Best EDC Champion | Carry Awards IX

Our Best EDC 2021 will handle your daily cutting needs in style. Combining everyday elegance with lightweight durability and hassle-free carry…

1st Place

Tactile Knife Co. Rockwall Thumbstud

An EDC knife is one of the most useful tools you can carry daily. And the Tactile Knife Co. Rockwall Thumbstud offers an excellent balance of practical design, compact portability, and elegant, non-aggressive styling that suits a range of day-to-day environments.

From its ambidextrous thumbstud opening to the grip-friendly grooves and pocket clip, this knife is all about useful features that make it easy to use and carry, while maintaining a sleek and classy look and feel.

The construction is top-notch, with a versatile flat grind blade available in a choice of steels to suit different preferences. The design is straightforward to disassemble and reassemble for maintenance and the weight comes in at just 2.5 oz. It’s clear to see the Tactile Knife Co. team cares about craft quality; not surprising considering these are the same folk behind the stellar EDC pen company Tactile Turn.

An EDC knife should be effortless to add to your daily setup. A piece you want to use every day. A design that’s built to last, easy and lightweight to carry, and ideally brings a touch of flair too. The Rockwall Thumbstud does all of this in a carefully considered and meticulously executed design that merits its champion status. Congratulations, Tactile Knife Co.!

Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honor, we bow our heads in the utmost respect and kudos. If this were a dais, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And we’re sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

Terrain 365 Invictus-ATC

Finding a knife that spans both outdoor and EDC use can be a challenge. But Terrain 365 is a brand built on finding that tricky middle ground. As the name suggests, their offerings are designed to tackle a wide variety of terrains. And the Invictus-ATC (All Terrain Compact) is a great choice for users who want that EDC/outdoor versatility in a tough, compact, and low-maintenance design.

A key part of that low maintenance is the Terravantium™ blade, a proprietary super-alloy that is rustproof, non-magnetic, and holds an edge for a long time. You can use this blade on land and in water and not worry about it. The scales come in a choice of durable materials, while further features such as a low-ride pocket clip and GITD thumbstud cabochons enhance the practical, user-friendly design. If you’re after a versatile all-rounder for wherever the day might take you, from urban jungles to wilderness adventures, the Invictus-ATC is a dependable, hard-wearing pocket companion that will serve you well. Great work, Terrain 365!

GiantMouse ACE Riv Titanium

Jens Ansø and Jesper Voxnaes (the designers behind GiantMouse) are highly respected within the knife industry, creating pieces that offer a deft blend of practicality and pleasing aesthetics. One such piece is the GiantMouse ACE Riv Titanium. Created to be a compact folder for daily use, its tough construction will handle most day-to-day cutting tasks, while the clean aesthetics and compact, lightweight build fit easily into diverse EDC setups.

The Elmax steel blade measures 2.44″ and is complemented by a titanium handle and brass backspacer. All in, the knife weighs an easily portable 2.8 oz (79.4g), with a pocket clip to keep it close at hand. The blade deploys easily and the knife is comfortable to use, allowing you to quickly take care of cutting and slicing tasks as you go about your day. The thoughtful design, pared-back aesthetics, and durable construction make this a stylish, capable staple for your EDC. Fantastic job, GiantMouse!

–