No one single factor plays as pivotal of a role in a knife’s overall quality as the materials used to produce it. While a good design admittedly goes a long way, it’s almost always the constructions that afford a knife its durability, real-world performance, and ability to stand up to a lifetime of daily use. Knowing how instrumental materials are to quality everyday carry, we’ve hand-selected this premium constructions-focused guide to the best new EDC knives of the month at online knife retailer Blade HQ.

Designed by Ukrainian knifemaker Serge Panchenko, Böker Plus’ Lancer 42 Titanium LTD is an idiosyncratic, two-handed-opening pocket knife with a nail nick-equipped 2.80” spear point blade composed of top-shelf Böhler M390 blade steel. The blade is mated to a boxy, round-edged titanium-construction handle with a robust stone-wash finish, a deep carry pocket clip, and an ultra-sturdy frame-lock. Taking inspiration from Panchenko’s Bean knives, the Lancer 42 Ti LTD offers a unique mix of traditional design language and modern, top-shelf materials.

Blade: Böhler M390 Handle: Titanium Blade Length: 2.80” Total Length: 6.50” Lock Type: Frame Lock

Tipping the scales at just 2.10oz, the Kershaw Launch 11 is an ultra-lightweight automatic folder that was engineered from the ground up specifically for everyday carry duties. Equipped with a button lock, the knife is constructed around an aluminum handle with milled-out sections that enable it to achieve its super-svelte weight. This particular, top-shelf version of this automatic EDC knife — which is available exclusively through Blade HQ — has seen its blade steel upgraded to ultra-premium CPM 20CV and its machined handle stepped up to a black-anodized aluminum that’s accented via a blue pivot collar.

Blade: CPM 20CV Handle: Aluminum Blade Length: 2.75″ Total Length: 6.75″ Lock Type: Button Lock

Punching well above its weight with stellar performance and a sub-$200 price, GiantMouse’s ACE Corta is an extremely capable EDC knife that was designed by Jesper Voxnaes in collaboration with Jens Anso. The knife is constructed around a 4.125″ set of black, hardened steel liners that have been covered in black G-10 scales before receiving a contrasting brass backspacer and a reversible formed wire, tip-up pocket clip and lanyard loop. Mated to the blacked-out handle is a 3.125” trailing drop point blade that’s composed of black PVD-coated Böhler M390 steel, guided by a set of bearings, and deployed via a low-profile, knurled flipper tab.

Blade: Böhler M390 Handle: Steel & G-10 Blade Length: 3.125” Total Length: 7.75” Lock Type: Liner Lock

A vintage-inspired design with modern performance and features, Toor Knives’ Merchant 2.0 combines a slender ergonomic handle with a 3.40” tanto-style blade — the former of which is composed of stone gray-anodized titanium while the latter is made from a black-finished CPM S35VN blade steel. Toor’s second-generation Merchant also boasts dual thumb studs, phosphor bronze pivot washers, satin hardware, a titanium deep-carry, tip-up pocket clip, and an ultra-sturdy frame locking mechanism. Weighing only 3.50oz, this knife — like all Toor products — is made in America in small batches at the company’s San Diego headquarters.

Blade: CPM S35VN Handle: Titanium Blade Length: 3.40” Total Length: 7.85” Lock Type: Frame Lock

Offering sharpness, edge retention, durability, and corrosion resistance unlike almost anything else in existence, Sandrin Knives’ new Monza model packs a 3.40” modified drop point blade crafted from tungsten carbide and backed by the Italian outfit’s aptly-named StaySharp technology. Capable of remaining sharp for roughly four times as long as traditional high-end blade steels and boasting a beyond-impressive 71 HRC rating, this blade is guided by ceramic bearings and deployed via dual thumb studs. Less than an inch thick, the Monza’s ultra-slim handle is made from titanium and features a Recoil back-lock mechanism and a titanium deep carry pocket clip. Blade HQ also offers an even more top-shelf version of the already super-premium Monza with Zirconium alloy handle scales.

Blade: Tungsten Carbide Handle: Titanium Blade Length: 3.50” Total Length: 7.90” Lock Type: Recoil Lock

Not interested in any of this month’s selections? Then be sure to check out last month’s edition of the best new EDC knives for another handpicked selection of high-end everyday carry options.

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