Everyday Carry

Veteran-Made EDC Gear

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
Veteran-Made EDC Gear

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Editor's Note: An updated version of this article is available here.

Today is Veterans Day, and in the US we celebrate the hard work and sacrifices made by those who serve. One of the ways to do that is to support their efforts once they leave uniform. Luckily there's a lot of veteran-founded, owned, and operated businesses out there to choose from. And when it comes to quality EDC gear, our veterans definitely know a thing or two thanks to their unique, first-hand experience from years of service. In this round-up, we're highlighting a few EDC items made by veterans that caught our eye.


Zeebee Paper Wasp Notebook Cover

Zeebee is a veteran-owned company based out of San Diego, California. They specialize in crafting small leather goods. Their Paper Wasp in particular is a notebook cover that can add a touch of class to your everyday carry. It's designed to carry a Field Notes or similar notebook and its accompanying pen. The design features prime Horween leather and skilled stitching for longterm durability and a luxurious feel in hand. There's also a shell cordovan leather cover option for an even more premium carry option.

Buy


Tactical Tailor RRPS 3D Organizer Pouch

Founded by a US Army infantryman, Tactical Tailor has put out some of the finest tactical gear out there for EDC. With the RRPS organizer, they've put together a low-profile way to keep your gear together. Its compatibility with hook-and-loop systems lets you use it to augment most any tactical pack. It has large loops for bigger items such as magazines, as well as a zippered internal pouch for securing smaller, loose items.

Buy


ITS Discreet Tactical Messenger Bag

ITS Tactical is a veteran-operated company that make their own tactical gear in Texas. Their Discreet Tactical Messenger Bag is as advertised. It's a low-profile tactical messenger bag with premium build quality and features. Martexin weather-resistant waxed canvas makes up the exterior of the bag for ruggedness out in the field. Sturdy YKK zippers and Cobra buckles are as reliable as they come in terms of hardware. There's plenty of organization space within the bag, and it's also built to be modular. The interior space works with any hook-and-loop accessories you'd want to attach, giving you the freedom to make this bag your own.

Buy


Medford Knives Eris

Medford Knife and Tool is a favorite knife manufacturer for many in the EDC community, and they also happen to be veteran-owned. The Eris is a compact EDC folding knife that's designed to cut well above its size. It features a 1.99” premium S35VN stainless steel blade with a stout bowie-style shape. This gives the edge of the knife a very pronounced belly, increasing its cutting ability substantially. The blade is easy to open with either hand due to its large cut-out, but there is an indentation in the handle that makes it especially easy for right-handed people to use. The handle itself is made out of anodized stainless steel, and features a solid frame lock to keep the blade in place during use.

Buy


Sword & Plough Weekender Bag

Sword & Plough is a veteran-owned company that makes everything in the United States. They also donate 10% of profits to charitable organizations that benefit veterans. Their Weekender travel bag looks good both in and out of uniform, whether that be a BDU or a sharp business suit. This is a bag that's big enough to carry your gear for a weekend trip, but not too big that it's cumbersome. It features heavy cotton canvas construction with full-grain American leather trim. There are two carry options: the handles as well as a removable crossbody strap.

Buy


GORUCK Echo

GORUCK makes highly practical yet low-profile tactical bags and gear. That comes from their veteran founder wanting a bag that works in both civilian as well as military applications. The Echo, in particular, is a slim, minimalist everyday carry daypack. It opens flat for easy packing and removal of your gear when you need it. It's big enough to fit a 13" laptop and it has dedicated space for one, but it's not huge like other tactical backpacks. And while it retains tactical features like MOLLE and hook and loop, it's discreet enough to carry anywhere.

Buy

Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (7 total)

Travis ·
Check out Adventure Tool Company as well. They make some fantastic tool rolls, bags and first aide kids that are super tough. Vet owned and operated and first class gear.
David M ·
Red Oxx should get a mention here
Aaron Pierce ·
Glad you mentioned Medford Knife and Tool. Greg Medford is a great guy who runs an awesome company.
Jesse Cole ·
Not necessarily EDC related, but anyone who has a CCW & likes urban influenced style clothing or shoes, you will love 83Bandits. Combat Veteran owned & operated. Located in Atl. Georgia.
Jesse Cole ·
That Medford folder looks awesome. Never heard of them before. Thanks for pointing them out.
ThreePercenter ·
I love Tactical Tailor. In fact, recently I have been toying with a new conceal bag and found theirs to be quite efficient looking.

Also, I have really come to enjoy Direct Action, but I am not sure if they are veteran-made, or just cater to special operations/military applications.

Is Triple Aught Design a Veteran owned company? Because they would be my first choice for anything. Anything.
Chris K. ·
Missed Spartan Blades Mark Carey and Curtis Iovito!
Great tools to EDC!