For more than 10 years, I have made recommendations for pairs of lights and knives. The idea is to get someone up and running with an EDC kit for as little money as possible. These are the best EDC flashlight-and-knife pairings of the year.
While most people carry a wallet, keys, and a cellphone, the knife and flashlight represent the first items people purchase when thinking about everyday carry. While most people benefit from carrying just a knife, if you do mechanical or construction work, a multitool makes sense, so I have included them as “other options” below each pairing.
Over the past year, the market for gear has really changed, and there are a bunch of new entries on this list.
Budget EDC Pair: $50 Knife & Light Combo
Finding a quality knife and light in this price range is exceptionally difficult. Fortunately, the recent boom in the gear market was a rising tide that lifted all boats, even entry-level gear. Remember that at this price point everything is a compromise: materials, performance, and durability. The challenge is finding compromises that don’t impact performance too much.
CJRB Small Feldspar ($35)
With a 3-inch D2 blade, a snappy pivot, and wonderfully sculpted G10 handles, the Small Feldspar is by far the best budget knife in the world, dethroning the long-reigning CRKT Drifter. It does gobble up more than half your budget, but it’s worth it. It’s that good.
Other options: QSP Parrot, CRKT Drifter in G10, Victorinox Cadet