How will technology change your EDC?

[vanslem6]

Nope, nope, nope. I've been leaving my phone at home a lot lately. I don't like being tracked like cattle every time I leave the house. I don't like being advertised to 24 hours/day, either.

 

[braillediver]

No it won't. Timeless simplicity is what I strive for. Modern technology is not as reliable as a simple pocket knife.

 

[Scott321]

I see tech a little different than how this conversation is going. I see the advantages in tech in regards to my EDC in a few ways:

1. Better materials and designs: knives - whether it be in the blades or other hardware; flashlights - higher brightness with less heat and less battery draw, higher capacity batteries in small packages, etc., phone - better camera, longer battery life, larger storage in smaller packages, more capability (reducing desktop computer reliance)

2. Higher quality control for mass produced models without significant increases in price and even price decreases. I've visited developing areas where people living in grass/leaf huts are posting things to FB and YT and using message services like Skype on an inexpensive smart phone.

3. Increased access to information: It's amazing seeing the huge increase in communication and shared knowledge availability happening in third world countries with so many people having access to both phones and the internet. Even universities like Harvard and Yale are putting up free classes and/or lectures on YT. Of course, being able to vet info sources is becoming more and more complicated.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I guess maybe I'll be considered the dinosaur here but I'm the exact opposite ... I think all the new tech stuff has been detrimental to our society and social skills ... yes some of it can be good and help in areas of our lives but in general I think it's made us lazy and taken away our culture and ability to do for ourselves.

I have a cell phone but the only reason I got it was my parents needing help and wanted them to be able to reach me when needed.

Id sooner sell my trucks and tvs and everything else ... and keep my horses knives guns and my wits and ability to think work and do for myself.

So it won't affect me in the slightest. And if or when the techknowledge fails or makes identity theft and all the issues it causes worse ... I'll still be carrying what I have all my life.

 

[bikerector]

I suspect I will add tech to my EDC as I feel the utility of it. As a phone or smartphone are tools, I have one on me most of the time. There's a lot of things a smartphone can do quickly and effectively and I prefer to have that on me than not.

Sure, batteries can die but blades can break and all that jazz. Nothing's fool-proof but my phone and the things it can do are pretty reliable from the 10 years or so I've been using a smartphone. GPS and the calendar/memo are the two most important features for me because they add the most convenience. It's also smaller than walking around with a computer, notebook, or journal though I often have a small pocket journal as well simply because I like the process of writing more than damn touchscreens (really miss my blackberry with a keypad).

When I think EDC I think items that help me throughout the day for the tasks at hand at to have items on me that would make things more convenient, easier, or save me time. I'm not EDC'ing for things that could come up but I EDC for things that will very likely come up each day. Thus, items like SAK's and multi-tools have left my EDC and stay with my pack or vehicle that gets staged at places I go along with paper, pen, deodorant, charging cable, thumb drive, fixed blade and other items that may get used every now and again but not everyday but is not on my person everywhere I go.

More than technology, my EDC will change as the circumstances of my life changes like moving to a new job, kids, or just changing my tastes in what I want to have in my pockets.

 

[GermanyChris]

I guess maybe I'll be considered the dinosaur here but I'm the exact opposite ... I think all the new tech stuff has been detrimental to our society and social skills ... yes some of it can be good and help in areas of our lives but in general I think it's made us lazy and taken away our culture and ability to do for ourselves.

I have a cell phone but the only reason I got it was my parents needing help and wanted them to be able to reach me when needed.

Id sooner sell my trucks and tvs and everything else ... and keep my horses knives guns and my wits and ability to think work and do for myself.

So it won't affect me in the slightest. And if or when the techknowledge fails or makes identity theft and all the issues it causes worse ... I'll still be carrying what I have all my life.

Your the second person to bring up this either or situation but it's not. I have horses and computers, phones, and a myriad of other tech and they all happily coexist. I still turn my own wrenches, I still build out of wood, steel, and brick, I still throw hay and I do it with a smart watch on my wrist, a cell phone in my pocket, and a bag with a computer in in my Jeep.

 

[JJ_Colt45]

I also have computers and a smart phone ... my only point was that new tech would have no bearing on my knife selections... or the items I EDC. Its almost the same items as I carried 25 years ago and I've never really felt the need to add much to it.

Most of my knives now are carbon steel its what I grew up with it fills my needs well ... I do also have some stainless knives but its because thats the steel that was offered on those knives. And for some purposes its great to have the stainless. And if I had the choice I would still be driving old trucks without all the new computer chips and things that break down that you cant even figure out what's wrong without a computer hooked up to it when used to be a simple set of wrenches and a few tools you could drive across the country and fix anything that broke down anywhere long the way. So I guess that's the only point I'm making ... not that you can't have both ... but it won't affect me to answer the OPs question.

When I see new tech I dont truely see it affecting my knives or my life all that much ... what computers or smart phone I have was only because it made it easier for some of my family to keep in touch with me ... if not for them urging me to I wouldn't have most of it ... and all new tech isn't bad but I all too often see the bad it has caused and how its changed people and alot of that hasn't been beneficial.

Used to be when you dealt with others you looked them in the eye and shook their hand ... nowdays if you can get them to look up from their phone or computer long enough to even have a conversation its a small miricle.

 

[Boxer .45]

I also have computers and a smart phone ... my only point was that new tech would have no bearing on my knife selections... or the items I EDC. Its almost the same items as I carried 25 years ago and I've never really felt the need to add much to it.

Most of my knives now are carbon steel its what I grew up with it fills my needs well ... I do also have some stainless knives but its because thats the steel that was offered on those knives. And for some purposes its great to have the stainless. And if I had the choice I would still be driving old trucks without all the new computer chips and things that break down that you cant even figure out what's wrong without a computer hooked up to it when used to be a simple set of wrenches and a few tools you could drive across the country and fix anything that broke down anywhere long the way. So I guess that's the only point I'm making ... not that you can't have both ... but it won't affect me to answer the OPs question.

When I see new tech I dont truely see it affecting my knives or my life all that much ... what computers or smart phone I have was only because it made it easier for some of my family to keep in touch with me ... if not for them urging me to I wouldn't have most of it ... and all new tech isn't bad but I all too often see the bad it has caused and how its changed people and alot of that hasn't been beneficial.

Used to be when you dealt with others you looked them in the eye and shook their hand ... nowdays if you can get them to look up from their phone or computer long enough to even have a conversation its a small miricle.

Yep, absolutely!

 

[TortugaNH]

I use new tech to enhance my life and EDC, but for many reasons, not replace older tech or tools. For one, experience (and history) has shown that a single point of failure is likely to do just that, fail.

Another reason is much of my work space doesn’t allow new technology for security reasons. That said, I can usually be found with a Fitbit that doesn’t have GPS or transmit capability. I will probably have smart-locks on the new house, but I will still carry keys.

Although my phone can be used as a light, I’d rather not use up precious navigation and communication battery when I can have a small flashlight which can be employed in numerous ways.

I usually have enough cash on me to avoid issues with broken card readers, tipping services, or just because sometimes it feels more appropriate to pay in cash.

I will probably always carry a wallet, unless I find another way to RFID-shield my various cards and IDs.

And a blade, yeah, I will always have a 3”ish knife handy.

 

[Lapedog]

I dont see it as putting all my eggs in one basket I see it as making my life simpler. Before I velcroed my wallet to my phone I always have attached my keys to my wallet. If I get robbed it is all in one package for the guy and I am really careful with keeping track of things. Legitimately my phone is pretty much never more that an arms reach away.

Also you bring up a good topic for a thread. I dont cut stuff that often and when I do scissors are with in the area. Will have to do a poll or such about this. Outside of a "fantasy" self defense knife which in my opinion needs to be really really long I have no "need" for a knife.



There are cases you can buy that have a separate battery that run a flashlight so you can have an all in one solution without draining your phones battery. But yeah I can understand where your coming from.

What do you meen by "bank account sheets"? I actually pretty much just carry a debit card in my wallet unless I specifically am going somewhere that needs an ID. With how I look I rarely get carded unless I go to a bar on a Friday night and that is a rarity.

Bro, why do you even Bladeforum?

I mean if you consider knives not necessary in todays world beyond "fantasy" self defense scenarios.

 

[HwangJino]

I don't think technology would ever change my etc.

I carry a knife, watch, phone, and keys (flashlight on keys).

Maybe my phone will advance, but I won't use it to pay or open my doors anytime soon.

I will also probably not get a digital watch anytime soon, I like automatics.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Technology won't change my EDC, but the lack of it will.
Right now I'm wearing a 1980's Casio Marlin that I don't wear very often because it's missing it's piezoelectric element ( missing a piece of it's technology ) and I'm not big on the idea of wearing an alarm chronograph watch that won't chime.
I suppose I could track down a new case back and spring, but I'm not worried Because it keeps time just fine.

 

[jackknife]

I'm a technophobe, so new technology won't change my life a bit. I carry a small old flip phone because it's the smallest phone I can get, and all I want is to make and receive a phone call. Not getting a smart phone at all if I can help it. I have a lap top, but it stays at home. I carry a pocket knife, wear a Timex expedition watch, carry a wallet with real money in it, and keyring with a few items on it. I carry a small handgun for self defense. I've driven all over this country without a GPS, using a good old fashioned Rand McNally Road atlas. Yes, old fashioned maps work fine. I've yet to get lost anywhere.

I don't do any banking on line AT ALL!!!

Once a month on the second Wednesday of the month I sit down at my desk and takeout the bills that have arrived in the mail. I make out a check for each one, mail it and I'm done for the month. Simple and clean and hack proof.

I hate technology and avoid it when possible.