Build the best EDC kit for less than $150

[Farmer X]

The only thing I paid for was the Mora, the rest were hand-me-downs from people who upgraded to fancier things.

Proof that one shouldn't overlook used tools!

Sometimes I edc them in this small pocket pouch for ease of grab and go and quick load and emptying my pocket.  Adds another $17 for a total of approximately $137.

Where did you find that little pouch?

My EDC keyring is always here...

A useful and compact setup!

[dmattaponi]

Farmer X  asked,  “Where did you find that little pouch?”

Hide and Drink waxed canvas pouch.  Available in several different colors. $16.99 Amazon.com.

All of my edc listed were purchased on Amazon.

[madfishcat]

I remembered how to insert a photo

[nate j]

I’ll play.  A lot of good suggestions have been made already.  I’ll end up echoing some of these, but might offer a different perspective on others.

Vic Spartan - $22 new on fleabay - I carried a Spartan as my only knife/tool for years, and it very rarely let me down.  It’s on the small side for food use, but will generally be OK even for that if you’re not doing something like carving a turkey or cutting up a watermelon. I did sometimes wish it had scissors…

Vic Rambler - $28 from the big river - scissors; nail file with flat SD; the outstanding 58 mm combo tool with 3D Phillips that works on a surprising variety of Phillips screws, including recessed screws; and a small backup blade.  One of these has lived on my key chain for a while.

Nitecore MH10 V2 - $59 (assuming you sign up for the newsletter and get the 10% discount) - A number of folks have gone with small inexpensive key chain lights, or even stated that their phone is sufficient or they don’t see a need for an EDC light.  If that works for their lifestyle, great.  For myself, I need a more capable light for camping, hiking, working, and even just general use.  This one checks the basic boxes for water and impact resistance, pocketability, and relative simplicity of operation.  Rechargeable via a USB-C cable (non-proprietary charging cables are the way), so you won’t be spending on batteries even if you use it frequently.  Pocket clip and lanyard.  The 1200 lumen high mode is going to be a lot of light when needed, lighting up a dark alley, dimly lit parking lot, or searching for that next blaze on the trail.  The 55 lumen low mode is good for general nighttime navigation.  The rated runtime in ultralow mode of 1500 hours at 1 lumen means you can spend hours using it as a reading light in your tent or in the event of a power outage, or even leave it on all night as a night light with little concern about running the battery down.  I don’t have this exact model, but own several other Nitecore MH series lights, and they’ve been solid so far.

Fisher Bullet Pen - $31 on big river site - There are certainly cheaper pens out there, but the all metal (except o-ring) construction provides good durability.  The size and shape of the Bullet pen makes it nicer to carry down in (as opposed to clipped to) a pocket than most pens, while still opening up into essentially a full-size pen.  There are other pens that write more smoothly, but being waterproof, able to write at any angle including upside down, and being effectively impervious to cold temperatures is a worthwhile trade off for me.  I carry one these today, and have for a number of years.

Bandanna - $2 each at Walmart - So many uses for such a small and inexpensive item, I also never leave home without one.  I agree that the cheap ones are just fine as well.  Get 100% cotton, as large a size as you can find for a reasonable price, and a bright color so it can be used for emergency signaling.

Bic Lighter - $3 for a pack of 2 at Walmart - Put them both in your pocket; they last a long time, but somehow always seem to run out of fuel at the least opportune moment.  Even if you don’t smoke, they weigh next to nothing and take up almost no room in the pocket, but are handy to have for candles, BBQs, camp fires, ends of paracord, etc.


Total (without tax):  $145

I’d use the last $5 to pick up a couple extra bandannas, so you can wash them once in a while and not have to go without.


Colors will vary, but this is pretty close to what the whole package would look like:

[Farmer X]

Nice kit, Nate! And I agree that proprietary charging cables are a drawback.

[UnlimitedTools]

WOW MAN! Thank you so much G! I can't believe you started a thread for me and gave me so many options. Thank you so much for that and shout out to everyone who replied! I don't know what to say fr

[JowiiYoyo]

WOW MAN! Thank you so much G! I can't believe you started a thread for me and gave me so many options. Thank you so much for that and shout out to everyone who replied! I don't know what to say fr

I think i can speak for all of us when i say: its our pleasure!! 

Make sure to share your own EDC kit in due time 

[G-Dizzle]

WOW MAN! Thank you so much G! I can't believe you started a thread for me and gave me so many options. Thank you so much for that and shout out to everyone who replied! I don't know what to say fr

All good! Like I said in the other thread I think it makes for a good discussion. Hope it is helpful!

[JowiiYoyo]

All good! Like I said in the other thread I think it makes for a good discussion. Hope it is helpful!

 
So far it has been a blast reading everyones EDC kits 

[AzteCypher]

It's good seeing everyone's ideas unfold.

Now you can make your EDC kit and show it off when you're ready.   

[JowiiYoyo]

Thought id share my actual EDC. This is outside the budget because of the XLT but i finally got myself a Maxpedition pouch and couldnt be happier. Fits well in my jeans pocket and its so easy to just throw in a backpack and pull it out when needed.

Contents:
Victorinox XLT.
Bic lighter with medical tape around it.
Whistle.
Birch bark.
Couple of rain proof paper sheets.
Band aids.
Small medical compress.
Small burn cover.
Pack of Steri Strips.

 

[Farmer X]

  I wouldn't carry birch bark or a whistle unless I'm going camping, but I should carry at least a bandage or two.

[nate j]

I have a whistle on my key chain.  It weighs almost nothing, and has come in handy from time to time.

I don’t carry any bandages or band-aids.  I pretty much figure I’ll shrug off any minor cut or scrape.

I didn’t have birch bark anywhere on my EDC bingo card.

 

[JowiiYoyo]

Haha yeaah the birch bark probably wouldnt be in my edc if it werent for thats its basically weightless and its the best natural firestarter i know of. The whistle used to be on my keychain but it kept rattling with my keys every step i took so it kept bothering me 😅
And if you wonder why the pouch is packed like that its to keep it as flat as possible in order to fit nicely into my pants pocket. I have space for more stuff but it just got to bulky to carry comfortably.
 

[IMR4198]

   My late pal Hardin used to carry a Band-Aid or two in his wallet.  I know that because I cut the cat urine out of my finger with a Case trapper and he donated me a bandage.  It is inconvenient to try to work and dribble blood all over everything, so he always carried them.  I keep some in a little zip up first aid pouch in my belt pack.  Best wishes.  G
 

[JowiiYoyo]

   My late pal Hardin used to carry a Band-Aid or two in his wallet.  I know that because I cut the cat urine out of my finger with a Case trapper and he donated me a bandage.  It is inconvenient to try to work and dribble blood all over everything, so he always carried them.  I keep some in a little zip up first aid pouch in my belt pack.  Best wishes.  G
 

Band aids are a must in my EDC. Its one of those things that youre happy to have when you need them but never think about when you dont. Ive helped patch up some of my friends more than a few times aswell 
Like with the lighter. Im not a smoker anymore but strangers keep asking me for a light and a couple of my friends smoke and forget a ligher sometimes so ive included it just because others 
Have a good one G!!

[G-Dizzle]

Thought id share my actual EDC. This is outside the budget because of the XLT but i finally got myself a Maxpedition pouch and couldnt be happier. Fits well in my jeans pocket and its so easy to just throw in a backpack and pull it out when needed.

Contents:
Victorinox XLT.
Bic lighter with medical tape around it.
Whistle.
Birch bark.
Couple of rain proof paper sheets.
Band aids.
Small medical compress.
Small burn cover.
Pack of Steri Strips.

 

I like the pouch. Do you ever wish you had quicker/easier access to your knife?

[JowiiYoyo]

I like the pouch. Do you ever wish you had quicker/easier access to your knife?

Thanks G-Dizzle and actually no. Ive never been in a situation where ive needed a knife that quickly, and if i need a knife to quickly open a package or something i have a Classic on my keys thats easily accessible at all times.
 

[Alan K.]

A couple of bandages don't weigh so much that you'd have to add a wheeled cart to your EDC, so there's no reason at all not to have them.    Best case scenario is you never use them.  Worst case scenario is they do their job and keep a wound clean.  Somewhere in the middle is you can use your bandages for dry tinder.

[JowiiYoyo]

A couple of bandages don't weigh so much that you'd have to add a wheeled cart to your EDC, so there's no reason at all not to have them.    Best case scenario is you never use them.  Worst case scenario is they do their job and keep a wound clean.  Somewhere in the middle is you can use your bandages for dry tinder.

Exactly 

[AzteCypher]

I made some Altoid tin first aid kits for the cars but I always carry a few bandages on me in my Field Notes noteboook

[Farmer X]

  The notebook would be a good bandage carrying spot. I thought about putting some in my phone case, but it's a two-piece deal that's a pain to remove.