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If you’re like me, you’ve left the house plenty of times forgetting your EDC knives. It’s easy to do when in a hurry. Fortunately, keychain knives solve that issue by handily attaching one to your keys. These knives are usually tiny but have become more practical and functional recently. Many are now built using some of the same designs and materials as their larger counterparts, just on a smaller scale. With that in mind, here are some of the best keychain knives we’ve found that are worth a look.
Key Considerations
We considered some of the same factors for the best keychain knives as the best EDC knives. After all, the two categories will likely be used in identical scenarios. The only difference is downsizing everything to make it comfortable on a keychain. Fortunately, I’ve been using keychain knives for years, so I already had a good idea of what works best.
- Size—We tried to find options that fit easily on a keychain without being too bulky. Because of weight and portability concerns, this often meant a trade-off on blade size. At the same time, we tried to pick blades that weren’t so tiny that they became unusable.
- Ergonomics—Because of the small size of a keychain knife, many people will need to modify their grip. Subsequently, the ergonomics of the blade must be good to maintain control.
- Steel Type—High-quality steel isn’t always necessary because an EDC keychain knife typically isn’t meant for heavy tasks. However, we did want to pick options with decent edge retention qualities, since blades this small are hard to maintain.
- Cost–We looked at knives mainly in the $20–$30 range because most people aren’t using a keychain as their primary EDC. However, we did look at more expensive models for those wanting better edge retention.
- Additional Tools –Multi-tools or multi-blade knives are excellent for keychains because they pack additional functionality into a small package. We looked for knives with this kind of added value wherever possible.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic SD
- Best Utility: Gerber Key Note
- Best High-end: Spyderco Manbug and Ladybug
- Best Budget: Kershaw Cinder
- Best Low Profile: SOG Key Knife
- Best Assisted Opening: CIVIVI Mini Elementum
Best Overall: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic SD
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This knife is a classic design that’s generated thousands of knock-off imitators through the years. I’ve owned a few of these imitators, but none hold a candle to the real thing from Victorinox. This is a genuine Swiss Army knife, albeit significantly downsized. The SD is so lightweight that I sometimes forget I’m carrying it. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the X55CrMo14 steel Victorinox uses with these knives. It holds a decent edge for such a tiny blade. I like using this one to open packages and snip fishing lines. I’ve even utilized the screwdriver a few times for tiny screws that no other tool could touch. The toothpick and tweezers seemed like useless features when I first got it. However, I’ve been surprised at how often I’ve utilized these tools.
The biggest downside is that the blade and tools are tiny. This knife is best for small tasks like opening letters and light packages. One must be careful when carrying this one because it’s easy to forget. If caught with it in airport security, the TSA will make you toss it. We like this knife best for anyone wanting more functionality than a single knife blade.
Best Utility: Gerber Key Note
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The Keynote earns some serious points in terms of size and ruggedness. Gerber gave this tiny knife some aluminum scaling that can take a beating. It was the most robust of all the knives I tested for this piece. This is a very compact design that won’t take up much room on a keyring. The blade locks into place with a satisfying, meaty click. It feels like a severely downsized version of one of Gerber’s larger EDC blades. My Keynote came with a shockingly dull blade from the factory. It was disappointing, considering that every other Gerber I’ve owned has been the opposite. However, I don’t think that’s a deal-breaker. With a simple field sharpener, I put an edge on this blade in less than three minutes. It’s one of the easiest-to-sharpen knives that I’ve ever encountered.
The blade here is very short, which does limit the practical applications to some degree. This knife will be best for factory and warehouse workers who often rip boxes and cut plastic bands. I also like the scraper edge on this one. Painters will find it helpful for quick touch-ups while working around windows.
Best High-end: Spyderco Manbug and Ladybug
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Although cheaper knives are often preferable for a keychain, the Spyderco is worth the splurge. The Manbug has a slightly beefier blade and handle; the Ladybug is slimmer. A fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle and VG-10 steel components will last through years of abuse. Spyderco made the blade just a hair under two inches. That makes it legal to carry in many areas with knife size restrictions. At the same time, they managed to keep the weight under an ounce, making it an ideal addition to any key ring. Spyderco’s signature thumbhole makes it easy to open with just one hand. We love the fact that there are so many variants of this blade. Spyderco offers plain edges, serrations, and dozens of color schemes. There is even a Wharncliffe variant.
The premium components do drive up the price tag. These knives usually start around $60 and can cost as much as $80. It’s also not a subtle knife. Everyone who sees it will know what it is instantly. However, this is an excellent option for anyone who insists on the best construction in a knife.
Best Budget: Kershaw Cinder
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The Kershaw Cinder is an interesting little knife that can often be bought for less than $10. I love its low profile. It practically disappears on a keychain, unnoticed until needed. The glass-filled nylon handle has a nice texture that prevented slipping during my testing. Some tiny jimping to the back of the blade and handle adds to the control. This genuinely feels like a shrunken version of a larger Kershaw knife. The little blade locks into place with a satisfying click. This is a knife that’s easy to operate one-handed. I felt no wiggle in the blade during my testing. It’s surprisingly well-made for the size.
I found the edge tiny but very functional for light work. It excels at opening packages. It would be nice if Kershaw offered a version without the bottle opener. This feature is perfectly functional, but I don’t drink. Thus, it’s not something I’ll use often. I would have preferred a bit more handle material in its place. Those little quirks aside, this is a handy little knife for the size. I also have zero worries about breaking or losing it because it’s so cheap.
Best Low Profile: SOG Key Knife
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The SOG is ideal for anyone looking for subtlety in a keychain knife. Its size and profile are nearly identical to a standard house key. The knife blends in perfectly on a keyring, so most people won’t notice unless looking closely. It also weighs less than an ounce. That means it won’t add excess weight to an already heavy keyring. The blade has a sound locking system that’s crisper than one would expect of a knife this size.
The only downside is that the blade does lose some functionality because of the size. It’s not built for heavy-duty work. This knife is primarily for packages, opening letters, and light work. The low profile also makes it easy to forget before entering a secure area. However, it’s an easy knife to replace if lost or confiscated. It costs about $10.
Best Assisted Opening: CIVIVI Mini Elementum
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Finding a decent assisted-opening flipper knife of this size is difficult. The CIVIVI Mini Elementum fits the bill perfectly. Its tiny flipper assist is surprisingly fast and crisp for a knife of this size. CIVIVI did an excellent job of downsizing this style of knife into such a compact package. The 1.83-inch blade is much larger and deeper than standard keychain knives, adding to the functionality. We like the choice of the Swedish Sandvik 14C28N steel, too. It’s a rugged option to handle the abuse of being jostled in a pocket like a champ. This steel will also hold an excellent edge for repeated EDC-style uses.
The handles on this knife look nice, but we wish there were some textured handle options for better control. Hopefully, CIVIVI will add that to its lineup in the future. At around $40, this is one of the more expensive keychain knives. However, it’s a good option for anyone who wants something fast and rugged that will last a long time.
![the civivi mini elementum on top of a small die cast pickup truck](https://knifeinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/civiviknife_theciviviminielementumontopofasmalldiecastpickuptruck-821x1024.jpg)
How To Choose The Best Keychain Knife
Keychain knives don’t need to be fancy as much as functional. Subsequently, I think this knife style is one area where it’s okay not to buy the most expensive knife. I don’t like to pay too much for a keychain knife. Any knife carried with keys is going to get battered around and subjected to a ton of abuse. I’ve also had one or two eventually fall off the key ring to be lost forever. Subsequently, I like to buy functional knives in the $8 to $20 range that are also easy to replace if they get broken or lost.
Keys get jostled around and take much abuse, as can any knife attached to them. However, I also completely understand the mindset of people who want the top-of-the-line option. With that said, these are some of the things I look for in the best keychain knives.
Self-Defense
We didn’t include a self-defense pick on this list simply because most keychain knives are not built for it. There are many cheap “self-defense” keychains on the market that we couldn’t recommend in good conscience. That was partially due to the quality and size. Knife defense requires a lot of training. I have difficulty believing that most will stop a motivated attacker in untrained hands. These types of keychains also fall into some weird gray areas of legality. In some states, carrying a concealed firearm is easier to do legally than a defensive knife.
Features and Weight
Everyone will have different needs when using a keychain knife. An office worker might need only a single blade to open letters and packages; an electrician might want more functionality for snipping wires and cables in a pinch. Having many functions is nice, but it also makes a knife heavy, which is not ideal for keychains. It’s best to think critically about the necessary functions to buy a keychain knife with only what is needed.
Practical Uses
Because of their smaller size, keychain knives are usually quite limited practically. It’s important to understand that these knives are best for lighter tasks. They excel at opening boxes and snipping fishing lines, string, twine, or lightweight wires. Most are more limited when ripping boxes or cutting heavy ropes or fabrics. I’ve used some on plastics, but not all are cut out for that task. None of this means that these knives aren’t functional. However, users need to be realistic about their versatility.
Security Concerns
Because of their small size, keychain knives are easy to forget when entering secure areas. The airport probably confiscates more of these knives than anyone else. It doesn’t matter if the blade is only an inch long. TSA can and will throw your tiny keychain knife away if they find it. It happens frequently enough that Victorinox recently introduced a new blade-less Swiss Army tool specifically for frequent fliers. Subsequently, I’d be careful about going too small if it’s lightweight enough to forget about carrying.
Steel Type
As I’ve already mentioned, this is the one knife type for which high-quality super steel isn’t necessary. Lower-quality, high-carbon steels are just fine for these knives. I don’t tend to worry about edge retention or corrosion resistance, either, mainly because I use my keychain knives only for light tasks in dry conditions. These knives get the nod when I don’t have another blade readily on hand.
Why Trust Us
My first knife was a keychain, one of the Victorinox Swiss Army knockoffs that I mentioned earlier. Since that knife, I’ve owned and broken dozens of keychain-style knives. Through experience, I learned what works for this knife style and what doesn’t. For obvious reasons, the knives I’ve broken through the years didn’t make the cut here. Additionally, I’ve professionally covered knives for the past decade. While testing and covering knives for multiple publications, I developed a stringent set of standards.
Additionally, I’ve developed a series of tests subjected to all the knives I test. All blades are subjected to cardboard ripping tests. The coarse materials make for a dynamite way to test edge retention. I also often carry knives that I’m testing for weeks to test them in real-world scenarios.
Final Thoughts
What keychain knives lack in size, they make up for in convenience. These are knives that aren’t adequately appreciated until needed in a pinch. I’ve gotten more practical use from the Victorinox Swiss Army SD than from other keychain knives, so its size trade-off is worth it. The Gerber Keynote is my runner-up regarding affordability and functionality for average users.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of a keychain knife?
A: It’s easy to forget an EDC knife, but most people don’t forget their keys. An EDC knife is almost always available when attached to a vehicle key. Because they are smaller, keychain knives are often better suited for smaller, more delicate tasks than is a regular knife.
Q: Should I choose a multitool keychain or just a knife?
A: It depends on each user’s needs. Someone who opens one or two boxes a day at their job can get by with a simple folding knife. Conversely, an electrician would probably get more use out of a multi-tool. Multi-tools are usually heavier than a knife, so that should also be a consideration when choosing.