The Best EDC Tools For Adventurers And DIY Enthusiasts

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Everyday Carry, or EDC, is a great way to be more capable and self-reliant. Combined with a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mentality and an enthusiasm for adventures, EDC will mean something slightly different to some individuals.

The EDC of an office worker will not look the same as someone who spends most of their time in the woods or at a construction site. If there is a lot of DIY planned, the EDC lineup needs to be able to handle a lot of different scenarios. With that understanding, it’s time to get into the best EDC tools.

Best EDC Tools

EDC is a wildly broad category with some hyper-niche tools. Instead of focusing on the outliers when it comes to EDC, it is better to address the most common tools to be encountered with the DIY space and other adventures in mind.

General-Use Knives

Knives are the quintessential EDC tool. There are a million and one ways a good general-use knife can be used, and there are problems that only a knife is designed to solve. A general-use knife has a lot in common with bushcraft and survival knives in that they need to be durable with a blade shape that has both cutting and piercing features.

Whether a fixed blade is used or a folding knife, an EDC knife needs to hold an edge, be relatively easy to sharpen, have a moderate blade belly for cutting, and have a pronounced point for piercing and scouring.

Local legal restrictions will help determine if a fixed blade or a folder will be the best EDC option, but once that hurdle is cleared, the pocket and belt real estate will be the limit to what can be used for an EDC knife. For most DIYs, a 4-inch blade will be about the maximum, with a drop-point blade profile being one of the most common options. But personal preference will be the deciding factor.

Multi-Tools

Multi-tools are the second most useful tools for DIY and adventuring. This is because they pack a lot of useful items into one convenient package. That’s not to say they don’t have their shortcomings, but an “okay” screwdriver is better than no screwdriver.

Selecting a multi-tool can be very personal. Depending on the design, a multi-tool can be geared toward things like construction, general-purpose tasks, or even gun maintenance. Deciding which is the right one will come down to one’s personal life, and it creates a new adventure in finding the right multi-tool that fits.

The options are many, ranging from classic Swiss army knives to more modern plier-centric designs. For the DIY aspect, the pliers will be the more common tool used so they should be the strongest facet of the multi-tool.

Prying Tools

Pry tools are the next most important thing to have in your EDC. While knives can be used for prying, they will often be damaged by this action because they are not designed with that in mind, especially if it is a low-cost folding knife.

An EDC pry bar tool can really round out a daily DIY tool set because they are very durable, provide some necessary leverage, and can help undo some mistakes in the process. Some pry tools can also do some light knife tasks if they have a minor edge to them but are less alarming to random people than knives tend to be.

A pry bar should provide good leverage, be easy to carry, and not be too long. A durable finish or outer coating is going to be useful as well since the pry bar is going to be rubbing and scratching against things on a regular basis.

Flashlights

Being able to see is taken for granted despite a good portion of life being spent in areas where it gets dark every day. Having some form of portable light can be the difference between fumbling around for a dropped item and actually finding it. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive flashlight; it just has to provide you with some visibility.

Sometimes, a super-powerful flashlight is needed to really reach into the darkness. Other times, a long-lasting light that only has to reach out for a foot is all that is required. This can be anything from a top-of-the-line tactical light to the light on a smartphone.

Having one or more flashlights is very useful. Work sites and projects tend to “eat” flashlights easily. Whether this is from the flashlight disappearing, “being borrowed,” or just running out of batteries.

Honorable Mentions

Not everything has to be an EDC item, so here are some honorable mentions to incorporate into the supplementary gear list.

First Aid

First aid is often overlooked in some circles. Having basic medical gear to deal with cuts, scrapes, and minor injuries will help with quality of life. Additionally, a kit for larger injuries and one or more tourniquets can be a literal lifesaver, especially in areas with large vehicles or power tools.

Cordage

While most individuals will not have cordage on their person at any given time. Having some twine, paracord, duct tape/electrical tape, and zip ties on hand all make quick fixes much easier to do. Consider having some in the general area, especially if the location is more remote.

Parting thoughts

Remember, these are just some of the suggestions for some basic EDC options everyone should consider. Each individual needs to tailor their gear to what they need for their specific situation. There is no universal solution, especially when it comes to DIY and other adventures. You may even find yourself changing up your EDC items depending on whether it’s a work day, a vacation, or just a casual day running errands.

Some tools on the market are mainly for looks, so it is better to choose tools that are made to actually do something.