As retailers in the shooting and outdoor industry, it’s imperative that you stay on top of trends and shifts in the market. Despite our sectors being quite traditional overall, things are still changing and modernising at a solid pace – with today’s customers changing their tastes and habits with each passing year. One area where that appears to be happening at a slightly quicker pace is the knife and blade category.
Knife enthusiasts are gear geeks by definition. They love the latest models, they follow fashion as strongly as function, and they are open to trying new things and experiencing new products. They also love being organised and including their knife as part of a kit that they take out to enjoy their hobby or interest.
Over the past decade, this habit has evolved to become a category in its own right. A modern trend that is opening knife ownership up to new demographics and making it more accessible and interesting. You’ve probably heard of it… Those in the know refer to it as everyday carry or EDC.
Not only is this an exciting new sector that is growing in appeal with knife users and general gear enthusiasts around the world, but it also represents a chance for retailers to expand their ranges, reach new customers, and ultimately boost their bottom lines. So, where do you start?
Just what is everyday carry?
It’s actually as simple as it sounds. EDC is essentially a curated collection of items that someone carries with them in daily life or when out in the field while hiking, hunting, shooting, fishing, camping, and more.
In that case, then surely almost anything can be considered EDC kit? That’s largely correct – though the sector certainly has a look and feel that is clean, tactical, and efficient. A typical EDC gear collection could include a pocket knife, folding knife, bottle opener, multi tool, first aid kit, pens, items for self defense, a torch or other lighting solution, a lighter, watches, and a wallet, to name just a few. Many of these items are ones that people – especially hunters, shooters, and outdoor enthusiasts – use every day anyway, so what makes them EDC? To answer that, we spoke to Sam from Raven Artworx, a leading photographer and influencer in the space, to help define EDC culture and what makes the items you carry daily fit the EDC category.
“I was an EDC enthusiast before I even knew what EDC was,” Sam jokes. “I have a weird obsession with organisation and accessories. No matter what hobby I had, I was always looking for gear and accessories to help me organise everything. It started with pouches for my cables and soon went on to dedicated tools for my bikes. From there, it’s only a step to the EDC world, which was a rabbit hole I dove in headfirst.
“In truth, everybody is ‘EDC-ing’ something. Sometimes it’s your phone and wallet, sometimes a specific key chain, and some people carry a Swiss Army Knife and a pen daily. It’s something everybody does to make their daily routines as comfortable for them as possible. If you’re a tradesperson, you may find a belt holder very useful in your daily routine. If you’re a photographer you may need a small pry bar to switch your camera plates quickly. EDC gear can help you be prepared and be more efficient with whatever task you’re facing on a daily basis.
“It also brings an analogue aspect to our otherwise very digital life. Writing down something with a well-crafted pen carries so much more weight than typing something on your computer. And when it comes to cutting thread off your shirt, slicing an apple or opening packages, a knife just does a better job than your phone.”
What kinds of products are EDC essentials?
As already outlined, a great swathe of products can be considered or positioned as EDC gear. Of course, many retailers in the hunting and shooting sector may stock some EDC essentials such as multi tools, knives, and blades. But you could realistically add many other products like water bottles, bottle openers, pens, watches, and even luggage – including traditional backpacks, tactical-style bags, and small EDC pouches. This will also open up opportunities to stock a wider range of brands than before, and allow you to deepen relationships with well-known knife brands that are paying attention to this trend. One such brand is American blade producer Spyderco.
