Be Prepared for Daily Life

Have you ever had a moment where you've been on the road, at work, or on vacation when you've needed a tool or implement yet not had it with you? This is a feeling which makes many cringe; and so, a population has been growing which is dedicated to ending this feeling forever. They are those who have an "EDC - Every Day Carry" which stays in their pockets and on their belts which can handle most annoying (and life and death) situations which may arise. What are the fundamentals of an EDC? (click for photos!)

1) Blade - A blade is one of man's oldest tools for a good reason: it's one of the most useful. By having a knife (or two, or three) with you at all times, situations ranging from opening a package

 
to harvesting some tasty-looking wild grapes to cutting a jammed seatbelt in a car wreck can be alleviated. It is not merely handy, but can actually be life saving. Though a dedicated, fixed or folding knife such as a Spyderco or Benchmade is recommended, it is possible to get by in life with the blade in a multi-tool.

2) Multi-tool - This is the staple of my EDC. My Leatherman Wave (new version) can handle not only any pounding or mistreatment you throw at it, but just about any situation as well. With plain and serrated blades, two types of files, a saw, flat driver, bit driver, eyeglass driver, can/bottle opener, scissors, needle-nose pliers, nut pliers, wire stippers/cutters, hard wire cutter, and a ruler, the Wave's potential is endless. A quality (read: all stainless/titanium, locking tools, smooth action, prevention of jamming) multitool is recommended because anything less is a pain to deal with, and simply won't last any real work. 

3) Flashlight - A good flashlight is just downright cool! Any illumination tool can be handy for things such as identifying animals at night, repairing a leaky power-steering line, and warding off stoned or drunk vermin. 98% of you right now are thinking of a flashlight such as a maglite - that's fine to get started, but in the past few years, there has been a technological revolution culminating in the Cree-XR-E LED. I'm not suggesting that everyone spend $100 on a flashlight, but the difference in quality, illumination, and battery life is night and day, literally! In the photo is a picture of a shed 80 feet away illuminated by the pocket-size flashlight (lumapower M1 Hunter) shown in the pictures above and below.

4)Phone - I hate to say it, but cellular phones are pretty useful. I carry one mainly in the event of an emergency, but conducting business and having a camera with you are other good reasons to have one. As you can see in the photos, mine is a simple affair, but it has a long lasting battery, and that's what matters to me.

5) Pen - A very simple, enourmously common item that no one ever seems to have when its needed. Do yourself a favour: head to Staples, pick up a pack of Pilot G-2 pens (best writing pen in the world, and $3 for several - I promise that they blow away BIC's or anything else under $75 for that matter). Just clip one into your pocket, and be the hero of many situations every day. (In the picture you can see that a mini - G2 fits in the side pocket of the Leatherman Wave sheath)

 
6) Wallet - A wallet or money clip is useful for obvious reasons. Not so obviously, it can be used to carry duct tape, paper clips (can be used for anything), and safety pins. How? Click Here.

7) Fire - A lighter is a nice thing to have since it produces an instant flame which can be used for anything from sealing fraying rope to (in the case of my 3700 degree Solo Adventurer lighter) soldering with a paperclip. Not necessarily necessary, but I happen to like it very much.

The above are those things that I find necessary; this photo shows just a few of the things which I often find in my pocket as well: Flash drive, small knife, mp3 player, slings. 

Above all else, remember that according to a fundamental law of the universe, the day you don't have something with you, you'll need it.





Photos
Core EDC: Solo Adventurer Lighter, Phone, Pilot G2 Pen, Lumahunter M1 Cree XR-E w/ SMO reflector and Tac Switch, Wallet with Duct tape and paperclips, Leatherman wave in sheath with Mini-pilot G2 Pen in green, Imperial Shrade Knife (hoping to upgrade soon!)


For more information on EDC tools visit EDCforums.com 
For more information on lights, visit candlepowerforums!

For some great EDC items, check out:






To learn how to keep duct tape with you all of the time, click here!
To learn how to make a pocket-size lamp to keep with you, click here!