You know that I think every suburban homesteader should build their EDC in tiers and one of the items in the second tier is a good pocketknife.  I’ve been on the search for a low-cost EDC blade that held up to my demands and may have found it with the Kershaw OSO Sweet pocketknife.  I’ve been carrying this little guy around in my pocket for the last few months and decided it’s time for a review.

Kershaw OSO Sweet General Description

The Kershaw OSO Sweet isn’t going to win any awards for creativity or innovation.  It is, in the simplest sense, a locking pocketknife.  With that in mind, here’s the specs on the knife:

• Closed length: 4.1 in. (10.5 cm)
• Overall length: 7.25 in. (18.4 cm)
• Blade length: 3.1 in. (7.9 cm)
• Weight: 3.2 oz. (90.7 g)
• Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV, satin finish steel
• Handle Material: Glass-filled nylon
• SpeedSafe® assisted opening
• Liner lock (steel)
• Reversible (tip-up/tip-down) pocketclip

The Pros

The Kershaw OSO Sweet met my first requirement for a pocketknife – cost.  I was able to buy one of these knives from Amazon for less than $20 (editor’s note: at time of publishing, it is selling for $21.77 on Amazon).  As you might imagine, the weight of this knife is also a big plus.  Coming in at a whopping 3.2oz (Editor’s Note: it came in at 2.98oz on my scale), this inexpensive pocketknife is light and you never really know it’s there.  In fact, I’ve reached down more than once just to make sure it’s still in my pocket.  The pocketclip is pretty sturdy, however, and I’ve never had a problem with it coming loose.

So the knife meets weight and cost requirements – but how does it handle?  The simple answer there is very well.  Let’s first talk about opening the knife.   The SpeedSafe® assisted opening functionality on this knife is simply awesome.  I can pull the Kershaw OSO Sweet from my pocket and have it ready for use with just a flick of my index finger.  The curvature of the body fits well in my hand – there is a hollowed-out portion of the body that my index finger sits in and the SpeedSafe® assisted opening tang acts as a kind of guard to prevent your hand from slipping forward during use.  The glass-filled nylon body has a fish scale pattern on it that provides sufficient grip.  It’s not as grippy as the pattern on the Spyderco Endura 4 FFG, but I find it more than sufficient for daily work.

The blade was quite sharp out of the box and Kershaw provides a lifetime sharpening policy for their knives if you are so inclined to use it (I prefer to sharpen my own knives).  Being that I’ve used this knife for EDC purposes, I’ve performed mostly normal, everyday tasks with it – opening letters, cutting cardboard, whittling wood and other similar tasks.  The blade has held up and hasn’t needed sharpening after about two months of daily use.  The 8Cr13MoV steel is apparently a Chinese version of AUS8.  I don’t have much experience with it, but the guys over at BladeForum.com give it a passing grade. I don’t have any experience sharpening it as it hasn’t needed it yet.

The knife itself is fairly innocent looking meaning that it “plays well” in an office setting like I am in.  In fact, the only time you will get a few odd looks is if you are quick on opening it – but it’s so fun to open!

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The Cons

I have to be perfectly honest here – for the price, it’s very hard to find major flaws with the Kershaw OSO Sweet.  It’s almost disposable at this price and makes dealing with imperfections or faults trivial.

That being said, my biggest complaint about this inexpensive pocketknife has to do with the part I probably love the most about it – the opening functionality.  The SpeedSafe® assisted opening function is awesome but also has the potential to lead to serious injury.  The blade comes flying out and, while you get used to it rather quickly, I have snagged my shirt and the heel of my hand on the tip of the blade.  It’s only a minor problem as you figure it out pretty quick, but it can be a safety issue.

The lack of gimping on the blade is a bit disappointing.  There is a hollow created for your thumb and the recess in the middle from where the blade spins gives your thumb decent traction, but I would have liked to see some solid gimping in place.

My other complaint – and this one is even more minor – has to do with the clip.  First, the clip is solid.  I’ve never had a problem with it not holding the knife in place.  That being said, I found two small flaws in it.  First, it can only sit on one side of the knife.  This design constraint is a non-issue for right-handed folks, but lefties may run into issues with how they want the knife to release from their pocket.  Second, I would prefer the clip to sit higher on the knife, giving less visibility to it in your pocket.  It’s a minor, minor detail but worth noting.

The last issue is that Kershaw makes the Kershaw OSO Sweet in China.  I prefer to buy American  made products when possible.  But, given its cost and surprisingly quality for that cost, I have no problem owning a foreign-made product, especially when it’s produced by an American-owned company.

Overall Impression

Bottom line, the Kershaw OSO Sweet has the best bang for the buck out of any pocketknife I have ever carried.  It’s light, sharp, locks well and doesn’t grant you “Tacticool” status when you use it in an office setting.  Outside the office – I have taken it hiking and also used for yard work – it has performed quite well.  Creating shavings for fire starting, making sparks off a ferro rod (the spine is rather stiff and at a nice right angle), cutting rope and zip ties, and working with plants have all been easily achieved with this inexpensive pocketknife.

I would recommend the Kershaw OSO Sweet for anyone looking for a good quality, low-cost EDC pocketknife.  To further that recommendation, I have to mention that I, in addition to carrying it as my EDC blade, I also have one included in my fire kit which I carry with me in my EDC bag.  This kit gets moved around from EDC bag, hiking/camping backpacks, and is on me just about all other times.  It’s that good!

Do you have any experience with the Kershaw OSO Sweet? Want more information? Drop me a line in the comments and let me know!

I’ve previously discussed tiered EDC methodology as well as what I consider ‘must have’ EDC items.  Continuing with the EDC series, I’ll discuss items on my EDC Tier 2 list which are commonly considered ‘necessary tools’ in an EDC environment.    These items are on my body 98% of the time and, while I don’t feel completely naked without them, I do feel quite uneasy most of the time I’m not carrying them.

EDC Tier 2 – What It Means

EDC Tier 2 items are items I leave the house without only on the rarest of occasions.  These items, for the most part, are on the “No Fly” list meaning I wouldn’t be able to get through airport security with them.  Despite this restriction, these items have tremendous utility and I use them all almost daily.

The five items in this list provide protection, utility, fire, entertainment and data transfer capability on a daily basis.  They include:

Pocket Knife

If you ready any prepper/survival/homesteading blog, you’re bound to run across numerous articles on pocket knives.  They seem to be a mainstay in most people’s base must haves and my EDC Tier 2 list is no different.  I constantly have a pocket knife on me with the exception of when I’m flying.  As I’ve discussed before, I typically carry the Spyderco Endura 4 FFG which is a simple, yet very functional pocket knife.  I use this pocket knife for everything from opening mail at the office to whittling sticks on the trail when I’m hiking.  If you don’t currently carry a knife, I cannot completely explain to you how often you will use one.  Take my word for it – you NEED an EDC pocket knife.

Multitool

I recently reviewed the Leatherman Juice S2 multitool that I carry as part of my EDC Tier 2 kit.  As useful as a pocket knife is, sometimes there are just times when you need more than a blade.  A multitool will give you pliers, screwdrivers, scissors and can openers in addition to other tools.  The functionality is almost limitless and allows you to get most emergency jobs done without carrying around a full toolkit.  I highly recommend the Leatherman Juice S2 for its size and convenience, but any multitool will meet your needs as long as you have a variety of tools contained within it.  If push came to shove and I could only carry either a pocket knife or a multitool, I’d go with the multitool for the simple reason that most multitools have blades built into them.

Small Lighter

Fire provides light, warmth, cooking ability and, possibly most important, comfort.  For that reason, I always carry a small lighter so that I can start a fire if need be.  The small Bic lighters are extremely tiny and can be carry in the fifth pocket of a pair of jeans without knowing it.  For that reason, they are a great edition to my EDC Tier 2 kit.  While I don’t smoke, I have on occasion provided a light for a smoker.  This act usually provides me with a way to start a conversation with a new person.  Meeting new people allows me to network and, in a tough situation, may produce allies or information.

Headphones

Headphones are definitely more of a comfort item than a ‘must have’ in terms of survival.  They have become part of my EDC Tier 2 kit for a few reasons.  First, when travelling, it is much easier to listen to music, podcasts, videos, etc on your smart phone without annoying those around you when you have a set of headphones.  Secondly, I like to keep my phone conversations to myself and the Apple iPhone headphones that I carry have a built in microphone which allows you to have a conversation without holding your phone or talking loudly.  Again, these are more of a comfort item but their small size and utility make them a must have for me.

USB Flash Drive

In my line of work, I’m constantly working between multiple computers.  A small USB flash drive fits easily in my pocket and allows me to easily move between workstations without problem.  I keep some important personal documents on this USB flash drive as well (encrypted, of course, in case I lose it).  These personal document may come in handy in a situation where I’m stranded or unable to get to the original documents.  They include PDF versions of driver’s licenses, birth certificates, bank account records, credit cards  and passports among other items.

Conclusion

My EDC Tier 2 kit contains some very basic items that have a lot of functionality.  While I don’t need these items at all times, I do feel that I need must have them on a regular basis.  I highly recommend building an EDC Tier 2 kit similar to the one described above for your daily use.

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What items do you consider part of your EDC Tier 2 kit? Let me know in the comments.

In case you’re interested, here’s where you can buy any of the items listed in this post:

• Spyderco Endura 4 FFG Pocket Knife ($66 at Amazon.com)
• Leatherman Juice S2 Multitool ($41 at Amazon.com)
• Small Bic Ligther (at any drug store or grocery store)
• iPhone Headphones ($29 at Apple.com)
• SanDisk 8GB USB Flash Drive ($9 at Amazon.com)

If you’re like me, then each item in your EDC kit has a level of importance associated to it.

Some items you can survive without, but others are “must haves” that you will always have with you.

In my last post, I talked about this overarching tier approach. Today I want to expand specifically on my Tier 1 items.

EDC Tier 1 – What It Means

Plain and simple, Tier 1 items are the core components I won’t leave the house without.  It doesn’t matter if I’m going on vacation a few states away with the entire family or down the street to pick up a gallon of milk.  These items are ALWAYS on my person.

The four items in this list provide the most basic of essentials to me: purchasing power, communication, navigation and safety/protection.

The list is short, but distinguished:

Cellphone

Being the technology-obsessed person I am, I never go anywhere without my cellphone.  I’m currently running an iPhone as you can see in the picture above. My cellphone provides me with many different assets including communication, navigation (compass, maps, etc) and information access via internet hookup. It also acts as a camera if a situation needs documentation and a flashlight in emergency situations.

Keys

Obviously, my keys provide me the ability to operate my vehicle. They also ensure that I can lock/unlock my house.

In addition to my keys, I also carry a ResQMe Car Escape device.  This item is crucial for any possible situation where you are trapped in your car.  It provides you with the ability to break glass and cut a car safety belt.

The final item on my keychain is a bottle opener (thanks to Jack at The Survival Podcast).  You always have to be prepared to open an adult beverage or two!

Also, remember that keys can be used as a defense item in a pinch.  Imagine getting punched by a guy with keys sticking out between his knuckles.  I doubt that would feel good.

Wallet

The cash (you always carry cash, right?) and credit/debit cards I carry allow me to purchase items I may need (water, gas, food, medicine, etc).  I also have ID and a AAA card on me. You never know when you’re going to need any of that. No more needs to be said here.

Watch

This item is probably the most ‘aesthetic’ item out of the group, but it still serves multiple purposes. I’m obviously able to tell time with it.  By wearing a watch, I have a backup (redundancy is key) to the clock on my cellphone which has become my primary time keeper.

Also, this particular model watch has a tachymeter on it. I’m not going to get into the specifics of what a tachymeter is (you can read about it here) other than to say that it provides me with the ability to measure speed and/or distance.

Finally, a non-digital watch gives me the ability to find north via the location of the sun.

Conclusion

Overall, my Tier 1 EDC kit is pretty basic, but contains a handful of items I could not and would not leave the house without. Functioning, and getting home, without these items would be incredibly difficult.  The best part about this kit is that it can be worn on your body at all times no matter what kind of clothes you are wearing.

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What are the items you can’t leave the house without? Let me know in the comments.

In case you’re interested, here’s where you can buy any of the items listed in this post:

• Storus Wallet/Money Clip ($20 at Amazon.com)
• ResQMe Car Escape Tool ($10 at Amazon.com)
• Fossil Decker Men’s Watch ($70 at Amazon.com)

Let’s get one thing straight: everyone’s idea of EveryDay Carry (EDC) equipment is different.  EDC is as personalized as the clothes you wear and the thoughts you think.  Rather than spending time reviewing my EDC, I’m going to use this article to talk to you about my EDC Methodology.

Tiered EDC Methodology

I follow a four tier methodology when it comes to my EDC kit.  Each tier builds on the one below it and provides more protection to the “what if’s” that may arise during the day.

Before anyone calls me out on it, I fully admit to getting this idea from TheUrbanPrepper and adapting it for my own needs.

Let’s break down the tiers:

Tier 1 – Absolute Must Haves

The items that fall into Tier 1 are the items that I would feel naked without.  I carry these items on my person and will always have them on me.  Items that fall into this category include: keys, watch, wallet (w/ID, credit cards and cash) and my cellphone.  Not having one of these would put me at a severe disadvantage with just getting around.

Tier 2 – Necessary Tools

I carry these items 98% of the time and they are also always carried on my person.  For the most part, I feel naked without these items as well.  My basic differentiation between the items in this tier and the items in Tier 1 are that this is my “No Fly” tier (with a few exceptions) meaning these are, mostly, items I wouldn’t be able to get through airport security.  Items in this list include: a knife, a multi-tool, small lighter, headphones and a USB drive.  The last two items can obviously be brought on a plane, but I don’t feel absolutely naked without them, so they fall into Tier 2.

Tier 3 – “Full Pockets”

The items in this tier are important to have on you, but can fill up your pockets pretty quickly.  Typically, I will assess my trip and carry some part of this tier at all times.  When the weather is colder and I have a jacket, I’ll carry most of the items in this tier simply because I have the pocket room.  Items in this tier typically include: an Altoids survival kit, pen/pencil, small notebook and a mini medical kit.  I can get by not having all of these items all the time, but I do try to carry as much of them as possible.

Tier 4 – EDC Bag

My EDC bag is far from ‘tacticool.’  In fact, it’s an old O’Neill surfing backpack.  While the bag itself is nothing special, it does carry all the extraneous EDC kit I need including: a laptop, laptop power supply, a larger notebook, various pens and pencils, additional headphones, paperwork for work, a handheld GPS, a water bottle, extra gloves and hat (as weather dictates), a Tool Logic ICE Companion and various other items.  I’ll be doing a full EDC Bag review later in this series.  Just know that my EDC Bag is typically with me and is modified daily for the adventure du jour.

Conclusion – Planning Is Crucial

I can guarantee that the equipment you need every day looks nothing like the equipment I need everyday.  That doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from how I derive my EDC.

The important step here is planning.  You need to really think through what you do each day and what potential problems you could run into.

For instance, I drive back and forth to an office job five days a week.  During the week, I don’t spend much time outside so my EDC kit doesn’t need to contain a lot in terms of outdoor survival items.

Instead, my EDC needs to concentrate on ‘surviving’ the commute and any trouble that may come my way during that time.  I also must make sure I carry all I need for the office.  I do tweak my EDC on the weekends to accommodate where I’m heading and whether it’s solo or with the family.

As you can see, a little planning let’s you figure out a top-level approach to your EDC.