About Edcarmory

Why I Started This Site

I've watched too many YouTube "experts" review EDC knives after unboxing them in their basement. I've read "in-depth" flashlight comparisons written by guys who've never held a light while searching a dark warehouse at 2 AM. That's not how gear works. Gear either performs when you need it, or it fails. There is no middle ground.

I created Edcarmory because I was tired of recommendations that sounded great on paper but fell apart in the real world. During my 16 years as a U.S. Marshal, I carried something sharp, something bright, and something versatile every single day. Sometimes that gear had to work. Not "work well"—just work, period, because someone's safety depended on it. Every review on this site answers one question: would I trust this on duty? If the answer is no, I tell you why.

About Cole Briggs

I spent 16 years in federal law enforcement, most of it with the U.S. Marshals Service. I tracked fugitives through alleys and woods, sat on surveillance for 12-hour shifts, and served warrants in conditions that broke lesser equipment. Before that, I was the kid taking apart his dad's Swiss Army Knife to see how the springs worked. Gear isn't just my hobby—it's been my occupational requirement and my survival insurance.

I've had folders lock up during warrant service. I've watched flashlight bezels crack after impact with concrete. I've felt the sickening give of a cheap multi-tool when torque was applied. These failures taught me what matters: steel quality over marketing hype, switch design that works with gloves, and retention systems that don't dump your knife into a toilet stall. When I recommend a piece of gear, it's because I've stress-tested it against memories of gear that failed me when stakes were high.

Now I'm retired from active duty, but I still carry every day. The threats changed; the need for reliable tools didn't. I started writing because friends in law enforcement kept asking what I was carrying, and I realized most review sites were regurgitating manufacturer specs instead of telling you how a light feels bouncing against your hip during a foot chase or whether you can deploy a knife one-handed with your support hand.

What We Cover

This site is for anyone who uses their gear hard: law enforcement officers, military personnel, security professionals, and prepared civilians who refuse to carry junk. You'll find deep dives on:

I also cover keychains, lighters, and the small metal objects that solve problems you didn't know you had until 3 AM in a parking lot.

How We Test & Review

I don't do unboxing videos. Every product here gets carried for a minimum of two weeks in my actual EDC rotation. Knives cut cardboard, rope, and occasionally food packaging. Flashlights get dropped on pavement. Multitools get used for household repairs and vehicle maintenance. If a product claims waterproofing, it gets wet. If it claims impact resistance, it gets impacted.

My scoring focuses on three criteria: reliability under stress, ergonomic efficiency (can you use it one-handed, with gloves, in the dark?), and value relative to purpose. A $30 flashlight that works every time beats a $300 flashlight that flickers during recoil.

Edcarmory participates in affiliate programs. Some links earn commissions if you purchase. Here's my pledge: those relationships never influence the review. I've returned more free samples than I've kept. If a knife arrives with blade play or a flashlight has parasitic drain, I document the failure. Manufacturers don't pay for placements here, and no amount of affiliate revenue is worth my reputation—or your safety. When I say something is duty-grade, it means I'd carry it on a warrant team tomorrow.

Get In Touch

Questions about a specific piece of gear? Want to argue about steel types or suggest a product for review? I read every email. Reach me at info@edcarmory.com. I typically respond within 48 hours unless I'm deep in testing something that shouldn't be near Wi-Fi.

Questions? Reach us at info@edcarmory.com