My father, the ultimate practicalist, opened envelopes and cut rope using a gold Cartier pocket knife. Once, he even removed a splinter from my finger with its scissor tool. And he taught me that an elevated piece of everyday carry can become an instant family heirloom.
These days, I find myself thinking of my dad as I splurge on—and use, over and over—small, practical things with unexpected beauty. Sure, I could lock them in a glass case and keep them pristine forever, but that’s not what makes me happy, and that’s not why they were built. They were made to perform for decades, even centuries.
My dear friend Brittany, a luxury-industry veteran, tells me that her definition of true luxury is when the pinnacle of craftsmanship meets aspiration. For example, take a leather Louis Vuitton travel notebook. No one needs it, but I picked it over an equally functional one from Amazon (when, of course, my savings allow). Full-grain leather isn’t just more beautiful, it’ll wear in long before it wears out. As I fill the pages, it becomes even more of a treasure.
Of course, there’s a difference between things you can’t use and things that are useless. I know an ardent car collector who keeps his old childhood toy cars. If an object (no matter how aspirational) lights you up, then it’s never useless—even if you can’t accomplish a task with it. But if you can, even better.
Inspired by my dad, I searched “Cartier pocket knife” on eBay and found a world of functional and artistic models. The luxury brand has a long history of EDC to complement its watches and jewelry. Which makes me wonder, if a Rolex is welcome in everyone’s EDC lineup, why not a Bulgari keyring?
Look, we all like cool things. Using an upmarket tool might make you feel like James Bond, and I’d argue that there’s nothing wrong with that. Why not look at something beautiful while opening a letter? Why not turn something as simple as cutting wire into one of life’s delights?
And yes, the cost premium for this isn’t worth it for everyone. Don’t go into debt for a lighter. But if you’re looking to invest in something, why not create an instant family heirloom? Maybe your kids will write about it someday.
David Yurman Chevron Swiss Army Knife
You may not know this, but David Yurman is a legitimate sculptor, which explains the impeccably finished chevron design on this Swiss Army Knife. The handle’s topography even makes it easier to grip. I’m quite surprised sterling silver isn’t used more often for handles. Fun fact: The natural oils on your hand help to condition its surface. It’s also hypoallergenic and easy to maintain. I’m a sucker for chevron designs, maybe because it’s on my family’s crest. It’s elegant yet military-esque, and it symbolizes honor and unlimited potential. Tell that to your child when you’re passing this down.
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Dupont Gold Lighters
A lighter is considered an outdoor survival tool. Survivalists actually wear them around their necks. So in a way, an EDC lighter is inherently a style piece, similar to a wristwatch. There’s something Art Deco about Dupont’s gold lighters. Their geometric, streamlined compositions combine practicalism and decorativeness into one aesthetic. And hey, with a 10-year lifespan, Duponts are some of the best on the market.
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Louis Vuitton Small Epi Leather Agenda Cover
I love my mini Moleskines, but a refillable leather agenda cover is just more readily sustainable. Moreover, don’t forget that good leather is what Louis Vuitton does. The brand was mastering leather long before it put looks on the runway. Sure, you can get this cover in the more recognizable monogram or the chessboard Damier Evene. But the specialty Epi Leather is strong, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant; it also flaunts that signature ripple embossing.
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Bulgari Black Ceramic B.Zero1 Ring
This accessory is an effective keyring if you use twistlocks or screwlocks instead of splitrings. Though Bulgari makes pretty great actual keyrings, I think this is a superior luxury EDC option. First, it’s from the brand’s iconic B.Zero1 line, answering the potential question, “Why Bulgari specifically?” Reminiscent of the Colosseum and historical gas pipe carriers, the design combines culture with an industrial masculinity. Second, the authoritative black ceramic is fade- and chemical-resistant. Finally, your kid (and grandkid) can decide how to incorporate this piece of you into their life: as a keyring, a necklace, a ring … You have to love the versatility.
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Victorinox SD Brilliant Series
Victorinox often reserves their luxe, aesthetic-forward designs for limited-edition releases. Fortunately, the three elegant variants from the SD Brilliant Series aren’t limited. There’s the fascinating Damast version, made from over 300 layers of pattern-welded steel. The craft alone makes it the most impressive to me. Love sparkle? The Crystal version’s embedded black gemstones deliver compelling lightplay. Meanwhile, the Carbon is organic yet commanding, and possesses extra strength without added weight. Sure, this series is aimed more at collectors than practicalists, but these tools work. I’ve done everything with that nail file, from sharpening knives to sanding down edges to adding grip to baseballs.
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Montegrappa Quattro Pen
Not all EDC pens need to be built for breaking windows in case of an emergency. You also want one that actually writes clearly. After all, phones die, signatures will never be obsolete, and physically writing information down helps you remember it better. Still, the Montegrappa Quattro Pen is as durably built as any piece of gear. Particularly remarkable is the use of sapphire in its construction. (It’s a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, just behind diamond.) This dignified pen, like the sapphire it's made from, proves that beauty and strength pair naturally together.
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Tiffany 1837 Makers Swiss Army Knife and Keyring
It’s the details on this piece that do it for me: the flawless embossing and engravings, the pops of color, and the smooth lines throughout. The original symbol of the Tiffany hollowware shop is there, which represents the brand’s artisans who use traditional sterling silver techniques. I wouldn’t mind seeing this beauty dangling every time I open my mailbox.
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