Questions about your daily carry

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
Messages
1,356
Ever since I was a little kid and found an old pocket knife in a junk drawer, I have been interested in what things I should carry and how best to carry them. Over the years, I have kept refining my stuff, swapping out less useful for more useful items. Compared to a lot of you guys, I'm pretty lightweight on gear. And yet, when the average person finds out how much stuff I carry, they think it's pretty odd.

On the other hand, I don't understand how the average person can feel comfortable without at least a cutting tool, source of light, and defensive item. I have managed to get a few folks to understand how useful some of my stuff is and have had the best luck with flashlights and multitools. I usually try to make the point that the things I carry make daily life more convenient and might save a life in an emergency. The people who need the least convincing are the ones that I have helped directly...hey, can someone cut this...darn, wish I could see back here...etc.

Anyway, I have two questions for you. First, when did you begin carrying pocket gear each day? Second, do people ever wonder why you carry so much stuff and have you made any "converts"?
 
I have been carrying something with an edge since I was eight or nine. Usually it was something 'Italian' as a teen, and a Buck 110 through out my 20's. My flashlights were whatever fell to hand.

In an effort to keep things simple, I now carry only one knife, a Strider AR, along with an L.E.D. Arc Flashlight on a beener.
 
Ever since I was five years old. My pockets have always been loaded.
I've managed to convert a few over the years.:)

Paul
 
I love the off-the-wall occasions to convert someone. One day I was in the American Museum of Natural History, in a particularly dark exhibit hall, and noticed a guard looking down and around him. I walked over and asked him what he lost. He had been trying to replace a watchband, and had dropped (of course) a thin, tiny, tarnished pin ... onto a dark tile floor in a dark hall. I knelt down, took out a small flashlight, placed it flat on the floor, and turned the beam in a circle. Halfway around, it lit up the pin!

By then, we had a few tourists gathered around, and everyone had to look at the flashlight. :)
 
I agree totally! I just don't feel right without a knife and flashlight, and I don't know how so many others can. Even if its just my Leatherman Micra and a Photon 2, I always have something on me!
 
I've been carrying stuff for about as long as I remember. Since I was 5 maybe?

Nowadays, I can't imagine leaving the house without my BM705, Surefire 6P/P61, and Mot V60c.
 
I've been carrying for so long. . .I can't remember when I started.

You'll always find me with a knife. In addition, you'll find me with a Photon II. My "defensive tool". . .a Heineken bottle opener.

As far as modifications. . .I found a old bottle opener (spinner type) in the shape of a hand (with a shirt cuff) ~ index finger pointing. The opener is the index finger and thumb. In the middle of the shirt cuff I drilled a 3/8" hole and inserted a 3/8" X 2.5" stainless steel dowel/rod. The ends of the stainless steel dowel/rod have been rounded and the dowel/rod has been satin finished. The dowel/rod is secured to the opener with some industrial strength epoxy (just a tad on both sides). The index finger (on the opener) has been sharpened slightly.

The opener is 3 1/4" long and 1" wide. I don't know what type of material the opener is made of. . .but, the thickness of the material is 1/16".

To use the piece. . . Place the opener between the middle and ring finger (openers index finger away from the palm of my hand). Close the hand, in the fashion of a fist, so that the finger wrap around the SS dowel/rod.

Very effective ~ very covert !

And multi-functional ! :D
 
I've carried at least a knife since high school in the late seventies. Try that today...sheesh. My father used to say that a real man always has a pocket knife and a cloth hankerchief on him. Good advice.

Today finds me carrying two knives, light, nicer watch and often a firearm and phone. My wife used to bust on me about the gear...she now carries two knives, a light and a cell phone she just got.

Many of the cops I work with used to make jokes about my taste for cutlery and over the years most have since joined me. Hah!!!

Dave
 
Originally posted by Dave in PA
I've carried at least a knife since high school in the late seventies. Try that today...sheesh.
Click to expand...

As unbelieveable as it may seem, I carried and used my Micra all the time at my High School. I even had my Wave with me sometimes. It saved the day so many times that no one seemed to care!
 
Hey guys, interesting responses. One of the many reasons that I like this forum! Always feel at home with so many like minds.

Esav, good job at the museum. GigOne, sounds cool (and effective)...:)

After I posted this last night, I remembered something from my childhood that I hadn't thought of in years. I doubt anyone will know what the heck I'm talking about, but that's nothing new...;) One of my favorite books around age 8 or so was called "My Father's Dragon". In the story, a kid goes to an island full of wild animals to find and rescue a young dragon. He takes a whole bunch of seemingly useless stuff with him. However, each item ends up being used to outwit some kind of beast. For example, he needs to cross a river full of crocodiles. He just happens to have a bunch of lollipops, so he ties one to each crocodile's tail, and they form a bridge across the river, each one eating the lollipop of another croc. And, to top it off, he uses his "very sharp jackknife" to cut the dragon free at the end. I don't have kids myself, but if you do, I would highly recommend this book. You can probably find it in the library or buy a reprinted copy. Good way to get your junior gear-hound started...:D
 
im2smrt4u,
I think you are fortunate to have attended a school run by folks with common sense...something all too uncommon these days.

In my jurisdiction there are quite a number of schools. I do my part, when responding to "weapons" calls, to use some common sense and only charge if the item was actually used to hurt or threaten another. Most of the school administrators aren't too happy with that.

Tough.

Dave
 
been carrying a pocket clip or puukko since about '92. more recently a Surefire E1e and Fox Labs 5.3 OC. will be getting a 28" ASP for winter coat pocket. now in the market for a watch (never worn one) and an all weather lighter.

got the wife to carry carry OC, and she said she'd carry a Spyderco Cricket or a mini-stockman.


i love you guys, i never have to wonder what to do with my money.

Metis
 
Originally posted by Dave in PA
im2smrt4u,
I think you are fortunate to have attended a school run by folks with common sense...something all too uncommon these days.

In my jurisdiction there are quite a number of schools. I do my part, when responding to "weapons" calls, to use some common sense and only charge if the item was actually used to hurt or threaten another. Most of the school administrators aren't too happy with that.
Click to expand...

Yea, I really loved my high school, it was a great school! :D

While I'm glad no one at my school had a problem with it, I can also see where other administrators are coming from.

But now I'm through with high school, and have moved on to reality...of course, even at college there are restrictions on what you can carry. Stupid CA laws! :rolleyes:
 
I've carried a pocket knife of some sort for 50 years now. Don't
know what I'd do without it. As to the rest of my daily carry I've
refined it down to the bare minumim for sane carry and weight.
Goes like this.......

A Al Mar Eagle lite lockback. Great for food and lock blade needs.
A large 4 1/4' Buck stockman. A great size for 90% of my tasks.
A zippo 7ft. pocket tape. A real step saver and very handy.
A very large bandana. Endless uses here.
A Tupperware pill holder . At my age I need meds.:rolleyes:
A pen. Never know when I need to sigh my life away:eek:
A compact coin/ credit card/ money purse. Don't need a wallet anymore.
A Leatheman supertool ,pulse or juice on belt. To useful to leave at home.
A mini' mag lite. Again to useful to leave home.

The Leatherman and Mag lite are in their own belt pouch while the
rest is carried in a custom made belt pouch to keep my pocktets empty.
I need nothing else each day:D
 
I started when I was 7, with a simple lockback. Over the years I slowly progressed to this:
<A HREF="http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291420567"><IMG SRC="http://www.imagestation.com/images/is/community/this_album_button.gif" BORDER="0"></A>

That is a pic of my daily cary.
Spyderco stainless Rescue Jr.=Left frontpocket.
Spyderco Bob Lum= Right front pocket.
Pepper Spray=on a quick release hanging from my left front belt loop.
Pen that looks like a cigar=right front pocket.
Leatherman crunch=nylon sheath, right hip.
Surefire C2 with 120 lumen output=left hip
Wally Hayes Tac 1=front IWB
Nextel I90 with all of my county's police departments phone #s on speed dial=location varies
Kahr .40 cal loaded w/155 grain Hydrashoks, with spare mag=SOB
 
Mini Maglite
Leatherman Super Tool
CRKT Kasper/Crawford Professional Small or Spyderco Delica II
 
Ignoring the fact I'm a Police Officer and my daily carry (for work) weights more then most 5 years olds, when Im not working:

A Al Mar SERE or (Spyderco Police, Benchmade CQC7 which ever im in the mood for)
A Spyderco keychain knife
A Surefire 8NX or a Streamlight Scorpian
A Benchmade 42
A Glock 22 or 27 or a S&W model 36, depending on mood/clothing
A Cell phone
Always have 50 cents in case of needing to use a pay phone.

Went on a trip in June to the Jamestown, NY area ( No comment about that) while there one night a bad electrical storm hit that lasted about 3 hours and knocked the power out all over the area all night, We were staying in a hotel that only had emergency lighting in the hall ways, and that went out after an hour. So anyway Im sitting down in the bar in the dark killing time with a bunch of people, when the bar tender asks if anyone has a flashlight or candle in thier room they can use, well I flip out the ole Surefire 8nx and turn it on and point it to the ceiling so the light bounces around, well the little thing pretty much light the room up well enough to read by over in the corner, and every ones like 'wow' that nice what is it? half of them say why do you carry that with you? I'm like duh! Always be prepared, I wasn't no boy scout but the motto makes since.
 
Originally posted by TheMartialWay
Surefire C2 with 120 lumen output=left hip
Click to expand...

How do you carry your C2? I have only been able to carry my 6P/P61 because it has a low profile nylon holster available for it. As far as I know, there is no nylon holster for the C2/Z2 right?? I'd love to carry a Surefire with combat grip instead, but I don't want a carry method that wouldn't work in a business casual environment.
 
I've been carrying a SAK since I was in high school. These days I go in for a much more extensive collection of carry gear. If you're curious take a look at my web pages on the subject.

http://www.october.com/prepared/

I do get occasional questions about why I carry around some of the things I do, but most of the time it comes up when something I carry has proven useful to me or the person asking. :)

I have slowly gained a surprising number of converts along the way. All of my friends now carry a decent knife any time they go out. Several of them have taken to carrying some version of my basic kit (see the web site above) all the time. Interestingly enough, I find that women are more receptive to the idea than men.

--Bob Q
 
Skyline, in the Brigade Quartermasters catalog, they have a belt clip that will carry bezel up or down. Model V-70 fits the G2, 6P, D2, Z2, C2, D3, Z3, and C3. It is very low-profile.

Go to http://www.actiongear.com and Search for Sure-Fire Molded Polymer Belt Holsters.

HTH :D
 
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