Thoughts on my minimalist EDC?

[Danke42]

 

[altweaponguy57]

I’d say you’re woefully unprepared. This may work for your basic everyday routine, but not much more than that.

Your biggest problem? You’re relying too much on your phone to do 99% of everything.
- yes, it has a flashlight, but it’s a poor flashlight as it has absolutely no ergonomics, and depending on how long you may need it, will drain the battery of your primary EDC object. While I may not carry a flashlight daily, I fully understand the limitations of the one on my phone (I do have one in every vehicle and every bag though)
- it may act as your keys, what happens when the power fails or your phone is dead? Sure, there may be someone there right now to open the door for you, but what if there isn’t one day? It doesn’t even have to be a YOU emergency that keeps you locked out. It could be a THEM emergency that takes them away from their post.
- and payment by tap is NOT always a guarantee. Many places still don’t offer it (Home Depot for example JUST instituted it a few weeks ago for example)

I use my phone for a lot of things, but also understand that society In general relies too much on technology, and when it fails, it could be a real bottleneck for those who solely rely on it. I have friends in the Carolina’s who will tell you first hand that right now, in the aftermath of Helene, cash is the only form of payment that works in many areas. Without power, tap payment, credit/debit cards, or Zel/Paypal/etc are useless. And even with power, if there’s no internet service, none of those forms of payment work anyway.

Of course, growing up in the 80s, we didn’t have do-it-all cellphones to get us by. We didn’t think twice about not being in touch, what to do if the power went out, or not having a wealth of info at our fingertips in a moments notice. And we got by just fine. I’m not saying tech is bad, but just that you should be prepared to get by without it.

As for the rest?

Nothing wrong with the small shot of pepper spray. I’m usually armed otherwise, but that’s a personal choice, and depending on where you live, a legality issue.

The knuckles? You do you, but I see no use in them. Either as a fidget item, or a defense one. Just too bulky for what you’re using them for, especially if you’re carrying both at once. Of course, they are also technically illegal to carry in my particular state.

I’m actually surprised, being as this is BladeForums, that there is no knife or multi tool of any sort.


Me personally, I’d add in a small front pocket wallet or slim card holder. Keep at minimum your ID, one CC/debit card, the key card to your building, and a $20 bill. (I also keep insurance and a few other cards, and a metal CC sized card tool FWIW). It won’t take up any more space than that smaller pair of knuckles, and probably much more useful.

If your not already doing so, I’d also add in a blade that works for you. If you want minimalist, something like a Spyderco Dragonfly will do almost any task you would need on a daily basis. Add in something like a Leatherman Squirt, and you have enough to get you by, yet you’ll never know you have them in your pocket.

I get the minimalist thing. During the week, I basically live in either basketball shorts or running pants during the week. When I leave the house I quite often get by with just a phone, wallet, small knife, my keys (literally just truck and house) and a pocket .380. So I’m not really carrying much more than you are, but am infinitely more prepared with just the addition and substitution of one or two items that don’t rely on power.

I wonder if I will ever get that way when it comes to something and I'll be like back in my day we didn't have it. And we got along fine etc etc. Yeah I've never needed a flashlight I don't do much. Like I told the other dude the only reason I've needed a flashlight in the last 4 months was to help a friend pour oil into his car. And it was on for all of like 2 minutes and then off.

I find it funny well let me just put it to you this way there would be a way into my apartment building. Whether that would be the actual doorman or a friendly neighbor. There would be a way into the apartment building. So let's say the power was out there would all be a way to get into my building because we have like 15 or so volunteers that volunteer open the door for people that live there. Just normal residents that have checked Mark a box saying yes I will volunteer in the event of a power outage and stand by one of the four doors if you need me to.

Well me personally if I go to a new place I call them up and make sure they take tap to pay. And even then if it's my first time I might bring my physical debit card or 20 bucks or something. But I haven't had to do that in a long time. And I really don't live anywhere with any natural disasters I mean during the winter snow might cause power outages and stuff but generally if it's that much snow I'm indoors in my apartment.

 

[jaseman]

So, you come in here and ask what people think about your minimal EDC… then, you get all upset when people, you know, actually tell you what they think. All I hear are excuses from a 20-something who thinks he knows everything and has nothing to learn.

I’m sorry, I was mistaken. You’re not woefully unprepared for the every day, you’re woefully unprepared for life. But you won’t want to believe that either…

 

[knarfeng]

And I think that's a wrap.
Thread closed before we go further downhill.