Since the dawn of time, humanity has understood the importance and value of sharp tools for survival. First, it began with sharpening stones until the discovery of steel and making knives emerged. Today there are many types of knives, and every outdoorsman must know which are the best to carry.
One of the most popular knives is an EDC knife, and if you ask yourself, what does EDC knife mean, you are in the right place, as I will go over everything you must know about an EDC knife and its role in honing your bushcraft skills.
What Does EDC Knife Mean?
The abbreviation EDC stands for “everyday carry”, so an EDC knife is a knife you carry every day. You can carry an EDC knife in your pocket or put it in your backpack. It is an excellent addition to those who like outdoor adventures and developing their bushcraft skills.
Why Do You Need an EDC Knife?
An EDC or everyday carry knife is an incredibly useful tool to have on you constantly. These knives are lightweight, durable, and compact, meaning they do not take up too much space. Due to an EDC knife being compact and foldable, you can carry it in your pockets or put it in a bag or a backpack.
Moreover, you can pull out an EDC knife fast and easily in any situation. Because of all of the mentioned characteristics of an EDC knife, it is considered an essential part of the gear for outdoor adventures.
EDC knives are multifunctional. You can use them when camping, exploring, food prep, in emergencies, etc. EDC knives are an excellent survival tool. They can be the difference between life and death if you are stuck in the wild with no emergency services. For example, if you get entangled in vines or fall in a bush accidentally, you can use your EDC knife to free yourself by cutting away the entanglements keeping you stuck.
You can even use an EDC knife to cut away your seat belt if you are ever in a car accident. So, when preparing your list of necessities for the next great adventure, remember to add an EDC knife on it.
Related: How to Make a Knife in the Wild
Other Functionalities of an EDC Knife
Building fire
If you go camping or find yourself in the woods by nightfall, you can use the EDC knife for shaving wood trimmings you gather from the trees around you. You can then use them to kindle a campfire to keep you warm, or if you are lost in the wilderness, you can use the fire as a rescue signal.
Finding water
You can use your EDC knife to find a water source in the wild. For example, you can use a knife to dig into mud or snow to create water holes. You can also cut open plants like cacti, which are known water sources.
Food prep
Another thing that you can use your EDC knife for is food preparations. If you like to explore the great outdoors, you also likely hunt and fish for your food, meaning you can use the EDC knife to gut the wish and prepare the meat before tossing it on the fire.
Or if you bring canned food, you can open it using your EDC knife, as it is sharp enough to pierce the can.
Related: What Is Cross Cutting Wood?
Choosing a Good EDC Knife
When you buy an EDC knife, you must choose a good one made of high-quality materials. Some of the factors that will determine the quality of an EDC knife are
Steel
In the knife industry, carbon steel and stainless steel are the two basic forms of steel. Both have their advantages and drawbacks.
Blades made of stainless steel will rust if left outside carelessly because they are not stain-proof.
On the other hand, it is accurate to say that carbon steel blades are more susceptible to corrosion. Blades made of carbon steel are more carbon-rich than stainless steel, hence the name. This strengthens them and enables them to maintain their edge longer. Carbon steel is the best choice if you take good care of it.
Another benefit of carbon steel is that it will spark when used with a ferro rod, in contrast to stainless steel.
Size
It can be challenging to choose the proper size for your EDC knife. In addition to being small enough to fit in your pocket, a knife should also be large enough to be functional. Also, it is important that the knife feels comfortable in your hand, so try it for the feel before you buy it.
Generally speaking, I think a straightforward folding knife with a blade around 4 inches long and a handle about the same length is a decent, flexible choice. Be sure the handle is long enough for your hand to feel secure around it.
Locking mechanism
Always check the locking mechanism on a folding blade knife before buying one. If you won’t, using your knife will be more dangerous than useful. By familiarizing yourself with the locking mechanism, you avoid injuring yourself accidentally.
The greatest locking mechanisms are those that stop the blade from moving until a certain area of the knife is pressed.
Other locking systems merely prevent the blade from folding back via a spring mechanism rather than blocking it. This is not as secure as a blocking system, particularly if pressure is needed to stop the blade. Examples of “spring-locking” include Swiss army knives. Before putting such a knife to the test, be sure you are fully familiar with it and aware of the risks.
Also read: How to Make Stone Knives
Conclusion
Every adventurer who enjoys the outdoors should carry an EDC knife, and if you’re still wondering what does EDC knife mean, as I mentioned, EDC is an abbreviation for everyday carry knives.
They are called “everyday carry knives” due to their lightweight and compact design, which allows you to put them in your pocket without taking up too much space. An EDC knife is an excellent addition to every great outdoorsman.