These EDC Essentials Will Keep You Well-Equipped for Anything (2024)

Leatherman has been producing and fine-tuning its line of multitools for decades and the Signal is made for the outdoor enthusiast. Amongst the 19 included tools are a fire starter, a safety whistle, and a mini saw.

The majority of the tools can be deployed and operated with one hand and every tool and knife locks into place for safety. The pocket clip can be removed for easier stowing and you can access most of the tools from one side without needing to open it all the way.

It’s a great companion for hiking and camping or anyone who likes to be prepared. The versatility makes it a good tool for hobbyists to have on hand in garages or workshops.

The Mehlville is a modernized carabiner and bottle opener designed with both minimalism and functionality in mind. It’s carved from a single block of aluminum, making it super strong but lightweight, and the stainless steel carabiner gate has a smooth action.

An anodized finish makes the Mehlville water- and corrosion-resistant, ensuring it will last you for years. The sleek design and functionality can easily hold the rest of your EDC like keys, openers, or small tools on your belt loop. You can also clip it on your bag or backpack when traveling to keep those essentials handy.

The Free K2 is a user-friendly knife thats packs eight essential tools into a lightweight aluminum body. The blade comes in straight and serrated options, and each individual tool locks into place so you know they won’t slip out during use.

Each tool opens with the click of a button, so you can do tasks with one hand and won’t be fumbling around trying to open and close whatever you need. The pocket clip can be switched to the other side depending on your dominant hand or you can remove it altogether.

I’ve had this knife for over a year now and I like the sturdiness and in-hand comfort of the K2. It’s bulkier than other pocket knives but is a good option to have in my backpack or on my desk within reach.

Field Notes is one of the best known brands for pocket notebooks and its waterproof iteration takes durability to the next level. Both the cover and the paper itself are waterproof and tear proof.

The dot graph ruled paper is versatile enough for sketching or jotting down notes on the fly, ensuring your good ideas aren’t lost in transit. They’re flexible enough to throw in your back pocket without feeling like you’re smuggling a hardcover book in your jeans.

They come in packs of three, making them a great value.

The Elko more than lives up to its “minimal form, maximum utility” description with a compact yet ample blade on one end and a multitool on the other. It can be used as a number of different EDC essentials: a pry-bar, a flathead screwdriver, and a bottle opener.

A slip-joint lock keeps the blade secured while in use and its stainless-steel construction bolsters durability. You can throw it on your keyring for easy accessibility and it won’t take up space, but do beware: It’s so compact that you may forget it’s on your keyring—but the TSA won’t—so make sure to leave it at home when traveling.

I’ve had an Elko on my keyring for about five years now and is convenient to have on hand. The small blade is more than enough for minor task like cutting tags, breaking down boxes, and opening letters and packages. I keep my keys in my pockets and don’t feel like my key ring has any extra bulk because of it.

A pen that’s literally been to the moon and back is sure to serve you well as your everyday writing implement. Well, not every Fisher Space Pen 400 has actually been to the moon—but this exact model was used by NASA during the Apollo 7 mission in 1968 and has been a go-to ever since, even for people who don’t commute to work on a rocket ship.

The pressurized ink cartridge allows you to write upside down, under water, and through grease; its construction is weighty without being heavy for comfort when writing and the pocket clip makes it easy to stow away. We love this for contractors and electricians who might need to jot down notes on something other than a clean, white page.

Customers love how smoothly the pen writes and that it doesn’t require that initial shaking or scribbling in order to work. For TV fans, this was also the model Jerry Seinfeld used on set. And will you find a pen with better endorsem*nts than NASA and Seinfeld? Unlikely.

The Wells is a flip-blade knife that has a sleek design and intuitive button lock that makes it easy to use and handle. The blade opens by flicking the tab on the back of the blade with an action so smooth, it almost feels like a spring-assisted blade (it’s not).

The sheepsfoot blade is an elegant shape that’s capable without looking tactical. The formed wire pocket clip is unobtrusive but can be fully removed if you prefer. Its button lock is reliable and easy to deploy, so you don’t have to worry about the knife slipping while doing any task. The Wells is part of the James Brand U.S.A-made line of knives that uses American-made steel.

This knife has decent sticker shock but it feels and performs like a premium knife. I’ve only had it for about of month now as it was just released—and already sold-out on the brand’s site—but it’s impressed me thus far. It arrived sharpened and ready to use from day one.