Why the Best Damn EDC [Taylor Martin] Is BAD for Everyday Carry

Just my take why the Best Damn EDC isn't the best for the EDC community anymore...it is a rant.
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[NeevesKnives]

when i first started my channel all my knives looked worn and used because i only had so many to test, after you get a lot of knives you can rotate them out, and as long as you take care of them and keep them clean you can keep a knife looking good for a long time, edges is something i pay attention to because that is what is going to determine if you are using it or not, has it been sharpened or is it still factory. you do have to have the eye for it which many do

[ChrisHall]

I like Jon Gadget. I think he owns some stores in the UK. His EDC is practical. I like his travel gear advice.

[andy_ceb]

I used to be really into EDC, but I stopped buying new knives and gear because I found myself getting expensive items that I was afraid to use (Didn’t wanna put wear on it). Plus, I realized I didn't really need most of it.

The only thing I’m still into that the EDC community got me into is watches. I can do without the dozens of unused knives, flashlights, mini prybars, titanium keychain clips and all the other overpriced pocket candy.

[metal_complex]

Dude... I think you sound like a reasonable person... But "the community" is not made up of one type of person looking for one type of thing, or one type of content to digest. In my opinion, we are all divided up into users, collectors, and enthusiasts. Most of us are hybridizations of at least two categories. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy this stuff. "Expensive" gear has existed for a very... Very long time. It's also an extremely subjective word. There will never be a shortage of people assuming people who buy expensive things don't actually use them, and are therefore "unfit" to make recommendations (which is where this decades old EDC community narrative comes from). Some people enjoy chasing a rare item, and then using it. Some just want a cheap utilitarian "thing" they can use. Some people just like to cover the newest coolest stuff. Taylor isn't misleading anyone. As is the case with all content, we can pick and choose what we like to watch (or create). Taylor has his own space. I feel like we're fortunate that we have an overall healthy community that hasn't (so far) become the type of community where creators dedicate entire uploads to why some other creator isn't "good"... But now I'm a little worried. Anyways, hope this makes sense. My channel showcases things that are WILDLY expensive, as have many channels before mine. I also showcase things that are not expensive at all. Depending on who you ask, im either a shill for overpriced crap or a good resource for comparing things in various price ranges. Endless perspectives. Sometimes we like to talk about things simply because they exist. Few people may find value in these things, but the content isn't necessarily hurting anyone.

[_jaber]

The problem with most edc videos, they’ve become nothing but infomercials for manufacturers. Whomever will provide free gear to the YouTube influencer gets a video on how great their over priced product is. There was a time where the YT influencer had to buy their gear and you truly got a real review, on reasonably products. Now a company can T&E a $500.00 knife or a $400.00 backpack to a YT influencer knowing they will put a video out expressing how everyone has to get this product. It’s so obvious I’ll give you a very simple example. Take the ever popular “field notes notebook”. A now mandatory staple for all edc carry. Field notes notebook has to be used because it’s weather proof for that immediate note you have to take in a snow storm or a rainy day. All influencers carry one, but when they show the notebook, notice how no one ever has any notes written in them? I mean this is your everyday carry. These influencers never leave without this gear… yet it’s never gets used. It’s sad what’s happening to this community.

[rin]

The overpriced ($100 IIRIC) paper clip key holder drives me nuts!

[ConsciousCarryEDC]

First off, congrats on 50K subscribers; that's great! I like Taylor's content but I agree that the older stuff lured me in but the newer stuff is pushing me away from the channel - and by extension, all those like it. I'm with you; EDC should be about functionality before form. To quote another YouTuber (Zac in the Wild?), have what you need and need what you have. I'm pushing toward a minimalist lifestyle anyway as well as being more budget minded and less FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) minded. Outside of collecting, I see no reason why I'd want to spend $200-$300 on a single EDC item, regardless of what it is. I appreciate you speaking out on this and, as someone looking to get into EDC content creation, the views you expressed will be helpful when creating for my own channel. Keep 'em comin' and continued success brother.

[griff]

I don't think he's bad, after all, he's just a guy, and should be free to post what he wants. He also really loves well used gear, as seen in his weekly edc videos, but he personally has a career in reviewing and trying out new edc stuff so he ends up changing his knives a lot. I almost never change my EDC, i believe that takes all the fun out of EVERY day carry. But it's fun to look at stuff i wouldn't buy and i have no problem with a dude posting whatever he wants about junk he likes. It's a free country

[ZombieKiller]

I 100% agree I couldn’t see myself spending $200+ on something that’s just going to be sitting in a pouch and used maybe once a year. I rathe buy something decently priced, use and abuse it until I lose it or break it. His videos are good but it’s more of a show than anything else… but you’re on point!

[Rich_EDC]

Whats not good for the edc community is when youtubers start with good intentions for edc but after getting big they start flipping knives they get for free and sell for almost retail. That leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Why not give good discount for the people that got u to the point of getting free knives from companies? The rich gets richer I guess

[PacoVJ]

I started enjoying EDC videos some time ago now, Best Damn EDC was the first YTB channel I discovered about this and that introduced me to this world. I also started to notice when things changed to brands that where either way to expensive for the average person or, products that where sold out already never to see the light again. Whats the point!? That's when i started to look to other channels for more "down to earth" content and products that I think where affordable to me while maintaining great quality. Your channel is one of them. I love your honest approach to the EDC and the variety of products you include in your videos and kits. Your no frills no bullshit videos is why I enjoy your channel and your kits are top notch. So here is for more videos to come from your channel and for the next 50K subscribers, Cheers!🍻

[ofacekillah]

Agreed. He always shows stuff that he didn't buy, that was sent to him. Then drops the price, and it's insanely priced.

[AlphaPrimeEDC]

Taylor is currently going through a transition I don’t know if you know this. Capt Rikki is his new videographer/editor and he’s pushing Taylor to do new things so I already know we’re going to start seeing new types of content from him. I hope this video of yours X gives him something to reflect on and consider when he does a video because we can all take advice and grow more no matter what stage in the game we are at. Sadly it’s not just Taylor trying to push high price items, the edc market itself is constantly rising from all brands and makers. Bladeshow ATL seemed like I couldn’t buy anything new for less than $200-300. I will always recommend civivi to anyone no matter that point they’re at!

[JohnB]

Taylor was the one who actually got me into EDC a few years ago, back when I didn’t even know EDC was a thing. My current gear consists mostly from items he recommended in his videos years ago and I still carry them. His videos gave me an appreciation for EDC and how it can improve my daily life. I am thankful for that. I do wish his whiskey knife fight podcast with Jeremy does comes back one day, it was very entertaining. By the way congrats on your 50k subs X. I enjoy watching your channel and you often provide a different perspective compared to the mainstream EDC channels, which is brilliant. Here’s to the next 50k!

[BandrewScott]

Very interesting video. I don’t think that Taylor is particularly bad for the EDC community, he just doesn’t appeal to everyone anymore. Every creator takes a separate path and it’s awesome to see some of them find success and hopefully find joy in that success. There is still plenty of room for new people to innovate and fill the niche that is underserved. You’re a great example of that.

I have been watching EDC videos since 2013, and poorly making the occasional EDC video since 2015. I lost a lot of interest in it over the past year or so because on one end it got too expensive and then the other end kind of had this anti-elitist-elitism where if you use use anything higher end than a Bic pen and a utility blade, you’re an idiot with too much money. There just wasn’t anything interesting for me from most creators. Then there’s the typical EDC video that youtubers make, and most of those aren’t even interesting anymore because it’s all the same thing…minimal wallet, iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch.

All of that to say, there’s plenty of room for new people to come in and knock it out of the park in the EDC arena. I hope they do because I want the content.

[AverageBros]

Hey Killer, fellow prior active duty Marine here as well, LAAD Gunner from 2001 to 2011. Great episode and interesting take. I think one of the main tropes any content creator can fall into is keeping pace with their own personal collecting/enthusiast journey. Typically, as you collect anything, you slowly move up market because, as your means increase, you're able to access higher end products. Sometimes that leads to expensive custom modifications, or limited niche products, but often leads to purchasing more mainstream premium goods. As your viewership grows, you want your content to become more premium as well. You want your personal brand to be associated with other premium brands, etc. So, there's an evolution in your format over time. No one stays in the same space forever and who would want to really watch that. At the end of the day, which is the "truer" path, to target the same introductory audience at a standstill where viewers come and go (eventually outgrowing that space) OR taking folks along with your own personal journey as your own tastes and preferences evolve? It's tough and I try to blend a bit of both. I mainly do wristwatch content but also share EDC based content and yeah, I started out carrying a Leek, working my way up to Delicas and Mini-Grips, before getting into Sebenzas and Hizens. Naturally, as your enthusiasm grows, you can begin to appreciate higher end products. If you have the means, being a collector in any space leads to safe queens. No one starts own with vintage Ferraris and Porsches locked up in a garage but if you can get there, you will end up there. Same for wristwatches, if you can attain those grail level timepieces, you get them and baby them or worse pickup as an investment that you can appreciate as art. For the EDC space, it's interesting because many people who get to a space of being a "collector" will be able to eventually afford some grail level knives, pens, or pry tools. Even the most 'overpriced' gear is still relatively attainable, so there's actually quite an audience for upper tier stuff. There are some guys out in the woods of Europe destroying multi-thousand dollar Rockstead knives, it's wild. Man, either way, this video subject was extremely thought provoking, and I salute you for that. It make me feel like I need to pepper in more content about the journey, to enrich the segments covering the destinations. Semper Fi Brother!

[thomreynolds]

Totally agree. I don't need a 500-800 dollar knife that can puncture a car hood and not need to be sharpened after. Can't see myself ever killing a car with a knife. Does it WORK for the kind of stuff I need to do. Medford might be well made, but again, I don't need to stab a tank and another American made 50 to 150 dollar knife would open a bag of concrete mix or cut string just as well or better.

[davidsuniverse]

Marine X, I have to agree with you. Taylor is charismatic and his video cinematography is really good, but so are you and your videos are great quality too. I've watched lots of BDEDC videos and I usually end up turning them off because, jeez, who can afford a $300 flashlight or a stupid $100 key chain. Lots of little trinket stuff. And top price stuff. I appreciate your videos because you understand that we don't have to have to best of everything but you still illustrate good quality stuff. I did break down and buy the nutsac sling bag though and I love it. Worth the dollars, I'll have it for the rest of my life. Keep up the great content!

[cluxton]

Disagree. Because of Best Damn EDC, I found you channel. I’m sure I’m not the only one that can say that. Not all channels are the same and not everyone has the same needs or wants. It great for the hobby to see all side of it. Maybe it’s not what you’re interested in, but obviously other are. Not sure how criticizing other reviewers is good for the hobby…

[xerostyle]

i agree with some of this rant. it's not his fault that stuff like the gbg sell out instantly. mighty pouches were already crazy limited run. Taylor might not have helped that hype machine though. any anyone who knows me knows how i feel about pocket trash. beyond the art aspect, many are literally anxiety tools. sure many are crazy expensive. but that doesn't change their utility. keep up the good work and keep making what YOU think is the best edc content for the community