How much is too much for edc

My "edc":
One of these:
ZT 0550
Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco Caly 3 ZDP-189
Kershaw Leek Composite Blade

And all of these:
Streamlight Protac 1L
Matthew Martin Carbon Fiber / Ti Click Pen
Fossil card holder / money clip
Telephone (iphone 5 - not by choice)

I've considered carrying a backup blade, for the times when someone needs to use one and i'd rather not have them damaging the one I always carry. Not yet in the routine though.
 
I watch youtube from time to time, and some of the edc videos seem rediculous to me! Its almost as if the maker of the video stuff their "tactical" pockets with as much gear as possible, then turn the camera on. It makes me think that by preaching how "portable" their "system" is, the more they have no idea what they are talking about. I carry my phone, wallet, keys, knife, and sac, and feel like im well enough equipped to get through they day. When I feel like carrying more, ill throw a pen light in my pocket. I never feel under prepared or ill equipped. To each his own. Some people enjoy loading down their pockets, but id much prefer keeping it lighter.
 
inheritthefire said:
I haven't had much issue with carrying too much stuff... You just really need to simplify.

The stuff I keep in my pockets every day:
- Wallet
- Benchmade 1100-7
- Whatever EDC knife I'm going to have.
I also have a Pager (work related) on my belt.

I leave things like chapstick, asprin, tools, etc. in my car. 99% of the time if I need a tool and am not at home or work (to have access to regular tools), I have my car handy.
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Hm work related pager, you must either be a river boat/ship pilot, emergency worker or a drug dealer.

/joking.
 
I think too much is when it gets uncomfortable to carry those things all day everyday. It changes depending on what you're wearing and similar considerations.

For example, I don't like having sheaths on my belt or carrying a fannypack. In cargo pants or shorts I can stuff my usual combination of a gun, two knives, a SAK (or small multitool), flashlight, wallet, keys and mobile phone quite comfortably. However, when I dress for the gym or more formal meetings I've got to trim down my EDC to keep it comfortable. Since I always have a briefcase or backpack, I just put anything I can't fit in my pants in there and keep only what I might need in a hurry (like my gun) on my person.
 
My edc
opinel #8
large case trapper
leatherman wave
mini mag
keys
wallet
linemans pleirs or wire strippers
10 n 1 screwdriver
copenhagen
I switched to carhart pants so I would have more pockets and started using my leatherman sheath.
 
Jccrigger said:
I have came to the conclusion that I might carry a little too much for edc. I caught my self today saying I'm gonna start carrying a zippo but then I said where am I going to put it?
Here's my current edc
- byrd cara cara 2
- case medium stockman
- sak tinker
- chapstick
- vial of asprin
- mini mag-lite
- keys
- phone (HTC EVO)
- wallet

I don't carry anything on a belt because i just don't like stuff to dangle so everything go in pockets generally in my left front and right front pockets with the exception of the wallet which goes in back right pocket, has anyone else had this problem or is it just me? It's driving me insaine
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I'd get a smaller flashlight if the light is important to you. Mini-mag makes some smaller ones if for whatever reason you favor those. I personally like Mini-mag lights. Do you actually need a light? I keep one handy in my vehicle all the time, but on my person, naah.

I'd drop one knife and it would be the Byrd for me or rotate it with the stockman or keep the stockman and carry a multi-tool on your belt even though you don't care for that mode of carry. You could also carry a larger (more versatile) SAK in a pouch on your belt and open up some pocket space. I carry one that is similar to the Tinker by the way every day. But I don't carry a flash light on my person unless I need one.

Get a smaller aspirin container (hint, one of the small tins sold at gas stations) and refill it as needed.

Find yourself a little zip up pouch for the incidentals like aspirin and chapstick. You can also get the very small lip balm container to reduce space.
 
It depends where I'm going and what I'm doing. I'm retired so a trip into town means climbing into the truck, a 1986 Chevy Duelly with a Welders platform flatbed & knapheide cargo boxes. There are several boxes on the truck and tools and stuff scattered throughout. One gets used to that and therefore I don't stuff my pockets with as much gear. I have to have a folder on me. I guess thats why I'm a member of BF. But I like so many different knives I cant carry them all. Here's what's on the menu so far and I'll mix and match as needed.
Benchmade Custom Grip
Benchmade Rescue
Benchmade Bushcrafter
Case Peanut
Case Trapper
Case Soddy
Case Soddy jr
Puma Trapper
Puma White Hunter
SpyderCo Cutom Shop Karambit (for when the daughters ex comes to get the grandaughter)
Boker A/F 5.5
Boker Titanium Hunter
Busse Swamp Rat
Busse Taliwacker
1979 Gerber Gaurdian
Uncle Henry 30T
& I'm sure I forgot a couple.

My 'Dont leave home with out it's':
A 2aa mini mag
A Klein stubby 4 way driver
A Samsung Galaxy 5 with mobile hotspot WiFi
Ten feet or so of neon green and digi camo para cord my grandaughter double cobra'd into this bracelet thing but I'm kinda fond of it.
A handmade cambodian embossed moray eel skin eye patch inside lined with aubrey weaved McKenzie tartan that covers my left eye and surrounding scar tissue.
A pewter 'Millwright Retired' belt buckle from my father.
A Thistle Creek #36 oak shaft ebony handle walking cane.
A Lipscomb titanium model 16 brace around my left leg so I can walk like evetybody else...:D
Redwing 11 1/2 Loggers
 
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Franciscomv said:
I think too much is when it gets uncomfortable to carry those things all day everyday. It changes depending on what you're wearing and similar considerations.

For example, I don't like having sheaths on my belt or carrying a fannypack. In cargo pants or shorts I can stuff my usual combination of a gun, two knives, a SAK (or small multitool), flashlight, wallet, keys and mobile phone quite comfortably. However, when I dress for the gym or more formal meetings I've got to trim down my EDC to keep it comfortable. Since I always have a briefcase or backpack, I just put anything I can't fit in my pants in there and keep only what I might need in a hurry (like my gun) on my person.
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That about sums it up!

I carry my light (Protac 1L) in my chest pocket of my coat, it's most accessible there and I hardly notice it. Summertime I run out of places to put it as I never wear the coat then. I've been toying with the idea of a small custom sheath for the light / a multi-tool. I'll have to ponder that one.
 
My solution for you?

Swap the Mag for a Streamlight, I carry the Stylus Pro.

Then grab Maxpedition Micro pocket organizer, put most things in there and drop that bad boy in your pocket.

Hope that helps!
 
I do commercial hvac and have really gottten used to the carhart carpenters pants. Those two extra pockets help out a lot. My normal edc is a harpy in my right front pocket. Kabar dozier and a blueline LED flashlight in right lower pocket. (I recommend that flashlight. One AA battery, a magnet so you can stick it wherever, adjustable beam, the self defense strobe function, and I think it's 75 or 100 lumens and only $12.) An 11in 1 Milwaukee screwdriver and a 6 inch adjustable in my lower left pocket. A droid razor for work and an iPhone(personal). Wallet back right pocket. Sunglasses and safety glasses- one pair on and the other on top of my head depending on where I'm at. I tend to have several pounds of gear on me at any given time and the carhart pants help out a lot. They are tough and give you more options to carry gear.
 
By the way, 511 Tactical makes a nice pair of Docker looking pants that have a special knife pocket on the right hand side. Closes with a zipper. Frankly, I never use it because it's too deep for my stubby little T-Rex arms, but you young kids are still flexible.
 
simioh said:
Look into a smaller light, specially if you don't use it that often. Maybe a pen shaped light, or a small light that can attach to your keys.
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NeilB said:
Granted, this is bladeforums and not candlepowerforums, but still. Dude, there are many very powerful, very useful lights that are less than 9 inches long. Seriously.
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I strongly agree with these gentleman. With an upgrade in the light department you will not only lose some weight, but you'll end up with much better light. I carry a Four Sevens Quark Pro. It is half the length (fairly certain it weights less just don't have my mini Mag handy) and throws out so much more light. That is just one example, there are many options for a powerful, affordable pocket torch.
 
Greykilt said:
It depends where I'm going and what I'm doing. I'm retired so a trip into town means climbing into the truck, a 1986 Chevy Duelly with a Welders platform flatbed & knapheide cargo boxes. There are several boxes on the truck and tools and stuff scattered throughout. One gets used to that and therefore I don't stuff my pockets with as much gear. I have to have a folder on me. I guess thats why I'm a member of BF. But I like so many different knives I cant carry them all. Here's what's on the menu so far and I'll mix and match as needed.
Benchmade Custom Grip
Benchmade Rescue
Benchmade Bushcrafter
Case Peanut
Case Trapper
Case Soddy
Case Soddy jr
Puma Trapper
Puma White Hunter
SpyderCo Cutom Shop Karambit (for when the daughters ex comes to get the grandaughter)
Boker A/F 5.5
Boker Titanium Hunter
Busse Swamp Rat
Busse Taliwacker
1979 Gerber Gaurdian
Uncle Henry 30T
& I'm sure I forgot a couple.

My 'Dont leave home with out it's':
A 2aa mini mag
A Klein stubby 4 way driver
A Samsung Galaxy 5 with mobile hotspot WiFi
Ten feet or so of neon green and digi camo para cord my grandaughter double cobra'd into this bracelet thing but I'm kinda fond of it.
A handmade cambodian embossed moray eel skin eye patch inside lined with aubrey weaved McKenzie tartan that covers my left eye and surrounding scar tissue.
A pewter 'Millwright Retired' belt buckle from my father.
A Thistle Creek #36 oak shaft ebony handle walking cane.
A Lipscomb titanium model 16 brace around my left leg so I can walk like evetybody else...:D
Redwing 11 1/2 Loggers
Click to expand...

I want to hang out with this guy!
 
A wallet, of course. I leave my old cell-phone in the car. No smart-phone; I know where I am and where I'm going. One large Sebenza or Zaan. A .38 Smith, or Glock 9. No harmonica. :)
 
marcinek said:
Two words: fanny pack.

Call it a "tactical fanny pack." You'll feel better. Its what I do with my Maxpedition X-Treme Dark Tac Gov Spec Man Purse. :D
Click to expand...

And the 2nd reply took what I was going to say. Never thought to call it a tactical fanny pack, but I'm going with that from now on!;)

You aren't carrying a whole lot of stuff, though if you are sticking it all in your front pocket's, I can see where you might feel that way. I only make use of my right front pocket, where a single knife goes. I carry a small single 123CR flashlight on my belt, along with my phone in a case that slides on my belt. The fanny pack/fannypack carries a lot more and does so easily. It has 4 medication bottles, a Leatherman Juice2, or Victorinox Fieldmaster, and two spare Bic lighters. Also a pair of wheelchair gloves if I have to use a wheelchair for any extended time. My wallet, and my Spyderco Szabo are also in there, and go into the lower zippered area of the pack. As I said, the fannypack is not hard to get used to, and I don't even think about it being around my waist as I go about my day.
 
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