My EDC: What am I missing?

[Hellz]

Hi guys,

I've been pondering my EDC lineup and am pretty sure there must be room for some more, erm, stuff /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif . I'm sure you lot have some ideas for cool stuff that could be added? Currently carrying:

Small Classic Sebenza
E2e + KL1
Seber M4 minitool
Arc AAA LE
Ice Blue Glow Ring
Traser S7000

It's fun, plus it gives me the chance to look at new stuff I may have missed, which is also fun /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks,
Hellz

 

[Mark_van_Gorkom]

I wouldn't normally leave home without my Victorinox Swisstool CS: http://www.swissarmy.com/webstore/category.cfm?Category=44&ViewAll=true

 

[Smaug]

My EDC lineup:

1. Victorinox Soldier - Rugged and with handy tools. I will sometimes swap this one out for a Tinker.

2. Arc AAA - A good size for pocket carry

3. Spyderco Walker Lightweight - Why did they stop making this? Linerlocks are so smooth and easy to close...

 

[Ross]

Hellz, I dont want to hijack your thread but I thought I should mention to you to be careful carrying the Sebenza around in public - offensive weapon laws are pretty strict over here. Definately don;t get it out in public!

Aside from that, good EDC so far, I EDC a Leatherman Wave, Arc AAA + glowring, Arc LSH-P, Streamlight batonlight, Siemens C55 mobile + other assorted stuff (spare car key in wallet etc etc).

Ross

 

[gyverpete]

Here's what I currently EDC. It might give you some ideas.
Good ones I hope. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

These are on me everytime I'm out of the house, whether in work clothes or suit:

(clockwise)
white handkerchief (in background)
LG-vx4400 phone (in cordura holster not shown)
-----
belt key clip and flex ring, with:
laser pointer
P-38 can opener
Swiss-Tech Utilikey
Leatherman P4
Stanley mini utility knife (sometimes)
Swiss-Tech Micro-Tech Plus
safety pin
(car & house keys, not shown)
-----
belt key clip and lanyards, with:
LM micra
pill/altoid case
LM Kf4 Juice multitool
-----
ARC LS Hybrid (with elastic finger-lanyard)
homemade belt holster
Bic3 pen (red&blk pen & pencil)
lighter (non-smoker)
------
These two items I sometimes leave in the car. Depends on the pants I'm wearing:

tape measure
coin holder
-----
These last five items are 24/7 carry:

Pulsar dive watch (with homemade elastic wrist band)
ARC-AAA black HA
Kershaw Chive knife
Photon II yellow
Wenger SAK "money-clip"

The ARC lights and the laser have shrink tubing.

I'll also mention my two EDC wallets since they contain a bunch of gadgets and other handy stuff :

main wallet--credit & ATM cards, cash, bandages, "uncle bill's sliver-gripper" tweezers, Victorinox mini SAK silver alox, razor blade, needle, thread, spare keys, phone list, assorted ID cards.

small auxiliary wallet--with clear duct tape, electrical tape, foil, foil tape, 2'- 22 ga. wire, stripped twist tie wire, solder, razor blade, needle, tooth floss, $38 cash, 4 quarters taped to aux. credit card, diamond file, sandpaper, phone list, stamps, scotch tape, teflon tape,white blank label, bandages, comb, fresnel lens, micro compass, solder, paper clip, rubber band.

That's all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
I carry all this stuff in my pockets, on my belt and around my neck.

 

[reddwarf]

Gyverpete,simple curosity on my part,how much does your e.d.c. weigh?Or might it be better not knowing? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gifThats impressive.

 

[Smaug]

Wow, you're not missing anything. You're actually carrying too much stuff.

I challenge you to try this for a week. (or a day if you can't handle that)

EDC:
- One pocketknife or multitool
- keys
- watch
- one typical wallet
- cell phone
- one small flashlight, such as a Photon or an Arc AAA at the largest.

I think you would be surprised how how many needs such a simple EDC would meet...

 

[tattoou2]

Less = More for me:
Swisstool RS
Wallet, watch, cell phone
Keys with ARC AAA LE
Sometimes an ARC LS

 

[gyverpete]

whodat, total weight of all the stuff in my list (minus the razor knife, coin holder and tapemeasure, which I rarely carry) is 28 ounces. I just weighed it on a postal scale. I don't think that is alot, actually . You'll notice that most of my gadgets are small and I carry only small quantities of "consumables" in my wallets. That is, with tape, string, floss, etc. I take only a few feet and wrap it around a small piece of thin cardboard. So these take up very little space and weight.

Smaug, I don't use every item, every day. So on some days, the list you suggested may be enough, but how do I know which days those are? I would venture to say that most of us carry items that don't get used everyday, just in case. Right? Your right I do have alot of stuff. One more thing I have in my wallet is a small picture of my kitchen sink for when someone makes the remark "you have everything but the..." It always gets a good giggle /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In addition to what I EDC on me, I have additional items in a bug-out-bag in my car. It contains stuff that is useful but not necessary to carry on my person, or is too large to comfortably do so.

I started my EDC with only a few items several years ago and as I came across a need for a particular item, I added them. Also I am constantly looking everywhere for new gear so sometimes I found a cool item and added it hoping for a use. Some items added to test their necessity were later removed when I found none. Or I substituted a smaller/better item for another. My current EDC is pretty much fine tuned now, but on occasion I may make minor adjustments.

I'll further qualify my arsenal by stating that I am a tinkerer, repairer, improviser, and quasi-survivalist. These are just as much a part of my "hobby" as gadgets are. And they go hand in hand. I find alot more use for the stuff I carry than another person might. Every item I carry has been used more than once and some get used all the time. I see solutions where others see problems. I carry this stuff as much to help others as to help me.

And I love challenges. If a task is too easy, I'm easily bored. I'm also the sort of person that has to strike when the iron is hot. When I encounter a task such as something that needs fixing or whatever, and I can see the solution, I need to tend to it right away. If I put it off, it may not get done. Having a wide selection of items on hand at that moment will allow me to accomplish the task. I get great satisfaction knowing I'm prepared, and even greater satisfaction when I'm able to solve a problem.

I made a list of some of the things that I've accomplished with the gear that I EDC, and I can think of what each item I carry has been used for. I'd post the list here but it's a long list, and I don't want to ramble more than I have in this thread, and I don't want to sound boastful.

I'm not recommending that everyone carry as much gear as I do. Each person should carry what is appropriate for THEM. Some people on CPF carry so much stuff they need a gear bag to EDC it. That's too much for me but for them it's just right. Others get by with just a flashlight and a pocket knife.

And I know that MacGyver (a favorite old show of mine) carries only a SAK and his wits, but I'm not as good as a fictional character on a television show where items necessary for improvising are ALWAYS just lying around. Sometimes they are, but when they're not, I'm still prepared.

By sharing what items we EDC, others can get ideas about what is available and which items might be a good idea to carry, as Hellz' thread title suggests. The bigger the selection, the better our own EDC becomes.

Hellz, here are a couple of threads where many members listed their EDC. Lots of ideas!:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB18&Number=199436&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB22&Number=157891&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

 

[reddwarf]

I like it,others might find it overkill,but,as long as your able to comfortably carry ,I believe there is no such thing as being over-prepared,I wish I could carry more but in the life-sucking humidity I work in the additional items more often than not hold in heat,or become damaged from the daily sweat bath. Macgyver would be proud!

 

[Smaug]

gyverpete,

Thanks for the explanation, it was very interesting. I bet that most of us here consider ourselves somewhat handy. Yes, I do know the feeling of not having what you need on hand to get the job done, and it is frustrating. In fact, that is what got me into flashlights in the first place. (check my profile for the story)

The battle I'm always fighting in my head is usually which knife to carry. I can carry a SAK (Soldier) and have what I need, but the knife is very humble, and it is so taken for granted it isn't like art any more. The Spyderco Walker Lightweight (which isn't made any more, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif ) Is a real beauty of a knife, but it is just a knife. I own an original Leatherman, but I can' bear to carry it around in addition to my knife, and the knife is such a pain in the *** to get out of it...

Then, there are the watches. Do I wear the Casio Databank and have everything I might need but be disappointed because it doesn't have class? Or do I wear a nice mechanical watch that only tells time? It is a battle, but I refuse to carry too much stuff, so I just rotate according to my mood.

I would be interested to hear how you fixed things with which EDC items... Now that I have asked, you won't be boastful. If you're worried about babbling, just send me a private message, but I bet others are curious too...

 

[gyverpete]

whodat,
What you need is a wearable air conditioner suit /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
...with lots of pockets. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gyverpete]

hellz, sorry if this goes too far off you topic, but I hope it gives you some more ideas of what stuff to carry and their uses.

Ok, Smaug. I'll share. Thanks for your interest. Here goes.

<fixed bosses broken laptop computer cable -- microtech pliers, solder, lighter, elec. tape, chive
<replaced cord on mom's clothes iron--LM Kf4 (pliers/cutter), small and phillips drivers), chive
<sewed buttons back on--needle, thread or floss
<retightened tire valve stem--LM micra tweezers
<flush sawed bottom of door trim for tile installation--LM kf4 (saw)
<sharpened knives and scissors--diamond file, sandpaper
<sanded down ARC-AAA O-ring for easier use--pen, sandpaper
<splinters removed and small parts handled--UBSG tweezers
<sealed leaking shower head pipe threads--teflon tape
<labeled keys and circuit breakers--white label, micra scissors, scotch tape
<fixed blown fuse in 12v car adapter--foil tape, micra scissors
<trimmed and filed nails-- micra or Wenger SAK(scissors, file)
<retightened loose hinge screws on binding doors at home and work--microtech phillips
<fixed friend's sliding glass door latch/lock--LM P4 (pliers, file, drivers)
<made arm splint for friend's fractured wrist--duct tape, plywood scrap, chive
<installed lights, switches and receptacles--Kf4 (pliers/cut/strip, knife, drivers, elec. tape)
<removed broken bulb bases from socket--Kf4 pliers, elec tape
<sealed rope ends from fraying--lighter, micra scissors
<repaired my eyeglasses missing screw--micra small driver, microtech pliers, twist tie wire
<tightened friends eyeglass screws--micra small driver
<opened cans at cabin and home--P38
<turned large screws--p38
<writing everyday--Bic3 (blk &red pen, pencil)
<fixed broken cd-cassette adapter cable--microtech pliers, solder, lighter, elec. tape, chive
<secured broken buckle on friend's hip pouch--safety pin
<inspecting splinters and fine print--fresnel
<mailed out my and friends' cards and letters--stamps
<booboos--bandaids
<shaving stubborn hairs on face--wenger SAK blade
<making a call when cell phone forgotten at home--quarters
<heated key to thaw out car door lock--lighter, microtech
<fashioned walking stick while backpacking--Kf4 saw, chive
<fixed friend's canteen cap chain while backpacking--<microtech pliers, small flat driver
<repaired jammed cassettes--microtech small phillips
<changed photon batteries--microtech small phillips
<rigged two AA batteries in place of CR-123 to power friend's camera on camping trip--P4 pliers/cut/strip, wire, elec. tape, duct tape, foil, rubberband(from backpack)
<finding my way out of a crawl space after my work minimag bulb burned--photon
<bypassed bad switch on sump pump at cabin --Kf4(pliers/cutter/stripper, drivers, file), elec.tape
<rigged 12v cellphone charger directly to battery to bypass shorted out lighter socket in friend's van on camping trip--Kf4pliers/strip/cut, wire
<kept doors from accidentally locking--duct tape
<repaired microphone cord during meeting--microtech small flat driver
<removed cork from wine bottle for friend whose corkscrew broke--Kf4 pliers, sheetrock screw (from friend's truck)
<pulled small items out of tight spots--pen, duct tape or elec. tape (on end of pen)
<replaced watch bands and reset pins on mom's and dad's watches--micra small flat driver
<cleaned connections inside sister's elecroacoustic guitar pickup, fixed distorted sound--microtech(pliers, small phillips), sandpaper, Bic3 eraser
<improvised eraser--rubberband
<fixed play in storm door handle mechanism--Kf4(pliers, drivers), foil tape, micra scissors
<quieted noisy shopping cart's lower rack-wire
<fixed broken leaking pvc sink drain--duct tape, teflon tape
<replaced broken pin on zip drive cable--paperclip, P4 (pliers/cutter, file)


That's all I can remember right now. If I remember any more, I'll add them. I actually enjoy recollecting this stuff. I hope other people also share. Maybe start a thread on this specific topic. We learn from each other.
I don't keep track of this stuff on a regular basis, but now I think I will. It can be useful for future reference.
Also, after recollecting some items I used in these instances, but don't currently carry, I went and added these to my EDC.

 

[Redhed]

Here's a few ideas:
Something to make fire with- a mini Bic? Maybe just a fresnel lens card for the wallet? You could get fancy and get one of those blowtorch type lighters.

A nice pen and pad perhaps? I have a TKS notecard- see ToolLogic's site for that one. Pretty neat and it has a light and mini screwdriver on it.

mini compass

Bandana/handkerchief

Some nice shades

Read the keychain thread a little ways down- lots of cool ideas. I recently had a lot of fun "optimizing" my EDC gear.