"EDC" - Your Interpretation?

J

JDBLADE

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Dec 8, 2003
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Is the term "Every Day Carry" (EDC) used too loosely. What is your definition of the term. Is it:

1. The strict interpretation of a knife you carry 7/52 i.e. the only knife that meets your requirements for everyday use; or

2. Do you agree with others that EDC's can be rotated i.e. you have 2 or more knives that you rotate on a regular basis; or

3. Do you agree that you can carry a number of EDC's at the same time i.e. a large folder, a multi-tool and a small SAK for example; or

4. Is it that you can have a number of EDC's dependant on where and when you are or the environment i.e. you have one for work; one for home; one for hunting/fishing; one for "dress" occasions; or

5. Do you have another interpretation of "EDC"?
 
My definition of an EDC is a knife that gets carried and used on a regular basis.

Currently, that would be my Benchmade Benchmite, Sebenza Meltdown, and Bradshaw Midlock.

I have a few knives that only see carry time on special occassions, so they don't count.
 
Hello Jdblade

To me #4 would describe myself & those knifenuts I know.

Dispassionately speaking #1 would be the right answer-
the millions in the developing world rely on knives to make their
living cant afford multiple blades- traditional blades- evolved over
generations must serve as their EDC.

In cynical moments I feel the numerous blade types available to us
knifenuts reflects more the marketers' desire to sell more units than
our actual need for more & more specilised cutting tools.

But dont listen to me- I just spent $200 yesterday on another blade
I could, practically speaking, quite do without. Where will it all end?
:confused:
 
I interpret it to mean a knife or knives that are carried routinely. To me, that is the most important implication of the term. That carrying a knife is so much a part of my daily routine that I need to distinugish between knives that I might carry on a normal day and ones I reserve for special occasions. It also helps differentiate the knives I carry for general use from the hunting knife, x-Acto knife, or linoleum knife that I might carry, or at least transport, when engaged in certain specific activities. As a collector, it also allows me to "rate" potential purchases as either being suitable for EDC, suitable for carry on "state occasions", only of interest as a "collectable", or of no interest at all. I'm pushing sixty and have had a knife in my pocket since grade school, and one on my key ring as long as I've been driving. Currently a burgundy micarta Spyderco Jester keeps my keys company, and, more often than not, a Spyderco Stretch rides in my pocket.
 
JDBLADE said:
Is the term "Every Day Carry" (EDC) used too loosely. What is your definition of the term. Is it:
2. Do you agree with others that EDC's can be rotated i.e. you have 2 or more knives that you rotate on a regular basis; or

I pick no.2....
I have 2 main choices I pick as my EDC.
I use specific knives for hunting, fishing, or work. Included are knives in my tool boxes (job specific) to glove box, and keychain. I always seem to have a variety, and carry more than one, at times....but what I consider as EDC is one belt worn folder I choose for the day when I get dressed that will be with me no matter where I go, or what I do, and so I am never caught without. For me a good choice of EDC is a general purpose folder, 4" blade, and something I will use for any duty required, even at the sacrifice of the knife if necessary...(although I haven't broken,or lost one yet.) My 2 main choices are a Schrade LB8, and a Kershaw 1050.
Click to expand...
 
#1. My EDC is the knife that will most likely be found on me at all times.

That's not saying that I just might possibly have another one (or two) on me at the same time. I carry specific knives for specific uses, but my "personal" knife never changes....Unless something better should happen to come along. :p

Paul
 
Currently, I rotate 7 knives duing the week and two others on Saturday. Then the Wave during the week and a Juice on Sat. A Swisscard and a Vic Ralley are full timers. Plus all of the extra knives and fixed blades that get used . So, I go for 2,3,&4.
 
I agree with #2 and #3. For work I carry a lg. folder, Timberline Wordrn Tatical, and always my Letherman Wave. All other times I might vary what I carry, depending on my mood, what I am going to be doing or what I might be wearing. (i.e. suit) . It also must be comfortable and practical to keep with you on a daily basis.
 
EDC to me means one of several knives that I carry and use on a regular basis, depending on my mood, where I'll be spending the day, and if I happen to have a cut on my hand that prevents me from comfortably using a specific knife.

EDC is simply an easier acronym than OOSKTICAUOARBDOMMWIBSTDAIIHTHACOMHTPMFCUASK.
 
in my own case, my EDC would be a very cheap,lite, folder.

Cheap: because I would need to be able to have it get lost and not get very upset over that. Cheap , so that I could pick up another just like it anyplace. Cheap so that I could hand it to someone who has a need of a sharp knife and not get ticked-off if the other guy never gives it back.

Lite, so that I can carry it every place I go. I would want to have it go with me to places where I have it stuck in my thinner dress pants and not have it dragging down the pocket. It should be a very thin knife, a knife that does not have a very thick handle at all so that it can hide inside a pocket that already has my keys and some bolts and coins in it .

Folder: Because a folder is a way better knife to carry inside a pocket. a folder fits in the pants pocket and does not need a belt sheath sticking out . A folder is also a better knife to hand to another person. However the draw back of some folders is they have tricky ways of opening and locking/unlocking. I like a folder that has a easy to understand way to open it up and put it away so that no matter who is useing the knife they dont have to ask, "Hows this work?"
 
I'm probably closer to #4. For me, it's whatever I decide to to have with me for my day to day tasks. That doesn't necessarily mean the same knife or knives (though I'm still searching for "The One" :D ). Some do stay in my pocket more often/longer than others, but that doesn't necessarily mean they won't get switched out. I tend to carry several with me all the time. My Leatherman PST and SAK, though, tend to be with me pretty well all the time. My Spydie FRN Delica is also seeing huge pocket time, but maybe the honeymoon isn't over yet ;) Only exception is when I'm attending a black tie affair or golfing, and then the Leatherman is in the vehicle. With black tie affairs (I have several of these each year), one other in a suit/pant pocket in this situation something a little "whizzier" or fancier - cute but unobtrusive. CRKT Black E-Lock, Buck Rush, DDRIII (older, small one) w/blue black G10, Camillus EDC, Buck Adrenalin, CRKT Mirage, usually. When golfing, I usually keep my SAK and Leatherman in my bag along with one other larger folder, usually the CRKT M16-03K or Buck 112.

- gord
 
4

you would never try to skin a fish w/ a spyderco critket and you would never try to carry a 10 inch fb in the city. I think edc depends on the environment
 
I usually carry multiple knives. For the past few years I carried a BM710HSSR every day. Then more recently, since last August, I've been carring the BM710HSSR along with a Victorinox Huntsman w/ LED. I also have had a mini-SAK on my keychain for awhile now and a Swiss card (which has CRACKED) in my wallet.

I have just recently started carring the Doug Ritter Grip in my front right pocket and the Kershaw Nakamura in my front left pocket. So I have a heavy duty blade, and a more sheeple friendly, gent style blade. I also have the Hunstman in my front left pocket.
 
EDC is different things to different people. And it may not only be a knife/tool that is EDC'ed, for example some people also EDC a flashlight.

Some people may be suited to #1 - they have found the perfect one an only knife/tool that truely fits their everyday needs.

Some people may fit #2 - they have a selection of knives/tools that suit their needs and pehaps rotate so as not to wear out the knife/tool or because they enjoy using a different knife/tool.

Some people may fall into #3 (this is me right now) - they carry two or more knives/tools because they find that they complement each other or require to use them in combination to get the job done.

Some people are #4 - they EDC the best tool to get the job done depending on what they are doing that day.

A multitool is all about a compromise. You could carry a whole toolbox with you that would have tools perfect and purpose made for a specific job at hand, but the trade off is the inconvienece and weight. A multitool has tools that will get the job done in a smaller package.
 
4

Usually a 3.5-4 inch cliped to my front pocket, my Spyderco Milie and Lrg Calypso (thanks G2) are favorites, but I'll rotate others through at whim. I keep a 3 utility bladed bali in a outer wallet pocket, a swiss card lite (also cracked, disturbing trend of two here) plus a Wave and a keychain lm mini which is more a good luck charm at this point than a user. Yes,friends tease me (until they need a knife for something), but others don't seem to notice.

Sorry, I can't help myself. Daq. Forge, why do you carry bolts in your pocket?

"...a pocket that already has my keys and some bolts and coins in it ."
 
I would say 2,3 and 4. I carry a small fixed blade, SAK and a rotated traditional pocketknife. This brings upon another question, I noticed from the responses most EDC a folder. Does anyone prefer a smallish fixed blade in their mix?
Scott
 
Razorback - Knives said:
I would say 2,3 and 4. I carry a small fixed blade, SAK and a rotated traditional pocketknife. This brings upon another question, I noticed from the responses most EDC a folder. Does anyone prefer a smallish fixed blade in their mix?
Scott
Click to expand...
Well, often I have my HideAwayKnife with me and sometimes I carry my Rinaldi Enigma.

Aside from the HAK, I haven't found a fixed blade small enough to EDC discreetly.
 
3 and 4 for me.

In everyday normal situations I have on me or at my disposal a 3.5 inch Kershaw clipped to my right front pocket, a 12 tool SAK in the left pocket, and a beefier multitool in my car for things the SAK can't handle (it rarely gets used).

But also number 4.

If the environment suggests that I need more or less steel then I'll dress accordingly. If it's a formal situation or somewhere where people may be a bit sheepish about knives, or if there will be a lot of small children around, I usually limit myself to just the SAK. But it's become such a habit that the Kershaw usually comes along for the ride. If I notice it, I either unclip it and drop it in my pocket, or leave it in the car.

If the situation dictates that I need more artillery then I have it at my disposal. For afternoon hiking I usually carry a Camillus survival knife on my leg or a Ka-Bar on my belt for good cutting but nothing too heavy. The SAK is usually there too (you'll never know how useful an SAK is until you've used the saw). Sometimes, if I know where I am very well, I'll even leave the heavy stuff behind and just carry the SAK and Kershaw.

But if it's a long trip (overnight or more) then I'm pretty heavily armed. Added to the SAK, Camillus/Ka-Bar, and Kershaw is an RTAK and an old, generic hatchet with a flat back for hammering.

But I don't really think you can call number 4 an EDC option, unless you spend a lot of time in different environments. I've told you what I carry out in the woods, but that's not every day.

So maybe my idea of EDC is instead of everyday carry, it is the best tool for the task at hand.
 
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