This list is not all inclusive, I am sure there are useful EDC tools that I skipped or are unaware of, also this is not a buy everything and be safe list. Some of the items below are redundant and are left to your own taste and judgement.
I like to have a small screwdriver/multi-tool on my key ring. so that I can always have the ability to unscrew things. However, about the only thing on this list I can take to work is the P-38 can opener down at the bottom of the page – BUT you would be surprised at just how much you can do with one of those old military openers if you have the desire to force something open.
I encourage you to look down this list and see if any of the items would be useful to you on a daily or weekly basis – if they look cool, but you never use them, after a while they will end up off your key-chain and stuck in a drawer. Besides my list you can find some great tool ideas at ToolsSpecialist Blog
Like all my other posts, you can click the picture to view this item on Amazon. I do make a small commission if you purchase from this link, but it does not cost you any more money and the commissions pay for the hosting of this site and a small amount of the time it takes to find the information I share here.
Nite-Ize DoohicKey Multi-Tool
Hexflex Multi-tool STANDARD/METRIC BLUE
TOTOONE Compact Multi-Tool Keychain
Keychain Multi-Tool EDC Mini-Tool 10-in-1 Key Tool
Maxcraft EDC Portable Screwdriver Set Tool
Keychain Multi-Tool
Tactica Multitool M100 – TSA compliant
Dkka Outdoor EDC Stainless Steel Tactical Multi-functional Pocket tool
Waterproof EDC Keychain Capsule Tube
(I used to keep a capsule like this on my key-chain = it held OOOO steel wool and a small DIY Keychain ferrocerium rod)
Mini Pocket Monocular Binocular
Heavy Duty Pocket Wrench
Uncle Bill’s Sliver Gripper Keychain Tweezers
Stanley 39-130 3 x 1/4-Inch PowerLock Key Tape
Mini Pocket Slide Switch 20x 21mm Magnifier Loupe
Geekercity EDC Wrench
Multi function signal mirror
(This is my true EDC – I use it at the prison when searching to ensure I don’t get stuck by a homemade drug needle or a razor)
Commando Wire Saw
P-38 Can Opener and P-51 Can Opener
(I’ve had a John Wayne Can Opener on my key-chain since the early 1990’s, its a military thing – but these sure are handy)
I have been thinking about everyday carry for a few weeks now, normally its just something that I do – but as my life changes and jobs evolve so does what I can carry. When I was in college working at a liquor store in a rougher part of Jackson TN, my EDC included a Beretta 92 and lots of magazines, at TEMA it included a CRKT neck knife, but in corrections my everyday carry is much more restricted. In an environment where multi-tools, lighters, knives, and even click pens are forbidden, I had to be more creative.
This is my EDC for corrections, and due to my specialized job, this list is not the exact list of a correctional officer working security. They can’t have cell phones or flash drives, and the radio holder is too small for their issued duty belt. However, for investigators or others that can have these things this is (in my humble opinion) are pretty darn useful.
For your convenience, I will link to the items in the video below. However, if you work in a more permissive environment, you can check out my Amazon Influencer EDC page to see lots of small knives, lighters, multi-tools and gadgets that I think are great EDC options.
Seeshine Multifunctional 3 in 1 USB Cable Keychain
$8.99
Cell Phone Card Wallet (5-Pack)
$6.99
Swivel Belt Clip Two-Way Radio
$24.95
Micro USB Rechargeable Tiny Flashlight
$15.99
Tactical Gear Belt Clip
$6.90
EDC Survival Mirror
$6.98
Kingston Digital DataTraveler
$15.99
GI P-38 Can Opener (5-pack)
$5.50
Zak Tool Zak Tactical Key Ring Holder (2-Pack)
$12.10
The things that each person carries around in their pockets is personal, and it tells a lot about the person. My everyday carry is small – I work at a prison so I don’t carry a gun, knife, or any other tool EVERYDAY. I don’t even take in a wallet or rings when I go to work. When I worked at TEMA, I carried a bunch of stuff. My EDC changes as my life changes. To make matters more complicated than just what you are willing and able to carry, an entire industry has been created to help with the EDC needs of the preparedness minded.
To help with this, I created this post of things I think are useful items to carry everyday. This post is more of a catalog of things to think about rather than a list of things to buy. I have owned a majority of the items below, and more than a few are sitting in the glovebox of my truck, because while I can’t carry them behind the walls of a prison, I sure can carry them to the parking lot.
Below is a collection of links to specific EDC lists I have posted on this site. I planned to do one comprehensive list of great EDC ideas, but the post got to long so I split it up into functional areas:
- Article on Describing the concept of Line Gear and Kit Acronyms.
- EDC Basics Bags, Belts, and Keychains
- Knives and Cutting Devices
- EDC Tools
- Everyday Carry Lights and Lighters
- Everyday Carry Items for the Connected Individual
I never seem to have the right charging cable, adapter or memory card when I am out doing something in the field.
In order never have to stop shooting videos, I started collecting different charging cables and battery packs to ensure that I always had power and could connect my devices together
I doubt any single person would find use for every item on this list, but since nobody’s needs are the same I wanted to give you lots of options.
Personally, I haven’t tried every item on this list, but there are a few items on here that I swear by, others that I wish I owned, and a few that I just think are neat.
Like all my other posts, you can click the picture to view this item on Amazon. I do make a small commission if you purchase from this link, but it does not cost you any more money and the commissions pay for the hosting of this site and a small amount of the time it takes to find the information I share here.
APEMAN Action Camera 1080P Full HD Waterproof Sport Camera
Black Square Technologies Enigma
Corsair Flash Survivor Stealth 16gb Usb 3.0 Flash Drive
Titanium One Portable SSD – 120 GB
Mini Digital Camera with 3 Inch TFT LCD Display
US-KEY Portable Lightning Keychain Charging Cable
Bluetooth Tracker Keychain
Keyprop: Keychain Tripod
Yowosmart Short Lightning to USB Key Charger Cable
Seeshine Multifunctional 3 in 1 Lighting USB Cable Keychain
(I ordered this as soon as I saw it, once it arrives we will see how it works)
goTenna Mesh SMS & GPS Device
(goTenna Mesh pairs to your phone and enables it to privately relay texts and GPS locations between other goTenna devices, up to 4 miles in range. )
XY4+ Key Finder
Sony ICDPX370 Mono Digital Voice Recorder with Built-in USB
16GB Digital Voice Recorder
Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8 Edge Charger! Adaptive Fast Charger
Anker PowerCore 5000, Ultra-Compact 5000mAh External Battery
(I bought this for the wife, she loved it, then promptly lost it the cavern of junk that is her purse)
K-TOR Pocket Socket Hand Crank Generator Portable Power Supply 10 Watts 120 Volts
(They also make a larger pedal kit that can be bolted down, but its too big for EDC)
Universal Mobile Phone Stand
Anker 8-in-1 USB 3.0 Portable Card Reader
(I have one plugged in to the computer as I write this, it works well)
USB card reader Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter
(I keep one in my camera bag just in case)
Metal Braided Multi USB Charging Cable
(I like these multi charging cables I have reviewed several
Lightning to USB Cable Charging Bracelet
(Stylish and a little James bond – covert cables – cool)
Kingston Digital 32GB DataTraveler
(This is the best flash drive I have owned, I keep it on my keys so I can’t lose. I modified it for my KeySmart key bar)
Solar Charger 24000mAh Portable Power Bank
iWALK Battery Charger Portable Power Bank with Lightning Cable Built in
