Flashlight and their Non-Flashlight Counterparts

Raze

Enlightened
Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
224
Hey folks,

I'm tired of answering the Unenlightened about why I would EDC a light on me. They can accept me EDCing a knife, but threw puzzled looks when they saw me whip out a light to shine something, or illuminate what I was doing.

The looks got even worse when they found out that I carry a back-up light as well on my person, and when they found out I carry a couple more in my EDC pack, the looks that I got was plain ridiculous!

Okay I admit that maybe that was a tad too extreme in the eyes of non-flashlight enthusiasts, but even if I carry just one light everytime, everywhere people would threw their weird looks. Some attempted to understand WHY I would carry a light and I would try my level best to explain as most layman as possible, but when they ask about the price of the light - they can't comprehend or justify the price of even the 'cheapest' decent light.

Hence I tried to justify why certain lights are pricey by associating them with..cars! I find that at least they can have some comprehension, and some even began to appreciate the light.

For instance, I told them that in a flashlight world, a SF G2 is like a Hummer - tough and utilitarian, albeit more on the 'tactical' side. An offering from Fenix is like an offering from Toyota - the variety and straight-forwardness.

Don's McGizmos remind me of Porshe. Can't really explain why, so that must mean a light in such calibre as the Tri-V or the Spy 007 are supercars.

So what car is your light? Or what is your opinion on this?
 
Last edited:

ev13wt

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 2, 2009
Messages
164
I tend to say that its cheaper than a golf club. That usually shuts them up. I tend to keep my edc stuff concealed. That means noone ever knows I carry a light. It stays hidden unless I really need it. I don't whip it out every chance I get.

Must keep porn hidden! :)

That said, I like your comparison to certain car makers. Maglights are like Fords, look great but need TLC or else they fall apart. :nana:
 

Illum

Flashaholic
Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
13,053
Location
Central Florida, USA
I wear and carry my EDCs, but use my loaner lights in public, for one thing they are more familiar with it and two if someone needs to borrow it, they'll know which one to ask for.
 

0dBm

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
153
"I'm tired of answering the Unenlightened about why I would EDC a light on me."
Then why bother? Children should be seen.
..
 

Cataract

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
4,095
Location
Montreal
Just tell them you need it for work. That shuts 'em up real fast and they stop asking questions. Then you can whip out just about anything and they won't say a word unless you have a second identical item. Then I tell them that I don't have time to fool around changing batteries when I'm using the light. That usually shuts 'em up for good.
 

Burgess

Flashaholic
Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
6,545
Location
USA
them: " Why do you carry a Flashlight ? ? ? "


me: " Vision problems "


them: " Oh "


Problem solved.


Oh, and no matter WHAT item i am carrying . . . .

Camera, flashlight, etc. ,

I *never* discuss price !

Never.


them: " How much did that camera cost ? ? ? "

me: " See your Dealer "


End of discussion.
 

jhc37013

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
3,268
Location
Tennessee
Around here I see more men carrying knives than men who do not, and for me I use a light way more during a day and night than I use my knife and I'm not talking about work just day to day stuff.

It pretty simple really why do they carry knives? How often per day do they REALLY need to cut something, so how often could they REALLY use a light, probably more often than they use the knife, if they can't see the logic in that then just forget it.

This day and age with light's being so small and bright there is no reason not to carry one, so tell them them to grow up be a man if they can and be prepared, if they can take a jab at you with giggles or laughs then take a jab back and drop the man hood thing on them. Ten years ago it was so much more impractical, how many carried a MAG light around in their pocket but again now it can be done with light's smaller than a AA battery so their is no excuse.

Ask how come they can carry around a gigantic I-phone or Android around but not a small light, oh that's right they would need a phone if they had a flat tire to call someone and come and change it.
 

Raze

Enlightened
Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
224
Thanks for your advice guys. I sm quite appalled thinking about how ignorant people can be about being practical - like carrying a light, and/or s knife. Most result to using their teeth, and their phones to illuminate.

Speaking of which, I usually told them a pricey flashlight is like a pricey car, a timepiece, or a DSLR, or the latest and greatest smartphones. They're expensive for good reasons and you will get what you paid for.

I mean, we can snap pictures using a point-n-shoot or a cameraphone even, but people would still justify getting a DSLR. A Timex would tell you what time it is just as a Panerai would. Like a supercar, A cheap small car can take you from A to B without walking. So it boils down to how fast and reliabiliy did we get there, how accurate the watch is, and how sharp and technical the picture will be taken.

People generally can accept these, but still csn't wrap their heads on a good flashlight that costs way more than the Harbor Freight special.
 

jabe1

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 25, 2008
Messages
3,092
Location
Cleveland,Oh
I remember wondering why my father always carried what he did, knife, light, a 5-10' piece of strong, thin cord. I don't wonder anymore. You'd be surprised at how usefull a small piece of rope or cord can be!
Dad is now 80, and still carries. He's graduated from a 2xAA duracell that was rectangular in shape, to a Microstream, a Vic. classic instead of an old two bladed case. and I gave him some 550 paracord a year or so ago.

I carry a light, knife, and small multi-tool (i don't usually need cord) daily. The apple doesn't fall far.

My family counts on us having these things, and a number of friends do also; some have actually started EDCing such things too.

Some people think it's ridiculous, until they find a need. I'd rather be prepared.

And it's just fun finding the "right" EDC items.

Most of what I carry, I would consider as Toyotas (Fenix, 4Sevens), I'm not sure where Peak would fall, maybe an old 911= powerful, uncomplicated and purpose built. My Surefires are like American diesel pickups = strong when you need them, and tough.
 
Last edited:

davyro

Enlightened
Joined
Sep 23, 2011
Messages
549
Location
Durham,England
I use a knife every day in my job so i carry one everywhere with me,i also edc one of my lights as i sometimes need one for work but when it gets dark & i'm outside work i'm always using my lights.I'd say my edc lights are BMW's they're usually one of my HDS lights so i'd say they're BMW's as both are very reliable both are a bit more expensive,both are engineered to nearly total perfection,they also hold there price.My 2 cheapies i carry in my work van as back ups would be an old beat up Fords.My workmates also
know who to come too if they need light on the job so i don't get any funny looks for edc'ing a light.
 

LGT

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Messages
789
Location
Massachusetts
Don't let it bother you Raze. They might make fun of your flashlights until illumination is needed during the daylight hours. Then they'll be looking for you. Different people have different interests. I've tried before, but you will never convince a non-flashaholic that $200 is a good price for a decent light.
 

tickled

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Messages
145
The looks got even worse when they found out that I carry a back-up light as well on my person, and when they found out I carry a couple more in my EDC pack, the looks that I got was plain ridiculous!
IMO that is excessive. I would give you that look too. I have one on my keychain and that's it though I do carry extra batteries.
 

mbw_151

Enlightened
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
536
Location
Oregon
I EDC a Vic Classic and a Photon Freedom. I don't usually get too much static about those small, frequently used things. Most of my friends and co-workers are used to these by now. In my computer case I have a Quark AA and a Benchmade 14210 (folder with a 3" blade). Few people will ever see those. In my BOB backpack locked in the bottom drawer of my desk is a Surfire Minimus, Surefire C3 w/M61WL, a Fallkniven F1 (4" fixed blade), a Leatherman Wave and many other items. Nobody knows about that bag and won't until the Magnitude 9 hits the Pacific NW. We're way overdue for a big one and the mess will be huge. I've got enough stuff to manage the 19 miles from work to home on foot in whatever weather. Being prepared is an active choice. Many people accept the default of doing nothing and are not prepared. I don't try and change them and wish them luck, because that may be all they have. I hope I never need that bag, but I'll be awfully glad to have it if I do.
 

Monocrom

Flashaholic
Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Messages
19,841
Location
NYC
Me: "Why flashlights? Well, you carry an umbrella if there's a 50% chance of rain, right? Well, every night there's a 100% chance of darkness."

(Borrowed from another flashaholic whose name I cannot recall at this moment.)
 

mvyrmnd

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
3,391
Location
Australia
Me: "Why flashlights? Well, you carry an umbrella if there's a 50% chance of rain, right? Well, every night there's a 100% chance of darkness."

(Borrowed from another flashaholic whose name I cannot recall at this moment.)

I've seen that before, too, but don't recall where.

My answer is usually "Sight is our primary sense. If you could carry a tool to enhance it, why not?"

They usually can't argue with that.
 

Raze

Enlightened
Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Messages
224
I EDC a Vic Classic and a Photon Freedom. I don't usually get too much static about those small, frequently used things. Most of my friends and co-workers are used to these by now. In my computer case I have a Quark AA and a Benchmade 14210 (folder with a 3" blade). Few people will ever see those. In my BOB backpack locked in the bottom drawer of my desk is a Surfire Minimus, Surefire C3 w/M61WL, a Fallkniven F1 (4" fixed blade), a Leatherman Wave and many other items. Nobody knows about that bag and won't until the Magnitude 9 hits the Pacific NW. We're way overdue for a big one and the mess will be huge. I've got enough stuff to manage the 19 miles from work to home on foot in whatever weather. Being prepared is an active choice. Many people accept the default of doing nothing and are not prepared. I don't try and change them and wish them luck, because that may be all they have. I hope I never need that bag, but I'll be awfully glad to have it if I do.

Thank you for sharing your contigency plan! I neglect to mention that the couple of other light in my BOB, or rather my Urban Survival Kit stowed in my car, and also a couple of other lights in my EDC pack are for loaner/beater duty.

When the SHTF, people will panic. Particularly for subway commuters. Should for any reason the power grid goes out, a proper light from a flashlight offers security and comfort - to an extent that people might tackle you for it. That being said, I never loan out my main light, AND the back-up light which is always on my person at all times. Not to anyone, for whatever reasons. That's why my loaner photons comes in handy, or even a Fenix E21.

Good talk guys.

By now, I can figure that:

McGizmo = Porshe
Cool Fall = Ferrari
Maglite = Ford
HDS = Beemer
Fenix = Toyota
 

nikon

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 5, 2004
Messages
1,164
Location
Another time, another place.
For the best explanation you can give as to why you carry a flashlight I'll direct you to this post...http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?213175-Flashlights-and-9-11

Note especially this paragraph...

"Preparedness of Individual Civilians. One clear lesson of September 11 is that individual civilians need to take responsibility for maximizing the probability that they will survive, should disaster strike. Clearly, many building occupants in the World Trade Center did not take preparedness seriously. Individuals should know the exact location of every stairwell in their workplace. In addition, they should have access at all times to flashlights, which were deemed invaluable by some civilians who managed to evacuate the WTC on September 11."
 
Top