A knife, a light, and a watch. They’re a means to cut things, to brighten up an area, and to tell the time. Sure, you could probably use your teeth, wait until daylight, and use the position of the sun to figure out what time it is, but having these dedicated tools make those tasks so much easier to perform.
They’re the building blocks of an EDC, the first steps on the road to preparing yourself for everyday obstacles. They’re also three of the biggest markets in everyday carry, with hundreds of knives, lights, and watches available for every price point and purpose.
So today we’ve put together some of our favorite knife/light/watch combinations to suit a variety of situations. We’re hoping our picks can give you ideas on how to choose each so you can build a carry that works best for you.
Streamlight MicroStream | Timex Weekender | Ontario RAT II
Beginner
The Beginner combo puts together inexpensive, yet highly functional picks for EDCers looking to build their first carry. They’re community favorites, have proven themselves time and time again as solid picks, and don’t require much investment so you can easily upgrade down the line (though you may not have to with these guys!).
Olight S1 Baton | Seiko 5 Automatic | Spyderco Roadie
Urban
The Urban carry features some of our favorites for pounding the pavement in your city. They have people- and law-friendly designs and take up minimal space in the pocket so you’re not weighed down during your errands. They’re ideal for the modern city dweller, but are also great additions to any carry.
Olight M1X Striker | Luminox 0201.BO | Spyderco Para Military 2
Tactical
When the going gets tough, this is the carry that gets going. These tools are built tough, purpose-built for performance, and blacked-out for discreet operation.
Thrunite Ti5T | Titanium Pocket Tool | Skagen Ancher
Office
If you work in a coat and tie, sleek and professional is the name of the game. These picks won’t weigh down your wrist or slacks pocket, and feature slim profiles for an office setting.
Orient Symphony | Maratac AA Copper | Buck Stockman
Traditional
There’s something classic and timeless about wood and leather, and these picks reflect the natural colors that age with grace over time. Nothing tells a story like a well-used and well-loved tool with the patina to match its character.
Garmin Fenix 3 | CRKT Homefront | Nitecore TM03
Outdoor
Reliable tools matter the most when in the wild. Inefficient and less-capable tools could spell the difference between a fun trek through the woods and being stranded without the means to find your way home. These picks ensure you have a knife free from jams, a light with enough power to light up a clearing, and a watch that ensures you always have enough information to find your bearings.
SureFire E1D Defender | Seiko 2nd Generation Monster | Zero Tolerance 0450
Overbuilt
“Buy cheap, buy twice” is a common motto among EDCers, a warning against spending a little less money but losing a lot more performance. No need to worry about that with these picks. While they fetch a higher price tag, you’re also getting some of the best materials and manufacturing on the market, ensuring tools that will perform superbly for a long time.
Seiko SGG731 Titanium Sapphire | Prometheus Beta-QR Copper | Benchmade 940-1 CF
Exotics
While we pick our tools to address a need or perform a specific task, that doesn’t mean they can’t look good doing it, too. These picks feature some of the finer materials available to manufacturers like carbon fiber and titanium, and add a touch of collectibility to their functionality.
Surefire Sidekick | Smith & Bradley Springfield | Buck 110 Folding Hunter
Made in the USA
Feeling patriotic? Take a look at these picks made right in the USA. They’re brands that carry a legacy of performance and quality that make them reliable additions to any EDC.
Void V03B-BR | TEC Accessories Pixel | James Brand The Swell Knife
Minimalist
Sometimes, you just can’t be bothered to carry much at all, or want to make an effort to make an understatement. These picks feature some of the most minimal and subtle designs for an EDC, making them standouts for a discreet carry.
What’s your favorite knife/light/watch combo? Let us know what they are and how you use them in the comments below!
Products featured in header photo: Chris Reeve Carbon Fiber Small Inkosi | Redux COURG Type-A | Olight S1 Baton Ti
