It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
(Editor's note 10/26/23: NORD is now selling their capsules directly from their website here; this article has been updated with the link along with updated details.)
Anyone who regularly uses fragrances knows they’ve never been the most carry-friendly items. Heavy, fragile bottles can break and spill liquid inside your bag, and the spray-nozzle function of your typical bottled fragrance means you’ll bombard your surrounding area with a heavy dose of fragrance whether you want to or not. NORD’s Pocket-sized Solidified Fragrance innovatively fixes all those problems by offering a fragrance designed for portability, durability, and discreetness–perfect for smelling great on the go.
NORD’s fragrance comes in the form of a highly-concentrated scented balm. Unlike traditional liquid colognes you’d need to spray, NORD’s concentrated balm can be used with a simple finger swipe and discreetly applied to any part of your skin.
The scent capsule itself comes in a steel case that’s small enough to fit in a coin pocket and is durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. Four cases are available: Jet Black, Graphite, Mirror, and a 1/100 limited edition Gold. There are three scents to choose from: Bonfire, Pepper Party, and Dancing Flowers. Each scent capsule can be interchanged with any case, with refills readily available when used up. NORD claims that each scent capsule lasts about six months before needing to be replaced.
What we like: NORD uses natural ingredients, which are great for sensitive skin. And since NORD’s scents come as solid balms, you don’t have to worry about taking them with you when flying to your next destination, as they’re all TSA-compliant.
What to watch out for: There are currently only three scent options, with hopefully more on the way. It should also be noted that replacement capsules will only be available from NORD, which will be sold for about $32 each. The aluminum capsules are also 100% recyclable, so they don’t add to environmental waste.
Final verdict: NORD tackles an everyday problem with an innovative solution, offering a truly EDC-friendly way to get your scent on no matter where you are.
The Loadout is our curated collection of excellent essentials to help give you ideas for building your own everyday carry. We'll do our best to cover your bases, and, at the very least, help you discover even more awesome gear worth a spot in your EDC.
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It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Bulova has been making everyday carry timepieces and watches for decades, but their recent creations have marked a turn towards what EDC and watch enthusiasts have in mind. Gone are the big and bulky watches with garish colors, and in are watches like their new Oceanographer GMT. These vintage-inspired automatic mechanical movement watches are a sight to behold, and they're a lot easier to find than looking at the used market for a watch that's older than you.
The Bulova Oceanographer GMT is a variant of their “Devil Diver” automatic watch. It's rated waterproof down to 666 feet, about 200 meters. I submit that it's devilishly beautiful. It's available in classic diver watch motifs, including the classic red/blue “Pepsi” design, a black/brown and rose gold-tone, and a vintage, yet sporty, off-white cream gunmetal release with a lume dial.
The stand-out feature of this watch is the GMT complication, which lets you use the GMT hand in conjunction with the rotating outer bezel to keep track of a different time zone and elapsed time at a glance. It takes some getting used to, but once you master the function, it's faster to read the time than to ask Siri or Google what time it is back home when you're on vacation, if you even have internet access in the first place.
What we like: With its vintage-inspired look and 666 feet of water resistance, the Bulova Oceanographer GMT brings a lot of performance and class to the table in a package that doesn't require you to play the lottery or sit on a waitlist to wear.
What to watch out for: The 41mm case width is something to keep in mind if you have thinner wrists, but as a diver-style watch, it's in line with expectations.
Final verdict: With its classic styling, quality Japanese Miyota 9075 movement, and beautiful waterproof case, there aren’t many things not to like about the Bulova Oceanographer GMT.
It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
The Ledlenser HF6R Work headlamp is a versatile, hands-free lighting solution designed to work in harsh environments. It can throw a focused beam for long-rage tasks up to a distance of 160 meters thanks to its 800 lumens output, while a simple turn on its focus wheel switches to a soft and even flood light for close-up work. Three color modes are available: white, red, and natural light. The natural light mode has a high color rendering index (CRI), which helps you see colors more accurately and easily distinguish objects like cables or wires.
Working long hours won’t be a problem either. The Ledlenser HF6R Work headlamp is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery that can last up to eight hours at mid-power level and is charged via a magnetic USB-C cable for added convenience. The headlamp also has a battery and charge indicator, a low battery warning, and a backup mode that activates a low-power emergency safety light when the battery is almost out. Keeping the light from overheating is a temperature control system that actively cools the light, ensuring the longevity of its LEDs.
Its IP68 rating makes it fully dust-proof and certifies that it can withstand being in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. The HF6R Work variant includes various mounting options for helmets and a wall mount over the base HF6R Core variant, giving you more flexibility.
What we like: It has a 7-year warranty, which shows that Ledlenser stands behind the craftsmanship and quality of its products.
What to watch out for: It uses a proprietary magnetic charging cable. While convenient, you won’t be able to charge the light if you lose or damage the original cord.
Final verdict: With its selectable lighting modes, IP68 rating, and long-lasting battery, the Ledlenser HF6R Work headlamp is an excellent option for those looking for a reliable and versatile light source that can adapt to any work situation or preference.
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The core of everyday carry is having the gear you need to be prepared to handle any situation. That's why a knife appears in many people's loadouts, including mine. And when a knife is one of the most essential things you carry, a fixed-blade survival knife might be the best choice. These blades are rock-solid, with no folding mechanism that can get in the way or fail in a critical situation. Their one-piece construction means they can take more abuse than a standard everyday carry folding knife, and that's why fixed blades figure prominently in the outdoors, survival, and tactical parts of our community.
But even if that isn't your primary focus, having a fixed-blade survival knife can still be the best option for you. I like that a fixed-blade knife with modern steel that outclasses everything made decades ago in terms of raw performance. Modern materials have also allowed fixed-blade survival knives to become smaller, lighter, and more compact. In some places, a fixed blade might be your only choice for EDC, especially where carrying folding knives is less accepted. As always, research and consult legal experts when and where required.
There's never been a more EDC-friendly time to consider carrying a fixed-blade knife, and in this guide, we'll review some of our favorite fixed-blade knives to help you pick out the best for your everyday carry.
It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Hot on the heels of the Shilin Cutter-inspired Nightshade, the Vosteed Mini Nightshade takes the same traditional design, sized down to a much more EDC-friendly form factor. The Mini features a 2.6” leaf-shaped blade with a flat grind and stonewashed finish, in two versions cut from S35VN or 14c28n steel to suit your material preferences and budget, with carbon fiber, G-10, and Micarta options. The design retains the same, albeit smaller scale, pronounced curved belly, with a downward-sloping tip that allows for better angles and leverage.
The blade opens with a satisfying and smooth action, courtesy of its thumb studs and ceramic ball bearings pivot assembly that facilitates one-handed operation. Even with its smaller size it’s easily and satisfyingly flickable, and on our sample unit the detent is perfectly tuned for a quick deployment. Within the handle lies the popular and ambidextrous Crossbar Lock that ensures safety when using the blade.
The smaller handle can still accommodate a full-handed grip thanks to a curve where your pinky can rest on the tail, with a backspacer providing extra support even with the thinner handle materials. The reversible stainless steel pocket clip of course is the natural pairing with the Crossbar Lock to ensure full usability for both left- and right-handed users.
What we like: It’s the original unique Nightshade in a friendlier size for daily use and most locales. We appreciate the switch to the Crossbar Lock to make the knife more accessible for users (especially us lefties on the team—Ed.). We also like that it comes with two steel versions in various styles and price points.
What to watch out for: Much like the original Nightshade, the Mini retains the distinct downward-curving tip design of the traditional Shilin Cutter knife, which might take some getting used to if you’re using the knife for the first time. There is also a chance that the Mini might be a little too small for those with much larger hands, in which case the original Nightshade might be a better fit.
Final verdict: Unique utility in a compact package.
"This compact folding knife from Fox Knives is a great tool to keep in your pocket. It’s got a stubby but useful 1.75″ curved steel blade with non-slip jimping on its spine. Its G10 handle scales come in green, orange, or black, complemented by a satin-finish blade in stonewashed natural or..." (via The Awesomer)
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It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Every month brings new and fascinating additions to the mindfulness and manipulation collections of our friends at aroundsquare, and while we’re a bit late to the September drop, it’s always exciting to see what they have in store. This latest drop features a familiar upgrade to their previous release of the K-OFF (“King of Flow”) fountain pen, now offering it in natural titanium. If you were already a fan of the original acrylic models, styled after the company's original King of Scribble (K-OS) ballpoint pocket pens with time-tested "primary pencil" ergonomics that make the pen super easy to hold, then this could be the premium upgrade for you to pick up.
The titanium pen also sports the industry-standard German-made Bock 250 “triple” nibs, recognized for their quality and smooth ink flow. For each writer's preference, it offers the versatility of Fine, Medium, or Bold nib sizes with a selection of ink cartridges to get you started, or the option to use a Kaweco Mini Piston converter for additional adaptibility. You can also personalize your pen (not to mention make it easier to carry) with a custom-made snap-on SS clip available in three variants.
What we like: As a community favorite titanium is a natural upgrade for any aroundsquare product, and we’re happy to see it land for the K-OFF. Now to look forward to exotics being explored next!
What to watch out for: The titanium upgrade comes with a not-insignificant price tag, but the more affordable aluminum and acrylic versions are still readily available. Also be sure to check out the rest of the September drop with the video below (and get excited for what's coming this October)!
Final verdict: As with most things EDC, everything’s just better with titanium.
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It's a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Victorinox has a storied history spanning over 125 years, and needless to say, they have a robust catalog of multi-tools to reflect such a heritage. Most will be familiar with classics like the Tinker and Climber, and EDCers will definitely recognize the Cadet. But you don’t get to be in the game for so long without mixing things up from time to time. And in the case of Victorinox, that means seasonal releases to celebrate special times of the year.
For the holidays this year and going into the next, special editions of the Cadet and the Huntsman are now available to collect. This special Cadet–known as the Winter Magic Limited Edition 2023– comes with its complement of nine functions, including the signature large blade and combo bottle opener, but its embossed aluminum scales with anodic oxidation features a 3D, textured winter mountain motif, which is the first time I’ve seen them deviate from the standard scale design. The Huntsman comes with 16 tools, including two blades, scissors, and a saw, but its iconic red Cellidor scales come printed with a unique dragon design, which honors the fifth sign in the Chinese zodiac and is the animal (the Wood Dragon, specifically) for 2024.
Both the Winter Magic and the Huntsman Year of the Dragon 2024 come in special edition boxes and also come in limited numbers: 10,000 for the Cadet, and 8,888 numbered pieces for the Huntsman (8 being an auspicious number).
What we like: It’s always nice to see Victorinox still making an effort to spice up their tools in case you were looking for a special gift or upgrade, and without jacking up the price completely.
What to watch out for: As mentioned above, though there are a lot of them both tools are in limited supply, and take it from me who’s tried to hunt down older limited edition Cadets, you’re not going to want to miss these as a collector.
Final verdict: ‘Tis the season for useful and beautiful gifts.
"Olight’s little clip-on light offers versatile mounting options. Its durable, spring-loaded clip has been tested through 10,000 cycles without breaking. Plus, it’s got a built-in magnet for attaching to steel or iron objects. It has four brightness modes from 1.5 to 180 lumens, a 300-lumen turbo mode, and a..." (via The Awesomer)
