If you’re serious about survival gear and are the kind of person who likes to be prepared for any eventuality then you’ve no doubt thought about the best keychain knives. While they might seem small and inconsequential to the rest of the human race, you know that a first-rate keychain knife can be an invaluable ally and/or an indispensable last line of defense should you ever need it. Oh yeah, they also come in handy opening boxes and envelopes, helping you strip wire so you can hang that pendant lamp and to cut bait when you’re out fishing.
Below we’re going to look the 20 best keychain knives out there as determined by our product review panel. They’re presented here in no particular order and with the understanding that any one of them would make an effective addition to your everyday carry.
The Best Keychain Knife
1Victorinox Swiss Army Keychain Knife
The 1 1/4 inch stainless steel blade on this SAK will come in handy if you work in a warehouse or you’re a tradesperson who never knows when you’ll need to cut away some sort of minor obstacle. The Swiss Army Classic SD also features a screwdriver, scissors, nail file, toothpick and tweezers and at less than 1 oz it will disappear effectively into your pocket until called upon. All features are easy to access and there’s a nifty little clip to attach it to your keychain where it belongs. Great EDC kit. Check the rest of the Swiss Army Knives selection in our extensive guide.
2Cold Steel Micro Recon Keychain Knife
The Cold Steel Micron by SOG is not your grandfather’s keychain knife. This is a versatile and aggressive blade that packs a lot of punch. It manages to be both lightweight and sturdy while also being a joy to hold and it’s so flat that you may very well forget you’ve got it in your pocket. AUS 8A Stainless is used to create the pointed blade which also sports a black Tuff-Ex Coating to help it resist corrosion. The handle is a thermoplastic synthetic resin that’s tough as nails and the contours allow you to get a nice firm grip every time. Throw in SOG’s Tri-Ad lock mechanism that will protect your fingers come hell or high water and you’ve got an outstanding keychain knife. Our handy guide to the best Ka-Bar knives features more great products like this.
3MTech USA Keychain Knife
The MTech MT-A882 has one of the most compelling profiles of any keychain knife. It also happens to be an extremely high quality piece of compact everyday carry that is both the keychain knife it professes to be and something more altogether. With a 2 3/4 inch, spring assisted, turquoise stainless steel blade, black nylon handle and one-handed deployment this little guy will be there when you need it whether you’re jammed into a crawl space or find yourself under assault from weasels intent on doing you harm. The handle is uber-comfortable and the whole thing closes up to a tidy 3 inches.
4Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker Keychain Knife
A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the Victorinox Wounded Warrior Swiss Army Knife go to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity set up to aid veterans wounded in conflicts instigated by the events of September 11, 2001. This is an extremely versatile Swiss Army knife in the classic SAK tradition with 1 large and one smaller blade, standard screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, bottle and can opener, scissors and more all compressed into a remarkable flat profile with the Wounded Warrior Project logo. Love this product? Check out our review of the best boot knives for our top picks.
5Gerber Curve Multi-Tool
There are “futuristic” looking keychain knives and then there’s the Gerber Curve. The Curve multi tool lives up to its name while putting its curves to work in a way that allows you to bring extraordinary force to bear on the cutting surface. That way you’re able to get the absolute maximum out of the 1 1/4 inch blade. But the Curve is more than just a tough, light, durable stainless steel blade. It also features both small and medium standard screwdrivers, a Phillips head screwdriver, bottle opener and more. If you want your EDC to be both practical and stylish this is the keychain knife for you.
6Kershaw 1025X Keychain Knife
The Cinder is one of the more comfortable keychain knives you’ll have a chance to hold. The stout design of the 3Cr13 1 2/5 inch stainless steel, stonewashed blade and robust, contoured handle mean you can really lean into the task at hand without fear. There’s a stainless steel lanyard notch that also doubles as a glass breaker and a bottle opener so that you can celebrate with a frosty brew after you’ve extricated yourself from that overturned wreck. The whole thing folds up tight and flat into the glass nylon handle and will slip neatly into your pocket. Don’t forget to also check our selection of the best Benchmade pocket knives.
7Gerber STL 2.0 Keychain Knife
The blade of the STL is forged from surgical-grade 7Cr17MoV (say that 3 times fast!) stainless steel and features a small cut out intended to aid one-handed opening. The blade, which locks in place securely when opened, gives the STL an overall length of 5 1/8 inches, which means it’s definitely flirting with the upper limits of the keychain knife. But a keychain knife it is and one for which you’ll find myriad applications from self-defense to opening packages to gutting fish. Limited lifetime warranty included. You may also like our review of the best diving knives so check it out.
8SOG Centi Keychain Knife
The SOG Centi I keychain knife sports a no-nonsense design that maximizes the cutting edge and provides a firm, safe grip no matter the application. The 1 3/8 inch high carbon blade is hollowed out in the center to reduce weight and there’s a generous hole at the butt end of the handle for attaching it to your keychain; which is really where this knife belongs. It’s smaller than it appears in pictures but just as dependable and well-built as all of SOG’s other tactical gear. If there’s one drawback to the Centi I keychain knife it’s the lack of a locking mechanism. Other than that it’s all good. Our guide to the top tactical knives offers more great knife options.
9Tonife Fixed Blade
Tonife takes a slightly different approach to the keychain knife and in the process answers the question “Why can’t a keychain knife be full tang?” We love the way this pocket rocket looks and feels. It’s a pleasure to hold and the 1 3/4 inch curved blade optimizes the cutting surface. With the full tang construction you can use every micron of that surface and really lean into your work without ever having to worry that the blade might give way. The handle is made of rugged G10 material that won’t rot or corrode and allows the knife to retain a lightweight overall profile. Just don’t expect to ever carry this baby on your keychain. Make sure you also check our camping knives guide.
10Promithi 151105
The Promithi 151105 is an extremely effective keychain knife that behaves like a much larger knife It’s only 2 5/8 inches long when close and flat as a piece of cardboard so once you hook it up to your keychain you’ll likely forget it’s there until you need it. The aggressive forward arc of the knife along with the wide 5CR16 stainless steel blade means you can bring all kinds of force to bear on whatever you’re doing. The broad handle allows you to get a firm grip whether you’re opening boxes or carving tent poles. There’s a nice big lanyard hole so the keychain knife will lay flat in your pocket. While you are here, make sure you also check our hunting knives guide.
11Pocket Samurai Folding Knife
The StatGear Pocket Samurai goes in the opposite direction from those keychain knives that embrace curvilinear design. The hard and fast geometry of the Samurai evokes timeless Asian design cues while retaining the type of superior functionality you’d expect from the best keychain knife. The tanto blade is sharp as a straight razor and the fact that it comes with a pocket clip means you don’t have to confine it to your trouser pockets. You can keep it in the pocket of your work shirt for quick, easy retrieval. The blade is 440C carbon stainless, the anodized aluminum handle comes in 6 different colors and the knife carries an unconditional 90 money back warranty.
12Grand Way Small Pocket Knife
Now here’s something you don’t see every day. A tactical money clip that’s also a first class keychain knife. While the versatility of Small Pocket Knife implement is impressive don’t expect it to win any awards for “most beautiful keychain knife”. It’s bare bones simple; intended to be lightweight and effective. The 2 1/8 inch blade is fashioned from 420 high carbon steel so you’ll always have a razor sharp blade and that blade locks open to eliminate the chance of mishaps. There’s a nice big lanyard hole so you can attach it to your keychain easily and the money clip keeps a fair number of bills safe and secure. If you’re into the minimalist design you’ll love the Grand Way. If you like knives, make sure you also check our automatic knives review.
13Old Timer 1OT
This is about as close as you’ll get on this list of Best Keychain Knives to your grandfather’s keychain knife. Old Timer 1OT’s got a deliberate throwback look that never goes out of style and it’s a nice compact size so carrying it on your keychain is not the impossible dream as it can be for some keychain knives. It features an imitation wood polyoxymethylene thermoplastic handle that’s made to last and the 1 5/8 inch blade has the familiar nail notch so you can open it in a hurry. The blade is fashioned from 400 carbon steel so it will always sharpen up fast and the whole thing weighs less than an ounce. Throw in the fact that it’s around 10 bucks and it makes a great stocking stuffer come holiday time. If you are looking to upgrade your knife collection, then make sure you read our pen knives review.
14Kubaton Knife
The Kubotan keychain knife was developed as a self-defense weapon by Takayuki Kubota in the late 1960s. In the case of this Kubota, it has a 4 inch stainless steel blade that is concealed inside an anodized black aluminum handle. At the butt end of the handle there’s a generous sized loop for attaching the knife to a keychain for innocuous transport. While there are no doubt some precision type applications you can use the Kubotan keychain knife for it is first and foremost intended as a discrete self-defense item. When clipped to your keychain it appears to be a marker of some kind but when opened it reveals itself to be an effective self-defense knife, though some practice will likely be required to master it.
15KeySmart Mini Knife
We love the KeySmart Mini Knife because it’s super inconspicuous. When it’s hanging from your keychain, it looks just like a bottle opener or another harmless tool. But when you flip it open, it reveals a sharp stainless steel blade. Designed for both utility and protection, this keychain knife will give you peace of mind, wherever you go. You can use it for opening boxes, cutting rope, and even warding off attackers. Plus, it comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty that protects your KeySmart Mini Knife against normal wear and tear.
16Gerber Key Note
The Gerber Key Note is one of the most impressive keychain knives on the market. Designed specifically for everyday carry, the blade slides away so it doesn’t cut you when it’s in your pocket. The sharp stainless steel blade has two purposes – cutting and scraping. This makes it a valuable survival tool, should you ever end up in a survival situation. Of course, it’s probably going to spend most of its life opening Amazon delivery boxes. Another feature we like is the removable keychain, which can be taken off if you want to use the knife without it being attached to your keys.
17Smith & Wesson Folding Keychain Knife
Smith & Wesson is an American company that has been around for over 150 years. They’re best known for making guns and ammunition but they also make some of the best pocket knives on the market. The blade on this Folding Keychain Knife is made from high-carbon stainless steel (8Cr13MoV), a metal known for its strength and excellent edge retention. Press the button on the side of the G-10 handle and the blade slides out smoothly, thanks to the Ultra-Glide technology. As soon as you get your hands on this knife, the quality is obvious and it’s protected by a limited lifetime warranty, which makes this one of the best deals on this list.
18Armear Mini Portable Green Leaf Knife (2-pack)
If you’re looking for a keychain knife that doesn’t look like a knife, this two-pack of Armear Mini Portable Green Leaf Knives is perfect. The leaf design makes them look like any other keychain. Of course, when you open it up, it reveals a sharp stainless steel blade that’s perfect for opening letters, parcels, and more. The cover is made from lightweight plastic, keeping the overall weight of the keychain knife to 1.1 ounces.
19Spyderco C133P Bug Non-Locking Knife
The Spyderco C133P is one of the best knives to have on your keychain. Because it’s so tiny and the handle is silver, it doesn’t look like a knife from a distance. So, if you don’t want to attract attention, we’d highly recommend this knife. Like all Spyderco knives, it has a super-sharp blade that will make quick work of a parcel or letter. It’s made from stainless steel (3Cr13) and has a PlainEdge blade.
Keychain Knife Buyers Guide and FAQs
Now we have listed 19 great keychain knives lets look at why owning a keychain knife is great for any everyday carry.
Q: What Are Keychain Knives Used For?
A: If you’re smart about how you plan out your EDC, then you know one thing: you can never have enough usefulness out of every single object on your person. That being said, self-defense is one of the root reasons behind why people carry EDC. If you’re always waiting for something to happen, for someone to strike, you’re not alone. It’s a scary world out there, and you can never be too prepared. Keychain knives are useful because they’re the last thing that an assailant would ever expect. Apart from being great in a pinch, especially if you’re in the carport late at night and you want to remain anonymous in your defensive techniques, it’s a great multitool.
One thing that most of us have on ourselves at all times are our keys. Unless you’re home and your ring is hanging on the hook, your keys are somewhere on you, whether it’s hanging from your belt or in your back pocket. When is it not useful to have a knife on you? If you’re in a car crash, use it to cut your seatbelt. If you’re out in the wilderness on a two-day hike, use it to filet a fish. A keychain knife is mostly used for self-defense purposes, but you can absolutely get your use out of it with other things. Just be sure to keep it sharpened.
Q: Why Is It Good to Have A Keychain Knife?
A: We know that self-defense is the best reason, but what else can you get out of carrying a keychain knife? Here are ten quick reasons to own one:
- Put a keyring knife on your child’s keeps back into the house. If they’re walking home from school every day, it’s reasonable to be worried. This will be an extra safety measure.
- Cut some fruit out on the go. You want to eat healthy, but it’s simpler to buy a bag of fries. Well, knock off that excuse. Buy the fruit, slice it with your keychain knife. Carry on.
- If your little one can’t separate his LEGO pieces, you’re stuck doing it for them. Pop out the keychain knife; it works like a charm.
- When you’re out on the jobsite and your hands get disgusting, use your keychain knife to pick the gunk out of under your nails.
- File down your nails. It’s not as easy as using a nail file, but when you can feel them getting a bit too long and you have nothing but time to kill, do as the Romans do.
- Pick a splinter out by pressing the tip of the knife against the splinter on one side, your finger on the other, and presto—it comes out so easily.
- You’ve filled a hole in your tire with a sealant, but you want to cut the nub off so it doesn’t scrape on the way home. You’ve got a knife; use it.
- Our smartphones are our lives. You might be reading this on one right now. If you’ve noticed gunk getting in the crevices, a knife’s tip can clean it up just right.
- Opening packages sucks—do it with flair and style with your keychain knife.
- With a little bit of practice, you can use your keychain knife to open up a bottle of brew.
Keep Your Keychain Knife Maintained
Nothing is better than having a useful tool in a pinch, but nothing is worse than having that tool crap out on you. It’s all about how you maintain it. If you take a few steps to keep your knife sharp and useful, you’ll always be able to rely on it when you need to.
Oil – You should always oil your knife appropriately. Don’t saturate the thing, but do keep it oiled and return to this at least once every three months.
Sharpen – A dull knife is no good. Whether it’s for a hunting knife or not, it has to be sharp. It’s kind of the whole point. Sharpen this baby at least once every six months. If you find yourself using it on a frequent basis for household things, then sharpen it once every three months.
Cleaning – One of the biggest problems that users have with a pocket knife or keyring knife, is that it jams up or becomes hard to use. That’s because they’re not cleaning it. Oiling your knife is only so good; the knife has to be clean first.
