Giving gifts is hard. And while a few folks seem to have a genuine knack for the art, the rest of us are often left fumbling in the dark.
Things get even more challenging when you’re shopping for a member of a particular fan base. Take the EDC community, for instance. Under the banner of “Everyday Carry,” these folks invest a lot of thought into the accessories and tools of daily work.
Pocket knives are a mainstay in this hobby, making them a natural target for gift-giving. But knife shopping is a minefield, with hundreds of makers and designs. Still want to give a knife? Check out our complete guide to giftable pocket knives here.
Or, instead of trying to puzzle out which combination the recipient would like, why not give something that can be applied to all knives, or to the EDC hobby in general?
Below, you’ll find several options sure to please even the most snobbish of knife nerds. And we should know, as GearJunkie contains a few such individuals in its ranks.
We’ve broken things up into three levels, ranging from affordable to premium. This should help you navigate the strange world of pocket knife gifting, based on your relationship to the recipient.
How to Use This Gift Guide
Before we dive in, a quick breakdown of how this guide is organized. Each category of knife accessory is broken down into three tiers. These tiers ascend in value from a simple gift for a casual acquaintance, to a serious gift for a very special person.
Obviously, you can give any gift for anyone in your life, and the choice is ultimately up to you. But our outline can help give you an idea how each gift could be received.
The Tiers of Gift Giving
First up is Level One. Think of this as the “Secret Santa” tier, and you’ve drawn the name of a coworker who’s always the first on-scene when there’s a box to be cut or a package to be opened. These are for when you need something relatively inexpensive, but of a high enough quality for regular use.
Then we have Level Two. This can be a bit of a tricky one, usually aimed at close friends. You’ve spent enough time with this person to know at least a few of their preferences, and to be more than casually invested in their reaction. These are high-quality, reasonably priced gifts that show you’ve done some homework.
Finally, we have Level Three. For all intents and purposes, this is the tier for someone you’ll nearly see every day, and more often than not in the evenings. Items in this category are the expensive, centerpiece gifts that say, “I don’t care how strange your hobby is. If it makes you happy, I’m happy, too.”
Got all that? Then let’s get to the shopping.
Sharpening Systems
Level One: Victorinox Dual Knife Sharpener
This compact design ($20) from Victorinox allows users to carry a honing stone and sharpening system clipped in the comfort of their pocket. This dual approach is simple: Use the honing rod to straighten out the edge, and the V-shaped ceramic pull-through to bring it back to life.
Now, this isn’t the best tool for repairing a truly damaged blade. Chips and dents will require a more aggressive surface than the ones found here.
But while most pocket sharpeners amount to little more than a gimmick, this model excels at keeping sharp blades in working condition.
Check Price at AmazonLevel Two: The Work Sharp Precision Adjust
When it comes to value for money, no one provides a keener edge than Work Sharp. Its Precision Adjust system ($60) is the paragon of budget sharpeners. With its adjustable angles and multiple stones, this contraption will put hair-popping edges on everything from kitchen to pocket to hunting knives.
How do we know? Because we reviewed one a while back. An upgraded version has since hit the market, adding more stones to boost its finishing to mirror level. These stones can be purchased on their own or as part of a complete package with the original kit.
Check Price at Scheels Check Price at Amazon
Level Three: KME Sharpening Set
There are plenty of guided-angle sharpeners out there. And if you’re familiar with the Work Sharp listed above, this setup may look a bit familiar. But when you’re looking for razor-quality edges, nobody out-sharpens KME ($225).
The clamp, rod, and stone designs have been employed by other makers. But KME has refined the system to an art.
The quality of its sharpening hones also sets these apart, from the 140-grit extra-coarse to the 1500 extra-fine. Users can also purchase stropping surfaces, and even lapping films for the final micro-finishing.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line sharpener, the KME is it.
Check Price at AmazonMaintenance Items
Sharpening systems are great. But with so many on the market, gift givers might run afoul of a particularly picky individual.
What about something with a little more universal appeal? After all, there are other parts of the knife that need to be kept in working order. Here are a few ideas that should please even the most discerning of blade junkies.
Level One: Wiha Torx Driver Pen
From their pivots to their back screws, most pocket knives use Torx ($20). These star-shaped heads require special bits in order to loosen and tighten their fit. And like Victorinox above, Wiha can put the whole kit in your pocket.
The Wiha Torx Driver Pen is a great way to carry a full breakdown set on the go. The included bits range from T3 to T8, all of which fit nicely in the hollow shaft of the handle.
The bits themselves are made in Germany, utilizing a tool steel hardened to 60 HRC. They’re tough and should stand up to years of repeated use.
Check Price at AmazonLevel Two: KPL Knife Care and Maintenance Kit
KPL stands for Knife Pivot Lube, so this company knows its blades. This maintenance kit ($31) comes with a bottle of the brand’s proprietary oil, 14 reusable cleaning swabs, a microfiber polishing cloth, and even a bottle of Vibra-Tite thread locker.
Each of these components has a use, from keeping surfaces slick to clean or ensuring that the screws stay firmly in place. KPL also includes a die-cut sticker, which can be applied to your lunchbox or hard hat.
This is a lot of kit for $31, from a maker that purpose-builds its products for knife enthusiasts.
Check Price at AmazonLevel Three: PB Swiss Driver Set
$160 for a screwdriver? Sure, that may seem a little over the top. But PB Swiss is, for no better comparison, the Rolex of screwdrivers. And for the EDC aficionado, this driver set is a functional luxury.
The PB Swiss Tools PB 8510R-100 Set Twister is the perfect kit for the well-appointed workbench. It ships with a 100mm ratcheting driver, plus core bits — including the small T6 and T8 Torx bits often used in the knife industry. Beyond those, it hits the core bits for most jobs, including Phillips and slots.
For the tinkerer or knife-lover who has it all, PB Swiss Tools shows that you see them. You recognize their love of craft and fine, long-lasting tools. And when it comes to buying the best of the best, these Swiss-made hand implements are meant to last and be handed down, generation to generation. Sure, it’s a pricey kit. But for those who simply want the best, this is it.
Check Price at AmazonMiscellaneous Options
Sometimes it’s best to gift with an eye to broader appeal. The items below are more about the general fun of the EDC hobby, from companies that are as enthusiastic about making their items as the recipients will be with receiving them.
Level One: Knafs Mousepad/Poster
Knafs is the brainchild of Ben and Athena Petersen, a pair with deep roots in the gear community. Over his 8 years in the knife industry, Ben has earned a reputation for knowledge and good humor.
He’s carried these traits into his new company, which produces novelty items in addition to blades. We were charmed by this poster ($15-23) when it appeared, and its image has stuck in our memory.
It’s available in two sizes, or alternatively in an oversized mouse pad.
Check Mousepad Price at Blade HQCheck Poster Price at Blade HQ
Level Two: Argali Kodiak Belt
OK, so why a belt for a knife lover? Well, because this one has a built-in knife sharpener. It also happens to be one fantastic belt for anyone who loves the outdoors.
The Argali Kodiak Belt ($75) has a simple and unique design that tightens simply by threading the webbing through a slit in a metal plate. It’s secure and results in a very low profile that doesn’t chafe or poke when put under a backpack hip belt.
This alone would be enough, but to make it even better, the back of the metal plate has a nice sharpening stone built in. Use it to touch up your pocket knives, hunting broadheads, or fish hooks while out in the field.
This one is a thoughtful gift under $100 that almost any outdoors person will adore.
Check Price at Argali OutdoorsLevel Three: EDC Organizer
One of the best gifts you can give a gear person is the chance to carry more of their favorites with them. And like any type of bag or accessory, the choices in style are endless.
I’ve provided three options here, starting with the Husky Maximizer 2.0 ($49) from Vanquest. With its wealth of pockets and durable construction, this allows you to carry not just knives, but practically an entire tool set.
The other option offers exceptional utility and premium materials. Nutsac’s Admin Pouches ($169) have everything you could want in a gear organizer.
Available in multiple materials and styles, this company also boasts a lifetime guarantee on its products.
Check Maximizer Price at AmazonCheck EDC Roll Price at Hitch and TimberCheck Pouches Price at Nutsac
What the Authors Know About Knives
If you wonder why you should trust our gift-giving advice, here’s the answer: McCoy and LeFort are pretty nuts for knives. Both avid collectors, they spend a lot of time studying and using knives and other EDC tools, trinkets, and devices.
Both authors have tested and written about at least 50 knives for GearJunkie — probably a lot more. They also attend tradeshows and say up to date on the latest trends in knife and EDC manufacturing and product development.
And their goal here is to give you a list of things they’d love to receive as gifts — if they didn’t already own them. These are the things they would personally recommend to anyone who loves knives, EDC, and tools. They have tested these products and enjoy using them.
In choosing the above products, LeFort and McCoy offer time-tested, beloved products that should impress any knife-user.
