Unless you’re superstitious, knives make excellent gifts. Below are 24 particularly great ones… which are also compatible with last-second Amazon Christmas shopping. These are listed in order from lowest price to highest.
1. Gerber GDC Zip Blade: $13
This unusual EDC knife replaces any zipper pull and flips open into a small but surprisingly functional stainless steel utility blade. It was the crowd favorite from our roundup of the stealthiest EDC knives.
2. CRKT Minimalist Bowie Neck Knife: $17
Neck knives are polarizing. Some love them; some find no use for them. The CRKT Minimalist is a high-quality, low-cost option that’s especially perfect for someone who’s never owned one before.
3. Cold Steel Micro Recon: $20
This is Cold Steel’s version of the Spyderco Ladybug, for sale at half the price. It’s a handy little keychain knife.
4. Higo No Kami 10, Brass Finish: $20
Higonokami knives are utility blades handmade in Japan. The higonokami design first appeared at the end of the nineteenth century as an alternative stream of income for sword makers, as the market for samurai katanas was steadily disappearing. Although not practical for EDC or survivalist use cases, they’re a nice collectors’ item.
5. Victorinox Classic SD “Don’t Tread on Me” Keychain Knife: $25
Great things sometimes do come in tiny packages, and this bite-sized Swiss army knife is one of those great things. Everyone should have one. This multi-tool comes in every imaginable color and design, but we’re partial to the Don’t Tread On Me version.
6. CRKT Pilar: $25
Slightly larger than the Micro Recon (2.4″ blade, compared to the Micro Recon’s 2.0″), the CRKT Pilar feels nice and solid in the hand and features an intelligent and utilitarian blade shape that really does “punch above its weight,” as the manufacturer claims.
7. W.R. Case Medium Stockman: $35
A classic model from an iconic American brand. Case knives are elegant and well crafted, as you’d expect from a company that’s over 120 years old. Ask any knife-collecting old-timer: He’s probably still got a Case knife in his collection from his teenage years.
8. Gerber Covert Knife: $41
Gerber’s quality and designs have improved markedly in recent years. The slim Covert is an example of that. It’s a stealthy little auto-assist side locking knife with a titanium coated blade.
9. Kershaw Skyline: $46
The modern design of the Skyline makes for a distinctive but understated knife. Lightweight, secure and nimble in the hand, it’s especially good as a first EDC.
10. Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Knife: $55
This is a great hunting knife and camping tool, and it’s nice that it comes attached to a fire starter and sharpener. Although it is only partial tang, it’s a sturdy fixed blade knife that stands strong against its more expensive competition.
11. KIZER Dukes: $59
At this price point, you start to see pretty sophisticated fit, finish and aesthetics when it comes to folding knives. This KIZER is a great example of that, making for a standout pocket knife. If the dark red isn’t your style, there are lots of other variants.
12. Spyderco Delica 4: $65 – $75
The iconic Spyderco folding knife with its patented thumb hole needs no introduction. As one of Spyderco’s bestselling knives, the Delica is a perfect fit for both men and women with medium-sized or smaller hands.
13. Buck 110: $65 – $70
For the uninitiated, the Buck 110 is the initiation. No knife collection is complete without this American classic.
14. ESEE Candiru: $70
The Candiru is a lot smaller than your typical fixed blade knife, but that’s a good thing. The compact, sturdy shape gives you complete control and is powerful enough for any job. The edge will stay sharp through heavy use.
15. KA-BAR USMC Fighting Knife: $70
Another American classic, the US Marine Corps Ka-Bar was standard issue during WWII. It’s not something most people would buy for themselves, but anyone interested in weapons history would be thrilled to receive one as a gift.
16. Gerber StrongArm: $70
The Coyote Brown version is usually $95, but it’s on sale for $70 at the time of this writing. This no-BS full-tang bug out knife by Gerber is a high-performance piece of equipment perfect for a survivalist or outdoorsman. Versatile mounting options ensure that the StrongArm is always there when you need it.
17. Kershaw Knockout: $73
The Knockout is Kershaw’s tactical pocket knife. It features two one-handed assisted opening options: a thumb stud and a flipper, both ambidextrous. The aluminum handle makes for a very lightweight knife that still has a great, secure feel.
18. CRKT Rakkassan: $76
This all-business fixed blade is a product of CRKT’s Forged By War program, launched in 2016. The program invites combat veterans to design tools they wished they’d had available to them on the battlefield, and 10% of the sales are donated to that individual’s charity of choice. Austin McGlaun, who designed the Rakkassan, chose The Green Beret Foundation. This is a great gift that also genuinely gives back.
19. Benchmade Mini Griptillian: $106
The Griptillian and the Mini Griptillian are Benchmade’s most popular knives, and either one is a foolproof pick for a pocket knife gift.
20. Spyderco Paramilitary-2: $120
This is Spyderco’s flagship self-defense folder, and it’s a forever knife. The lucky recipient won’t be able to stop playing with it.
21. Benchmade North Fork: $140
This Benchmade folder is an ideal utility EDC with the aesthetics of a gentleman’s knife. The action is so smooth that it creates the illusion of a spring assist. The stabilized wood handle is even prettier in person.
22. Al Mar Eagle Ultralight: $187
Headquartered in Oregon with manufacturing facilities in Japan, Al Mar is a lesser-known brand that doesn’t advertise much. However, their knives are worth every penny. No other manufacturer anywhere close to this price range matches the fit and finish of Al Mar.
23. Benchmade Mini Crooked River: $187
A smaller version of the Crooked River, the Mini Crooked river is a beautiful premium pocket knife that can also be used for outdoors applications.
24. Spyderco Sage 2 Titanium Integral Lock Folder: $201
With this knife, Spyderco elevates craft to art. The liner lock on this folding knife is integrated into the handle as a single piece of titanium, and the operation is smooth and flawless. The leaf-shaped blade is precise and effortless to control. This knife will be a favorite for many years.
25. Al Mar Mini Sere 2000: $257
The Sere 2000 series from Al Mar might be the closest a folder has ever come to a fixed-blade knife in terms of feel, form and function. The buttery smooth action is dangerously addictive. If you know a knife lover who’s been really, really good this year, this is a gift he or she will never forget.
Bonus: One “knife gift” that isn’t actually a knife stood out to us as a potential novelty gift or stocking stuffer. It’s this Balisong-style bottle opener for $17:
