The ethos of EDC is easy enough to understand; it is a relentless belief in having the right tools for the job and being prepared for anything that life may throw at you. It’s no surprise we often draw parallels between good EDC and watches we love to wear every day. The satisfaction of having good quality gear that just works is what drives our friends at The James Brand and every product. Based in Portland, Oregon, The James Brand has been making knives and other everyday carry gear for over a decade. Their focus on premium materials and attention to detail is obvious the closer you look. In this Chronicle, we look at four different products that showcase the best of what The James Brand has to offer.
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The Folsom: A Companion For Life
The Folsom is a general purpose knife that has been refined to the limit. It sports a liner lock mechanism and a VG-10 steel straight blade. Measuring a compact 6.75 inches long fully open (4 inches when closed), The Folsom only weighs a feathery 3.4 ounces. The grained and textured handle is elegantly finished and features subtle branding. Thoughtful details include a reversible pocket clip and an ambidextrous blade opening slot. In all, the Folsom lays the groundwork for the kinds of products that make The James Brand famous.
The Palmer: A Handy Box Cutter
The Palmer is what happens when you let engineers and designers iterate on a basic idea to the max. Showcasing an innovative tool-free blade-changing mechanism, the Palmer is the logical end evolution of the box cutter. A compact aluminum handle houses the high carbon steel blade and is also home to a loop for a lanyard. Available in an array of colors, the Palmer is minimalism and excellent design personified.
The Halifax: An Ingenious Multitool
At first glance, it may not be obvious what The Halifax’s primary purpose is, but a closer look yields clues – and a wonderfully clever multitool. It is one unit of 6AL4V titanium designed to double as both a bottle opener and a screwdriver. The opener is made of 416 stainless steel, while the wedge is intended as a scraper (for shoes, boots, engines, you name it) and a flathead / Phillips combination screwdriver. Of course, we would be remiss not to mention the ever-convenient cutout, allowing the Halifax to live on a lanyard as an EDC staple.
The Elko: An Indispensable Pocket Knife
Last but not least, The Elko is a wonderfully simple sub-$100 knife that can live on a keychain or fit into any pocket. Even at full length, the Elko is only four and a third inches long (1.74” blade) – though don’t underestimate its strength. The Sandvik 12C27 steel blade is renowned for its longevity. The Elko’s mechanics are basic enough, as well: a slip joint design for simplicity keeps things reliable. As is always the case with The James Brand products, there are thoughtful touches of detail and utility here as the key loop does double duty as a screwdriver and bottle opener. If all of The James Brand’s spirit could live in one compact product, this is likely it.
