The Keyboard-Commando's EDC

Maybe I need to warm up my flashlight for EDC use. ;) But I work out of my home and there really isn't any stairwell or dark place I am likely to have to navigate in total darkness. About a month ago I placed these little motion activated LED (battery powered) lights in my hall bathroom, a bedroom, and my office so when I wander into the room in the dark, the little light pops on. I find them really useful and not the least bit irritating.

I tried to like a Vic Classic. Just can't see the need when I have the Squirt in my pocket usually.
 
marcinek said:
Indeed...I usually get worse than "keyboard commando" before 9 am. But, it was an FYI to our new friend that some may take offense.

That said, as a cubicle monkey, I do always have a Vic Classic, a Leatherman, and an Opinel on me, and they come in useful more times than one could imagine.

And, and this is the big thing to me, when I have used any of them to help somebody in the office? Nobody has ever freaked out. Exactly the opposite really. You the only one in the place with tools? Or tweezers? You are like a superhero. :D
Click to expand...

You touch on a highly invaluable quality of the small tool aspect. The ability to do the job without freaking anyone out. I've lost count long ago of how many non knife people that I have 'converted' to our side by such mundane little tools like Victorinox classic's and Leatherman Squirts. Once you show a member of the un-initiated how handy a small sharp tool can be, they get it. And once they get used to having it, the beginnings of a habit is set. Some inconspicuous little tool like a Vic classic can cut open a UPS box or heavy duty mailer envelope just as well as the ninja commando tactical without freaking anyone out.

For most urban/suburban work environments, all you need is a small inch or two blade. More is just an exercise of want vs ned and ego.
 
Last edited:
When it comes to EDC items I usually only carry a knife and a pen. Although I could justify a flashlight for daily carry I don't because of the bulk/weight, I prefer to keep things light weight.
--Ben
 
22-rimfire said:
Maybe I need to warm up my flashlight for EDC use. ;) But I work out of my home and there really isn't any stairwell or dark place I am likely to have to navigate in total darkness. About a month ago I placed these little motion activated LED (battery powered) lights in my hall bathroom, a bedroom, and my office so when I wander into the room in the dark, the little light pops on. I find them really useful and not the least bit irritating.

I tried to like a Vic Classic. Just can't see the need when I have the Squirt in my pocket usually.
Click to expand...

Well, even at home, the flashlight is great for when you drop little stuff and it rolls by its own will under the nearest piece of furniture.

As for Classic/Squirt...I went the other way....carried a little multitool, then went to the Classic. Nail file and toothpick.
 
jackknife said:
You touch on a highly invaluable quality of the small tool aspect. The ability to do the job without freaking anyone out. I've lost count long ago of how many non knife people that I have 'converted' to our side by such mundane little tools like Victorinox classic's and Leatherman Squirts. Once you show a member of the un-initiated how handy a small sharp tool can be, they get it. And once they get used to having it, the beginnings of a habit is set. Some inconspicuous little tool like a Vic classic can cut open a UPS box or heavy duty mailer envelope just as well as the ninja commando tactical without freaking anyone out.

For most urban/suburban work environments, all you need is a small inch or two blade. More is just an excursive of want vs ned and ego.
Click to expand...
My wife carries an alox Vic Classic on her key ring. She likes it and it cuts what she needs to cut (which isn't much) outside the kitchen. She is certainly not a knife person and thinks I'm a bit over the edge with my knife interests.

My knife choices are certainly not ego driven as mentioned as a condition above.
 
There have been days where I don't open my knife for use (I enjoy flicking/fidgeting it). But, I have also used it quite often in a day. Anything is better than those times where I reach for it and it isn't there. Well, I guess my office scissors could do the trick in those instances :D

I have to also promote a flashlight carry. I was skeptical of it but it's quite surprising how useful it can be, I've had mine for maybe 3 months and it has had its uses. It sure beats my phone, which has the worst camera flash I've ever seen on a smartphone.

I even used my pry tool the other day! Shocker, that one usually is just a keychain ornament.
 
Knifesix said:
When it comes to EDC items I usually only carry a knife and a pen. Although I could justify a flashlight for daily carry I don't because of the bulk/weight, I prefer to keep things light weight.
--Ben
Click to expand...

I understand that...I don't like having a ton of stuff on me. What I do is put the bulk of my "cubicle monkey survival kit" in a small Maxpedition kinda phone carrier thingie, and that goes and stays in my briefcase/laptop bag/tactical man purse. Or it can go on my belt, or a different bag, etc.

Then my stuff is near me, but not on me.

I work in a high rise and we have frequent fire drills...and you are not supposed to bring anything with you during an emergency. Sorry, but that stuff is coming with me.
 
I think the "anything" applies to carrying out computers or something considered very valuable and irreplaceable. My knife fits into that category as does the backup drive for my dominant computer. Would absolutely hate to loose 10 years of project files. I get calls on things that I did 10 years ago.... do you still have this?
 
No offense meant towards anyone that works at a keyboard all day ... but if I had to do that I think I would use my EDC daily until they fired me for stabbing my computer ... or slicing my tie up just too see how finely my knife could cut it ...
 
22-rimfire said:
I think the "anything" applies to carrying out computers or something considered very valuable and irreplaceable. My knife fits into that category as does the backup drive for my dominant computer. Would absolutely hate to loose 10 years of project files. I get calls on things that I did 10 years ago.... do you still have this?
Click to expand...

Its all on the servers off in who knows where.
 
marcinek said:
Yes.

And "keyboard commando" is, at least here, an insult. Ala "mall ninja." FYI.
Click to expand...

I don't see it as an insult; however for those who take an insult of that level seriously I would recommend a change in priorities. I'ma "keyboard commando" as well. To me, it's little more than a tongue-in-cheek self-imposed term. In an effort to refrain from ranting about peoples' life philosophies, I'll stop. You get the idea though (I hope).


In response to the "nah I don't need the dedicated folder as well as the multitool/SAK, but damn I like it" that's the boat I'm in, can't really argue with it! Multitools (including SAKs) are beyond handy. The light is also insanely convenient (and I like it) so again, not really gonna disagree there.

FWIW: I don't currently carry a flashdrive on me, however I would always recommend [you] to carry one if you expect to have to access files on any regular basis. Cloud services rely on a good connection, and I've been done wrong relying on them one too many times for comfort.
 
I work in a home office if I'm not traveling on a business trip. However my home is on a working cattle farm. Over the years, I've carried a lot of knives but truthfully, a Vic tinker or Pioneer and a Leatherman Style tend to serve most of my in the office/around the house cutting/edc pocket tool needs.
 
GrifNK said:
I don't see it as an insult; however for those who take an insult of that level seriously I would recommend a change in priorities. I'ma "keyboard commando" as well. To me, it's little more than a tongue-in-cheek self-imposed term. In an effort to refrain from ranting about peoples' life philosophies, I'll stop. You get the idea though (I hope).
Click to expand...

Whether you think it is or not, it is very commonly used as an insult here.
 
jackknife said:
. . . Some inconspicuous little tool like a Vic classic can cut open a UPS box or heavy duty mailer envelope just as well as the ninja commando tactical without freaking anyone out.

For most urban/suburban work environments, all you need is a small inch or two blade. More is just an excursive of want vs ned and ego.
Click to expand...

Well, ergonomics can come into play. I have 50+ year old XXL hands, and the Classic is a bit small for my hands. Also, I open a lot of packages from Amazon with their reinforced tape. I prefer to use an awl to avoid dulling the knife blade. So a Classic is not for everyone. A Pioneer X is what I use.

But I do agree. People don't typically need a tactical blade for office work.
 
marcinek said:
Whether you think it is or not, it is very commonly used as an insult here.
Click to expand...

Actually I just recently came across this passage from a maker's website

"Unfortunately for him, his design drew harsh criticism from some all-knowing keyboard commandos. However, fortunately for us, he turned that criticism into fierce determination which ultimately led to his success."

Which is pretty funny, being that I was among that group of "all-knowing keyboard commandos". Priceless. But...it was intended as an insult.
 
marcinek said:
Whether you think it is or not, it is very commonly used as an insult here.
Click to expand...

marcinek said:
Actually I just recently came across this passage from a maker's website

"Unfortunately for him, his design drew harsh criticism from some all-knowing keyboard commandos. However, fortunately for us, he turned that criticism into fierce determination which ultimately led to his success."

Which is pretty funny, being that I was among that group of "all-knowing keyboard commandos". Priceless. But...it was intended as an insult.
Click to expand...

I never said that it wasn't used as an insult, just that I don't see it as one. Past that, refer to my comment on how seriously insults (in general) should be taken. Either way, this is hardly the time or place to argue about how people live their lives and do/don't take offense from things coming from seperate sects in their lives. YMMV

At any rate, thanks for the input so far, everyone.


Signed,

A Devout Keyboard Commando
 
raistlin65 said:
Well, ergonomics can come into play. I have 50+ year old XXL hands, and the Classic is a bit small for my hands. Also, I open a lot of packages from Amazon with their reinforced tape. I prefer to use an awl to avoid dulling the knife blade. So a Classic is not for everyone. A Pioneer X is what I use.

But I do agree. People don't typically need a tactical blade for office work.
Click to expand...
You've got an excellent point, sometimes using a classic/squirt ps4 seems like more of a risk than it's really worth with anything more than string or tape
 
raistlin65 said:
Well, ergonomics can come into play. I have 50+ year old XXL hands, and the Classic is a bit small for my hands. Also, I open a lot of packages from Amazon with their reinforced tape. I prefer to use an awl to avoid dulling the knife blade. So a Classic is not for everyone. A Pioneer X is what I use.

But I do agree. People don't typically need a tactical blade for office work.
Click to expand...

Well not to call your 'hand' (bad pun) but I've got 70 plus year old arthritic hands and if I were to open a lot of packages, I use the right tool for the job. A box cutter. Cheap, ubiquitous, and has easy blade changes.


But this is a knife site and we like our knives. BUT...again it's wants vs needs. We are obsessed over knives, go to knife based web forums to talk endlessly about our knives, spend way too much money on knives, and in short, are knife nuts. So we make up excuses to use our knife, and think our knife is way more important that it really is.

The whole modern knife thing is an obsession that is way out of wack. There is nothing in our life as urbanites that need more than a small penknife. The rest is Chinese paratroopers fantasy and a artificially driven market by the knife mags and forums. I watched my old man go through his whole life with a little Case peanut. I watched other men do the same. Growing up in the years just after WW2, everyman who had pants on had a pocket knife. And it was always some small two blade penknife or little jack, about 3 inches closed. And in the 1950's, a knife really was needed. Packages didn't come in plastic, it was wrapped in heavy brown paper and bound up with the white cotton twine that was the ubiquitous material of the day.

Life has not changed much since I grew up, except that even more people now live in urban environments, and in the world of the office cubicle, not much more in needed than our fathers and grandfathers needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top