In the everyday carry (EDC) world, The James Brand is a heralded name; celebrated for its creation of the most coveted and functional EDC knives. Now, stepping into uncharted territory with a touch of innovation and style, James Brand reveals the Titanium Bottle Opener—an accessory that Man of Many titles the “iPhone 15 Pro of bottle openers.”
It is a sleek and durable bottle opener made entirely of 6AL4V titanium; the same material found in high-performance aircraft components. This choice of material for construction renders the TJB bottle open feather-lightweight form factor. It weighs only 29g and is stilled to open conversations with every flip of a bottle cap.
Priced at $99, this titanium bottle opener is a small investment that pays off big. Milled from a single solid billet, it embodies the epitome of strength and durability. The James Brand has not only created a tool for practical use but a statement piece that seamlessly transitions from your home to the bustling atmosphere of a night out with friends.
Not just limited to bottle-opening duties, this EDC comes integrated with a lanyard hole in its sleek profile, which offers a personal touch and a chance for you to make a statement with your style. That’s not all, flip the opener over, and you’ll discover a mini driver discreetly nestled in the bottom. Need to open a box or tighten down a camera mount? The James Brand Titanium Bottle Opener has you covered.
In the exclusive market of EDCs, where every detail counts, The James Brand Titanium Bottle Opener stands out as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. For its affordable price tag, you’re not just purchasing a bottle opener; you’re investing in a conversation starter: A piece of titanium design that’ll withstand the test of time!
With its candy-like aesthetic, the James Brand Redstone outdoor knife doesn’t try to look like something it isn’t. The knife is, just at face value, a compact little number designed to be carried everywhere and cherished all the time. Showcasing an aesthetic that eyes can never get tired of and boasting of functionality that’s unapologetically top-notch, the Redstone is a delightful piece of EDC designed for all sorts of adventures.
The first thing that hits you with the Redstone is its color-way. Titled ‘Coral + Turquoise’, it looks immediately like a Nintendo Switch accessory, and that association gives the outdoor knife its friendly, approachable, lovable nature. Pop open the fold-out blade, however, and you’ve got a deceptively sharp, extremely capable drop-point knife with a serrated end that’s versatile enough to pierce, slice, score, whittle, and even chop tough objects like twigs and paracord. The knife, measuring a neat 6.2″ when open, is perfectly handy for any task you throw at it, and when closed, fits right back into your pocket, securing to the fabric with its pocket clip.
The inspiration for the Redstone comes from a tale of versatility too. The Redstone was co-designed with professional rock climber and photographer Savannah Cummins, who provided the James Brand team with a pivotal insight when she told them about the three objects that are always there at the top of her backpack: a Bic lighter, some lip-balm, and a small pocket knife. The idea of designing a knife that was useful enough to justify being a top-three accessory helped mold and shape the Redstone. “The thing about a pocket knife is that you never know when you are going to need it, but when you need it – you really need it. No other tool will do the job”, the James Brand team rightfully highlighted. “That was the mission of the Redstone.”
The knife’s relatively uncomplicated aesthetic gives it a classic appeal while also allowing it to be relatively lightweight. It sports an ambidextrous design that’s still great to hold and easy to maneuver and comes with a black oxide coated stainless steel handle covered with the colored polypropylene scales, for overall durability. Within the knife’s hollow blade sits its Sandvik 12C27 steel handle that opens out and satisfyingly clicks to lock in place. The slide-unlocking mechanism is ambidextrous too, which makes it easy for using in any hand, and although the Redstone comes with a pocket clip, it also sports a hole for a lanyard or paracord that lets you string the EDC outdoor knife to yourself or a backpack.
The versatile Redstone comes in 4 color variants – the Coral + Turquoise (pictured here) variant as well as a Glacial Blue variant for people who want their EDC to also be objects of visual delight. And also an All-Black variant and an OD Green + Black variant to satisfy the EDC traditionalists who appreciate the classic color schemes. The Redstone is available on the James Brand site for $89, and if you’re in the market for a knife that’s small enough to make itself invisible, yet useful enough to make itself indispensable, this one might just be perfect for you.
Designer: The James Brand (in collaboration with Savannah Cummins)
You’ve seen some form of the Barlow knife at least once in your life. An icon of EDC, the Barlow was created over three centuries ago in England and perfected in America, quickly becoming Americans’ preferred blade over the years. The Barlow was such a crowd favorite, Presidents Washington and Lincoln never left home without theirs, and Mark Twain felt called to mention the tool in two of his iconic works. The James Brand’s Wayland aims at reinventing the Barlow, making it look and feel more sophisticated. The pocket knife comes with a S35VN Wharncliffe blade, fitted within a stainless steel handle that’s outfitted with Micarta, a composite that uses fabric and plastic to create a unique-looking handle with a one-of-a-kind grain.
The Wayland knife’s appeal lies in its ability to maintain the Barlow’s design cues and proportions, with new-age materials, a non-locking slip joint format, and an exterior that is absolutely devoid of any mechanical details. There isn’t a single screw, or lock, or functional element in sight. Every inch of the Wayland knife is designed to be an absolute pleasure for your eyes and your hand, and thanks to its Barlow-esque proportions, that comes pretty easy! The Wayland knife weighs a mere 2.8 oz (78 grams) and comes in a neat pocket-friendly size when folded. Moreover, a hole running through the base of the handle allows you to instantly attach a paracord or lanyard to it, letting you strap it to a bag or secure it around your neck… although it’s called a ‘pocket’ knife for a reason!
You’re stuck in a situation where a screwdriver would bail you out, but who carries screwdrivers in their pockets? Even EDC’s can be too bulky to consider carrying around in your pocket all the time. Move over-complicated EDC items, as James Brand is yet again finding that valued space in the pocket of your jeans in the form of a compact screwdriver. Yes, it’s a screwdriver cleverly disguised to look like a pen or a penlight at first glance.
Sure there are multi-tools that have screwdriver, knives, and a whole lot more, but do they have the screwdriver bits in case the only one available doesn’t fit the screw head? Most probably not. That’s where a compact screwdriver (no bigger than a pen) with multiple bits is really useful – instantly fixing your broken bike light or changing the batteries of an RC car in a jiffy. James Brand’s Cache River is a screw and bit driver on a bearing that comes in a set of 3 bits – Phillips #2 bit, a Torx T6 bit, and a Wiha slotted 4.5 bit – which should get you through any precarious situation. The tool is CNC-machined using an aerospace-grade aluminum billet, and then black-anodized for super durability. The bits attach to the driver seamlessly – after all, they have magnetic attachments and made out of chrome-vanadium molybdenum tool steel. The two bits that aren’t used at any given time rest inside the body of the tool.
James Brand puts a lot of thought into designing their EDC tools and this one is no different. Not only does it look good, but the ultimate purpose is also solved without a doubt. And yes, since it is so compact, they’ve been cheeky enough to fit a lanyard loophole for the keychain on the end-cap of this 3.9-inch compact screwdriver that weighs just 36 grams.
Men are super lucky to always have outfits with pockets and that’s why they can actually carry this cool EDC (Everyday Carry) kit of essentials with them. These aren’t just your regular items, they are more like functional accessories with a compact form for those who won’t compromise on practicality or a clean look. This sleek kit comes in a weatherproof case, so you truly can carry it every day and everywhere without having to cram your pockets or find a friend who is carrying a bag.
James Brand and Aether have created this monochromatic daily essential kit that includes a branded Moleskin notebook with a limited-edition pen, and knife, both having a diamond-patterned grip for ease of use. The pocket knife is not your usual one attached to a keyring, it was designed with a special 2.5″ blade, a Phillips-head screwdriver, a bottle opener, and James’ “All Things” scraper and pry. The exclusive knife also has a safety function where the blade locks, especially when applying a lot of force. Strong and super durable straps hold the knife and pen in place while the small gadgets and cords are neatly packed with the help of an elastic daisy chain.
There is no such thing as too many pockets especially when you don’t carry around a purse, so this EDC kit also has an internal zippered pocket that serves as a place to keep cash or small necessities. Making most of its form and function, the notebook pocket doubles as a passport pocket with three credit card slots making it perfect for travel as well. This is, in every essence, the modern man’s EDC kit with essentials that are multifunctional, practical, space-saving and classy – an everyday kit as ready to take on the world as you are!
The Chapter remains perhaps one of my most favorite knives ever. This is in part because they’re designed by The James Brand, a company that gets that sharp knives don’t need to look aggressive or tactical, and that they can channel a much more dapper aesthetic. Their knives sport a much more classy, urbane design language, and look like something a secret spy like James Bond would carry in his tuxedo (that’s not why the company is called James Brand, but it would make a great story).
The Chapter gets the distinction of being a knife I love sheerly for its simplicity. It doesn’t overdo any element, and everything is measured, collected, and ‘just right’. Then comes the Chapter’s Damascus Steel Edition, which somewhat feels like ‘classic’ meets ‘exotic’.
Encased in the black-oxide coated stainless steel casing with a titanium frame lock construction lies the blade, a drop-point straight blade made from Damascus steel. The drop-point makes the blade work wonderfully for piercing, while the blade’s straight edge works well for cutting and slicing. Sitting atop the stunning blade like a crown jewel is a lime green button that lets you deploy the blade from its folded position. Measuring at just 3.75 inches when closed, the Chapter fits into pockets rather comfortably, and a pocket-clip secures it to your pocket fabric, keeping it easy to access whenever you need. Designed with the aesthetic that works wonderfully both indoors and outdoors, the Chapter Damascus Knife’s matte stainless steel casing tells one story, but flip the marbled, Damascus steel blade open and you’ve got a contrast that’s definitely worth admiring for years to come.
We’ve covered quite a few EDC knives over the years without realizing that there’s no resource that guides you through the types of knives. Knife blades have evolved from culture and from need. Some knives are designed for everyday tasks, some for rough outdoor use, some for hunting, and some for combat/self-defence. Each blade design has a distinct silhouette, and has developed over the years based on need and on use. Knife materials have evolved over time too, ranging from the various alloys of steel, to Titanium, to even some with ceramic coatings for extra strength.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but rather focuses on highlighting different common types of blade designs that exist in the world of EDC, their purposes, and showcasing one exemplary knife in each category! __
Straight Back
One of the most common knife blade designs, the straight back is called so because of the blade’s straight spine. Perhaps one of the most old-school styles, the Straight Back features a straight-ish blade edge too, with the edge curving tightly right at the end to meet the spine. These knives are common and easy to maintain and work wonderfully for cutting or slicing tasks, thanks to the long, straight blade. The County, by James Brand, embodies the simple beauty of the straight back, with a long, 2.5inch Sandvik steel blade and an exquisite ebony wood and stainless steel handle to match! Click Here to Buy Now
Drop Point
A common knife design for hunting, the drop point is called so because the spine of the blade (above the edge) drops downward, Giving it a more pronounced tip. The edge of the blade travels upwards to meet the gently dropping spine at this somewhat centrally located tip, making it a knife that’s almost as functional as a spear, and an ideal knife for piercing. Most Swiss Army Knife multitools make use of the Drop Point knife, but our favorite is the Gerber Pocket Square. Almost halfway between the straight back and the drop point, the Pocket Square’s blade has a spine that does a gentle drop. Obviously, the modern drop point isn’t meant for combat or hunting, but could work well for any sort of cutting, slicing, and piercing work you’d want to do outdoors. It has an elegantly designed handle to allow it to blend into your urban lifestyle too, making it a rare piece of EDC that appeals to the urban as well as the rustic! Click Here to Buy Now
Clip Point
The Clip Point follows the same style of nomenclature as the last two blade types. While the straight back came with a straight spine, while the drop point had a curved, dropping spine, the clip point comes with a spine that travels straight for a portion of the distance before suddenly clipping across in a concave cut. If the drop point provides a sharp tip for piercing, the clip point goes the extra distance by making the tip a little bit narrower and therefore sharper. A common blade for hunting, the clip point’s tip can pierce hard surfaces, but damages easily too, given how fragile and thin it can be. The Gator by Gerber is considered a classic in the clip point category. In production since 1991 (when it was voted as the most innovative knife of the year), the Gator comes with a stainless steel blade and a glass-filled-nylon handle with an alligator-leather texture for superior grip. Click Here to Buy Now
Spear Point
There’s a very small distinction between a drop point and a spear point. Both of them have the spine and the edge converging and curving towards a centrally located tip, but the spear point’s spine is ground down to have a sharp edge too. While drop point blade spines are usually thick, spear point blades have thinner spines, almost like spears. This gives them the advantage of having sharper tips than drop point knives, and somewhat more resilient tips as compared to clip point knives. The CRKT Snap Lock makes the cut in this category quite simply for its brilliant design. Produced in 2004 (when it won the most innovative knife award), the Snap Lock was a runaway success, but CRKT discontinued its production after a few years to move onto newer designs. Given how popular it was (especially for its incredibly innovative folding mechanism), the company finally decided to reissue the knife and the Snap Lock was resurrected. You can’t say that about most knives! Click Here to Buy Now
Sheepsfoot
The Sheepsfoot features a straight blade and a curved spine, resulting in a blade that looks almost like a sheep’s foot or hoof. In most ways, it’s the absolute opposite of the Straight Back and features a design where the tip aligns with the blade’s edge. The Sheepsfoot blade design offers a nice, long, straight edge for cutting and carving (and can be easily sharpened too), whereas the tip isn’t particularly pronounced, and doesn’t work for piercing. The SOG Snarl is a wonderful example of a Sheepsfoot blade that doesn’t let its size be a disadvantage. Small and potent, like a stick of dynamite, the Snarl comes with a one-piece construction that fits easily on lanyards or even in pockets (it comes with a nylon sheath). With an overall length of 4.3 inches (half of which is the blade), the Snarl has two ways of gripping it. Traditionally, holding the area behind the blade like a handle, or using its finger-hole for far more dexterity and control… allowing you to go about all sorts of tasks with it by holding it in a fashion that works better for you. Click Here to Buy Now
Kiridashi
The Kiridashi comes with an unusually small cutting edge that occupies just a tiny part of the blade. The best and most common example is the medical scalpel. Extremely sharp and with a nasty tip, the Kiridashi is supposed to be an all-purpose utility tool that works in any and every situation. Inspired by the Japanese Kiridashi, but with a design that elevates the original, the Craighill Desk Knife is daringly unique, enough to make our selection for this category. Just over five inches long and slightly thicker than a half inch, Craighill’s Desk Knife has the proportions of a chunky metal pen, but comes with truncations on its sides to reveal a Kiridashi-style blade where the two truncations taper off. This makes the Desk Knife an absolute treat to hold, as it fits beautifully into one’s grip, and even to maneuver, making for a handy, and suave looking letter opener, box cutter, or scalpel-style paper cutter. Graceful, tasteful, and practical, the Craighill Desk Knife looks and feels remarkably unique, with a design that’s oh-so-simple but equally breath-taking! Click Here to Buy Now
Tanto
Another Japanese blade, the Tanto is named after a traditional short dagger that was carried by the samurai of feudal Japan. Tanto blades come with straight lines and sharp cuts. Imagine the Straight Back knife, but instead of having the edge curving to meet the spine at the tip, the Tanto’s edge breaks into two, creating two edges and two tips. The tanto’s blade works well in combat/tactical situations as well as works wonderfully as a recreational outdoor EDC knife blade too. CRKT’s Septimo tanto blade, however, has a more intriguing backstory. Designed by Jeremy Valdez of the 7th Special Forces Group (hence the name ‘Septimo’, meaning seven), the Septimo’s main motivation for this design arose from his 2009 deployment to Afghanistan, where, the lack of a proper slicing tool prevented him from being able to cut through straps or move debris, following a helicopter crash. Duty to his fallen comrades and brothers and sisters in arms drove him to design the Septimo with a tanto-style blade for use as both a safety tool as well as a combat weapon a desert-proof black oxide finish. The blade even features a single serration at its base (near the hinge) for effective strap-cutting ability. Click Here to Buy Now
Karambit/Talon
With a distinct blade that looks like an eagle’s talons, the Karambit comes from Southeast Asia. Used in both hunting and combat, the Karambit was designed to be held both straight or upside down, and used for swift, slashing motions, cutting through tough fruit/vegetables, hide, or even in combat. The Karambit, today, still sees itself being used sparingly in Filipino martial arts, but is more popular as a collector’s EDC knife, solely for its intriguing nature-inspired claw design. Probably the most intriguing of them all, CRKT’s Provoke comes with a karambit blade and an unusual folding mechanism. It uses a parallel motion linkage, as opposed to a single-point swivel. The result is a knife where the blade can slide outwards even as your palm is wrapped around the handle. The action is swift, decisive, and the blade doesn’t even have to touch your palm or fingers as it slides outwards and in, and works in the same way a jungle cat’s claws deploy or retract, probably paying the greatest homage to the Karambit’s claw-inspiration. It also makes the Provoke incredibly hypnotic to look at (especially in slow motion!). Click Here to Pre-Order
The Elko is a small, unassuming piece of metal that’s no bigger than your key. In fact, if you look at the picture above, it’s barely longer than the width of your smartphone. It’ll easily fit on your keyring, becoming something you’ll always have with you, right in your pocket. That very quality of it makes the Elko a stellar piece of everyday carry, because it’s literally something you’ll unassumingly carry every day. What does this tiny piece of metal do? It opens out into a rather convenient knife with a 1.7-inch Sandvik 12C27 steel blade that’s more than capable of handling any sort of cutting, shearing, slicing, slitting, and piercing needs you may have. On the opposite end you’ve got yourself a stainless steel prytool too, that lets you do everything from opening bottles, to scraping paint, to even tightening screws. What more could you possibly need!
Ryan Coulter, the founder of James Brand, says that the Elko practically set the benchmark for EDC and the brand by being so incredibly convenient that it would always be on your person. Pair this with a smart, sleek design and you’ve got EDC worth cherishing because it looks remarkable, and performs just the way you want it to… and then recedes into your pocket, almost feeling like it isn’t there anymore.
