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 an exquisite handcrafted EDC knife to a unique bottle opener inspired by Chinese architecture– 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. The Viiu Bottle Opener
The Viiu Bottle Opener is a product concept for a tool in your kitchen that will mean more than just something to open a bottle of cola, juice, or beer. Normally you will just get a handle and a head whose main job is to just open that bottle with a crown. This time around you don’t get a handle but rather some decorative objects that will give you a pretty unique way of getting those drinks ready for you
Why is it noteworthy?
The design is inspired by window grill patterns, specifically those from classic Chinese architecture. There are three shapes featured: one hexagonal, one rectangular, and one with a semi-circular design. All of them have these patterns that may remind you of windows in old houses if you live in such a place influenced by this kind of architecture. While there are no handles to grip while opening a bottle, the grill design can help you with the grip problem.
What we like
- Inspired by classic Chinese architecture
What we dislike
- No complaints!
3. 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!
4. The Shift Folder Knife
For the Shift Folder Knife, Koss decided to make a knife with a retracting blade that moves up and down a rail built into the handle. There’s a clever snapping mechanism there too that causes the blade to fix in its closed or open position. Everything is made in-house from a combination of titanium and brass for the handle, and W1-7 high carbon steel for the blade.
Why is it noteworthy?
The handle, on the other hand, uses a combination of titanium (for its stiffness), and brass (for its unique color and ability to patina). Sandwiched between the titanium and brass halves, however, is a cleverly machined steel sheet that comes with a notch just like the one on the blade. However, the notch has two steps in it – one at the front and one at the end. This allows the blade to ‘snap’ into open and closed positions, giving you a convenient single-handed experience without any hassles or complicated parts. The mechanism provides enough resistance that you can use the blade without it sliding back into its handle.
What we like
- Each knife is hand-crafted
- A broad brass knob sits on the handle, providing a fair bit of contrast against the titanium sheet behind it
What we dislike
- The knives don’t come cheap
5. 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!
6. The Titanium Transforming Pocket Blade
Building upon the success of six transforming pen campaigns, the Titanium Transforming Pocket Blade puts a slight twist on the story, both literally and figuratively.
Why is it noteworthy?
This cutting tool is laser-focused on delivering the precision, quality, and safety required for something that could cut both ways while still hiding a few tricks up its sleeves for good measure. And like all other multi-functional tools from Smart & Savior Designs, it still boasts of that hardened titanium body that will stand the test of time.
What we like
- The Transform Pocket Blade uses a threaded locking mechanism and double o-rings to transform the small blade into a longer blade that you can handle with more ease and comfort
What we dislike
- No complaints!
7. The Sasquatch Tool
Designed to be compact enough to carry with you in your pocket, on your keychain, or on a carabiner attached to your backpack or belt-loop, the Sasquatch Tool is the ultimate celebration of the outdoors! The handy multitool is the perfect EDC for carrying on hiking trips, cycling expeditions, or even out fishing/kayaking. Just don’t expect it to help you defend yourself against an actual Sasquatch!
Why is it noteworthy?
The handy little ape-shaped gizmo comes made from stainless steel, making it robust and corrosion-resistant. Its unique form factor comes perfectly outfitted with 12 different tools, from wrenches and screwdrivers to bottle and can openers, a cord cutter, and even a nifty 1-inch ruler. Measuring 3.6-inches in length and 2.5-inches wide, the Sasquatch Multitool is perfectly pocket-sized, and weighs just 1.2 ounces (34 grams)… and although Sasquatches have a reputation of being large and dangerous, this compact little guy is perfectly sized to be your everyday outdoor companion; and it’s TSA-friendly too!
What we like
- Perfectly pocket-sized
What we dislike
- The design seems to focus more on aesthetics than actual functionality
8. 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!
9. 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!
10. 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!
