what's EDC?

debfrost wrote:what's EDC?

EDC = Every Day Carry, example, a pocket knife you don't leave home without.

Most important? Made in America.

I carry a Kabar Becker BK14 (American made) on a lanyard around my neck. It lays flat against my chest. I work in an office with a business casual dress code, and no one has ever noticed. It's fixed blade of pretty good quality steel, and very, very sharp. Just ask my finger the first day I had it. Very versatile, and more stable than a folder because of the full tang. Becker has a full line of these "neck knives" I'd like to see on Woot!.

Durability used to come first but now its the steel. OF course the knife can't be cheap but I don't mind if the tip is thin. Current EDC is Spyderco Endura. If I dropped it on a hard surface, the tip would be toast. But the VG10 hold an edge so well its worth it.

My everyday knife is a Chris Reeve Sabenza.
High grade, high versatility and fairly compact.

Durability and High Grade steel is key to a good blade. Just look at the pinacles of knife design out there: the Becker BK2, the ESEE 5, Bussee Knives (both high grade steel and durable). Let's not forget the folders and their stainless super steels and highly compact designs like Spyderco. Versitility is important but several people would call a Mora the most versitile knife in the world and the reason, it's simple durable and made with good steel.

Not one of these traits makes an ideal EDC alone by any means. Think we'd all agree on that.

For me, an EDC folder needs a good lock. A good folder should work as well as a fixed blade when open. I can't tell you how many times I've had a folder fold over with a little bit of pressure or a hard tap. Some of the scars on my hands and fingers can attest to that. The only folders I've found that have a strong lock are SOG blades with their patented lock system. I've thrown one of those blades without it closing. I have yet to see any other blade lock like it.

I tend to be rough on my EDC, so I shifted away from folders years ago. Currently my EDC is a custom forged (no major name, 420HC) fixed blade with a self wrapped paracord handle. Fits right in my inside jacket pocket or in my boot without any show or discomfort. My outdoor carry is a fixed blade Kabar tanto.