Safety is a primary concern with any cutting tool, from simple kitchen knives to craft blades, in an artist’s studio. You risk injuring yourself and others if you use most standard knives incorrectly. For example, you could lose your grip on a handle if you hold it too loosely when slicing vegetables or cutting a package open. And before you know it, you could give yourself a nasty hand laceration that needs stitches.
That’s why it’s so vital to consider functionality and safety features when shopping for an everyday carry (EDC) knife, especially if you’ve never owned one before. EDC knives are designed for daily use in a variety of situations. You might buy a pocket knife for cutting fabrics when upcycling furniture in your downtime, slicing fruit, preparing kindling on camping trips, or trimming loose threads off clothing. The list of possibilities goes on and on.
But not all knives designed for everyday carry are created equal, and some are significantly safer than others (particularly for beginners). Look out for tools that include safety-focused blades and performance, such as this EDC folding knife. This is an everyday tool with a finger-friendly® blade that cuts various materials effectively, but its rounded tip offers safer cutting than standard alternatives. The ergonomic handle fits comfortably in the hand for a secure grip, and the ambidextrous design means you can switch the blade orientation to use your preferred hand.
But why should you carry this kind of EDC knife with the rest of your everyday items (watch, phone, flashlight)? We’ll explore the four reasons below.
Cut Materials in Almost Any Setting and Situation
A quality EDC knife can cut numerous materials you might use every day or from time to time, including:
- Cardboard
- Wood
- Paper
- Plastic clamshell packaging
- String
- Rope
They’re amazingly versatile. You can use EDC knives for everything from cutting open deliveries packaged in thick cardboard and tape to chopping ropes on deck if you’re a keen sailor. But a safer blade helps you decrease the danger of cutting your hand when you do either of these things (and countless others). That’s a real advantage if you’re in a rush, distracted, or don’t have a stable cutting surface.
Simple No-Tool Blade Changes Keep Fingers Safe
Whether you need to remove damp bark from the blade after whittling wood or replacing it after long-term usage, you should be able to do so without injury. When the time arrives to switch a worn blade for a new one, you should be able to mitigate the risk of cuts with a knife designed for no-tool blade changes.
But you might not need to replace the blades for some time anyway. By using ceramic blades made from 100% zirconium oxide, it’s not only safer but also lasts 11 times longer than standard metal ones.
Release Your Blade Without Touching It (Unlike Traditional Folding Knives)
One of the most common safety flaws in traditional folding knives is the manual blade release; you need to hold the handle in one hand and pull the blade out with the other. That creates an obvious safety issue. You could cut your fingertips or palm if you slip, or the blade is sharper than you expect.
And you need to push the blade back into the handle when you’re done with the knife, so the tool’s basic design creates safety risks before you’ve even cut anything with it!
A modernized take on a folding knife design with a safer blade includes spring-assist blade deployment. Tap a button on the handle, and use it immediately without touching the blade. That’s a big help if you need to cut materials frequently throughout the day but don’t want to handle the blade itself each time.
Explore Your Creative Side Safely and Conveniently
Cutting tools are necessary for various forms of arts and crafts, particularly when precision is paramount. Let’s say you want to whittle a piece of wood into a beautiful statue. It’s an incredible skill that requires total accuracy to achieve the finest detail. But it also often keeps your fingers in close proximity to the blade as you work.
A high-quality blade is sharp enough to trim wood effectively and safe enough to reduce your likelihood of self-injury. You still have to use the tool responsibly, and follow its instructions to the letter. But you can use it with more confidence and peace of mind than you might with a traditional EDC knife made without the emphasis on safety performance.
Safer blades, such as those made from zirconium oxide, are an innovative way to stay safe and decrease the danger of cutting yourself or others when using an EDC knife while still getting effective cutting results. You can keep this EDC knife in your pocket or backpack to use in emergencies or any situation when you need to cut lightweight materials. An investment like this is a perfect bridge between cutting efficiency and protecting yourself.
