The Top 5 Fixed Blades for ‘The Hottest Trend in Knives’

In an industry defined by continuously evolving trends, the knife market’s craze du jour is the pocket fixed blade. If you’re wondering why, I outline the history and justification for the trend in my full explainer on pocket fixed blades. (Start there for some context, and then come back here when you’re ready to start shopping.)

Like any good knife, pocket fixed blades all have their own nuance that make them particularly well-suited to various users and tasks. Below are my top five fixed-blade knives for folks in the EDC, hunt, tactical, shop, and outdoor recreation spaces. Read on to find which pocket fixie is best for you.

5 Great Pocket Fixed Blades

I suspect anyone could benefit from a pocket fixed blade. I’m also a vocal advocate for carrying the knife that best suits you, so if that’s a folding pocket knife, great!

But if you need to perform a particular set of demanding tasks, or just like to have a just-in-case backup knife, then you fit the mold for a pocket fixie.

The five knives below each have a specific use case for which they are best tailored. But they all make the list because I can attest to and recommend their quality and utility.

Everyday Carry

Launching in February 2025, the Knafs Lander 4 ($65) marks the first fixed blade in the popular Lander knife lineup. The combination of its overall length of 5.9 inches, its swooping design, and 14C28N drop-point blade make the Lander 4 great for everyday utility.

Over the course of the last month, I tested the first production sample. The Lander 4 has been a great task-master, from making holiday decorations to breaking down many Amazon boxes. Mounted on my left side (and me being left-handed), the Lander 4 proved easier to access than my pocket knife.

The Lander 4 comes with a Kydex sheath designed to fit on your belt or pack strap. With the right clip, it could easily fit into your pocket as well. And when it launches in February, customers will see an optional in-pocket leather sheath ($75) for purchase. 

Additionally, Knafs will launch a Black Sheep ($120) variant of the Lander 4 at the same time as the Moondust version shown here. It will carry an S35VN Sheepsfoot-style blade.

I would recommend either knife to anyone looking for an all-around hardworking blade. However, the Moondust version should prove more adaptable to more tasks because of the drop point blade shape — quite literally the most universal blade shape in existence.

Woodworking

Knifemaker Jon Graham’s “Razel” knife design, a combination of chisel and blade, was a testament to his blue-collar roots. Though he passed away in 2022, the Razel Compact Fixed carries on that uniquely utilitarian legacy. It’s at home in a workshop, whether for a living or a hobby.

The CRKT Razel Compact Fixed ($65) was designed to cut, slice, chop, shave, and shape wood (or any other workable material), but with an overall length of just 5.27 inches. This compact form allows you to take the show on the road and do any of those tasks wherever they pop up.

The blade’s D2 steel is hearty and tough. Just make sure to dry it off before you put it away, or it can form surface rust.

I used my Razel Compact Fixed for making repairs on my cabin in Vermont. But it can easily slice through and shape aluminum cans, which is my preferred material for patching the holes mice make in the walls. It’s also great for trimming down swollen doors and windows, or even rugged meal prep.

The Razel Compact Fixed comes with a Kydex sheath. That sheath has a built-in pocket clip, similar to that found on a folding pocket knife. Additionally, its lanyard acts as a handle extension for your pinky and, ultimately, more leverage.

This knife is great for the crafter, hobbyist, and handyperson who needs a utility knife but doesn’t want to fuss with replacing razor blades that dull quickly on a razor knife.

Hunting/Cooking

When legendary woodsman “Nessmuk” (George W. Sears) designed his fixed-blade knife more than a century ago, he wanted it to have a blade suited for field dressing and processing small game. It also had to be good at meal preparation.

The end result was a drop-point knife with a big, thin belly. GiantMouse invokes this blade shape on its Jagt hunting and camping folding knife. On the GMF1-XL ($195) fixed blade, however, I find it works out even better. You have more blade control due to the compact size and flowing design.

With an overall length of 6.5 inches and N690 Cobalt high-performance steel, the GMF1-XL is designed to get down and dirty. I’ve enjoyed slicing chicken, beef, and sausage just as much as processing squirrel with the GMF1-XL. Its advanced ergonomics leads to a heightened level of precision.

N690 steel is great for a knife like this. It excels in strength, toughness, and corrosion and abrasion resistance. It also holds a factory-sharp edge for a prolonged period of time. When it does come time to sharpen it, it’s a quick and easy task; only a few passes on a strop for each side.

Note: The GMF1-XL does not have a pocket sheath, but it really needs one.

Outdoor Recreation

Though it can be argued that all of these knives are well-suited for the outdoor enthusiast, the Schwarz Overland Sport ($265) performs exceptionally well in the outdoors. This is owed to its MagnaCut steel construction, G10 handle scales, and overall shape, which allows cutting on flat surfaces without interference.

It’s a performance piece designed to work hard and fast; it’s also the sharpest knife I have ever laid my mitts on. 

The Overland Sport is custom-made for every order, offering a variety of materials and finishes. Mine has a stonewashed blade to throw sparks with a ferro rod, and G10 handle scales for durability and grip.

Also, the Overland Sport has a full four-finger grip for maximum control and power. Yet, at 6.6 inches, with a 2.8-inch blade, it still doesn’t lose any blade functionality. This owes somewhat to the kitchen knife-like shape, which has the blade drop down from the handle. This permits a wide range of articulation and precision work.

The Overland Sport is the only knife on this list that comes stock with an UltiClip. Be aware that once you clamp an Ulticlip to something, it’s not going anywhere without some focused effort.

Tactical

The Benchmade Dacian ($320) looks like it came from the future and decided to stick around to change the game. Something of a form and factor departure from Benchmade, this version of the Dacian has blue titanium-coated MagnaCut steel and brown Micarta handles.

At 7.57 inches in overall length, it’s the largest knife on this list, but it still meets the criteria for a “pocket fixie.” In my opinion, this is the first fixed-blade knife specifically aimed at the pocket market since the trend was established.

This knife could make a viable EDC knife for anyone looking for a high-performance knife that can slice, cut, and pierce. But it’s best suited for tactical and self-defense situations. Spear point blades are made for piercing and stabbing, with a secondary function of slashing. It might seem a little colorful for a soldier at war, but no one said everything needs to be olive drab.

The Dacian’s sheath is internally ambidextrous. This means it has grooves molded inside of its single-piece construction so you can turn the knife around, and it will work for left- or right-hand carry.

The pocket clip screws into one of the grooves inside the sheath and can be replaced, but it’s a spring steel clip — usually found on a pistol holster — and won’t tend to bend or snap. At the bottom of the sheath is a drain hole that allows any moisture to escape.

I had fun carrying this knife around. It fits inside pockets, back pockets, and the fifth pocket of a pair of Carhartt Double-Knee pants. It doesn’t sit as low as many other pocket fixies. So it’s fairly conspicuous. For its intended purposes, though, that’s not much concern.

Conclusion

Expect to see more pocket fixed blades from more brands as the trend continues toward its apex. There are no doubt more knives for more situations — and some that are not on this list may be your ideal pocket fixed blade.

So, check out The Hottest Trend in Knives: Everything You Need to Know About Pocket Fixed Blades to learn why the market is so hot right now, and what to consider when shopping for your own. Then you can decide all the features that you want and tasks you need your ideal knife to perform. Happy hunting!