The Next Big Thing in Affordable EDC Knives May Have Just Arrived

I got hands-on with Vosteed’s latest release and am already smitten.

Macro shot of Vosteed Porcupine knife pivot

Published January 14, 2025

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Updated January 14, 2025

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In my experience, the EDC knives I love to carry aren’t necessarily those with the most high-end specs and features. Instead, I often gravitate toward knives that “feel” right for me. Sometimes, they’re grail-worthy — like my Spyderco Para 3 — but they’re usually on the more budget-friendly side of the spectrum.

I recently got hands-on with Vosteed’s latest release, the Porcupine, which undoubtedly fits more into the latter category. That said, I’ve already fallen for it and can tell it’s destined to be one of my most trusted go-to EDC knives.

Vosteed Porcupine knife on dollar bill on a wood table — Along with its excellent meshing of form and function, the Porcupine comes in seven smart colorway options.

All about synergy

The Vosteed Porcupine does not stand out because of any single feature. Rather, its exceptional quality comes from the synergy of its parts.

That includes a wide belly 14C28N steel blade that’s neither too long nor too short, handsome Micarta handle scales, a reversible pocket clip, and a slick pivot.

The Porcupine also has a top liner lock, a modified version of the legendary Compression lock — the exceptionally strong mechanism popularized by Spyderco. It’s accessible via a button, making it supremely easy to use.

Vosteed Porcupine knife folded and sitting on tree root — For the price, the Porcupine’s materials are pretty exceptional.

My hands-on experience

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the Porcupine early, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve handled a lot of Vosteed knives over the last few years — including the Corgi — and they’re all pretty solid, so I mostly knew what to expect. But this knife surprised me.

At just over seven inches (approximately three of which make up the blade), it’s the perfect size for my hands and, therefore, my EDC. It’s also remarkably lightweight, clocking in at about 3.3 ounces.

Better still, the oversized thumb hole, button-operated lock and buttery-smooth pivot make it a pleasure to use. Typically, I’m fond of flippers for their fidget-friendliness, but this manual folder is so smooth that I don’t even miss the alternative deployment.

It’s also in a material and price class that prevents me from being afraid to use it. It’s not so expensive that I’ll be unable to replace it, but it’s not so cheap that I’m worried about hurting myself. Furthermore, it’s well-built and looks great (obviously).

Knowing my habits, I’m certain I’ll add the Porcupine to my regular EDC rotation.

Vosteed Porcupine held in hand — In my opinion, the Vosteed Porcupine is the ideal size and format for everyday carry.

Available now

The Vosteed Porcupine drops today, January 14, 2025. It is available in seven sharp colorways and costs $69 apiece. If you prefer, you can also get it on Amazon.

However, this exceptional knife is likely to sell quickly. I recommend buying one as soon as you can before it’s too late.