There’s little defense for copper as a metal. It’s soft even at its hardest. It’s fairly inexpensive, which is why pennies are made out of it. It’s abundant, but needs to be paired with other things to really work well. From a strictly utilitarian standpoint, there’s not much to point to copper as a strong choice for your pocket. That is, until you realize how durable the metal is, how striking the patinas are when it’s aged well, and how refined and worldly a person looks when they use copper EDC gear. Its elegance in a pocket.
Very few people actually use a wall-to-wall copper theme in their everyday carry. Most pick a few items here and there, to add accent and variety. Copper EDC items are similarly bought piecemeal, due to their cost and relative rarity when compared with ubiquitous metals like steel and titanium. There’s no right or wrong way to become a “Copperhead,” but it’s not common to find EDC beginners sporting much copper: Too much cost, too easy to lose. Wherever you fall on the scale, our 15 copper EDC essentials surely has an addition you require.
Kikkerland Vintage Bottle Opener
Top Popper: Copper EDC gear is costly, so if you just want a nice conversation piece, or a way to start your foray into the copper world, you can put this in your pocket for the next gathering. A suave way to open a microbrew, it’s best paired with your own homemade lager or pale ale.
Steel Flame Copper Dog Tag
Personal Identification: Tag yourself, tag your stuff, or give it to a buddy, you can engrave this with whatever you desire or just let the flat copper nest in your chest hair. With the Octo logo from Steel Flame of Southern California, this looks as good unmarred as embossed with your name, rank, and serial number.
Copper Peanut Lighter
Firewalker: Peanut lighters are classic survival accessories that have been around since the World Wars. Having this on hand gives you light and fire that’s reliable with a look that’s timeless. Small enough to go anywhere without sucking up space, and a true life-saver, It’s $20 well-spent.
Victorinox Swiss Army Farmer Limited Edition
Original Multi-Tool: Victorinox is one of the few Swiss Army Knife manufacturers we trust, and the fact that they even have a copper option is incredible. This is one of those situations where you can trust the brand to always make quality, never let you down, and give you all the basic utility you need for ordinary living.
Maratac AAA Copper Flashlight
Tiny Torch: Probably the most common copper EDC item is the simple Maratac AAA. It’s your basic flashlight with 138 lumen output, twist operation, and a removable pocket clip for easier toting in pockets or on loops. Three settings and a battery life of up to 55 hours, this is function personified with style to spare.
SOG TF5-CP Trident Knife
Sandbox Commando: Copper is not traditionally used for camouflage, but in desert situations, it can work. SOG is a known quantity when it comes to knives, and the TF5-CP uses an AUS 8 stainless steel blade, but it has a copper look that is actually a TiNi finish on the blade. Includes a seatbelt cutter and desert camo handle for more survival and rescue accessories than most citizens ever need.
Prometheus Beta-QRv2
Illuminating: A keychain accessory that no copper-lover should be without, the Prometheus line of flashlights has been making our lists for ages, and they always perform above and beyond. These can give you a dramatic patina, are tiny in size, and are killer pen or work lights. Zero regrets comes standard with the Beta-QRv2.
Zippo Solid Copper Lighter
Secondhand Survivor: Zippo’s copper lighters are incredible pieces that the company stopped making because demand died out. If you can snag one in good condition on the secondary market, do so with a quickness. They are amazing, durable, unique, and work with true Zippo quality, so long as they aren’t damaged.
Copper Key-Bar
Aesthetic Organizer: Keep your keys in line with the Key-bar done is striking copper accents. The ends are copper for a better look, with durable titanium hardware to keep this from wearing out or breaking down. It’s the best of both worlds.
Rick Hinderer Extreme Duty Copper Tactical Pen
Write On: The name Hinderer alone should be enough to sell you. If you’re not familiar with Rick’s work, then you are way behind the EDC curve. Capable of being used for self-defense with strong ridges that allow you to write in adverse conditions without losing your grip, and a look that is badass right out of the box, there’s no downside to this pen.
Karas Kustoms RETRAKT Copper
Click Bait: Born entirely from machined copper right in the United States of America, this bears a stainless steel clip and accessories, but the body has that pure copper sheen that lasts and lasts. It’s a precision instrument, so if you’re a little click-happy, you might damage it, but those who can use it for its intent without fiddling will find the RETRAKT to be a work of mechanical art.
Jacob Bromwell Lexington Money Clip
Shine On: 5 American workers stand behind every Lexington Money Clip made, and each one can attest that it is sturdy, reliable, and won’t corrode at the first sign of wetness. Capable of retaining its shape when bent or bumped, the Lexington can survive a life in your jeans without losing any of your hard-earned cash. The run of these is limited, so get in now.
Jamie Feinstein Swiss Army Knife
Operational Jewelry: Artistically designed, when you’re sure you can hold onto a piece this small without losing or breaking it, then spend the money. It’s a quaint pen knife with a few accessories that you’ll seek an excuse to pull out, just to show it off.
The Great American Flask
Drink Up: The outside it gorgeous copper that has been worked by hand by professional artisans. Inside, it is lined with tin to avoid corrosion or adulterated flavors from seeping into your sipping ambrosia. You can throw some Irish coffee in for a pick-up that will also mellow you out because the copper helps takes sulfuric tastes out of your spirits, for a smoother tipple every time.
Suunto Essential Copper Digital SS Quartz Watch
True Survivor: The Suunto Essential Copper looks like it borrows heavily from the early days of the Navy and Coast Guard, when weighty dive suits were made of metal. This lives up to that military tradition with true quartz movement, 30 meter water-resistance, and a 50mm anti-reflective face with a huge digital display for an easy read anywhere.
