An everyday carry (EDC) pocket knife is one of those things you don't think you need until you have one. Then you use it ten times a day: parcels, cable ties, rope, a loose thread, an apple, the plastic that no human hand can open. After a week you'll wonder how you managed without it.
But choosing one can be confusing. Steel grades, lock types, flippers, frame locks, HRC numbers. This guide cuts through it (sorry), so you can pick the right knife for how you'll actually use it.
1. Start with size: how will you carry it?
Blade length is the biggest decision, because it decides whether the knife actually comes with you.
- Keychain or handbag size (around 55mm blade): light, discreet and always there. Perfect for parcels, packaging and small jobs. Our Bella the Blue Wren and Willy the Willie Wagtail have 56.5mm blades and fold down to 85.5mm.
- Everyday pocket size (around 75 to 95mm): the sweet spot for most people. Big enough for real work, small enough to forget it's in your pocket. The Honey Eater (73.5mm), Chris the Crow (87mm), the Bowerbirds (92mm) and Georgia the Glossy Black Cockatoo (95.8mm) all sit here.
- Large (100mm plus): for camping, hunting, fishing and outdoor work. Ford the Falcon has a 103.3mm blade, and Mr Percival the Pelican is the biggest bird in our Aviary.
2. Blade shape: what will you cut?
- Drop point: the all-rounder. A strong tip that curves gently down to the edge, good for almost everything. Most of our Aviary knives use a drop point.
- Sheepsfoot: a straight edge with a rounded, blunt spine at the tip. Excellent control for slicing and whittling, and less "pointy" in polite company. The Honey Eater, our take on the classic gentleman's knife, uses one.
- Partly serrated: serrations bite through rope, line and fibrous materials that a plain edge slides over. Pat the Pacific Gull, our fishing knife, has a 75.5mm blade with 31.4mm of serrations.
3. Steel: the part everyone argues about
Blade steel decides how sharp the knife gets, how long it stays sharp, how easily it rusts and how easily you can sharpen it. We use two steels across the Aviary:
- Sandvik 14C28N: a Swedish stainless steel that takes a very fine edge, resists corrosion well and is easy to sharpen. We run most of our knives at around 56 to 58 HRC. It's the steel in the majority of the Aviary.
- CPM MagnaCut: one of the most advanced knife steels available, combining high toughness, excellent edge retention and outstanding corrosion resistance. Max the Magpie and Bella the Blue Wren use it (Bella is hardened to 63 to 64 HRC).
If you're unsure: 14C28N is the practical, easy-to-maintain choice, and MagnaCut is for people who want the edge to last as long as possible between sharpenings.
4. Locks and openers
A lock stops the blade closing on your fingers. The two you'll see most:
- Liner lock: a spring-loaded strip inside the handle slides behind the blade when it opens. Simple, reliable and easy to use one-handed. The Bowerbirds use a liner lock.
- Frame lock: the same idea, but part of the handle frame itself does the locking, which makes it very solid. The Honey Eater uses a frame lock.
For opening, a flipper tab (a small lever on the spine you press with your index finger) gives quick one-handed opening, especially with a ball-bearing pivot. A nail slot is the traditional two-handed style, calmer and more classic.
5. Handle materials
- G10: a glass-fibre laminate that's tough, grippy, waterproof and nearly indestructible. The choice for outdoor and hard-use knives like Karen the Currawong and Ray the Raven.
- Timber and resin: warmer and more individual. Each one looks slightly different. Max pairs dark ebony with white pearl resin, mirroring the magpie's plumage. Wood needs a little more care than G10, but it ages beautifully.
Quick picks
- Smallest and lightest: Bella the Blue Wren ($195, MagnaCut) or Willy the Willie Wagtail ($195)
- Best all-rounder: Max the Magpie ($245, MagnaCut)
- Toughest handle: Karen the Currawong or Ray the Raven ($225, G10)
- Most refined: The Honey Eater ($195, sheepsfoot, frame lock)
- For fishing: Pat the Pacific Gull ($265, line cutter and shell pry)
- For the outdoors: Ford the Falcon ($265, 103.3mm blade)
A note on carrying knives in Australia
Laws on carrying knives in public differ between states and territories, and generally require a lawful reason, such as work, fishing or camping. Before carrying any pocket knife, check the rules where you live. Using it at the campsite, on the boat, in the garden or in the shed is a different matter.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best EDC knife steel?
There's no single best. CPM MagnaCut offers the best all-round combination of edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance. Sandvik 14C28N is easier to sharpen, very corrosion resistant, and more than enough for most people.
What size pocket knife should I get?
For most people, a blade of 75 to 95mm is the sweet spot. If you want something you'll truly never leave behind, go smaller, around 55mm.
Liner lock or frame lock?
Both are reliable. A liner lock is lighter and very common. A frame lock feels more solid because the handle itself does the locking.
How do I look after a pocket knife?
Wipe it clean and dry after use, especially after food or salt water. Add a drop of oil to the pivot occasionally, and touch up the edge before it gets properly blunt.
See all our birds in the Aviary pocket knife collection, or download our free Australian Pocket Knife Guide.
