How to make this proposed EDC setup work?

[Ravana]

Hey! Came to this forum with the hopes that you guys could help me decide how to reduce the amount of things I would carry on my keychain or somehow think of a way to carry all of it and not have a bulge in my pants.

First my proposed set-up (EDC newbie, own about 3/4 of the stuff, need to pick up a few more):
Left Pocket:
Phone

Clipped on:
Zebra f-701 Pen
Zebra 301 Pencil

Right Pocket
On Keys:
Peanut Lighter
Leatherman Squirt PS4
USB Flashdrive
Fenix E05
2 work, 1 house, 1 car keys
Ducttape roll on a paracord keychain
Mini Sharpie
Pico Widgy Prybar (CountComm)

Clipped on
Spyderco Tenacious

The little upper right pocket
Victorinox Spartan SAK

Back Left:
Handkerchief
Moleskine

Back Right
Wallet (2 bandaids, 2 alch swabs, lucky flipping coin)

Wrist:
Paracord Survival
Watch

As you can see that keychain would be pretty ridiculous. I could mitigate some weight by getting rid of my SAK and replacing with a Leatherman that has the same + more tools and put in the upper right pocket but my SAK was my first EDC piece and so it has more sentimental value than anything else listed.

Another idea was getting rid of the leatherman all together since it only adds scissors, pliars, and a file to my toolset. However, I'm sure my EDC brethren are the only ones who understand how hard it is to drop a tool that has so much potential.

Last idea was put all of the tools in a Altoid case and have the keychain be very minimalistic. I do like this idea but anyone know of another container that is small enough to fit in pocket alongside keys? I know they sell tin containers identical to the Altoids but with no paint; however, if I'm going out of my way to buy something I'd like to keep my options open for something potentially better.

The most important thing about this last idea is: will it work? Any one else have experience with Altoid cases holding tools? Does it fit in pocket comfortably along side keys? The spyderco shouldn't interefere much so the keys would be the box's main neighbor.

If anyone else has tool recommendations or other ideas please let me know, one caveat: no outside assistance bags of that sort.

Thank you very much,
Ravana

EDIT: Also, I might be crossing forums here but I wanted to know from other EDC'ers: Any tips on how to hold everything on a single keychain if that does become my solution? I was thinking instead of a loop use a carabiner but other than that had no clue where else I could go. Thanks again!

[mvyrmnd]

My keychain is more or less equipped the same as yours. Once I'm at a real computer and not Tapatalk, I'll post a pic of it for you.

[Ravana]

Thank you :-)

[Nikos]

Get an Urban Wallet or similar contraption... They work wonders in organizing stuff in your pockets.

[5hif7y]

you could take some items off your keys and put them in a separate pocket and use a p7 clip to suspend them.

[Sazabi]

I used to have a large gadget keychain like what you propose having; I carried it for all of a month before I got tired of the bulk. :/

I'd suggest looking at a Bill's Custom Urban Wallet, as mentioned above, or a Maxpedition Mini or Micro Pocket Organizer.

[Ravana]

I went and bought a pack of Altoids today and it seems perfect to be honest. Checked dimensions and the Fenix E05 and Leatherman Squirt should fit in there with room for some extras.

It really works well since I can have that as a mini-toolbox and since most of those items are conditional I can sometimes leave the box behind if I can be confident I won't need them. Essentially it'll be a tier-2 box.

Yeah, it's not waterproof or crush resistant, but oh well. It's small, compact, and to be honest, I kind of dig the look of it.

Thank you for all of your input.

[5hif7y]

if you can get a leatherman mini it will fit in a altoids tin. and that will give you a full size set of pliers in a small tin.

[AimlessWanderer]

if you can get a leatherman mini it will fit in a altoids tin. and that will give you a full size set of pliers in a small tin.

You can get a lot more than just a LM Mini in one  Here's mine ...




Besides that, just a few ideas ...

Suspension clips are great. I often carry a torch/flashlight and SAK on one together
Pen - Fisher Stowaway will fit in your wallet, as would a small pencil probably.
Some USB drives will fit a wallet comfortably too
Victorinox Compact gives you scissors and a pen in a small package
My gadget keyring has an Inka pen - suspension clip is now CRKT Li'l Guppie
(Used to be on a chain)



I don't tend to carry both the tin and the gadget ring at the same time though (too much duplication) and I tend to have something else in my pocket if I'm carrying the gadget ring (multitool or larger SAK). I have other options too. I'm one of those guys who carries "something" everyday, but it can vary quite significantly depending what I'm doing and where I'm going so I tend to team items up quite a lot. One of the combo's includes three full sized multitools and other gear too but that's one for one location 

[5hif7y]

i luv your altoids tin its like a mini tool box. its got a lot of capabilities in a very small package. 

[AimlessWanderer]

i luv your altoids tin its like a mini tool box. its got a lot of capabilities in a very small package. 

Thanks mate, it's UK friendly too. It's proved a very good lightweight "grab and go" when you haven't got the bag or pocket space for bulkier items

[5hif7y]

i have a micra and thats a great tool, but i havent got hold of a mini yet. i would really like to add one of those to my collection.

if i manage to find one i might make a little kit like yours. do you know if theres a way to make a altoids tin water proof?

[AimlessWanderer]

I make my little altoids crisis kits for hiking etc waterproof by wrapping the seam in insulation tape. The tape itself was a godsend when the sole of my boot came away on one walk.

As for waterproofing a tin and using it regularly, I wouldn't have a clue mate - sorry. There are waterproof options like otter boxes, but I understand they're much bulkier

[5hif7y]

its ok im not in need of anything waterproof yet. i was just curious. i do like the look of those otter box cases tho. they look rather sturdy

[Carlos]

I make my little altoids crisis kits for hiking etc waterproof by wrapping the seam in insulation tape. The tape itself was a godsend when the sole of my boot came away on one walk.

As for waterproofing a tin and using it regularly, I wouldn't have a clue mate - sorry. There are waterproof options like otter boxes, but I understand they're much bulkier

About waterproof, there is a british company called Aquapac (http://store.aquapac.net/) that sells lot of quality waterproof (WP) produts. They have some nice WP pouches, that can be perfectly used to carry light gear. The "keymaster" for example. I bought one (not a keymaster though) of that pouches some years ago, on heinnies, and that stuff really works. Since then I have been using it, successfully :-), to hold the car keys and some money, including coins, when I go to the beach or to waterparks. Never used it for EDC.

[AimlessWanderer]

Good call Carlos. Cheers 

[parnass]

Consider carrying some of the EDC items in shirt pockets instead of carrying them all in your pants pockets.  Distributing EDC items between shirt and pants permits me to carry more.

[Dtrain]

How about a small messenger bag?

[5hif7y]

or a fanny pack (bum bag in the uk) you can get some rather slim ones that hide away rather well under a shirt

[asupernothing]

Upgrade the lm to a charge and the flashlight and a pen can ride in its belt sheath. That allows for a folder clipped right front, above the wallet. Phone rides left front on its own. Back right is a back up blade. Keys can then be lighter ( juice and atwood) to ride in either back pocket.