EDC: What does it really mean?

Mr. Whippy · **on:** March 27, 2009, 07:05:06 PM

Just curious, what is the reasoning behind folk's EDC planning and carriage. Items needed vary depending on someone's daily activites, but I'm looking for the logic behind what people EDC.

This poll is mandatory.

Benner · **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2009, 07:08:23 PM

Good thread.

Despite my large amount of kit I went for "Option #2 plus most commonly used "emergency" gear". Stranded for a few days is never going to happen in my area of the world but I do like to prepare for most emergency eventualities.

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2009, 09:19:34 PM

Option one plus "one just in case".Years of EMS,going on scene loaded for bear(sometimes Polar) has made me a minimalist for what I carry on me.

cliosguy · **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2009, 10:24:29 PM

"Just what I HAVE to have on a given day"

usually a MT and some knife/SAK

Nikos · **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:00:32 AM

#1 plus just in case. Just in case...

donvito · **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:08:27 AM

Option #2 with day to day items and extras

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:43:05 AM

I chose:

What I will likely need day to day.

But that will vary depending on what I'm doing. When I'm heading to work and then home, it's pretty minimal. If I'm on a mountaineering trip, there's a lot of additions including emergency gear (space blanket, gps, extra food, fire starting stuff, water sterilizer, extra clothes etc)

For me, I think the it's a balancing act between utility and mass/volume: Maximizing the first while minimizing the second.

nuphoria · **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:08:01 AM

What I need on a given day. That changes according to the day in question.

At the very minimum it's my keyring which has pills & £20 in capsules, TU torch, micra or rambler, sliver grippers, modded can key which opens supermarket trolleys and of course some keys. I also have a zebra pen and a card in my wallet containing gaffer tape, stamps, paper clip, safety pin and threaded needle.

I prefer to have a paratool and a Fenix LD10 or similar too if carrying it works that day.

Beyond that there's my Vic bag which would also include some other stuff like Ti spork and chopsticks, hand sanitiser, various "fixy" items, pens and notepad etc.

J-sews · **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:13:41 AM

What I will likely need.

My imaginary life is adventurous, but my real life is quite boring. $:-\$

cliosguy · **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2009, 07:47:41 AM

Quote from: J-sews on March 28, 2009, 02:13:41 AM

What I will likely need.

My imaginary life is adventurous, but my real life is quite boring. $:-\$

boy i hear you

Craig · **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:22:27 PM

Quote from: cliosguy on March 28, 2009, 07:47:41 AM

Quote from: J-sews on March 28, 2009, 02:13:41 AM
What I will likely need.

My imaginary life is adventurous, but my real life is quite boring. $:-\$

boy i hear you

Me too

ecfiffer · **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:36:46 PM

i voted for what i mi need day to day. my edc changes from weekday to weekend. i have a computer tool kit that i take out when the weekend comes. i edc my computer tools to avoid a a-h co-worker taking my tools with out asking! man oh man that f**ker pissed me off when he pulled that s**t.

but i'm also an active dad with two young kids thus the need for diapers and wipes and sippy cups

jzmtl · **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2009, 10:06:06 PM

Consider I spend my day and night mostly in city, the first two option would mean not carry anything at all. So I'm gona go with "just in case".

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2009, 12:09:12 AM

I thought it stood for Extremely Dirty Cat. I have been carrying one of these for a while:

Never came in handy though....

Def

nuphoria · **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2009, 12:25:37 AM

LOL

Poncho65 · **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2009, 04:29:56 AM

I carry a pretty fair amount of stuff and the just in case stuff most of the time

Quote from: Defender on March 29, 2009, 12:09:12 AM

I thought it stood for Extremely Dirty Cat. I have been carrying one of these for a while:

(Image removed from quote.)

Never came in handy though....

Def

David · **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:37:22 PM

Option #2. ATM my life is pastoral. But that has not always been the case. We shall see what happens in the future. I like to be prepared.

David · **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:40:44 PM

Quote from: Defender on March 29, 2009, 12:09:12 AM

I thought it stood for Extremely Dirty Cat. I have been carrying one of these for a while:

(Image removed from quote.)

Never came in handy though....

Def

Hey I got one of those. The cat likes to roll around the the dirt then wants in the house.

glorn · **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2009, 05:00:09 AM

Ah, good thread...

I carry a good bit of kit, and while a handful of items are used every single day, others are used weekly, some monthly, and then some are only there for emergency situations. I also admit that carrying a bag means I have room for some small fun items as well.

1. Used daily (or at least 5 days out of the week)

-Surge
-Gerber EAB
-Pen
-Blackberry
-iPod (both for file storage and for the obvious uses)
-lighter
-keys (which includes nail clippers and tweezers)
-wallet
-quikoin change holder
-match safe full of pills (chronic heartburn)
-various cables and cords and earphones
-hand wipes (I shake 50 hands a day)

That alone is a pain to carry pocketed. Add to that the next list..

2. Used frequently, but less often.. and when you need them there is no substitute

-Tide pen (can't arrive at the meeting with mustard on your slacks)
-Sharpie
-All other tools in my kit (hammer MT, vice grips, wrench, pry bar, level, hemostats, small back up tape measure)
-super glue
-flashlight (probably used enough to go in the first list.. but lately not so much, so..)
-toilet tissue (it is rare for job sites to have any just when you need some)
-FAK
-small note pad
-spork
-foldable reusable shopping bag (so glad I got this! Have used it dozens of times already. Especially with my daughter and the stuff she seems to gather.)
-USB key

3. More or less for emergency use

-Doug Ritter pocket survival pak
-space blanket
-poncho
-mag ferro combo
-sharpener
-sewing kit
-zip ties

4. And then there are items that I just like and/or are fun

-WD40 pen (I have never needed it, but it is too cool to drop out of the kit. I suppose it could be handy in a survival situation, but I just dig it)
-dice or playing cards
-book or magazine

I also pocket a comb and bandanna as a matter of habit. I prefer to have nothing else in my pants pockets whenever possible. Sunglasses are usually on, or on my head, or hanging from my collar.

To me this is EDC. I could scrap the survival kit and the fun things. I could even let go of many items of the second list. But with the second list goes my convenience, comfort, and the ability to handle minor situations on the spot by myself without even thinking twice. If I wanted to get terribly minimal, I could skip the iPod too, but.. life with no music? You can have it.

Styerman · **Reply #19 on:** April 03, 2009, 12:33:02 AM

Mine is what I actually carry , plus a few frequently used just in case items . I also tend to throw in some more advanced and targeted stuff in man dags and packs .

Chris

Swiss Man · **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:01:26 AM

A BATMAN utility belt, a SAK and an MT.

getpower · **Reply #21 on:** April 06, 2009, 01:17:26 AM

Mine is the stuff that I need throughout the whole day.

Thought I havent figured out how to get my truck into my pocket yet.

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