Nothing

For any folder -
lockback
3" to 3.5" plain edge
holds an edge
pocket clip, tip up/one-hand opening
strong and lightweight

Fixed -
Off the farm - Kabar 1232
Around the farm - Kabar 1219C2 style variations on the right, Becker 2,7 or 9 on left side. Always carry 2 fixed blades on the farm.

Always a minimum of 2 knives, 1 left side and 1 right side. You never know which hand can reach a knife if you gotta have one now.
 
Schrade 120t in left pocket(or some similar sized knife) for cleaning fingernails, etc. In the right pocket, I carry a tip up tactical folder for heavier needs. I really like the emerson wave feature on the delicas and endures, as well as any benchmade knife.
 
It's interesting to hear what different people find important for EDC. The most important factors for me are these:

1. Must be retrievable and deployable with one hand. Doesn't have to be lighting quick as defence isn't really an issue for me, but one hand operation is definitely useful a lot of the time.

2. Must lock. I have a slight preference for axis lock knives, but any of the major locking mechanisms are pretty good in a well built knife.

3. Must be very comfortable to use & carry. I generally only need a small blade size on a day to day basis so my general rule of thumb is that smaller is better provided the handle has a good, comfortable grip. This is not always easy to find because I have really large hands (XXL glove size). Spyderco is worth mentioning here as they have designed several small knives with excellent handle ergonomics (for example the Chaparral and especially Dragonfly are really comfortable for fairly small knifes). Overall, folding knives with blade sizes between 2.5" - 3" and often with well designed choils seem to meet this criteria best for me.

In contrast, knives with blades of ~2" and below become difficult to retrieve from the pocket and handle for example Spyderco Balance, Spyderco Manbug/Ladybug, Coldsteel Microrecon. In my opinion the Boker Subcom is an exception here where the design and extra width makes it easier to handle with a blade length of only ~1.8".

As a contributor pointed out on another thread, thinner profile knives are also much more comfortable to carry. The Benchmade 530, Spyderco Balance and the Boker Subcom range are good examples of thin profile knives that I've carried.

Knives >3 ounces are too heavy for comfortable EDC in my opinion. With modern materials ( titanium, carbon fibre) knives can be high quality construction, but exceptionally light (I've been looking to get a Gayle Bradley Air or an Al Mar Hawk lately, both of which come in at ~1 ounce I think).

4. Must not scare people-especially my wife. Whenever I get a new knife I ask my wife if she'd like to look at it. If she won't even touch it, it's probably too aggressive/tactical to use or show in public.

5. Must be replaceable?? Not too sure about this criteria, but I recently bought a Terry Knipshield custom folding knife and although it meets most of the criteria above, I feel like it might be too valuable to use and carry every day. I think I prefer to carry something most of the time that I'm not afraid too use and/or lose.

6. Must be well constructed and use steel of reasonable quality. Im no steel expert, but a couple of the knives I mention above use AUS 8 blade steel. While I'm sure this helps keep the price low, in my experience the edge retention and corrosion resistance is not that great.

7. Must look cool!

Sorry for the long winded answer... It's an interesting question!
 
I have different desires for different days --

At work, it has to be a folder, and should disappear in dockers' pockets. I have a Laguiole that I love for this, also a small trapper. Occasionally I may carry my Warthog II folder, or a cheap Frost razor folder, or my Case hobo knife.

Otherwise, a folder and a fixed, or two folders. Often, Warthog II and a D'Eskabar, but sometimes others.

Common traits? I like a 3" to 4 " blade, not too thick. Fixed blades need to conceal well either with a pocket sheath or a high ride sheath, no dangle from the belt...
 
Well I carry multiple blades so here are two sets is specs for 2 different knives

My main use EDC (front right pocket)
~3" PE blade, <5" handle
Deep-carry pocket clip
Thin
Good steel (but carbon is fine)
No specs on lock type
Non metal handle

I also carry a larger blade in my rear left pocket
~4" PE blade
Handle as thin as possible
Deep carry clip
No liner/frame locks, must be ambi since I carry on my left
Heavy use steel, D2, S30V ect...
 
does it hold an edge? is it under 5 inches in blade length? and does it look nice? those are the only three for me.
I have edcd a very large variety of folders and fixed blades and try to carry both at the same time.
 
I have always carried as big a folder as I could shove into my pocket. In my youth this was a slipjoint. Then I discovered the Buck 110. After that it was more lockbacks, until the linerlock arrived on the scene. Of course from there the framelock became popular, and then the explosion of different lock types.

Now, and for the past two decades, I have always carried the following'

1- A large folder in my front right pocket. Usually in the blade range of 3.5"-4.5", and I like it to be deep carry along with tip up. The funny thing is that I ALWAYS carry this knife but rarely do I need to use it! I just like to carry it because I enjoy having something that is of quality and unique to most people who would see it.

2- I do need a knife for small things and for this I carry a smaller knife. In the past this was usually a slipjoint, but nowadays I carry a SAK. I favor the Victorinox brand and in particular the Tinker models. Last year I found a Fieldmaster with walnut scales and have carried it ever since.

3- A few months ago I picked up a CS aluminum TiLite VI and have begun to carry it. Why? I don't really know, but I do get a kick out of showing it to friends!

My way of carrying has changed in the last year and a half due to a spinal cord stroke I suffered in July 2012. I have to use a walker, which beats the hell out of the wheelchair I was stuck in, to get around and it is easier to carry the items I need in a fannypack. So the TiLite and the Fieldmaster go in it, while my other folder goes into my right front pocket.

Here is my past week's, and current, carry.

 
I like for my work knife to have standoffs and an open design for cleaning purposes.
A blade 3" or larger and a plain blade.
This criteria is not critical but usually makes life easier.
 
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