Everyday carry, commonly called EDC, is a term that originally described the essential tools that people carried on a daily basis to help them with the tasks that they needed to accomplish. By this definition, it would be very normal to see very little change in people's daily gear as the best tool is the one you can rely on and are comfortable using. As time went on EDC has evolved to identify any tools, gear, and “pocket jewelry” that people carry on them, and has grown to not just include those who require tools daily, but also as a viable hobby for both enthusiasts and collectors. While it is easy to get excited by cool looking gear and fun pocket items like coins, fidget spinners, and other collectibles; EDC is still a great way to ensure that you have all the tools you need to get through your day and never get caught unprepared for a challenging situation!
There is no such thing as a perfect EDC list that will fit every person and their unique needs. Every person will face unique challenges depending on their profession, areas they live in, and what their commute looks like. A highly functional and well rounded EDC will take all these factors into account, however, there are a few essential tools that can benefit just about every person in their day to day life.
Pocket Knife
It will come as no surprise that a pocket knife is on the top of the list of essential items! When you think about it, is there a day that goes by that most people don’t utilize a knife at some point or another. Knives are valuable tools that can help us prepare food, open packages, process materials, and break down cardboard. Knives can also help us out in emergency situations like cutting seat belts, removing clothing during a medical emergency, and as a valuable tool if stuck in a less developed or wilderness area.
There are no shortage of pocket knives on the market and there are many options to suit specific tastes. There are a few important factors to think about when choosing an EDC knife, it will all boil down to practicality, reliability, and legality. Your EDC knife should be able to handle the tasks that you plan on using it for. If you require a knife that will be seeing a lot of hard use, you will probably need something that is built tough like a robust folder or even a fixed blade. While a super sleek folding knife may look cool, it may not be the most reliable or practical for your needs. On the other hand, if you find yourself working in an office you probably won’t have much use for a heavy folder or fixed blade, and a thin sleek folding knife may better fit your needs and not stand out so much. Legal factors are always important to consider, knife laws vary wildly from state to state and even can be different in a city then the surrounding suburbs. Knowing the local laws will help you find the best knife to suit your needs without having to worry about getting into trouble with the law!
Flashlight
When most people think of flashlights, thoughts of black outs and other emergency situations come to mind. While a flashlight is certainly a valuable piece of gear when it comes to any emergency where darkness can hinder your movement or safety, they also have a very practical day-to-day use. I can tell you from personal experience, that beside my knife, my flashlight is my most used piece of EDC gear. From finding things that may have been dropped under the seat of a car to searching for one of my son’s lost toys under the couch, my pocket flashlight sees a ton of action! Beyond these minor tasks, flashlights can serve a host of purposes at work, when outdoors, and during an emergency. Just like your knife you want to find something that is practical and reliable.
Pocket lights can vary wildly in price from being very budget friendly costing more than many folding knives! The key is to get a light that is well built, uses LED bulbs, and can stand up to whatever you plan on doing. Cheaply built lights can sometimes look cool, but are prone to failure. My go to lights mainly come from Fenix, Lumitop, and Olight but there are many great brands on the market. Make sure to do your research and speak with other EDC enthusiasts to ensure you are getting something that won’t let you down. Another important note is to make sure you are keeping your light charged or changing the batteries frequently, as with all electronic tools they will do you no good if they don’t have power!
Writing Tool
After many years of feeling like I was always looking for a pen, or a pen that worked, I finally decided to add an EDC writing tool to my daily carry and I have never looked back! Despite beginning a largely digital culture most of us find the need for a writing tool on a daily basis. Filling forms at work, mailing something at the post office, signing things for the kids' school, filling out forms at the doctors office, and marking things for woodworking projects are some of the many reasons why I might need to use a pen or pencil.
Beyond just the day-to-day applications a writing tool is vital for many emergency situations. While we can always use phones or tablets to take notes, like all electronics absent power they are just added weight. Being able to take notes or leave messages for others can make or break a tough situation!
Like everything else on this list, prices can vary based on the brand, materials, and sometimes the functionality. High end pens and mechanical pencils tend to perform just as well as their inexpensive counterparts. Personally I am a big fan of Zebra F-701 stainless steel pens and the Skillcraft Aviator pen/mechanical pencil neither of which will break the bank, but provide years of solid and reliable use!
Final Thoughts
While these three tools are not the end all be all of your EDC carry they are the cornerstone of a functional EDC system that will provide a ton of practical use and give you a distinct advantage in an emergency situation! Once you are comfortable with these tools, you can start to add more items to build your ideal functional EDC system!
