They say that big things come in small packages, and that certainly stands true for EDCs! EDCs may seem small in size, but they are mighty in their functionality and use! These smart little tools can come in handy anytime anywhere, helping you out of the trickiest situations, and sometimes even quite possibly saving lives! You could be carrying an EDC for days with no real use until, in a time of need, it’ll magically come to your rescue, proving its true value. These little superheroes can make a world of difference while completing tasks. And, we’ve curated the best EDC designs we’ve seen in a while! From a modular multitool that you can custom build with EDC of your choice to a titanium EDC folding knife– these innovative product designs promise to have your back no matter what!
1. The Grouper Utility Knife
Looking like a prop from a sci-fi movie, the Grouper utility knife comes with a stunning design featuring a titanium construction, a parallel-linkage opening mechanism with ball-bearing pivots, and should you choose, an absolutely breathtaking rainbow finish.
Why is it noteworthy?
The knife, which measures a mere 4.3 inches (110mm) when closed, comes with a carabiner clip on one end, and a tungsten carbide glass-breaker on the other end. Open it out, and the now 6.2-inch-long knife reveals its TAJIMA V-REX II blade on the inside, perfect for opening boxes, slicing envelopes, or doing more rogue cyberpunk-worthy stuff like slicing wires and cutting seatbelts.
What we like
- The Grouper sports a titanium alloy body that’s more than impervious to rough use
- A nifty locking clip on the top keeps the knife’s blade intact until you’re done and ready to close your Grouper
What we dislike
- No complaints!
2. Pinchy
With the classy appeal of a switchblade (although much safer) Pinchy is an outdoor cutlery set where the protective case turns into the cutlery’s ergonomic grip. Just pinch and flip and the case opens, with a metal spoon, fork, or knife popping out. Once the case locks back in place, you’ve got a perfectly useful, kid-friendly cutlery set that’s practically built for the outdoors.
Why is it noteworthy?
Shaped to be compact and easy to grip, the case is hollow and holds the metallic half of the spoon/fork/knife inside. Pinch it open and flip the metal end out, and the case goes from being an outer cover to an ergonomic grip that’s easy to hold and maneuver. When you’re done, just flip the cutlery back in and they go right back in their protective little shell.
What we like
- The Pinchy’s design is intuitive to use
- It is disability-friendly
What we dislike
- No complaints!
3. Windeler
In a lot of ways, Windeler is to EDC what LEGO is to toys, or what Dominos is to pizza. Not entirely sure what I mean? Well, go to any store or website and buy a multitool army knife and it comes pre-built with its own tools. You can’t choose the tools you want, the way you choose toppings on a pizza. However, Windeler isn’t a regular multitool – it’s an ecosystem, like LEGO. Designed so you can snap multiple tools together, Windeler lets you build your own EDC multitool based on what you need.
Why is it noteworthy?
Want to carry a pocket knife today but not tomorrow? Windeler lets you simply plug in or plug out modules so that you can swap out that pocket knife for, say a small pair of scissors or a flathead screwdriver. Instead of leaving you with a fixed set of tools (out of which you probably end up using just 1-2 tools you actually need), Windeler lets you build, customize, and rebuild your EDC, so you carry only the stuff you need, and not the stuff you don’t.
What we like
- They’re all equipped with a Stak-appropriate form factor so at the end of the day you’ve still got a sleek, monolithic multitool that slips right into your pocket or bag
- The POLNETIK™ magnetic connectors employ N52 Neodymium Magnets encased in stainless steel
What we dislike
- No complaints!
4. The Spinner Drive
Screws are one of the most common ways to keep two things together, but they are also notorious for being a pain in the posterior that an expletive was made specifically with screwing in mind. Never mind the wide variety of screws in use today, nor the almost uncanny frequency of not having the right screwdriver for the right job just when you need it. Screwing can sometimes be a literally painstaking chore, especially for your fingers and wrists, but they don’t have to be. The Spinner Drive demonstrates how to do more with less, especially with physics at your service, and how to look fine and spiffy while doing so.
Why is it noteworthy?
All-in-one screwdriver kits are a dime a dozen these days. Some come with a screwdriver for each time of screw, while others have bits you can swap out for every need. The Spinner Drive Tough Edition Plus that we sell in our shop comes with 20 of these bits to match every single type of screw out there. Each bit is as tough as nails, or screws rather, made from Stainless Steel with Titanium Nitride coating for extra strength.
What we like
- The Spinner Drive has you covered even when finger strength is no longer enough
- Easily outclasses a traditional T-Handle screwdriver
What we dislike
- No complaints!
5. The WRENCHit
The WRENCHit is a handsome, stainless steel tool that looks like an extra thin box cutter. It even shares some visual resemblance with these cutters in how the “blades” inside appear to be segmented. That’s actually not far from the truth, but instead of blades, each segment has a hole that matches a specific wrench size.
Why is it noteworthy?
The way this rather unorthodox spanner works is similar to a tool pen. You push from one end and have the tool pop out the other, almost like a click pen. The difference is that this action pushes out the next wrench in the sequence, which you then remove from the sleeve and attach to the other end. This is how you cycle through the different wrenches until you get to the one that you need. Once that’s at the top of the head (the exposed part), you can start twisting and turning that nut, using the sleeve as an arm to give you enough torque for the work.
What we like
- You push from one end and have the tool pop out the other, almost like a click pen
- This innovative spanner is won’t easily bend or break on you
What we dislike
- No complaints!
6. The Combar FoldaXe Pro
Meet the Combar FoldaXe Pro multitool crafted by Israeli startup Aclim8 to improve on their maiden attempt at creating a versatile set of tools for outdoor enthusiasts.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Combar FoldaXe Pro weighs just 900 grams, shedding the weight as compared to the original Combar. It measures 15.75 inches long, ideal for carrying in your backpack. There’s the flip-out ax on one side that retracts into the handle when not in use, and the textured hammer on the other. This gives users plenty of meat to work around with when it comes to splitting apart tree barks or pounding down the tent stakes. The abrasive surface of the glass-reinforced polymer handle means a strong grip to deliver the force right where intended.
What we like
- FoldaXe Pro 4-in-1 has a slide-out storage compartment in the hollow handle for keeping the extra tools
- The multitool is crafted from aircraft hard-anodized aluminum and 420J2 stainless steel
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. The Rider RX
Having to scramble for the right battery in an emergency just adds to the stress you’re already feeling. Thankfully, Acebeam’s Rider RX tries to cut down on that by delivering a flashlight that not only works with almost any type of battery, it also helps relieve stress by giving your fingers something to play with.
Why is it noteworthy?
Some flashlights work with typical alkaline batteries. Others use rechargeable NiMH batteries. Still, others use the same kind of lithium-ion type that smartphones use. The Rider RX embraces them all so you can grab whatever’s readily available, which is often an AA battery, without making compromises. While the included Li-ion battery does offer the brightest output, even an AA battery can deliver a decent brightness so you won’t trip in the dark. The optical lens makes sure that the 219F LED shines a soft and balanced beam instead of blinding your eyes or spreading the light too thin.
What we like
- Helps relieve stress by giving your fingers something to play with
- Its small size, which is just big enough to fit a single AA battery, makes it extremely portable and convenient to use
What we dislike
- No complaints!
8. The Material Bitcoin
Meet Material Bitcoin, a physical card that acts as your crypto address. Think of it as your business card, but for your crypto wallet. Material Bitcoin isn’t a hardware wallet. It doesn’t actually store any coins, it just acts as a gateway to your online wallet, thanks to what’s printed on it. The metallic card comes with your crypto address and its companion QR code printed on the front. Want to get paid in crypto? Just show your card to someone and they can scan the QR code and make the payment directly into your wallet.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Material Bitcoin goes above and beyond that too. It lets you (the owner) log into your wallet as well, allowing you to check your funds, add funds, or withdraw money. How does it enable that? Well, each Material Bitcoin comes with your unique password printed on the back. The password sits behind a secure magnetic strip that you peel away to reveal the text underneath. It’s printed on, so a digital hacker can’t access it unless they physically have the card with them. Even if the card does get stolen, the magnetic sticker is designed to look like branding, so it won’t occur to someone to peel it away and read the password underneath – sort of like an extension of the fake rock on the porch with the key strategy.
What we like
- An unbreakable design that’s water and fireproof
- Virtually hack-proof
What we dislike
- No complaints!
9. The HMM Scissors
Our workspaces are often littered with two kinds of things. On the one hand, you have tools designed to accomplish a task. On the other hand, you have decorative items designed to please the senses. Of course, there are now stationary and desk tools that are designed to hit two birds with one stone, especially those that embrace minimalist aesthetics that fit well in almost any situation. These scissors from popular brand HMM are designed to bridge those two worlds together, offering a tool that not only creates a sense of wonder but also inspires confidence in every snip.
Why is it noteworthy?
Just as with the tools mentioned above, scissors often come in two classes. One type is clearly designed for cutting away at your problems, while another type almost looks too pretty to be used. The HMM Scissors is definitely not the latter, with an aesthetic that clearly exudes its power. The wide and flat blades are almost reminiscent of industrial tools, and its black Japanese steel body gives off an aura of strength and durability.
What we like
- Flip the scissors and hold it by the blades, and you instantly have a box cutter
- A custom-made magnet lets the scissors stand upright with its sharp tip safely hidden inside the base
What we dislike
- No complaints!
10. The Conic
Designed primarily for use in outdoor activities; the Conic is a helpful extension of a flashlight, which should come in handy to light up the entire camp or make those two-handed tasks easier to carry out. It will be a great help thus while cooking or maybe when playing board games at the camp.
Why is it noteworthy?
The gap between outdoor flashlights and lanterns is narrowing with transformation in design. This inventive approach has given birth to a new domain i.e., an outdoor lamp, which double duties and makes sure you’re never found wanting while camping or traveling. Conic is an embodiment of such a design, which is a nice transition from the traditional, boring light sources you’ve been accustomed to packing in your backpack.
What we like
- A far cry from the traditional flashlights
- Portable
- Multipurpose design – can be used indoors and outdoors
What we dislike
- No complaints!