In your pocket, in your bag, or attached to your belt, an EDC (every day carry) knife quickly becomes your daily best friend. A package to open, an apple to cut, a piece of string to slice: these trivial gestures find their solution in a reliable and well-sharpened blade. More than a utensil, the EDC knife embodies a state of mind, that of foresight and autonomy where precision and confidence mix. A personal object par excellence, this “must-have” satisfies your needs without fail and simplifies your life. Its selection criteria depend only on you. Faced with a plethoric offer, how to find the ideal knife? The answer might well surprise you.
EDC knife: A companion for every day
Every Day Carry
The acronym for “every day carry”, EDC means “to carry every day”. This term designates all everyday objects: keys, pens, wallet, makeup kit, etc. A subjective expression, as it depends on each person. For a diabetic person, a sugar cube is an essential EDC. For a hairdresser, it will be their scissors. The perfect EDC doesn’t exist. The imperatives of a city dweller differ from those who live in rural areas. A teenager never leaves without their headphones, a senior never forgets their hearing aid (no, that’s a joke 😅), but their medicine kit, yes.
Keeping your EDC objects within reach softens the days, as it allows you to face any situation.
The EDC philosophy advocates the necessity of always being ready for anything. This resourceful mindset doesn’t just come from survivalists. It also appeals to all those who love their autonomy and time-saving. It’s not about carrying a survival kit, but just making everyday life easier.
What is an EDC knife used for?
No matter our habits, a good blade simplifies many common, but recurring situations:
- opening a package without ending up taped yourself;
- cutting an apple, a slice of sausage;
- carving wood in the forest and creating an object or preparing a fire;
- repairing “Ã la Mc Gyver” and cutting a string;
- detaching the label from a new garment;
- untangling a knot that’s too tight;
- scraping dirt stuck on a surface (resin, glue, chewing gum);
- improvising a bottle opener;
- marking a tree trunk with your initials (isn’t that right, lovers?);
- pleasing yourself, that counts 🤔?
How to choose your EDC knife
Folding or Fixed
The folding knife offers greater safety. It prevents the clumsy from leaving their fingers too close to the edge. A pocket knife fits in… a pocket (who would have thought 😉), in the bottom of any backpack. It follows you camping, hiking, picnicking. Still, you need to choose the opening/closing and locking system with which you are comfortable.
However, the fixed knife satisfies the best wanderers. Thus, photographer Erwan Balança never separates from his fixed Trapper model. In his canoe, under the tent, or near the bivouac, his knife accompanies him in all his adventures. Would he be the exception that proves the rule? No, respond the fans of our latest creation: the EDC knife (which is fixed).
Which type of blade?
Outdoor activity enthusiasts prefer stainless steels. However, all steels can present good resistance to corrosion as long as they are of quality and properly treated. Rather focus on the steel you like to hold in your hands. Some crack for Damascus, others swear only by raw forge. Finally, stainless steel also has its fan club.
What material for the handle?
The choice of handle depends on several criteria.
🔪The budget. Composite materials (smooth or textured plastic) and mass-produced knives cost less, but beyond the functional approach, a wooden (or horn) handle provides the pleasure of the feel of the material as it develops a patina.
🔪 Touch. Wood provides the warmth of organic materials.
🔪 Aesthetics. Horn, deer antler, wood in the process of fossilization, ivory, each species gives a particular resonance to your knife.
🔪The soul. What story does your knife tell? That of a rapid, ephemeral industrial process, or that of enduring quality?
For those who love to be told a good story, the truth about Morta will fascinate you.
Ergonomics for ideal cutting comfort
When choosing your EDC knife, also consider its ergonomics. You need to find the perfect balance in the palm of your hand. Its size and weight depend on the size of your palm. Do you feel more comfortable with a heavy or light object? As long as it doesn’t tire your wrist, trust your sensitivity. Handcrafted knifemakers always pay particular attention to the harmony of the knife for comfortable and optimal use.
It’s said that women like lighter knives: a false belief, according to Charlotte, our cutler. However, weight and size are important factors if you want to carry your knife around all day. Which is generally the case for an EDC 😉.
What kind of knife can you carry in France on a daily basis?
All the time, but everywhere? In France, the pocket knife has a traditional cultural character. As such, it is no longer considered a bladed weapon, but a tool for everyday food use. The law recognizes the right to carry a knife, provided the context does not lend itself to aggression. In the forest, you can’t be prevented from cutting a magnificent cep mushroom.
At a demonstration, brandished forward, it proves threatening. Understanding the right to carry a knife in France is more fun on video. Enjoy!
Does the ideal “Everyday” knife exist?
As said above, the EDC knife depends on you, your needs, and your imperatives.
There is no EDC except the one that suits you. How do you plan to use your knife? Because that’s the real question. If you spend your time behind the stove, you’ll probably opt for a fixed knife with a stainless blade. If aesthetic originality prevails, Damascus steel will be your first choice. Is it really that simple?
A good knife must be sharp, solid, and durable, capable of facing daily life without fail.
High-end artisanal models combine performance and beauty, they offer a careful design and optimal ergonomics.
The perfect EDC knife takes on several functionalities: fixed and pocket at the same time, not bulky, but with a good grip, elegant, useful, and resistant. A light but robust knife becomes a discreet and reliable companion: ideal!
OK! What does “ideal” mean again?
The dictionary defines ideal as what would give perfect satisfaction to the aspirations of the heart or mind. But the heart has its reasons that reason knows not. Yes, it’s the poetic moment of the article (thank you Blaise Pascal 😅). It’s necessary to admit that the ideal EDC knife is just the one you will have chosen. Convinced?
Keeping a knife on you: A French tradition
Regional knives, reflections of a made in France tradition
More than simple tools, French regional knives embody a tradition, an ancestral know-how, and a strong local identity. Most regions have their emblematic model, shaped by passionate artisans. These knives tell the story of terroirs and communities. Often in wood (deer, rose, or Morta), sometimes in horn, they combine robustness and elegance. Made by local cutlers, they present perfect ergonomics.
But above all, they perpetuate traditions and become objects of transmission. Each generation bequeaths its knife to its children, offering a tangible link with its family and local heritage.
Morta, reflection of Brière
In the Loire basin, the regional knife is the Morta knife. This wood comes from the Brière marshes. It is part of a strong culture. In the villages of Mayun or Saint-Joachim, Morta is an inescapable figure. It is both the child and the pride of the country. Its extraction is governed by strict rules put in place by a convention signed between the Synodical Commission of the Grande Brière Mottière and the Brière Regional Natural Park, in connection with biodiversity services.
It’s a wood undergoing fossilization that holds its ebony color from its long period spent buried in black peat. Brown peat, for its part, confers its subtle caramel reflections. Only Briéron artisans are authorized to work with this material.
Not out of conservatism, but to promote wealth, local know-how, and ideally to favor the emergence of new entrepreneurs. In Brière, the manufacture of typical EDC objects is found in pens, pipes, jewelry, and Morta knives.
Choosing a Morta handle for your EDC knife is inviting nobility into your life.
Maintaining your knife for durable daily use
Its daily use implies regular care. Ensure its cleanliness before storing it. Clean the blade with a damp cloth. Then wipe it and the handle with a dry cloth. For sharpening, simply follow our video: how to sharpen your knife? We recommend the use of a natural stone and that it’s always the same person who takes care of the sharpening.
For storage, we advise a protective case (hung on the belt or slipped into the pocket with an external clip depending on the model). The EDC knife has its own case.
The EDC knife is not just a simple accessory: it’s a daily companion, a reliable tool that adapts to your needs. Folding or fixed, robust or light, discreet or assertive, it reflects your lifestyle and your sense of practicality. Choose the one you take pleasure in using and carrying. A personal decision, an inner journey between aesthetics, performance, and authenticity.
Article written by the sharp pen of Christelle Lorant.🪶
Key questions in the article
What does the acronym EDC mean?
EDC is the acronym for “Every Day Carry”, or “to carry every day”. This term designates objects that one keeps on oneself permanently, to be ready to face small daily situations. In the context of an EDC knife, it refers to a practical and versatile tool, designed to be carried and used regularly.
The EDC concept encourages choosing a knife that is both light, resistant, and easy to transport, while being sharp and efficient. This is part of the EDC mindset: always being ready to face the small demands of life with practice and autonomy.
Why opt for an EDC knife in daily life?
An EDC knife is a discreet and essential companion that facilitates numerous daily tasks. Need to open a package, slice an apple, or cut a recalcitrant string? A well-sharpened pocket knife makes all the difference.
Designed to be light and versatile, it adapts to all situations and becomes an indispensable accessory, whether in the middle of nature or at home. Its studied design guarantees a comfortable hold and optimal use.
What are the different types of EDC knives?
We mainly distinguish two major categories of EDC knives: folding models and fixed models.
- The folding knife is appreciated for its lightness, compactness, and safety. It easily slips into an EDC pocket and allows discreet and practical transport.
- The fixed knife, on the other hand, is acclaimed by wanderers and adventure enthusiasts outdoors. Its asset? Robustness to withstand anything and a blade always ready for use.
How to choose your EDC knife well?
The choice of the best knife depends on several criteria:
- The type of blade: stainless for better resistance or carbon for exceptional sharpness and durability.
- The handle: noble wood, horn, or composite materials, it influences the grip and aesthetics.
- The weight and size: a good EDC knife must be light but sufficiently robust to accompany its user every day.
- Ergonomics: a good balance between the blade and handle guarantees fluid and pleasant handling.
Can we carry a pocket knife permanently in France?
In France, carrying a pocket knife is authorized under certain conditions. Considered as a tool, and not a weapon, it must be used in an adapted context.
In the middle of nature, to prepare a meal or work with wood, it is quite tolerated. On the other hand, in the city or during public events, it’s better to put it away to avoid any ambiguity.
Why choose an EDC knife in Morta?
EDC knives with a Morta handle combine elegance and authenticity. This wood undergoing fossilization, from the Brière marshes, is prized for its robustness and unique character.
It’s an ideal choice for those who want to combine tradition and performance.
How to maintain your EDC knife for maximum longevity?
To guarantee the durability of your EDC knife, a few simple gestures suffice:
- Clean the blade with a damp cloth after each use.
- Wipe it carefully to avoid corrosion.
- Regularly sharpen your knife with a natural stone to maintain optimal sharpness.
- Use a case to protect your knife and extend its durability in your daily life.
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