It depends on where I am or what I'm doing.

For example:

In the winter around here, something that can start a fire would be my #1 priority. I could freeze to death by the time I got a fire started with just a knife.

But, in the desert, on the other hand, probably water would be #1. I wouldn't make it too far without that.


With that in mind, picking just one for every situation would be tough.

You may want to try putting a small ziptie under the button. At least it works on the mini-bic. Not sure if it would work on the full size though.

If I could only choose 1 item, it would be a truck full of food.

Knife, for sure.

A Striker with a Carbon Steel Mora Knife as its Steel

multy tool knife..

Lessee... Assuming you don't have a "get out of jail free" card like a PLB or working cellphone. In order of priority, each subsequent item assumes you have all the previous ones:

1. Knife
2. Firestarter (Bic or ferro rod)
3. Metal cooking container (purify water and cook)
4. Poncho/liner (mobile shelter)
5. Stainless steel wire (lashing, sewing, snares, fishhooks)
6. Canteen/water bottle (water storage & transport)
7. Paracord (infinite uses)
8. ...

If only one item, I would have to think hard about knife vs. firestarter. In winter I would lean heavily towards the firestarter, in summer I'd almost certainly want the knife.

I've been debating this since the original post, and this is where I ended up, too.

Currently, my ability to cope without a knife is greater than my ability to cope without some kind of fire-starter. And a lighter gives me the best chance of actually starting that fire.

I think we need to look back at the OP.
If you were limited to one EDC item.
I am not likely to carry a locator beacon with me to the store, even GPS would be an unlikely pocket item.

Lighters and small pocket knives are in the pocket trash class.
So is a bit of string or wire, a few bandaids, a button compass, and a host of similar items.
From there it moves up to a personal FAK and the BOB levels.

The point that at least one person made about when and where you are makes some difference, but as EDC I think in general terms, and then modify what I do actually have to the situation I am expecting.
If I am boating on a lake I want a life jacket, if I am driving in the desert I want full water jugs, but neither of those make it as EDC

Let see, I have two sets of keys on a small D-ring.

On #1: my car key with a photon light, that I used on a mine tour this weekend.

On #2: my office key ring, I have a LM micra that I used the scissors this morning.

So I suppose, I go betw. a light & a knife as the most likely item I would have on me in an emergency, (excluding the the EDC that is within 3' of me 95% of the day)

But I think back to the book that have given more than any other (for a variety of reasons) to friends. A book I quoted to a group of employees doing a Grand Canyon hike next month, Cody Lundins, 98.6 degrees: the art of keeping your ass alive. I said, "Regulate your body heat. Layer for the rim, be able to strip down in the inner gorge."

Keeping with: your stranded or stuck with one item only, it doesn't preclude you being able to move around to find water or shelter or a sharp object for cutting. Keeping your body temperature in the right area is what is going to keep you alive.

So in the end I suppose I need to put my Light My Fire Firesteel on my key chain.

You know Comms, you made me stop and think a bit.
Yes, a jacket would be top on the list.
Especially because it is something I don't really think about but always make sure I have when I go for a walk.
The weather can change awfully fast and it is always colder at night.