The best fixed blade knife
Quick answer: the Gerber Terracraft (around $240) is the best fixed blade knife for most outdoor use: a 4.0 in S30V drop point with full tang construction and layered G10 scales, per Gerber, and Gear Patrol's pick for best fixed blade knife. For everyday carry, the QSP Baby Penguin (around $70) is the smallest and lightest knife here by QSP's figures. For work and utility, the CRKT Razel (around $65) has a squared D2 chisel blade. For a compact knife made in the USA, the ESEE Xancudo (around $150) in S35VN. On a budget, the Kizer Deckhand (around $50), Nothing But Knives' Best Budget Option. For hunting, the TOPS Skinat (around $150), which TOPS says is great for hunters.
How we know: this is a research-based roundup, not our own field testing. Specs come from each maker's own page, picks from published editors' guides named in the text, and owner opinions from OpticsPlanet reviews where they exist. None of these knives has owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet, so there is no owner record to report.
These are fixed blades you carry and use day to day, from pocket-size EDC knives to belt knives for outdoor work and hunting. The choice comes down to blade length, overall length, weight, steel and, above all for daily carry, the sheath. Where the retailer listing and the maker disagree on a figure, we print the maker's and name the other. For camping, bushcraft and survival knives, see our best survival knife roundup.
Fixed blade knives compared
| Knife | Best for | Blade length | Overall length | Steel | Blade thickness | Handle | Sheath | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerber Terracraft (30-001654) | Overall | 4.0 in | 9.1 in | S30V | Not published ("extra thick") | Layered G10 | American leather | 6.4 oz (sheath not stated) | around $240 |
| QSP Baby Penguin (QS130BPD1) | EDC | 2.525 in (64 mm) | 5.90 in (150 mm) | 14C28N, HRC 59-61 | About 3.0 mm | G10 with aluminum foil | Clip slip (retailer: brown leather belt sheath) | About 76 g / 2.68 oz (retailer: 0.4 lb) | around $70 |
| CRKT Razel (4037ER) | Utility, work | 2.97 in | 6.75 in | D2, oxide finish | 0.17 in | G10, high-viz orange | Thermoplastic | 4.20 oz | around $65 |
| ESEE Xancudo (XAN2-006) | Compact, made in USA | 3.0 in cutting edge | 7.12 in | S35VN, 59-60 Rc | .125 in | 3D G10, orange and black | Black molded | 3.8 oz knife only, 6 oz with sheath | around $150 |
| Kizer Deckhand (KI1062A1) | Budget | 2.94 in (74.8 mm) | 6.33 in (160.7 mm) | D2 | 3.2 mm | Micarta and G10 | Type not stated (retailer: Kydex neck sheath) | 3.70 oz / 105 g | around $50 |
| TOPS Skinat (SK521) | Hunting | 3.88 in | 8.25 in | 1095, RC 56-58 | 0.190 in | Black Linen Micarta | Black Kydex, rotating spring steel clip | 8 oz knife weight | around $150 |
Figures are from each maker's own page (Gerber, QSP, CRKT, ESEE, Kizer's EU store, TOPS). Where the retailer listing gives a different figure, we name it in brackets or on the card. ESEE gives a cutting edge length rather than a blade length, and makers weigh on different bases, so the weights are not strictly comparable. Prices are bands; confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks
Best fixed blade knife overall: Gerber Terracraft, Flat Sage
S30V drop point · full tang · layered G10 scales · 4.0 in blade, 9.1 in overall (Gerber) · card: 30-001654
around $240exact price on OpticsPlanet
The full-size outdoor fixed blade, and Gear Patrol's pick for best fixed blade knife. Gerber lists the Terracraft in Flat Sage (product number 30-001654) with a 4.0 in S30V drop point blade, 9.1 in overall and 6.4 oz; Gerber does not say whether that weight includes the sheath. Gerber describes an extra thick blade, full tang construction, layered G10 scales, through holes for lashing, a 90 degree spine for fire striking and an American leather sheath, and says the knife is born and built in Portland, Oregon, in small batches. Gear Patrol named the Gerber Terracraft the Best Fixed Blade Knife in its fixed-blade knife guide (published March 2, 2024). Its spec row for the knife says Micarta, while Gerber lists layered G10 scales for this Flat Sage version, so read that pick as one for the Terracraft model, not for this exact card. Outdoor Life tested a Terracraft (G-10 handle, CPM S30V) in its fixed blade knife test (updated Apr 16, 2025) without giving it a category title: it tied for the best ferro rod performance, and the tester listed as a con that the factory edge angle held back cutting performance. HiConsumption named it the Best USA-Made Pick in its camping knife guide (Feb 07, 2024); its tester found it performed best at batoning and other hard-use tasks among the camp knives they tested, but that it does not lend itself to finer, more delicate tasks. None of these sources says which color or product number they handled. OpticsPlanet has no customer reviews on it yet.
Pros
- Gear Patrol's Best Fixed Blade Knife pick and HiConsumption's Best USA-Made Pick; Outdoor Life tested it and it tied for the best ferro rod performance
- Extra thick S30V blade, full tang construction and layered G10 scales, per Gerber
- 90 degree spine for fire striking and through holes for lashing (Gerber)
- Born and built in Portland, Oregon (Gerber); a limited lifetime warranty in North America, per Gerber's warranty page
Cons
- The most expensive knife on this page, and the longest at 9.1 in overall (Gerber): a belt knife, not a pocket knife
- Outdoor Life listed as a con that the factory edge angle held back cutting performance on its sample, and Everyday Commentary found its S30V "still a bear to sharpen"
- HiConsumption found the leather sheath can only be set up for vertical belt carry
- HiConsumption found the oversized tubes in the handle occasionally form hotspots under hard use; Everyday Commentary found no hotspots
Best for: a buyer who wants one full-size fixed blade for outdoor and camp work and will carry it on the belt. For a knife to carry every day, the QSP Baby Penguin or the Kizer Deckhand is far smaller.
Key specifications
| Blade | 4.0 in, S30V, drop point; Gerber says "extra thick" but publishes no number |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 9.1 in (Gerber) |
| Tang | Full tang construction (Gerber) |
| Handle | Layered G10 scales (Gerber). The retailer title says Fiberglass/Plastic |
| Weight | 6.4 oz; Gerber does not say whether the sheath is included |
| Sheath | American leather sheath (Gerber); the retailer package contents name only the knife |
| Made in | Portland, Oregon (Gerber) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty in North America and a 25 year limited warranty outside North America, for products bought directly from Gerber or a Gerber authorized reseller (Gerber) |
| Model on this card | Flat Sage, Gerber product number 30-001654 (the only row on this retailer listing) |
Best EDC fixed blade: QSP Baby Penguin Fixed Blade, Aluminum Foil G10
14C28N, HRC 59-61 · sheepsfoot · 2.525 in blade, 5.90 in overall, about 76 g (QSP) · card: QS130BPD1
around $70exact price on OpticsPlanet
The smallest and lightest knife here by QSP's figures, built to ride in a pocket. QSP lists the Baby Penguin with a G10 and aluminum foil handle (QSP SKU QS130BP-D1) with a 2.525 in (64 mm) 14C28N sheepsfoot blade at HRC 59-61, about 3.0 mm thick, 5.90 in (150 mm) overall, a 3.375 in handle and a net weight of about 76 g (2.68 oz), and says it comes with a clip slip sheath. The retailer listing describes a brown leather belt sheath and lists 2.5 in, 6 in and 0.4 lb, so the figures differ by source. Nothing But Knives listed the QSP Baby Penguin first among its favorite fixed blade EDC knives (updated December 14, 2025) and says it tested every knife in that article. The writer handled the copper foil G10 version, not this aluminum foil one, and found that its leather pocket sheath needs a little breaking in and takes up a chunk of pocket space. OpticsPlanet has no customer reviews on it yet.
Pros
- Smallest and lightest knife here by QSP's figures: 5.90 in overall, about 76 g (2.68 oz)
- 14C28N steel at HRC 59-61 (QSP); the retailer lists Sandvik 14C28N stainless
- Listed first among Nothing But Knives' favorite fixed blade EDC knives, all of which the site says it tested
- Sheepsfoot blade with a flat grind and a full tang, per the retailer listing
Cons
- The shortest blade here at 2.525 in (QSP), so it is a knife for small jobs
- Nothing But Knives says the leather pocket sheath needs breaking in and takes up a chunk of pocket space (on the copper foil version they handled)
- Sources disagree on the sheath and the weight: QSP says clip slip sheath and about 76 g, the retailer says brown leather belt sheath and 0.4 lb
- No owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet, and QSP does not state the tang
Best for: a buyer who wants a fixed blade that carries almost like a small folder. For a slightly longer blade at a lower price, look at the Kizer Deckhand.
Key specifications
| Blade | 2.525 in (64 mm), sheepsfoot, about 3.0 mm thick (QSP); the retailer lists 2.5 in |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 5.90 in (150 mm) (QSP); the retailer lists 6 in |
| Steel | 14C28N, HRC 59-61; QSP notes the black blade runs 1 HRC lower than the satin blade |
| Handle | G10 with aluminum foil, 3.375 in long (QSP) |
| Weight | About 76 g (2.68 oz) net (QSP); the retailer lists 0.4 lb |
| Sheath | Clip slip, material not stated (QSP). The retailer lists a brown leather belt sheath |
| Tang | Full tang per the retailer listing; QSP does not state it |
| Blade finish | Stonewash and satin, per the retailer features; QSP offers a 2 tone stonewash-satin blade and a black stonewashed blade |
| Model on this card | QS130BPD1, aluminum foil G10 (QSP SKU QS130BP-D1), the only row on this retailer listing |
Best utility fixed blade for work: CRKT Razel 2.97in Fixed Blade Knife, Orange G10
D2, oxide finish · squared chisel blade · 2.97 in blade, 0.17 in thick, 4.20 oz (CRKT) · card: 4037ER
around $65exact price on OpticsPlanet
A work knife with a squared chisel blade. CRKT lists the Razel (4037ER on this card) with a 2.97 in D2 blade in oxide finish, 0.17 in thick, 6.75 in overall and 4.20 oz, a contoured G10 handle in high-viz orange and a thermoplastic sheath, and says its squared chisel blade gives it multi-tool qualities. The retailer listing says the chisel blade is useful for push cutting or scraping and calls the sheath a pocket carry sheath. Nothing But Knives included the CRKT Razel in its favorite fixed blade EDC knives (updated December 14, 2025), calls it easily the most unique knife in that article, and says its pancake style polymer sheath keeps a fairly low profile in the pocket with a more or less traditional pocket clip. The Razel they list has a resin fiber handle; this card is the orange G10 4037ER. OpticsPlanet has no customer reviews on it yet.
Pros
- Squared chisel blade for push cutting and scraping (CRKT, retailer listing)
- Thick for its size: a 0.17 in D2 blade (CRKT)
- Nothing But Knives says its pancake style polymer sheath rides low in the pocket with a pocket clip
- Listed among Nothing But Knives' favorite fixed blade EDC knives, all of which the site says it tested
Cons
- An unusual squared shape that Nothing But Knives itself calls funny looking
- At 6.75 in overall (CRKT), a little past the 6.5 in Nothing But Knives gives as a guide for fixed blade EDC
- The retailer listing's features describe a Micarta handle and its spec table a satin finish; CRKT says the 4037ER has a G10 handle and an oxide finish, so confirm the row on the retailer page
- No owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet
Best for: a buyer who wants a small, thick fixed blade for shop and job site chores in a pocket sheath. For a sheepsfoot blade at a lower price, look at the Kizer Deckhand.
Key specifications
| Blade | 2.97 in (75.54 mm), 0.17 in thick, squared chisel blade, plain edge (CRKT) |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 6.75 in (CRKT) |
| Steel | D2, oxide finish on the 4037ER (CRKT) |
| Handle | Contoured G10 in high-viz orange (CRKT, 4037ER) |
| Weight | 4.20 oz (CRKT) |
| Sheath | Thermoplastic (CRKT); pocket carry sheath (retailer listing) |
| Model on this card | 4037ER, orange G10 handle. The 4037 row on the same retailer listing (Micarta, per CRKT) is not this card |
Best compact made in the USA: ESEE Xancudo Fixed Blade S35VN, Orange/Black G10
S35VN, 59-60 Rc · 3.0 in cutting edge, .125 in thick · 3.8 oz knife only (ESEE) · card: XAN2-006
around $150exact price on OpticsPlanet
A small fixed blade in S35VN, made in the U.S.A. ESEE lists the Xancudo XAN2-006 with a 3.0 in cutting edge in S35VN at 59-60 Rc, .125 in maximum thickness, 7.12 in overall, a stone washed finish, an orange and black 3D G10 handle without the carabiner hole and a black molded sheath. ESEE gives the weight both ways, 3.8 oz for the knife only and 6 oz with the sheath, the only maker here that publishes both. ESEE says it is made in the U.S.A. and backs it with a 100% unconditional lifetime guarantee. OpticsPlanet has no customer reviews on it yet.
Pros
- S35VN at 59-60 Rc with a stone washed finish (ESEE)
- ESEE publishes both weights: 3.8 oz knife only, 6 oz with the sheath
- Made in the U.S.A., with a 100% unconditional lifetime guarantee (ESEE)
- 3D G10 handle in orange and black and a black molded sheath (ESEE)
Cons
- Ties with the TOPS Skinat for the second-highest price on this page
- At 7.12 in overall (ESEE), longer than the 6.5 in Nothing But Knives gives as a guide for fixed blade EDC
- The retailer features mention a carabiner hole and a full tang; this XAN2-006 row is the version without the hole, and ESEE does not state the tang
- No owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet
Best for: a buyer who wants a small, US-made fixed blade in S35VN and knows its carry weight with the sheath. For a smaller and lighter knife, the QSP Baby Penguin.
Key specifications
| Cutting edge | 3.0 in (ESEE gives cutting edge length, not blade length) |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 7.12 in (ESEE) |
| Thickness | .125 in maximum (ESEE) |
| Steel | S35VN, 59-60 Rc, stone washed (ESEE) |
| Handle | 3D G10, orange and black, without hole (ESEE) |
| Weight | 3.8 oz knife only; 6 oz with sheath (ESEE) |
| Sheath | Black molded sheath (ESEE) |
| Made in | U.S.A. (ESEE) |
| Warranty | 100% unconditional lifetime guarantee (ESEE) |
| Model on this card | XAN2-006, without the carabiner hole. The XAN1-006 row with the hole is not this card |
Best budget fixed blade: Kizer Deckhand Fixed Blade
D2 · sheepsfoot · 2.94 in blade, 3.2 mm thick · Micarta and G10 · 3.70 oz (Kizer) · card: KI1062A1
around $50exact price on OpticsPlanet
The lowest-priced knife on this page, and Nothing But Knives' Best Budget Option for fixed blade EDC. Kizer lists the Deckhand (model 1062A1, designed by Tyler Barnes) with a 2.94 in D2 sheepsfoot blade, 3.2 mm thick and stonewashed, 6.33 in overall, a Micarta and G10 handle 3.38 in long, a lanyard hole with a lanyard and a weight of 3.70 oz (105 g); it says the knife comes with a sheath but does not name the type. The retailer listing calls it a black Kydex neck sheath and lists 3 in and 6.25 in. Nothing But Knives says the Deckhand is the most budget friendly EDC fixed blade it tested and the most versatile of Kizer's budget friendly fixed blades from an EDC standpoint. The writer describes a taco-style Kydex sheath with a big open J-shaped clip meant for the belt that also works in the pocket, though the clip stands off the pocket a little. They add that the Micarta scales feel solid even in wet conditions, but that the high carbon steel keeps it from being a perfect boating knife. OpticsPlanet has no customer reviews on it yet.
Pros
- The lowest price on this page
- Nothing But Knives' Best Budget Option among the fixed blade EDC knives it tested
- Pocket-friendly size: 2.94 in blade, 6.33 in overall, 3.70 oz (Kizer)
- Sheepsfoot blade and a Micarta and G10 handle; Nothing But Knives says the scales feel solid even in wet conditions
Cons
- Nothing But Knives says the clip stands off the pocket a little, so you need care near your car or a lot of cordage
- Nothing But Knives calls the steel high carbon and suggests the black-coated version for boating use; Kizer calls its D2 stainless
- Kizer does not name the sheath type; the retailer lists a Kydex neck sheath
- No owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet
Best for: a first fixed blade for everyday carry on a budget. If you want the smallest, lightest carry, the QSP Baby Penguin.
Key specifications
| Blade | 2.94 in (74.8 mm), 3.2 mm thick, sheepsfoot, stonewashed (Kizer); the retailer lists 3 in |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 6.33 in (160.7 mm) (Kizer); the retailer lists 6.25 in |
| Steel | D2 (Kizer: "D2 Stainless Steel"; the retailer: D2 tool steel) |
| Handle | Micarta and G10, 3.38 in long (Kizer) |
| Weight | 3.70 oz / 105 g (Kizer) |
| Sheath | Included, type not stated (Kizer); the retailer lists a black Kydex neck sheath |
| Designer | Tyler Barnes (Kizer) |
| Model on this card | KI1062A1 (Kizer model 1062A1), the only row on this retailer listing |
Best fixed blade for hunting: TOPS Knives Skinat Fixed Blade Knife
1095, RC 56-58 · Hunters Point · 3.88 in blade, 0.190 in thick (TOPS) · card: SK521
around $150exact price on OpticsPlanet
The hunting knife of the group. TOPS says the Skinat's sleek, sturdy design is great for hunters and fishermen and that the blade shape makes skinning and other tasks a breeze. TOPS lists a 3.88 in Hunters Point blade in 1095 at RC 56-58, 0.190 in thick, with a Black Traction Coating, 8.25 in overall, a Black Linen Micarta handle, an 8 oz knife weight and a Black Kydex sheath with a rotating spring steel clip. The retailer listing gives 3.5 in and 8.38 in instead, so the lengths differ by source; we print TOPS's. The retailer calls the steel 1095 high carbon steel, and TOPS says that with all knife steels, including stainless, small rust spots can appear if a blade is not wiped dry or kept oiled. OpticsPlanet has no customer reviews on it yet.
Pros
- Great for hunters and fishermen, per TOPS: a Hunters Point blade whose shape TOPS says makes skinning a breeze
- The thickest published blade here at 0.190 in (TOPS); Gerber gives no number for the Terracraft
- Black Kydex sheath with a rotating spring steel clip (TOPS)
- Black Linen Micarta handle with a finger groove that TOPS calls ergonomic
Cons
- The heaviest knife here at 8 oz (TOPS and the retailer agree)
- Carbon steel needs care: TOPS says small rust spots can appear on any knife steel that is not wiped dry or kept oiled
- The retailer and TOPS give different lengths: 3.5 in and 8.38 in on the listing, 3.88 in and 8.25 in from TOPS
- Ties with the ESEE Xancudo for the second-highest price, and no owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet
Best for: a hunter who wants a mid-size belt knife for skinning and camp chores and will keep a carbon steel blade dry. For a full-size belt knife in S30V, the Gerber Terracraft.
Key specifications
| Blade | 3.88 in, Hunters Point, 0.190 in thick (TOPS); the retailer lists 3.5 in |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 8.25 in (TOPS); the retailer lists 8.38 in |
| Steel | 1095, RC 56-58, Black Traction Coating (TOPS) |
| Handle | Black Linen Micarta (TOPS) |
| Weight | 8 oz knife weight (TOPS) |
| Sheath | Black Kydex, rotating spring steel clip (TOPS) |
| Tang | Full tang construction per the retailer listing; TOPS does not state it on the Skinat page |
| Model on this card | SK521 (TOPS SKU), the only row on this retailer listing |
The best EDC fixed blade
For everyday carry, the QSP Baby Penguin is our pick. Nothing But Knives, whose fixed blade EDC list is built around how easy a knife is to put on and carry, gives a guide: no more than a 3.5 in blade, never much longer than 6.5 in overall, under 5 oz and preferably under 3 oz, with a slim sheath and a simple open-ended clip. It says the sheath is at least as important as the knife. By QSP's figures, the Baby Penguin (2.525 in blade, 5.90 in overall, about 76 g or 2.68 oz) fits the blade, length and weight parts of that guide; the retailer's 0.4 lb would not. The Kizer Deckhand (2.94 in, 6.33 in, 3.70 oz, per Kizer) fits too, at the lowest price here. The CRKT Razel (2.97 in, 4.20 oz) runs a little long at 6.75 in overall, and the ESEE Xancudo longer again at 7.12 in, 6 oz with its sheath, per ESEE. The Gerber Terracraft (9.1 in) and the TOPS Skinat (8.25 in) are belt knives, well outside that guide.
The sheath decides how you carry it. Nothing But Knives describes the Baby Penguin's leather pocket sheath with a sewn-on clip (on the copper foil version they handled), the Razel's pancake style polymer sheath with a pocket clip, and the Deckhand's taco-style Kydex sheath with an open J-shaped clip meant for the belt that also works in a pocket. HiConsumption found the Terracraft's leather sheath sets up only for vertical belt carry, and TOPS fits the Skinat's Kydex sheath with a rotating spring steel clip.
How to choose a fixed blade knife
- Fixed or folding for daily carry. A fixed blade has no folding or pivot point; Gear Patrol's fixed blade guide notes it is always deployed and ready for use. The cost is a sheath to wear. Nothing But Knives describes fixed blade EDC as something small enough to be worn almost as easily as a typical folding pocket knife. For folders, see our best pocket knife roundup.
- Blade length. For EDC, Nothing But Knives suggests no more than 3.5 in. The Baby Penguin, Deckhand, Razel and Xancudo are all 3.0 in or less, per their makers (the Xancudo's figure is a cutting edge length); the Terracraft (4.0 in) and Skinat (3.88 in) are outdoor and hunting knives.
- Steel. QSP lists 14C28N, ESEE S35VN and Gerber S30V. CRKT and Kizer list D2: Kizer calls its D2 stainless, while Nothing But Knives calls the Deckhand's steel high carbon. TOPS lists 1095 for the Skinat, which the retailer calls high carbon steel, and TOPS says small rust spots can appear on any knife steel, stainless included, that is not wiped dry or kept oiled.
- Sheath and carry position. Clip sheaths that ride in a pocket (Baby Penguin, Razel, Deckhand, per Nothing But Knives) suit everyday carry; leather and Kydex belt sheaths (Terracraft, Skinat) suit outdoor work. ESEE publishes the Xancudo's weight with its sheath (6 oz), the figure you actually carry.
- Tang. Gerber states full tang construction for the Terracraft. The retailer listings say full tang for the Baby Penguin, Deckhand, Xancudo and Skinat, but their makers' pages do not state it, and CRKT does not classify the Razel's tang.
- Camping and survival. For batoning, fire lighting and bushcraft, our best survival knife roundup compares larger fixed blades built for that work.
- Carry rules. Knife carry rules vary by state and locality, so check the rules where you live and travel.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We found each knife on OpticsPlanet and read the full model list on each listing to find the exact row each card links to. We checked blade length, overall length, thickness, steel, handle, sheath and weight against the maker's own page for Gerber, QSP, CRKT, ESEE, Kizer (its EU store) and TOPS, and where the retailer and the maker disagree we use the maker and say so. Editors' picks come from Gear Patrol, HiConsumption and Nothing But Knives, and test notes from Outdoor Life and Everyday Commentary; we read each guide ourselves before naming a pick, print the date the publication shows, and say when the version an editor handled differs from the card. None of these knives has owner reviews on OpticsPlanet yet. We give no ratings of our own. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best fixed blade knife?
For most outdoor use, the Gerber Terracraft: a 4.0 inch S30V drop point blade with full tang construction, layered G10 scales and an American leather sheath, per Gerber. Gear Patrol named the Terracraft the Best Fixed Blade Knife in its fixed-blade guide, although its spec row describes a Micarta handle rather than the G10 of this Flat Sage version. For everyday carry, the QSP Baby Penguin; for utility work, the CRKT Razel; for a compact knife made in the USA, the ESEE Xancudo; on a budget, the Kizer Deckhand; and for hunting, the TOPS Skinat.
What is the best EDC fixed blade?
The QSP Baby Penguin. By QSP's figures it has a 2.525 inch 14C28N blade, is 5.90 inches overall and weighs about 76 grams (2.68 ounces), inside the guide Nothing But Knives gives for fixed blade EDC: no more than a 3.5 inch blade, never much longer than 6.5 inches overall, and under 5 ounces, preferably under 3. Nothing But Knives listed the Baby Penguin first among its favorite fixed blade EDC knives, though the writer handled the copper foil version, not this aluminum foil one. The Kizer Deckhand also fits that guide and is the lowest-priced knife here.
Is a fixed blade better than a folding knife for everyday carry?
It is a trade-off. A fixed blade has no folding or pivot point; Gear Patrol's fixed blade guide notes it is always deployed and ready for use. The cost is the sheath: Nothing But Knives says that for fixed blade EDC the sheath is at least as important as the knife, and describes a fixed blade EDC as something small enough to be worn almost as easily as a typical folding pocket knife. If you want a knife that disappears in a pocket, our best pocket knife roundup covers folders.
What size fixed blade should I carry every day?
Nothing But Knives suggests no more than a 3.5 inch blade, never much longer than 6.5 inches overall, and under 5 ounces, preferably under 3, with a slim sheath and a simple open-ended clip; it calls the weight guide subjective, since some people have big pockets. Of the knives here, the QSP Baby Penguin and the Kizer Deckhand fit by their makers' figures. The CRKT Razel is a little longer at 6.75 inches overall, per CRKT, and the ESEE Xancudo longer again at 7.12 inches, per ESEE.
Which fixed blade here is best for hunting?
The TOPS Skinat. TOPS says its design is great for hunters and fishermen and that the blade shape makes skinning and other tasks a breeze. TOPS lists a 3.88 inch Hunters Point blade in 1095 at RC 56-58, 0.190 inch thick, with a Black Kydex sheath on a rotating spring steel clip. Keep the blade dry: TOPS says small rust spots can appear on any knife steel that is not wiped dry or kept oiled.
Is this Gerber Terracraft the version Gear Patrol and Outdoor Life wrote about?
Not necessarily. This card is the Flat Sage Terracraft, Gerber product number 30-001654, with layered G10 scales, per Gerber. Gear Patrol's pick was for the Terracraft model, and its spec row says Micarta. Outdoor Life tested a Terracraft with a G-10 handle and CPM S30V steel, gave it no category title, and did not give a color or product number. None of the sources we read says it handled this exact Flat Sage knife.
Do D2 and 1095 blades rust?
They can, so wipe them dry. Kizer calls the Deckhand's D2 a stainless steel, while Nothing But Knives calls it high carbon steel and suggests the black-coated version for boating use. The retailer calls the TOPS Skinat's 1095 high carbon steel, and TOPS says that with all knife steels, including stainless, small rust spots can appear if a blade is not wiped dry or kept oiled.
More knives: best survival knife (camping and bushcraft fixed blades) · best pocket knife (folding knives) · how we evaluate.