Atomic Number 22: The Best Titanium EDC Essentials

Initially discovered in the late 1700s though not industrially or commercially produced or processed until the early 1930s, titanium has become one of the most commonly-utilized constructions in the everyday carry space — and for good reason. Offering ample strength while being remarkably lightweight, titanium has also been used to craft some of our absolute favorite EDC items — the latest and greatest of which we’ll be shining a light on below in this hand-picked guide to the best titanium essentials for everyday carry. Alongside our picks for the best titanium construction everyday carry kit, we’ll also be exploring just what exactly it is that makes titanium so unique and special, as well as what factors to consider when shopping.

How We Tested

Considering the remarkable preponderance of titanium in the EDC space, it’s becoming more and more difficult to decipher which pieces are essential for your loadout. Luckily, our years of experience surrounding ourselves with the best names in everyday carry gives us a leg up on the competition. As such, we began our search by looking at our favorite brands and ones that we know specialize in titanium gear.

From there, we sourced our units for testing and got hands-on with products from each category below. We ultimately settled on the best of the best according to specific criteria for each product type. However, our core principles had to be present: blending form with function. The results are detailed below.

What Makes Titanium so Special?

There are a myriad of factors that make titanium so special, from how it’s made to the characteristics and properties that it possesses. Up to 100 times more expensive than common steels, titanium is exceedingly rare and notoriously difficult to extract from the earth, as well as insanely difficult to refine, and wildly hard turn into ingots thanks to its ultra-high melting point. Because of the alloy’s hardness, it’s also harder to work with or machine. These areas collectively result in titanium being substantially more expensive to both purchase and work with.

Despite its often exorbitant cost, titanium is still widely used in the EDC space, as everyday carry enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for its next-level properties and characteristics. Non-toxic and hypoallergenic, titanium is incredibly resistant to corrosion and chemicals. The alloy also offers super low thermal expansion, making it ideal for products that call for components that are incredibly small and require insanely tight tolerances. And, while not scratch proof by any means, the natural oxidization of the alloy enables it to do a stellar job of hiding nicks, scratches, and scuffs — an area that can be furthered via a tumbled or stone-washed finish. 

While the above traits no doubt play a major role in making titanium so popular in the EDC space, the alloy’s biggest selling point is undoubtedly its strength-to-weight ratio, which is the best of any metal in the world. Though it’s very lightweight, titanium offers impressive levels of strength. Used in everything from the horological world to the aerospace industry, this top-shelf material is twice as strong as aluminum and is 45% lighter than steel while being just as strong. Add all of these characteristics together and it quickly becomes abundantly clear why titanium is so commonly used to construct pieces of everyday carry gear. 

RZE Fortitude GMT

Best Watch: Watchmaking is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the titanium era, with nearly every big-name brand having had at least one model made from a titanium case. However, while most watchmakers utilize titanium for some of their watches, RZE only uses the material. Revamping the Fortitude, its inaugural titanium timepiece from 2021, the company came back with the Fortitude GMT, which is even more capable from its streamlined case to its flyer GMT function. It rolls over the coin-edged 41mm case with its proprietary UltraHex coating, which mitigates the likelihood of scratching that titanium is known for, increasing the overall hardness to ~1,200Hv on the Vickers scale. For example, 316L stainless steel is somewhere between 200 and 250Hv on average.

Fairly compact for a pilot watch with a 12mm thickness and 47mm lug-to-lug, the Fortitude GMT also gives you 100m of water resistance, kept honest by a specially designed safety barrel on the crown to let you know if it’s fully screwed down or not. We love the extra degree of depth with the textured sandwich dial, such as the large punch-out markers that reveal the BGW9 Super-LumiNova below. Adding touches of liveliness to the presentation without losing its rugged, masculine feel are the rich yellow accents on the framed fourth hand, the text above the 6, and the triangular 24-hour markers on the sloped chapter ring. Powered by a Miyota 9075 automatic movement, the Fortitude GMT is a quick-set travelers piece that brings you a lot for the money.

Dango Adapt A10 Ti Wallet

Best Wallet: Previously nonexistent in the world of wallets, titanium is now pervading the space at an all-time rate. One such brand known for adopting the material well is Dango, which ensures that nearly every one of its pieces of gear has exceptional versatility. Made right here in the USA is the brand’s Adapt A10 wallet, which utilizes grade 2 titanium in place of the product’s standard aluminum.

Around three times more than the non-titanium version of the A10 (and 1.4oz heavier), this model is quite pricey but still benefits from the durability of titanium and can withstand considerably more abuse. Inherently modular, the Adapt wallet can hold 5 cards (4 on the back and 1 on the front) but can also be expanded with the brand’s array of accessories, such as a billfold unit that locks into place via the proprietary rail system. Likewise, metal of any sort will give you RFID protection to prevent wireless financial theft.

The James Brand The Mehlville

Best Carabiner: A handy and handsome alternative to a traditional keychain that keeps your keys and keychain accessories secure and easily accessible, The James Brand’s Mehlville Carabiner is available now in full titanium — making it lighter and tougher than ever before. This everyday-carry-biner still boasts all its other spectacular traits, as well — like a spring-loaded gate, key-capturing dual-compartment design, and integrated bottle opener.

Obviously, at nearly $120, this will be one of the most expensive carabiners you’ll find but you’ll also get to experience first-hand the mastery of TJB’s minimalist design ethos. Likewise, this thing weighs just 0.6oz, which is incredible.

Glow Rhino Tritium Pry Bar

Best Bottle Opener: Known for its catalog of EDC tools that feature tritium lume for years’ worth of glow without the maintenance or fading of traditional paint-based lume, Glow Rhino sweetens the pot with a full titanium build for this Tritium Pry Bar. Utilizing a gradual beta-decay process, tritium’s emitted electrons react with a phosphor inside a set of tubes that maintains a constant, albeit subtle, glow.

Some may be skeptical of tritium’s mildly radioactive nature but the tech is also a fantastic way to increase a standard EDC tool’s overall utility. This pry bar is super easy to locate in a dark glove compartment or toolbox when you’re trying to uncap your favorite beverage. Stout at just 2.95″ x 0.65″, the pry bar sports a flattened tip that can be used as a box opener, a scoring tool, or a flathead screwdriver. Likewise, it features a lanyard hole that lets you put this on your keys.

Big Idea Design Bit Bar

Best Bit Driver: For the most part, screwdriver sets aren’t exactly carry-friendly — which is a shame because drivers are so useful for so many DIY fixes in the home, on the road, and elsewhere. Thankfully, the geniuses at Big Idea Design saw the potential and imbued it into their Bit Bar Titanium EDC Screwdriver. This clever kit is pocketable, comes with onboard storage for its eight included hex driver bits, is fully TSA-compliant, and is tough as nails.

Utilizing a full grade 5 titanium construction, this bit driver is easily pocketable, even with the pocket clip, with a 3.9-inch length and 0.45-inch thickness. It’s obvious that the entire system is extremely simple, innovative, and well thought through. There’s even a magnetic base to prevent the eight drivers from falling out when not intended for use. Not to mention, Big Idea Design includes a premium black leather sheath to keep the stealthy aesthetic intact.

Handgrey Knox Titanium Keyring

Best Keyring: For something so ubiquitous, it’s strange that more people haven’t tried to improve upon the admittedly clunky design of most keyrings. Thankfully, more people don’t have to because Handgrey’s Knox you see here is damn near perfect with its titanium construction, pain-free split-ring design (much easier to get your keys on and off without a fuss), angular exterior, and ultralight weight.

While there are lots of titanium keychains out there, not all of them actually ship with a titanium split ring. This one utilizes grade 5, stonewashed titanium with a 10-sided outer edge design that makes it look as tough as it acts. There’s also an inner ring portion that’s completely smooth, unlike the exterior section, thus allowing your keys to rotate freely. We love how easy it is to open this keyring compared to the typical options available thanks to a push-pull mechanism that won’t destroy your fingernails.

TEC Accessories Python-QR Titanium Quick Release

Best Keychain: If you’ve got a collection of keychain accessories that would be easier to use if they weren’t attached to the rest of your keys, then the TEC Accessories Python-QR quick-release keychain is perfect for you. It’s made in the USA from ultra-tough, ultralight titanium and boasts no unnecessary moving parts — yet it’s still super easy to use and it’s remarkably secure (meaning it won’t detach by accident). As far as quick-release keychains are concerned, this one is tough to beat — especially at this price.

This TEC unit proves that big things can certainly come in small packages. Incredibly robust for its 1.22-inch stature, the Python utilizes two-party machining and a positive-pressure design that combats any inadvertent disengaging when you don’t intend for it. It does this by having the bottom component provide strong outward pressure to the inner channel. Once joined completely, the locking tabs set, making it virtually impossible to pull them apart without pressing on both sides at once. While we love the simplicity and strength of the Python, we’d love to see the addition of some free-rotating 360-degree caps that house the split rings, allowing either the carabiner or keys to rotate independently of the unit.

FocusWorks F3 Flashlight Ti

Best Flashlight: If you ask us, some of the best EDC flashlights are keychain flashlights thanks to their lightweight and compact housing. On the other hand, if it’s built with titanium, you can certainly have your cake and eat it too. Case in point, this F3 Flashlight Ti from FocusWorks is a 4-inch unit housing a 900-lumen Samsung LH351d 5000k LED bulb and 14,500 battery, yet it weighs just 3.6oz total.

We love the minimalist, well-machined look of the F3, despite the modest brightness that it packs. However, not everyone needs blinding power from their wand. You also get two options for color when you purchase the flashlight –– the other being a 4000k Nichia 219c bulb that’s slightly warmer than the Samsung. Likewise, the metallic texture of the exterior shimmers when interacting with either light and the outside even started to develop its own character with some use. The only downside to the F3 is the quickness at which it builds up heat compared to other titanium flashlights, so keep that in mind when using the highest setting.

Vargo Titanium Funnel Flask

Best Flask: While you probably wouldn’t want to carry one around every single day, a flask is definitely something that should be in every man’s arsenal for those times when they’re appropriate — like weddings, parties, camping trips, etc. However, most flasks aren’t exactly friendly to on-the-go fill-ups. This titanium one from Vargo, however, comes with all the hallmarks of a great vessel — a leak-proof screw-top, 8oz capacity, and near-indestructible food-safe titanium construction.

Weighing just 3.7oz unfilled, the Vargo flask also has a handy integrated silicone funnel to ensure you don’t spill a drop of your favorite spirit when you’re filling up. And when the funnel isn’t in use, it folds back down and becomes part of the flask’s design language. Perhaps a bit coarser on the outside than other titanium options, the Vargo Flask was also noticeably wobbly, even when filled, so keep that in mind.

Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Bottle

Best Water Bottle: One of the brand’s most associated with titanium gear is Snow Peak, whose outdoor essentials have ranged from campfire pits to full-blown tents. However, its Titanium Aurora Bottle takes the cake for how it blends form and function. The Japanese brand gives its 27-ounce water bottle a beautiful design with fully-anodized titanium. It boasts a two-part construction and thin 1mm walls to maximize the material’s properties at just 5.2oz in weight.

Sporting a standard shape with a slight taper at the neck and a wide-mouth top, the Aurora also gets a silicone ring on the cap to bolster its water resistance. We love the low eight but also must compliment the bottle on its fine horizontal texture across the matted surface which also helps maintain a secure grip, even when wet. With Snow Peak being a premium brand, the Aurora is notably pricey, even for titanium, but if you want top-tier gear, there’s no better option.

Tactile Turn Side Click Pen

Best EDC Pen: No matter how digital the world becomes, a pen will always be a useful tool to those who truly understand its value. That’s made all the better when your EDC writing utensil of choice is the Tactile Turn Standard Side Click Pen, which is built from titanium here in the USA, compatible with Pilot G2 refill cartridges, and protected by a lifetime warranty. If you’re a believer that the pen is mightier than the sword, this one might be a must-have.

Undoubtedly a conversation starter, this titanium pen is also offered in three other premium metal options if you so choose (brass, copper, and dark gray zirconium). It’s also offered in three heights, but we went with the 5.8-inch option, which has a great in-hand feel and perfect weight (1.2oz) when writing.

Leatherman Charge+ TTi

Best Multi-Tool: One of the best multi-tools that Leatherman has ever made, the Charge+ features a whopping 19 built-in tools that cover just about any DIY fixes you could possibly make — including additions like pliers, a knife blade, saw, wire cutters, a bit driver, and so much more. This special-edition version also happens to come with a titanium handle for a bit more desirability and durability. Not to mention, as is the case with all Leatherman tools, it comes with an included 25-year guarantee.

With the titanium getting added to the handle’s grip points, the overall price increases by around $40. And not only that but the Ti Charge+ is actually heavier than the standard Charge+ (by about 0.6oz). We’re thinking its because of the thinner 6061-T6 aluminum handles on the base model, which are much thinner than this one. Nonetheless, at just under 9oz and featuring Leatherman’s knack for intuition and quality, this multi-tool is the best titanium option you’ll find.

GarrettLeight Novarro S Sunglasses

Best Sunglasses: Titanium and stainless steel are often used interchangeably in eyewear and are both considered to be hypoallergenic. However, titanium alloys are also typically purer and safer for those who do react to metals like nickel (which is sometimes found in steel alloys). GarrettLeight offers superb titanium sunglasses in its Novarro S, with aviator-style frames and titanium eye wire to keep the lenses firmly in place. It also sports flexible titanium coil temples for added strength and flexibility and full titanium nose pads.

Both stylish and lightweight on your face, these Japanese-crafted sunglasses are quite large at 55mm for each eye and 148mm temple-to-temple. We were skeptical about the metal nose pads at first but the lightweight units actually conform very comfortably to the bridge of the nose, albeit they aren’t as flexible as less premium rubber or plastic versions.

Benchmade 748 Narrows

Best Knife: Utilizing an insanely thin design that’s made possible through the use of an all-titanium handle construction, the Benchmade 748 Narrows is an incredible feat in engineering, as well as a wildly impressive everyday carry knife with a handle that clocks in at only 0.28” thick, making this folder 33% thinner than Benchmade’s already-svelte Bugout knife. Equipped with a version of the AXIS lock that was reconfigured to fit into this ultra-compact knife, the 748’s grade 5 titanium handle comes mated to a 3.43” drop point M390 steel blade composed of equally premium Böhler M390 blade steel.

The slimmest knife Benchmade has ever fashioned (even 30% thinner than the already-thin Bugout), with its widest part coming at just 7.11mm thick, the 748 Narrows sports a full 6AI-4V titanium handle. However, with or without titanium, this is just a really excellent knife. We love the approach and execution, with the precise machining and solid in-hand feel that’s similar to a unit that’s two or three times as thick. As for the style, we’re fans of the eye-catching sapphire blue PVD finish for the hardware, including the mini deep-carry pocket clip, dual thumb studs, screws, and pivot collar. One of the best phantom-weight EDC pocket knives we’ve ever experienced, this 2.4-ounce Narrows is certainly a testament to the caliber of products that Benchmade has become iconic for.

What To Look For When Shopping For Titanium EDC Gear?

Because titanium EDC gear encompasses so many different product types, it can be difficult to know what to look for when shopping for these items. There are, however, a handful of traits that apply to practically every piece of titanium everyday carry kit — the most important of which we’ll be breaking down directly below.

Materials: Not all titanium is created equal, with the quality and composition of the alloy varying from grade to grade. And while even the most low-end, low-grade titanium alloys still offer some pretty remarkable properties, we still recommend looking into the specific type/grade of titanium that’s being used. Because both the quality and price of titanium can differ so drastically, we’d urge anyone to look into this area when shopping in this space. It’s also worth noting that, in most cases, if a manufacturer doesn’t cite the specific type of titanium being used, you can probably assume that it’s a lower-grade alloy – not unlike knives with un-cited blade steel constructions.

Finish: In addition to the grade of titanium being used, we also recommend exploring how the allow has been finished. This includes everything from finishes that are brushed to sand-blasted to tumbled to stonewashed, just to name a few. Additionally, there are also titanium construction EDC items that have been fortified via some type of coating or treatment such as a PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating, Cerakote finish, powder-coating, or DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating.

Secondary Constructions: Some everyday carry items are crafted entirely from titanium, though it’s still common to see EDC gear with titanium primary constructions that are supplemented with other materials such as aluminum or stainless steel. While not quite as pivotal as an item’s primary construction, secondary materials are definitely worth factoring into your decision when shopping.

Price & Value: Titanium doesn’t come cheap, nor do the products that are constructed from it. Having said that, some pieces of titanium EDC gear offer markedly better bang for your buck than others. As such, we recommend reviewing both an item’s price, along with the level of value that it offers when shopping.

Build Quality: It isn’t just the materials used to make a product that determine its quality, but also how well those materials have been manufactured and pieced together. It can be difficult to get a sense of an item’s build quality and fit and finish simply from looking at images of it online, though the smaller, more boutique brands in the everyday carry space tend to exhibit much greater craftsmanship and overall build quality compared to their competitors mass-producing their respective wares.

Versatility: With titanium everyday carry gear generally being expensive, it’s always a plus when one of these items offers ample versatility, as this generally increases said items utility and value — factors that make this another crucial area to take into account when shopping in this space.

The Best Titanium Watches for Men

If you want to explore titanium gear even further, check out our dedicated guide to the best titanium watches.