Early Retirement Extreme Forums

http://everyday-carry.com/

While some of this is rather sexy, I find it a disturbing thought to carry around hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of tacticool tools. My ideal goal would be to use tools that cost as little as possible, perhaps built out of readily available things, that can be given away or lost without regret.

Are you worried about being lost / stolen?

Or breaking it, or becoming attached to it, ...

I love that site.

Granted, most of it is pure fetishism. Who really needs the EOD (bomb disposal) Leatherman's tool at four times the price of the regular one, or the $75 solid brass bolt-action pen? I especially love the $800 Damascus steel flashlight. Makes me want to take up metalworking.

I am surprised! I thought you preference was for higher quality. For example, surefire flashlights are awesome with a great warranty and will function flawlessly (even mounted to machine guns lol) - but cost a bit more - but breaking it would be my last worry.

Attachment fear though? Better items will retain resale value.

Some ancient Greek or other had an earthenware lamp instead of an iron one because having an iron one would have made him worry about it being stolen while he was away.

I admit I like the EDC websites out there, but I try to check the creeping desire to buy stuff that that kind of thing instills in me.

Partly I've never been a masculine guy and I consider myself to be a pacifist so I don't find myself attracted to military-style tacticool knurled black flashlights too much. Also they're basically phalluses. I mean it all has a Freudian odor to it.

Sometimes I consider the possibility of my laptop bag being stolen, and run through the math in my head:
- Work computer (embarrassment)
- My computer ($$$)
- Up to 6 fancy pens ($$)
- High end headphones ($)
Etc..

And I'm thinking "shit that's $2,500" just of my stuff

@ohcanada: IMHO, there is an obvious point of diminishing returns on such items. I have a hard time believing a $800 flashlight is 1000% better at shining light than an $80.

Not to mention luxury items are the first thing to see their price collapse under economic pressure (see German luxury cars in CA during 09 crash).

I like the gun forum pics better.

Here's mine, not very pretty.

Sometimes I consider the possibility of someone trying to steal my EDC stuff and what I would do to them if that happened, and run through the math in my head:
- Making the Stepford police blotter (embarrassment)
- Bail money ($$$)
- Retainer for attorney ($$)
Etc…

And I’m thinking “shit, that’s $25,000” and I haven’t even gone to trial yet.

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I don't carry expensive EDC stuff unless you count my iPhone and 19. My stuff is more the altoids-tin type.

Jacob, great site. I love EDC stuff. I guess that is a requirement of EDC.



Wenger Commander Knife
Photon clone LED torch
Hand sewn change purse (butt from old jeans/zipper from old slacks)
Bausch and Lomb 10x Hastings Triplett
Coach wallet (durable non China)
Longines L990
Chinese ebay keyless remote
Thai elephant skin key pouch (very long lasting but not PC)

workathome is that a baby glock or is that a full size? I think I've asked you this before.

I'm curious to know if that watch has been up someone's ass in a POW camp. (See Christopher Walken, Pulp Fiction). It looks awfully familiar.

I'm surprised by the amount people EDC!

Haha! I loved Pulp Fiction! The watch was actually up TWO peoples' asses, Christopher Walken's and Butch's dad.

The watch is post Vietnam. The L990 is one of the last in house movements made by Longines before quartz ruined their day. It's kind of like those elaborate multi grid tubes found in TVs during the mid seventies.

It's neat to see the overlap in EDC items. A knife and flashlight seem pretty common.

I find it pretty surprising how many people appear to be carrying a knife or blade around.

Sclass wrote:
workathome is that a baby glock or is that a full size? I think I've asked you this before.

It is actually the in-between model - a Glock 23 (compact) with Surefire X300 in a Raven Concealment kydex holster. The photo is actually ~3 years old and l don't carry with an attached flashlight anymore.

dot_com_vet wrote:I'm surprised by the amount people EDC!

I was thinking the same! People either have a lot of pockets or carry a purse all the time?
I normally have a (dumb)phone (includes a flashlight and watch), wallet and keys. Checking for 3 things in the pockets has become completely automatic, feels uncomfortable when something is missing. Used to be phone-wallet-keys-cigarettes-lighter, made my life easier by 2/5 at some point:)

I had to post this somewhere else, so I thought I'd post it here. This is just what I EDC in my pockets. I also carry a small balm and handkerchief most of the time. I have a bag that I carry if necessary, and bug out gear in the car. I also carry keys if I'm going to be driving. This doesn't include what gets holstered.

Jenny,

What's in the tin. I can make out the matches and pencil. Benedril. Are those kidney beans?

Edit - just downloaded the hires. Advil!

@Sclass--Yes, that’s advil in the tin. I use a bottle cap wrapped in plastic wrap and a rubber band to secure it. There is also Benadryl, advil cold and sinus, prevacid, and something special tucked in the bottom.

I'm obviously frugal with my EDC stuff. The flashlight came in a pack of 4 for $20 and it gives off a surprising amount of light. The knife is a $10 Smith and Wesson I got at Pep Boys. DH has had the same for years, and it’s held up great. We just bought a third one. I switched to a Sucrets tin after a couple of people asked me for a mint when they saw the Altoids tin.

This tin is what I use for suburbia. If I were taking a long trip or going out in the woods, I would carry a different tin that has things like a water collection bag, bleach, fishing hook, etc. I also have lanyards for everyone in the house that hold EDC items like tins and flashlights. The lanyards are easier at night when you might not be wearing clothing with pockets. They are also easier for the kids because their pockets are too small for tins. I make everyone wear the lanyards when the power is out or if we’re traveling or camping. (good for hands-free lighting if necessary)

I love this guy’s videos for EDC ideas … http://www.youtube.com/user/MeZillch/featured
His Tin 2 Spy Tin is fun … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a92RcoaDMow

In the tin:
12 x 12 sheet of aluminum foil
3 rubber bands that I use to secure things
3 sheets of cardstock (one has phone numbers on the back in case my phone is dead)
8 twist ties that I use to secure things
Alcohol swab
Binder clip
Birthday candle
Coffee filter
Cotton ball with the middle cut apart with a little with Vaseline in it
Cotton swab
Dental floss
Extra shell (took it out for the photo, which is why there is space at the top)
Grey cleaning cloth for glasses since I wear them
Leftover sliver of a bar of soap
Matches
Needle and thread (already threaded, knotted, wrapped around the needle, and then slipped into a piece of a straw from a juice box)
Paper clip
Pencil (two-sided in case one side breaks)
Piece of emery board (also used as match strike)
Razor blade
Shoes laces (which I carry instead of string)
Straight pins (2)
Toothpick (2)
Tweezer

Missing:
whistle (mine broke, hoping to stumble across another one)
magnifying sheet (again, hoping to stumble across one)