EDC, or everyday carry, is in large part tied up with the general concept of preparedness, which directs that individuals, through practice and foresight (and by carrying the right gear) might never be caught unaware or unready.

A subsegment of preparedness concerns itself with what you should carry every day, which is often referred to as EDC gear.

While there are many “EDC guides” out there, and each of them contains slightly different entries, for the most part, there seems to be a general consensus on some of the most basic EDC essentials out there.

Many of these will make an appearance on this list.

A Knife or Multitool (Swiss Army Knife Tools or a Leatherman Pocket Knife Work for This)

Every single EDC light is going to include either a pocket knife or a multi tool. Many of them will contain both.

There is good reason to carry both a knife and a multitool, like a Leatherman pocket knife. Multitools can perform many functions that a knife alone cannot (or at least, at which it would not be proficient).

For instance, many multitools have pliers, wirecutters, saws, scissors, driver bits, and more. This makes them highly utilitarian.

Similarly, having a dedicated pocket knife with a locking blade (or a small fixed blade) offers you much more flexibility than the small folding knife on most folding tools like Swiss Army Knife tools or tools like a Leatherman Skeletool.

A knife blade can be used to prepare food, carve tools, open boxes, and so much more. There’s a reason that every list of EDC essential gear has it high on the list, if not in spot one.

A Light

A flashlight is also a perennial frequent flyer on lists of EDC gear, and once you carry one, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.

A quality flashlight will shed a light in the darkness when the power fails when you get stranded on the side of the road, or simply when you need to see to the bottom or back of a dark drawer or cabinet.

Useful features to look for in a light include waterproofing and dustproofing, as well as magnetic bases that allow for hands-free use in the presence of magnetic support structures (like a steel car hood).

A Lighter

A lighter is also an absolute EDC essential. Like a Leatherman pocket knife, a lighter has 101 uses.

Lighters have obvious uses for smokers, but beyond that, lighters can be used to provide temporary illumination, to light campfires, candles and incense, and much more.

Lighters also have highly utilitarian applications; such as melting hot glue or fusing the end of a rope.

Lighters like Zippos work well in all conditions and are very reliable. They also stay lit for as long as they are opened, allowing for hands-free use. However, the lighter fluid in Zippos evaporates in a few days, especially when it’s hot.

Conversely, sealed butane lighters like Clippers and BICs will not lose their fuel to evaporation, but won’t work well in the cold and cannot be used hands-free.

Just food for thought, so choose wisely and according to your unique needs.

Some Cordage

Specifically, you should carry paracord, which, like lighters and multitools, has 101 uses (probably more, honestly).

Of course, paracord can be used to make lashings and hitches for dragging loads and constructing camp furniture, but these are only the tip of the iceberg insofar as what you can accomplish.

Paracord can also be used to fix a bootlace or construct a tourniquet if you’re ever in a serious accident. The inner threads can also be pulled out and used for many, many things.

For instance, the inner threads of paracord can be used as fishing line, dental floss, as emergency sutures (in a bind) and even as sewing thread, to stitch up tears.

Always have a little bit on you, just in case.

A Pen and Paper

There is a saying: if it’s worth remembering, it’s worth writing down. Of course, all you need to carry is a wooden pencil and a scrap of paper in your pocket. Besides, you can use your Leatherman pocket knife to sharpen that pencil when the point breaks or gets blunt.

But we advocate for a high-quality tactical pen made of aluminum or steel. These are extremely durable and reliable, and can be used in an emergency as a glassbreaker or as a surrogate kubotan, for self defense.

As for the scrap of paper, instead, get yourself a quality waterproof notepad. These are better in all weather conditions, including the rain, and won’t let you down when you need them most.

A Watch

Obviously, we didn’t include items on this list such as your cell phone, wallet, or keys. We just have to assume that you know you should be carrying them, just like you should be wearing shoes and a shirt. That’s beyond obvious.

But we believe you should also carry a watch because two is one and one is none. If your cell phone ever dies, you won’t know what time it is. A watch can help with that; and, if you get a watch with a compass, you might also be able to find out where you are and not just when you are.

A Carabiner or Keychain

This is sort of an unexciting entry, but we consider it useful nonetheless. A carabiner or keychain can give you a place to organize many of the other tools on this list, and some carabiners or keychains can double as pry tools or self defense implements. Plus, they can easily be clipped onto belt loops or MOLLE systems.

A Pry Tool

Finally, you should carry a pry tool as well. You’ll notice that this is distinct on this list from a knife as we don’t advocate using your knife as a pry tool. This can break the tip, damage the lock, or worse, injure you.

Pry tools are made by most manufacturers that also make knives because they espouse the same conviction we just did. CRKT, Boker, and Benchmade are just a few of these. Use your pry tool for prying and your knife for more delicate cutting tasks, and preserve both.

Outfit Yourself with the Industry’s Most In-Demand Gear

If you’re looking for tough EDC gear, take a look through this list and follow some of the links included here. We carry knives and tools from all of the top brands, and offer them at great prices, along with free shipping in the United States.

Take a look through our catalog today and get in touch with us at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com if you have any questions.