted a secure, key-capturing design that won’t get in the way — no matter how many keys and accessories you attach. It’s amazing how much the brand did with so little.
A more unusual piece of EDC, the Nuwa Pen is actually a smart device in disguise, allowing you to jot down all the notes you can and instantly transfer them into the digital realm courtesy of its array of cameras, motion sensors and advanced algorithms. And it can write for hours with just a 15-minute charge.
Chris Reeve Knives Large Inkosi Knife Carbon Fiber Inlays
Although it’s no longer available, we would be remiss to leave this ultra-high-end version of the Inkosi off our “best of” list for January. This BladeHQ exclusive took CRK’s premium folding knife and made it even more upscale, adding carbon fiber inlays and a Magnacut blade. Those upgrades are reflected in the eye-watering price tag.
This tiny little fixed blade squeeze a ton into its 1.3-ounce package. Designed by Nate Matlack, the Vaquita II may be small in stature and price, but it doesn’t skimp when it comes to materials: it features a 3.2-inch Damascus blade with 58-60HRC hardness, stainless steel screws and a Micarta handle.
This well-designed pen surpassed its Kickstarter goal in a matter of days, thanks to a sleek design, generous accolades and more features than you think. It’s a slim multi-tool of sorts, boasting an eternal pen tip, window breaker and built-in knife — exactly what you want in your glovebox as a “just in case” item.