Welcome to the Urban EDC Showcase! Each week, we feature one member of the EDC community and the gear they rely on every day. Want to be featured? Submit your gear photo.
From the land of design, vikings and Ansø, we chat with the inimitable Charlie (@canallezedc) about his sleek and stylish carry. A lifelong fan of EDC, it was only in recent years that Charlie started geeking out about EDC (we know the feeling). In his own words, "Old news became news" and the rest is history. Read on for the full rig rundown and find out which is Charlie's favorite knife of all time!
Featured tools:
- Knife: Spyderco Swayback
Ever since the first teaser picture came out some years ago, I knew that I was gonna get me one. Damn what a cool piece. When I got it though, I was disappointed. I took issue with several parts of the knife. But I grew into it and saw it in a whole new light after a few weeks. Now there’s life before the Sway, and after the Sway. Hahaha.
- Knife 02: Spyderco Lil’nilakka
The Lil’Nilakka is one that I've searched for a loooong time. And finally found a guy in Germany who was selling his. I remember the unboxing, I remember the first view and the first touch and deployment. Man, what a knife... I can’t express how much this knife speaks to me. By far my most carried knife!
My knives I use for everything. But I’m not a hard user. I have fixed blades for when I go camping. have a folder in my pocket (or two, or 3) because I’ve always had a folder in my pocket. For me folding knives are tools but also fidgety items, pieces of art and collectibles. A hobby that I enjoy and talk about a lot.
- Pry 01: Ansø of Denmark MiniBar
I actually won this piece as a consultation prize in a photo contest Jens Ansø put out back in 2018 if I remember correctly. I was extremely happy with the prize, and I’ve had the Minibar on me ever since. It is my most used tool. Totally love it.
- Pry 02: Ansø of Denmark Prybar12
My girlfriend has slowly started to get the whole EDC thing. At least she sees and listens to my joyful rants about knives n stuff. This piece she actually got me for my 39th birthday. Love it.
My pry bars gets me by, and gets the job done. I can rely on these so I don’t have to damage my blades. Handy and handsome tools.
- Card holder: Fjælraven
What can I say... I really like Fjælraven products. Well made, environmentally responsible, great design. I had a wallet in my back pocket for 25 years and all of a sudden, I wanted something else to happen. Went dow to the Raven store and got myself a card holder.
- Beads: Peter Atwood
Here are some of his Landslide titanium beads, Mega and Mini. I really like trinkets, small well made items that doesn’t really need to present a purpose. Of couse, I use beads on a lanyard for my knives once in a while. But mostly I just like having them near by, to either look at or fondle. Hahaha. Atwood makes some awesome beads!
- More beads: Ti Gear Design
After I got my Atwood’s, I wanted to check out other beads. I fell into Ti Gear Design and ordered 3-4 of theirs. Really nice beads as well. I also have a few other miscellaneous anodized titanium beads and Damascus beads. What can I say? I like beads.
My story:
My name is Charlie I’m from the small country of Denmark. I’m 40 years old and live in Copenhagen with my girlfriend and daughter.
I work as a child care specialist. I play guitar and sing, and together with some friends, we entertain with live music, covering CCR (Have you ever seen the rain?), Beatles and a whole bunch more. I also enjoy heading into the woods alone and spending time with the family.
I’ve always been into knives. Ever since I was a young boy, knives was my favorite toy and tool. I’ve been in to the EDC way of thinking for years and years. But it’s only within the last 4-5 years I’ve learned about stuff like micarta, frame locks, pry bars, blade steels and the every day carry concept. Old news became news to me.
Favorite EDC tool:
Definitely the Spyderco Swayback. As I mentioned, it is just the perfect imperfect knife. It has personality and and edge that not many knives have in my opinion.
If they make a Lil’ version I’ll get one. If they make a Magnum version I’ll get one.
What's on my gear radar:
Most likely - a WE knives Mote.
Less likely - a Zach Woods pry bar.