Slimming my EDC

S

smitty1505

Joined
Oct 24, 2009
Messages
243
Let me first start off by saying that I love knives. I've collected and carried pocket knives since I was a kid. I started off with SAKs and worked my way up to Sebenza, Hinderers and the like. I never had an issue spending money on them because I would always justify it by saying that since I work outside, they are a tool that I need. But as time goes on I find myself opting to carry a multi-tool instead of a one handed blade more and more. I don't use my knives for food prep, so as much as I want to use my knives an occasion rarely occurs were I need a dedicated blade. For the most part I need to cut rope, string trimming line, open the film cap on a oil bottle, or open some bags of fertilizer. Most of which I can do with the pair of Felco pruners I usually have on me or a multi-tool. I used to edc a ton of items (a space pen, AAA flashlight, mini prybar, full size multi-tool, keychain multi-tool and a sebenza/xm-18) but when I think about it I almost dont use any of it. I cant remember the last time I actually need a pen or my flashlight and if I'm completely honest, really even needed my xm-18. All I really need is a good multi-tool. Even outside of work I could probably get away with just carrying a SAK and my cell phone (for the flashlight) and be totally fine. Yet I stuff my pockets with as many gadgets and unnecessary things as I can. I think I'm going to see if I can carry just a multi-tool at work and a SAK at home for a while and see what happens. Has anyone else run into a similar problem or tried something like this before? Thanks!
 
I have come to accept how unnecessarily expensive my carry, is and have no qualms with it as I enjoy the pride of ownership combined with the Gadget Factor. Realistically, I would be perfectly well-served with a SAK and nothing else. I don't know if I have actually ever -needed- a more robust cutting tool.

Regardless, today I had a fixed blade (Cold Steel Pro Guard) a locking folding knife (Zero Tolerance 0452CF), a slipjoint (Rough Rider Dog Bone Jack), and a keychain knife by default as I had my keys with me (Spyderco Roadie)

I used one of those for literally every cutting task I encountered today. All of the other three were on standby and realistically could remain there if I just made sure I had my keys with me and thereby my Roadie. Even more damning is that all of my cutting chores for the day would have been perfectly reasonably accomplished with just the teeth on my keys - eschewing the Roadie entirely.

I don't have a multitude of knives out of necessity but out of want, which is why it is (usually) painless to liquidate them when expenses are high.
 
I work with guys who carry massive amounts of junk in their pockets...they assure me they use it all the time. There's just no way. I'm sure I carry more than some minimalists do but I carry far less than many and it works.

I have on my person at all times when out of the house; a BM 556, Fisher Space Pen(black brass clicky), a 2 AAA billtet 140lm flashlight.
 
I could get by on whatever little multi-tool is on my keychain, but I enjoy the whole process of EDC. The knives I carry vary by the pants I have on, but it's often a small one, like a Subcom or Dragonfly, and a bigger one, like a PM2, Manix, or Espada. No reason, really, but I like it and I prefer that my man-accessories are fun for me and fit my "needs." The thing that is on my keychain that is a tad atypical is a Photon 2 light. They are small and plastic, and if you need to have 2 hands they are flat so you grip it with your teeth. I try to always carry a pen, and though I like tactical pens a Bic will do. I caught contact dermatitis from someone using my pen, and the experience was sufficiently gross that I find it amazing that people still share communal pens--"check please."
 
Today I had all this in my jeans

1.Pm2 (modified with micarta scales, spine, and clip work) (front right pocket)
2.Case mini Copperhead (of the wharencliffe variety) (front right coin pocket
3.47s preon 2 (new version) (front left pocket)
4.Pilot Vanishing Point (you knife guys should really look into these) (front right)
5. Iphone 5s (front left)
6. 6 month day planner (in leather case with a Rhodia notebook in the back) (back right)

This is about my limit for comfortable edc. Sometimes I'll carry one knife or no light but this is essentially the archetype for my carry!
 
This is my normal edc ( note that I don't use multitool blades )
My current primary folder is my sodbuster jr on my belt
leatherman fuse allways on my belt
Phone in my left pocket
My micro neck knife always on me
Victorinox quatro driver always worn as a necklace
small secondary edc folder in my right pocket ( bulldog baby saddlehorn trapper )
Micro 2ft tape measure always in my right pocket
Nite-ize. Pock-it's filled with the following
pen style bit driver
small pen
( true utility bit tool 1/4" bits
leatherman micra
key chain magnet
MAC 4" adjustable wrench
mini pry tool , these are on a key chain )
zippo
lip balm
1AA flashlight
Container of assorted driver bits.
Wallet
Mini note pad
You guys may think this is a lot of crap, but it all gets used and ( while I'd rather get a maxpedition barnacle , to more easily organize without stuffing stuff in ) the nite-ize pock-it's keeps everything organized and is better than weighing down my pockets.
 
I EDC one of two bags, not work (or going to, but not yet at work) is a maxped remora. the work EDC bag is a ribz-pack. Both chock full of "might need" stuff. but its all stuff that I legitimately might need. and yet every few months I go through both and re-evaluate and lighten the load, or add a thing in. It works well for me.

I think besides your multi, you should at least carry your light, a cell-phone works, but the day you need a light, it has no substitute. clean out the pockets and see how you feel, I've done it several times when changing jobs, or simply getting a new toy, and needing to see if it fits. you'll either find that you used that thing more than you thought, or you'll be happy your pockets are lighter.
 
Good Topic!
Yes. I went from a large Sebenza to a small Sebenza.
It cut's that daily apple just perfect and is so much lighter.
Probably a CF scale will be the next step - who knows.
As for flashlights I found I prefer a 1 cell AA light to a 1 cell 18650 light - I keep that on my nightstand. ;)
 
I always have my SAK, sometimes I remember to grab my cellphone. If doomsday comes it won't matter what you have in your pockets, it won't be enough anyway. I am going to probably get a keychain flashlight if I can figure out how to get one without tearing up my procastinaters membership card.
 
I usually have a Leatherman Squirt PS4 on my keychain along with a Klarus MiX6 flashlight, I found that I use those two often enough to warrant having them on me every day. Other than that, I sometimes have a pen or marker on me (not critical, I forget it's there most of the time), along with a medium-ish knife (Spyderco Mantra most of the time, sometimes Leek, Delica or PM2) and optionally a larger folding knife (currently it's either ZT0561, Spyderco Military or CKF Sablya). I don't like having too many small items loose in my pockets, it's very easy to lose stuff that way, so all small-ish tools end up on the keychain.
 
bt93 said:
I am going to probably get a keychain flashlight if I can figure out how to get one without tearing up my procastinaters membership card.
Click to expand...

You can get a membership card? One day Ima have to get me one of those... ;)

On Topic. I got a few extra gadgets that I thought I might like to carry.
Mini multi tool
Flash light
Pry tool
Pill Fob storage thing
keychain knife

Only the mini multi tool and the pry tool stayed. Those are light enough to keep. The others did not last long. Too much weight and never got used. If you like carrying gear, go for it. If you don't want to carry that much, don't. Everyone goes through a process of finding out what they like and what works. Some people like more gear, some like less. Its all personal preference and no one is right or wrong.
 
My EDC consists of my knife, wallet, and little Boker multi-tool/blade with prybar.
 
Good topic, I definitely carry too much, I find that I use a pen and knife and could get by with just that. I will say my friends know I carry a knife which seems to increase use because they will ask for it (this means I sometimes carry an extra knife that I don't mind being lost or broken). Just to reveal the mind set I have done a few EDC videos on my channel and in most I don't have a lighter usually one is nearby but not always one my person. What was funny was the comments went crazy with mall ninja's adamantly scolding me for not having a way to start a fire on my person at all times. I usually carry a Leatherman Skeletool along with my knife and I do find it very useful on occasion especially because of the changeable bits.
 
smitty1505 said:
Let me first start off by saying that I love knives. I've collected and carried pocket knives since I was a kid. I started off with SAKs and worked my way up to Sebenza, Hinderers and the like. I never had an issue spending money on them because I would always justify it by saying that since I work outside, they are a tool that I need. But as time goes on I find myself opting to carry a multi-tool instead of a one handed blade more and more. I don't use my knives for food prep, so as much as I want to use my knives an occasion rarely occurs were I need a dedicated blade. For the most part I need to cut rope, string trimming line, open the film cap on a oil bottle, or open some bags of fertilizer. Most of which I can do with the pair of Felco pruners I usually have on me or a multi-tool. I used to edc a ton of items (a space pen, AAA flashlight, mini prybar, full size multi-tool, keychain multi-tool and a sebenza/xm-18) but when I think about it I almost dont use any of it. I cant remember the last time I actually need a pen or my flashlight and if I'm completely honest, really even needed my xm-18. All I really need is a good multi-tool. Even outside of work I could probably get away with just carrying a SAK and my cell phone (for the flashlight) and be totally fine. Yet I stuff my pockets with as many gadgets and unnecessary things as I can. I think I'm going to see if I can carry just a multi-tool at work and a SAK at home for a while and see what happens. Has anyone else run into a similar problem or tried something like this before? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Smitty,

I go through this thinking all the time. Here's my take but I start with the short version.

IME, the Leatherman Micra is the ultimate minimalist POCKET CARRY tool. If you take away the need for food prep and just the tasks you list, it can handle them all, especially when you consider that it can be opened up like this for a full hand hold.

Micra whittling by Pinnah, on Flickr


Longer version...

I think there are 3 primary questions to consider about how your day runs....

1) Which of the following items do I need on my person at all times? Knife, scissors, pliers, light, cell phone, other assorted tools, money, credit/ID cards, 1st aid

2) Which of the following items do I need nearby and readily accessible?

3) What sort of carry options work with my day to day life? Pocket carry, belt holster carry, fanny pack carry, day pack carry, car bag.


I carry a money clip with my drivers license, credit card and ATM card (LFP), my Micra (RFP), a bandana and an EDC single blade knife for food (RRP) and a cell phone (LRP). I don't need anything else on my person.

I carry a day/computer pack most of the time. Headlamp, full sized MT, small organizer pouch with other credit/ID cards and 1st aid, lighter, ya da ya da da....

The two keys for me have been a) the Micra - it rocks and b) just accepting that I carry a man-purse and using that to my advantage. The Micra is enough for me. If I didn't carry a full sized EDC knife, I could see moving up to a Juice.
 
I carry one knife each day and have a little Gerber Shard multi tool thingy on my key chain that I use solely use to open beer bottles. A knife and a bottle opener will take care of 99.9999% of anything that might come up during my normal day. That being said, I have a lot of knives. I just like to collect them. I really probably only "need" a small SAK but where is the fun in just having one knife?
 
My philosophy is always "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have".

I always carry either my Boker Pipsqueak, ZT0900 or my Izula 2 in my back pocket, depending on my mood. All my cards and money are in my front right hand pocket, my cell in my front left pocket. That's all I ever carry on my person, because 99% of the time, I can rely on my knife to handle any daily tasks I throw at it.

Larger bush knives stay in my BOB, and my multiple Maglite flashlights are kept in my car and various places around my house (each one paired with a small fixed blade, just in case).
 
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Sometimes I too feel like I carry too much. I have a copper olight in my right coin pocket, a blurple manix in my right pocket, along with my keys, a rescue face mask, and a copper extreme duty pen. A billfold in my back right, and a note four in my front left.
 
WK ONE said:
My philosophy is always "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have".
Click to expand...

I guess I fall into this category too because...well, here's my system:

o3sm6c2.jpg


-Casio watch**
-Leatherman Charge Tti
-Leatherman Piranha. **
-Dockers Tri-fold wallet. **
-House & car keys ( on a Keysmart)** on #3 S-Biner w/Saber Pepper Spray.
-Stanley Powerlock 10' Tape measure.
-doTerra PastTense essential oil roller. **
-Bic Atlantis Pen (2) **
-Samsung Galaxy Note 5** with OTB Defender case; on Holster.
-Flashlights: Night time, usually 47s Quark X AA2** and Preon 2 Ti. Daytime, one of the aforementioned or some other choice from my collection.
-Knives: Up to three from my collection depending on where I'm going and who with. Examples: Spyderco Gayle Bradley, Military. Benchmade Mini Ritter Grip Always have a Ladybug Hawkbill, and frequently an Aqua Salt outside of work.
-AMK Slim Rescue Howler whistle for signaling/attention getting; around neck.

-Maxpedition Micro EDC organizer including:
-Mini Bic lighter
-A few Zip ties of various lengths
-Compact Maratac trauma sheers
-WD40 pen
-My beloved STR Ti prybar
-Mini County Comm 7 bit driver (Flathead, Torx, Phillips)
-Backup L91 cells
-Sharpie
-Tin foil square
-5 ft Gorilla tape on an old credit card
-~6 Alcohol swabs for misc. cleaning
-Leatherman bit kit and bit extender.

-AMK 0.5 First Aid Kit, augmented with gauze pads, tweezers, 2 pair nitrile gloves, q-tips, neosporin, a strip thermometer and additional OTC meds and natural remedies.
-Small Moleskine journal.

**-used daily.

Do I need all these things? Of course not! I think if we were honest, very few of us actually need knives, flashlights, multitools etc. But, we carry them or don't carry them for various reasons. I carry more than one knife for a specific reason. I carry two flashlights at night for a specific reason. I've honed this system extensively over several years and, surprisingly, it all integrates very well into my typical 'on and off-duty' attire...no bag or fanny pack required. Heck, I don't even use my back pants pockets. People, even my friends, give me strange looks sometimes on the off chance I empty my pockets in front of them but no one complains (including one's self) when you have just the right tool/implement/gadget/item they/you need when they need it. Its a nice feeling to be able to help someone. A cool 'side-effect' is how many have been introduced to the EDC concept (whether they realize it or not) through their experiences with my system. Even if they just add one simple thing, they're more prepared for what comes their way in their life...it's good to think about such things often as circumstances change, sometimes without us realizing just how much.

So, getting back on topic...if you think you carry too much stuff, slim it down. If you want to carry many things and its no bother to you, carry many things. It should all revolve around how you feel, what benefits you the most. Whether thats 3-30+ items...only you can decide. Sit down and give it some thought. There's no right or wrong answer. :D
 
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I suppose it matters on your individual circumstances on what gets used enough to make it worth EDCing. I, for example, use a flashlight almost every day - and more than my knife many days. My minimum EDC will include the light (Olight S15 Baton these days) along with a Cadet, and a large folder (PM2, Endura, Voyager, etc.), and a wristwatch. I also always have with me a handkerchief and a small Blistex. That's about as "slim" as I can tolerate.

 
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