As evening falls and the day draws to a close, you go upstairs to bed. Exhausted, you empty your pockets and place your fetishes on the bedside table. Just like your pen or your glasses, your EDC knife stays with you through thick and thin. Every day carry items, designed for every day, extend your every gesture. There’s no such thing as the perfect all-rounder. The blade, the handle, the steel, the ergonomics – it all depends on you: your tastes, your needs, your values. Choosing an EDC knife means investing in a lifelong companion. You might as well choose one that’s reliable and timeless. Because beyond the indestructible bond between you and your knife, your knife will one day be an integral part of your children’s inheritance. Here’s how to find the one that will accompany you over the long term and pass on a part of your history.
A good EDC knife: an effective everyday ally
EDC, every day carry is a knife for every day use, but not just any knife. Blades and handles are never chosen at random. Reason and emotion combine to ensure that you choose the perfect model. The one that serves you every day. And that you like to hold in your hand. Because EDC is not a fashion, it’s a way of life: never be caught unprepared.
These days, men and women lead active lives, running around all day and eating lunch outside. Most only return home in the evening, or even at weekends.
A plastic bag too hard to open. A tomato without a knife. Ever had to deal with this?
The EDC knife, practical and versatile, satisfies a variety of everyday, sometimes intensive, needs.
At the office, it opens a parcel or removes that damned wire that’s been dangling all day. In the restaurant, it cuts meat, fish and vegetables. On the bus, he frees a few sweets from that supposedly easy-opening bag. On vacation, he picks edible mushrooms, a few flowers or cuts the fishing line. After sport, he peels and shares that lovely apple that gives him a bit of punch after the effort.
But who says it only has to be practical? At Couteaux Morta, we firmly believe that “good” and “beautiful” can be found in the EDC knife.
Fixed or folding knife: two philosophies, one objective
Fixed-blade EDC knives: the obvious choice
Some swear by the fixed blade. The gesture is straightforward, the grip immediate. Once in hand, the knife becomes an extension of the arm. You take it out of a well-fitting sheath, use it and put it away: simple and fluid.
At Atelier Morta, we’ve crafted a fixed EDC knife in our image: reliable, sober and demanding. A well-balanced blade, a sharp edge, a handle that hugs the palm. It’s a daily companion for men and women who like to get straight to the point. Whether in the vegetable garden, by the sea or in the forest, it stays true to its role.
No gadgets, no fads. Just a handcrafted knife designed to last.
EDC pocket knives: compact folding knives for everyday use
Compact, discreet and easy to slip into a pocket or bag, the folding knife is the perfect companion for all mobile lifestyles. A simple gesture is all it takes to unfold it and make a clean cut. Whether you’re at work, out and about, or just having lunch.
At Couteaux Morta, our folding models combine sobriety, elegance and efficiency. Their sturdy mechanism ensures smooth opening and a reliable hold over time. Some stand out for their assertive look, others for their chic minimalism. All share the same attention to detail.
Choosing your EDC knife: other key criteria
Choosing a knife isn’t just about looks or size. It’s the technical details, often invisible, that make all the difference in use. Blade, handle, balance: every element deserves attention.
A blade adapted to your needs
Length: balancing precision and reach
The ideal blade length depends on your use, but for EDC, it doesn’t need to be very long. For optimum use, 8 to 10 cm is sufficient. This gives you a good grip.
Steel: a discreet ally for sharpness
Choose a stainless steel blade if you do a lot of cooking or are involved in outdoor activities.
At Couteaux Morta, Damascus steel is made from N690, so it’s perfectly corrosion-resistant and guarantees an excellent, long-lasting cutting edge.
However, always clean with a soft cloth.
If you’re a fan of authentic, racy materials, perhaps you’ll fall under the spell of Brut de Forge.
Check that the hardness is at least 59 HRC on the Rockwell scale.
The edge: durability makes all the difference
Finally, the durability of the cutting edge depends above all on how well the blade is cared for. Most steels can make good blades if properly machined. For optimum edge retention, see below for our best sharpening tips.
The handle: a material to suit your taste
For the handle, think solid grip and durability. If you buy your EDC from an artisan cutlery store, it’s highly likely that all models offer perfect ergonomics. Squeeze it into your palm and listen to how it feels.
Composite materials may be inexpensive, but they lack that extra soul that’s essential for creating a lasting bond between you and your EDC. If you like warm, organic materials, wood (deer, olive) or horn are ideal. If you’re a lover of beauty, nobility and history, we can’t recommend Morta enough. This fossilized wood is 5,000 years old. It alone bears the heritage of man and geology.
Ergonomics: comfort in use
If you have the good idea of moving around in cutlery, then test and judge the balance between the knife’s weight and your needs. For very frequent use, stick to a compact model proportionate to your wrist strength.
How to choose your EDC knife according to your user profile?
EDC knife for men: robustness and versatility
Whether they’re bushcraft fans, hikers or campers, outdoor men use their knives all the time, for everything. The EDC focuses on medium-duty, everyday work.
- Cutting rope or string.
- Repairing a shelter.
- Making a wooden tool (walking stick, spoon).
Cooks and lovers of good food want a knife that prepares the meal, peels, spines and bones. Of course, they also draw it at the table to get acquainted with that mouth-watering entrecôte.
The urbanite opts for a folding knife to slip into the pocket of jeans or his suit. Sophisticated, rock’n’roll looks are found around Damascus blades or the Paint It Black model.
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Trapper Morta knife
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Morta knife lock back « Paint it Black »
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Women’s EDC knife: multifunctional and easy to handle
No, women don’t choose their knives differently. They focus on what they need and how they handle it. A survivalist looks for sturdiness, a handywoman for maneuverability, a businesswoman in a hurry buys a folding blade.
And for those who absolutely must give a feminine knife, mammoth ivory inlays, blue vulcanized fiber edging or an engraved inscription (pin-up pictogram, heart or rose) add a girly touch.
🔗 Women’s EDC knife: tips for an informed choice
French EDC knife: the artisanal exception, far from marketing
A French-made knife isn’t just an object: it’s a promise. The promise of a precise cutting edge, a handcrafted handle and a balance designed for everyday use. At Couteaux Morta, every model is made in France, in our Loire-Atlantique workshop.
Why not choose a durable knife that makes sense? Buying a French handcrafted knife guarantees good workmanship, quality materials and a minimal carbon footprint.
Provided, of course, that these materials don’t come from the other side of the world. But that’s another story. As a committed consumer, you can always question the cutler about the provenance of his wood, metal and accessories.
A top-of-the-range, handcrafted French knife goes far beyond the everyday gadget. Unlike mass-produced industrial knives, master craftsmen are passionate about their craft, respecting ancestral know-how.
The knife becomes an object of transmission, of tradition and of symbolism. When you pass it on to your children, it will bear your imprint and your story.
A Morta knife, beyond the soul you give it, already contains the spirit of the Brière region in which it was slowly formed. Morta is a thousand-year-old wood, a unique marsh oak.
🔗 Why choose a French-made pocket knife or a French-made table knife?
Our selection of 5 knives for EDC use
The right knife for every profile. Here are the models our customers have chosen for their reliability, design and intuitive handling. Blades designed to last, to slice cleanly, to adapt to the variety of everyday tasks.
🔪 The fixed EDC model: for purists of the simple gesture, with a stable edge and proven strength.
🔪 The Paint It Black: a folding knife that combines rock look and field efficiency.
🔪 Le Trappeur: versatile par excellence, suitable for both bushcraft and impromptu picnics.
🔪 Le Morta massif Damas: compact, chic and racy. A noble blade for clean cuts.
🔪 The Brut de Forge paring knife: rustic, lively, precise. Perfect in the kitchen or on the mop.
All made in France in our workshop, from thousand-year-old Morta.
All combine sturdiness, balance and ergonomics, in a spirit faithful to our craftsmanship. In each of them (as in our entire collection, but it’s a secret), we’ve added that drop of magic that comes from our love of cutlery, Morta and a job well done.
Mistakes to avoid before buying an EDC knife
How many visitors ask us for advice in the workshop, because they made a mistake with their previous purchase? Choosing an EDC knife requires a minimum of thought to get it right. Rest assured, your common sense already has all the answers, you just have to ask the right questions.
Here are our recommendations.
- There’s no need to opt for a long blade if you’re looking for a discrete, handy tool.
- Avoid gadget models with 1,000 functions (which weigh a lot and which you don’t actually use).
- Above all, think about your intended use: where, indoors or outdoors, what for, how often, etc.
- Anticipate how you’ll be transported, so you can decide whether to use a fixed or folding blade.
- Plan your storage needs (scabbard, sheath, case).
- Accept that a low price often reflects lower quality.
- If it’s for a gift, imagine the person in question with the knife in hand, what do you see?
- If you’re giving it to yourself, imagine yourself using it.
And last but not least: treat yourself!
Caring for and storing your EDC craft knife
How do you care for a handcrafted knife?
By respecting the material, regularly sharpening the blade and storing it in an appropriate sheath. These simple gestures will extend its lifespan.
Above all, a handcrafted EDC knife needs to be cared for with love. For sharpening tips, Jean-Henri Pagnon, our master knifemaker, gives you his best advice in the video below.
For a long-lasting edge, use a natural stone, and adopt a gentle gesture, always repeated by the same person. Sharpening is not so technical, it just has to be done with respect for the material.
To protect your blade from humidity, store it in a sheath (fixed blade) or case.
Find out more about our accessories for taking full care of your knives.
What about the law? What you need to know
In France, carrying an EDC knife is authorized if it is used for a specific purpose: hiking, DIY, professional activity. It is simply forbidden in public places without valid justification, and during demonstrations (article R. 315-8 of the French Security Code).
Now you’re ready to choose the best EDC knife for your needs and your pleasure. It has to cut, of course. But above all, it has to adapt to every situation you face. For this, you can count on Morta Knives. All you have to do is click to find what you’re looking for.
Article written by Christelle Lorant 🪶
Key questions in this article
How to choose the right EDC knife for your needs?
Choosing the right EDC knife starts with defining your real needs. Pocket knives come in folding or fixed models, depending on your lifestyle. To choose your knife, ask yourself the right questions: where will you use it, how often, for what purposes?
A city dweller will prefer a discreet folding knife, while an outdoor enthusiast will opt for a fixed-blade knife. What’s important is that your multi-purpose tool can be carried every day without weighing you down, and can be used for all your daily tasks.
What blade length is best for everyday use?
For an effective EDC knife, a blade length of between 8 and 10 cm offers the best compromise. This size is ideal for everyday use: opening a parcel, cutting an apple, slicing a string. A small blade will be more discreet, while a large blade will provide greater versatility.
It all depends on your priorities: discretion or versatility. The important thing is that your knife remains designed to be carried comfortably all day long.
What type of blade should I choose for a long-lasting edge?
Sharpness and durability depend on the type of blade and steel chosen. At Couteaux Morta, we offer three blade materials: Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel for its corrosion resistance, 90MCV8 forged steel that develops a patina over time, and Damascus steel for its unique moiré patterns.
All offer a minimum hardness of 59 HRC. The choice depends on your tastes: do you prefer the ease of maintenance of stainless steel or the authentic character of brut de forge, which tells your story?
Fixed or folding knife: which to choose?
EDC pocket knives come in two philosophies. The fixed-blade knife offers simplicity and sturdiness: a straightforward gesture, an immediate grip, stored in a sheath.
The folding knife is compact and safe, ideal for carrying. All Morta pocket knives combine robustness and elegance.
Your choice depends on how you carry them: belt sheath or pocket sheath? Both are perfect for everyday cutting tasks.
How to recognize a lightweight, handy knife?
A lightweight knife doesn’t necessarily mean a fragile knife! The balance between weight and efficiency makes all the difference. At Couteaux Morta, our compact models such as the Mini Morta Massif offer a solid grip in a reduced format. To be lightweight yet sturdy, choose a knife that’s proportional to your hand.
Whether a knife is fixed or folding, its ergonomic design should enable prolonged use without tiring the wrist. Test it in hand if possible!
What materials should be used for the handle of a handcrafted EDC?
The choice of handle influences your enjoyment of everyday use. At Couteaux Morta, we prefer Morta, an age-old wood with ebony and caramel highlights. For added distinction, mammoth ivory or blue vulcanized fiber edging add a personal touch.
These noble materials provide the warmth of organic matter and develop a patina over time. A Morta handle tells the story of 5,000 years of fossilization, so your EDC knife can serve more than just a utilitarian function.
A French EDC: why this choice?
Choosing a French-made knife like Couteaux Morta means investing in traditional craftsmanship. Our models are designed to be worn daily and used daily without fail.
The artisanal approach guarantees a perfect balance between blade and handle, rigorous selection of materials and attention to detail impossible in industrial production.
It also means choosing proximity: you can visit our workshop in Loire-Atlantique and understand every step of the manufacturing process.
How to care for your EDC knife on a daily basis?
A knife in daily use deserves simple but regular maintenance. Clean the blade with a damp cloth, then dry the blade and handle thoroughly. For sharpening, our master knifemaker Jean-Henri recommends a natural stone and a gentle gesture, always repeated by the same person.
Depending on your needs and usage, one sharpening is generally sufficient. Store your knife in an appropriate sheath to protect the blade and extend its life.
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