Best Flashlight/Knife Combo EDC

[RevDevil]

I have no interest in flashlights whatsoever.
Feel sometimes strange reading about them in knife forums. Is there anything in common? Why people interested in knives so often turn to flashlights?
Sometimes I get quite enthusiastic about watches, or shoes... but flashlights... Why so many?

There are lots of people that work at night, maybe as LEO, Paramedics/EMTs, or they have night activities and want to be able to see where they are going (walking a dog, strolling around after dark, etc.). There really is no "bewilderment" factor here in my mind. Many of the lights I have were actually gifts from friends. They figured they would rather give me a light instead of a knife I might not have much interest in. I guess, it's all about being prepared for stuff. I have a flashlight in my car center console, because I drive at night. When I am running cable at work or installing a power outlet above acoustic tiles, I will need to see where things are (cue flashlight necessity).

Lots of people that carry knives aren't cutting for 12+ hours a day, but it's nice to have it if you know you will need it. It also makes for nice pictures that have a grouping of items that people carry in their daily lives. It's all about sharing here.

 

[ElectrikHellfire]

I like the Streamlight Microstream. Simple on and off. No strobes or dim. One button on and off. One AAA and really bright.
Knife would be current normal EDC rotation:: Umnumzaan, Svord Peasant, CS Recon 1, Swamp Rat Swamp Warden.

 

[jimnolimit]

I have no interest in flashlights whatsoever.
Feel sometimes strange reading about them in knife forums. Is there anything in common? Why people interested in knives so often turn to flashlights?
Sometimes I get quite enthusiastic about watches, or shoes... but flashlights... Why so many?

i always have a flashlight and knife on me, both are used often, both come in handy. flashlights, just like knives are one of those things most people don't think about until they need one.

 

[BikerTrash]

Sunwayman V10R Ti and a Hinderer XM-18 is my perfect combo.

Took this pic to satisfy all of the gun/knife/watch/flashlight pic requests.

upgraded the light with a titanium electronic switch with trits

 

[The Logical One]

I don't carry one because I already have all my pockets occupied (wallet, cell phone, car keys, folder). I can only remember a handful of times in my life where I could've used a flashlight. So the benefits of having a light at my disposal is not worth the discomfort/hassle. IMO some people carry way too much stuff on them.

If your job makes it necessary for you to carry that much equipment on you, that's understandable, but you have people who work in an office or goes grocery shopping with more gear on them than a LEO.

 

[knarfeng]

Are flashlights as important to you as good carry knives? If not, why not? And if yes, what made you decide to carry a light?

Yes, a flashlight is an important part of my daily carry. I keep a Maratac AAA in my pouch with my emergency meds and pocket tool. For obvious reasons, that pouch is always within reach.

Why?
My sister-in-law was the floor manager of a hardware store. One year in the early 90's, she gave her four brothers-in-law Maglite Solitaires as Christmas presents. Because it was a gift, I put it on my key-ring. I discovered that I used it almost as often as my blade. Very useful for attaching cables to the backs of TVs, Computers, etc. Nice to have coming into a dark house when the light switch wasn't in reach. Used it often when the kids were young and I would go into their rooms to check on them before going to bed myself. Done. Sold. I've carried a pocket flashlight ever since.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

The knife varies quite a bit, right now I tend to go back and forth between a waved Endura and my Benchmade 530, but I always have my Paklite on me. Not very fancy or tremendously tough, but simple, bright and great battery life. It's really just a pair of LEDs that pop onto a 9 volt battery.

 

[upsidedownviking]

Mac's Custom TRI-EDC (triple xpgR5) in copper, super bright and feels like a roll of quarters!

And a production XM-18 at work:

Off work same lite and a custom XM-18 or MSC SNG

 

[kooter55]

Fenix LD20 and a spyderco native plain edge

 

[puppykicker]

Maybe not the best but it works for me.
CRK large micarta
RA 140GT clicky w/ti bezel & Moddo clip
S&W 442-1 (no lock)

 

[cutter17]

It wasn't until I started carrying a flashlight, to realize how much I used it, day or night. The 4Sevens Preon I has been my daily carry since they first came onto the market, and the Streamlight Microstream is another good light, and one I carried before the Preon.

If I want a lot of light, and good distance with a tight beam, I carry my Lumapower Signature with the smooth reflector installed. Uses 2 X CR123's, and comes equipped with what Lumapower terms the Sidekick III switch, located right behind the head of the light. This switch will run through all the stages the light has. The tailcap button is used to turn the light on/off. Came equipped with a nice and slender case for belt carry.

 

[ThePharce]

EDCs all vary depending on where I'm going or what I'm doing. I edc 5-6 different knives (based mostly on my mood, except for the sak camper which is always in my pocket.)
Firearm varies between a glock 19 and a keltec p32 (sometimes discretion is important.)
Light is usually between a streamlight stylus pro and the new version of the ledlenser(now owned by leatherman) v2. A fenix tk21 is in my bug out bag.

 

[MVF]

My left front pocket always has a Fenix L0D, a mini Bic, and a Vic Ambassador- all very useful and really, a very small package. For me, once I tried a light with some horsepower, I couldn't go back. Right front pocket gets my keys (with a Photon light attached) change, and a good clipped folder- usually a Mini or full sized Griptilian of some kind. All get used, and I very seldom need to ask anyone for anything.

Oh yeah, in the "this may be overkill" department, I keep one of those little $1 brass compasses you can get at gunshows in the watchpocket of my Levis. Doesn't get used that often, but boy, when I need it am I happy its there! Really came in handy in Europe a couple of summers ago.

 

[edcrefiner]

I always carry at least one light on me. It is as important as a knife in my situation. Today I had a Para2 as a backup blade and a Flash 1 as a primary. For lighting I was carrying a Fenix ld01 as a main and a Fenix e01 on my keychain as a backup. I work in a place that often schedules us to work late at night and into the early morning hours outdoors at times. During the day we often work in a large cavernous building with countless rooms and a bizarre layout. A light is a must. More often than not lights are switched off in these rooms to conserve electricity. There are no windows in this building so there is zero natural light. A light helps me find my way to a switch. Also, if for some reason the power goes out, a light is absolutely necessary for me to find my way around. I cannot imagine navigating out a 400,000 sq. ft building blind.

For day to day use the Fenix ld01 gets the most use. The e01 on my keychain remains there for emergency use only. I do not use it to keep the duracell fresh. However, I test it about once a week for a second to ensure the cell is working. The main philosophy behind this is to have a small main light that is quite versatile and has adequate run times in different modes. A weaker backup light is there to supplement the primary if the primary is to become unusable. Also, the secondary on my keychain serves as a battery locker incase I need to use the LD01 even after its battery is dead.

In addition to these I have several other lights including a 4sevens quark AA that is used a lot for night cycling.

 

[cziv]

Kahr PM 9 right side IWB, XM-18 right front pocket and Quark 123x2 S2 ilight in my left front pocket or in the chest pocket. Set to high, I intend to instantly blind my attacker while I shank him or shoot him up with 147 grain jacketed HPs. :grumpy:

 

[cziv]

Mac's Custom TRI-EDC (triple xpgR5) in copper, super bright and feels like a roll of quarters!

And a production XM-18 at work:

Off work same lite and a custom XM-18 or MSC SNG

Where'd you get that bead upsidedownviking? The one on the XM stuck between the boards? I have a small one like that someone gave me, but I need another one maybe even a tad bigger (but same shape) for my new XM-24. PM me plz. Thanks!