Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026

[aicolainen]

Day 2

Same carry as yesterday, only the watch in frame this time.



Some fun (hopefully) trivia: the letter Æ in the Norwegian alphabet is both in appearance and sound/pronunciation simply a combination of the letters A and E.
The Norwegian word for weather is VÆR. Something we have a lot of, by the way. So given where I live it's only fitting that I wear a VAER watch 

PS. I did not look into the name origins of the brand, but there's quite a few descendants of Norwegian emigrants in parts of the US, so even if the brand name resemblance to the Norwegian word for weather is likely just a fun coincidence, it's not entirely impossible there could be some kind of link there.

[ElevenBlade]

Day 2

Same carry as yesterday, only the watch in frame this time.

(Image removed from quote.)

Some fun (hopefully) trivia: the letter Æ in the Norwegian alphabet is both in appearance and sound/pronunciation simply a combination of the letters A and E.
The Norwegian word for weather is VÆR. Something we have a lot of, by the way. So given where I live it's only fitting that I wear a VAER watch 

PS. I did not look into the name origins of the brand, but there's quite a few descendants of Norwegian emigrants in parts of the US, so even if the brand name resemblance to the Norwegian word for weather is likely just a fun coincidence, it's not entirely impossible there could be some kind of link there.

Another fun fact, there’s a famous knife designer named Jesper (pronounced yesper) Voxnæs. He has designed for CRKT. I bought one of his designs, the Pilar, since I have always preferred shorter blades. It’s nice, but quite stout.

[LoopCutter]

Day 2

I learned much yesterday!  That this challenge is more about BLACK, not black oxide

So I then gathered up more just BLACK items last night and then sorted out three items that are special to me,

[aicolainen]

Another fun fact, there’s a famous knife designer named Jesper (pronounced yesper) Voxnæs. He has designed for CRKT.

This is true.
Jesper is Danish, which reminds me I misspoke/mislead somewhat in my previous post.
I called it the Norwegian alphabet, but it is in fact the same as the Danish, so it would be more correct to call it the Danish-Norwegian alphabet. Sorry 'bout that.

I believe I have two Voxnæs designed knives. A Giant Mouse and a ZT. Both are nice, but were acquired before I had fully understood my own needs and developed my preferences, so they don't see much use.

[WECSOG]

Day 2

I learned much yesterday!  That this challenge is more about BLACK, not black oxide

So I then gathered up more just BLACK items last night and then sorted out three items that are special to me,

I like that Utica knife!

Day 2

Lumintop Tool 2.0
Utica spear point jack
no-fuel electronic lighter

[cody6268]

Day 2:

Totally didn't remember my phone is black...

Kyocera Dura XA Equip. Added the Schrade Endeavor to the mix. It's basically a 91mm version of the apprentice made by Adler in Germany.

Photo taken with a 20 year old Kodak.  Fun fact--it's so old, the internal calendar only goes up to Dec. 31 2025. Luckily, I last changed the battery on Dec. 31. Still in the market for a modern digital camera--thinking a Pentax Tough series.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[LoopCutter]

I like that Utica knife!

Day 2

Lumintop Tool 2.0
Utica spear point jack
no-fuel electronic lighter

Wow!    I like it too!

And, really like yours as well.

I found mine when searching for equal end slip joints. 

Great minds share excellent taste in sharp items!

[BPRoberts]

Agree, that ol' Utica is a beaut.

[LoopCutter]

^ Thank you.

[nate j]

I'm starting to see the benefits of atomic timekeeping. Perhaps one day I'll own a G-Shock with that capability.

I have a Citizen solar PCAT (Perpetual Calendar Atomic Timekeeping).  It’s very handy.  Pretty much as long as you make sure it gets enough sunlight to keep running (and you can receive the time signals), the date and time will always be spot on.

I don’t have it with me ATM, but I’ll be sure it makes an appearance in this challenge.

[LoopCutter]

I have this CITIZEN SKY HAWK, I know I depends on a radio signal to sync time and adjust time zones.

Is this the same as ATOMIC (PCAT) Time keeping.?  I quess I never paid close attention.  Just knows it has worked across time zones and DST CHANGES without issues.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

Maybe that is what AT, stands for on the center logo, ATOMIC TIME, duh…

[cody6268]

Day 2, part 2.

Swapped to my "around the house pants" and grabbed the Civivi Baby Banter. I bought a new PC desk at Walmart today and had to slice open a ton of bags of hardware.

I grabbed a Western Crosstrail (basically a really bad knockoff of a Sharpfinger that related by name and the Acme buyout of the defunct Camillus to the original company). Camillus made a Sharpfinger (which I'm willing to bet was Schrade sourced), but I don't think Western ever did.

Also, a cheap "strap cutter" automatic I bought cheap off Amazon.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[ReamerPunch]

Mini Challenge: January 5

Post a picture of one black item with a blade, and one without, e.g. knife and torch, or MT and pliers, etc.

PM me if you want to book a date and host a Mini Challenge. Dates: 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th.

[Farmer X]

When I was in electronics school in the Navy, Blackout was one of two albums I listened to awlmost daily.

A fellow Sailor! That makes three U.S. Navy veterans in this challenge.

Ruike 31 opened some sliced chorizo to eat with some cheese

I recently had chorizo con huevos at a little taquiera in Mexicantown, Detroit. It was one of the best things I've ever eaten.

SOG PowerPint.

I then gathered up more just BLACK items last night and then sorted out three items that are special to me,

Utica spear point jack

Those Uticas are sweet! I have a similar Imperial that'll show up during the course of the challenge.

I bought a new PC desk at Walmart today and had to slice open a ton of bags of hardware.

I don't doubt that for a nanosecond. My computer desk (which has a hutch) and bookcase had a smurfload of fasteners each.

Day 2

Here's a lightweight, fairly slim lockback: the Schrade SP2. Though they haven't been made in the States since 2004, I believe you can still find them at relatively modest prices. And they're decent knives for the price.

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[BPRoberts]

Day 2

Confirmed that the end of the file on the Switch Plier is a working flathead driver. Unfortunately, the screw holes were too stripped out to tighten this loose railing.

[ReamerPunch]

Day 3

WorkPro mini pliers

[Sos24]

Day 2

I learned much yesterday!  That this challenge is more about BLACK, not black oxide

So I then gathered up more just BLACK items last night and then sorted out three items that are special to me,

quote author=WECSOG link=topic=94445.msg2558034#msg2558034 date=1767373286]
 I like that Utica knife!

Day 2

Lumintop Tool 2.0
Utica spear point jack
no-fuel electronic lighter
[/quote]

I love seeing old Utica Knives.  I grew up outside Utica and my first knife was a Utica Girl Scout knife

Day 2 of 30

Today MXBS helped opening letters

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  

Knice.  i have a Spirit MXBS that will make a showing at some point.

[Sos24]

Day 2
The S31 opened a calendar.  I meant to do it yesterday, but forgot.

[WECSOG]

I have this CITIZEN SKY HAWK, I know I depends on a radio signal to sync time and adjust time zones.

Is this the same as ATOMIC (PCAT) Time keeping.?  I quess I never paid close attention.  Just knows it has worked across time zones and DST CHANGES without issues.

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  

Maybe that is what AT, stands for on the center logo, ATOMIC TIME, duh…

Yes. It receives a longwave radio time signal from the atomic clock at Fort Collins, Colorado. The longwave (60 KHz) transmitter carries the callsign WWVB. There are also shortwave transmitters on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 MHz. You can actually listen to those to set your clocks that don't have WWVB receivers. And, you can use them to calibrate the frequency of shortwave radios, as well as to determine band conditions by stepping through each of the WWV frequencies to find which one is strongest. For example, for a given location 20 MHz might be the strongest signal at noon, dropping to 10 MHz at 6 PM and 5 MHz at midnight.

[WECSOG]

Day 3

This is the control head of my Yaesu FT-891 HF (shortwave) transceiver, propped up on a Camillus TL-29 electrician's knife.

[nate j]

Yes. It receives a longwave radio time signal from the atomic clock at Fort Collins, Colorado.

Pretty much the only thing that has to be set manually on these watches is which time zone you are in/want displayed, since these watches don’t have any way to determine that automatically.

[fullbreakfast]

Day 3

Yesterday I had to venture out after dark in search of supplies. We had run out of milk.

I took a shortcut through the badlands:



Returning with my swag via the side gate. That frost hasn’t shifted from the lawn in five days:



The torch that lit my way for this mission was the Sofirn IF23:
 


A good value light, quite powerful and with a useful feature set. I didn’t need more than the low mode for my trip.

[fullbreakfast]

Pretty much the only thing that has to be set manually on these watches is which time zone you are in/want displayed, since these watches don’t have any way to determine that automatically.

The more modern G-Shock modules can sync time with your phone via Bluetooth as well as pick up the atomic clock radio signals. So when I travel abroad my watch will pick up local time from my phone within an hour or two of landing and my phone connecting to a network. I have literally never had to set the time on it.

I guess you are probably aware of this, but the info may be useful to some.

[Antti Lammi]

Day 3 of 30

Today some more letter opening but with Civivi

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

[LoopCutter]

Day 3

Black with attitude and color

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

To choose one is now difficult this early.

[LoopCutter]

Pretty much the only thing that has to be set manually on these watches is which time zone you are in/want displayed, since these watches don’t have any way to determine that automatically.

I have had this watch a few years, long before my iWatch was gifted to me by my daughter.

I do not recall every changing time on the Sky HAWK when moving across time zones.   It is set to my location zone, same as Indianapolis. 

I will have to double check that, because what you say makes sense.   

It has been four years since any extensive travel, but thinking that was with my iWatch.

Before I had traveled with the MRS TO Arizona, Mexico, Puerto Rico and eastern Caribbean (Barbados) and I only remember we got screwed up because it changed to local time and ship stayed on Atlantic time because of departure port. 

Not as much travel since her absence.   Or actually closer to home and a few trips to Cancun where DST is not observed. 

Will report back when I locate the manual.

Was very curious, found this info, and what I recalled I had experienced. The AT transmitter includes a regional code for time zones.
——
Yes, many Citizen Nighthawk models (especially radio-controlled ones like the Promaster Skyhawk AT) automatically adjust time zones by receiving signals from atomic clocks in North America, Europe, Japan, and China, or via GPS satellite signals, allowing them to update time and daylight saving (DST) automatically when you set your home city, making travel adjustments simple. You usually just need to set your home time zone (city code) in the watch's settings, and it handles the rest, though some older or non-radio models require manual setting.
How it Works (for Radio-Controlled Models)
Radio Signal Reception: Your watch receives time signals from designated atomic clock stations in different regions.
——

[ElevenBlade]

Day 3

This is an easily pocketable knife, banana for scale

Seriously though, did you ever have a banana that you couldn’t peel open without squishing it?  When that happens I’ll cut a nick into the peel and it will come off without getting the fruit all mushy

[fullbreakfast]

Day 3

Black with attitude and color

  [ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]  

To choose one is now difficult this early.

Nice set!

[aicolainen]

Day 3



Same base kit as before, but added these two for a day of small tasks around the house.
I'm not ashamed to admit I picked the Surge only for its murdered out appearance, and definitely would have picked something lighter if not for this challenge.
I do have a couple of black handled MTs, and while that would be well inside the boundaries of this challenge - I find it more interesting and challenging to see if I can complete the month with a totally blacked-out carry.

[LoopCutter]

Day 3

This is an easily pocketable knife, banana for scale

Seriously though, did you ever have a banana that you couldn’t peel open without squishing it?  When that happens I’ll cut a nick into the peel and it will come off without getting the fruit all mushy

Not since I was watching primates enjoying bananas at a park in Granada.
I saw them access the contents by peeling open the banana from the end, not the stalk stem. Even the smallest ones had no issues and needed no help from mom.

My grand kids would squish their banana when opening via the stem.  Showed them to use the other end, walla. No issues.   They even share that trick with classmates at lunch table.  A game changer!