When we talk about EDC, there are a few items that routinely get discussed, such as knives, flashlights, and defense weapons. There are a few other things, though, that would fall into the EDC “nice to have” category. They might not be used every single day, but they can sure make life easier in some situations.
Tweezers
I’m aware that many models of Swiss Army Knife and similar tools have tweezers onboard. I’m also aware that while they might be useful in a pinch, pun absolutely intended, the reality is that they are subpar in many cases. A pair of good-quality tweezers adds no appreciable weight to the EDC load.
They are excellent for dealing with splinters and thorns. You’ll also find them handy if you’re dealing with exceptionally small items, such as replacing tiny screws on the back of a toy for your grandchild. I prefer tweezers that have a sharp point, as those have proven to be the most useful to me.
Zip Lock Bag
Inside most of my packs and haversacks, you’ll find an empty gallon-sized zip-lock plastic bag. It weighs even less than a pair of tweezers and rolls up fairly small. I use it when foraging for natural tinder or food in the field. You could even use it to collect water if a better option isn’t available. I recommend going with a name-brand product for this, as generics don’t always hold up to some abuse.
Magnifying Glass
I’m old enough that a magnifying glass can truly be a godsend when dealing with splinters and the like. Even reading the fine print on a package can be dicey sometimes. Sure, I could take a photo with my phone and enlarge it, but the magnifying glass doesn’t use any battery power. It also adds one more fire-starting tool to the mix. You don’t need a handle on the magnifying glass, so feel free to remove it.
Duct Tape
There are all sorts of uses for duct tape, right? Patch a hole, prevent a blister, seal a package, the list goes on and on. It’s an important tool in any EDC kit. Because rolls of duct tape are large and heavy, what I do is wrap it around an old gift card. You could also wrap it around a pen or a disposable lighter. Fair warning, while duct tape does work fairly well as tinder, you need to be very cautious when doing so. If you think it’s sticky when you take it off the roll, wait until it gets melty. That’s a burn you’ll not forget for quite some time.
Carrying the Nice to Haves
I don’t keep all of these in my pockets every day. I know that, for some people, that goes against the very definition of EDC. But as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I take a layered approach to my EDC. I keep these nice-to-have items in my EDC pack or bag. That’s what I’ve found works best for me. I’ve used each of these items often enough to warrant carrying them with me on a daily basis.
