Is two really one and one is none?

I dont have an EDC but I live in NJ ,got a $300 fine for a 3 in OAL fixed blade I had in my wallet.
I paid it I was young didnt know better, I can imagine if I was carying my Harpy .... it "looks mean" .
that being said for camping/fishing its a Mini Mojo serrated, Milti Tool and an Ontario Machette.
 
The "Two is one, one is none" mantra applies to guns. Basically, the idea is that for some reason, your main gun might not serve you (malfunction, it's taken from you, etc), and that you should have a back-up. I'm not going to comment on this mantra, as I don't even have the single gun (yet).

Although many of us carry 2 (or 3, or 4) knives, I doubt there's many who carry one as a "back-up". Those of us who carry multiple knives carry different styles of knives, for different purposes. I myself have 4 knives on my person at any given time, plus a multitool in my backpack. I have a main folder (plain edge), a secondary folder (either a Tasman Salt PE or Atlantic Salt SE) for work use (boxes, opening bags of greasy ingredients, etc), a SAK Cybertool 29 (particularly for the bit driver), and a LM Squirt S4 on my keychain. All these knives have different purposes, and there's little redundancy.

The blades on my SAK are a bit redundant, and I do keep them razor (literally) sharp, just "in case" for some reason I need them to be. Since I carry my SAK almost purely for its non-knife tools, I never have to use the blades, so I keep them ready for the most unlikely of contingencies (like an emergency tracheotomy or something).

If I were in law enforcement or emergency response, military, or expected to be in the woods or something, maybe I'd feel the need for a redundant back-up knife (probably a folder backing up a fixed blade), but for me, right now, that's not necessary.
 
Last edited:
I generally only have one knife on me. I have a SOG Flash 2 on my body at all times during the week, since I'd be a felon if I carried my pistol to classes. Not breaking any laws by having a knife on me. The knife is purely for self defense purposes, and even then I really hope I'll never have to use it for that purpose.

Any day where I don't have a class and I'm not working, the SOG gets tossed in the weak side pocket, as the strong hip has a pistol. The alternative is a TDI KaBar on the left hip, and a pistol on the right. No need for two knives.


When I'm working and am on the counter I'll have a little Twitch 2 in my pocket and I'll use that for cardboard and packing tape. Keeps the Flash's edge sharp, and doesn't freak people out at all.
 
Last edited:
I generally carry different types of setups for different situations.

For example, around town---in other words, for everyday carry---I carry a generally utility knife that is "sheeple" friendly. This generally consists of a plain-edge Spyderco Caly3, a Native, a Victorinox of indeterminate model, etc. In essence, something that serves its purpose without the intimidation factor of slightly larger knives. In addition, I carry a Buck Hartsook small utility knife attached to my keychain as a "backup" in the event that I lose my main knife or some other contigency makes another tool necessary.

In the outdoors where sensitive "metrosexuals" are less likely to appear, my kit will be vastly different. This setup will include a belt-placed fixed blade (like a Spyderco Temperance or, if necessary, something larger), a recently purchased Victorinox SwissChamp, and a folder such as an Eye Brand Sodbuster, Spyderco Military, Pacific Salt, etc., depending upon my mood.

While this may not be necessary, it is fun. ;)
 
As has been stated above "What's need got to do with it?".
If I carried only for need I wouldn't need a watch (there are clocks everywhere and my phone has one too), a pen (I work in Doctor's offices and drug company pens are everywhere), or a knife (there are many in the kitchen).
Because I love fine tools I usually have 3 or 4 knives and two flashlights on me (as well as a Rolex watch, a Fisher Space pen, my diary, and my phone, and a multi-tool, a corkscrew, and a screwdriver set in my bag).
Sometimes I feel like Batman.
Greg
 
Knives are tools, plain and simple. I carry a SAK custom Explorer in delicate cutting and filing, a plain jane Endura for a quick access knife, and right now a Caly 3 just for the hell of it as a reserve. Sometimes I augment both with a SAK R&S multitool on the belt.

I also carry a J-frame 357 in my pocket for the gun equivalent of the Endura, and an XD 45 under the shirt for the gun equivalent of the SAK Explorer.

Different tools for different jobs. Would you expect a mechanic to have one wrench?
 
I've EDC'ed one--except for in certain work and/or outdoors situations--for almost 20 years, including my itinerant/chaotic/drunk/almost-homeless/unemployed/working-two-jobs-at-once 20s. Never lost it (although there were a couple of close calls), had it broken, stolen or indefinitely borrowed. You can get by with just one.

Note: A trick I learned to help not lose pant pocket contents when sleeping all over the place? Put the contents in your shoes when you go to bed.
 
Last edited:
I'm liking the Leatherman Skeletool CX. Covers all the bases and the blade is of a perfect length if you need to go public. A "large" folder in another carry spot isn't a bad thing either. :)

Matador-
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top