Tactical Tool for Easy Carry: Simple Tips for Choosing EDC Knives
Choosing any item to carry with you every day can be tough, whether you’re shopping for a pocket-friendly flashlight, pen, wallet, or cutting tool. Why? Because you have dozens, if not hundreds or even thousands, of options at your fingertips. Some shoppers might base much of their decision on form instead of function. Others may only buy from a specific brand.
But focusing on aesthetics or loyalty to a manufacturer alone could lead to disappointment. It’s crucial to delve deeper into an everyday carry (EDC) product’s specifications before you make a decision, especially if it’s something you could rely on in any number of situations. Otherwise, you may end up with an EDC cutting tool that offers less value for money than others you overlook because of their color or shape.
One example is a folding knife. If you’ve never shopped for an EDC knife before, you may be surprised to see that they’re not all the traditional folding designs you’re used to. Innovative brands continue to break new ground in the form, function, and safety of EDC knives.
For example, these everyday carry knives have a spring-assist deployment that makes it easier and safer to expose the blade than with traditional designs. You don’t need to grip the handle in one hand and pull the blade out with your fingertips. That conventional deployment style can be dangerous if a blade is excessively sharp. A pocket knife featuring a finger-friendly® blade is a safer option. It’ll still cut various materials effectively but significantly reduce the risk of injury.
Are you ready to buy a safer, more advanced folding knife for your EDC kit yet? Picking one over another is still hard. What are the most important factors to keep in mind to make sure you choose the best everyday carry knife for your lifestyle?
4 Tips for Choosing Your EDC Knife
Check the Sharpness and Safety Features to Reduce Risk
Any knife for everyday carry has to cut different materials well. That’s obvious enough. But a blade doesn’t need to be razor sharp to be effective: it can cut cardboard, drywall, and clamshell packaging properly without being so sharp that it cuts you as easily.
The ideal pocket knife for your everyday needs might not initially seem as sharp as you expect but still does everything you need it to. Consider a folding knife with a finger-friendly blade that’s made to cut safely, smoothly, and effectively. A sturdy, ergonomic handle is another important feature: You’ll have a more comfortable, secure grip when cutting to make slippage less likely.
Choose Your Size and Weight Carefully
A good EDC knife is convenient to carry in your pocket, your bag, or your toolkit. It should be as lightweight as possible while still providing the functionality you expect. And it should help you in both casual settings (ex. stripping wood for campfire) and emergency situations (cutting a friend’s clothing to access a wound).
Traditional folding knives may be bigger and heavier than streamlined modern designs. They can be less practical to keep with you for hours on end, and you’ll be more likely to leave an inconvenient knife at home. With a lanyard hole on an EDC knife, you can easily loop the small, lightweight tool on a keychain or belt. If you can wear a knife on your person comfortably, it’s more likely to be a solid choice for your everyday carry kit than a bulkier, heavier model.
Explore Non-Steel Blades
You might assume that steel blades are the best for a reliable EDC knife. But while many fine folding knives feature steel blades, there are fantastic alternatives offering strong, robust performance out there. One example is 100% zirconium oxide blades.
These have some impressive properties, including:
- Non-sparking
- Non-magnetic
- Non-conductive
- Resistant to oxidation (so they never rust)
- Free of oil and lubricant
The rust-free trait is a big advantage if you’re likely to wash your EDC knife regularly, as you probably will after cutting dirty wood or dusty packaging.
Find Out How Long the Blade Lasts
Last but not least, look into the durability of any EDC knife that catches your attention. A blade made with zirconium oxide can last up to 11 times longer than a metal one, so you shouldn’t need to change it as quickly as you would a standard EDC knife.
That helps to cut your risk of injury further because you won’t need to handle blades so often. It also helps you save money on replacement blades down the line.
Ideally, your knife will also allow for a no-tool blade change so you can replace worn blades quickly and conveniently. You’ll realize what an advantage that is if you’ve ever needed to switch a blade on a camping trip. No one wants to be in the middle of an urgent creative project without the right tools on hand to change the blade. If you don’t need an extra tool, this will become a non-issue.
Are You Ready to Buy Your EDC Knife?
Keep these four tips in mind when choosing an EDC knife to ensure you find the right one for your lifestyle. Investing in a knife with a comfortable grip, compact size, effective safety features, and a strong blade empowers you with the ideal cutting tool in any number of situations. Take your time, check product specifications carefully, and watch demonstration videos where available to see the knife in action before you buy.