The old saying goes that the best lock mechanism on a knife is a fixed blade.
Back in the day, fixed blades were mostly robust outdoor tools, but the trend has been increasingly toward lighter and lighter fixed blades. That’s a plus for everyone.
A few years back, I wrote a post on the best EDC fixed blade knives. While all the knives performed well at EDC tasks, many of them were quite hefty.
So I decided to take the concept of an EDC fixed blade and narrow it down even more to the best lightweight fixed blades. All of these knives are at least under 3 ounces — with many of them being under 2.
Check them out.
CRKT Minimalist Wharncliffe Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 1.1 oz
Blade Length: 2″
Overall Length: 5″
OK, I know my love for the CRKT Minimalist permeates everything around here, as this model makes it onto many best-of lists (including the aforementioned best EDC fixed blades). But it deserves another mention here. In the best EDC fixed blades post, I highlighted the Bowie version, but the Wharncliffe version is even lighter at a mere 1.1 ounces.
This is one of those knives you can feel confident carrying anywhere you go and feels big in the hand, despite the — well — minimalist handle.
Spyderco ARK Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 0.9 oz
Blade Length: 2.56″
Overall Length: 4.98″
A Spyderco made it on the best EDC fixed blades, but the Street Beat is a pretty heavy folder. Enter the Spyderco ARK. Standing for “Always Ready Knife,” the ARK was designed as a personal defense knife by U.S. Army combat veteran John Shirley and his friend Sam Owens.
You can easily carry this around your neck in the injection-molded neck sheath with breakaway chain. The blade uses H1 steel, a rust-free alloy seen in the Salt series from Spyderco. The handle is bidirectional FRN that provides a secure grip.
As far as I’m aware, this is the lightest Spyderco fixed blade available.
Boker Plus Mini Slik Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 1.7 oz
Blade Length: 2.1″
Overall Length: 4.9″
The Mini Slik is a small little fixed blade designed by Rob Amsler. Its blade is 2.1 inches of 440C, and the handle is titanium. The whole thing has a cohesive stonewashed finish and fits into a Kydex sheath.
You won’t feel the weight of this knife, but you can easily pull it out if you need to open some letters or packaging.
KA-BAR Becker Remora Fixed Blade
Weight: 1.6 oz
Blade Length: 2.375″
Overall Length: 5.125″
I had the Becker Necker on the best EDC fixed blade list, but that one is a bit heavy at 3.2 ounces (still pretty light). That’s where the Becker Remora comes into the picture.
Although an inch shorter than the Becker Necker, the Becker Remora features a similar skeletonized design without feeling too cramped when gripping. The knife features much of the same dependability and functionality of a Becker knife but in a smaller package.
Cold Steel Urban Pal Fixed Blade
Weight: 0.7 oz
Blade Length: 1.5″
Overall Length: 3.13″
I was tempted to put the larger Urban Edge on here instead, but it weighs 1.9 ounces whereas the Urban Pal weighs a mere 0.7 ounces. Despite being a little bigger, I could not justify the weight increase.
You wouldn’t think a push dagger would make a good EDC because of its roots in self-defense, but Cold Steel does well by making one edge plain and the other serrated. You can use one side to cut open boxes and the other to cut some rope.
This thing is so small you can carry it around the neck or even in the pocket.
Kershaw Dune Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 2.2 oz
Blade Length: 3.8″
Overall Length: 7.7″
The Kershaw Dune is the heaviest of the fixed blades on this list. By itself, the knife is 2.2 ounces, but with a sheath, it’s 2.7 ounces. That’s not a lot considering the blade is 3.8 inches and the overall length is 7.7 inches. The length per weight ratio is quite well, thanks to the slim profile.
Kershaw calls this a neck sword and says it’s great for EDC and we don’t disagree. It is unobtrusive, and the tanto blade is surprisingly versatile.
SOG Mini G10 Instinct Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 1.6 oz
Blade Length: 1.9″
Overall Length: 4.8″
The SOG Instinct is a minimalist fixed blade designed to be compact and readily available. It comes in several varieties include a mini and full-sized version and a skeletonized and G-10 version.
Because most of the knives on this list are skeletonized, I figured the Mini G10 Instinct made the most sense. The blade is 1.9 inches and the handle scales are G-10. It includes a belt clip hard-molded nylon sheath.
KA-BAR Snody Snake Charmer Fixed Blade
Weight: 1.6 oz
Blade Length: 2.313″
Overall Length: 6.5″
KA-BAR is known for its collaborations with different makers, such as Ethan Becker and Jesse Jarosz. But one of the brand’s most underrated offerings comes from the great Mike Snody.
What separates this knife from the others on this list is the use of premium materials and a vision closer to a custom design. The whole knife is made of S35VN steel — the best on this list — and features a simple design that harkens back to the bird and trout knives of old.
This made-in-the-USA knife comes with a well-designed green sheath and a custom-made bead. People have complemented the overall usefulness of the knife.
Condor Pygmy Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 2.05 oz
Blade Length: 2.5″
Overall Length: 6.25″
Joe Flowers is responsible for designing most of the knives out of Condor TK. A few years back, he designed the larger 5.5-inch bladed Crotalus. It was well-received, but flowers wanted to make a mini version of the knife that could still perform well. So he came up with the Pygmy.
Featuring a 2.5-inch carbon steel blade and Micarta handles, the Pygmy is a smaller version of the Crotalus. This is an EDC knife you can carry around the campsite.
Boker Plus Gnome Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 1.6 oz
Blade Length: 2.2″
Overall Length: 3.8″
Another Boker Plus knife designed by Jesper Voxnaes made the best EDC fixed blades list, but this one slices down on the weight even more. The Gnome comes in at under 2 inches and comes in different versions.
The version with olive wood handle scales comes in at the lightest at 1.6 ounces, but the Micarta version is only an ounce more. The blade is 2.2 inches, but the handle is cut off in the middle, making the use of a lanyard vital for a better grip.
SOG Snarl Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 1.9 oz
Blade Length: 2.3″
Overall Length: 4.3″
This fixed blade from Jason Brous is burly for being so small and lightweight. The SOG Snarl can be easily carried around the neck, on a belt, or in a boot. Although this might not be an EDC knife for outdoor activities, it makes a great little backup EDC utility knife around the house or office.
CRKT Mossback Bird and Trout
Weight: 2.0 oz
Blade Length: 2.851″
Overall Length: 6.562″
The CRKT Mossback Bird and Trout is billed as a hunting knife that’s a good size for a bird or a trout. However, those who have used the knife claim that it works amazing as an EDC fixed blade that even rivals the vaunted Izula (still to come).
The blade is made from SK-5 stainless steel and the handle is G-10.
Schrade SCH406N Fixed Blade Neck Knife
Weight: 1.9 oz
Blade Length: 2.31″
Overall Length: 5.22″
Schrade has a lot of knives, many that have been discontinued over the years. But every now and again they hit on a solid design that’s paired with a reasonable price tag. This simple fixed blade has a 2.31-inch black-coated blade and a paracord-wrapped handle.
It won’t blow you away in quality or design acumen, but for a lightweight EDC beater fixed blade, it’s more than capable.
ESEE Izula Fixed Blade Knife
Weight: 2.0 oz
Blade Length: 2.63″
Overall Length: 6.25″
Even though the Izula was already on the best EDC fixed blade post, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to include it here.
The blade is about 2.6 inches, and the overall length is 6.25 inches of 1095 carbon steel. The design is stripped down and can be carried a few different ways.
Boker Magnum Neck Flash Fixed Blade
Weight: 1.6 oz
Blade Length: 2.8″
Overall Length: 6.5″
And finally there’s yet another Boker Plus knife that’s worthy of inclusion. This is an underrated lightweight EDC fixed blade. It’s not a flashy knife but it has a skeletonize handle that cuts the down to 1.6 ounces, allowing for a larger 2.8-inch blade.
The knife is comfortable and you can wear it around your neck without much hassle.
April 10, 2019 at 10:45 pm
I own a CRKT Minimalist and while I like it, the handle is too short for my hand. I actually have gripped the little lanyard or tab and it works, but I am more comfortable with a longer handle which would lead me towards a knife like the Obake or the Dune.
I actually like most of the knives shown, but due to ergonomics (Short length and finger grooves) they don’t allow me to get a good, full grip. With something really tiny, it feels like holding and using a razor blade to make a light cut, but doesn’t allow a good enough grip to carve or to apply much strength to a cut. I can’t see using it like most knives for the usual tasks as I am not able to apply the proper hand hold.
I think that a push dagger such as the little Cold Steel Pal might work better for me. Oddly enough I also have a Kershaw Shuffle (Yes it’s a folder) which fits my hand perfectly, so there is a reason for so many knives…. to allow us users to find what works and feels best to us.
April 11, 2019 at 9:17 am
All great points, Frank — especially the last one. Diversity in knife designs is awesome, even if it means there are plenty that just don’t work for you.
April 28, 2021 at 7:02 pm
I have been carrying the Obake for about 4 years now really like the knife but it is getting kinda beat so looking for something new
July 25, 2021 at 12:16 pm
I’ve a brand new , well not ever used or carried Obake if youd like a new one.
March 10, 2021 at 10:07 am
I am proud of the ARK, and think it’s a great neck knife. It makes a pretty versatile daily user, despite being especially designed for self-defense. I carried one on a multi-day 2015 ocean kayaking trip where weight and space was at a premium, and even used it for things like meal prep.
The Minimalist may not have great steel, but it has also long been a favorite of mine. Some of them also have a sheath allowing them to be mounted on your belt.