The term "multipurpose knife" can mean an everyday carry (EDC) folding blade, a multi-tool, or a kitchen prep knife. Top picks span all three categories based on your needs.
The best all-purpose kitchen knife is an 8-inch Chef's Knife. It tackles about 95% of your daily prep, from dicing onions and mincing garlic to breaking down proteins. Depending on your budget and grip preference, the top universally recommended options vary.
Essential #1: A Chef's Knife
You can use it for pretty much any task, large or small, that you might do on a cutting board–everything from breaking down a chicken to chopping up a butternut squash and mincing parsley.
The "holy trinity of knives" refers to either the foundational trio of folding pocket knives that defined the high-end knife industry, or the three essential blades every kitchen needs.
DROP POINT KNIFE
The drop point blade is used on many hunting and EDC knives, and performs well in most situations. It's the "Goldilocks" blade shape that's just right for most tasks. The strong tip and wide belly excel in meat processing, slicing tasks, and opening boxes from your latest knife purchase.
For most people, the three absolute essential knives to own are the Chef's Knife, Serrated (Bread) Knife, and Paring Knife. These three versatile, multi-purpose blades handle 99% of kitchen prep—from slicing tough crusts to mincing garlic.
Navy SEALs rely on a few specific standard-issue fixed blades, but they largely carry mission-dependent gear. Standard-issue knives include the Ontario MK3 Mod 0 dive knife and the Cold Steel SRK. For everyday carry and field operations, operators frequently choose rugged folding knives from premium brands.
The "John Wick knife" refers to a series of high-end, out-the-front (OTF) automatic knives wielded by Keanu Reeves throughout the action franchise. The exact model changes depending on the movie, most famously transitioning from a Microtech in the earlier films to a custom Grant & Gavin Hawk in John Wick 4.
Gifting someone a Swiss Army Knife (SAK) is a versatile gesture that generally symbolizes preparedness, self-sufficiency, and deep trust. It shows that the giver respects the recipient's capability to handle a practical tool and wants to equip them for everyday adventures or emergencies.
The Holy Grail of Pocket Knives
The Sebenza 31 is the latest version of a pocket knife that was first released in 1987 and is widely considered among blade enthusiasts as the best pocket knife ever made.
There is no single "best" knife brand because the right brand depends on whether you are looking for kitchen prep, outdoors, or everyday carry (EDC) use.
The golden rule of knives is simple: A sharp knife is much safer than a dull knife.
"Best" is highly subjective and depends entirely on the knife's purpose. For kitchen use, Japanese and German blades reign supreme, while everyday carry (EDC) and outdoor pursuits favor premium folding and survival tools. Global consensus highlights distinct brand leaders depending on your exact cutting needs.
If you only had one knife, a Chef's Knife, also known as a gyutou, would be the best option to handle slicing, dicing, mincing and general prep work. This is the true workhorse of the kitchen and the tool chefs reach for more than any other.
Knives made from high-carbon steel or ceramic retain their sharpness the longest. These materials are incredibly hard, making them highly resistant to dulling—but they also come with specific trade-offs regarding maintenance and durability.
The best everyday knife depends on your needs. For kitchen prep, an 8-inch chef’s knife is the ultimate go-to tool. For everyday carry (EDC), a lightweight, durable folding pocket knife is ideal.
CIA agents do not have a single standard-issue knife. Because they operate in various covert, clandestine, and urban environments, they generally treat knives as personal tools and select gear based on their specific mission needs, personal preference, and local carry laws.
The official multi-purpose knife and bayonet issued to the United States Marine Corps is the OKC-3S. Manufactured by the Ontario Knife Company, it replaced the older M7 bayonet to better serve modern requirements for both close combat and field utility tasks.
U.S. Special Forces do not have one single assigned knife. Instead, operators are usually issued, or personally purchase, high-quality, task-specific folding and fixed-blade knives. Common choices include the Chris Reeve Yarborough Knife, Cold Steel SRK, and various models from Benchmade and SOG.
Because "best" depends entirely on your intended use, there is no single best knife brand. Whether you need a workhorse for the kitchen, a reliable folding blade for the outdoors, or an everyday carry (EDC), the top brands vary significantly based on their build and purpose.
Neither is universally better; it depends on your cooking style and maintenance preferences. Think of Japanese knives as high-performance sports cars (lightweight, razor-sharp, and agile) and German knives as durable pickup trucks (heavy, sturdy, and forgiving).
John Wick primarily uses premium Out-The-Front (OTF) automatic knives across the franchise. His signature blades vary by film but most famously include specific models by Microtech, Benchmade, and Hawk Knives.
The term "top knives" usually refers to either everyday carry (EDC) pocket knives or kitchen chef’s knives. Here are the top five overall options for both categories based on industry testing, expert reviews, and user consensus.
The fastest way to dull a knife is by cutting on ultra-hard surfaces like glass, granite, ceramic, or directly on dinner plates. Because these materials are harder than the knife steel, repeated impacts cause microscopic edge rolling, chipping, and catastrophic dulling in just a few uses.
A real Damascus steel knife typically costs between $100 and $500, depending on whether it is a factory-produced model or a hand-forged piece. Custom or boutique artisan blades can easily range from $500 to well over $1,000.