Weight?

DrRollinstein

DrRollinstein

Joined
Feb 20, 2018
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Is the weight of your EDC gear a big consideration? I see people discussing it all the time, removing things from their EDC due to weight, etc, but i literally never notice anything in particular about any piece of my gear in regards to weight, even stuff like my Leatherman Surge or a firearm, and i carry quite a bit. Im starting to think that a lot of you need to invest in a quality full grain leather belt if weight is becoming an issue.
 
Weight isn't so much an issue for most folks if their daily routine consists of mostly sitting, at a desk or driving a car.
But if a person spends alot of time on their feet, walking or climbing some distances, or carrying gear, it can make a difference.
I find the weather(season) makes a difference as well. In the winter when I'm wearing heavier clothes I carry my Griptilian, But in the
summer when I'm dressed far more lightly I carry my bugout. Basically for the weight difference.
 
When I got used to super lightweight folders like the bugout or the Atom, I suddenly felt the heaviness of my Sebenza and I found myself often putting it away because of that.
 
My duty belt weighs around 16 pounds and my whole uniform is 28.

Off duty, with just a pistol, badge, large folder, small folder, small flashlight, smaller flashlight, OC spray, keys, wallet, watch and iPhone I practically feel like I’m floating. ;)
 
I like lighter smaller folders in the summer, like a Dragonfly or the Native. And then the big and heavy stuff for the winter. Fixed blades, Military, Native Chief, Inkosi.
 
"EDC gear"? Do you refer to a police officer's duty belt? Do you mean something like a "Go Bag"?

My EDC consists of a set of keys in my right pocket, wallet in my left rear pocket and a Leatherman Wave in a horizontal belt sheath behind the right hip. A large-ish cell phone often rides in an "Otterbox" belt clip on the left.

At times, this assemblage is tucked into a fanny pack designed for a mid sized pistol (no pistol) . . .usually when traveling by air.
Weighs less than my wife's purse and is distributed, so not uncomfortable.


I have been given a pretty big Spyderco folder. Can;t find a comfortable and handy way to walk around with it.

But again: What does "EDC Gear" mean to you?
 
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Weight doesn't bother. I carry my large Inkosi in summer time clothing all the time.
 
No, only exceptions being when I’m going swimming or wearing some lightweight drawstring shorts, then I generally grab a Spyderco Dragonfly Salt.
 
Weight?
'bout 260 - but - I've really been trying to lose. Honestly. ;)

In keeping with the OP's line of question & considering my pachedermatic proportions though - my retirement uniform is a t-shirt and sweat pants.
Any weight at all in the pockets causes the sweats to fall down.
It doesn't really matter though since I have to drag around an oxygen tank.

Being old sucks. Being old - and in poor health, sucks even more.
Being old and in poor health and not being able to carry a bunch of knives sucks the most.
 
The extra weight of a larger, heavier knife has never been an issue for me. At one time I daily carried a large folding hunter in my pants pocket and never suffered from the weight or bulk.. For the most part, I feel the same way about a firearm, I would not choose to carry or reject a firearm based upon the weight. For years I carried a full-sized 1911A1, now, in deference to my age, I carry a compact 1911, which is still heavy when compared to plastic 9MM pistols.
 
DrRollinstein said:
Is the weight of your EDC gear a big consideration?
Click to expand...
When I carried “stuff” for the sake of carrying it, I made a decision for the sake of my knees and ankles. I didn’t need a fixed blade on my belt when the folder I had would handle my daily chores, I didn’t need a leatherman when there already was a SAK in my pocket, I didn’t need a lighter because I’m not a smoker, I didn’t need a large flashlight throwing a thousand lumens when 200 is plenty…I basically got rid of the “what if” gear and stick with what I actually use. Now I keep the “what if” stuff in my glove box and I seem to be getting by just fine.
 
My EDC tends to be the heavier side. ZT 0562 and the Ritter RSK atthe moment. Emerson too depending on the day. I like my Bugout but in the normal configuration it's way to light for my tastes.

My daily routine involves a lot of walking and moving. The added weight of the heavier blades doesn't bother me.
 
I don't like my pockets stuffed with anything. I even keep my keys to a minimum (two, now that I'm retired). So yeah, weight, and size, are important to me. It's pretty darn hot here in the summer, so I live in shorts and a T-shirt much of the year. Therefore, no belt in the summer.

Edit: Oh, and carrying a phone is a PITA.
 
I don’t care what an item weight is if I use it I carry it, normally a large folder (Reeve, Hinderer or Spyderco) keys and lighter left front. Wallet, Iphone and small light right front. Buck 112 or leatherman left rear. Plyers right rear and a second flashlight. 2A on the belt. At home a medium fixed blade on the basketball shorts, pants loaded and ready to grab if needed
 
Wolverine666 Wolverine666 I'm with you. I like some substance to my carry knife

I've had folders all the way up to 11oz "disappear" in my pocket. Weight is the primary reason I stopped paying attention to certain knife reviewers. I mean if it isn't some diatribe about "Pocket Peckers" then it's labeling BAD the fact that a knife is 1/2 ounce over some mythical ratio (Oh my GAWD is it heavy). Unless I'm getting my EDC kit ready for the Tour De France, shaving weight is never a consideration.

I think design, and how a knife handles is much more important than just focusing on the weight. Weight can play into how it performs, but it's not a primary consideration for me.
 
Whether you think so or not, weight matters.

How much it matters depends on how much else you are carrying and how far/long you are carrying it.

I use to wear a duty belt that weighed about 20# which included the weight of the belt/holsters/holders for other gear, a loaded G17, 2 loaded 17 rd 9mm G17 mags, handcuffs, radio, collapsible baton, keys, respirator mask, a big can of pepper spray and a multi-tool.

FYI, one of the major causes of back problems among LEOs, resulting in permanent disability claims, is due to carrying so much weight on their duty belt.

While backpacking, I tried to limit the weight of the pack to 50# which was very hard to do, especially if I was planning long overnight treks.

Most of my packs usually ended up weighing about 70# -- at least for multi-day trips, despite my efforts to keep the weight down. I could really only do 50# on a single overnight trip.

For EDC use, when you are only carrying your keys, wallet or other such things, the weight of the knife shouldn't matter all that much but, if I can notice the "weight" in my pocket or on my belt, and I don't really "need" to carry a knife that heavy, then I won't carry it.
 
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Very important. A lot is going to be determined by your attire and carry methods. In my case I carry in the flap pocket of cargo shorts(all but a few winter days). The pocket can only handle so much weight. Wearing Jean's more weight will work, and if I went with a belt sheath even more.
 
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I don't mind weight until I start getting into fixed blades. Once I get into the 4"+ area, then start asking myself what is this piece if kit really for.

My carry rotates a bit depending on what I feel the need is. There are some days that I carry a full size folder or fairly heavy OTF and a Leatherman Supertool on my belt. Most days at work I have been carrying the very lightweight BM Shootout with a Vic Camper riding in my other pocket. That set up literally weighs half as much. Today being a holiday, I'm bumming around the house with just a large Inkosi. Nothing going on. Nothing to fix, so just a nice solid pocket knife for general chores that pop up.

I think weight is relative based on need. I'm a contractor and having a knife and a tool seems to come in handy for my day to day. If I were someone who worked in an office, a simple slipjoint on small Sebenza would be more than adequate. While I don't think I will ever be a guy who tries to whittle down what I carry, I do shake my head a bit when it comes to those who arent first responders that EDC a folder, a fixed blade, a multitool, pistol, 4 magazines, a belt cutter, monkey fist impact tool, back up revolver, 3 speed loaders, iPhone, money clip, their cousin Jeff, and a single key fob.

I try to pack what I need for work: I will probably need to cut something, I will probably need to fix something, I will certainly need to get into my truck, I will certainly need to get into my office, I will need to purchase something, I will certainly (sadly) need to make and take calls. So, folder or OTF, multitool or SAK, truck keys/office building keys (which is a tangle of at least 6 metal keys), wallet, stupid annoying phone. More than that, and I need a good reason. All of it fits in the pocket of my jeans/on my leather belt.
 
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