An EDC kit will not be complete without a good pocket knife. There are plenty of options to choose from and getting one that suits your need can be difficult. This article will serve as a guide on how to choose a pocket knife for EDC, why do you need one, and how to carry.
A knife is a very handy tool that has a lot of practical uses. You will find that always having one with you can make it easy to do your daily tasks.
Now, how to pick a pocket knife for EDC? It may be a matter of preferece, or personal needs. But here are some of our pointers to help you choose a knife for everyday carry.
What is an EDC Knife
An everyday carry (EDC) knife is a pocket knife that you carry with you every day. It is one of the most important parts of your EDC as it serves a lot purpose and useful for survival situation.
You can use an EDC knife for opening packages, box cutting, cutting rope, food preparation, whittling and wood carving, and even for personal protection.
Why Carry a Pocket Knife
There are many reasons to carry a pocket knife as a pocket knife is useful in many situations. Carrying one with you makes it comfortable and easy to do many tasks. From simple opening of packages, removing tags, cutting or peeling fruits, opening clamshell packaging, and more. It is a more versatile tool compared to scissors.
A good EDC pocket knife is a vital tool in emergency situations. It can be as simple as removing a splinter, or cutting fabric for first aid. Another good example are automotive accidents, where oftentimes, you need to cut seat belt to extract a person. For the outdoors, a pocket knife is useful for making tents, emergency shelter, or even carving messages on wood and rocks to serve as emergency signal.
How many time have you been in a situation where you wished you had a knife to use?
How Will You Use a Pocket Knife
Consider your personal situation when deciding how will you use a pocket knife. Are you mostly at work and what type of work environment you have?
In the office you may be mostly dealing with opening packages, cutting boxes, or other materials. A small basic knife would work well.
Does your work require you to have other tools apart from a knife? Maybe a swiss army knife or a multi-tool with a blade better suited to your needs.
If you are mostly in a high humidity environment, or where you are exposed to salt water, then consider getting a knife that is well suited those conditions. This environment will be harsh to your knife blade and easily promotes corrosion and rust.
There are a lot of fun things to do with a pocket knife specially if you enjoy certain hobbies like crafts or wood working.
How to Choose an EDC Knife
When choosing a knife for EDC, it will depend on several factors. Personal situation and environment dictates what will be the best option to choose from. Always keep in mind that your everyday carry knife will always be with you in person. Be sure it is something that you want to carry and will be comfortable with using.
An everyday carry knife is a tool intended for regular use. It is perfectly normal for it to get dirty, scratched, and become dull with use. Keep your knife in tip-top shape with regular maintenance and sharpening.
Note that it is not uncommon for EDC enthusiasts to have several different knives on rotation to choose from. They will have their preferred knife for outdoor use, office environment, workplace, or general at home carry. The most useful pocket knife is the one that’s well suited to do the task at hand.
What to Look for in a Pocket Knife
There are a lot of things to consider when looking for a pocket knife. Always consider local laws governing carrying knives in your area when choosing one. Below are some of the main considerations when getting a pocket knife for EDC.
Size
For everday carry, avoid large knives as they tend to be too bulky or heavy. In this case, bigger is not always better. A good everyday carry pocket knife for daily use must be comfortable to always have with you in person.
Getting a good sized knife will also mean that you are able to use it efficiently. You will need a good grip to provide you with good control to weild the knife to do proper cuts. If a knife is too small, then you may not be able to accomplish more tasks compared to having a more appropriately sized one. Consider a medium sized pocket knife as a standard pocket knife for starters.
Type
Choose whether you prefer folding knives or would rather have a fixed blade knife. Folding knives are excellent for EDC, but theres nothing wrong with choosing a fixed blade instead.
Folding knives are more compact and versatile. There are a lot of varieties to choose from. They come in different designs, with different locking mechanisms (frame, button, liner, back, etc.), and deployment method (automatic, assisted opening, manual opening).
Fixed blade knives also makes good pocket knives. They are far stronger and durable compared to folding knives since they are made from a single piece of steel. They are quicker to deploy and easier to clean and maintain.
Blade length
There are legal restrictions when it comes to blade length depending on where you live. Anything under 3 inches would be sufficient but to be sure, check your local laws. For all around EDC anything of this size adequately performs well for general utility tasks.
Blade steel
Choose a knife with a decent steel for the blade. Regular maintenance is a must, so a steel that holds an edge and easy to sharpen would be ideal. Also consider the environment your knife will be exposed to when choosing a blade steel, salt water and humid environments are your knife’s worst enemies. Considered a non-carbon based steels when working under these conditions.
If you need a hard-use EDC knife, consider getting one with newer super-steels like M390, CPM-20CV, and Elmax to name a few. They are harder to sharpen but has high edge retention characteristics. Note that knives with these blades gravitate towards the more expensive side.
Handle material
Handle material is important when using a knife. It ensures good grip and comfort when using. There are different materials available and it all comes down to personal preference. Note that you can also pair the handle material to your style. Maybe consider carbon fiber for a business environment, and G-10 for the usual day to day carry.
Price
How much should you spend for an EDC knife is one of the common questions that most have. The good thing is that you don’t have to spend much in order to get a good quality gear. You can get a decent, well built knife for under $50. Remember to get one made by a known, reputable brand.
Style
Your preferred style is also an important factor in when it comes to choosing your EDC pocket knife. You may prefer a more stylish pocket knife to pair if there is a need to dress up for a more formal or business environment. Or you are a minimalist who values modern, clean lines and sleek appearance. There are also those who needs a knife plus additional tools. In this case a swiss army knife or a knife-based multi-tool will be an excellent choice.
How to Carry a Pocket Knife
Now its time to think about how you will carry your pocket knife. For pocket folding knives, it usually has a clip that attaches to your pocket. This is the safest way of carrying pocket folders. For fixed blade knives, it comes with a sheath that you can attach to your belt.
You need to consider the environment when carrying pocket knives. Are you taking one with you in the workplace, going outdoors for a hike, or just plainly going to a mall? You should also consider the people around as there are those that do not consider knives as mere tools.
Most of the time, it is best to keep them your pockets. But if that is not possible, there no reason not to be able to keep in inside your bag, briefcase, or purse. Just make sure it is properly stored in a bag pocket so it will not accidentally open and cause injury.
Final Thoughts
By now you should already know more on how to choose a pocket knife for EDC. A good pocket knife is an indespensible tool and useful in many situations including emergencies. Remember that the most useful knife is the one you have readily available.
My personal preference with daily carry knifes are ones with at least 2.5 inch blade length, good blade steel, sturdy locking mechanism, with a durable and grippy handle. A knife that is easy to disassemble and clean is also a must. Regular maintenance of your tools is always essential.
When choosing a pocket knife, avoid cheaper knives or those that are made by unknown manufacturers. They may be good initially, but tend to be unreliable, and won’t last as long as getting a higher quality blade.
If this is your first time buying one, grab something around the $50 range where it is possible to get a solid, good quality knife that will last you a long time.
