We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Any products or services put forward appear in no particular order. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when searching for a good knife for women. There are hundreds of valid, high-quality options on the market right now that would serve as amazing EDC knives for a woman. But how do you decide which knife is the right one for you? I compiled this list of EDC knives based on my personal experience and preferences. I chose only knives that I have owned, carried, or have some form of hands-on experience with. Any knife on this list is a great starting point for anyone who is looking to buy a solid EDC companion.
Key Takeaways
- Best Overall Knife for Women is the Spyderco Dragonfly 2.
- Best Budget Knife for Women is the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic SD Alox Sweet Berry Aluminum.
- The James Brand The Elko slip joint keychain is the Best Premium Knife for Women.
- Best Personalized Knife for Women is the Brighten Blades RESILIENT Liner Lock Knife Cactus Aluminum.
- Best Assisted Opening Knife for Women is the Kershaw Leek Assisted Opening Knife.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Knife Black FRN
- Best Budget: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic SD Alox Sweet Berry
- Best Premium: The James Brand The Elko Slip Joint Keychain Knife Desert Tortoise
- Best Personalized: Brighten Blades RESILIENT Liner Lock Knife Cactus Aluminum
- Best Assisted Opening: Kershaw Leek Assisted Opening Knife Purple
Best Overall: Spyderco Dragonfly 2 Knife Black FRN
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
The Spyderco Dragonfly 2 is a very, very small knife, which is great for the smaller pants pockets and purse pockets. When you have it in hand, it feels very comfortable. I personally know many women who have the dragonfly as their carry knife. They all love that they can have with them a small knife that weighs basically nothing and can handle cutting tasks meant for much larger blades with no problem. The main complaint that I’ve heard about the Dragonfly 2 is to do with the handle size. For women who have smaller hands, that may not even be a problem; but if you have larger hands, I’ve seen a few people attach a lanyard and beads to make the handle a little bit longer than it really is, and you can make it match your style – a simple trick made possible by the included lanyard hole. The Dragonfly is a fantastic little EDC knife. If you want something minimal that will really see only light use, the Dragonfly is simultaneously overkill and the perfect match, in my opinion.
Best Budget: Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic SD Alox Sweet Berry
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
The Victorinox is the classic Swiss Army knife: small and lightweight. The great thing about the classic army knife is that it has more than just a blade, so you have more options for cutting. So if your kids are irritated by the shirt tag, then you can simply use the scissors to avoid nicking them with an open blade. The price is reasonable, coming in for less than $30, so no need to break the bank, while still having a handy tool on you at all times. Speaking of keeping it on you at all times, you have many carry options with the Victorinox: it can simply disappear in your pocket, you can tie it to lanyards, or you can attach it to your keyring, allowing you to take it comfortably with you anywhere you go. I was astounded by how useful its small blade actually can be. Outside of hard use outdoor applications, there isn't much this knife can’t easily handle on its own.
Best Premium: The James Brand The Elko Slip Joint Keychain Knife Desert Tortoise
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
The Elko from The James Brand is my top choice for an EDC premium blade. The scales are very beautiful, and everything about this little knife screams elegant. This knife is my wife's EDC. She has it attached to her keyring and loves that it adds a very elegant look. She has the Arctic Tortoise Shell, but that exact knife has been discontinued. The one listed here is also just as nice, in my opinion. Sure, the steel isn’t as good as other knives out there. If you are looking for a hard use knife, then this is not the knife for you. This is a very small and lightweight knife, with multiple carry options: straight into a pocket pants or purse or attached to a keyring or lanyard. Another great tool that comes with this knife is its pry bar, which can be used for the keyring or lanyard attachment or a bottle opener or even a screwdriver. This would be a perfect choice for EDC for women who like slick and minimal design but wanting more than just a basic knife.
Best Personalized: Brighten Blades RESILIENT Liner Lock Knife Cactus Aluminum
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
This is a knife designed by women for women, so obviously this knife had to be included in my options. This is a perfect gift for your daughter, wife, sister, or even your mother. It’s got many cute design options and colors, so many women would love it. This tool will make cutting jobs more fun and enjoyable instead of having to use just a boring average knife in the husband's toolbox. It also is a great budget option, coming in just under $30. It comes with a cute pocket case to go in your purse without losing it and can fit in your pocket. This is usually my go-to for a gift option for any women I know who like knives. If you are looking for something cute that is not going to get lost in the husband's toolbox, then this is the perfect option for you.
Best Assisted Opening: Kershaw Leek Assisted Opening Knife Purple
| PROS | CONS |
|
|
This is the best assisted opening knife for women; it’s is an iconic knife used in many Hollywood movies even. This is a one-handed opener, which is great for many, but it does require two hands to close. For how small this knife is, it is quite heavy. This is a top-selling EDC knife. It’s a great beater knife and has the best budget steel, so you can use it for a lot more cutting jobs than the other knives in this list. It’s made in the USA and comes with a reversible pocket clip, so you can have it in either pocket. Along with that, it has ambidextrous thumb studs, so both left- and right-handed people can open it. If you are looking for something for harder use but isn't super manly, then this would be a great option.
How To Choose The Best Knife for Women
Choosing the best EDC knife for women comes down to a few things. If you are looking for an EDC knife for something to open quickly, then an assisted opening knife may be the best option for you. If you are looking for a knife that can handle most light to medium cutting tasks in a small form factor, then I’d probably go with one of the smaller folding pocket knives. Once you have a good idea of your intended use for your knife, it all comes down to price, material choice, and what suits your lifestyle. There are so many good budget EDC knives out there right now, and any knife on this list will work great for you.
Why Trust Us
I’ve had the opportunity to work behind the scenes for many EDC knife brands and distributors during the past four years. I’ve carried, tested, handled, and purchased many knives from basically every brand on the market. I have extensive experience in EDC pocket knives especially, since that is what I carry mainly on a day-to-day basis. I’ve distilled my personal experience and preferences into a solid list of many great budget EDC knives that I would trust day in and day out. I will never recommend any knife that I haven't either personally carried or have some form of hands-on experience with.
Final Thoughts
My personal preferences may vary from yours, but I do believe that this list is a great starting point for anyone looking to buy their first or even 10th knife. The important thing to remember is that buying a great knife can be confusing, but it really doesn't need to be. Just find a knife that fits in your budget range and appeals to you and your lifestyle and try it out. It really is hard to buy a bad knife in today’s market. There are so many good options out there, from so many great knife makers.
FAQ’s
Question: Should a woman carry a pocket knife?
Answer: I believe women should carry a knife as much as men, for more than just self-defense. Knives are tools that everyone can benefit from: everyone needs to open things such as packages, cut up cardboard, or even cut food. It just comes down to if you want to carry a knife.
Question: Should women carry smaller pocket knives?
Answer: Women should carry smaller pocket knives. If you plan to carry a knife in your pocket, then the smaller knives will just fit better, because we all know that most women don’t have the best pockets. If you do have large packets or prefer to carry in your purse, then you don’t need to buy only small pocket knives. Honestly, there are so many knives and carry options, it’s just all about your personal preference and what you are the most comfortable with.
