View Full Version : Wear it or carry it. Poll.
8thsinner
18-01-2009, 02:22
I have been rethinking my edc options and just thinking about this.
I carry some of my kit in my wallet, trouser pockets and key rings etc with a few things in my Bag too like water bottle, shemagh and a few first aid supplies......
Tell me your system and why.
Shambling Shaman
18-01-2009, 13:16
I have a kit carry smock that has all the basics in it.
At work I wear a pouch/bum bag with essentials in it.
All small gear that I'll use during the day (knife, compass, wallet, map, ...) usually is somewhere on me, the rest goes in the backpack.
I don't like too much stuff in my pockets and find this method most comfy/practical...
MartinK9
18-01-2009, 17:12
At work, in my pockets and on my belt.
oldsoldier
18-01-2009, 17:12
EDC I have my pocketknife, multitool, and my keychain with a small knife, lighter, flashlight, and paracord fob on it. My jeep is stocked with everything else. So, I guess I carry most of it, but wear some?
saddle_tramp
18-01-2009, 17:24
not really up on the catchy abbreviations, so whats EDC?
found it . . . . Every Day Carry :rolleyes:
Dont carry much at all these days, i smoke so i got a light, got shoelaces for string, maybe an opinel in my pocket but chances are not.
RAPPLEBY2000
18-01-2009, 22:32
There is a teaching the army used to use:
Live with your bergen
Fight with your webbing(pouches)
survive with what you stand up in
there was a catchy phrase but i can't remember it.
I tend to carry everything (bushcrafty)in army pouches on my belt, though often I carry the same pouches in a daysack, the only things i always have in my pockets are Keys, mobile, and wallet if shopping (duh).
I've tried carrying gear in jacket pockets and vests but found it never as easy as with pouches(just personal preference), been doing the same thing 20 years.
I carry all my essentials constantly, and feel naked without them. My pockets contain DC3 sharpener, swiss army knife, EKA lock knife (really solid knife for a folder), lighter. My keyring has a parracord fob, mini Maglite, ferrosteel, waterproof aluminium tube with tinder, whistle. On my belt, I carry my mobile and Buck multi-tool. It sounds like a lot, but it really isn't once it's spread about your person.
I also always have my day kit packed in my car, which has the more bulky stuff, such as brew kit/meths stove, pans, axe, water bottle etc.
redandshane
18-01-2009, 23:48
Oh no my secret browsing of EDC forum is going to show me for the geek I am
But now you ask
Key ring
I carry on an S biner attached to a belt loop holding 2 Vitrinox quick release key rings one with my keys and the other has basic Vitrinox small blade knife with scissors tweezers and tooth pick.a Gerber Clutch and a cheap "Fauxton" LED
I have a slightly modifed handcuff pouch which is usually empty which I often wear just to shove things in or for convenience
I usually take the keys off when out and about and of course I can add other stuff as required when camping ( and boy have I amassed a selection)
I also have my wallet , Zippo Slimline, fags/baccy and phone
In my work rucksack I have a small possibles pouch;the contents vary a lot but there is usually a lighter some cordage of some kind and a mini folding monocular
Thats EDC; not when camping/bimbling
Then it needs a variety of carry methods and different stuff to be carried with which I am constantly enjoying experimenting
Confession appears to help this condition!!!
At work I carry a small belt pouch with basic FAK and mobile phone (on call all day to go and sort out problems in others classrooms). No sharps at work (school).
When out and about though, I carry a Maxpedition shoulder bag with all my essentials, with a knife and FAK on a belt.
I hate having my pockets loaded up with junk, but having said that I do have D rings sewn into my Ventile SAS style smock. Top left pocket has a whistle. Top right a micro LED torch. Inside pocket has a SAK.
Simon
adderrustler
30-08-2009, 08:58
Every day i carry on my person, buck crosslock ( had 14 years never let me down ) turboflame lighter, mini first aid kit in my wallet, also mirror, my belt is made of paracord, leaterman tool ( 15 years old going strong ) mini compass, tinder in sealed cigar tube, stored cash ( £30 and change for phone),
this varies due to climate / enviroment short or long haul etc.
but in the last 30 years have never left the house without a knife and lighter ( Non Smoker ) my main kit is stored in my landrover which with all the mods and equipment inside i havent got the time to list
Stuart69
08-03-2010, 13:11
ok, I'll admit I have a thing for EDC :D here's what I carry in my pockets...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Vikerin/Outdoor%20stuff/P1010171.jpg
1. Maxpedition 5x3 notebook cover
2. Casio G-Shock
3. Paracord bracelet
4. Bandana
5. Armour Zippo with Z-Plus insert.
6. Sony Ericsson W810i with k750 rear cover
7. Modded Bi-fold wallet with cards, elastoplasts, Swiss-card lite and cash
8. keys with dog and signal whistles, silver gripper tweezers, peanut lighter, Alox SAK and a Fenix E01.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Vikerin/Outdoor%20stuff/P1010173.jpg
In my 3x5...
1. Michael Morris friction folder
2. McFeely's Pocketwrench II
3. Leatherman Wave
4. Quark 123 Torch
5. Fisher Bullet pen and waterproof paper
6. Char cloth, firesteel and striker
7. Fresnel lens
8. Small First-Aid kit
9. tape ruler
10. Tick removing hook
11. needles and thread
12. Cigarette papers.
On key ring:
A gas lighter with small knife/scissors
Compass
LED torch
In wallet:
Credit card tool
In car in a day sack:
A 48 hour kit including food/water/clothes/boots.
If I travel more than a few miles from home on foot I have at least a survival 'tin' with me.
PREPER........... :)
Davey569
08-03-2010, 14:37
On my person;
A karabiner with whistle, pacing beads, firesteel, which clips onto a length of cord fixed to a belt loop which means the gears can go in my pocket.
in another pocket a DC3 and opinel or other small folder.
The rest goes in my pack. :)
wow i just bung it in my pack, if i was in the proper wilderness i would have some more in my pockets, but as im in the UK i just have a pocket knife and a firelighting set and a whistle in my pocket
In my trouser pockets;
* Uncle Henry penknife.
* cigarette lighter.
* mobile fone.
Lower jacket pockets;
* gloves (one for each hand :)).
* housekeys with church key, bottle opener, dog whistle attached.
* tobacco tin.
EDIT --; forgot about my wee LED torch, fabric plasters and wee green vaseline tub. (Thanks Maddave :)).
Everything else for a bimble, goes in daysack;
* warm hat/russian (I wear a cap anway).
* brew kit.
* flora/fauna book.
* folding saw.
* secateurs (big and small).
* water for me and the dog.
* carrier bags
* loo roll and wetwipes.
* sandwich/snack and dog treats.
* rowntrees fruit pastilles.
On keys
Firesteel
Spyderco Bug Knife
Acme whistle
Photon torch
Sliver grippers
In it's Pocketssessss
Svord peasant knife
Cree 2w AA flashlight
Small 1st aid kit (mostly plasters)
Small Wenger knife sharpener
every day around town i have
wallet, phone, watch etc...
keys, with whistle attached (acme scout) and mini butchers steel
opinel number 4 tiny non locking s139 legal penknife
gloves (sealskin)
set of bike lights (mainly so i dont forget them when i ride my bike but the front one makes a good torch (1w LED))
when out on a bimble i will add an opinel #7 to the gear in my pocket plus my daysack which can have whatever i feel necessary in it (i live in manchester so most often waterproofs!)
If we are talking everyday every day carry, then I only have:
Wallet, Mobile, Change, Chewing Gum in little change pocket on jeans, Keys, Watch, Glasses - Not very survivalist!
or as I heard a bloke in a film checking he's got everything: spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch!
Had an incredibly bright LED torch on the keys but the end gradually unscrewed and I lost it whilst on the move... Same happened to the replacement one! So I have 2x 1/2 LED torches! I should replace it with the tiny 1x AAA maglite or something similar really. Never been a fan of carrying knives everyday as it can be construed the wrong way by the law...
Saw a tiny belt pouch with a pair or 2 of latex gloves and a one-way valve for resuscitation advertised somewhere, seemed like a good idea to carry around with you, should have got it in retrospect.
But I'll often have a shoulder bag or daysack with me with a 1L Sigg bottle in it, pair of 'magic' contact gloves, and a few other bits and bobs. Been meaning to get myself a Montane Fetherlite (the waterproof version) as a pack-down-tiny layer for a bag but enough to keep the wind and showers off...
That is just everyday tho. If I'm off hiking or on the army's time then there's a lot more in my pockets and on my back...
hogstable
21-03-2010, 10:12
I had a 1 AAA maglite and with time the base unscrewed itself, fortunately I noticed it whilst they were together. May I suggest a few wraps of thinned black nasty to save the torch being in 2 places at the same time?
When camping out I always have a piece of paracord around my neck with a silva watch compass 1 inch dia, LED torch and a cheap 1 inch locking folder, will be adding a lighter in future, maybe a firesteel. Main thing is always got a light on me !!!
This may be of interest although I don't have it.
http://www.equipped.org/rangerrick_necklace.htm
Aye in hindsight a few turns of black maskers might have saved the day! I did briefly consider trying to solder the damn things together - but it would've been a bugger to replace the batteries... O well, the LED torches were pretty cheapo anyway - first was a gift that wasn't actually that bright at all, and its replacement was thrown in cut-price when I got some kit from Blacks.
Cheers for the heads-up that the same happens with the Maglite (solitaire?) - that could have been a costlier mistake! Was also toying with the idea of one of those Gerber Recon (recce?) torches, the 4 in 1 type, they look gucci... But then that's getting a bit pricy...
Great thread, as I have been thinking about this now that I am back woking in the smoke again. On my Keyring I have:
- AAA torch
- small Army firesteel (the thin one with a metal strip on the back)
- a serrated striker (from another fire steel set)
I bought a pack of assorted black heat-shrink tube off the bay & covered the firesteel & striker in it, so the firesteel wont spark if it ribs of something suitable & the serrated edge of the striker does not cut.
Interesting point about keychain lights falling apart; I have had 2 lost because of this. It happens to me where the tube screws on to the end plug that fixes to the key chain; a bit of duck tape sorted that out.
In my shoulder bag I have a small no-name multitool, lighter, another AA torch, a decent face mask (I blame Ron Hood's Urban Master 2 DVD for that) and a few other bits that I plan to add to.
Great thread, as I have been thinking about this now that I am back woking in the smoke again. On my Keyring I have:
- AAA torch
- small Army firesteel (the thin one with a metal strip on the back)
- a serrated striker (from another fire steel set)
I bought a pack of assorted black heat-shrink tube off the bay & covered the firesteel & striker in it, so the firesteel wont spark if it ribs of something suitable & the serrated edge of the striker does not cut.
Interesting point about keychain lights falling apart; I have had 2 lost because of this. It happens to me where the tube screws on to the end plug that fixes to the key chain; a bit of duck tape sorted that out.
In my shoulder bag I have a small no-name multitool, lighter, another AA torch, a decent face mask (I blame Ron Hood's Urban Master 2 DVD for that) and a few other bits that I plan to add to.
as i've said in other posts, I'm very much inn favour of open carry - I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but my philosophy is, if you're hiding something you're up to no good with it. OK, fair enough, when I'm up in Manchester its different story compared to back home in Wales, where I've been in supermarkets, all damn day nearly in Betws-y-coed while looking for a pullover fleece that fitted, and even a good few pubs with a knife on my belt- heck the landlord in one of the pubs even asked to see it and have a go of the firesteel striker on the sheath- never any hassle.
but for most of my day to day stuff, I keep a Leatherman Surge in my bag, a UKPK in my pocket and a Streamlight Micro stream, and if anything, it's the Leatherman that's attracted more attention than anything I own sharps wise! :(
Depends on what i'm doing or where i'm going, I always carry a certain amount in my day bag in a little pouch.
Multitool.
f.a.k.
Lighter.
spork.
watch/gps.
Small l.e.d torch.
wet gear.
waterbottle.
Sometimes more, sometimes less.
In my pockets I carry a swiss army knife, lighter and some innertube and my small first aid kit, everything else goes in a rucksack with water on the outside of the pack :)
Fjällräven
23-08-2011, 05:46
Every day I use cargo trousers with lots of pockets both at work and when im off. When im off its always Fjällräven trousers that I wear, because of the amount of pockets.
I always carry on me my Case Sodbuster folder, Nokia cellphone and my wallet. On my wrists i wear a Casio G-shock with small Silva compass on the strap or one of my two Suunto watches (Observer black and Vector) and a paracord bracelet.
In my backpack I always carry a medium size waterproof first aid kit (Ortlieb), Petzl Zipka LED headlamp, pen and paper, small roll of ducttape, Lifesystems waterproof + regular matches , an EKA Swede 88 folder and sometimes a Leatherman Kick of Fuse.
Many years ago I was involved in an unsavory incident in the desert, about 25 miles from the nearest civilization. To cut a long story short I ended up "running away" in what I stood in - Shirt, shorts, tevas, watch and camelback with about 1/2 l of water. My other kit had things like a compass, altimeter, goggles, shemagh, boots, knife, mobile phone, passport, water etc. I never saw this kit again. It was 45 degrees at night (I laid up until it got dark before moving out).
I learnt from that incident that if you ain't wearing it, you ain't got it!
comeonbabylightmyfire
05-09-2011, 16:41
I'm quite intrigued by what you describe as an unsavoury incident in the desert. Blimey. Good to know you got out of the situation without any further trouble. Well done.
Highbinder
05-09-2011, 17:08
Day to day edc I haaaate carrying in my pockets, and in a bag even worse. I've slimmed down what I carry, like I took all the junk off my keyring, don't bother with wallet/id/cards (take a few notes instead), swapped my zippo for a clipper, leave the phone at home if I'm not planning on using it. Ditto pen and paper. Day to day I carry keys, sunglasses, UKPK, and tobacco tin.
When I'm out hiking most of my edc fit into the elastic hip pockets of my rucksack; fak, headtorch, firesteel, chopsticks, phone, mp3 player, etc. I still keep my UKPK and a lighter in my pocket, tho.
I'm still looking for a better way of carrying essentials day to day and in the bush. I was real close to buying one of those horsehide gunbelts, look like normal belts but are more rigid and designed to carry weight without suspenders. I intended to use it with something like the small maxped organisers. Had to hold off as it's hard to justify the expense on my current wage.
I'm intrigued that so many carry firelighting kit with them everyday. I can understand it if you're a smoker, but don't understand the need to carry a firesteel. If you're going on a bimble and are taking other stuff in case you get stranded, then fair enough.
My EDC when out and about (urban) is phone, wallet, and Victorinox SAK on paracord lanyard. Most of the time, but not always, I'll also have a pair or two of vinyl gloves in case I need to deal with anything icky. I need to replace my resus mask and find a practical way of carrying it. St John used to do a black belt pouch (stockman style) just big enough for mask and gloves, but now its a really loud green and I'd feel silly wearing it all the time.
I'm just putting the finishing touches to my emergency bag that'll live in my van. That'll contain reasonably comprehensive FAK (including various medications for self administration), hat & gloves, firelighting kit, camping gas stove and camping kettle, army water bottle & mug, Mora knife, brew kit, couple of ratpack meals and probably a few other things I've forgotten. Just need to get stove and kettle out of the garage (a not insignificant task!) Having experienced coolant problems with my last vehicle, I also carry a 3L bottle of water in the van.
The van also always has a 25-person first aid kit, lantern torch, seatbelt cutter, and various tools etc.
Graham