A reliable and versatile outdoor knife can spell the difference between an enjoyable outdoor adventure and one you’d rather forget. The Gerber Terracraft is one such knife. Designed to handle any bushcraft challenge from fire starting to shelter building, this full tang fixed blade knife features an extra-thick 4.4” S30V steel blade that’s durable, corrosion-resistant, and easy to sharpen. Its drop point shape is as versatile as it gets for camping and bushcrafting, and its flat spine with a 90-degree edge can be effective for striking fire steel or scraping tinder.

Pulling it out of its American-made sheath, you’ll notice that this limited edition Terracraft’s handle is made of Micarta, a material known for its toughness, stability, and moisture resistance. It comes as a welcome alternative to the original Terracraft’s G-10 scales. The handle’s textured surface enhances grip and prevents slippage, while its contoured shape allows it to fit comfortably in the hand without hotspots even when using multiple grip styles. Micarta also feels more natural to the touch than G-10 and develops a patina unique to the user over time. To top (or end) things off, the handle’s pommel is hammer-ready and can be used to pound nails or stakes.

The Terracraft is part of the Gerber Reserve series, knives built in small batches in the USA to showcase Gerber’s craftsmanship and a more focused attention to detail for each knife they make. It was built from the ground up to best handle wet weather and demonstrate its usability in slippery conditions, making it the ideal choice for an outdoor knife when the environment becomes unpredictable.

What we like: While Gerber’s Terracraft line has always proven to be wilderness-ready, the Micarta handles make all the difference, especially in the wet.

What to watch out for: Gerber has multiple versions of their Terracraft, but this variant with Micarta handles is limited and exclusive to their website.

Final verdict: What more could you ask for from an outdoor knife? The Gerber Terracraft Micarta has the right combination of materials and solid build quality to provide years of service no matter where your adventures take you.

Check It Out

The post The Drop: Gerber Terracraft Micarta LE Fixed Blade Knife appeared first on Everyday Carry.

One of the latest trends in EDC knives is the push toward using better materials and design practices to achieve more lightweight knives. Take the new Gerber Assert, a sub-2oz folding knife made of premium materials that lets you easily cut and slice without all the bulk of older knives. Knives like the Gerber Assert break away from the mold of feeling like knives need heft and weight to get big jobs done. Instead, you can opt for a compact and lightweight knife like the Gerber Assert to do everything you need without weighing you down needlessly.

Gerber’s critical design decisions make the Assert a great lightweight folding knife for everyday carry. The first is using an ambidextrous pivot lock, eliminating the need for a big, heavy liner or frame lock to hold the 2.98” S30V stainless steel blade in place. That locking system, along with the adjustable thumbstud and hollowed-out eyehole cut into the blade, make operating the Gerber Assert an easy one-handed operation. Another notch in favor of the Gerber Assert is the use of a textured glass-filled nylon handle that features a honeycomb interior that decreases the overall weight of the knife while also adding structural integrity to the handle at the same time.

With its 1.87oz total weight, the Assert reaches barely-there status in your pockets. And the reversible deep carry pocket clip that comes with the knife ensures that it can remain discreet in your pockets until you need to retrieve it to cut, slice, and pierce your way through your everyday tasks.

What we like: Along with its lightweight and ergonomic design, the Gerber Assert is made here in the United States, with great attention to detail. Because it is made close to home, the Assert is also easily customizable directly from Gerber’s factory. With Gerber Custom, you can choose between the colorways, designs, and materials that suit your own everyday carry needs. And Gerber stands by the craftsmanship of the Gerber Assert and all their other EDC knives with a limited lifetime warranty.

What to watch out for: The Assert‘s premium materials and design language command a premium price, but the added cost and option for personalization is worth it.

Final verdict: The Gerber Assert focuses on being the best knife for any user, and from the adjustable thumb studs to the factory customization options, this USA-made knife is a capable and customizable choice for your everyday carry.

Check It Out

The post The Drop: Gerber Assert USA-Made Knife appeared first on Everyday Carry.

When you carry lots of EDC gear, sometimes it helps to have a dedicated EDC pouch to organize all that stuff before you put it in your bag or pockets. EDC pouches also help protect your valuable EDC gear from unnecessary scratches that exceed normal wear and tear. This is especially important when you carry high-end EDC fountain pens and other valuable, but somewhat fragile, everyday items. That’s why the designers at Rickshaw Bagworks integrated a soft, plush interior to each one of the pockets in their GP1-Mini EDC Gear Pouch.

The GP1-Mini is designed to be extremely friendly for your EDC pens. Each pouch is made to order at Rickshaw Bagworks’s USA facility in San Francisco, California. It’s also available in a different configuration with slightly larger pockets for pocketknives, compact LED flashlights, and other small tools. And to protect your gear from the elements when the pouch is outside, the exterior shell is made of waterproof EPX200 laminated sailcloth fashioned out of 100% recycled polyester from discarded bottles. The YKK zippers will also resist water from getting into the works. However, remember that the bag is not made for immersion.

There’s an external zippered pocket for small items you want to access without opening the pouch completely. And for easy identification, customization, and flair, there’s a hook and loop panel for Velcro patches.

What we like: The waterproof and lightweight sailcloth construction and the protective plush interior make this one of the best EDC pouches you can pick today. Two configurations also give you plenty of options for EDC organization.

What to watch out for: Because each pouch is made to order, it’s highly configurable, down to the number of pockets you require and the pouch color you get. Remember that with that custom aspect, it may take more time for the final product to get to you.

Final verdict: If you want a quality EDC gear pouch made of sailcloth that protects and organizes your loadout, look no further.

Check It Out

The post The Drop: Rickshaw Bagworks GP1-Mini EDC Pouch appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Founded in 1939, Gerber has a long history of producing high-quality knives and multi-tools used by soldiers, hunters, and tradesmen alike. The limited-edition Fastball Heritage knife is a celebration of its 84-year history, honoring its roots with a new Gerber orange handle color, iconic sword and stone logo, and laser marks created from the original Gerber packaging.

The Fastball’s design features an intuitive finger flipper opening mechanism utilizing B.O.S.S Technology (Balls of Stainless Steel), a ball-bearing system to reduce friction for smooth deployment. Its 3” S30V wharncliffe blade makes the knife suitable for rough carving and cutting tasks. The blade can also handle precise cuts with its fine point, making pulling cuts particularly easy. The knife is 7.1” long while maintaining a light weight of just 2.7 oz, thanks to its aircraft-grade aluminum handle. And as a testament to their commitment to quality and service, Gerber offers a limited lifetime warranty on all their products.

What we like: It’s a highly versatile knife that you can use for nearly any situation, from cutting rope to peeling fruits. It’s also a great representation of the brand and its commitment to building more premium American-made products.

What to watch out for: Gerber is releasing just a small quantity of these knives, so it’s best to act fast if you want one for yourself.

Final verdict: Intuitive to use and safe to deploy, the Gerber Fastball was already an easy recommendation to any EDC pack. This Fastball Heritage knife just adds a dash of exclusivity to the mix.

Check It Out

The post The Drop: Gerber Fastball Heritage Knife appeared first on Everyday Carry.

The Livewire is Kershaw’s first double-action OTF automatic knife for everyday carry, bringing to bear their experience with assisted folders. If you’re unfamiliar with this blade mechanism, the thumb slide on the side of the handle deploys and closes the Livewire’s 3.36″ spear-point blade out of and into the aluminum handle. Almost like a light switch, you can open and close the blade repeatedly. The double-action automatic opening makes it easy to bring the super-premium CPM 20CV stainless steel blade into play. It also lets you play and fidget with the knife when you need to occupy time between meetings and appointments.

We’re excited to see Kershaw enter this category of EDC knives, and we’re likely to see more automatic OTFs from them in the future. Being an automatic knife, the Kershaw Livewire may not be a legal option for you to EDC, so it’s essential to check your local laws first. But if you’re lucky enough to carry this knife, you can get one of the freshest and fastest out-the-front automatic knives for your everyday carry by checking it out at the link below.

What we like: Quick automatic OTF double-action mechanism lets you deploy the blade quickly in cramped spaces. The Kershaw Livewire is also specifically built in the USA by Kershaw.

What we don’t like: The Kershaw Livewire is pricey, and this style of knife tends to be more restricted than other options. The spear-point blade shape on the Livewire could be better for slicing tasks, but it lacks an edged belly.

Final verdict: if you’re looking for a unique American-made EDC knife with fast deployment, this is a new and exciting top-shelf option for you to consider.

Check It Out

The post The Drop: Kershaw Livewire OTF Knife appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Your gear will stay dry and protected from the elements thanks to a completely water-repellent build complete with YKK Aquaguard zippers and an interior that has added 210D ripstop nylon for good measure. Speaking of the interior, ARKTYPE takes its organization seriously, and that shows in the Jetpack. You’ll find a D-ring for your keys in the front pocket, a zippered pocket, and some webbing to hold smaller items like pens and flashlights.

The main compartment has a zippered mesh pocket and integrated sleeve for keeping your loose things from moving around too much. Then there’s the hidden compartment along the back panel with more padding and slight elevation to protect up to a 15-inch laptop when you put your bag down. There’s another hidden pocket perfect for a tablet or sensitive documents you want to keep close to you when you’re out and about.

Anyone that has spent extended time trekking with a backpack will know that an ounce in the morning is a pound by evening. The ARKTYPE Jetpack has a removable sternum strap to help stabilize you and take the weight off your lower back. The shoulder straps and back panels are also padded with high-density EV50 foam to help with comfort. The icing on top is the removable ABS frame sheet that you can slip into the back panel if you need even more support. On either side of the bag are dual-external water bottle holders so you can stay hydrated without taking up any precious interior space.

The bag comes in two options: 1680D ballistic nylon or 10 oz Army Duck waxed canvas. Whichever one you choose, you’re getting a low-key tactical backpack that’s overbuilt in all the best ways. Plus, ARKTYPE sources all its materials and handmakes each bag right here in the USA. The Jetpack is worth checking out if you’re looking for a low-profile bag to explore the city with or want something more tactical for your next adventure.

Check It Out

The post ARKTYPE Jetpack appeared first on Everyday Carry.

If you’d like to support small, veteran-owned businesses and get some made-in-the-USA gear at the same time, check out this roundup.

Veteran-Made EDC Gear

Spartan Blades Pallas Button Lock Flipper

This heavy-duty knife is machined from 6061 aerospace aluminum and features CPM S35VN steel on its 3.75” blade. The Pallas opens via a flipping mechanism or a thumb stud, and locks in place with a button lock system that’s easy to use. The Co-Founder of Spartan Blades is a former Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, so you know this blade is ready for duty.

Learn More

Sword and Plough Chevron Wallet

Sword and Plough makes a variety of wallets, backpacks, and accessories. They try to source their materials from other veteran-owned businesses and use military surplus products whenever possible. The Chevron wallet is made from premium veg-tanned leather and lined with surplus digi-cam fabric for a unique look. S&P is a veteran owned business that donates 10% of their profits to various veteran support organizations.

Learn More

Minuteman Watches Jester

The Jester by Minuteman Watches is built to last. The stainless steel case is coated with PVD, a super durable, jet black coating that’s resistant to scratches. This watch has many features only seen on those well above its price point like a sapphire crystal with AR coating, a Swiss ETA movement, and an American-made leather strap. Minuteman Watches is a veteran-owned company that donates 25% of their profits to charities assisting veterans and their families.

Learn More

American Preparedness First Aid Kits

American Preparedness is the leading manufacturer and distributor of first aid kits for military, government, and personal use. They make carefully-curated kits for a variety of situations. Get one to keep in your house or car, so you everything conveniently in one place should you need it. American Preparedness is a SDVOB that’s served the community for over 30 years.

Learn More

Goruck GR1

Goruck is one of the most well-known names in the tactical pack industry. They make a variety of super tough bags that are all hand-made in the USA and backed with a lifetime guarantee. The GR1 is a minimalist black bag that’s not overly tactical, making it great for any carry situation. Goruck was founded by a former Green Beret and goes out of their way to hire veterans.

Learn More

Have a favorite vet-owned business that we didn’t mention? Tell us about them in the comments below!

The post Everyday Carry Gear Made by Veterans appeared first on Everyday Carry.