Hopefully, you’ve got your everyday carry to a point where it kept you prepared through the past year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.

Looking at what, how, and why we carry what we do and how it helps us—and more importantly, looking at the areas where it doesn’t or can’t—lets us build an even better carry.

You might need to make a few changes to do that, so we’ve made a list of everyday carry resolutions worth giving a shot in the year ahead.

Try them out, shake up your carry, and who knows—your new setup just might prepare you for an awesome new year.

This post was last updated on 12/28/2023.

1. Be More Organized

See the Best Everyday Carry Organizers

We can all strive towards keeping our essentials tidy and organized. It makes things easier to find and harder to forget and can help remind you to keep the rest of your life in order.

One of the best ways to do it is with a pocket organizer or gear sheath or find a bag with plenty of pockets—anything and everything that keeps your gear close and within arm’s reach the moment you need it.

2. Carry Less, Do More

View Hans’s minimalist everyday carry

This is a good place to start if you’re not perfectly satisfied with every item in your carry. It’s all about zeroing in on your most essential gear and letting go of excess and dead weight.

Think about the gear you use the most that you get the most value out of, then invest in upgrading those items. For example, say you spend a lot of time cutting things or writing notes at work. Considering the time and effort you’d save, upgrading to a sharper knife or a more comfortable pen would be worth it.

As for the gear you barely use, try to minimize. That could mean downsizing an item to a backup-sized version, consolidating a few tools into a small multi-tool without sacrificing functionality, or cutting it out of your everyday carry entirely.

When decluttering, donate your tools to friends and family who could use them.

3. Be Better Prepared for Emergencies

View Mike’s Altoids tin first aid kit everyday carry

Maybe your carry feels too minimal, and you want more options, just in case. Consider a first aid kit, emergency tools, or even smaller backups on you or in the places you frequent, like your car or office. Maybe the weather is unpredictable around your parts, and you would benefit from keeping a portable umbrella or packable rain shell in your everyday carry bag. A great way to ease into this is by starting small by using an Altoids tin to build out your emergency kit, as shown by Everyday Carry member Mike above.

4. Cover More Bases

View Derek’s winter everyday carry

A common phrase in everyday carry is “Have your bases covered.” Put simply, have a tool for every main task: cutting, illumination, starting a fire, etc. Plug up any holes in your carry’s capabilities and make sure it can handle all the needs of your day, whether work or play.

5. Express Yourself More

View Chris’s blue everyday carry

At a basic level, your everyday carry should meet your needs when it comes to practical usage and functionality. But your carry has the potential to be highly personalized, and it’s a great way to express yourself.

Once you’ve got your practical essentials down, don’t be afraid to experiment with personalizing it — that means accessorizing it, switching up colors/aesthetics, or throwing in some sentimental or fun items if it improves your day-to-day.

The past few years have given rise to things like tops, spinners, and fidget toys, and the market is wide open as far as making your carry unique and truly something that tells a story about you.

6. Carry Something New

View Johnny’s everyday carry

Everyday carry is a highly trial-and-error process. And like most things in life, to make something better means having to leave your comfort zone. Try carrying something new in your carry that could be handy; you’ll never know unless you give it a shot.

A handkerchief, a minimalist wallet, a small flashlight, a notebook… any or all of these could be game changers, and might improve and enrich your day in ways you never thought of before.

The post Six New Year's Resolutions for a Better Everyday Carry appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Our Top Picks

The Best Overall Blade Steel: M390: Benchmade Bugout [Buy]

The Best Blade Steel on a Budget: 8Cr13MoV: Spyderco Persistence Lightweight [Buy]

The Best Blade Steel for the Outdoors: CPM-3V: Bark River Ultra Lite Bushcrafter Knife [Buy]

The Best Blade Steel for Food Prep: LC200N: Spyderco SpydieChef [Buy]

The Most Premium Blade Steel: CPM MagnaCut: Tactile Rockwall Thumbstud [Buy]

M390 Steel: Benchmade Bugout	8Cr13MoV: Spyderco Persistence Lightweight	CPM-3V Steel: Bark River Ultra Lite Bushcrafter	LC200N Steel: Spyderco SpydieChef	CPM MagnaCut Steel: Tactile Rockwall Thumbstud
$$$$	$	$$$$	$$$$	$$$$
Blade Length: 3.24″	Blade Length:: 2.77″	Blade Length:: 3.25″	Blade Length:: 3.32″	Blade Length:: 2.84″
Lock Type: AXIS lock	Lock Type: Liner	Lock Type: N/A	Lock Type: Frame	Lock Type: Insert lock
Key Features: Cerakoted blade	Key Features: 4-way pocket clip	Key Features: Contoured handles	Key Features: Rust-proof steel	Key Features: Ceramic detent and ball pivot bearings
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

The Top Steel Knives in the Industry

AUS-8 Steel: CRKT CEO Flipper

Purchase

Key Features

IKBS ball bearing pivot

Lightweight

Pocket clip

Specifications

Blade Length

3.35″

Lock Type

Liner

Handle Material

GRN

EDC Rating

30 ratings

Price

$

AUS-8 was one of the first budget steels to appear, breaking the dominance of 420 stainless steel on the market by providing similar or better performance for a lower price. That low price was partly because the steel comes from Japan instead of the United States. And the higher amount of vanadium in the alloy compared to traditional blade steels of old accounts for the increased hardness.

The CRKT CEO Flipper is one of the most popular everyday carry knives. It’s a slim, sleek modern gent’s folding knife with a 3.11” AUS-8 stainless blade. Weighing just 1.9 ounces, the CEO Flipper makes for a comfortable and discreet EDC blade that’s easy to carry. This knife is a standout choice because of its classy design that will suit you well, even in a professional setting.

Check It Out

440C Steel: Boker Plus Credit Card Knife

Purchase

Key Features

Fits in a credit card slot

Lightweight

Removable clip

Specifications

Blade Length

2.25″

Lock Type

Liner

Handle Material

Titanium, G-10

EDC Rating

320 ratings

Price

$$

440C stainless steel is an improvement on a traditional metal used for pocketknives. Out of the conventional 400 series, 440C has the highest potential for high hardness and sharpness, depending on the manufacturer.

The Boker Plus Credit Card knife is a compact everyday carry blade that folds down to the footprint of a standard payment card. This unique knife features a stout 440C stainless steel blade and a titanium frame to keep things lightweight at just 1.13 ounces. The Boker Plus Credit Card Knife is an excellent knife to have as a backup in case you forget a primary blade.

Check It Out

8Cr13MoV Steel: Spyderco Persistence Lightweight

Purchase

Key Features

Affordable

4-way pocket clip

Full flat grind

Specifications

Blade Length

2.77″

Lock Type

Liner

Handle Material

FRN

EDC Rating

10 ratings

Price

$

8Cr13MoV is a high-performance budget stainless steel sourced from China. Its appearance on the market is responsible for a drop in overall prices for everyday carry knives. While some in the community quarrel with the origin of the steel, the fact that you can get quality blades, often made in collaboration with custom knifemakers, for an affordable price has been a great boon to EDC.

The Spyderco Persistence Lightweight features a 2.75″ 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade fashioned into their hallmark leaf shape. The knife is lighter than its original edition, partly due to a change in steel composition. The FRN scales also help keep the package lightweight at just 3.3 ounces. This knife is worth a look because of its affordable price and strong ergonomics.

Check It Out

VG-10 Steel: The James Brand Carter

Purchase

Key Features

Thumb disk opener

Drop point blade shape

Reversible pocket clip

Specifications

Blade Length

2.80″

Lock Type

Bar lock

Handle Material

Micarta

EDC Rating

4 ratings

Price

$$$

VG-10 stainless steel features a lot in high-end Japanese kitchen knife blades. The high levels of carbon and chromium in the alloy make it high-hardness with reliable resistance against rusting. The same properties that make this steel a good option for demanding use in the kitchen make it an excellent choice for everyday carry.

With its fully ambidextrous design, The Carter accommodates users of any orientation, starting with its thumb disc deployment that gives you one-handed purchase from either side. This puts the knife’s 2.75“ VG-10 blade into play, in the classic drop point shape that gives it a sweeping belly for versatile cuts.

Check It Out

D2 Steel: SOG Flash AT

Purchase

Key Features

Ambidextrous

Ergonomic handles

Spine-mounted safety

Specifications

Blade Length

3.45″

Lock Type

AT-XR lock

Handle Material

GRN

EDC Rating

24 ratings

Price

$$

D2 tool steel is rapidly becoming the go-to budget steel in the community. The high amount of chromium in the mix gives this steel a superior amount of wear resistance. That durability makes it great for fashioning into bits and hardware, but it also makes for good blade-making steel.

The Flash AT is one of SOG’s revitalized line of everyday carry folding knives. This knife’s unique features include an assisted opening mechanism that speeds deployment and the built-in blade safety provided by the XR lock. The D2 steel in the 3.5″ blade has been cryogenically heat-treated to get the maximum potential out of the material.

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154CM Steel: Boker Burnley Kwaiken

Purchase

Key Features

Comfortable grip

Bronze pivot washers

Right hand carry

Specifications

Blade Length

3.50″

Lock Type

Button lock

Handle Material

Aluminum

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$

154CM was one of the first modern stainless steels that became readily available for EDC knives. It began life as a proprietary American-made high-carbon stainless steel melted in a vacuum. Crucible Industries is the primary source of this blade steel, which is why 154CM stainless steel sometimes goes by Crucible steel. Functionally, it’s an upgrade over traditional 440C steel, but it has a higher resistance against corrosion.

The Boker Burnley Kwaiken takes its inspiration from traditional Japanese short swords. But unlike those antique weapons of war, this modern knife folds up for EDC. It also opens up quickly thanks to its push-button automatic opening system. This knife is unique because it’s an out-the-front knife, meaning the blade extends outwards once actuated. Being an OTF means you keep a firm grip on the aluminum handle since you don’t have to keep your hands clear of the edge as it opens. And its slim and sleek 3.5” blade has a slightly upswept profile, making it excel at detailed close-up cutting and slicing tasks.

Check It Out

CPM-3V Steel: Bark River Ultra Lite Bushcrafter Knife

Purchase

Key Features

Contoured handles

Included sheath

Lanyard hole

Specifications

Blade Length

3.25″

Lock Type

N/A

Handle Material

Micarta

EDC Rating

3 ratings

Price

$$$$

CPM-3V, another Crucible steel made in the United States, has enhanced toughness thanks to the use of powdered metallurgy in its creation. It has a high toughness, which makes it suitable for hard-use survival knives. 3V does not have good corrosion resistance, however, and it is not stainless steel.

The Bark River Ultra Lite Bushcrafter is a fixed-blade knife for outdoor camping and survival. Being a fixed blade, it does not fold, and it might not be the best option for most people’s EDC due to the size. This handmade knife might be bulkier than most folding knives, but at 2.8 ounces, it’s lighter than some folders. And thanks to its 3.35” CPM-3V steel blade and its ergonomically-shaped handle, it can easily feather wood and handle other hunting and outdoor tasks.

Check It Out

CPM-S35VN Steel: CRK Sebenza 31

Purchase

Key Features

Upgrade to an all-time classic

Thumbstud and lanyard

Two sizes, plenty of variants

Specifications

Blade Length

2.99″ / 3.61″

Lock Type

Reeve Integral Lock

Handle Material

Titanium

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

CPM-S35VN is the gold standard when it comes to premium everyday carry steels. Unlike 3V, it’s genuinely stainless steel, and its inclusion of niobium carbide gives it both improved toughness and wear resistance. Its ability to take on immense hardness after heat treatment S35VN features so heavily in high-end everyday carry knives. Of course, however, Crucible has made further improvements since this steel’s introduction. Its newest incarnation, S45VN stainless steel, has a higher carbon content and, uniquely, nitrogen to improve wear resistance even further.

No other knife exemplifies the use of CPM-S35VN stainless steel than the knife than the CRK Sebenza 31. S35VN owes its existence to this knife, as it was purpose-built for its use. The blade has been upgraded to S45VN to keep up with the times, but it’s still the grail knife for many in the everyday carry community. Another standout feature of this knife is the Reeve Integral Lock, which originated the frame lock concept. Its sturdiness owes itself to its 6Al4V titanium handle, and its minimalist looks add extra cache to carrying this knife.

Check It Out

LC200N Steel: Spyderco SpydieChef

Purchase

Key Features

Chef knife inspired

Rust-proof steel

Open-backed handles

Specifications

Blade Length

3.32″

Lock Type

Frame

Handle Material

Titanium

EDC Rating

184 ratings

Price

$$$$

Where S45VN started with the introduction of nitrogen into the metallurgical creation of the steel, LC200N takes it a step further. This European steel features heavily in Spyderco knives, and its unique properties have made it an excellent choice in their line as it is incredibly rust-resistant. Where previous blades which sported that kind of anti-corrosion properties traded off that advantage with substantial softness and lack of edge retention, LC200N retains high hardness throughout. Another steel that provides a similar experience is Vanax SuperClean.

True to its name, the Spyderco Spydiechef takes its design cues from a chef’s knife. But unlike the knife you have in your block at home, this EDC knife folds. And thanks to its use of LC200N steel, it can stand up to cutting through acidic foods and other conditions that’ll make other blades rust without good maintenance. Its open-backed handle also makes it easier to clean after use with food. And thanks to its Reeve Integral frame lock, it stands up to constant use without folding on the user during the chop and slice.

Check It Out

CPM MagnaCut Steel: Tactile Rockwall Thumbstud

Purchase

Key Features

Full titanium hardware

Textured handles

Ceramic detent and ball pivot bearings

Specifications

Blade Length

2.84″

Lock Type

Insert lock

Handle Material

Titanium

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

With CPM MagnaCut, we get into the realm of new super-premium steels for everyday carry blades. While premium blade steels already exist, MagnaCut is a custom blend made in collaboration with Dr. Larrin Thomas to create “the best” knife steel. In particular, the immense amount of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance makes it great for thinner blades than can be supported by other stainless steel alloys. And with less material in the blade itself, the overall knife comes out lighter and more EDC-friendly. Of course, this comes at a substantial cost, making it out of reach for many in the community.

Known for their high-end bolt-action metal pens designed and crafted in the United States, Tactile has begun making quality everyday carry blades. One of their initial offerings features this super-premium CPM MagnaCut stainless steel. The Rockwall Thumbstud is a beautiful modern gents folding knife with that high-end steel and an all-titanium handle. The 2.84” blade features a flat grind, and it’s held together after a manual thumbstud opening with the insert lock in the handle.

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M390 Steel: Benchmade Bugout

Purchase

Key Features

Cerakoted blade

Reversible clip

Sunburst handle pattern

Specifications

Blade Length

3.24″

Lock Type

AXIS lock

Handle Material

Aluminum

EDC Rating

14 ratings

Price

$$$$

M390 is super-premium stainless steel made by Bohler in Austria in Europe. It also features superior edge retention compared to other high-end stainless steel metals while retaining excellent corrosion resistance despite its high carbon content. However, it’s hard to sharpen, requiring diamond whetstones to begin honing a sharp edge.

The Benchmade Bugout is one of the most popular everyday carry knives on this list, and the M390 stainless steel blade at its heart is one of the biggest reasons why it is so. This super-premium stainless steel features an extra Cerakote finish on the Bugout that makes it even more resistant to wear and rust over time. And its discreet deep carry style makes it a good option for multiple EDC uses, which explains its popularity.

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CPM-CruWear Steel: Benchmade Mini Adamas

Purchase

Key Features

Dual thumb studs

Reversible clip

Skeletonized handles

Specifications

Blade Length

3.25″

Lock Type

AXIS lock

Handle Material

G-10

EDC Rating

5 ratings

Price

$$$

CPM CruWear is a premium stainless steel that offers good all-around performance, whereas other steels in the category are more skewed. It’s a functional upgrade over D2 tool steel, adding vanadium carbides that make it more rust resistant. And because it has a high amount of tungsten and molybdenum, it can get to a high Rockwell hardness compared to other knife steels. But while it has high hardness, it does not take specialized equipment to maintain and fix an edge made of CruWear. It’s easy to sharpen and accessible for most everyday carry enthusiasts.

The Mini Adamas is Benchmade’s newest iteration of this tactical knife. As its name implies, it’s a smaller version of the folding knife, with an upgrade to the blade steel with the introduction of CPM-CruWear. With that steel, the Mini Adamas is a premium hard-use folding knife that’s easy to maintain and fix. It comes in two colors with the gray able to mix in with most loadouts, with grippy G-10 handle scales for a tactical EDC.

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CPM-S90V Steel: Fox Knives Vox Yaru

Purchase

Key Features

Flipper tab and thumb hole openers

Reverse tanto shape with a tough tip

Single position tip-up carry clip

Specifications

Blade Length

2.875″

Lock Type

Frame

Handle Material

PVD titanium

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

If you’re looking to EDC a blade that’s extremely hard to dull, Crucible’s CPM-S90V steel is what you should choose. Its high hardness and intense wear resistance make it excel at keeping sharp even during rough use. But it also means you’ll need lots of patience and specialized equipment to sharpen this blade. A pull-through kitchen blade sharpener won’t do you any good.

The Fox Knives Vox Yaru features all the ergonomic hallmarks of a Jesper Voxnaes collaboration design. The standout feature is its reverse tanto blade with a pronounced belly that excels at slicing and chopping tasks. It’s also made out of CPM-S90V, making it hold that edge for a ridiculous amount of time. The strength of that super-premium blade steel also comes together with its well-defined point because it can pierce through rough material that would bend or chip other blades.

Check It Out

What to Look for in a Good Everyday Carry Blade Steel

• Hardness and durability: You want a durable knife that won’t bend because its steel is too soft. But the tradeoff is that you don’t want steel so hard that it becomes brittle and chips over time. A good mixture of these two qualities is best. Hardness is measured in terms of Rockwell (HRC) units, with higher values being generally better than lower values. Some of the most high-quality knife steel options use powder metallurgy and superior edge geometry to get the best performance out of a good edge.
  The hardness of a knife’s steel dictates the maximum sharpness of the blade. While you can sharpen knives with harder steels to a more refined edge, it does come at a cost. It takes more effort and sometimes specialized equipment to sharpen blades with the most challenging steels.
  
  
• Toughness: Toughness relates to a blade’s ability to stand up to hard use (and even abuse). Beyond standing up to everyday nicks and scratches, accidents and emergencies happen.
  
  
• Sharpness and edge retention: You want a knife that can get sharp and stay sharp through repeated use. A blade that is easy to sharpen and maintain is also good. Better edge retention means your new knife can cut sharp even during extended use. How hard a blade steel is also affects how sharp it can get. That’s determined by the amount of carbon in the steel. Other elements can also affect how well a blade can hold that edge through repeated rugged use.
  
  
• Corrosion resistance: This determines whether your knife is stainless or not. Non-stainless steel knives need oil and maintenance to keep the rust away. Stainless steel knives are forgiving, but they can still rust if neglected. The number of elements such as chromium content and vanadium in the steel alloy helps this out. Additionally, knives with a low carbon count have a high level of corrosion resistance, but the tradeoff is less prone to deformation and blunting.
  
  
• Ease of sharpening: All knives eventually get dull, and the only way to get them back into shape is to sharpen them. But you will notice that some blades take less effort to take on a keen edge than others. The first reason is hardness, as it can take more work and specialized tools to hone the edge of premium steel. But blade shape also plays a role. For example, sharpening a blade with a recurve edge takes some practice. Serrations can also pose added difficulty.

Knife manufacturers have a comprehensive set of names for each blade steel. The specific cutlery steel alloy used in making a knife is usually disclosed, letting you judge the quality. Generally, beware of dubious knives that do not advertise their blade steel. Unknown low-carbon steel should raise a red flag in your mind when you’re trying to buy a knife.

Main Types of Steel

Carbon Steel

Carbon is the primary element in a steel’s composition because it determines the maximum hardness of the blade. Pure carbon steels emphasize having lots of carbon above all else. The result is a high-performance blade with a good edge that can get very sharp. However, these carbon steels are incredibly susceptible to rusting when left wet, especially in saltwater areas. They can also stain and tarnish when they cut through acidic fruits and veggies.

Tool Steel

Tool steels are special alloys used originally to manufacture commercial and industrial tool bits and components. When used to make blades, tool steel knives have some of the best wear resistance on the market. While they are not as single-minded as pure carbon steel blades, they are not as rust-resistant as stainless steel. But with a good heat treat that exhibits excellent edge-holding properties. And their relative affordability compared to some of the super steels on this list make them a good starting point for EDC beginners.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel blades are the most popular knives on the market. There are many kinds of high-quality stainless steel, each with unique properties. They range from softer budget cutlery steels to high-end premium powdered steels. Be wary of a knife that bills itself only as “stainless steel” without specifying the exact type. That’s a red flag for a cheaply-made and unsuitable pocket knife.

Steel for Knives FAQ

What is the best steel for making knife blades?

The best steel has a high-carbon content for hardness and sharpness. It should also be rust-resistant unless you do not care for that feature.

What is the strongest steel for a knife?

The strongest steel for a knife is CPM CruWear. Crucible’s S90V is also a contender for the strongest blade steel knives.

What is the best metal for a sharp knife?

Steel is the best metal for a sharp knife. Iron rusts too easily. Other metals do not provide the same amount of usefulness that steel brings to the table.

What is the difference between stainless steel and carbon steel?

Carbon steel rusts. Stainless steel resists rust. Some stainless steels resist rust more than others.

How we picked

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why you should trust us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.

The post Best Blade Steel for Knives: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Everyday Carry.

It may seem a bit overwhelming if you’re new to the world of watches. There are dozens of features, watch styles, and endless specs to pay attention to. Today’s guide focuses strictly on dive watches. The ISO 6425 standard defines dive watches:

• The watch should have a unidirectional rotating bezel to track elapsed time
• Clearly distinguishable minute markers on the dial
• Visibility in total darkness (thanks to lume)
• A lumed seconds hand to show that the watch is running in total darkness
• Magnetic resistance, shock resistance, chemical resistance, and of course 200m of water resistance.

All of these features make for a robust, durable, and accurate watch, whether above or under the surface.

Jump to Our Top Divers Watch Picks

Best Divers Watch — 2023 Edition

The Best Overall Divers Watch: Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Ti [Buy]

The Best Luxury Divers Watch: Rolex Submariner [Buy]

The Best Divers Watch on a Budget: Casio Duro [Buy]

The Most Submersible Divers Watch: Tudor Pelagos [Buy]

The Divers Watch That Ticks the Longest: Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 [Buy]

Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Ti	Rolex Submariner	Casio MDV106-1AV Duro	Tudor Pelagos	Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80
$$$$	$$$$	$$	$$$$	$$$$
Case Diameter: 45mm	Case Diameter: 41mm	Case Diameter: 44mm	Case Diameter: 42mm	Case Diameter: 43mm
Waterproof Depth: 200M	Waterproof Depth: 300M	Waterproof Depth: 200M	Waterproof Depth: 500M	Waterproof Depth: 300M
Key Features: Swiss-made titanium case	Key Features: Small diameter	Key Features: Luminous markers and hands	Key Features: 70-hour power reserve	Key Features: Anti-clockwise rotating bezel
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Seiko Prospex SPB143 Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Curved sapphire crystal

Three-fold clasp with secure lock

Anti-reflective coating on inner surface

Specifications

Case Diameter

40.5mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic with manual winding

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

With the discontinuation of the ever-popular SKX line of dive watches, and Seiko’s “5 Sports” lineup not being true divers, it’s no surprise that Seiko would come out with a new and exciting dive watch. Enter the SPB143, a diver inspired by Seiko’s first dive watch from the 1960s, the 62MAS. Unlike its vintage counterpart, there’s nothing fragile about this excellent dive watch. Sporting a perfectly sized 40.5mm stainless steel case with brushed finishing and polished accents, the SPB143 is also treated with Seiko’s proprietary DiaShield coating, which is highly resistant to scratches. The dial is a beautiful sunburst gray with chunky applied indices that glow bright green in the dark. Protecting the dial is a dual-domed sapphire crystal with AR coating on the inner surface for supreme legibility. Inside the watch, Seiko’s own 6R35 movement keeps the time with an impressive 70 hours of power reserve. The SPB is a handsome watch that’s a worthy successor to the SKX lineup and looks great on the steel bracelet or your choice of 20mm NATO strap.

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Marathon MSAR Automatic Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Tritium illumination

Screw-down crown

Scratch-resistant

Specifications

Case Diameter

36mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

28 ratings

Price

$$$$

If you’re in the market for a smaller-sized dive watch, Marathon’s MSAR is an excellent option for your EDC. Designed in Canada and manufactured in Switzerland, Marathon’s watches are designed and built to live on the wrists of military personnel worldwide. Their feature-set is impressive, as they must withstand the rigors of search and rescue missions. The 36mm 316L stainless steel case houses a self-winding automatic movement. On the dial, you’ll find tritium gas tubes, small vials of radioactive gas that give off a glow without being exposed to light. There’s a highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protecting the dial that’s surrounded by a chunky rotating timing bezel. A generously-sized knurled crown makes setting the time an easy task on the right side of the case. With 300M of water resistance and tank-like construction, the MSAR is an excellent choice for those who aren’t afraid of a few bumps and knicks. You can pick one up on a robust steel bracelet or a comfortable and flexible rubber strap.

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Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Ti Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Super-LumiNova lume

Swiss-made titanium case

ISO 6425 certified

Specifications

Case Diameter

45mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Quartz

EDC Rating

316 ratings

Price

$$$$

The I.N.O.X. line of watches from Victorinox (the same company that makes the classic Swiss Army Knife) are put through a series of rigorous tests before coming to market. They freeze them, drop them, vibrate them—you name it. While some of these tests may be over the top, they ensure that the watch on your wrist is built to withstand the daily wear and tear (and then some) you can throw at it. The I.N.O.X. Professional Diver is rendered in a lightweight and durable 45mm titanium case with some serious wrist presence. A highly legible dial is treated with Swiss Super-LumiNova on the hour markers and hands so that you can see the time in even the darkest conditions. The watch ships on a woven paracord strap that you can unwrap and use should you find yourself in a sticky situation.

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Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal

Anti-clockwise rotating bezel

80-hour power reserve

Specifications

Case Diameter

43mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

134 ratings

Price

$$$$

Modern, bold, and easy to read, the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 is about as feature-packed as it is a mouthful to say. All jokes aside, this is a solid Swiss-made dive watch with one of the best available movements in the price range. When fully wound, the automatic movement will stay running for 80 hours, nearly double the industry standard. A 43mm stainless steel case is just the right size to have a nice presence on your wrist, while the 12.7mm thickness is right in the middle of what you can expect from a full-on dive watch. You’ll also get a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal up top that protects the handsome blue dial underneath. The Seastar is a true dive watch featuring 300m/1000ft. of water resistance, so you don’t have to worry about taking it down to depth. Several models and colors are available, including both stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap options.

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Orient Star Sports RE-AU0302L Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Anti-reflective glass coating

Shock-absorbing

70-hour power reserve indicator

Specifications

Case Diameter

43.6mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

6 ratings

Price

$$$$

Orient has perfected the task of making great watches at surprisingly affordable prices. The Orient Star Sports dive watch is one of the most feature-packed watches at just around $500. With 200M of water resistance and a 43mm stainless steel case, the Orient features a classic dive watch aesthetic. The dial takes a more rounded approach, with the hands and indices featuring rounded edges for a smoother look. One of the unique features of the watch is the power reserve sub-dial at 12 o’clock. When fully wound, the watch will run for up to 50 hours, and this complication will let you know when the power is running low, so you can give it a quick wind or wear to re-up the mainspring.

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Lorier Neptune Series III Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Minimal, highly-legible face

BGW9 lume

120-click unidirectional bezel

Specifications

Case Diameter

47mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

Lorier is a small brand based out of New York City that’s made quite the splash into the watch scene over the past few years. Lorier’s offerings punch well above their weight with vintage-inspired design and quality construction. You can see classic dive watch elements in the design of the Neptune Series III everywhere, from the gilt treatment on the hands and hour scale to the domed plexiglass crystal and oversized crown. The Neptune comes on a beautifully finished brushed steel bracelet that looks like it belongs on a much more expensive watch. Inside the watch, you’ll find a reliable Miyota 90SS automatic mechanical movement that beats at 28,800bph that sends the seconds hand around the dial with a smooth sweep. Despite its smaller size (the case is a very wearable 39mm wide by only 10.3mm thick), it’s still built tough with 200m of water resistance.

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Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Caoutchouc rubber strap

Vintage dial

Super-LumiNova lume

Specifications

Case Diameter

47mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

Inspired by the Zodiac watches of the 1970s, this vintage-style diver is built with all the modern specs you’d expect from your watch. The polished 316L stainless steel case is a wearable 40mm wide by 13.6mm thick that’s water-resistant down to 200M. Underneath the sapphire crystal, a vintage-styled dial sports applied indices that are treated with bright C3 Super-LumiNova that glows brightly when the lights go out. The dial is surrounded by a 120-click unidirectional bezel that can be used for timing your dive (or how long dinner has been in the oven). Inside, you’ll find a reliable STP automatic movement with a 28,800bph beat rate, a smooth sweeping seconds hand, and a 44-hour power reserve when the watch is fully wound. If you’re looking for modern specs but a vintage aesthetic, the Super Sea Wolf 53 makes a compelling choice.

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Oris Aquis Date Relief Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Super-LumiNova lume

Automatic winding

120-hour power reserve

Specifications

Case Diameter

41.50mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

Building watches out of Holstein, Switzerland, for nearly 120 years, Oris is no stranger to how to build an excellent watch. The Aquis is their modern take on the dive watch, measuring in at a bold 43.5mm. The watch comes with an automatic movement inside with a date display. There are several choices for dial color, ranging from a rich black to a dynamic blue. Surrounding the dial and sapphire crystal, you’ll find a polished ceramic bezel with markings for timing dives engraved into its surface. The Aquis is water-resistant to 300M, making it an excellent choice for all your water-bound activities. You can snag an Aquis on the premium stainless steel bracelet or a comfortable rubber strap for around two thousand dollars.

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Deep Blue Daynight Commander Tritium T-100 Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Tritium illumination

120-click unidirectional ceramic bezel

Sapphire crystal

Specifications

Case Diameter

45mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$

If you’re looking for performance at a value, Deep Blue’s Daynight Commander packs a ton of functionality into an affordable package. This 45mm dive watch is crafted from durable stainless steel with a depth rating of 300 meters. Apart from the standard dive watch features like a screw-down crown and rotating timing bezel, you’ll notice that this watch features tritium gas tubes placed throughout the dial. These tubes contain a radioactive (but safe) gas that will glow without exposure to light—perfect for telling time deep underwater or at any time throughout the night. The Commander ships on a beefy rubber strap with the Deep Blue logo molded into the smooth surface.

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Seiko Prospex SRPF77 Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Manta Ray-themed dial

41-hour power reserve

LumiBrite hands and markers

Specifications

Case Diameter

45mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

48 ratings

Price

$$$$

Featuring one of Seiko’s most iconic case shapes, the SRPF77 is a limited edition watch based on the popular “turtle” dive watches of the 1970s. The dial features a beautiful blue gradient with a texture reminiscent of the ocean’s waves. There are also depictions of manta rays at the bottom, further driving the oceanic theme home. This 45mm cushion-case dive watch is water-resistant down to 200 meters and features a unidirectional dive bezel with minute markings and lume pip at 12. Inside the watch, you’ll find Seiko’s own reliable 4R36 automatic mechanical movement that’ll run all by itself for up to 41 hours when fully wound. The blue-dialed watch ships on a matching blue silicone strap that’s just as comfortable in the water as it is on land.

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Steinhart Ocean One Vintage Red Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Super-LumiNova lume

Safety deployment clasp

Domed sapphire crystal

Specifications

Case Diameter

42mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

4 ratings

Price

$$$$

Steinhart’s watch designs may lean on the homage side of style, but they look great and are built to a high degree of quality, especially for the price. Most of us can’t afford to drop five figures on a vintage watch, but right around $500 on something with modern construction and vintage looks is much more attainable. Steinhart’s Ocean One Vintage Red is a dive watch housed in a very wearable 42mm stainless steel case capable of 300 meters of water resistance. Modern conveniences include a sapphire crystal, stainless steel bracelet with solid end links, a safety clasp, and bright Super-LumiNova on the hands and dial.

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Orient Kamasu Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Sapphire crystal

Luminous

Screwed-down crown

Specifications

Case Diameter

41.8mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

948 ratings

Price

$$$

Inspired by the barracuda, Orient’s Kamasu dive watch features sharp angles and a resilient sapphire crystal. Water-resistant down to 200 meters, the Kamasu is an excellent dive watch with a highly affordable price tag. The case measures just under 42mm, making for a bold and legible appearance without being big and bulky. You’ll appreciate the watch’s classic looks and modern construction and the fact that it comes in several fun colors to coordinate with the rest of your EDC. At just under $300, it’s a heck of a value too.

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Rolex Submariner Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Oyster steel

Black dial

Small diameter

Specifications

Case Diameter

41mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

39 ratings

Price

$$$$

It’s hard to do a dive watch guide without mentioning the mighty Rolex Submariner. What’s possibly the most popular tool watch in history has jumped from an everyday wear kind of watch into a hard-to-obtain luxury piece. That doesn’t mean it isn’t still capable. The latest model features a slightly smaller diameter than its predecessor, clocking in at 41mm. You’ll find an updated tapered bracelet, polished ceramic bezel insert, and Rolex’s super reliable caliber 3235 automatic movement. The classic design, premium materials, and iconic status make the Submariner a watch you could easily wear for the rest of your life.

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Omega Seamaster Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

James Bond’s watch

“Tank tread” bracelet

Anti-reflective sapphire

Specifications

Case Diameter

42mm

Waterproof Depth

300M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

9 ratings

Price

$$$$

Found on the wrist of modern-day James Bond, the Omega Seamaster is a luxury tool watch packed with dive-ready features. With water resistance up to 300 meters, durable sapphire crystal, helium escape valve for saturation diving, and a super-accurate co-axial chronometer movement inside, the Seamaster is some of the best modern dive watches have to offer. The dial is handsome, featuring a deeply engraved wave pattern and decorated with lume-applied indices. On its 42mm stainless steel case, you’ll find Omega’s signature twisted lyre lugs and high-quality brushed and polished surfaces. The Seamaster ships on its immediately recognizable tank tread style bracelet or a high-quality rubber strap.

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Tag Heuer Aquaracer Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Black sunray dial

Optimal ergonomics

38-hour power reserve

Specifications

Case Diameter

40mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

Just released

Price

$$$$

Featuring a revamp of the brand, Tag Heur’s new Aquaracer is an impressive watch that’s right at the entry-level into luxury. The Aquaracer features a robust and handsome 40mm case that’s water-resistant down to 200 meters. Surrounding the dial is a unidirectional dive bezel with 12 flat sides for a unique look and firm grip. You can snag an Aquaracer on a steel bracelet in one of several striking dial colors like dark gray or a rich mid-tone blue.

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Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Nouveau-vintage dive

Domed sapphire crystal

70-hour power reserve

Specifications

Case Diameter

39mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

2 ratings

Price

$$$$

If you’re looking for a diver with a vintage feel and modern technology, look no further than Tudor’s popular Black Bay 58. This watch hits the sweet spot with its 39mm case, steel riveted bracelet, 200 meters of water resistance, and a durable sapphire crystal. The vintage look on the outside hides Tudor’s in-house MT5402 that’s tested to COSC specs for accuracy and features silicon components for increased accuracy and resistance to magnetism. The movement will run for a class-leading 70 hours in between windings. Vintage lume on the applied indices adds a classic look to the watch.

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Casio MDV106-1AV Duro Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

3 years battery life

Luminous markers and hands

Unidirectional bezel

Specifications

Case diameter

44mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Quartz

EDC Rating

15257 ratings

Price

$$

Casio’s MDB106-1AV might not have the catchiest name, but this super affordable and capable dive watch has a lot to offer. You get a 200-meter resistant dive watch with a legit rotating bezel and screw-down crown at just forty dollars. There’s a date display at three o’clock on the dial, while large, lumed hands point to the time. The MDV relies on an accurate quartz movement for timekeeping, making it an excellent option for your grab-and-go EDC.

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Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Powered by any light source

Anti-reflective mineral crystal

Luminous hands

Specifications

Case Diameter

43mm

Waterproof Depth

200M

Movement

Eco-Drive Quartz

EDC Rating

3210 ratings

Price

$$$

If you’re not the type to maintain your watch (or even want to think about switching out batteries), then an Eco-Drive Citizen might be right up your alley. The movement is powered by light (either natural or artificial) and will hold a charge for up to six months without exposure to said light. The watch’s design features chunky, aggressive indices, a screw-down crown at 4 o’clock, a handy date display, and a deep toothy pattern cut into the bezel for easy grip with wet hands. With real ISO certification, this watch meets all the criteria of what a dive watch should be without breaking the bank.

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Tudor Pelagos Divers Watch

Purchase

Key Features

Titanium bracelet

70-hour power reserve

Scratch-resistant sapphire

Specifications

Case Diameter

42mm

Waterproof Depth

500M

Movement

Automatic

EDC Rating

7 ratings

Price

$$$$

Tudor’s Pelagos takes a different turn from the Black Bay, with its modern appearance and materials. Crafted from titanium, the case is lightweight, strong, and water-resistant down to an impressive 500 meters. There’s a helium escape valve integrated into the side of the case, taking a more subtle approach than Omega’s separate crown-like device. The titanium bracelet on the Tudor has a unique spring-loaded extension system that keeps it comfortable on your wrist all day long. You’ll also appreciate the sapphire crystal for durability, the 70-hour power reserve for convenience, and the ceramic bezel insert to avoid scratches.

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What is a Divers Watch?

A dive watch is a purpose-built tool that meets the ISO 6425 standard defined above. The most standout feature of a dive watch is the rotating bezel present on all of them. Surrounding the dial, you’ll find a rotating piece that tracks elapsed time. When diving, it’s crucial to know how long you’ve been underwater, especially when the air you’re carrying only lasts for a set amount of time. Dive watches stand out from regular watches thanks to their more robust construction and durable materials. If a watch can stand up to the pressures of the deep and be banged into rocks underwater, there’s a good chance it’s good to go for your daily tasks.

Are Divers Watches Fully Waterproof?

“Fully waterproof” is a slippery, winding road to go down. Being “waterproof” means that in no way will water ever enter into something. That’s just not the case with dive watches. Good news, though–they are built to withstand depths far beyond what the human body can endure. You might see arguments over whether or not a watch is a “true dive watch,” and usually, that argument comes down to water resistance. Anything below the ISO-mandated 200M of water resistance technically isn’t a true dive watch, and even though you may see 50 meters on a dial, it doesn’t really mean what it says.

When testing water resistance, the watch in question usually undergoes a static test, meaning the watch is in still water and not moving around. In actual use case scenarios, the movement of your wrist through the water will affect the watch’s water resistance. While you won’t find yourself 150 feet underwater with a 50M watch, you can do light swimming and surface water activities. 100M is suitable for more intense water sports like surfing or snorkeling, and 200M brings you a bit more resistance suitable for skin diving. When the word “DIVERS” comes into play, these watches are the real deal, with “DIVERS 100M, 200M, or 300M” being suitable for full-on scuba diving.

Features You Should Pay Attention To

There are a few key features that you should pay attention to when picking out your new EDC divers watch:

• Accuracy: Mechanical watches are cool, but they typically aren’t as accurate as a quartz movement, unless you go way up market.
  
  
• Legibility: A bold set of hands treated with luminous paint make for a highly legible experience, crucial when you depend on your watch to let you know how long you’ve been underwater.
  
  
• Quality: Finishing and machining on the case not only make a dive watch look better on your wrist, but they’re also indicative of the overall quality of the watch.
  
  
• Depth Rating: Keep in mind how deep your watch can go depending on what activities you plan on doing while wearing it.
  
  
• Material: Different case and component materials affect how the watch will wear. For example, titanium will be much lighter on the wrist than steel.
  
  
• Movement: Keep in mind that a high-quality automatic mechanical movement will require more maintenance than its quartz counterpart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do divers actually use dive watches?

Some divers still use dive watches, however, dive computers are more commonly used today.

What watch do real divers use?

Real divers use any watch that is ISO certified for diving. It must have a unidirectional bezel, luminous hands, and an automatic movement or quartz movement with low battery indication.

Why are diving watches so popular?

They are popular because they are durable, feature useful designs, and have a long history in the world of watches.

Why are dive watches black?

Dive watches are black because black is the most popular dial color, regardless of the style of the watch. Not all dive watches have to be black.

How we picked

Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.

What is Everyday Carry?

Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.

Why you should trust us

Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.

The post The 19 Best Divers Watches in 2024 appeared first on Everyday Carry.

If you’ve ever shopped around for a pocket knife for everyday carry, you’d know there’s a staggering amount of options to choose from. Trying to make sense of the many types of knives and their subtle differences can get overwhelming. Of the many factors to consider when choosing something as personal as a knife, its locking mechanism is one of the most important. You should know what type of lock, if any, you should have depending on your needs and preferences before investing in a quality knife.

In this guide, we’ll show you some of the most common types of locking mechanisms you’d find in a desirable EDC knife. You’ll discover the advantages of having a knife that locks, which type is best suited for your EDC, how they work, and knives to consider if the locking type isn’t an option where you live.

Why EDC a locking blade?

Portability should be a major focus when looking for a tool to keep on your person in your pockets or bag. In the case of pocket knives for EDC, folding knives offer an ideal balance of pocketability and functionality.

When folded closed, they become more compact and easier to carry as there’s no exposed sharp edge to worry about. When fully opened, you get the balance, ergonomics, and utility of a non-folding (fixed) blade. Fixed blades are inherently stronger as there’s no moving parts to fail under stress in extreme cases or after repeated hard use.

What about folding knives lets you enjoy the best of both worlds?

It’s all in the lock.

The locking mechanism adds extra safety to using your EDC blade. It lets you blow through tougher tasks over a longer lifetime on a knife you can actually carry everyday. It’s something you’d be using often, so it’s best to get acquainted with what your options are.

Let’s take a look at some of the top types of locking mechanisms for EDC, and a few options for those in areas where locking blades are restricted.

Lockback

A lock back mechanism is what you see on many traditional folding knives. It’s essentially made of a “spine” on a spring. When the knife is opened, the spine locks into a notch on the back of the blade. To close the knife, push down on the exposed part of the spine (usually found in the middle or rear of the handle) to pop up the part of the spine in contact with the blade. This disengages the lock, allowing you to swing the blade to a closed position.

The benefits of a lockback include reliable strength, safety, and ambidextrous operation. The unlock “button” is out of the way of your grip when using the knife, meaning you’re unlikely to accidentally disengage the lock and have it close on you. It also keeps your hands clear of the blade’s path when closing, minimizing the risk of cutting yourself.

One disadvantage is that while it’s possible to close a lockback with one hand, it isn’t easy. You’d likely need to switch grips and take extra care when closing the blade.

Lockback examples:

• Spyderco Native 5 Lightweight
• Kansept Knives Swan Wedge
• Cold Steel AD-10 (which uses a trademark modified lockback called the Tri-Ad lock)

Liner Lock

Liner locks are one of the more common mechanisms seen on folding knives. Its main component is a side spring bar located on the same side as sharp edge of the blade, “lining” the inside of the handle. When the knife is closed, the spring bar is held under tension. When fully opened, that tension slips the bar inward to make contact with the end of the blade, keeping it firmly in place and preventing it from closing. To disengage a liner lock, you have to use your thumb to push the spring bar “down” (towards the pocket clip in the example knife shown above) so that it clears contact from the blade, allowing you to fold it back into the handle.

Liner locks are beneficial because you can close the knife with one hand without switching grip, ideal for when you need both hands on the job. You’ll find liner locks in both entry-level and high-end knives. It’s a lock type that appeals to both knife newbies and enthusiasts alike.

If you’ll be using your knife for heavy-duty tasks, you should know liner locks typically aren’t as robust as other locking systems. They’re still plenty strong, but because they’re typically made from a thinner or softer piece of metal, they’re more prone to wearing out compared to a beefy frame lock, for example.

Liner lock examples:

• Spderco Tenacious
• CRKT CEO
• CIVIVI Elementum

Frame Lock

Think of the frame lock as a beefed up version of the liner lock, except instead of an internal spring bar moving into place, it’s part of the handle itself. Frame lock knives tend to be stronger than liner locks, as the piece of metal that slips into place is more substantial than that in a liner. Because of their similarity to liner locks, closing a frame lock knife is virtually the same — push down on the spring bar so it no longer blocks the end of the blade, remove your thumb from the path, then fold the knife closed.

This type of locking system puts a large portion of metal against the blade, ensuring a strong lockup for piercing, cutting, slicing, and other heavy-duty tasks. Frame locks are seen in lots of mid to upper range knives, typically crafted from titanium. In the example shown here, a stainless steel insert interfaces with the blade as it both takes longer to wear out than titanium, and stabilizes the bar so you don’t weaken it by pushing it too far.

Frame lock examples:

• Spyderco Techno 2
• Zero Tolerance 0762 TDS (which uses a sub-frame lock where the lockbar has a different material to the handle, but the two function as one cohesive piece)
• Chris Reeve Sebenza 31

AXIS Lock

This locking system was originally made and patented in 1988 by knifemakers Bill McHenry and Jason Williams, who then sold the rights to the mechanism to Benchmade who renamed it to the AXIS lock and have since used it in dozens of iconic knife models to this day. And while the patent itself expired in 2018 leading to the development of similar mechanisms from other knifemakers, the AXIS lock branding and trademark remains with Benchmade and is still used in their most recent designs.

Here’s how it works: The lock is made up of a spring-tensioned bar (the spring itself called an omega spring) that slides back and forth on a track cut into the handles of the knife. The end of each blade featuring an AXIS lock (hidden by the handle) has a flat spot that allows a spring-tensioned bar to lock into place when the knife is opened. To close the knife, you pull the bar towards the back of the knife using the thumb studs, and fold the blade shut.

Right handers and southpaws alike can appreciate how easy it is to use this lock, because the bar is accessible from both sides of the knife handle. Due to the nature of the lock it can cause wear and tear over time on the omega spring causing it to break, but due to the ubiquity and popularity of the lock and the knives it’s on, it’s become easier to maintain and repair with standard tools.

AXIS Lock examples:

• Benchmade Bugout
• SOG Terminus XR LTE
• Gerber Sedulo

Slipjoint and Friction Folder

Just to be clear, these types of blades don’t have a true “lock” as far as laws are concerned, but they’re still viable options for EDC.

Slipjoints are most commonly seen in Swiss Army Knives. Typically these knives require two hands to open and close safely. They’re made up of a spring bar and a specially shaped blade. To open the knife, you pull on the blade to overcome the pressure from the spring, snapping the blade into place. To close it, make sure your fingers are out of the way of the sharp edge, and push back down.

Friction folders are similar, except they don’t have a spring bar. Instead, the knife’s blade is held in place simply by friction between the blade steel and the knife scales.

One of the main advantages of these types of knives is their legality. They’re also nice to carry because they’re simple and easy to use. But its worth repeating that these knives don’t have a true lockup, so they’re not the best for heavier duty tasks.

Slipjoint examples:

• Victorinox Cadet Alox
• CRKT Symmetry
• Japanese Higo no Kami

Special Mention: Compression Lock

While the Compression Lock itself isn’t a universal lock across the knife industry as it’s a Spyderco trademark, nevertheless it’s one we need to mention due to how iconic the knives that come with it have become.

There’s a common misconception that the Compression Lock is “just a liner lock on the back,” and while functionally the mechanism is the same, there’s a lot more to it that gives it its signature strength and reliability. In these knives, the blades’ tang ramps faces upward rather than towards the end of the handle, and when open, sandwiches the lock bar between the ramp and a stop pin. Defeating the lock would mean being physically able to crush the lock bar between the ramp and stop pin, and by design with such tight tolerances, that would be an incredibly difficult feat.

While its strength gets a substantial upgrade on a Compression Lock, its ease of use still allows the knife to be safely and easily closed with one hand like a liner lock.

Compression Lock examples:

• Spyderco Para Military 2
• Spyderco Yojimbo 2
• Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight

By now, you should be more familiar with your options to better choose the a knife worthy of your pocket.

Do you have a favorite type of lock to recommend? Leave a comment with your EDC knife of choice and tell us why you like its lockup to help your fellow EDCers and prospective knife buyers carry smarter.

Words and images by Ed Jelley, Bernard Capulong, and Mikey Bautista.

The post 6 Common Types of Locking Knives Explained appeared first on Everyday Carry.

What are useful things to carry during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic?

Ideally, you wouldn’t need to change much to your carry because you’re spending the next two weeks (and possibly longer) at home in self-quarantine.

If your situation doesn’t allow you to stay at home and you must commute or spend time in public places, the best thing you can carry is hand sanitizer or hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer is effective at killing viruses that may be on your hands when you don’t have access to soap and water to wash with. By now hand sanitizer is in short supply, so try to wash your hands as often as possible.

If you can’t find hand sanitizer, there are some DIY options available. The quick recipe is 3 parts isopropyl alcohol (99% to achieve a mix with a final concentration of 60% or better) to 1 part aloe vera gel with a few drops of essential oil, according to WIRED.

Disposable pocket tissues are also helpful to cover your coughs and sneezes in public as a safe alternative to covering your mouth or nose with your hands. If you happen to cough or sneeze, it’s good respiratory hygiene to use a tissue to catch the droplets that could spread viruses, immediately dispose of the used tissue, then clean your hands with hand sanitizer or washing with soap and water.

Sanitizing wipes and alcohol wipes can clean and disinfect gear you need to touch and use often (like an EDC pen or smartphone, for example). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend cleaning surfaces you touch frequently and provide information on how to best do that here. While it’s not completely understood yet, preliminary research suggests COVID-19 behaves similar to other coronaviruses and can persist on surfaces for a few hours up to several days, according to the WHO. Now would also be a good time to revisit cleaning and maintaining your EDC gear in general while you might not be using it during quarantine.

To help with dry hands from frequent coronavirus handwashing, you might want to add a travel bottle or tin of hand lotion / moisturizing cream. Note that this is just for general skin care and isn’t specifically necessary to combat novel coronavirus.

What about face masks? There’s a lot to consider when and how to use a face mask, as it depends on your situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises to use a mask with these four considerations in mind:

1. If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
2. Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
3. Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
4. If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

Keep in mind that there’s a worldwide shortage of masks. Masks are a crucial resource for healthcare professionals working to treat those who are infected. To avoid wasting or misusing face masks, please refer to WHO’s dedicated webpage for advice on proper use and disposal of masks.

In terms of general EDC preparedness not specific to coronavirus, you might be interested in preparing an emergency kit or bug out bag — refer to our guide on that here.

What other things can I do for my safety and the safety of others?

The primary precautions you can take to help reduce the chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 boil down to hand- and respiratory hygiene and social distancing.

Some hygiene tips:

• Make it a habit to regularly and thoroughly clean your hands by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer to kill viruses that might be on your hands. Here’s a guide from the NHS on how to wash your hands properly for about 20 seconds, complete with video.
• Avoid touching your face with your hands. Even with frequent handwashing and sanitizing there’s a chance you can pick up viruses from touching different surfaces, and those viruses can enter your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes (not with your hands!). Use a tissue to catch droplets that could spread viruses, then dispose of the tissue immediately. If you can’t grab a tissue in time, cough or sneeze into your bent elbow instead of your hands or into the air.

Social distancing precautions:

• Stay home and self-quarantine if you have the means and opportunity to self-isolate.
• If you are around people, keep a distance of at least 6 feet or 2 meters if they are coughing or sneezing to avoid exposure to droplets that can spread the virus.

Remember, even if you are feeling healthy and are at low risk of falling ill to COVID-19, by disregarding these precautions you could be putting those who are at high risk (such as the elderly or those with already compromised immune systems or severe underlying medical conditions) in danger. Self-quarantine and social distancing helps slow the spread of the virus to a degree that’s more manageable for hospitals and treatment centers as well. As inconvenient or disruptive as it may be, taking precaution here keeps you, and more importantly, those at high risk, safer.

Where can I learn more about COVID-19 / novel coronavirus?

There’s unfortunately plenty of misinformation about novel coronavirus on various social media platforms. There are also many topics and specifics we didn’t cover in this article. Please refer to the following links as a starting point to stay informed during this time:

• World Health Organization’s Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for your attention. In the meantime here at Everyday Carry we’ll still be publishing gear-related content for you to enjoy during quarantine, as our staff largely works remotely/from home already (more on that, later). 

If it means more of us will be staying in, we also welcome pocket dump and EDC photo submissions of what you’re EDCing around the house! You can share your EDC by signing up and uploading your photo here. 

If you found this article helpful, please feel free to share it with your friends, family, and fellow EDCers. Stay safe, stay healthy, and carry on (at home if you can).

This post was last updated on March 16th, 3:10PM PDT with clearer, more accurate recommendations for DIY hand sanitizer.

The post Carry Smarter: Precautions During the Coronavirus Pandemic appeared first on Everyday Carry.

In this guide, we’ve made maintenance easy. Read on to learn how to keep your gear in tip-top shape for the rest of this new year, and to ensure they’re in it for the long run.

Knife Maintenance

• Sharpening the Easy Way: Perhaps you’ve opened up one too many bags of ice melt, dulling your blade while exposing it to corrosive salts. Your blade could definitely use a touch up. The Spyderco Sharpmaker system brings a knife edge back from dangerously dull to razor sharp with just a few steps. The kit includes two sets of sharpening stones and an ergonomically designed base to get your blades sharp in a few minutes. Each set also includes a set of detailed illustrated instructions and a DVD if you still don’t feel confident with the process. BUY: Spyderco Sharpmaker on Amazon
• Spruce Up Those Wooden Handles: Wood-handled knives look great, but that natural beauty can fade without proper care. Wood is prone to drying out, cracking, and wearing faster than the metal and plastic alternatives. Hit the handles with a light coat of mineral oil from time to time so they stay moisturized and crack-free. Just a few minutes of care can greatly extend the life of your favorite knife. BUY: Mineral Oil on Amazon
• A Well-Oiled Machine: Folding knives are no doubt the most convenient type of knife to carry. Whether you carry a flipper or a lockback, all knives can benefit from a bit of CLP solution on the pivot. A good cleaning followed by a few drops of oil will keep your knife opening and closing smoothly and safely. If your blade is made of carbon steel, you can also add a light coating of oil to prevent the blade from rusting when not in use. BUY: CLP solution on Amazon

Wallet Maintenance

• Remember to Moisturize: You should take extra care when working with natural materials, and leather is no exception. Not unlike wood, this organic material is prone to drying out, cracking, and wearing. Obenauf’s leather care oil is one of the most popular options for keeping leather goods smooth, moisturized, and protected. Use a clean cloth to apply a bit of oil to your wallet, knife sheath, boots, or any other leather you carry to protect it from the wear and tear of daily use. This odorless oil leaves leather looking like new and ready for carry. BUY: Leather Care Oil on Amazon

Bag and Jacket Maintenance

• Stay Dry: Spring weather is usually unpredictable and more often than not, wet. Carrying a small packable rain jacket is a great way to stay dry. Over time, these jackets tend to lose their ability to shed water like when they were new. Hit your garment with a DWR (durable water repellent) restoring spray like these from Nixwax to keep the elements out. Cover your bases whether you’re touching up your hard or softshell apparel and equipment like tents and sleeping bags. BUY: Nikwax Hardshell Duo-Pack on Amazon / Nikwax Softshell Duo-Pack on Amazon

Watch Maintenance

• Wrist Check: Watches have a tendency to get pretty dirty. They’re on your wrist constantly being exposed to almost everything that you touch. Give your watch a good, thorough cleaning, and maybe even replace the strap if it’s beginning to wear out. This spring bar tool from Bergeron makes it especially easy to remove the spring bar (the piece that holds on a strap or bracelet) for greater access to the case. Clean it up, change the battery, and pop on a new strap all with a little bit of help from this must-have tool for watch maintenance. Take things a step further by making sure to keep track of when your last professional service was. It’s always a good idea to know when the rubber gaskets, o-rings, and movement have been tuned up to ensure that your watch will keep ticking. BUY: Spring-bar Tool on Amazon

Flashlight Maintenance

• Don’t Get Caught in the Dark: Just because the sun is out later and later doesn’t mean you should neglect your flashlight. If you pull yours out from the drawer after all this time and it doesn’t turn on, check the battery. Regular alkaline batteries can leak and corrode in your light over time. Consider making the switch from alkaline to rechargeable lithium ion batteries. They’re safer to store in your lights should they go unused for longer periods of time and can be recharged when they’re dead. We like the high capacity Panasonic Eneloops here at Everyday Carry. They’re reliable and last longer than their one-and-done counterparts. After a small initial investment in the batteries and charger, you’ll find it’s hard to go back to the standard. To keep your light in working order, also check the o-rings for dry rot and hit the threads with some silicone grease for smooth operation and some added protection. BUY: Eneloop AA/AAA Rechargeable Batteries on Amazon / Sanyo High-Discharge 18650 Batteries on Illumn

Pen Maintenance

• Make Your Metal Like New Again: Carrying some brass or copper gear that’s loaded with patina? If the aged gear look isn’t for you, bring those tools back to a brilliant shine with some Maas metal polish. A clean cloth, a dab of polish, and little bit of elbow grease can have your metal gear looking as good as new. BUY: Maas Metal Polish on Amazon
• Time for a Refill: Lots of EDC pens accept the ever-popular Parker-style refill, though sometimes the stock ink cartridge writes less-than-great. Blobby, skipping lines, and scratchy writing ruin the experience of putting a pen to paper. If your writing mostly takes place indoors, consider picking up some Parker Gel refills. They’re smooth, leave a crisp line on the page, and come in several vibrant colors. Need something more suited to hard use? Grab a pack of Fisher Space Pen refills. They’ll get you writing in the rain, underwater, and even in outer space (should you find yourself up there). BUY: Parker Gel Ink Refills on Amazon

Did we miss any of your favorite maintenance tips? Let us know in the comments below how you keep your EDC in top shape.

The post 10 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your EDC Going Strong appeared first on Everyday Carry.

The Superesse DC Survival Handkerchief’s smart features firmly place it a cut above your grandfather’s standard hanky, but it will serve you well even if all you end up doing is wipe your nose with it. Unlike the traditional linen or cotton cloth construction of the regular handkerchief, the DC Survival Hanky is made of lightweight technical rip-stop nylon fabric. The fabric itself is burnproof to 800ºF, cut resistant, and even offers shielding from an EMP with its Faraday cage-like properties. It also has a pocket built in that lets you use it as a stuff sack for the gear that normally flops around in your pockets or your bag. The hook and loop closure and 550 paracord pull cinch ensures items won’t fall out of it as you carry it around. In a pinch, that paracord can also serve as kindling when removed from the hanky. And the hanky itself works well with all the improvised survival uses that a good handkerchief can serve. For example, it’s a good tourniquet in times of trouble, a filter for 1 micron particulates in water when you’re outdoors, and a shield for your face when the wind gets too rough.

If you’re looking to expand the things you can do with the gear you place inside of the handkerchief, Superesse also sells a set of curated EDC Pocket Tins, with a myriad of variants for the mission you have in mind. Think of it as a pocket mint EDC carryall that already has the gear you need inside of it. One variant focuses on emergency fire starting, with water and windproof matches and kindling. Another comes with useful repair tools for mending clothes and outdoor equipment. Continuing the survival theme, there’s a tin with everything you need to make an improvised fishing line and even one that includes life-saving potassium iodine and a radiation dosimeter for when things have gone truly south. You can even custom outfit a tin with gear and keep it on you at all times in a perfectly sized Kydex sheath belt clip for ease of carry.

The sheer versatility of the DC Survival Handkerchief and the plethora of EDC Pocket Tins available make them a solid choice if you’re looking for new, compact, unique gear to add to your personal everyday carry. And for a limited time, you can save 10 dollars off your purchase by using the link below. Mix and match to your heart’s desire, and spice up your EDC today with a handkerchief and a pocket tin of your own.

Check It Out

This is a sponsored post presented by Superesse.

The post Superesse Survival Handkerchiefs & Pocket Tins appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Since so many of you out there use pouch organizers, we want to know… 

What does the perfect EDC pouch look like to you?

If you don’t have an EDC pouch yet, read on for a quick primer on some features and qualities to look for when searching for your own.

1. Size

Depending on the size of the pouch, you can use it for different applications. “Micro” sized EDC pouches can be a minimalist’s dream — an entirely self-contained kit of small items that would otherwise be hard to keep track of, like a first aid or survival kit. 

Something more pocket-sized can be your grab-and-go kit with full-sized items to cover your bases. These are probably the most popular and most versatile style, since it can work in a cargo or coat pocket as well as on its own or in a bag. 

Then, larger pouches can add organization to your bag while handling cumbersome or awkwardly shaped items like cables, notebooks, and tablets. They’re especially good for keeping in your car or if you tend to switch between bags and luggages often.

What’s your preferred size of pouch? Micro, pocket, or something larger?

2. Format and Layout

Typically, pouch organizers open with a zipper and lay flat like a book, with different organization features on either side. This style is especially popular since it gives an “at a glance” look at everything you need, making retrieval and storage especially easy. 

This isn’t always the case, though, as some EDCers prefer to use a “stuff sack” styled utility pouch with a single zipper that runs across the top with no internal organization. This is better for simpler carries and can be useful when you just need a degree of separation from the rest of your gear, like a change of clothes or toiletries. 

Some pouches are more vertically oriented and work more like a belt sheath or holster. This style of organizer makes for easy access and can be handled more easily when you’re on the go.

What’s your favorite style of pouch?

3. Organization Features

Even with the right size and style, it’s crucial that your organizer works the way you’re most comfortable with. The simplest and most common form of gear organization is webbing: elastic loops of varying widths and placements that fit most EDC gear well, like pocket knives, multi-tools, pens, and cables. 

You also see slip pockets for flat items like notebooks or credit cards too. Sometimes you can find organizers with internal zippered pockets, which keep tiny essentials that wouldn’t typically fit in webbing. 

Other features to consider include external compartments like a zippered or slip pocket, hook-and-loop or MOLLE webbing for modularity, mesh pockets for visibility, and soft-lined pockets for delicate gadgets or eyewear.

What kind of internal organization do you find most useful?

4. Materials and Appearance

Last but not least, it’s important to pay attention to what your organizer is made of. High denier nylon is usually your best bet since it’s durable yet soft, allowing the pouch to conform to the gear you fill it with. However, you might want something made of leather for a more professional looking carry. Outdoorsy EDCers might want some kind of waterproof technical material to protect their gear from the elements. 

You should also consider color: while black, OD green, and khaki are classic, muted colors that blend well with tactical gear, it might not be the most practical where high visibility is an advantage. For example, you’d probably want a bright red or orange colored pouch for a first aid or survival kit. Brighter colors are easier to see at the bottom of your pack or if you happen to drop it when out in the field.

What’s your favorite material for your organizer?

Hopefully you’ve gotten some ideas about not just what you carry, but how you carry it too. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Leave a comment describing what the EDC pouch of your dreams looks like and who knows… maybe it’ll become a reality!

The post What Are Your Favorite Features in an EDC Pouch? appeared first on Everyday Carry.

1. Toss Receipts, Business Cards, Ticketstubs, etc.

Snap photos of things like this on your phone for reference, then physically clear them out from your wallet. It’s a quick and easy way to start trimming your wallet down. It might also be a good time to use up those gift cards or give them a new home in your sock drawer.

2. Move Membership Cards to Your Smartphone or Keychain

If you joined a gym or any retail loyalty club you’ve probably reluctantly stuffed some membership card in your wallet that you use only once in a while. Luckily, you can free up space in your wallet by offloading these to your phone’s wallet app. Short of that, you can also opt to carry the keychain-sized cards on your keyring. While it does still take up some physical space in your EDC, it can be much more convenient than keeping the cards tucked away in your wallet.

3. Keep Your Most-Used IDs, Credit, and Debit Cards Just in Case

Mobile payments aren’t accepted everywhere just yet, so most of us need to get by with a physical wallet still. That said, take a hard look at your bank cards and try to keep them down to just the few you use the most.

4. Carry Fewer, Larger Bills to Break as Needed

Cash and coins are probably the most difficult essentials to carry, but they’re essential nonetheless. With so many cash-only establishments out there, carrying cash can be a necessary evil. Instead of walking around with a wad of small bills, keep it to a minimum with a bigger bill you’d carry most of the time and just break it when necessary.

5. Switch to a Minimalist Wallet

One way to make all of this easier is to carry a wallet that leans towards minimalism by design. Not only does a minimalist wallet like the Ridge take up less pocket space overall, it also discourages hoarding cards. Without a bunch of dedicated card slots, there’s no temptation to keep them filled with cards you won’t use. It can still fit up to 12 cards if you need ’em, and can be configured with a cash strap or money clip for managing your change. Get a closer look at the Ridge wallet at the link below.

Check It Out

What are your tricks for keeping your wallet in check? Leave a comment below!

This is a sponsored post presented by Ridge.

The post 5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your EDC Wallet appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Why Carry a Backup?

While minimalism can work well in your EDC, you might also benefit from some thoughtful redundancy. To learn more about that, check out this article on the topic. There are many upsides to having backup items, but the main points boil down to these three:

• In Case of Main Tool Failure: When you put your gear through the wringer day in and day out, there’s a chance your gear can fail. Whether it’s something with moving parts like a folding knife or something with batteries or electronics like a flashlight, a backup item gives you some insurance. For example, if your flashlight battery dies, you don’t want to be left in the dark. Simple things like carrying an additional battery or keeping a small light on your keychain make great fixes.
• Increased Versatility with Complementary Functions: That serrated tanto knife you carry may not be ideal of all situations. Something in a different size or with complementary functions (for example, a small plain edge blade for precision work) can help your EDC cover a wider range of tasks.
• To Help Others Stay Prepared: If a friend needs to borrow a knife, light, or multitool, you can be prepared. Plus, why trust someone else with your favorite EDC if you can just hand them your beater knife.

Recommended Backup Items

We don’t mean to say that you should necessarily have a backup of everything in your EDC. Not everyone needs two cell phones, for example. Backups of some items are more popular than others and it’s usually because they’re small enough to keep handy but functional enough to work in a pinch. If you’re not sure where your EDC could use some redundancy, start here:

• Knife: There’s such a large variety of knives out there with specialized blade shapes and steels for every kind of task. And since a knife is a staple tool in many EDCs, having a backup only adds versatility to your EDC. Spyderco’s affordable line of liner lock folders make excellent backups. The Tenacious looks especially sharp in this limited edition with green G10 scales.
• Flashlight: It can be risky to rely on a single flashlight in an emergency, especially since batteries can deplete sooner than you’d expect. For a ton of lumens in a small package, the Nitecore TIP makes a great backup, keychain carry or not. It’s got a metal chassis and is rechargeable via USB.
• Pen: You might be prepared with your own EDC pen, but it doesn’t hurt to have a spare to loan out or if your main jotter goes missing. For a backup pen, consider something small that can live on your keychain. The Pico Pen is a solid metal option that’ll stand up to being bounced around with your keys.
• Multi-tool: You can’t argue the sheer performance of a full-sized multi-tool. But because they’re so big, they can be too bulky to carry everywhere or even overkill for light tasks. As a complementary backup, a Swiss Army Knife like the Victorinox Pioneer X is a solid, lightweight multitool with a ton of functions. You can use its main blade for cutting through tape and cardboard, or keep it pristine for when you need a sharp, precise blade.
• Payment method/cash: There are fewer things worse than being out without your wallet. The True Utility Cash Stash is an excellent way to always have some cash on hand. Tuck an extra $20 into the capsule, attach it to your keys, and forget about it until you need it.

What to Look for in a Backup

When choosing a set of backups, there are a few key considerations. You might want to have maximum redundancy (like two bigger, fully functional knives) or something a little more versatile (like a knife paired with a multi-tool that also has a blade). It’s important to consider your daily tasks, what gear you use on a regular basis, and what you’d be absolutely lost without. 

There’s no right way to choose backup gear, so take a closer look at your specific needs. An IT person who’s always looking for wires in the walls may want to carry a backup flashlight, while someone working on a construction site may want two heavy duty knives. Keep in mind, there’s no wrong way to put together a backup kit.

How to Carry Your Backups

Pocket space usually comes at a premium for EDCers. Instead of weighing down your jacket or jeans, consider these convenient ways to carry backup gear:

• In an EDC Pouch: It’s no secret that we are a fan of EDC pouches. These organizers are excellent for a backup kit thanks to their tidy internal organization and compact size. You can find ideas on what to fill your pouch with in this guide.
• On a Keychain Rig: Since most of us carry a keychain, why not add some extra utility? Smaller gear like one piece multitools, compact keychain pens, Swiss army knives, and more can all be added to your keychain without taking up a ton of room.
• In a Bag: This might be a no-brainer, but it’s definitely worth mentioning. By keeping a dedicated backup or two in your daily bag, you’ll never be without crucial gear. Keeping backups in your bag is especially useful if you forget something. Our tactical bag guide has got you covered if you’re still looking for the perfect EDC.
• In Your Car: Keeping a dedicated emergency kit in your vehicle is always a good idea. Why not throw in a few EDC essentials as well? You never know when a multitool will come in handy. Plus, if you’re going somewhere, there’s a good chance you’re getting there in your car.

Remember, where you keep your backup is just as important. The same way you might back up your data on a physical hard drive and on the cloud, you don’t want to keep all your EDC eggs in one basket. If you carry a spare key, for example, you wouldn’t put it on the same keychain you might lose. Spread things out and try to balance security and access to cover your bases.

Do you subscribe to the mantra of “two is one, one is none?” Let us know why (or why not) in the comments below. Make sure to tell us what your favorite backup gear is too!

The post Two Is One, One Is None: All About Backups appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Which begs the question…

How do you keep your EDC lighter and more effective?

It’s not always about picking the smallest and the lightest gear, but rather streamlining your carry to cover all your bases without adding unnecessary bulk.

Today we’re showcasing excellent examples from our readers of how they do it so you can get a few ideas to make your EDC lighter in the pocket while still keeping you prepared.

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This reader keeps his carry as light as possible by opting for lightweight but strong materials like carbon fiber and titanium.

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For the office, this reader keeps it light with a minimalist carbon fiber wallet, a knife with lightweight FRN scales, a compact flashlight, and a skeletonized multitool to cut down on the ounces.

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This submitter pairs a custom keychain with slim and light tools for a pocket-friendly and street-legal EDC.

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This reader keeps it simple by keeping his carry consolidated to a minimalist wallet and multi-tool.

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Nothing like sticking to the basics to get the job done while freeing up pocket space.

How do you lighten your loadout? Sound off in the comments below!

Header photo submitted by Felix.

The post How to Make Your EDC More Lightweight appeared first on Everyday Carry.

General EDC 

Organizing your everyday gear into a pouch turns pockets full of loose items into an easy-to-grab kit. These five essentials are everything you need to get through any normal day. It’ll also make a great backup kit for your car or bag. For a general EDC pouch, we like something small like the Maxpedition Micro EDC pouch.

• Knife: A small knife like CRKT’s Pilar is great to keep in a pouch due to its small size, versatile blade, and sturdy construction. 
• Multi-tool: In addition to a knife, a well-rounded multitool can accomplish a wide variety of tasks. Consider something small and versatile like a Victorinox Pioneer Alox or a Leatherman Juice CS4. 
• Flashlight: 4Sevens’ Preon P1 is an updated version of their classic AAA light. It’s small and lightweight, yet it’s still powerful enough for daily tasks while using a common battery. 
• Pen: Fisher’s Clutch pen uses their popular write-anywhere refill, but houses it in a much more durable body. This aluminum pen is hard anodized with a black coating for extra resistance to wear. 
• Notebook: Rite in the Rain’s notebooks are a great companion to the Fisher Space Pen. The paper is treated with a coating that makes it waterproof, ideal for writing in any condition. 

First Aid / Emergency

First Aid Kits may not be on everyone’s list of daily carried essentials, but keeping one close by is always a good idea. By using a pouch to store one in your house, car, or bag, you can ensure that it’s always accessible and fully stocked. Making your own first aid kit also cuts down on bulk (compared to the pre-assembled ones in big plastic containers) and allows you to customize the kit to fit your specific needs.

• Re-package a Kit: Bulky plastic containers aside, you can repackage much (if not all) of a ready to go first aid kit. If you don’t want to customize your kit, these usually include a good baseline of bandaids, wound care, and essential painkillers. 
• Flashlight: If you find yourself in an emergency situation at night, visibility can greatly help the outcome. Whether you need to change the tire on the side of the road, or apply a bandage to a wound, you’re going to need to see what you’re doing. 
• Solar Blanket: These blankets are lightweight, and barely take up any room. If you’re stuck on the rise of the road, or stranded somewhere without heat, a solar blanket can keep you much warmer than just your clothing alone. This one is large enough to cover your entire body.
• Road Flare: If you intend on keeping this kit in your car, a road flare is never a bad thing to have on hand. The only thing is, a flare itself can be dangerous. Sub out the traditional ones for these bright glow sticks that provide 12 hours of light. 

Outdoor Survival

Whether it’s a day hike or a multi-day camping trip, you’re going to want to bring some emergency essentials. For this kit, you should include some gear that’s tailored to the outdoors. Since this gear is more robust, tossing them in a simple pouch like the Topo Designs Accessory Pouch will work well.

• Fire Starter: Keep a backup way to start a fire inside the pouch. If you lose your primary method, it’s essential to have another. This ferro rod has a few more functions for additional utility.
• Reflective Signal Mirror: Signal mirrors are a great, electricity (and fire)-free method of signaling for help. If your phone and flashlight go dead while out in the woods, a signal mirror is a great way to get yourself noticed. 
• Kindling: Keep a small container of kindling in case you find yourself in wet conditions unable to start a fire. The Thyrm cell vault is a waterproof, MOLLE-compatible vessel that’s perfect for keeping small items dry. 
• Protein/Food Bars: Even if you’re not stuck in the woods, it’s always a great idea to keep some extra food near by. Make sure it’s something with a long shelf life that’s high in protein and gives you a good boost of carbs. Bonus points if the packages are completely sealed, the last thing you want is hungry wildlife on your tail. 
• Paracord: Keeping a length of paracord has a ton of EDC uses. You can snag some in a variety of colors to match the rest of your gear, or a bright color to stand out in the foliage.

Tech

Plenty of us carry essential tech that comes in handy on a daily basis. Whether you work out of a mobile office, have a long commute, or just like keeping your gadgets charged, a pouch full of tech gear can meet your needs. Since you’ll probably need to carry lots of cables, a pouch with ample elastic straps on the inside (like the Vanquest EDCM ) will help keep your gear neat and tidy.

• Long Charging Cable – Keeping a long cable in a pouch allows you to charge your device while leaving the pouch in your bag. These braided cables are 10 feet long and have aluminum connectors for increased durability. 
• Backup Battery – What’s a long cable without a backup battery? A slim battery like the Mophie Powerstation Mini packs in 3,000mAh of extra power in a slim form factor. 
• Headphones – A solid, noise-isolating set of earbuds are ideal for drowning out the rest of the world (or just enjoying your music in peace and quiet). This set from Shure is great for commuting because of their small size and excellent sound quality. 
• Flash Drive – Keep your essential files close by with this USB 3.0 drive from Kingston. The drive features durable metal construction and a slim form factor. 
• Velcro Cable Ties – The key to carrying tech gear is keeping everything organized. The last thing you want is messy cables popping out of the pouch every time you need to grab something. Keep them in check with these convenient cable ties and avoid a tangled mess of cables.

Travel / Dopp Kit

Making a pouch setup for travel can come in handy on a variety of levels. Keeping your toiletries in a sealed pouch is great, especially if you have messy items like toothpaste and shaving cream and can open up and ruin your clothes. The DSPTCH Dopp Kit features some traditional dopp kit design, with construction and materials (like ballistic nylon) that the EDC community appreciates. It even has a removable valet tray to store your EDC goods while at a hotel.

• Shave Kit: Remember to bring your shave setup! Whether you need to look good for clients, or just hate a stubbly face, you don’t want to be stuck with the cheap razors from a hotel (or overpriced ones in the lobby shop). 
• Travel Toothbrush: Again, you don’t want to be stuck with the lack-luster freebies found at your hotel. Pick up a decent folding travel toothbrush to save on space inside your kit. 
• Swiss Army Knife w/ Nail Clipper: Instead of bringing a full-on multitool, this tiny SAK is ideal for everything you’d need while traveling. There’s a nail clipper, small scissor, file, and small blade. 
• TSA Friendly Multitool: Bringing a TSA-friendly multitool (like the BigiDesign TPT) is great when you can’t bring an entire tool set on your trip. There’s a wrench set, package opener, bit driver, and hex tool.

Do you use a pouch in your EDC? If so, we’d love to hear what essentials you keep inside.

The post 5 Specialized Pouch Setups for Your EDC appeared first on Everyday Carry.

A good clip makes retrieving your gear easier, saving you time by keeping things securely within reach. A bad clip on a great tool could make you stop carrying it altogether. It slows you down and makes the tool inconvenient to carry, and an inconvenient tool is an unused one.

Pocket clips also affect how you handle the tools themselves. If you’ve heard of the term “hotspot” when referring to a clip on knives or flashlights, this means that the clip digs into your hand when holding the tool, causing discomfort over time.

And then there’s the fact that clips give you options with how you carry your EDC. When clipped to your pocket, you won’t have to waste time fishing for gear at the bottom of it or in the recesses of your bag. Tools get the most use when clipped to an outer pocket where they’re much easier to grab.

Clips also play a part when dealing with knife laws. Certain locales won’t let you carry a knife if any part of the knife itself is sticking out of your pocket, so in those cases a deep-carry clip that completely conceals it would let you carry it. The clip in this case spelled the difference between carrying your favorite knife and leaving it at home.

The Benefits of a 4-Way Pocket Clip on Knives

So we know that pocket clips are useful, but how do they work on actual tools? Let’s take a standard 4-way clip on a knife as an example to show the above benefits and usage cases.

As the name implies, with a 4-way clip, you have 4 orientations with which to carry the knife. You can attach the clip on either of its sides to match your dominant or preferred hand (great for lefties like me), or remove it altogether if that’s the most comfortable (or legal).

The 4-way clip also lets you choose between tip-up and tip-down carry for the knife. While for most use cases this won’t matter, it helps for opening mechanisms like the Emerson Wave feature that lets you rapidly open a knife straight out of a pocket when clipped and positioned tip-up.

And for flipper-type opening mechanisms, ease and speed of use comes down to where the clip is and how the knife tip is positioned. As a lefty, a flipper with a fixed pocket clip in the tip-down position on the handle side meant for righties is practically unusable. It’s backwards with how I would want to open the knife (lefty side, tip-up).

With these 4 positions you can already see how much of an impact a clip has on carrying and basic use, without even touching the features of the knife itself! Below I’ll go a bit more in-depth with how a pocket clip benefits specific EDC tools.

Pocket Clips on Lights

While most flashlights don’t get a 4-way clip because of their shape, 2-way clips (bezel up or down) still gives you options for usability. Having a clip that can flip how a light faces in your pocket gives you a choice in comfort and ease of use depending on where its switch lies.

In a more tactical flashlight where the switch is on its tail, having a clip that lets you carry it bezel-down means you have faster access to the switch with your thumb. Conversely, if you have a light with a side switch designed for overhand use, having it bezel-up in your pocket puts the switch nearer to your thumb when pulling it out.

And one underrated feature for bezel-up clips: this clip lets you attach the light to the brim of a hat for hands-free use. Instant headlamp!

Pocket Clips on Pens

A pocket clip on a pen is the most relatable and common example for most people. Basically, it’s the only thing keeping you from losing your pens all the time. Good pocket clips also makes a pen comfortable to write with for long periods (no hotspots!) and stops it from rolling off the table when setting it down.

The position of the clip also affects how the pen functions. A clicky pen benefits the most from a tip-down clip so you can pull it out and click it in one motion, while fountain pens benefit most being tip-up with the clip on the cap so the ink doesn’t keep flowing down the nib.

Now think about how much something as popular and useful as the Fisher Space Pen can become even better with a clip. It makes it easier to carry, prevents it from rolling off your desk, and adds to its usefulness as an EDC pen.

Pocket Clips on Keys

Finally, keeping things handy doesn’t have to end with your tools. With accessories like a suspension hook, even things that are usually left in a pocket or bag become much more accessible. A keychain with a suspension hook like the above means quicker access to your keys or tools. Another good example is a Swiss Army Knife. A versatile keychain tool like a Manager or Classic becomes much more useful with a suspension hook, since it’s always at your side.

What EDC tool do you carry has benefited the most from a pocket clip and how? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Everything You Need to Know About Pocket Clips appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Less Is More

If you’re new to everyday carry, chances are you’ll start off with a carry most would consider on the minimal side. It might start with more common essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys. But from there, you might also carry a pen, a small flashlight, a small pocket knife, or a multi-tool with a knife built in.

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In a minimal carry, you usually keep one item of each category, as opposed to carrying multiples or backups. Besides the actual number of items in the carry, a minimalist approach also applies to the design of those items as well. Think of clean, sleek designs, understated patterns, smaller sizes, and lighter weight.

With all these aspects combined, a minimalist carry offers some key benefits: it’s lighter, easier to manage and access, and more comfortable to carry. If you’re the type who can’t stand feeling weighed down, it’s better to go with a minimalist approach than to leave crucial gear behind entirely. Aesthetically, a minimalist carry might also be more appropriate if you’re in an urban setting or office environment most of the time. Sometimes, being discreet is just as important as being functional when building a carry.

Of course, minimizing your carry means making sacrifices. You won’t be able to have a tool for every job. And the tools you do have might not give you the best performance if they’re smaller. For example, a keychain-sized knife might be able to make the cut, but it might take much longer or require a lot more effort than using a 4” folder would.

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To pare down your carry to be more minimalist, experiment with removing gear you find you haven’t used very often. Better yet, find a replacement, like a multi-tool, that consolidates those functions into something that’s easier to carry. A keychain is a great place to start with this, especially since you can find a keychain-sized flashlight and pair it with a multi-functional keychain or tool.

Two is One, One is None

On the flip side, there’s another school of thought: redundancy. You’ve probably heard the phrase “two is one, one is none” in some of the EDCs showcased on the site. It’s the idea that in an emergency situation, it pays to have a backup to be truly prepared. If your primary tool fails, you’d be out of luck without a redundant item.

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A more “maximalist” carry would fully embrace this idea, with one or more items dedicated to serving a specific function. In other words, it’s all about covering your bases. That often includes a knife for cutting, a multi-tool for repairs, a flashlight, a fire source, and so on. Tools might be larger and more robust so they can handle tasks well outside of what your day-to-day might demand, just to be on the safe side. For example, a max’er might carry a full-sized 18650 flashlight with tons of power and epic runtimes.

With this approach, weight is less of a concern. Maximizing the overall functionality of your entire carry is the goal. If you agree with the idea that it’s better to have and not need than to need and not have, this style of EDC is for you.

The obvious downside to having all this gear is all the bulk. It’s almost like an art and a science to get the right balance of gear you need to feel prepared without feeling encumbered. More gear can slow you down, it can be difficult to carry, and make retrieving the right item even harder (although a proper gear organizer can help with this).

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A few tips to max out your carry would be to think of the gear you rely on most, then look for smaller versions you can use as backups. You can even pick up a duplicate item that has a slight variation to cover more bases. For example, your main EDC knife might have a straight edge, but your backup knife might be serrated.

What’s Best? A Bit of Both

Both styles of EDC have their merits. And until you’re looking at the extreme ends of either side, they’re not exactly what I’d call mutually exclusive either. Ideally, your carry falls somewhere in between. It’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’ll take some personal experimentation to figure out what that is exactly, but chances are it’ll end up closer to one style than the other.

So, what style of EDC do you prefer—minimalist or redundant? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

The post What's Better for EDC?: Minimalism or Redundancy appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Why lip balm?

It’s in the ingredients. At the core of most lip balms is a chemical called petrolatum. This waxy oil-based substance was originally discovered on oil rigs and used by their crew on cuts and burns. Now, it’s found in a variety of skin protectants, lotions, and hair care products. Petrolatum is a useful survival tool because of its flammability, resistance to water, and resistance to most other chemicals. Most chapsticks also have added sunscreens too—just check the active ingredients label.

For these examples, I’ll be using good ol’ Chapstick brand lip balm for its useful cap and oil-based composition.

Let’s take a look at what you can do with this versatile little stick…

1. Make a candle

With a cotton swab (Q-tip) and a stick of lip balm you can make a long-burning emergency candle. Cut the swab in half, apply some Chapstick to it, and push it (stick side down) into the stick. Light the top with your fire starter of choice and voilà—an emergency candle. It’ll burn for a long time, providing light and an easy way to get a larger fire going.

2. Start fires faster

Starting a fire with a ferro rod can be tough, especially if you don’t have the right kindling. A quick and easy way to get the fire going is with a cotton ball and some Chapstick. Since petrolatum is flammable, applying a small amount to a cotton ball will keep it burning much longer than one without. If you don’t have a cotton ball handy, apply it to some bark or wood shavings for a similar effect.

3. Use as emergency waterproofing

It might not be ideal for all fabrics, but you can plug a small hole in a tarp or tent with a small blob of Chapstick. Since oil-based balms are hydrophobic (read: water resistant), it’ll seal light rain and morning dew out. Don’t expect it to plug a hole in heavy rain, but if you’re out of options it’s worth a shot.

4. Stop bleeding in minor cuts and scrapes

You can apply a small amount of lip balm to minor cuts and scrapes. It’s also great for healing pesky hangnails. Make sure you’re using a fresh stick (or cut a small layer off the top) to prevent infections. For small nicks and scrapes, this can help when you don’t have a bandage available. Remember to seek medical help or administer proper first-aid techniques for more serious injuries!

5. Use on high-friction areas between boots/clothing and skin

On a long hike or walk, your boots may not always get along with the back of your heel. You can use some lip balm on high-friction areas to provide some relief. Since lip balm’s main ingredient is a topical healing ointment, it helps abrasions.

6. Use as emergency sunscreen

Most lip balms have some added ingredients for SPF. While we don’t recommend slathering it all over your arms, it can be great if you’re feeling the heat on your nose or ears. Avoid sunburn and irritation by applying a thin layer to exposed skin. This Chapstick has an SPF of 25, which is more than the standard.

7. Protect the rest of your body

Chapstick is marketed for lips, but it can treat dry skin anywhere. Your hands, knuckles, knees, and elbows can all dry out from exposure to the elements. Take some preventative action and moisturize before skin cracks or splits. You’ll be glad you did. Carrying a stick or two of lip balm is much easier than a big bottle of lotion, and it’s less messy too. The Swedish military developed Hudsalve over 50 years ago, for exactly this.

8. Turn your flashlight into a makeshift lantern

If you’re carrying a AAA flashlight (like the Fenix E01, or the more available ThruNite Ti3) you can use the cap of your Chapstick as a light diffuser. By placing the top of the cap over the front of your light, you can turn that beam into a makeshift lantern. This spread out, soft lighting is great for inside of a tent, or if the power were to go out.

9. Lubricate and maintain your gear on the go

Lots of chapsticks are petroleum-based. This wax and oil mixture makes a great lubricant in a pinch. If your flashlight threads are dry, apply a small amount to the threads and they’ll be twisting like new. While you can use it on a knife hinge, it’s best to do so only in an emergency situation — it can be a bit gunky for EDC use. If your knife is carbon steel, you can add a thin layer to the blade to keep it from rusting.

What’s your most creative use of lip balm? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 9 Lip Balm Survival Hacks appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Why Change Your Watch Strap?

Yes, your watch came with a strap. Is there anything wrong with it? Not necessarily. Is it going to be suited for every single situation you may be in? Probably not. You wouldn’t want to wear a dressy alligator leather strap in the water, and a rubber dive strap may look out of place in the office or worn with a suit.

Just a note: make sure whatever strap you get is compatible with your watch! Always check lug widths and bracelet compatibility with your specific model to make sure it all fits.

NATO / ZULU Watch Straps

NATO straps are extremely popular, and for good reason. They’re versatile, affordable, functional, and fashionable. The NATO strap is a single piece of fabric (typically nylon or leather) that weaves through the springbars (read up on watch anatomy here) and closes via a buckle. There are usually one or two bars to slip the excess strap through so it’s not dangling off your wrist.

This style of strap was initially made for British military, and is favored for it’s extra level of security. If one springbar fails, the watch is still held on by the other side. If that ever happened to a normal, two-piece strap, then you’re probably never seeing that watch again.

The Zulu variant is a beefed up version of the NATO, with thicker fabric and chunkier hardware, but comes with the same basic function.

Who it’s for: Pretty much everyone. Since these straps are available in so many colors and patterns, you’re sure to find one that suits your outfit or mood. The nylon material is rugged and washable, so it’s especially good for outdoor activities.

PROS:

• Tons of color/pattern options
• Available in several materials
• Comfortable and washable

CONS:

• Long-term durability is a concern

Examples of NATO straps:

• Ritche Nylon NATO Strap
• ArtStyle Nylon NATO Strap
• Infantry Nylon NATO Strap

Leather Watch Straps

There are several types of leather straps, so we’ll focus on the most common ones. A standard two-piece leather strap is great for both casual and dress wear. They’re comfortable, pick up patina with age, and conform to the curves of your wrist. A nice leather strap can take a simple watch (like the Timex Weekender) and elevate it to the next level of style and class.

In addition to the standard two-piece leather strap, there are also pilot style and bund straps. Pilot style leather straps are commonly seen with rivets on either side of the watch case. They’re styled after the straps used by WWII pilots. There’s also the bund strap, which has a round pad of leather underneath the watch. This does add extra bulk, but also protects the wrist from any impact while giving off a unique visual style.

Who it’s for: Leather straps don’t play well with water or sweat, so keep these dry. Even though they have military roots, they’re best for casual wear. If you’re not sweating profusely all day, or doing anything too active, you’ll appreciate the comfort and look of a nice leather strap.

PROS:

• More comfortable with each wear
• Great for casual wear
• Can class up the look of even a simple watch

CONS:

• Doesn’t play well with water/sweat

Examples of leather straps:

• Berfine Vintage Strap
• Worn & Wound Model 2 Premium
• PopovLeather Burgundy Strap
• AnchorWatchStraps Horween Bund Strap

Rubber Watch Straps

Rubber watch straps are usually paired with dive watches, and for good reason. They’re thick, comfortable, and impervious to water damage. They’re not just for dive watches though—you’ll find rubber on most G-Shock watches, which are known for their shock, weather, and water resistance. The most convenient part about a rubber strap is how easily it can be washed. Whether you’re getting out of the salty ocean, or finishing a workout, simply rinse the strap and you’re on your way.

Who it’s for: Rubber straps aren’t the most formal-looking straps, but their benefit is in their functionality. You’ll appreciate the comfort and flexibility during activities, and the ease of cleaning afterwards. If you’re a swimmer, outdoorsman, or like wearing a watch during workouts, strongly consider rubber straps.

PROS:

• Easy to clean
• Comfortable during activities
• Water and grime resistant

CONS:

• Clunky looking
• Excess strap can be hard to manage

Examples of rubber straps:

• Marathon Vulcanized Rubber Watch Band
• Barton Quick Release Silicon Watch Band
• StrapsCo Premium Divers Strap

Metal Bracelets

The bracelet style strap was created to match the durability of tool watches. If a watch can stand up to the pressure of the deep ocean (Rolex Submariner), getting knocked around on expeditions (Tudor North Flag), and even flown into space (Omega Speedmaster), so should the strap.

Even if you’re not at the bottom of the ocean, the top of a mountain, or in outer space, you’ll appreciate the durability, security, and classic looks of a bracelet. They’re typically made from linked steel, and closed with a locking clasp.

A bracelet goes well with both casual and dress outfits. They’re versatile, but there are some downsides. They add extra weight, and most can’t be easily adjusted for size throughout the day. A good bracelet should be comfortable, but it’s not going to come close to a NATO or leather strap.

Who it’s for: If you’re looking for the most durable strap possible, consider a bracelet. They’re not as comfortable during activity as the other options, but they’ll hold up to almost anything you can throw at it.

PROS:

• Very durable
• Water resistant

CONS:

• Heavy
• Less comfortable than other options

Examples of metal bracelets:

• MiLTAT Super Engineer Bracelet

Which is the best for most people?

If you’re only going to buy one strap, it should be a nylon NATO or ZULU. They’re easily the most versatile and are great for wear in the office, water, and everything in between. On top of their versatility, they’re also affordable. You can pick up a NATO strap for under fifteen bucks that will totally transform the look and feel of your EDC watch.

Buy a NATO Strap

What’s your favorite strap type? Let us know what you use it for in the comments below!

The post What's the Best Watch Strap for EDC? appeared first on Everyday Carry.

That kind of performance is crucial: if something happens that’s important enough to write down, you don’t want to be caught scribbling chicken scratches to get ink flowing.

Everyday Carry member Niklas shows how compact the pen is in his EDC submission.

However, the almighty Space Pen isn’t perfect. One paradoxical drawback to a pen this portable is it might actually be harder to carry. It’s not a traditionally sized pen, after all. But that short size lets it sneak its way into a bunch of different carry options. 

Today, we’ll be looking at a few of those setups—many of which were picked up from our very own community. Kudos to all of you EDCers out there doing your best to Carry Smarter.

Fun fact: the Fisher Space Pen actually turns 50 this year. It’s impressive to think that such an unassuming pen design thought up in 1966 has endured for so long. But hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? And to all you diehard collectors, you might want to pick up a commemorative 50th anniversary special edition pen, too.

How to Carry a Fisher Space Pen in Your EDC

1. Clipped to Your Pocket

Get a hold of a Space Pen with a pocket clip, or buy the clip as an add-on, and secure it to a shirt or pants pocket. This is the obvious choice that would work nicely for most of you. That doesn’t, however, mean it’s necessarily the best one. While the clip keeps your Space Pen in place in your pocket, keep in mind it’s still just an add-on piece. It snaps onto the pen using only friction to hold onto the body. If you’re prone to wearing out your pocket clips through especially hard use, better to not risk it and consider one of the following options instead.

2. Deep in Your Pocket

Okay, so you lucked out and somehow have an uncanny ability to never lose pens. You probably don’t need anything particularly fancy to keep your pen from wandering off. In that case, you’d be fine just slipping the pen in your pocket. It’s small enough and has smooth edges, so you won’t have to worry about scratches or pokes. No nightmarish ink leaking either, thanks to its long, sturdy cap and brass barrel construction.

3. In a Bifold Wallet

Traditional bifold wallets aren’t exactly the most compact option to EDC, but if you’re going to carry a bigger wallet, you might as well make the most of the space it takes up. Since the card slots on bifold wallets tend to be the thickest part, when you fold your wallet closed, you’ll have some empty space at the “spine” of the bifold—a perfect place to stash your bullet pen.

4. In a Dedicated Pen Wallet

Some more modern, minimalist wallets have loops specifically designed to fit a Fisher Space Pen. This is especially useful if you know you’ll be carrying a pen anyway, as having both a compact pen and an ultra slim wallet can feel really “loose” in your pocket. Consolidating them with wallets like the formfunctionform Architect’s wallet, a MonolithLeatherGoods wallet shown above, or the naoLoop Pen wallet as a non-leather option could make your carry more manageable and comfortable in the pocket.

5. In a Gear Caddy

To take this a step further, you can consolidate the rest of your pocket carry in a gear caddy. These are like multi-item sheaths or wallets designed just for tools. Some even have space for cards and cash, like the Urban Organizer pictured above, letting you minimalists carry your whole setup in one place. Besides the benefits of having your gear organized and conveniently consolidated, gear caddies like this also keep your tools from scratching each other (and your phone screen).

6. In a Pouch Organizer

You might like carrying a pen on you just in case of emergency, but don’t actually find yourself jotting with it throughout the day. Or, you’ve got a bit more in your kit than a front pocket gear caddy can handle. In either case, an EDC pouch organizer is probably your best bet. They’ve got elastic webbing and loops for holding onto smaller items. Your pen would fit nicely next to a lighter, a small flashlight, batteries, etc. It’s not the most easily accessible way to carry your pen, but it’s plenty secure and organized. If this looks up your alley, don’t miss our full buying guide to EDC pouch organizers here.

7. DIY: On Your Keychain

If you know your way around a drill, you can DIY a keychain attachment point on the cap of your pen and fix some hardware together for a neat keychain option. Everyday Carry member TvL shared this clever carry method and even went to call it the “best pen for EDC.” Because of the cap’s snug fit and lightweight body, there’s less of a chance your pen will fall off your keychain. Also, since the Space Pen uses a solid brass construction, it should be sturdy enough at the attachment point. This is definitely a more involved route to go to hack this together—do it at your own risk!

8. With a Binder Clip

As a shockingly simple, highly economical, “why didn’t I think of that?“-clever way to carry pen and paper together, use a binder clip! Everyday Carry reader Christopher K put us onto this easy, reversible, and low-cost double whammy of a carry option. It not only secures your pen in place, but it also keeps your pocket notebook shut. That makes it easier to carry in your pocket and helps prevent unwanted creasing and wear.

I know hundreds of you reading this carry a Fisher Space Pen, and a bunch of you probably cooked up some ingenious method not mentioned here. Spill your secrets! Your fellow EDCers will thank you. So leave a comment with what you’ve found to be the best way to EDC a Fisher Space Pen below. If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your EDC buddies too.

Buy a Fisher Space Pen

The post How to Carry a Fisher Space Pen 8 Different Ways appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Machined pen makers, especially on Kickstarter, love bragging about how many different refills their pens can accommodate. While the Fisher Space Pen and Pilot G2 refills are the most popular, there are hundreds more to choose from (yes, really).  

Since you can only use one refill at a time, I’ll help you find your go-to with this guide by comparing the three types of ink refills and recommending the best ones to pair with your favorite EDC pen.

Ballpoint Ink Refills

If you’ve picked up any old pen to sign a receipt or check in at the doctor’s office, there’s a pretty good chance it was a ballpoint. They’re the most common type of pen out there, and for good reason.

Inside the cartridge, you’ll find a thick, oil-based ink. They’re not fussy about paper quality, they’re smooth to write with, and they’re easy to find.  

Ballpoints are best for those who want a smooth-enough writing experience that works on a variety of papers with little to no bleeding through the page. There are several high-quality ballpoint refills that we like that are smoother, don’t leave blobs of ink on the page, and more versatile than the standard throwaway.

Pros:

• Versatility: The Fisher Space Pen can write anywhere
• Availability: Many options at big box stores
• Good for lefties: The Uniball Jetstream dries quickly and doesn’t smear

Cons:

• Ink tends to blob up 
• Ballpoint inks don’t leave the darkest line
• Written lines may “skip” due to viscosity of the ink

Best ballpoint ink cartridges: Fisher Space Pen, Uniball Jetstream, Schmidt EasyFlow 9000, Parker Quink

Gel Ink Refills

Gel refills provide the slickest, smoothest writing experience of the three in this guide. They leave a dark line of ink behind, and look great on the page. Gel inks come in a variety of colors and tip sizes from several brands, making it really easy to find one that suits your style.

While they work well on copy paper, high quality paper, and in pocket notebooks, they’re not the best on receipt paper. If you’re carrying a pen just to sign receipts, then avoid a gel refill.

The broader the tip, the more likely it will smear when wet. However, there’s no need to worry once the ink is dry, as many have archival qualities (meaning they’re acid-free, water- and light-resistant).

Pros:

• Super smooth writing experience
• Vibrant ink choices available in many colors
• Archival quality when dry

Cons:

• Does not perform well on receipt paper
• Tendency to smear until dry

Best gel ink cartridges: Pentel Energel Needlepoint, Pilot G2, Zebra Sarasa, Pilot Juice, Uni Signo RT

Rollerball Ink Refills

Rollerballs are the closest writing experience to using a fountain pen. People love them for their smooth, crisp lines.

Rollerballs work like a ballpoint, with a small suspended ball that rolls the ink across the page. Since they use liquid ink, the ball mechanism is lubricated by the ink better, therefore giving a smoother feel when writing.

Rollerballs shine on high quality paper, but the liquid ink tends to go right through the page on cheaper paper. It’s hard to read writing on both sides of a single sheet of paper because of the bleeding.

Rollerball refills aren’t a direct fit, so make sure you check your pen’s compatibility before picking some up.

Pros:

• Smooth writing experience
• Less pressure needed to write

Cons:

• Water-based ink bleeds through low quality paper
• Refills can be expensive

Best rollerball ink cartridges: Schmidt P8126, Pilot Precise V5RT

What’s the best type of EDC pen refill for most people?

Ultimately, a ballpoint pen is going to be the best for all-purpose, everyday writing. It works well on all types of paper, dries quickly, and it easy to find. We like the Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 refills for their dark lines that go onto the page extra smooth. If you need a pen that can write anywhere (yes, even space), then consider those made by Fisher.

Gel is our  close runner-up, as it’s very smooth and there are a ton of colors and line widths to choose from.

Rollerball comes in last, as it would be the least ideal for EDC due to its paper sensitivity, slow dry time, and more expensive refills.

And there you have it! The trusty ballpoint is probably the best for an all-purpose EDC pen. The beauty of a pen that takes several refills is that you’re not stuck using any one refill forever. Not feeling the ballpoint? Check out a gel refill that also fits your pen.

So, what’s your favorite refill? Let us know in the comments below. Or if you’re still looking for that perfect writing experience, reach out and we’d be happy to throw some more recommendations your way!

The post What's the Best Ink Refill for an Everyday Carry Pen? appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Why Carry a Minimalist Wallet?

Right off the bat, there’s a number of problems with carrying a big, traditional wallet. Because they’re so big, you’re probably keeping it in your rear pocket, where it’s more likely to fall out. Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid that nightmare, by sitting on your wallet, you’re risking a needless potential spine injury. It’s best to carry your wallet in your front pocket if you can, for your spine and security’s sake.

I know some of you just hate the feeling of too much stuff in your pockets (although if you’re on this site, maybe your definition of too much stuff is different than others). This is where minimalist wallets come in. By design, they fit better in your pocket and can even be a little restrictive at times, encouraging you to be more considered in what you actually keep in them. Traditional wallets with a ton of card slots make it so easy to overstuff them with cards you’ll probably never use while you’re out.

Money and Material Things

In the everyday carry scene, you hear the phrase “form follows function” thrown around a lot. But one part of the equation doesn’t get the attention it deserves, especially when it comes to wallets: materials.

If you think about wallets as much as I do (and I hope you don’t, because that would be kinda sad), you’d realize the material of choice becomes a huge factor in shaping the design of the wallet.

Traditionally, most wallets are made of leather. The growing popularity of minimalist EDC wallets gave rise to non-leather options like elastic wallets and even metal ones. Of course, other types of wallets exist: duct tape, Tyvek (like those crazy durable envelopes), sailcloth, and firehose, just to name a few.

Leather, elastic, and metal are the big three wallet materials I’m going to look at today and want to hear your opinion about. Ultimately, this will all help you narrow your search for the perfect wallet to slip into your front pocket.

Leather EDC Wallets

Leather is comfortable, durable (but not water resistant), and looks better with age. Depending on the kind of leather, they can be super supple or more rigid and beefy. Regardless, quality leather has a luxurious, organic feel in hand that’s hard to replicate. Aesthetically, leather wallets are versatile enough to fit in modern or classically styled EDCs alike.

Wallets made from leather tend to be thicker, especially if they layer pieces of leather to create individual card slots, as all that material adds up. Leather does stretch a tiny bit, but not much. As a result, your wallet takes up a fixed amount of space in your pocket. If you carry only a few cards, you might end up with “wasted” or unused space in your wallet. If you carry lots, you might (irreversibly) stretch your wallet out or find storing and retrieving tight-fitting cards to be a hassle.

Pros:

• Comfortable in the hand and in the pocket
• Looks better with age
• Durable enough for most people

Cons:

• Can get bulky or lead to overcarrying
• Generally not weather resistant
• Often costs more depending on quality of leather

Examples of leather EDC wallets: Bellroy Slim Sleeve, Anson Calder 1/8” Calfskin Wallet, Nodus Compact Wallet

Elastic EDC Wallets

If your top priority is having the slimmest, most compact wallet possible, look into elastic wallets. Functionally, an elastic wallet is like a glorified rubber band. While they’re not for everyone, they’re the best at taking up as little space in your pocket as possible, no matter how many cards you carry. The tension from the elastic band keeps a snug fit on as little as one card, but easily expands to secure a much larger set of cards (as shown above).

Usually, elastic wallets don’t offer much organization for individual cards in the interest of achieving the slimmest possible profile. You might see one or two quick access slots for your most used cards, but the rest of your cards are usually stacked on top of each other. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem as these minimalist wallets encourage carrying fewer cards anyway.

Carrying cash in an elastic wallet isn’t as convenient as other options either. You’d usually have to fold bills a few times for it to fit in a wallet so small, and all that folding adds more thickness. Paper bills also lack the rigidity cards have, so the tension in the elastic can crumple them up.

Pros:

• Achieves maximum slimness
• Slim by default due to tension, but can expand to accommodate more cards
• Usually less expensive

Cons:

• Less durable as a material
• Less organization overall
• Tension may be too loose (not secure), or too tight (difficult to use)

Examples of elastic EDC wallets: Elephant E8 Wallet, Trove Wallet, Infinity Wallet, BASICS Wallet

Metal EDC Wallets

Metal adds structure and rigidity to a wallet without all the bulk. Like other tools in your everyday carry, a metal wallet will be sturdy and potentially overkill if you just need something to keep your cards in one place (better safe than sorry, right?).

In these wallets, the metal component is usually either a single unibody frame or a set of plates that sandwich your cards. Typically, they use an elastic band or O-rings to secure the cards, so some of the pros and cons of elastic wallets explained above apply here to a lesser extent.

Smooth metal surfaces and typically compact designs make metal wallets easy to slip in and out of your pocket, but they aren’t the most pocket friendly overall. They can wear out your pockets faster, scratch other gear you’re carrying, and feel heavier than leather, elastic, or other fabric options. Despite all this, they’re still common with EDCers for hitting the mark on ruggedness and efficiency.

Pros:

• Most overall durability, with high impact and weather resistance.
• Improved security with RFID protection
• Good balance of slimness and durability

Cons:

• Less comfortable in the pocket and can wear down fabric
• Can scratch other gear in your pockets
• May add extra weight (stick to aluminum or titanium if possible)

Examples of metal EDC wallets: Trayvax Element, RIDGE Wallet, Machine Era Slim Wallet

Which of these three materials is best for most people?

As far as materials go, leather probably wins here. Any shortcomings from leather as a material can be fixed by the wallet’s design or how you carry your cards. They manage a good balance of comfort, durability, and pocket friendliness.

If you’re a diehard minimalist who prefers only keeping a few cards on them, you’d probably vibe with an elastic wallet.

If you’re after something sleek and ultra-rugged and you don’t mind dealing with a little discomfort for the sake of cool, well-engineered gear, look into metal.

So, what’s your preferred wallet material for everyday carry? Leave a comment below as I’d love to hear other EDCers’ take on this.

There’s a good chance your go-to wallet isn’t made from any of these materials too. While other wallet materials don’t impact the design and usability of wallets as much as these do, we’ll still take a closer look at those options in future articles. In the meantime, you can find even more wallet options in these buying guides:

• Top 6 Front Pocket Wallets for EDC
• Best Minimalist EDC Wallets for Carrying Cash

Wallets pictured in header, clockwise from top left: Bellroy x Barneys NY Slim Sleeve, OBSTRUCTURES A4, Secrid Wallet, Trayvax Element, minimum squared m^2, Trove Wallet, Capsule Minimalist

The post What's the Best Material for an EDC Wallet? appeared first on Everyday Carry.

The common recommendation is to go with a plain edge (for reasons we’ll get into later), but you might notice two other types of edges: serrated and combo edges. Instead of an unbroken edge on the blade, these two alternatives add some “teeth” to the knife.

You may not have needed serrations on your knife before, or don’t know enough about them to add them to your kit. In our last guide for custom-designed knives for everyday carry, one reader asked: “Why don’t you guys ever feature serrated knives?”

Well today we will, and our goal is to compare each type of edge in the context of EDC tasks so you can make the right choice when picking one.

Plain Edge Knives

10 EDC knives with plain edge blades, all under $50. Click to see the full guide.

First let’s talk about the most common knife type—plain edge knives. They have a continuous edge that make them the most versatile, with many different blade shapes to best make the use of a straight edge.

Since your main cutting action is to apply steady pressure to perform cuts, a long, unbroken edge lets you perform general cutting tasks cleanly and with minimal resistance.

Plain edges are also much easier to maintain since the unbroken edge is easier to sharpen or reprofile. A solid, plain edge knife with a general-purpose shape is sure to serve you many years over with maintenance you can perform yourself.

Pros:

• Versatile and useful for most tasks
• Easy to sharpen
• Cleaner cuts through most materials

Cons:

• Tougher materials will give a plain edge more trouble

Plain edge knives we recommend: Ontario RAT II, Kershaw Skyline, Spyderco Roadie

Serrated Edge Knives

Specialized serrations on the Leatherman Skeletool RX help first responders and EMTs cut tough fabrics like clothing and seatbelt webbing.

So what exactly are serrations? They’re the teeth-like edge ground into a knife’s blade, creating a long series of small edges. If you’ve ever handled a saw or bread knife, then you’ve probably seen them before.

These mini edges make it easier to cut into hardier or uneven materials where you can’t apply steady pressure and have to resort to different angles of approach to cut through. Think rope, tree branches, or even a thick piece of bread—with a plain edge it would take you forever to cut through, but a serrated edge’s teeth keeps your cutting momentum going once the teeth “bite” into the material.

The big drawback to serrated edges is maintenance. Lots of small edges means lots of work to sharpen all of them when they eventually start to dull down. Even though a serrated blade stays useful for longer than a plain edge knife, when it does get dull you’re looking at either specialty sharpeners or a professional to get it back to factory sharpness. This makes a serrated knife a more specific-purpose type of knife compared to a general-purpose plain edge one.

Pros:

• Makes short work of tougher materials
• Keeps its edge(s) and bite for longer than a plain edge

Cons:

• Does not make a clean cut because of its teeth
• Harder to maintain
• Useful in fewer situations overall

Serrated edge knives we recommend: Spyderco Native 5, Cold Steel Tuff Lite Serrated, Victorinox One-Handed Trekker

Combo Edge Knives

Combo edge as seen on the Benchmade Mini Griptilian.

Sometimes you just can’t choose which edge you’ll need for the day’s tasks, or you don’t want to carry two different knives with you. This is where a combo edge comes in handy, because as its name suggests, it brings both types of serration onto one edge. While this gives you the best of both worlds of utility, it also gives you twice the work of maintaining both edges on your knife.

A combo knife gives you both a plain edge and serrations, but you get less cutting length to work with on each. For the more common combo edge knives, most of the edge is a plain edge, giving you the ability to still make long and clean cuts. The plain edge is often closer to the tip than the handles to give you better leverage and precision. The serrated portion is usually nearer to the handles and your hand, giving you a better grip to push and pull when putting the serrations to use on tougher cuts.

Pros:

• The best of both worlds of utility
• Saves you from having to carry two knives
• Many popular everyday carry knives come in a combo edge version

Cons:

• You lose length for both types of edges, which may hamper cutting action

Combo edge knives we recommend: Benchmade Mini Griptilian, Kershaw Link Serrated, Spyderco Tenacious

Which edge is best for most people?

For general everyday tasks, a plain edge is your best bet. It gives you a clean cut with a long edge for constant pressure and precision.

A serrated edge becomes useful when dealing with tough materials, like cutting through rope, heavy fabrics, or foliage. A serrated knife would be right at home in a toolbox or camping bag where its functionality is most needed. Plus, since it holds an edge for longer, you don’t have to worry about maintaining it for a long time, and after a lot of hard use.

If you don’t want to commit to either edge and want to cover all your bases, then a combo edge would be best for you. In exchange for a slightly shorter cutting length you get to have both precision and bite in a single knife. Even better, many popular knives come in a combo edge, so you don’t have to sacrifice your needs from a certain brand or model.

What kind of edge does your everyday carry knife have? Let us know which type of knife you chose and why in the comments below.

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