How do you prioritize what to get first in your EDC buying?

[Rux]

Been working a lot of OT lately to get purchases done. At this moment I'm torn on what to get.

Currently it boils down to G Shock or knife + more sharpening supplies or a new EDC bag.

How do you weigh your decisions when buying?

[sawman]

The G-Shock - If you already have a working watch, then you don't need the G right now.

Sharpening supplies - This, IMO, might be the most important item you mentioned. Unless, that is, you already have adequate sharpening supplies.

EDC bag - If you have enough gear to justify it, and no other way to carry it, then you may need something like a Maxpedition bag.

[bmot]

I usually weigh my decisions by two things:


- Do I have something like it? (and yes, "Like it" can be in various degrees), if yes, I usually can make this thing wait a bit.
- Will it actually be useful? (if you have 5 MT's, and only 1 bag, the bag will probably be used more)

[Rux]

No watch at this present time.

Partial sharpening supplies. Have the Lansky Deluxe kit. Would be adding the blue sapphire diamond hone, c-clamp, strop hone and compounds.

Current bag is a 5.11 sidetrip briefcase. After 2-3 months, not a fan. Doesn't carry everything I want but gets the job done currently. As I add more, the need for a new bag becomes inevitable. Going back to backpack carry and bag I want is backordered until late August and growing as they get more orders. The sooner I order, the sooner it gets here.

Manix 2 XL just because. Big beefy workhorse knife for a big beefy dude. My hands are massive and meaty. The XL just screams comfort to me but I'm not hurting at the moment on knives. This is pure want.

This is the crossroads I'm at. Decisions, decisions. Too many toys, never enough money!!!

[sawman]

Our good friend Joel (JAfromMN) can vouch for the Manix as he uses that one quite a bit. I will definitely not deter anyone from buying a Spyderco product as that is money well spent.

I was just giving you my opinion given what my priorities might be. Yours may differ.

I really would stick with your current EDC carry method even though it's not the most desirable for you at this time. And I would probably get either the Manix and/or the sharpening gear because you need to keep your edges sharp!

[Lynn LeFey]

Hmmm...

I look at 'what coms next' as a sort of question of 'where is my worst deficiency'.

I have to ASSUME that since you're posting on these boards, you already have a good multitool. And, as there are tons of other threads that discuss this facet, I'll skip ahead.

Secondarily, it comes down to frequency of usage. What will get more ACTUAL use?

Third, I hope you don't fall into the 'more is better' trap. There is a point where adding to EDC doesn't really help, it just becomes crap you're hauling around. Because of this last one, I downsized from a Maxpedition Jumbo down to a Maxpedition Fatboy, and have restricted myself to carrying what I can cram into it.

Let me ask some maybe silly questions. Do you carry a cell phone? if so, do you carry a power cord for it? If not, that's a really useful addition to EDC. Include a USB-to-wall-plug adapter. Or backup battery pack. A lot of people get caught up on knives/MTs, and forget how REALLY useful the 'digital Multitool' is. In this day and age, the phone replaces the watch. I'd prioritize backup power to phone WAY over a dedicated watch.

Do you have at least rudimentary First Aid covered? That should, IMO, outstrip any other new EDC purchase.

Do you have a good flashlight? This is one place where I DON'T think cell phones do a good job of replacement. For emergency use, sure, but running down potentially vital power on a cell phone when a dedicated flashlight would spare that drain seems the better route.

You're not going to hear this from tons of other people here, and I get that I'm probably in the minority, but I have never, not EVER, in my life, needed a dedicated blade. I CARRIED one for years. My need (as opposed to want) for a blade could be filled 100% by the blade on a Victorinox Cadet, and is filled about 99.99% by the blade on a Micra or Victorinox Classic. Because of this, I see Spyderco blades (particularly the larger ones) as a waste of resources. That being said, it's your money, and ultimately, your happiness, and if a nice dedicated blade makes you happy, then go for it.

As for sharpening, I get to the level of sharpness I desire (clean cut on phonebook paper) with a very basic setup.

And, okay... I know this might sound dumb, but cash is its own kind of multitool. So, you might want to just take that money, or some of it, and stick it aside in your EDC for emergency use. Or, if you're uncertain as to the stability of it as U.S. currency, convert it to a bunch of 'junk silver' coins (I'd recommend old dimes).

This post probably won't help much, but I thought I'd throw in my perspective, maybe get you thinking in new directions.

[Fattsgalore]

Need out weighs want.

[Rux]

Lynn, you're absolutely right on staying away from the "more is better" trap.

I do carry around power cords (phone and tablet) and a dedicated flashlight. Not the best flashlight, but serves its purpose.

In a bag, I need to be able to squeeze in basic first aid along with a change of clothes (unable with my current bag) . I work in a COLD work environment and often stop places before home. Extra clothes/sandals would combat the sweats in this Florida swampland I call home.

I have a Rebar and a SAK as my dedicated tools. A ST300 is on my want list for a bigger tool in the car repair kit for emergencies but not a priority at this time.

Far as a blade goes, I enjoy a dedicated folder and as far as "collecting" goes, only knives and guns interest me in that department. Multitools and bags are great but I'm trying to get my setup where I want in terms of bag, tools, wallet, flashlight, etc. and leave the collecting to folders, fixed blades and firearms.

The bag is the most expensive single item purchase on the current radar (firearms excluded, thats a different topic, radar and budget).

[sawman]

Florida you say?  What part?  I'm in Jax and it's a sweltering hell hole. 

[Rux]

Cape Coral, just outside Fort Myers in Lee County sawman.

About a 1.5-2 hour drive South of Tampa.

[sawman]

We're neighbors   Well, stay cool my friend

[Rux]

Let me know if you ever venture my way. First round is on me.

[sawman]

Let me know if you ever venture my way. First round is on me.

I'm not a drinker but I'll take a pitcher of iced cold tea

[Rux]

Ditto and ditto. I'll have a drink to be social but thats about it.

Maybe a trip to the shooting range. I do love the smell of gun powder before noon. 

[ToolJoe]

    I think at this point, my next purchase is going to be a sharpener. I have a Micra which seems to meet my daily needs and I keep a utility knife and a Skeletool in my work bag just in case.

[parnass]

... Too many toys, never enough money!!! ...

I have a Rebar and a SAK as my dedicated tools. A ST300 is on my want list for a bigger tool in the car repair kit for emergencies but not a priority at this time.

You could assemble a set of tools to keep in your car which would be more capable and no more expensive than a Leatherman ST300.   Buy a set of screwdrivers, prybar, an adjustable wrench, pliers, gloves, etc.  Shop around.

Nothing against the Leatherman ST300.   I own one, though I don't use it.  Good quality tool, but too heavy to carry on person and not powerful enough to keep in the truck.

[Aloha]

Bmot and Lynn pretty much said what I was thinking.  I however like having a dedicated blade and a good one can be had for a decent price.  I tend to buy items that fill the void first then purchase upgrades to existing gear.  If I have a incandescent light that gets the job done and my bag is stitched together like a rag doll then I'd get the bag then the light. Another route is get the quick and easy things knocked off the list before committing to larger or more expensive items.       

[Rux]

As I have several knives already, I opted to order the rest of my sharpening supplies since I really need to get that in order before I buy any more blades.

Since I don't already have one, I ordered my watch.

Upgrading my bag next go round and assembling a first aid kit. From there, it's just filling holes and will be all gravy.

[sawman]

As I have several knives already, I opted to order the rest of my sharpening supplies since I really need to get that in order before I buy any more blades.

Since I don't already have one, I ordered my watch.

Upgrading my bag next go round and assembling a first aid kit. From there, it's just filling holes and will be all gravy.

What model watch did you get? 

[Rux]

Shhh... Pictures in time sawman.