Need Advice on EDC

[ElevenBlade]

A set up after my own heart
Evo14 doesn’t get anything like the love it deserves, basically a shorter but a little fatter climber
I’d add bantam alox as another lightweight option but of course combo tool not as versatile. Adding a flashlight would recommend nitecore tiki or tube both lightweight and great for their size.
Agree fresnel lens good option you can also get these little jobs on eBay very cheaply and tbh they’re just as if not more effective than the one on my explorer

(Image removed from quote.)
 With a waiter for size

I'd missed the requirement for a magnifying lens in the original post... So I'd second this idea of a separate lens. 

Though now we're getting into the too-many-dangly-things problem of EDC. It may be helpful to do a test run on a carabiner and join the EDC in DEC Challenge. 

[Nix]

I'd missed the requirement for a magnifying lens in the original post... So I'd second this idea of a separate lens. 

I keep a thin, flexible fresnel magnifier in my wallet.   

[ElevenBlade]

Yeah this is probably my best and most cost friendly option for now
Custom SAKs are the greatest no doubt but also cost as much as Swisschamp XLT or maybe more so I don't see going into that path for some time

I know this sounds weird but I actually like the dedicated openers especially because they each have a screwdriver and allow space for a pen knife and I heard the combo Opener doesn't work as great as the two openers separately

Looking at your more recent post, it narrows down to two more reasonable EDC options...

Explorer plus with keyring flashlight
Pioneer X with swisscard lite

The others are not as streamlined for an urban EDC system.  Something that I've noticed when you have too many moving parts in an urban environment is that you start to rely more heavily on a certain aspect of your EDC system. For me, three years ago that turned out to be a Micra on my keys... When keys also became more important (work office key, work bathroom key, work closet key, front door key, mailbox key, package room key, apartment key, deadbolt key)

I envision one of the following eventualities...
- Explorer with the flashlight gets used one way or another
- Pioneer X gets used, and flashlight and lens are avoided (this happened to me with the flashlight)
- Swisscard lite gets shirt pocket carry and maximal use, and the Pioneer X stays in the pocket most of the time
- the awl on the Pioneer X gets used awl the time and it's awl you end up carrying

The first and third of these scenarios seem to be the most "fun".  Those are also quite different in the way the system works, and how often you want to bring out the heavy artillery.

[FanaticExplorer]

Looking at your more recent post, it narrows down to two more reasonable EDC options...

Explorer plus with keyring flashlight
Pioneer X with swisscard lite

I envision one of the following eventualities...
- Explorer with the flashlight gets used one way or another
- Pioneer X gets used, and flashlight and lens are avoided (this happened to me with the flashlight)
- Swisscard lite gets shirt pocket carry and maximal use, and the Pioneer X stays in the pocket most of the time
- the awl on the Pioneer X gets used awl the time and it's awl you end up carrying

The first and third of these scenarios seem to be the most "fun".  Those are also quite different in the way the system works, and how often you want to bring out the heavy artillery.

First of all thanks a lot again for all the help, really appreciate it

Secondly yeah you are right. I will make the EDC combos of:
1.Explorer Plus and a small flashlight like the Nitecore Tiki which Echotech recommends
2.Pioneer X and Swisscard Lite

I have an Explorer that I need to send for upgrading and buy the other 3 items
I will test out both the pairs by alternating between them and see what works out best. And the best thing is if I get bored of one pair I can just switch to the other. This way I get to use both Celidor and Alox too. It's the best possible win win scenario I guess

Anyway thanks again to everyone that posted and don't waste your precious time on me, you guys over there have very important and interesting news to follow on the next most powerful person in the World (except maybe Putin )

[McStitchy]

 

[Nix]

 

[Nix]

The journey of a thousand SAK's begins with a single EDC set up....... 

[Simon_Templar]

Many of Victorinox newer decisions irritate me like this one. Also why replace the best multitool scissors with the limited opening one in the Swisstool Spirit series,  why not provide Plus scales on all models etc.

I feel like it is Victorinox's first rule while designing any multitool to make about 95% perfect and deliberately leave out a feature or two just so that we are never satisfied and we try to achieve 100% perfection by pairing multitools or to get us to collect all their models just to see all the features

Good thing they screwed up with the CT 34 then - this one is as good as they come

[ElevenBlade]

First of all thanks a lot again for all the help, really appreciate it

Secondly yeah you are right. I will make the EDC combos of:
1.Explorer Plus and a small flashlight like the Nitecore Tiki which Echotech recommends
2.Pioneer X and Swisscard Lite

I have an Explorer that I need to send for upgrading and buy the other 3 items
I will test out both the pairs by alternating between them and see what works out best. And the best thing is if I get bored of one pair I can just switch to the other. This way I get to use both Celidor and Alox too. It's the best possible win win scenario I guess

Anyway thanks again to everyone that posted and don't waste your precious time on me, you guys over there have very important and interesting news to follow on the next most powerful person in the World (except maybe Putin )

You, sir, are worth our precious time.

Please join the EDC in DEC Challenge!  It will be a great way to micromanage your EDC from afar.

[Nix]

    

[Altis]

Unless I've missed it, does the Cybertool Lite not check every box on your list (without being massive)?



Large Blade 
Scissors (my most used tool) 
Pen Blade 
Bottle Opener with large flathead
Can Opener with 2d Philips
Reamer/Awl
Magnifying Lens
Tweezers and Toothpick
Straight Pin
Backup Pen  (comes standard)
A small light (for practical work)

It's certainly not inexpensive but at least the plus tools are standard!

[FanaticExplorer]

You, sir, are worth our precious time.

Please join the EDC in DEC Challenge!  It will be a great way to micromanage your EDC from afar.

Thank you so much
I would love to join the Challenge but in the first half of December I probably won't leave even my room much due to exams (Here we have exams till about Christmas and a week off till new years). The only thing I might use are probably the scissors cause I prefer them over even full size normal scissors.
But due to Lockdowns and everything else I don't exactly know if they will even follow the regular schedule. If I don't have exams I will definitely join. I would love to participate in a challenge

[FanaticExplorer]

Unless I've missed it, does the Cybertool Lite not check every box on your list (without being massive)?

It's certainly not inexpensive but at least the plus tools are standard!

I had totally forgotten about that line of SAKs

It definitely is the best match for all my EDC needs. It is a little bit on the thicker side, I think as thick as the handyman, I was looking for more of a pocket and/or wallet carry

Cost is also a factor in this as they are significantly costlier. Even the Cybertool L and Swisschamp costs less over here and I could get a smaller light too

But it is on my wishlist for the future

[Altis]

I had totally forgotten about that line of SAKs

It definitely is the best match for all my EDC needs. It is a little bit on the thicker side, I think as thick as the handyman, I was looking for more of a pocket and/or wallet carry

Cost is also a factor in this as they are significantly costlier. Even the Cybertool L and Swisschamp costs less over here and I could get a smaller light too

But it is on my wishlist for the future

It is.. I have the Cybertool M and really like it, but the mag+light layer does fatten it up.

If it were me, I'd just go Explorer with plus scales and call it a day. I'm rarely without my phone which has a decent enough flashlight (and one less battery to maintain). Some even feel the camera on your phone can be a substitute for a magnifying glass if it has good macro capabilities.

[FanaticExplorer]

If it were me, I'd just go Explorer with plus scales and call it a day. I'm rarely without my phone which has a decent enough flashlight (and one less battery to maintain). Some even feel the camera on your phone can be a substitute for a magnifying glass if it has good macro capabilities.

Yep that is my current plan.
The reason I love the mag glass is because where I live it takes less than a minute to start a fire with the Victorinox mag glass on a sunny day and since I live relatively near to the equator almost everyday is sunny except for monsoon months
The phone flashlight is enough for most urban needs too but I like the idea of having a small rechargeable flashlight

[Echotech]

Yep that is my current plan.
The reason I love the mag glass is because where I live it takes less than a minute to start a fire with the Victorinox mag glass on a sunny day and since I live relatively near to the equator almost everyday is sunny except for monsoon months
The phone flashlight is enough for most urban needs too but I like the idea of having a small rechargeable flashlight

Very interesting. I know a few members here have tried starting fires with the magnifier without success, the fact you can do it less than a minute really shows it depends where you live, I’m in Sydney so will have to try it when summer kicks in

[FanaticExplorer]

Very interesting. I know a few members here have tried starting fires with the magnifier without success, the fact you can do it less than a minute really shows it depends where you live, I’m in Sydney so will have to try it when summer kicks in

It really does depend on the location you live in. Tropical and arid climates are the best for all solar related instruments.

Also under a minute in the best conditions otherwise it does take some more time. Also I loved burning all sorts of things with a mag lens when i was younger so i have good practice.

I may or may not have commited war crimes in ants by burning few red ants out of curiosity when i was younger but I learnt my lesson when I kept my finger under the lens to see how hot it gets and how painful it is.

[Sos24]

Yep that is my current plan.
The reason I love the mag glass is because where I live it takes less than a minute to start a fire with the Victorinox mag glass on a sunny day and since I live relatively near to the equator almost everyday is sunny except for monsoon months
The phone flashlight is enough for most urban needs too but I like the idea of having a small rechargeable flashlight

There are many options on small rechargeable flashlight.  The various flashlights that use a 10180 battery easily fit on a keychain and usually have ~120lumens.  If wanting more brightness and willing to go and little larger Nitecore and Rovyvon have several options.

[Kraken]

@FanaticExplorer I cannot recommend the Explorer Plus enough; it truly is a wonderful tool set for pocket carry EDC. I've carried one for a few years now and wouldn't think of anything else. I had always been hesitant to carry a 4-layer knife because I thought it would be to heavy/ bulky in my pocket. At that point I had been carrying a Super Tinker and felt that the 3-layer build was my limit. But I was disappointed by the what I felt were the limitations of the back side Philips driver. I bought a used Explorer to test and I've never looked back. The inline Philips handles many more tasks than the back side of the Super Tinker and the magnifying glass comes in handy on several occasions. I think you're going to like the Explorer as well. 

[Aloha]

I am a huge fan of the Explorer plus.  Its been a SAK that I keep coming back to.  If it were not for the mere fun and sometimes nagging feeling there is something I've missed it'd be the only SAK for me.  Alas that is not the case as there are just too many wonderful SAKs and five pockets ( generally ) on jeans to not want to carry a few  .

That being said, The Explorer plus is a brilliant SAK.  I've recently been carrying a Champion for work and its pretty darn wonderful as well  .  See how this works?  Once you've carried a few the merry go round and round and round of which for many becomes endless. 

My advice is pick a EDC and run with it for a while.  Be determined to set a time for which to carry that particular set up.  Then try out your other option.  You will get have more data on which to best determine what works and what tweaks may be desired. 

Have fun. 

[Nix]

My advice is pick a EDC and run with it for a while.  Be determined to set a time for which to carry that particular set up. 

^^^ This ^^^

and.....

EDC in DEC

[Sawl Goodman]

Alox is overrated.

Reported!

[Sawl Goodman]

 

[SteveC]

Reported!

Please don't waste the moderators time by reporting posts for trivial reasons. Trust me we have better things to do. When you report a post and email goes out to every moderator who then have to stop what they are doing and go and check to see what is going on.

[dadwithkids]

I know I'm late to the game here... but I have a similar situation. I work at a tech startup, where I often have to go into an executive conference. While wearing flat front pants (or even nice jeans), too much knife in the pocket would be considered somewhat unprofessional. This would be different, based on body type. I'm tall and pretty thin.

However, since I do have some responsibility in the lab and fabrication areas, it is also really handy to have a SAK. However, if I carry anything more than 5/8" (16mm) thick MAX... it's to noticeable. The 3-layer SAKs are borderline too large for "corporate" EDC, especially when wearing slim-cut pants. The Explorer, being a 4 layer, will most definitely be noticeable if I carried it. I'm not sure about the Swiss Card option, but this would push my wallet to a thickness that would also be a little too thick for me.

My current setup, I think meets most of your requirements... without trying to dig up a Yeoman or other rare model.

I think you are going to have to break this down into 2 tools, as I am currently carrying a Victorinox Tinker and a SOG Q1.

Here is how it would break down.

Large Blade - TINKER
Scissors (my most used tool) - Q1
Pen Blade - TINKER
Bottle Opener with large flathead - BOTH
Can Opener with 2d Philips - TINKER
Reamer/Awl - TINKER
Magnifying Lens - MISSING
Tweezers and Toothpick - TINKER
Straight Pin - TINKER
Backup Pen - Q1 (could be your main pen!)
A small light (for practical work) - MISSING

This way, I have the Q1, Tinker, and wallet in one pocket. And my regular keys and phone in the other. Everything stays slim and neat.

I carry a small AAA flashlight in my bag, but here are a few keychain rechargeable ones that look super usable. You could easily attach them to the keyring on the TINKER.

As far as the magnifying glass goes, I sometimes carry a Jewelry Loupe to look at small parts, but it's also something that stays in my bag.

[Sawl Goodman]

Please don't waste the moderators time by reporting posts for trivial reasons. Trust me we have better things to do. When you report a post and email goes out to every moderator who then have to stop what they are doing and go and check to see what is going on.

Sorry! Thanks for that. It was meant as a joke. I won’t do that again.

Sorry to nix, also. I was in a silly mood this morning and didn’t think. 

[FanaticExplorer]

There are many options on small rechargeable flashlight.  The various flashlights that use a 10180 battery easily fit on a keychain and usually have ~120lumens.  If wanting more brightness and willing to go and little larger Nitecore and Rovyvon have several options.

Yeah I am looking at the Nitecore Tiki and the RovyVon A5x. Both are good, but I have heard that RovyVon with 650 lumens heats up very fast and just steps down so I don't really see the point in that but the nitecore is basically a cheaper Chinese copy so I
Buying Chinese currently in my country is heavily frowned upon because of the recent border events

[FanaticExplorer]

Ah my stupid brain finally figured out how to reply to multiple posts at once 

@FanaticExplorer I cannot recommend the Explorer Plus enough; it truly is a wonderful tool set for pocket carry EDC. I've carried one for a few years now and wouldn't think of anything else. I had always been hesitant to carry a 4-layer knife because I thought it would be to heavy/ bulky in my pocket. At that point I had been carrying a Super Tinker and felt that the 3-layer build was my limit. But I was disappointed by the what I felt were the limitations of the back side Philips driver. I bought a used Explorer to test and I've never looked back. The inline Philips handles many more tasks than the back side of the Super Tinker and the magnifying glass comes in handy on several occasions. I think you're going to like the Explorer as well. 

That is exactly what is going through my head. I don't really mind the weight of the Explorer it is the thickness that bothers me sometimes. I really can't imagine not having the Philips and Magnifying lens. Nevertheless it was my first sak and I still love it more than anything

My advice is pick a EDC and run with it for a while.  Be determined to set a time for which to carry that particular set up.  Then try out your other option.  You will get have more data on which to best determine what works and what tweaks may be desired. 

Have fun. 

 
Definitely great advice. Will try both Explorer for now and once I get the PX I will try it for a month too. Figure out what's best and stick with it.

I know I'm late to the game here... but I have a similar situation. I work at a tech startup, where I often have to go into an executive conference. While wearing flat front pants (or even nice jeans), too much knife in the pocket would be considered somewhat unprofessional. This would be different, based on body type. I'm tall and pretty thin.

However, since I do have some responsibility in the lab and fabrication areas, it is also really handy to have a SAK. However, if I carry anything more than 5/8" (16mm) thick MAX... it's to noticeable. The 3-layer SAKs are borderline too large for "corporate" EDC, especially when wearing slim-cut pants. The Explorer, being a 4 layer, will most definitely be noticeable if I carried it. I'm not sure about the Swiss Card option, but this would push my wallet to a thickness that would also be a little too thick for me.

My current setup, I think meets most of your requirements... without trying to dig up a Yeoman or other rare model.

I think you are going to have to break this down into 2 tools, as I am currently carrying a Victorinox Tinker and a SOG Q1.

Here is how it would break down.

Large Blade - TINKER
Scissors (my most used tool) - Q1
Pen Blade - TINKER
Bottle Opener with large flathead - BOTH
Can Opener with 2d Philips - TINKER
Reamer/Awl - TINKER
Magnifying Lens - MISSING
Tweezers and Toothpick - TINKER
Straight Pin - TINKER
Backup Pen - Q1 (could be your main pen!)
A small light (for practical work) - MISSING

This way, I have the Q1, Tinker, and wallet in one pocket. And my regular keys and phone in the other. Everything stays slim and neat.

I carry a small AAA flashlight in my bag, but here are a few keychain rechargeable ones that look super usable. You could easily attach them to the keyring on the TINKER.

As far as the magnifying glass goes, I sometimes carry a Jewelry Loupe to look at small parts, but it's also something that stays in my bag.

I do find myself in somewhat a similar situation where something too conspicuous is very acceptable in public transport and the labs especially if people know that it is a knife.
But you suggestion is definitely something too look into. Maybe the fresnel lens in a wallet could replace my beloved mag lens
Have to find someone that's ships to here and check their prices. Some people charge so much on shipping that I could buy another SAK with the same amount 

[FanaticExplorer]

and.....

EDC in DEC

I have no problems whatsoever joining sir if you don't mind me basically posting that I only used my SAK scissors everyday and rarely a knife than a dedicated kitchen knife at home. I doubt anything more than that at least in the first 20 days of that challenge.

I feel like at that point my posts will be more if an irritation compared to the rest of the great things all the others will be doing

But hey I am definitely open to join

[Sos24]

Yeah I am looking at the Nitecore Tiki and the RovyVon A5x. Both are good, but I have heard that RovyVon with 650 lumens heats up very fast and just steps down so I don't really see the point in that but the nitecore is basically a cheaper Chinese copy so I
Buying Chinese currently in my country is heavily frowned upon because of the recent border events

Unfortunately, it seems, most small flashlights available nowadays are Chinese, but I can definitely understand.

There are several different Rovyvon models to check out, but most that are small and high lumens are going to step do quickly and heat up, but for a lot of tasks lower lumens will be sufficient.  If liking those two, another similar is the new Jetbeam Mini One, although that is also Chinese.