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Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026

us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #30 on: January 01, 2026, 01:56:35 PM
Happy New Year!

Starting 2026 with cake and Tourist.

(Image removed from quote.)

Thats not a full breakfast! You need to get your nutrition in!

 :whistle:


us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #31 on: January 01, 2026, 02:35:03 PM
Since the challenge a couple of years ago where I used a Leatherman Micra, I have become a stickler for weight. When I learned that the Gerber LST from 1980 was the first “ultralight” knife and that it was updated in 2025, my curiosity got the best of me.  What really struck me was that the blade was narrow like a SAK, and not as broad as your spydercos and benchmades, so I decided to give it a try.

Time to put it through its paces!


no Offline aicolainen

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #32 on: January 01, 2026, 03:00:33 PM
Since the challenge a couple of years ago where I used a Leatherman Micra, I have become a stickler for weight. When I learned that the Gerber LST from 1980 was the first “ultralight” knife and that it was updated in 2025, my curiosity got the best of me.  What really struck me was that the blade was narrow like a SAK, and not as broad as your spydercos and benchmades, so I decided to give it a try.

Time to put it through its paces!

Oh, nice one! Didn't know it was updated.
I'm very weight conscious myself and also very fond of original designs that stick around for decades. There's usually a good reason. I would have gotten a LST long ago if it had the lock placed further forward, but despite all my good intentions knives that can't be easily operated with one hand tend to never leave the drawer.


gb Offline fullbreakfast

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #33 on: January 01, 2026, 03:22:58 PM
Thats not a full breakfast! You need to get your nutrition in!

 :whistle:

You’re right. Must find sausages.


us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #34 on: January 01, 2026, 07:40:29 PM
Oh, nice one! Didn't know it was updated.
I'm very weight conscious myself and also very fond of original designs that stick around for decades. There's usually a good reason. I would have gotten a LST long ago if it had the lock placed further forward, but despite all my good intentions knives that can't be easily operated with one hand tend to never leave the drawer.

The lock is a between center and back so it’s not too bad. I do notice that disengaging it is more ergonomic than a Buck.

I do notice that when open,  the Gerber LST is 2/3 handle and 1/3 blade. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet.

But I see your point about the mid-mounted lockback, and wouldn’t let it discourage you because it’s fairly close


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #35 on: January 01, 2026, 08:00:17 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR to AWL  :cheers:

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  

A black Inukshuk, to serve as a guide this new month of the new year.

And a BO PST that has patiently waited for the TOOL BOX challenge to complete.
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #36 on: January 01, 2026, 11:37:06 PM
Roxon Mini Flex Companion. Just awesome.
An awesome-looking meal, too! :drool:

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

Not big on blacked out watches either.
We're kinda polar opposites there. The more black a watch has, the more I like it.

A black Inukshuk, to serve as a guide this new month of the new year.
:like:

Day 1



I noticed a loose screw on a kitchen outlet cover. The ST300's medium flathead fit perfectly.

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This was a cakewalk.

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USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


us Offline WECSOG

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #37 on: January 02, 2026, 12:13:16 AM

When I was in electronics school in the Navy, Blackout was one of two albums I listened to awlmost daily. The other was Signals by Rush.


au Offline ReamerPunch

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au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #39 on: January 02, 2026, 01:31:13 AM
Day 1 Black-Out EDC Challenge

Yep, you know it! After a month without my EDC Swisschamp, it had to get the slot for Day 1 of this Challenge!
Phew, it's good to be carrying it again.


What a toolbox! :like:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #40 on: January 02, 2026, 01:32:05 AM
Happy New Year!

Starting 2026 with cake and Tourist.

An excellent start! :like:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #41 on: January 02, 2026, 01:32:52 AM
Day 1

(Image removed from quote.)

I think this will be a repeat carry throughout the challenge, I don't have a lot of black tools to chose from and these three allow me to go into stealthy-mode without giving off a total LARP-operator vibe while keeping it pocketable and functional.

Not being a big fan of blacked out knives, my Banter is in BNIB condition despite having owned it for years. Though it has seen some minor desk duty cutting tape and opening packages, I think this will be my first time I actually carry it.

Not big on blacked out watches either. This is my first analogue watch with a blacked out case, timely received in early December, though I did not have this challenge in mind at the time :)

Excellent carry. I don't have any WE knives... yet. :D


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #42 on: January 02, 2026, 01:35:37 AM
Since the challenge a couple of years ago where I used a Leatherman Micra, I have become a stickler for weight. When I learned that the Gerber LST from 1980 was the first “ultralight” knife and that it was updated in 2025, my curiosity got the best of me.  What really struck me was that the blade was narrow like a SAK, and not as broad as your spydercos and benchmades, so I decided to give it a try.

Time to put it through its paces!

wow, I did not know that! That's awesome! I like narrow blades. Let's see how it does! :popcorn:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #44 on: January 02, 2026, 01:42:09 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR to AWL  :cheers:

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

A black Inukshuk, to serve as a guide this new month of the new year.

And a BO PST that has patiently waited for the TOOL BOX challenge to complete.

Happy New Year and how interesting! :like:


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #45 on: January 02, 2026, 01:44:09 AM
Mini Challenges

Mini Challenges will run every 5th day: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th of the month.
To book a date, PM me. You can decide on the details later. One per person. :salute:


us Offline cody6268

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #46 on: January 02, 2026, 03:48:26 AM
Day 1:

Klein Tools 44000BLK.

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/pocket-knives/black-lightweight-lockback-knife-2-14-inch-drop-point-blade

3 1/8 closed, and just over an ounce. Best I can tell, most of Klein's Japanese knives are sourced from Moki in Seki City.

Originally, I had planned to go with the silver one a local electrical supply house keeps in stock. I got this one instead for $10-ish used at the time (but like new).  6-ish years later--they're now like $50 new from the supply house.  It's one of the ones I tend to keep on me around the house for light-duty stuff. Surprisingly, it's one of the few slim all-metal knives that are comfortable to use for extended periods.

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us Offline cody6268

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #47 on: January 02, 2026, 03:50:48 AM
Since the challenge a couple of years ago where I used a Leatherman Micra, I have become a stickler for weight. When I learned that the Gerber LST from 1980 was the first “ultralight” knife and that it was updated in 2025, my curiosity got the best of me.  What really struck me was that the blade was narrow like a SAK, and not as broad as your spydercos and benchmades, so I decided to give it a try.

Time to put it through its paces!

Nice!

I guess I need to get at least a black handled "new" LST or maybe even the LST Ultra for the challenge.

My only black LSTs are the 600 full-size Magnum (which is a bit big for regular use) and the tiny 200. My only current LST is the blue one, which Sam's had in the annual Gerber gift set they sell. And it's one of my most-used knives.


us Offline nate j

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #48 on: January 02, 2026, 04:34:38 AM
I was going to sit this one out, but now that I know we’ll have mini challenges, FOMO has gotten the better of me…

1. ReamerPunch
2. Fireman
3. LoopCutter
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5.cody6268
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7. Sos24
8. BPRoberts
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11. Elevenblade
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13. Antti Lammi
14. nate j


us Offline nate j

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #49 on: January 02, 2026, 04:38:27 AM
Day 1

After finishing up the Toolbox Challenge just two days ago, a black Vic Climber felt comfortable and familiar in pocket.


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #50 on: January 02, 2026, 04:49:33 AM
I was going to sit this one out, but now that I know we’ll have mini challenges, FOMO has gotten the better of me…


You can host a mini challenge if you want. They are up for grabs. :cheers:


us Offline Sos24

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #51 on: January 02, 2026, 05:08:43 AM
Day 1

@full-breakfast I found your sausage, but for a snack not breakfast

Ruike 31 opened some sliced chorizo to eat with some cheese



us Offline nate j

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #52 on: January 02, 2026, 06:00:35 AM
You can host a mini challenge if you want. They are up for grabs. :cheers:
Since I got to do one during last month’s Toolbox Challenge, I’m happy to give others a chance.
 :cheers:


us Offline BPRoberts

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #53 on: January 02, 2026, 06:29:13 AM
Day 1

Reading some Black Company!


au Offline ReamerPunch

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #54 on: January 02, 2026, 09:13:00 AM
Day 2

SOG PowerPint. Excellent size and tool density. Great pliers too, for this size tool.


gb Offline fullbreakfast

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #55 on: January 02, 2026, 12:27:27 PM
Day 2

An item I will likely be wearing through the month, my G-Shock metal square:



I have worn this almost every day since getting it about 14 months ago, and I wanted to capture here the current state of the bezel, which has picked up the kind of scratches you would expect. I have worn the watch for all activities and not babied it - part of the appeal of it to me as a mostly mechanical watch guy was not having to worry about it or take it off when the going would get tough. As I usually find, I have come to like it more as it has picked up signs of use.

Apart from the bezel, the watch remains almost pristine. The black coating on the case and bracelet seems quite robust and has picked up very few scratches. It has a mineral crystal, which is a cheapskate move from Casio, but because the crystal is recessed about 2mm below the level of the bezel it is not exposed and has no noticeable scratches on it. About the only circumstance I can envisage that might lead to significant scratches would be dropping the watch on something like a gravel surface. If that happened, the mineral crystal might actually be an advantage, because although it scratches more easily than sapphire it is more shatter resistant.
« Last Edit: January 02, 2026, 12:55:18 PM by fullbreakfast »


gb Offline fullbreakfast

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #56 on: January 02, 2026, 12:41:43 PM
Day 1

@full-breakfast I found your sausage, but for a snack not breakfast

Ruike 31 opened some sliced chorizo to eat with some cheese

Chorizo is a fine choice of sausage at any time.

Those little Ruike / Boker Plus knives look handy and I kinda regret not getting one when they were available. They seem to be out of production now.


us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #57 on: January 02, 2026, 02:04:59 PM
Day 2

Opening mail, nothing exciting just coupons from the mechanic.


us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #58 on: January 02, 2026, 02:59:56 PM
Nice!

I guess I need to get at least a black handled "new" LST or maybe even the LST Ultra for the challenge.

My only black LSTs are the 600 full-size Magnum (which is a bit big for regular use) and the tiny 200. My only current LST is the blue one, which Sam's had in the annual Gerber gift set they sell. And it's one of my most-used knives.

There are some important differences between the LST from the gift set from 2025 vs the LST Ultra.   There are good features of each, and that makes it hard to choose.

The Ultra has a big ricasso, like a Case Sodbuster. It takes away a sizable portion of the cutting edge, and I don’t know why they did that. The LST you have doesn’t have a big ricasso.

The blade is a pinch pull without a nail nick or thumb hole. I don’t mind it and can pinch it open with one hand in a pinch. (See what I did there? :rofl:)

The steel on the Ultra is better.

The grind on the Ultra is flat and the grind on the regular LST in 2025  is hollow, which evidently makes it much sharper.

It was hard for me to decide which version to get, and for something relatively inexpensive I just bit the bullet and chose the Ultra because it looked more traditional… sort of like a Sodbuster.

So far I am really pleased with it. I am starting to get that muscle memory back from when I was younger and would use a pocketknife to poke prod and pry everything in sight that just needs a little nudge with a fingernail.


fi Online Antti Lammi

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Re: Black-Out EDC Challenge - January 2026
Reply #59 on: January 02, 2026, 04:06:06 PM
Day 2 of 30

Today MXBS helped opening letters

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