EDC Scissors – 6 reasons to carry scissors every day

We often talk about how a knife can be a helpful tool to carry, but one item that is often overlooked are scissors for EDC.

We’ve all been there. You’re going about daily life and you realize what you really need is a pair of scissors and the closest pair is downstairs, in a different room, or sitting in your junk drawer. 

Scissors in your  Primary EDC (gear that fits in your pockets or is carried on your person) or Secondary EDC (gear that is carried in a separate bag or container, but is still with you as you go about day-to-day life) can be used for a variety of things including:

1. Cutting loose threads
2. Opening packaging 
3. Cutting tape
4. Grooming (trimming nose hairs or your fingernails)
5. Foraging 
6. Fishing
7. Sewing
8. Survival

Scissors are most helpful when you ensure that the ones you have are good quality. I’m sure all of us have had the pleasure of getting frustrated over a cheap pair of scissors that don’t work.

Let’s take a look at six reasons why you should consider adding scissors to your everyday carry.

1. Do things that knives aren’t good at doing

Like any other tool, scissors have their place because they do things that knives aren’t as good at doing. It seems more and more things are packed in thick clamshell packaging and scissors are much more capable of safely cutting through the thick plastic over a knife.

A good pair of scissors will cut more efficiently and more precisely than a good knife for many tasks. Each of the two tools has their positives and negatives, but having the option for a small and precise cutting tool can come in handy.

2. Can save your blade

If you’re looking to cut something that could be harder on a knife, like metal foil or thin wires, using inexpensive scissors can make a lot more sense than using your knife blade.

3. Precision and control

This one is up to your knife size, blade shape, and skills, but for most folks, scissors can give you some more precision and control over a knife blade.

Also, if you invest in a quality pair of scissors, having sharp and small scissors for things like trimming a hangnail or removing frayed/loose threads on clothes is much easier than the dull kitchen scissors that you’ve had since college.

Being able to get a clean cut or to get into a tight space to snip away at something where a blade won’t reach far enough is reason enough to make EDC-ing scissors worthwhile.

4. Safer

For a lot of cutting tasks, using scissors can be safer. The blades are not as sharp as a pocket knife and with both cutting edges pointed towards each other, the likelihood of accidentally cutting yourself is much lower.

If you’re opening up a thin package of food, cutting a piece of paper (like the article you want to keep from the doctor’s office) or snipping the occasional stray thread, scissors are a safer option. 

Also, scissors can be a great starting option for a child who is wanting to start his or her own EDC. A blade-less multitool and/or a pair of scissors and an inexpensive flashlight can be a safe starting point to teach proper handling and responsibility.

5. Public-friendly

Depending on where you live and where you are, using a small multitool or folding scissors can be done without raising an eyebrow whereas pulling out a small pocket knife can sometimes be misunderstood.

Scissors are just more socially accepted, right or wrong. This is important to be aware of and if public-friendly scissors can do the task and it makes you not stick out or alarm the people around you, then they are a better option.

6. TSA-friendly

Here in the United States, some smaller scissors are allowed by TSA Security to be carried on airplanes. This gives you cutting abilities even in one of the most highly-regulated environments.

Note that this is not the case and some countries, like Australia, do not allow them, so make sure you check the most up-to-date guidelines before you travel.

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If you’re looking for dedicated scissors, the Slip n’ Snip Folding Scissors are Made in the USA and are a great option. Scissors also come on a variety of multitools, so do a little research and find out what will work best for you.

As with any gear you have as part of your EDC, if you don’t have it on you when you need it, then it’s worthless. Grab some scissors and throw them in your Primary EDC for a few weeks and see what happens. You may be pleasantly surprised by how often you reach for them.