If you have an everyday carry (EDC) folding knife, you know this tool is easy to store in your pocket or bag alongside other essentials like a mini flashlight or phone. But if you’ve never carried an EDC folding knife, you might have no idea how or why they’re so useful—or how many options you have to choose from.
You may imagine that all pocket knives need to be unfolded manually, and feel uneasy about the potential safety implications of pulling the blade from the handle with your fingers. Don’t worry, though. Folding knives are available in a wide range of styles, from traditionally basic designs to sleek, modern options.
Manufacturers incorporate innovative features to reduce the risk of cuts and maximize safety. With EDC folding knives like these, for example, a finger-friendly® blade with a rounded tip cuts effectively while being safe to the touch. This helps to avoid injuries without compromising on performance.
You can also release the blade without touching it as you would with a traditional folding knife, due to the fast spring-assist deployment. And the blade edge lasts up to 11.2x longer than metal; that means fewer blade changes and less risk of injuries. The lanyard hole also means you can wear the knife around a necklace or keychain so it’s always a hand’s reach away if you don’t want to keep it in your pocket or bag.
And convenience is one of the most important reasons why a pocket knife is so helpful in everyday life. You never know when you might need a cutting tool, and a folding knife ensures you always have one within reach. Here are five facts about EDC folding knives that show how valuable they can be in different situations.
Folding Knives Can Help You Prepare a Campfire Safely
What’s an adventure in the great outdoors without a campfire?
That trusty folding knife in your pocket will make collecting, cutting, and preparing wood for your fire easier and faster. A quality blade can cut through wood of varying thicknesses, so you can slice branches to fit on a fire of any size.
Your EDC folding knife is also an ideal tool for stripping damp bark from branches or logs during wet weather.
Folding Knives Are Ideal for Arts and Crafts
Do you love crafting?
You can use a folding knife in a professional art studio or at your kitchen table. It can cut numerous materials effectively, such as:
- Cardboard
- Paper
- String
- Rope
- Fabrics
You can also use a pocket knife to trim clay and carve wood, so it’s a terrific addition to your crafting kit whether you’re sculpting statues or making custom greeting cards.
One of the main advantages of using an EDC folding knife for arts and crafts is precision. You can cut materials more accurately than you would with that pair of blunt scissors you’ve used for years.
Here’s another helpful tip: Look for a pocket knife with a 100% zirconium oxide blade. This material will never rust, which is a big help when washing paint or glue off the blade frequently.
Folding Knives Can Assist You in Performing First-Aid
In an emergency, you can use an EDC folding knife to cut an injured person’s clothes open and access their wound (such as a laceration).
A folding knife can cut through various fabrics better than scissors included in a first-aid box, which are typically designed for thin dressings. You can also use your knife to slice bandages and gauze to size before applying them.
An ergonomic, sturdy handle will help you grip the knife securely while you cut, so keep that in mind when shopping for one.
Folding Knives Can Help You Spruce up Your Garden
Good folding knives are so versatile that they can even be used to prune plants in your garden and around the home.
Sure, you probably have a full kit of dedicated tools if you’re an avid gardener, but a folding knife is a great addition for smaller tasks regardless. You might want to choose an EDC folding knife with a lanyard hole so you can keep it available while you work your way around the garden.
What if you’re not a keen gardener? A pocket knife is ideal for keeping your plants neat and healthy from time to time with no need to invest in gardening tools.
Folding Knives Can Cut Fruit, Vegetables, and Bread in a Pinch
Cut apples, bananas, carrots, bread, and almost any other type of food with a pocket knife, whether you’re in a kitchen or not. Always consider your food preparation options carefully, and look for a knife that suits your individual needs. For example, if you’re a leftie, an ambidextrous design lets you switch the blade for left-handed use.
You can pull out your knife, release the blade with a simple mechanism, and slice your snack into more manageable pieces on the spot. It’s fast, convenient, and safe, whether you’re sharing your food with friends by a campfire or preparing a light bite during a break at work.
Are You Ready to Get an EDC Knife?
These five facts about EDC folding knives illustrate how and why they can help you daily. Did you find these examples helpful in deciding whether you should invest in an EDC knife right now, if you don’t have one already? Hopefully so.