EDC or Every Day Carry is a massive online movement built around the idea that carrying tools on your person every day is not only useful, but cool.
From multi-tools to compact wrench sets, pocket clips to backpacks full of gear, EDC comes in all shapes and sizes.
For someone just poking their head in to the EDC craze for the first time, it’s not so obvious why a $50 titanium prybar might be worth putting in their pocket in the morning.
But no matter who you are, there are at least two items that I’m sure would make your life easier.
These are the two (budget-friendly) items I carry every day, without fail:
1. A Small AAA Flashlight.
Before I started carrying a flashlight in my pocket, I thought it sounded a bit silly.
Now, I carry this flashlight every day, and feel naked without it:
- Selectable 5 lumen and 180 lumen modes make it versatile
- IPX8 waterproof design
- Runs on AAA batteries so no charging necessary
At less than $20, it’s a no-brainer for something I use so frequently.
The 50-lumen mode is dim enough that I’ll use it to walk down the stairs at night without turning on a light. Sure, I could flick on a light, but it’s more convenient to just reach into my pocket, and it’s far less blinding when my eyes are already adjusted for nighttime.
And if I need to grab something from under the sink, or in the shed outside, I’m always happy to have some extra light to help find what I’m looking for.
It’s these small moments that feel a bit silly to put to words, but truly make life so much easier and convenient in practice.
Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!
2. A Quality Pocket Knife.
This is another one of those things that’s far more convenient than I thought it would be.
Opening packages, cutting small tags off of clothes, or getting into that absurdly tough plastic packaging—I’ve never been frustrated to have a knife on me, but I’ve certainly been frustrated to not have one!
For less than $50, this is one of the most highly regarded budget knives in the EDC community.
The smooth feel of the ball bearings and quality of the blade steel alone put this knife in a league of its own, far beyond the typical knife in its price range.
You’d be hard pressed to find a “Top 10 Knives” list online that doesn’t include this blade by CIVIVI.
- Ceramic ball bearings make for a smooth open
- D2 blade steel is a noteable upgrade over knives at a similar price range
- Budget friendly
If you run into me on the street any day of the week, you’ll see these two items clipped on my pants pocket.
If you’re looking to start dabbling in the EDC world, it’s hard to go wrong with a flashlight and pocket knife.
There are certainly other knives and flashlights on the market, but for the price and quality, it’s hard to beat OLIGHT and CIVIVI.