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The Best Kershaw Knives: Our 10 Expert Picks for 2023

submitted by Jonathan Tayag

For many community members, a Kershaw knife was their first everyday carry knife. And over the decades, Kershaw has continued to make some of the best EDC folding and fixed blade knives. From timeless classic designs to modern EDC collaboration blades, there’s something for everyone in the everyday carry community in Kershaw’s lineup. This guide will introduce you to some of our favorite Kershaw EDC knives and explain why they deserve a place in your pocket.

Our Top Picks

The Best Overall Kershaw Knife: Composite Leek [Buy]

The Best Kershaw Knife on a Budget: CQC-6K [Buy] / [Full Review]

The Most Premium Kershaw Knife: Lucha Carbon Fiber [Buy]

The Most Compact Kershaw Knife: Launch 9 [Buy] / [Full Review]

The Most Versatile Kershaw Knife: Blur S30V [Buy

The Very Best Kershaw Knives

Kershaw’s EDC cutlery offerings span the entire range of everyday carry knives. In recent years, Kershaw has brought designs in collaboration with custom knifemakers sourced from offshore to ensure they are affordable for everyone in the community. Some of their most recent offerings have embraced a pure made-in-the-USA supply chain featuring the best of the best materials and craftsmanship. Kershaw has also upped their game, offering more automatics (including OTF autos) and one of the best butterfly knives you can buy today with the Lucha.

The Best Overall Kershaw Knife: Composite Leek

Purchase

Key Features
Liner lock
SpeedSafe assisted opening
Composite blade
Specifications
Blade Length
3″
Blade Steel
14C28N
Handle/Scales
Stainless steel
EDC Rating
Price
$$
The Leek is one of Kershaw’s oldest yet most loved designs in the everyday carry community. Originally designed in collaboration with custom knifemaker Ken Onion and made in the USA, the Kershaw Leek exudes an organic design language and an ergonomic feel, making it a pleasure to use. The Composite Leek is the ultimate expression of the formula that has made the Leek one of the best Kershaw knives to EDC. As the name implies, the 3” blade features a composite of two sheets of steel melded into one: Sandvik 14C28N and D2 tool steel. D2 is a high-hardness steel that allows it to take a wicked edge, but it is not stainless steel like the Sandvik 14V28N it’s been paired with. With that strong core and stainless cladding, this is one of the best-performing knives Kershaw has in their lineup. And the additional Blackwash treatment adds further stain and wear resistance.

The Best Kershaw Knife on a Budget: CQC-6K

Purchase

Key Features
Liner lock
Wave Shaped Feature
Reversible pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Length
3.25″
Blade Steel
D2
Handle/Scales
G-10, stainless steel
EDC Rating
Price
$
Kershaw’s CQC-6K was made in collaboration with custom knifemaker Ernest Emerson. It adopts the Wave Shaped Feature, a hallmark of an Emerson design. The Wave Shaped Feature makes this a great tactical knife because it’s designed to catch against your pants pocket to deploy the blade as you draw. This gives you performance similar to a fixed blade knife without the considerable overall length. You can deploy the blade with the manual thumb disk for a more considered draw. The D2 tool steel drop point blade has a well-defined edge and a firm belly for piercing and slicing utility. The knife also folds into a frame lock handle with a grippy G-10 handle scale on the reverse side.

The Most Premium Kershaw Knife: Lucha Carbon Fiber

Purchase

Key Features
Live blade balisong
Bearing system
Future moddability
Specifications
Blade Length
4.7″
Blade Steel
20CV
Handle/Scales
Carbon fiber, titanium
EDC Rating
Price
$$$$
Kershaw offers one of the most premium knives, the Lucha, a quality balisong or butterfly knife that offers quick and flashy deployment. It features a 4.7” spear point blade made of CPM 20CV, and the titanium handles come with carbon fiber scales for added grip with a touch of class. KVT ball bearings in the two pivot points make this one of the smoothest butterfly knives you can EDC today. While you should train on using this knife before carrying a live blade, you can also pick up a trainer version to start flipping before you bring it daily.

The Most Compact Kershaw Knife: Launch 9

Purchase

Key Features
Push-button lock
Made in the USA
Reversible pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Length
3.36″
Blade Steel
CPM 154
Handle/Scales
Aluminum
EDC Rating
Price
$$
With its sub-2” CPM 154 stainless steel blade, the Kershaw Launch 9 meets length restrictions in several jurisdictions. While this means it’s easier to carry this automatic folder, it’s always important to check your local laws and regulations first. The shorter blade length also makes this one of the most lightweight and pocket-friendly knives you can EDC since it tips the scales at only 1.6 ounces. Another great feature of the Launch 9 is its low-profile push button, which helps prevent this spring-loaded knife from accidentally opening up in your pockets.

The Most Versatile Kershaw Knife: Blur S30V

Purchase

Key Features
Liner lock
SpeedSafe assisted opening
Trac-Tec grip-tape on handles
Specifications
Blade Length
3.4″
Blade Steel
S30V
Handle/Scales
Aluminum
EDC Rating
Price
$$
The Kershaw Blur is another great Ken Onion-designed blade that has enjoyed continued popularity in the community, especially after Kershaw upgraded the steel on its 3.4″ edge to CPM S30V. S30V is a powder steel that can take and maintain a sharp edge for longer than the original version of this knife released years ago. It keeps the slight recurve in its edge profile, making the Blur excel at slicing tasks. The recurve increases the overall cutting surface of the blade without making it longer, keeping it EDC-friendly in your pocket.

Kershaw Livewire OTF

Purchase

Key Features
Made in the USA
Double-action thumb slide
Reversible deep-carry pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Length
3.4″
Blade Steel
20CV
Handle/Scales
Aluminum
EDC Rating
Price
$$$$
The Livewire marks Kershaw’s first foray into the world of automatic knives and OTF (out-the-front) design. It delivers in spades. Unlike a traditional auto, an OTF knife deploys the blade directly from the handle. On the Livewire, that blade is a 3.3” spear-point blade made of CPM 20CV stainless steel. The handle is black-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, making this knife relatively lightweight at just 3 ounces.

Kershaw Misdirect S35VN Blue

Purchase

Key Features
Exclusive release
Flipper opening
Frame lock
Specifications
Blade Length
2.9″
Blade Material
S35VN
Handle/Scales
PVD-coated stainless steel
EDC Rating
Price
$$
The Misdirect was designed as a “starter” knife, but this model sports a premium CPM S35VN stainless steel folding blade. The minimalist look makes the original Misdirect stay with the knife and its stainless steel handle with blue PVD coating attractive and comfortable. And with its lanyard hole, you have an additional carry option if you want to use something other than the reversible pocket clip.

Kershaw Federalist Slipjoint

Purchase

Key Features
Non-locking
Nail nick opening
Double-detent system
Specifications
Blade Length
3.25″
Blade Steel
CPM 154
Handle/Scales
Micarta
EDC Rating
Price
$$
Slipjoints like the Kershaw Federalist let you carry a folding pocketknife in places where having a locking blade might be restricted or unnecessary. The Federalist also sports a traditional manual nail-nick opening and a design reminiscent of traditional gents’ folders. But with its CPM 154 stainless steel blade and canvas Micarta handle, the Kershaw Federalist is more durable and capable, with outstanding maximum sharpness and edge retention.

Kershaw Strata Cleaver

Purchase

Key Features
Frame lock
Flipper opening
Large blade with finger choil
Specifications
Blade Length
4.5″
Blade Steel
D2
Handle/Scales
G-10, stainless steel
EDC Rating
Price
$
Kershaw’s Strata fills the cleaver-style blade niche in their lineup. These heavy-duty blade designs feature a sizeable cleaver-shaped blade with a beefier spine than a traditional blade. It also makes it excellent for hard-use chopping and slicing tasks. While piercing might not be this knife’s strong suit, the flipper opening with KVT ball bearings in the pivot makes it easy to use and deploy.

Kershaw Iridium

Purchase

Key Features
Ambidextrous DuraLock
Dual thumbstud opening
Reversible deep-carry pocket clip
Specifications
Blade Length
3.5″
Blade Steel
D2
Handle/Scales
Aluminum
EDC Rating
Price
$
The Iridium introduces DuraLock ambidextrous locking controls to the Kershaw lineup. This design places a solid steel crossbar that you can lock into place with either hand, ensuring the 3.4″ D2 steel stonewashed blade stays in place. This knife also features an excellent reversible deep-carry pocket clip for convenience.

The Competition

Now that we’ve introduced you to some of our favorite Kershaw everyday carry knives, it’s time to show you some honorable mentions. These knives are popular in the EDC community, and you should look at them if you’re looking for something different from our leading picks.

Kershaw Skyline: The Skyline features a deep guard and a flipper opening with a Sandvik 14C28N drop point blade with a hollow-ground edge.Kershaw Link: The Link features a 20CV stainless steel blade and an anodized aluminum handle with Speedsafe assisted opening mechanism that makes it easy to open, especially with the flipper opening knife tab.Kershaw Launch 1: If the design of the Launch series appeals to you, but you want a longer folding knife length, consider the Launch 1, which comes with a 3.5″ CPM 154 steel blade.Kershaw Cryo II: The Cryo II is based on a Rick Hinderer design, and it is one of the best frame lock thumbstud knives you can buy from Kershaw.Kershaw Clash: If you’re on a budget, the Kershaw Clash offers excellent value for money while still featuring the recurved edge geometry that a Ken Onion-designed blade is known for.Kershaw Brawler: With its tanto blade shape and all-black tactical self-defense design, the Brawler is made for quick piercing and cutting through rough material.Kershaw Scallion: The Scallion is a smaller, more EDC-friendly version of the Kershaw Leek, letting you carry a similar liner lock knife with less bulk.

Kershaw Knife FAQs

With as many knives as Kershaw has available, it’s understandable that you may have many questions about which of their knives is suitable for EDC. We’ve written about and tested plenty of knives, and we’re well-suited to get you the answers you need to make an informed decision.

What makes a good EDC knife?

A good EDC knife has the features, ergonomics, and performance that make it well-suited for the tasks you expect to accomplish every day. You need the right kind of blade, with sufficient length, to get what you need. Quality steel is crucial because you want to ensure it can stay sharp after multiple cuts. And the handle and lock of a knife can make or break what would otherwise be an excellent blade for EDC.

Are Kershaw knives any good?

Kershaw knives have made some of the best everyday carry folding and fixed blade knives that people have relied on for decades. Their most recent offerings predominantly feature made-in-the-USA quality with premium steels and modern designs that come with what EDCers demand.

Is Kershaw as good as Benchmade?

Both Kershaw and Benchmade are knife brands that make high-quality blades in the United States in Oregon, with a wide range of designs with much to offer. Benchmade tends to hover in the premium to super premium range. At the same time, Kershaw provides more affordable options for EDCers at a budget price point. That does not mean that Kershaw is a cut-rate knifemaker, however. Some of the best knives on this list feature premium blade steel, top-end attention to quality, and a lifetime warranty. Kershaw even offers a balisong that gives some of Benchmade’s designs a run for their money. Overall, it would be best to look at all the knives each brand offers and make your own choice.

How We Picked the Best Kershaw Knives

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why you should trust us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.

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