Minimalist EDC

The Lone Wanderer · **on:** March 02, 2017, 02:46:58 AM

A two part thread here. I'm planning on ordering a Orange Farmer on Friday from DLT Trading, along with a Zermatt pouch.

I've also decided to go plier-less and test everything out. Flashlight and Farmer only are the plan. My question to you fine folks, and I know it's probably been beaten to death before, do you just carry a SAK and no pliers based MT? Do you feel like you feel prepared enough or not? He anyone tried the little Swisstech multi tools?

Just fishing for opinions here, since I do enjoy my Swisstool, but I never really need pliers.

Old Boy · **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2017, 03:08:59 AM

I've tried to go plierless before and just carry a SAK and would once in a while regret it when I do need it. So I made a concession to minimalism by carrying tools that make a very small footprint in my carry. In this case a LM MiniTool and sometimes a Cadet.
But before though I was carrying just a LM P4 and a knife and was very happy with that. Upgraded to my current carry for various reasons, but mainly want to be prepared. Hope that helps.

powernoodle · **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2017, 04:04:42 AM

Here are a few thoughts on the subject: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,32146.0.html

cbl51 · **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2017, 04:17:08 AM

I sometimes go without e en a full size SAK, and to my surprise, I actually survive the day quite well. I kep a Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver in my wallet, and my old army issue P-38 can opener. They do the work of a whole layer of a SAK. For any cutting or scissors work, the little classic in the keyring leather sheath does well in urban environments. Or I may have my little Camillus peanut as a dedicated knife along.

I like pliers, and often carry a small Leatherman squirt, but not all the time. I find I don't need pliers that often. But if I think I may need, then I add my little Leatherman squirt to the mix. I find that I really don't need more than this. I don't bother owning any larger Leathermans.

I think the edc thing can be over done trying to prepare for every way the world can end. I've backed way way off from all the junk I used to carry. I look back on it now and wonder if I was in the grip of some kind of temporary insanity.

kottskrapa · **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2017, 11:21:42 AM

I did carry a SAK only for a lot of years, an old sportsman and was doing fine. Now I have several SAK's in rotation and usually a Leatherman style PS connected to my only key.

Sometimes I miss the times before knowing about edc and all the stuff we learn from here.

Back then I used the thing I needed and not what I think I need. But it is still fun with new things. You will survive the day with your new farmer and it is one of the best SAK's out there

It's not failure if you learn something from it

4everYoung · **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2017, 03:33:14 PM

I have committed to the 30 day minimalist challenge. And the only SAK I have that meets this requirement is my rambler or a classic. So for 2 weeks now I have daily carried my rambler. And I've been super surprised how much use I've gotten out of it. But it showed me just how little I need these days. Now I'm not advocating keychain size only minimal carry but I've been shocked how useful it is. Before the minimalist challenge I daily carried the pioneer X which was extremely useful.
I've been trying to get my carry down to knife, light, pen, and keys.

So this morning I decided to try a new pairing. Ordered up the mechanic in stayglow. I'll see how I like this one paired with the rambler in my keys for scissors ability. Couldn't find a lot of info on the mechanic but figured I'd give it a shot.
Eventually I'd like to get to the point where I can build a custom SAK that encompasses my most useful tools.

magentus · **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2017, 03:34:09 PM

All I need on a day to day basis, is my SI, Toughtool (or Spirit) and Norman Sword:

WP_20170302_004 by magpie2112, on Flickr

Danjo · **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2017, 05:30:55 PM

I used to carry a big Leatherman, and still do in my desk and glovebox, but on me I just carry the Swisstech for those occasional pliers needs. It works great for small chores.

getahl · **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2017, 07:02:43 PM

I love my minimal set up. I drive a desk for a living, and my gear needs are nearly zero. My normal carry knife is a SAK Classic, cuts open the occasional strap on a box of paper. I'll probably have an actual knife in my pocket, cuz I like them. I keep a Fenix E01 in the other pocket, with my wallet. Rounded out with a bandana, my phone, and keys, and that's about it.

Grass · **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2017, 07:49:06 AM

I have thought about it and see my minimalist SAK as being... the toolset of the Centurion, however it comes, in any size. So a blade, opener layer, toothpick and tweezers. The alox Cadet is close, but I need the toothpick and tweezers and can do without the nail file and cleaner. I can picture living with two layers but cannot go down to one, as that seems to lose the benefit of having a SAK - it becomes a K!

alexTOOL · **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2017, 08:47:07 AM

Quote from: cbl51 on March 02, 2017, 04:17:08 AM

I sometimes go without e en a full size SAK, and to my surprise, I actually survive the day quite well. I kep a Sear's 4-way keychain screw driver in my wallet, and my old army issue P-38 can opener. They do the work of a whole layer of a SAK. For any cutting or scissors work, the little classic in the keyring leather sheath does well in urban environments. Or I may have my little Camillus peanut as a dedicated knife along.

I like pliers, and often carry a small Leatherman squirt, but not all the time. I find I don't need pliers that often. But if I think I may need, then I add my little Leatherman squirt to the mix. I find that I really don't need more than this. I don't bother owning any larger Leathermans.

I think the edc thing can be over done trying to prepare for every way the world can end. I've backed way way off from all the junk I used to carry. I look back on it now and wonder if I was in the grip of some kind of temporary insanity.

Nice approach!

Wich wallet is that?
What is the pill fob for? Pills?

Thank you

P.s.: By the way, interesting post

Vovaster · **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2017, 09:50:54 AM

My minimum set includes a VIC Spartan or Tourist + Minichamp + flashlight. I think this is the best set for the urban environment, especially working in the office, where i will not have anything sawing, bend, polish or clean the fish, etc. When I needed a pliers - they added keychain. Swisstech 6 in 1 totally enough for me, and it weighs about 50 grams only.

zoidberg · **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2017, 10:48:21 AM

Welcome to the forum Vovaster.

Don Pablo · **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2017, 11:55:44 AM

Quote from: Vovaster on March 03, 2017, 09:50:54 AM

My minimum set includes a VIC Spartan or Tourist + Minichamp + flashlight. I think this is the best set for the urban environment, especially working in the office, where i will not have anything sawing, bend, polish or clean the fish, etc. When I needed a pliers - they added keychain. Swisstech 6 in 1 totally enough for me, and it weighs about 50 grams only.

Welcome!

Out of interest, what flashlight do you use?

Vovaster · **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2017, 12:30:16 PM

Quote from: Pablo O'Brien on March 03, 2017, 11:55:44 AM

Quote from: Vovaster on March 03, 2017, 09:50:54 AM
My minimum set includes a VIC Spartan or Tourist + Minichamp + flashlight. I think this is the best set for the urban environment, especially working in the office, where i will not have anything sawing, bend, polish or clean the fish, etc. When I needed a pliers - they added keychain. Swisstech 6 in 1 totally enough for me, and it weighs about 50 grams only.
Welcome!
Out of interest, what flashlight do you use?

Hi everybody and thanks!
I using ledlenser A2. Not so mighty, but enough for me in the city or the countryside!

The Lone Wanderer · **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2017, 02:56:26 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. I've made a compromise, I'll just carry a Swisschamp. Not exactly minimalist, but I use every tool on it. And it's still smaller than a pliers based MT.

Aloha · **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2017, 05:57:33 PM

If I could count the times I've not carried something and needed it.

Theres a line somewhere in my head where I want to have items on me yet not carry the kitchen sink. The minimum I find good for not crossing the line

Explorer Plus or Executive or Manager. Both the Explorer Plus and Manager also give me a pen. I find the Executive scissors better than the 58mm ones.

Light. Been there done that, have the T-shirt to prove it. I cannot be without a light. We have pretty long days so you'd think a light is not needed, wrong. I just wont do it.

PFAK. Personal 1st aid kit. Mine is no bigger than a credit card and no wider than my Manager. Nothing fancy just some basics. I also always carry antibacterial spray. I cannot tell you how many times I've not carried this stuff and needed it.

MT. I can go without one. Truth is on my off days its more about what if. I carry one everyday for work tho. It's super handy when I have one since there are other handy tools on board. I've carried my Squirt P4 and been more than comfortable. Having pliers and needed them lands right on the line for me on off days.