What is EDC?

[Yonose]

I don't have an edc, but I never leave the house without one. Everytime I read SAK I forget and think to myself "that sounds cool" til I remember what the initials are. To me that's the exact opposite of a knife, and kind of goes against every principle a knife nut like myself stands for. "Sheeple-pleaser" is what it is. Hell, even an opinel has a locking mechanism, and is made with respectable steel. I recognize the need for a stout multi tool but I cringe when forced to use that blade. Being around many people is simply too dangerous, something which is usually only evident during an epidemic of some sort, but is always true, and requires steel (ended due to awareness of rant)

 

[Hickory n steel]

I don't have an edc, but I never leave the house without one. Everytime I read SAK I forget and think to myself "that sounds cool" til I remember what the initials are. To me that's the exact opposite of a knife, and kind of goes against every principle a knife nut like myself stands for. "Sheeple-pleaser" is what it is. Hell, even an opinel has a locking mechanism, and is made with respectable steel. I recognize the need for a stout multi tool but I cringe when forced to use that blade. Being around many people is simply too dangerous, something which is usually only evident during an epidemic of some sort, but is always true, and requires steel (ended due to awareness of rant)

If you carry a Victorinox sak it's not because you're a sheeple pleaser, it's because you're a smart , sensible, and likely very happy person ( happy because you know you've always got a few tools to use in a pinch ) who knows and appreciates a no nonsense utility blade that just plain works.
Not everyone needs a super fast and fancy one handed opener with some unnecessary locking mechanism that just adds an extra step in closing, and those who choose to carry a Victorinox sak do so because they have more utility than just a knife. It's simply a bonus that a red cellador Victorinox knife is so recognizable and known as a mundane utilitarian cutting tool carried by like minded people, I don't carry them because they're non offensive but I sure as hell can appreciate that this fact.

 

[Emre]

I could carry and use a Delica everyday without any trouble. Small, light, and flat enough to work with hospital scrubs, gym/running shorts, and normal pants/jeans. Even works with a suit if you tuck it into the waistband.

In my experience, it's goofy-looking enough that it doesn't scare anyone. Definitely more "tool" than "weapon" in looks.

 

[Yonose]

If you carry a Victorinox sak it's not because you're a sheeple pleaser, it's because you're a smart , sensible, and likely very happy person ( happy because you know you've always got a few tools to use in a pinch ) who knows and appreciates a no nonsense utility blade that just plain works.
Not everyone needs a super fast and fancy one handed opener with some unnecessary locking mechanism that just adds an extra step in closing, and those who choose to carry a Victorinox sak do so because they have more utility than just a knife. It's simply a bonus that a red cellador Victorinox knife is so recognizable and known as a mundane utilitarian cutting tool carried by like minded people, I don't carry them because they're non offensive but I sure as hell can appreciate that this fact.

Not knocking anyone's preference, I actually own 12 of them myself (usually gifters) and sometimes carry a climber, but if that had to be my only knife I would feel like a dog missing a canine. A buck 110 can make an actual weapon many times faster, although I never have and never plan on using a knife as a weapon, but a flipper or spydie military can often be put away faster than a SAK opened in an emergency. For me speed and reliability are essential to "public discretion."

 

[dwdickey]

It's the one you reach for most days barring a precluding circumstance I.E. wearing dress clothes, flying, going to a non-knife friendly building. It does not hinge on what others perceive, it's often dictated by ones occupation and intended usages. I carry two due to my job 1 is a Spectrum Energetics full ti Utilizer, 2 as of late has been a zt0450.

However I often rotate through my collection depending on moods and I would have no qualms about carrying any one of them any day if the week for anything that I do-therefore I consider them all worthy to fill the edc roll, I just don't always use them in that explicit roll.

 

[Stelth]

Based on the limitations you set I don't have an EDC knife. I switch up frequently due mostly to situational need or simple boredom. I have of late been carrying a Victorinox OH Trekker (or a Boye cobalt-bladed sailing knife if i'm in saltwater.)

 

[Heartland_edc]

My only "true" EDC.

 

[PirateSeulb]

I don't look at a specific knife as an EDC in the sense that this one knife can be carried everywhere(excluding inside schools, public buildings, airports/planes, etc) I consider knives as a whole an EDC item now a specific knife might suit specific dress, occasions, company, etc. I view it like a watch do you wear one watch everywhere? A dress watch for formal occasions/events will look out of place when in a casual setting sometimes and vice versa is also true. There are exceptions like a Rolex sport model can probably go anywhere and when you get to a certain price point you might expect that more universal design.

To sum up my view I put types of items into EDC not specific items within a type.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

A swan is by definition a white bird. Then there are also black swans.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I think some take the "EDC" a bit too literal ... you don't wear the same shirt or pair of shoes everyday but you do wear a shirt and shoes at least if you are going out into the public domain.

And I understand some places have limits and restrictions on blade length and that some LEO truely inturpret what gravity knives or switchblades and assist open all mean ...

If Im in my legal means and having a CCW does allow me more leeway then without and the area I live the places I travel make a difference ... but I will carry what works for me and what Ill be needing that day and I couldn't care less if people don't like it ... I don't play with my knives and to be honest someone stated a locking mechanism making it another step to close ... I have seen far more people cut themselves closing slipjoints then framelocks and it takes longer ... I can open cut and close and have n
my knife put away before most notice but if I have to use two hands its more noticable.

I do carry both traditionals and modern folders and at times fixed blades. But to me the term EDC means I carry "A KNIFE" everyday ... I never leave home without some type of knife.

Just as I wear shoes and pants everyday ... but not the same pair

just my 2 cents worth

 

[TortugaNH]

All of this also implies that every day is the same. Some days I have a Caly 3 in cargo shorts, others a sebenza or Guardian 3 in 5.11 pants, and just as often, a Bravo 1.5 in a chest rig.
If someone is shocked or gets the "vapors" from me using a 3" blade to complete a task, that just tells me there are of no use during a crisis or emergency.

 

[SpySmasher]

To me EDC means what it says, something you can carry no matter what, Every Day Carry. If you need to adjust what knife you are carrying based on the company you might keep, the venue, or the climate/environment, then it is NOT an EDC.

Counterpoint: you are being incredibly pedantic.

"Every day carry" is not meant to be taken literally but connotes the knife you carry in your "every-day life" ie. commonly.

 

[deerslap]

spysmasher your so queer, do you turds have girl friends? shit you fruits get me rolling!

 

[Morrow]

spysmasher your so queer, do you turds have girl friends? shit you fruits get me rolling!

Oh you're rolling all right...right off the cliff.

 

[James Y]

I don't have an edc, but I never leave the house without one. Everytime I read SAK I forget and think to myself "that sounds cool" til I remember what the initials are. To me that's the exact opposite of a knife, and kind of goes against every principle a knife nut like myself stands for. "Sheeple-pleaser" is what it is. Hell, even an opinel has a locking mechanism, and is made with respectable steel. I recognize the need for a stout multi tool but I cringe when forced to use that blade. Being around many people is simply too dangerous, something which is usually only evident during an epidemic of some sort, but is always true, and requires steel (ended due to awareness of rant)

I've carried and used one model or other of SAK for decades, and see no reason to stop. My knife carrying and using has nothing to do with pleasing so-called "sheeple". Nor do I carry/use a knife as some kind of rebellious counter-statement to society. And it's certainly not to impress anybody else, or any other self-conscious reason. It has to do with my uses of the tool(s), as well as my preferences. Simply put, my SAKs have been some of the most useful knives in day-to-day life.

As for the OP, my true EDC knife for the past 18 years has been a Victorinox Executive SAK. It's been with me every single day. I also usually have an alox Pioneer on me as well. Then whatever one-handed knife I carry, usually my large CRK Insingo. I use all 3, but TBH, the SAKs generally see more uses in a typical day, though I do use the CRK for heavier cutting tasks.

Jim

 

[singularity35]

It appears practicality and common sense have been displaced by a random term that has become commonplace in the "tacticool" community the connotations of this permutation becoming purely semantic for the sake of discussion only. So in answer to your question singularity35, a great question for this thread by the way,I just call it a knife. The one I deem appropriate for me at that given time. Whom ever can call it what they wish.

In that case, I'll call my knife "Bob".

 

[s4mpson]

You should have specified color, season and phase of the moon, just to be a little more specific.

I would carry ZT0566 and Benchmade Ritter Grip S30V anywhere.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Not knocking anyone's preference, I actually own 12 of them myself (usually gifters) and sometimes carry a climber, but if that had to be my only knife I would feel like a dog missing a canine. A buck 110 can make an actual weapon many times faster, although I never have and never plan on using a knife as a weapon, but a flipper or spydie military can often be put away faster than a SAK opened in an emergency. For me speed and reliability are essential to "public discretion."

Nobody plans on it, but I hope if it happens its on a day I've got my 110 on my hip ( it'd have to be a coincidence because I don't carry for defense ) because it was designed to cut flesh, and that it'll do all too well.

I think some take the "EDC" a bit too literal ... you don't wear the same shirt or pair of shoes everyday but you do wear a shirt and shoes at least if you are going out into the public domain.

And I understand some places have limits and restrictions on blade length and that some LEO truely inturpret what gravity knives or switblades and assist open all mean ...

If Im in my legal means and having a CCW does allow me more leeway then without and the area I live the places I travel make a difference ... but I will carry what works for me and what Ill be needing that day and I couldn't care less if people don't like it ... I don't play with my knives and to be honest someone stated a locking mechanism making it another step to close ... I have seen far more people cut themselves closing slipjoints then framelocks and it takes longer ... I can open cut and close and have n
my knife put away before most notice but if I have to use two hands its more noticable.

I do carry both traditionals and modern folders and at times fixed blades. But to me the term EDC means I carry "A KNIFE" everyday ... I never leave home without some type of knife.

Just as I wear shoes and pants everyday ... but not the same pair

just my 2 cents worth

I think some take the "EDC" a bit too literal ... you don't wear the same shirt or pair of shoes everyday but you do wear a shirt and shoes at least if you are going out into the public domain.

And I understand some places have limits and restrictions on blade length and that some LEO truely inturpret what gravity knives or switblades and assist open all mean ...

If Im in my legal means and having a CCW does allow me more leeway then without and the area I live the places I travel make a difference ... but I will carry what works for me and what Ill be needing that day and I couldn't care less if people don't like it ... I don't play with my knives and to be honest someone stated a locking mechanism making it another step to close ... I have seen far more people cut themselves closing slipjoints then framelocks and it takes longer ... I can open cut and close and have n
my knife put away before most notice but if I have to use two hands its more noticable.

I do carry both traditionals and modern folders and at times fixed blades. But to me the term EDC means I carry "A KNIFE" everyday ... I never leave home without some type of knife.

Just as I wear shoes and pants everyday ... but not the same pair

just my 2 cents worth

That was me, and I mistakenly wasn't clear that I was referring to lockbacks.
It's way easier to simply push a slipjoint closed than to have to go for the lock bar to depress before closing.
But since you brought up safety, I do find slipjoints safer than a liner or frame lock because you don't need to have any part of your hand near the blade channel.

 

[unklfranco]

Unless entering .gov's safespace, I enjoy EDCing a Benchmade Mini-grip or my Kershaw Skyline. They keep me entertained and are ready if I ever need to cut myself out of a car or into a package. Either scenario, I'm covered.

 

[jpm2]

What is EDC?

What you see below, in the literal sense, for 15+ years....

now retired, waiting to be handed down.