Help build my sister's EDC kit

A

anomad

Joined
Nov 21, 2003
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Here's the story: My sister is going back to school, as part of her plan to rule the universe, this fall and I want to put together a basic EDC kit for her as a gift. Being my only sister, i would prefer she was some kind of master ninja and accompanied by a secret service detail 24/7, but I guess this will at least be something to help me feel she is equipped and safe.

She will be in a big southeast city in walking distance to campus. She has a cell phone and likes to carry her work junk in a leather shoulder bag style breifcase. So I am trying to keep in mind how extra stuff will fit into her normal business attire.

Looking at 3-4 items:
#1 Fox OC spray, maybe a sampler of different sizes for her to pick and chose depending on car/jogging/whatever.

#2 Flashlight, I am torn between getting a "tactical" LED light that actually has some burn time. Or, a real retina burner that will permanently blind anything that looks at her. I'm almost totally clueless about all the various models so please fire away with suggestions here. (she already has a photon LED on her keychain)

#3 multitool/multiknife, I got her a SOG Access card which she liked a lot. She was particularly pleased with the eyeglass screwdriver :rolleyes: (c'mon sis this is an extreme tactical edged weapon to keep scumbags away from you!) So, I was thinking to take it up to a multi-tool or a one hand opening SAK.

#4 Knife: here's the 3 or 4 part. I'd happily get her a Busse Battle Mistress or two, if she would carry it. But in reality I don't know if she would carry anything along the lines of a defensive weapon. So maybe some kind of very gentle "cute" defensive knife, an emerson lagriffe or ??? Or, if anyone has a success story of convincing a female close to them to pack steel, I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Last but not least is some kind of pouch/organizer to keep this stuff handy for her. I figure a knife would have to be worn. The multi-tool can live in her bag. Where to stash the spray and light? If her briefcase/bag has organiser slots that would be cool. I am toying with the idea of some kydex for them with a tek-lok clip for her to position as needed.

tell me your ideas.
 
How does she pack her keys? if they're easy to get out, look at a small keychain knife...

My mother could have been labeled Queen Sheeple for the longest time. When my sister had a kid in October 2000, Mom finally had tags to cut off, food to cut, and toys to open for her grandchild... The spyderco 50/50 Ladybug was thiefed off my keyring, I bought a micra for myself and gave her my Buck Minitool, and she also has a crkt m16-01 in CF in her bike jacket(the honda 1100cc goldwing and 750cc magna are both under her name).

My sister still won't even carry a SAK, though she's been eyeing my Micra lately. Her bday's in a month if it doesn't go missing off my keys sooner.

Have a look at the Leatherman Juice line as well. I've had a S2 in my pocket since March, and if I could find a fabric sheath for it here I'd put my Crunch into my workbag and belt carry the Juice.

As to flashlights, I've got an LED light in my BOB kit with a LONG burntime on it. I mean I used it for 6 months straight as my EDC flashlight without changing batts before putting it in my BOB, still on that set and it worked last month when I checked my kit over again(spare set of batts in my kit when it finally dies). Single LED(blueish white), 3 AAA batts. Walmart has em in grey and blue here, under 30CAD. It's no surefire, but it beats the hell out of my maglite. I'll get the name when I get up tomorrow.

EDIT: as for a bag, look at camera bags. I found a 3x4x1.5-2 bag for $10 up here for my digi. The front section holds 4 AA and 5 pic cards in it right now. Comes with a shoulder strap, but the belt strap is wide enough that my work bag strap can be threaded through it.
 
Anomad,

Sorry to pish on your chips, but women's minds aren't wired like normal people, i.e. blokes.

Everything they carry is thrown into a large bag, euphemistically known as a "handbag." I have through-walked the West Highland Way carrying less than a woman feels is necessary to equip her to nip down to the shops.

The result is that anything you buy her - if she remembers to carry it at all - will simply rot in the archaeological depths of the handbag.

Try this simple test: Give your sister something to carry. Something the same size as, for instance, a pepper spray. Tell her that you need her to carry it for you, as you'll need it at some unspecified time in the near future. Tell her it's vital that she can produce it instantly, on demand. Wait 3 days. When the two of you are walking across a parking lot, or through a mall, suddenly demand the item. See how long it takes her to excavate her bag to produce it. (Assuming she hasn't lost or forgotten it).

She will be able to produce 7 different brands of headache medication, 106 family photographs, the stone her boyfriend found on a beach which is the same colour as her eyes, half a Swedish softwood forest in ancient till receipts, Wetwipes, four shades of lipstick...

Knife? Nope. Pepper spray? Forget it.

If you really want to spend the money, I'd recommend a BM Mini-Griptilian. It's small, cute and comes in a variety of colours.

Best of luck.

maximus otter
 
Knives:
Victorinox Compact SAK...She'll get a blade, scissors, combo can/bottle/screwdriver, nail file/parcel hook, corkscrew/eye glass screwdriver, toothpick, tweezer, pen, and straight pin.

Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Mini Griptilion

Flashlight:
Inova X5T

Streamlight Twin Task...Both LED and incandesent bulbs.

Paul
 
You're a good brother, anomad. I second the streamlight twin task suggestion. I've been passing those around like candy in my family. Pepper spray is also a good idea. For a knife I suggest something like the Spyderco Salsa. You can get pretty colors and it has a cute pepper on it, but it is still a solid tool with a useful sized blade. My experience with uninitiated women knife users is that if they have it around they will start to use it and eventually the light bulb will go off over their heads.

Jack
 
I'm with maximus otter. Find her a knife that she likes and will carry. Not on her keys, not in her purse/handbag/etc, but actually carry on her person. The most important factor in this is how "Cute" the knife is. If she likes it, she'll carry it. With most all of the females I know, you could give them the best knife in the world, and if it's not cute enough for them to like, they'll toss it in the purse, or leave it someplace at home. Cute, from my experience, is also very sheeple friendly. I mean, really, who could do anything wrong/bad/dangerous with such a cute knife??

Once you get the cute part figured out, sneek in the stuff you want the knife to have. Both BM & Spyderco have some good offerings that I think would work out. You know your sister best, find some knives she likes and go from there.

For a multi-tool, a nice leatherman is hard to beat. Especially if you can figure out a way to clip it ON her bag, so she doesn't have to search for it when she needs it.

For a flashlight, I'd vote for an Arc AAA. It'd be at home right on the keychain, brighter than the Photon with longer battery life.

I don't know that I'd go with pepper spray, though. I can think of a ton of women I know that have a can on their keychain, but when I really think about how many of them could actually find it and use it in a time of distress, the number drops almost completely to zero. If it makes her feel more confident, then go for it.
 
The La Griffe sounds like a very good idea, just make sure that she doesn't carry it stuffed somewhere in her purse...it has to be easily accessible if it's supposed to be helpful. MOD's Ladyhawk is another option to consider, although I think it's overpriced for what it is. If she wants the knife to be even smaller, the Hideaway could be a knife she's likely to take with her.
Get her some instruction, even though the above-mentioned knives come with kind of natural, claw-like blades.
If she's not interested in training in-depth on a regular basis, at least give her some basic instructions that she will easily remember - that's definitely not ideal, but few women are willing to dedicate more time to the subject of SD training.

The Fox OC is an excellent choice, but trying to find the optimal compromise between ease of carrying and agent load is not easy. If she's likely to just leave a large can at home or put it in her purse, better get a smaller, handier size container that can be worn in a kydex belt holster or in a pants pocket.
Don't forget to tell her that it will not stop everyone. When it comes to assailants who are high on drugs or just don't feel the effects of the spray, it will become more of a distraction than anything else - maybe to create a time frame that enables her to run or draw the knife.

The Surefire G2 Nitrolon is not very expensive and it is both bright plus has a relatively high battery life. Replacing the batteries can become costly though, but since most of the non-SD situations where the need for a light arises can easily be handled by the keychain light, this shouldn't be a major concern.

An item that could work wonders on her keychain is a kubotan - or, better yet, a Comtech Stinger. Inexpensive and effective.
Don't forget to instruct her on where to strike with an impact stick.

A small personal first aid kit could find a place in her purse (click here for reference).
Even if she doesn't smoke, a sturdy, sufficiently sized lighter is not only useful, but can double as an impact weapon.

As far as multi-tools go, Leatherman's Micra is very compact yet useful, if you want something bigger for her, ask over at the multi-tool forum (being a tactical knife buyer I'm not an expert when it comes to multi-tools and SAKs).
 
maximus otter - thanks, you brought me to tears with that post.

I should say, sis isn't a normal gal. She doesn't carry a purse. She does keep two briefcases (leather bags) in her car filled with work stuff. So I figure one of these will be adopted for school, just a guess. I should talk to her a little. I would hate to spoil the surprise, but I would hate to spend two bills and have the stuff just gather dust in a drawer too.

Thanks for the light suggestions, I really like the twin task. Maybe I will upgrade her keychain photon to a single AA led model and get the twin task.

We have talked about pepper spray, she has some already and I know she will carry it. Will have to shop around for a cute holster.

I have found it amazing with my S.O., she will carry almost anything, as long as she picks it out. Sig Saurs, ladysmiths, benchmades, bucks, when I am around she usually only carry's a pocket knife, but when I amaway she keeps her ladysmith or sig at hand.
My sister is the same, but really funny about these things. Unfortunately she lives about 6000 miles away or I would take her shopping. I almost exclusively buy fixed blades, except SAK's, so the cute folders are something I should look at.
 
Another vote for the BM Mini Griptilian. There are numerous small Spydercos that would also be terrific choices and affordable. I would also get one of the basic SAKs like the Tinker or the keychain one.

Flashlight: SF E2e with one set of extra batteries and Arc AA. Both of them so she'll have one for Retinal Blinding and one for long run time and normal batteries.

Leatherman P4 or Micra.
 
I have equipped my wife and a bunch of female friends, with fair success. For what they're worth, here are my recommendations...

Flashlight: Photon II. I pefer the Arc AAA myself, but nothing beats the Photon for light weight and small size. Larger lights may be left behind; this one won't be.

Multi-tool: Swiss-Tech Utili-Key. As with the Photon, the Utili-Key is so tiny that it will actually be carried where anything larger may not be. Even if she's interested in a full-sized multi-tool, get her a Utili-Key for her keychain as a backup. (Get one with the gold titanium nitride finish if you can.)

Knife: I agree with the general opinion that you need to find her a knife she likes, first and foremost. Most women prefer small and colorful knives, but I know one who's "perfect" EDC turned out to be a Spyderco Chinook II. ;) As a starting point, look at the rainbow versions of the Kershaw Leek and Chive.

--Bob Q
 
Its a few years yet till my daughters go off to college,yet i'm thinking oh this question myself lately...

A lot depends on the person their lifestyle etc. my kids spend half there time in gym shorts and t shirts,hard to carry a lot there.

My thoughts are an surefire e2e,for both a light and palm stick use(hammer strikes etc.) But this would most likely only be carried at night or when in jeans etc. Perhaps a Steamlite Batonlight for "lighter" clothes.

Pepper spray.

Knife? Spyderco Dodo.Blue.Easy to carry 24/7.Plus with its narrow Blue end and wire clip it looks like a pen or highlighter,when clipped into a pocket or bookbag. ;)

This is what they'll leave with.If they carry the knife 24/7 and have the others for times they think is right (like the e2e for night classes) i think they'll be ahead of most.

I'll add this my daughters are atheltes,they also lift weights and hit a heavy bag,elbows,palm smashes.hammerfists.

Most important they know about awareness and the tricks used to lure them in. Buy here the book The Gift of Fear.

She can't lose her brain or her fists,but she needs to know how to use them.
 
The books are a great idea! I'll certainly dig around amazon a little and check out the titles suggested.

I was all sold on the twin task, but now you guys have me thinking two lights with the Surefire impact weapon application.

I have a little ka-bar, great knife, but not "cute" at all....
 
The Photon II would be a good choice. Compliment this with a Wally World LED that runs off 1 AAA for around 5 or 8 bucks. Has a tailcap switch.

My wife likes the ARC, but hates having to use 2 hands to turn it on. The Wally World (I think it is actually a Garrity - Nope, it's a Dorcy) model is pretty bright and compact.

Get the Surefire G2, and do the tailcap conversion to make it a clicky.

For a keychain knife, the Vic Rambler affords quite a few tools for a decent price.

Pair that up with another Vic SAK, and they appear quite non-threatening.

A standard Leatherman PST, or maybe the Sideclip, can quite often be found on sale, and are good "starter" tools.

Some schools may have issues with the carrying of pepperspray.

Of course, if you want something Battle Mistress size, maybe a Swamp Rat Battle Rat or Camp Tramp would be right...LOL
 
I have tried to equip a few of the women in my life. My wife, my sister, my mom, etc. Their primary issues are ease of use and bulkiness. Any two-hand lights are OUT. They want one-hand activation. Any lights that don't fit smoothly into a purse are OUT. Any gear you give them must not interfere with or scratch lipstick containers, mirrors, etc.

The only light I was able to sell them on was the Photon II. It fits on a keychain, can be used with one hand, and is tiny.

Oh, and my wife is the sole exception in that she does carry a SureFire E2e in her purse. She has a nighttime job in retail, and she shines the light at her car late at night as she approaches it to make sure no one is lurking nearby.

Unfortunately, pocket knives are OUT. Any make or model. Not even the venerable SAK made the cut. The reason, each woman said they could break a nail opening a blade. They are serious. Attractive nails are more important than carrying a SAK. That's the way it is.

When my wife breaks a nail, I take the dog and cat and go hide in the back of the closet until the storm passes. Just kidding, but my wife is not at all happy when she breaks a nail.

Women are incredibly tough sells. If they don't like something instantly and without reservation, they will never like it.
 
Cardimon,keep in mind not ALL women are the same. :)

My wife grew up on a farm never had long nails,i've never seen her with nail polish on.She does not shop for clothes more than once or twice a year at best.

Not all women are girly girls,my daughters are cheerleaders,yet they lift weights and hit a heavybag,the old don't judge a book by its cover thing.

Not all women care about or have nails long enough to break.In fact I live with a few that would rather be able to deliever a powerfull palm smash to a man's nose than have long pretty nails.

Then theres those one hand opening knives......
 
OK, I hinted to sis that I was going to buy her a pocket knife and asked for color preferences of mini-grips just to get a feel for what she might like. Said she's planning to use a packpack for school. That's good, I am going to look for a small pouch that will fit on her shoulder strap or go inside as need be.

Yeah cardimon, you should let your wifey try a smooth one hand opening knife, or a little micro tool with scissors. Might change her mind... The E2E is something though!
Luckily I don't have to worry about make up or fingernail compatibility.
 
Lone Hunter,

Actually none of the women I mentioned have long nails. They simply dislike having them chipped, split, or broken. My wife doesn't have what I would consider long nails. She does a lot of computer work and long nails aren't too compatible with a keyboard. She just takes pride in keeping them in shape. Besides that, long nails are an on-board defensive weapon!

By the way, my mom spent lots of time on a farm while she was growing up. The farm was sold by the time I was born, so I never spent any time there. But that was for the best. My mom was and is more outdoorsy than I am. :)
 
I've never broken a nail opening a Spydie. :)

What happened to all those old pink Crickets and Delicas?
Pocket clip sounds like a big plus.
 
In my opinion as some stated would be the ideal choice.

Flashlight for EDC: Arc aaa
Flashlight defensive: SF e2e
Blade:Benchmade Mini Griptilion
 
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