Advantages of Carrying Multiple EDC Knives

A certain potato chip company challenged eaters: "Betcha can't eat just one." They felt their snacks were so delicious that no one could stop at one.

And it's not just junk food that's better in multiples. Your favorite TV series is even better on the second watch. Some people buy three of the same shirts once they find a favorite. They want a backup for when the first one fails.

We feel this way about knives, especially everyday-carry (EDC) knives. One is excellent; multiples are better. EDC knives are so useful that we bet you'll want to carry more than just one.

Here are some of the reasons that one EDC knife just won't cut it:

Spread the Love

Regular use can cause your knife to wear quickly, decreasing its lifespan. Wear happens even more rapidly when you use a knife that's less than ideal for the job at hand. When you only have one knife, it's the one you use, no matter what task you tackle. Whether it's the right knife for the job or the only one in your pocket or kit, it's your only option.

With more than one knife in your pocket, you can spread the workload. Distributing your use will decrease the frequency with which you need to replace your knives. Multiple knives will also allow you to select the best blade for the job so that you aren't putting extra strain on a knife by using it when it isn't the best tool for the task.

Stay Sharp out There

Spreading your cutting across multiple knives means they all stay sharp longer. With less wear on each blade, you increase the time between sharpening. Anyone who has experienced the frustration of pulling out their knife to complete a critical task only to find a dull blade knows the annoyance that comes from a dull knife.

Since dull knives are also less safe, using multiples to keep them sharper longer means safer cutting. With more than one EDC knife, you can send one off to be professionally sharpened when the time finally comes, and you'll still have a knife to carry.

Multiple EDC knives increase the chances that you'll always find a sharp blade when you need it.

Redundant Redundancy

Redundancy seems like a bad thing. No one likes to fill out a form that asks for the same information they've already provided.

When it comes to carrying knives, however, redundancy is a feature, not a bug. If your knife breaks, fails, becomes dull, or gets left behind, having another one on you means you aren't left blade-less.

You benefit from having a backup.

And maybe even a backup for your backup.

Two of a (Different) Kind

Different styles of knives are helpful for different uses. An OTF knife allows you to open it in tight spaces. A fixed-blade knife has fewer moving parts, which means less chance of breakage or malfunction and easier maintenance. A serrated blade is the optimal choice for cutting through tough branches. A smaller blade is ideal for precision cuts in small spaces.

Why choose just one knife and sacrifice the advantages of other styles when you can have more options? Doubling (or tripling) up allows you to capture the benefits of several different knives.

With multiple knives, you can use one to add extra features like a can or bottle opener. Consider carrying one knife that is a pure cutting machine and another that functions as a utility tool in addition to helping with cutting tasks. Or one that's good for precision tasks and another that takes on larger jobs.

If you want to carry more than one knife at a time, look for pieces that complement each other. Strategically choose one to pick up the slack where the other has a weakness. Pair a Benchmade Weekender, with its two blades and bottle opener, with a Microtech Combat Troodon. That gives you functionality, multiple cutting options, and lethality, all readily available when (or hopefully only if) needed.

Even if you only plan to carry one knife at a time, having a few choices at home allows you to choose the knife that best fits your plan for the day.

Dual Defenders

If you carry for self-defense, multiple knives make sense. You can have one on either side of your body, giving you easy access from any position. You might choose a fixed blade for quick deployment and a folding knife with a longer blade.

When defending yourself or your loved ones, there's no such thing as too many options. If you drop your knife or it gets damaged, you'll be relieved to have a second knife to turn to to finish the fight.

Legally Binding

Some jurisdictions limit the kinds of knives or blade lengths you can carry. If you only have one EDC option and it's outside those limits, you are out of luck when you leave it behind. If you have several knives to choose from, you'll still have your trusted blade with you even when you leave behind the prohibited one.

Going from carrying two knives to one is much better than going from one to none. Having multiple EDC knives decreases the chances you'll be left bladeless when you pare down to meet local requirements.

There's an expression, "Two is one; one is none." When you only have one of any necessary items, you are left without anything if it fails. If you have a backup, you can feel confident that you will always have what you need. Carrying multiples also allows you to add variety and versatility to your arsenal.

When it comes to EDC knives, we firmly believe that two is better than one. So, sit back, grab a bowl of chips, and start shopping for your next EDC knife because, like with snack foods, one is never enough.