Philosophies In EDC

[Mistwalker]

Some of you may remember that about a decade ago, when she was still a teenager, I taught my oldest fire starting in a forest under wet conditions with a ferro rod. Then the day I tested her on it, a day when we were out shooting photos together and studying wild edibles, I loaned her a Fiddleback knife to take the "test" with. Then I took her out for coffee and a cream cheese brownie (her fav at the time) for a treat.

Well now she is 24 and has a life of her own, so we don't get to hang out as much as we once did. But we still do coffee pretty regularly, and we still discuss wilderness and urban survival stuff now and then.

The latest piece I added to the Fiddleback Forge blog was inspired by some of our recent conversations on EDC philosophies and carry items.

http://fiddlebackforge.com/index.cfm/fiddleback-news-information/firecraft-from-an-edc-perspective/




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[Odaon]

Nice article as usual Brian.

My EDC has been pretty standard for the last several months. A knife, a small AAA flashlight, a thin wallet, a CCW, my phone, a tube of chapstick, and my keys.

At work, I pretty much always carry my Surls Patch. Occasionally, when I feel like going 'light' I carry a folder or a Victorinox Pioneer. My flashlight of choice has been an Olight I3E for a couple years now. My wallet of choice is a Big Skinny Mini Skinny. Super thin, holds my 3 necessary ID cards, 3 credit cards, some cash, and my hunting/fishing license. CCW has been a S&W Shield for as long as I've been permitted to carry it. And I have a small Nitize pry, screw driving, bottle opening tool on my keys.

I haven't been carrying a fire starting method recently, but I usually have a lighter or two stashed in my car or laptop bag. I did recently get a couple things from Exotac, maybe I'll have to start carrying one of them regularly. I also don't typically carry a pen but that might be that I just haven't found the right one yet...

I don't have any up to date pictures of my current full EDC, maybe I'll take one tomorrow...

 

[TrainedBullets]

Mistwalker, thanks for writing the above. It’s so cool that you did those things with her when she was younger and left her with such nice memories, not to mention survival skills. Also, a love for coffee isn’t a bad thing

Being a prior boy scout, I try to be as prepared as I can be at all times.

Living in a tri-state area with differing laws presents me with essentially four operating environments (at home, and travelling to each state). Living in NJ precludes the potential of carrying a pistol outside the home (CCW permits are essentially impossible to get).

That leaves me with the following:

1. Knife - I always have at least one knife on me. I have a strong preference for fixed blades (hygeine, strength, easy of use, and easy of maintenence are factors). At home (I work from home), I go with a 4” FF with 4.5” handle. For me, it is the sweet spot - long enough blade to do most tasks, full sized handle, belt sheath is short enough that I can easily sit with it on or hide under an untucked shirt. When out, I currently carry a Runt as it’s legal in all venues but Philly, where I take the risk of being able to explain my tiny, cute little knife to a cop.
2. Small Multi-Tool - Usually a Leatherman PS4, which rides in my coin pocket.
3. Pen - Hinderer investigator, which rides in my wallet.
4. Cell Phone
5. Watch - Mechanical because I like all things mechanical.

I need to get into the flashlight game at some point.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice article as usual Brian.

My EDC has been pretty standard for the last several months. A knife, a small AAA flashlight, a thin wallet, a CCW, my phone, a tube of chapstick, and my keys.

At work, I pretty much always carry my Surls Patch. Occasionally, when I feel like going 'light' I carry a folder or a Victorinox Pioneer. My flashlight of choice has been an Olight I3E for a couple years now. My wallet of choice is a Big Skinny Mini Skinny. Super thin, holds my 3 necessary ID cards, 3 credit cards, some cash, and my hunting/fishing license. CCW has been a S&W Shield for as long as I've been permitted to carry it. And I have a small Nitize pry, screw driving, bottle opening tool on my keys.

I haven't been carrying a fire starting method recently, but I usually have a lighter or two stashed in my car or laptop bag. I did recently get a couple things from Exotac, maybe I'll have to start carrying one of them regularly. I also don't typically carry a pen but that might be that I just haven't found the right one yet...

I don't have any up to date pictures of my current full EDC, maybe I'll take one tomorrow...

Thanks Orion, glad you enjoyed the post man. Yeah, I switched to a much thinner wallet about a year ago and love it. I guess since I have always been a writer I have always felt nearly naked without a pen on me, but over time I have been drawn more to pens that can serve more than one function in a pinch in an urbanized environment. The Tuff-Writer pens are awesome as i prefer a thumb click to a twist motion, but like both of those more than a removable cap. The wooden pen was a gift from a friend that's suits my more organic side, but could still serve well in a pinch if needs be and is classy and more sheeple friendly.

Mistwalker, thanks for writing the above. It’s so cool that you did those things with her when she was younger and left her with such nice memories, not to mention survival skills. Also, a love for coffee isn’t a bad thing

Being a prior boy scout, I try to be as prepared as I can be at all times.

Living in a tri-state area with differing laws presents me with essentially four operating environments (at home, and travelling to each state). Living in NJ precludes the potential of carrying a pistol outside the home (CCW permits are essentially impossible to get).

That leaves me with the following:

1. Knife - I always have at least one knife on me. I have a strong preference for fixed blades (hygeine, strength, easy of use, and easy of maintenence are factors). At home (I work from home), I go with a 4” FF with 4.5” handle. For me, it is the sweet spot - long enough blade to do most tasks, full sized handle, belt sheath is short enough that I can easily sit with it on or hide under an untucked shirt. When out, I currently carry a Runt as it’s legal in all venues but Philly, where I take the risk of being able to explain my tiny, cute little knife to a cop.
2. Small Multi-Tool - Usually a Leatherman PS4, which rides in my coin pocket.
3. Pen - Hinderer investigator, which rides in my wallet.
4. Cell Phone
5. Watch - Mechanical because I like all things mechanical.

I need to get into the flashlight game at some point.

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the blog post. I have trained both of my daughters in as many survival skills as they and my time will allow lol. My childhood and youth were pretty violent, and got pretty messy once, so I'm really not the world's biggest fan of side arms. I have them, and will carry if I feel the need, I just don't have any real love for them. I always have at least one knife and maybe two on me for personal use. Then maybe another one or two in a pack or my bag if I am currently working on an article for one of the publications I write for, or if I am testing a prototype of one of my own designs. So seldom without a knife of some sort. I love multi-tools and I have one that stays in the truck in my kit, but I need to get another skeletool since I gave the last one to a lady friend. I always have a couple of pens on me and usually pretty durable ones. The cell phone is a prerequisite ball and chain in my life lol. I prefer mechanical watches myself. I pretty much never not have a flashlight of one sort or another. Some of the ones I want are more expensive than i am willing to spend yet, but that day will come I think.

If I'm in the woods conducting studies or doing classes, then this or a similar set up is an edc thing for me.

But in urban environments when discretion is called for I like close to the body carry, and for that I prefer a good quality stainless. I gave up on getting a CPM S35VN Karda years ago and designed my own stainless neck knife for discrete carry back in 2011 when I was documenting the gang activity here where I live. Luckily when I asked how much for a small batch Mike at TOPS Knives wanted to put it into production. The down side is that the stainless ones are small special runs, standard production is coated 1095.

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[The Shatz]

Nice wallet where did you get it if you don't mind me asking?

 

[RobbieB]

TOPS Knives wanted to put it into production. The down side is that the stainless ones are small special runs, standard production is coated 1095.

You designed the Tibo! I hadn’t made that connection until I just looked at it again. Did you get one of the S35VN models sold through Red Hill Sheaths last year? I think they still have a few more of the 100 made for this special run.

 

[Mistwalker]

Ben at Chattanooga Leatherworks, which is the leather division of RMJ Tactical makes them. The one I have is one of the originalm prototypes I have carried daily since Christmas of last year and love it. Ben is a great guy, does excellent quality workmanship.

http://www.rmjtactical.com/low-pro-leather-wallet/

 

[Mistwalker]

You designed the Tibo! I hadn’t made that connection until I just looked at it again. Did you get one of the S35VN models sold through Red Hill Sheaths last year? I think they still have a few more of the 100 made for this special run.

Yes, the Tibo was a variation of another tool I designed for some friends up at Fort Campbell several years ago. They were medics and wanted what was essentially a scalpel on steroids. I modified it for my own uses and then Mike really liked it. This was the original design undergoing changes in 2011to make it more civilian-friendly

I received several of the CPM S35VN ones as part of my royalty package for them. I have one, gave each of my daughters one, and gave one to a lady friend. Chris is holding two for me though, I just need to get past Christmas lol. First year as a single dad was a rough row to hoe...

 

[RobbieB]

the CPM S35VN ones

Here are the two I bought from that run...

 

[Mistwalker]

Here are the two I bought from that run...

Very cool!! I hope you like them. I love how the new scales turned out at the pommel end. I sent Joe pics so he could make some adjustments to the scale design so it would show the steel type.

I have a couple of stainless ones, an ATS 34 one, there were only 34 of those made, and then #2 of the CPM S35VN run. I gave the #1 to a dear friend. Both of mine have the original LMF scales Joe first made.

Sarah, my oldest, picked the purple heart scales for her's. They were made by a friend in England. Only fitting I suppose since the sheath was made for her as a gift from another friend in England who made one for me as well. Though mine is brown and her's is toxic green. Toxic green, purple heart, and a Dr. Who trench coat, that's my girl

Alayna likes blue so i got her blue skeletonized scales.

I prefer the skeletonized ones, I love how he designed these. So Joe is supposed to make some for me this year that are skeletonized and have the steel type exposed too.

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[VANCE]

damn
i "need" a Tibo now

 

[Mistwalker]

damn
i "need" a Tibo now

Well...a lot of us cool kids do have them

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice article as usual Brian.

My EDC has been pretty standard for the last several months. A knife, a small AAA flashlight, a thin wallet, a CCW, my phone, a tube of chapstick, and my keys.

At work, I pretty much always carry my Surls Patch. Occasionally, when I feel like going 'light' I carry a folder or a Victorinox Pioneer. My flashlight of choice has been an Olight I3E for a couple years now. My wallet of choice is a Big Skinny Mini Skinny. Super thin, holds my 3 necessary ID cards, 3 credit cards, some cash, and my hunting/fishing license. CCW has been a S&W Shield for as long as I've been permitted to carry it. And I have a small Nitize pry, screw driving, bottle opening tool on my keys.

I haven't been carrying a fire starting method recently, but I usually have a lighter or two stashed in my car or laptop bag. I did recently get a couple things from Exotac, maybe I'll have to start carrying one of them regularly. I also don't typically carry a pen but that might be that I just haven't found the right one yet...

I don't have any up to date pictures of my current full EDC, maybe I'll take one tomorrow...

How do you like the new lighter? I played with them at blade but haven't ordered one yet. I've carried a nano XL since they came out 6 years ago.

 

[Odaon]

How do you like the new lighter? I played with them at blade but haven't ordered one yet. I've carried a nano XL since they came out 6 years ago.

I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet. I like the fit and finish and that it doesn't evaporate the fuel out as readily as other similar options. Hoping to get more use out of it this spring and summer.

 

[kyhunt]

I forgot you designed the Tibo. I remembered it was someone I use to see over on the ESEE forum, but couldn't remember who. I don't get on any of the forums much anymore. I have had one on a wishlist at a dealer but haven't bought it yet. I didn't realize you could buy scales for them.

 

[Odaon]

Took an EDC pocket dump picture while running some errands today. Here's the typical items that I carry plus my phone which I used the take the picture.

 

[Mistwalker]

I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet. I like the fit and finish and that it doesn't evaporate the fuel out as readily as other similar options. Hoping to get more use out of it this spring and summer.

I was looking at that when Rob was showing me the prototype, the part about the evaporation aspect. I really like the look of them. I was still a little intimidated by lighters at the time. It took me a while to even put fuel the Fiddleback Forge zippo I carry now. It had only been a few months since I stopped smoking at the time and the last thing I wanted was anything to nudge me back in that direction. But now it has been a year and I still haven't had any urges or cravings so I edc that zippo now and need to put one of the exotacs in my pack. I need to get two, and use one as just a test piece to see how long it will hold fuel if unopened.

I forgot you designed the Tibo. I remembered it was someone I use to see over on the ESEE forum, but couldn't remember who. I don't get on any of the forums much anymore. I have had one on a wishlist at a dealer but haven't bought it yet. I didn't realize you could buy scales for them.

Yeah, the Izula definitely had an influence on the Tibo. I carried an Izula for a while. I carried a lot of different neck knives made by a lot of different companies over the years. They all lacked something I wanted, had something I wished they lacked. So I drew up my own ideal neck knife. The first inspiration for the Tibo happened back in the early 80s when I was still an orphan on the streets. I would stash the Aitor JK-II I had and just carry the little utility knife when I needed to be discrete. But I always wished it had a little more blade. Years later I found the Becker BK-11 and wished it had a longer more comfortable handle. TOPS was going to make scales for it, but that took forever and I talked to Joe Snarski and he makes them. There are also a couople of guys in England who make scales and sheaths for them. My friend Simon in England, whom I've known for over ten years but never met (I bought my first proper "bushcraft" knife from him years ago) made the purple heart scales on the S35VN one my oldest daughter carries.

Took an EDC pocket dump picture while running some errands today. Here's the typical items that I carry plus my phone which I used the take the picture.

Good looking set up! I really need to pick up another mini pry for my edc kit.

damn
i "need" a Tibo now

Well...he's selling it for twice what I sold it for the first time. But Terry at Ozark Trading Company has #2 of the signature run in ATS-34 up for sale in that big bay place for $205. There were only 34 of those made. Lisa has #1, I have #27, I gave another lady friend #34. I almost bought the #2, but even as good of friends as we are after the divorce...being sequential with her in knives still just doesn't appeal to me anymore...

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[Dritios]

Today’s EDC: Mini Mamushi from Osprey with sheath from Diomedes, copper Siphon II from Microtech, LED flashlight from a Kickstarter program, FIRE WATER SURVIVAL ferro rod with copper and ironwood beads, peanut lighter on the keys. I like to carry more than one way of starting a fire and I always carry at least one fixed blade. I like the ability to use the knife for food or any EDC use without having to worry about the hygiene of a folder. I have many folders but I always come back to fixed blades. I like the sheath systems that many of us use that can be very versatile with pocket, belt, in the waist band, or in a bag carry. As a lefty I am really drawn to any ambidextrous carry sheaths. I often mix how I am carrying my knife based on where I am at. I bury my knife deep in my pocket at work. I carry it just at the top of my pocket at home. When actively using I often convert to belt carry such as for hiking or working on a project. My leather keychain acts as a strop when needed. I enjoy carrying my favorite wood and metal on my ferro rod. They aren’t functional, but are my “art” for my pocket.
That is a little of my EDC philosophy.

 

[Mistwalker]

View attachment 837192
Today’s EDC: Mini Mamushi from Osprey with sheath from Diomedes, copper Siphon II from Microtech, LED flashlight from a Kickstarter program, FIRE WATER SURVIVAL ferro rod with copper and ironwood beads, peanut lighter on the keys. I like to carry more than one way of starting a fire and I always carry at least one fixed blade. I like the ability to use the knife for food or any EDC use without having to worry about the hygiene of a folder. I have many folders but I always come back to fixed blades. I like the sheath systems that many of us use that can be very versatile with pocket, belt, in the waist band, or in a bag carry. As a lefty I am really drawn to any ambidextrous carry sheaths. I often mix how I am carrying my knife based on where I am at. I bury my knife deep in my pocket at work. I carry it just at the top of my pocket at home. When actively using I often convert to belt carry such as for hiking or working on a project. My leather keychain acts as a strop when needed. I enjoy carrying my favorite wood and metal on my ferro rod. They aren’t functional, but are my “art” for my pocket.
That is a little of my EDC philosophy.

Chris' Mini Mamushis are awesome. I like the way you think and love the inclusion of the pocket art man.

The cross shield is my worry stone and some of my pocket art

Then I have an oak cluster themed set that I have accumulated over the years that is more of it

 

[jaz322]

damn
i "need" a Tibo now

I hear you Vance..., i just landed a signature series tops tibo in ats-34 stainless. Should be here by Saturday. Can’t wait to accessorize it. I typically buy Fiddleback knives, almost exclusively, but I couldn’t pass up this cool little edc designed by a class act!