Glossary · 40 terms
EDC Glossary
The vocabulary that actually changes a buying decision, defined plainly. If a spec sheet uses it, it is explained here.
Flashlights
- Lumens
- Total light output — brightness, not reach.
- Candela
- Beam intensity — how far the light throws.
- Lux
- Light landing on a surface at a given distance.
- CRI
- How accurately a light renders color, 0–100.
- Tint
- The warm/neutral/cool cast of white light.
- Throw vs Flood
- Reaching far versus lighting wide.
- TIR Optic
- A molded lens that shapes the beam without a reflector.
- Reflector
- The mirrored bowl that shapes an LED beam.
- Moonlight Mode
- A sub-lumen low for preserving night vision.
- PWM
- Pulsing an LED to dim it — can flicker.
- Tail Switch / Momentary-On
- A rear button; press-and-hold for momentary light.
- IP Rating
- Sealed-ness against dust and water (e.g. IP68, IPX7).
Multitools
- Bit Driver
- A tool that accepts interchangeable screwdriver bits.
- Needle-Nose Pliers
- Long tapered pliers for tight, fine work.
- Replaceable Wire Cutters
- Swappable cutting inserts near the plier jaws.
Wallets
- RFID-Blocking
- Shielding that blocks contactless card reads.
- Card Skimming
- Illicitly capturing card data, usually at readers.
- Cash Strap
- An elastic band on slim wallets for folded bills.
- Money Clip
- A sprung clip that holds bills and a few cards.
Organizers
- MOLLE
- A webbing grid for attaching pouches modularly.
- Pocket Slip
- A soft sleeve that protects and groups small gear.
Keychains
- Lanyard / Quick-Release
- A cord or buckle for fast attach and detach.
- S-Biner
- A double-gated S-shaped connector.
Power
- 18650
- A common 18×65mm rechargeable lithium cell.
- 21700
- A larger 21×70mm cell — more runtime, more girth.
- CR123A
- A compact 3V lithium cell; rechargeable twin is 16340.
- mAh
- Milliamp-hours — a cell’s charge capacity.
- Protected Cell
- A battery with a built-in safety circuit.
Pocket Tools
- Torx / Hex Sizing
- Star (Txx) and hex (metric) fastener standards.
Utility Knives
- One-Hand Open
- Deploying a folder with a single hand via thumb stud or hole.
- Blade Grind
- The cross-section geometry of a blade’s edge.
- Liner Lock
- A sprung liner that wedges behind the blade.
- Frame Lock
- A thicker handle slab acting as the lock bar.
- Slip Joint
- A non-locking folder held by spring tension.
- Blade Steel
- The alloy determining edge holding and care.
- Edge Retention / HRC
- How long an edge lasts; HRC is hardness.
Loadouts & Gifts
- EDC
- Everyday carry — the small kit you keep on you by default.
- Pocket Dump
- A flat-lay photo of everything a person carries.
- Loadout
- The specific set of items carried for a context.
- Carry Position
- Where on the body each item rides.