Every Day Carry vs Every Day Use

mercop

mercop

Joined
Mar 26, 2002
Messages
4,940
Now more than ever I am living out of the Bag of Evil, to the point that when I am home and need something I get it out of my bag instead of around the house. There are things I carry because I can see myself needing them like-

RMJ Shrike Tomahawk (breaching vehicles at a car wreck)
Diamondback Tactical Ripaway Trauma Kit

But what about things you will use every day. Here are a few things I don't go 24 hrs without using.

Oakley Sunglasses in Pelican 130 Case
Camera in Pelican 120 Case
Hand Sanitizer (Skell Gel)
Sherpa Sharpie marker from Blue Line Gear
Ti Zippo with torch insert
Pre packed coffee packs with coffee and Slenda
TUMS
RX Meds (taken for the protection of others)
Mechanix Gloves ( I am a eye and hand pro Nazi)
Leatherman Squirt S2
Survivor Flash Drive
Zip-Ties
Parachute Cord
Rubber Bands
Zebra 701 pen
Cheap Aluminum water bottle soon to be replaced by a Klean Kanteen from Going Gear.

All off the little stuff is carried in an Eagle Industries Small Shaving Kit pouch. These pouches rock.

I am interested to hear what every one uses vs what they carry. - George
 
EDC:
Keys
Wallet
G20
1 spare magazine
Fenix PD-30 light
ESEE Zippo
SOG Aegis
Sharpie
Pilot G2 Pen

EDU:
keys
SOG Aegis
Sharpie
Pilot G2 Pen

Many days I also use the light and zippo.


Neither list includes what's in my car "bag of evil"
 
Things I don't go 24 hours without using even on weekends.

Spyderco sage1
Nitecore D10
Cell phone, wallet, keys
Cheap sunglasses
Hat & sunscreen
Kleen Kanteen
 
mercop said:
Now more than ever I am living out of the Bag of Evil, to the point that when I am home and need something I get it out of my bag instead of around the house. There are things I carry because I can see myself needing them like-

RMJ Shrike Tomahawk (breaching vehicles at a car wreck)
Diamondback Tactical Ripaway Trauma Kit

But what about things you will use every day. Here are a few things I don't go 24 hrs without using.

Oakley Sunglasses in Pelican 130 Case
Camera in Pelican 120 Case
Hand Sanitizer (Skell Gel)
Sherpa Sharpie marker from Blue Line Gear
Ti Zippo with torch insert
Pre packed coffee packs with coffee and Slenda
TUMS
RX Meds (taken for the protection of others)
Mechanix Gloves ( I am a eye and hand pro Nazi)
Leatherman Squirt S2
Survivor Flash Drive
Zip-Ties
Parachute Cord
Rubber Bands
Zebra 701 pen
Cheap Aluminum water bottle soon to be replaced by a Klean Kanteen from Going Gear.

All off the little stuff is carried in an Eagle Industries Small Shaving Kit pouch. These pouches rock.

I am interested to hear what every one uses vs what they carry. - George
Click to expand...

You use zip-ties on a daily basis? For what?
 
All kinds of stuff, I would say at least a little one every other day. Usually for organizing cords and such.- George
 
You guys are obviously living a very different life than I am. Although I carry a lot of different things, the only things that really get used ever single day are my keys and cell phone.
 
Samael said:
You guys are obviously living a very different life than I am. Although I carry a lot of different things, the only things that really get used ever single day are my keys and cell phone.
Click to expand...

I'll take that one futher. There are rare days -- rare, but it does happen -- when I just don't go outside of the house. On those days, I don't even need my keys.

My iPhone, however, does so many things that taking and making phone calls is one of the least things I do on it and yet I use it for something everyday... probably several times per hour on average.

The other EDC things that I carry and use even if I don't go outside of the house are my pen and my notebook.

I use some knife every day, yes, but not necessary an EDC knife.
 
Items I always have on me when outside of the house:

Cell phone
Knife
Flashlight
Pen
Keys
Wallet
Burt's Bees lip balm

I use all of these every day, most several times a day. Heck, I don't even put anything in my wallet that not used at least once a week. I do not like carrying around extra stuff if I do not have to.
 
I have lots of days when I don't leave my property here atop Mt Crumpet. But even on those days I am out playing and testing gear. Good living at the corner of Tree and Bush.- George
 
The things I use every day are quite limited - Spyderco, Quark light, Blackberry.

But I EDC in my pockets also a ring with a PS4, Fox 40 Micro whistle, small Atwood tool, and Fenix AAA backup light. Since the pic was taken, I've added a Countycomm phillips driver:

IMG_7717.jpg


Also carry a twin-tip Sharpie, which gets a good deal of use. Kahr PM9 in pocket holster.

I am in a perpetual state of trying to determine what the smallest items are that provide the most utility, so nothing is static. I've been trying a full sized belt multitool (Vic Spirit), but am finding the weight to utility ratio not to be good. For me that is.

Like George, I have a Bag of Evil. While I don't call it that, I think I'll abscond with the name. Its basically a bag that provides things I need or want while I'm away from home. It stays in the vehicle. I carry it into church, and its ready to go when my mother-in-law ends up in the hospital in the middle of the night and I have no time to prepare.

Most of its contents are rarely used. Things like tums, dental floss, Altoids and hand sanitizer get frequent use. But the rest is there "just in case". Comes in handy at the hospital at 2am when I need something to read, or a radio to listen to, but generally its a "what if" bag.

I use a Maxpedition MPB (black). Contains:

- Bible (NIV Study)
- small paperback (Resurrection, by Hank Hanegraaff)
- small "Pocket Ref" reference book; can keep me busy for a long time
- legal pad and file folder
- pens, pencils, Sharpies
- large Moleskine notebook
- Coffee Mate
- Streamlight Stinger LED in Ripoff's holster
- Leatherman Wave
- Countycomm medium breacher bar (like I am ever going use that)
- quart ziplock with misc contents: duct tape, Blackberry charger, earplugs, suncreen, lighter, monocular, spare keys to MIL's car, etc.
- EMT shears
- small first aid kit (scrapes and boo boos only)
- nail clippers, dental floss, chapstick, tums, diphenhydramine
- advil, anti-diarrhea, cough drops, hand sanitizer
- hand lotion
- Tide stain pen
- Countycomm am/fm/shortwave radio (nice)
- spare batteries
- 1 spare loaded mag for the PM9
- pepper spray

These are just things that make life easier when I am away from home. The Maxpedition MPB isn't scary looking, and is more like a brief case than anything, so it flies under the radar which I like.

Back to George's thesis, I just use a handful of these items on a daily basis, and most of them are in my pockets or on my belt. The rest are just there as needed.
 
Car and house keys.
Knife - usually BM 940.
Colt CCO or Browning Hi Power.
Usually my cell phone, but not always.
Wallet.
Chapstick.
 
mercop said:
Great post
Click to expand...

Thank you. :thumbup:

I'll just also add that I have a Slingbox Pro HD at home, which lets me watch any of my home cable tv stations on my Blackberry. Its mighty nice to have ESPN, Fox News or anything else at your fingertips when you are away from home. The unit, which attaches to your home wireless network, costs $200 - $300 depending on the flavor, but there there is no monthly fee once you own it. Anywhere there is cell service, I can watch tv. I can also watch tv on any internet connection. This is just a quality of life thing, but thats what we are generally talking about when it comes to Gadgets and Gear.

feb232010002.jpg

ESPN.
 
I sense another thread starting.

In addition to my on person EDC, I have a "Bag of Evil" which lives in my car but I normally refer to it as my Just In Case bag. l keep a virtually identical version in my wife's car. These bags are hardly ever touched except to check the condition of their contents or to refresh my memory with what's in them. Additionally, I also travel a lot by air so I keep a kit that's travel friendly with the intention of using it as a must get home bag should the need arise. Here is a break down for my bags.

Bag of Evil/Just in Case that stays in car:
-Fire Extinguisher
-Mini Power Inverter/Air Compressor
-Jumper Cables
-Fix-a-flat
-AMK Weekender First Aid Kit with extras - quick clot, water gel burn treatment supplies, -eye wash, personal meds for family as applicable, allergy meds, CPR mask, extra nitrile -gloves, sanitizer
-Mechanics Gloves
-Eye Protection
-Several N95 Masks
-Gorilla Duct Tape
-Headlamp
-Streamlight PolyTac Light
-2 x Cheapie Flashlights
-Variety of Chem lights
-Some Road Flares
-Extra Batteries - AA and CR123s
-Water Purification Tablets
-Hard Candy
-Several Space Blankets
-Several Disposable Ponchos
-Reflective Vest
-Large Multitool
I think that's it. Time to break into one the bags again to refresh my memory.

My Air Travel kit sees the light of day quite a bit. Mainly because it's in pieces for portability so that it can occupy the nooks and crannies left by my clothes, toiletries and other items. Additionally, I often make minor changes to it based on season and destination, but here is a typical setup.

-Maxpidition RollyPolly Backpack -self packs into a 5x5x4 inch package
-Emergency Bivvy
-Space Blanket
-disposable poncho
-Compass
-Leatherman Micra
-Izula w/ Sheath
-Kershaw Leek
-Wetfire Tinder
-a blast match
-bic lighter
-water purification tablets
-travel size DEET
-ACR whistle
-Duct tape
-10+ feet of 550 Cord
-monocular
-Quark 1232 and/or Surefire E2DL - normally both
-4 extra CR123 batteries
-Couple of chem lights
-Couple of Powerbars
-Hard Candy
-AMK Ultralight .5 First Aid Kit w/ extras
-TacPack w/ Quick Clot
-Nitrile gloves
-N95 Mask
-$200 in twenties
-At least one set of practical (something I could wear hiking) clothing and shoes
-a light weight, waterproof and breathable jacket - packs in its own pocket
-Pre - Filled out FedEx Shipping Bill which is specifically for my suitcase and junk that may get left behind.

Everything that can goes in my carry on and the prohibited items like the knives and blast match get checked for the flight.
 
Last edited:
Great thread! May be the most practical one I've seen in months. Thanks!

AJ
 
In addition to my Maxpedition Man Sack referenced above that is available to go with me when I leave the vehicle, I have a 25 gallon Rubbermaid bin that stays in the vehicle. It contains various things which I want to have with me on the road, but don't need to (or can't) ride in my Man Sack.

BOE001.jpg

Maxpedition MPB Man Sack on left; Rubbermaid container on right.

The 25 gallon Rubbermaid bin contains:

- Sears Portable Power battery jumper. Aside from jumping my myself or others, it provides a backup power source for the cell phone and other electronic devices. Recharged monthly. Has air compressor.
- a DC to AC power inverter, which lets me run AC devices off of the vehicle cigarette lighter or Sears battery jumper
- military ammo box with tools
- large coffee can with lid, containing a roll of toilet paper. When you have sick kid in the back seat, you be glad to have a container. Could also transport gas or water in pinch.
- heavy duty universal lug wrench; those little ones that come with the spare tire provide no leverage
- spare hats, sunscreen, clothes for kids; change seasonally
- trailer hitch
- comprehensive first aid kit with CPR mask
- PSK
- spare umbrella
- Maxpedition Malaga, black. Contains misc items, and can be emptied and used as required.
- paper towels

BOE002.jpg


I drive a Suburban, which gives me space for stuff like a 25 gallon container. YMMV. Again, back to George's topic, these items are rarely used. But when you need a car jumper, FAK or CPR mask, you'll be glad its back there.

photo.jpg
 
here is what's in my pocket or on my side every day..... oh + keys and iphone....
mystuff001.jpg



here is my every day bag....I am diabetic so i have to have food all the time with me + flashlights and all kinds of other stuff....
mystuff002.jpg
 
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