What's Your EDC?

[GaTrapper]

Excluding a weapon--what are you carrying around with you on a daily basis.

I'm trying to start carrying more because I am tired of constantly running back and forth to the shop throughout the day.

Currently I am carrying a leatherman. I just added a 4 inch adjustable wrench and 5 inch Knipex pliers. 

[SawyerTed]

I try to carry very little on me.  Usually besides keys and wallet, it's a pocket knife and chapstick.  Sometimes I carry a multi tool and a tape measure.  

[Southside]

I keep a Leatherman and a folding replaceable razor knife on me.  For a few pennies a blade I don't destroy the Leatherman blades cutting things that need to be cut, but should not be cut with a good knife, bale netting, stainless steel poly wire, etc.  

[Magicman]

I have carried a Leatherman in a leather belt holster for over 30 years....never without it.  My all time favorite is the "Original" so when they phased them out, I bought several.  The "Bond" is the closest replacement but you must sheepfoot the blade to prevent a nasty accidental cut.

[newoodguy78]

Leatherman Supertool 300 on my hip and a 3 bladed jackknife in my pocket at all times. I've tried carrying small vice grips or adjustable just never found them comfortable to have in my pocket all the time, that and it expedited wearing holes in my pants.
My only reservation with the leatherman is the sheaths. The snap on the nylon one doesn't stay snapped too well and the leather ones have a nice button that stays together good but the leather is thin and wears through. 

[newoodguy78]

I have carried a Leatherman in a leather belt holster for over 30 years....never without it.  My all time favorite is the "Original" so when they phased them out, I bought several.  The "Bond" is the closest replacement but you must sheepfoot the blade to prevent a nasty accidental cut.

Magic I carried the original one for a long time as well. Great tool wish they had put a slight radius on the plier handles like some of the newer versions. When you started cutting heavier wire those handles were pretty sharp when squeezing hard. 

[GaTrapper]

I have two of the original supertools as well. I agree with what you said. Cutting any heavier diameter wire hurts! 

What is the Leatherman's current top model?

[scsmith42]

SOG multitool
Sharpie
Cell phone
small flashlight
Spare Cat key
Biz cards
large pocket knife
Spare magazine for EDC and EDC

[WV Sawmiller]

   I carry a Leatherman Surge model and have a second one on the dresser. I long ago wore out the leather cases and now keep them in a fancy nylon red and pink case that was probably for a cell phone or such but fits them. (Hey - if it fits I'll use it. I am not going to be slave to fashion,) No telling how many deer and catfish I have skinned with it.

[lxskllr]

At work...

Wallet
Keys
Leatherman Bond
Leatherman Micro
Swiss Champ
Morakniv Companion
USAF survival knife
Paracord prusik loop with a rated mini biner
Cellphone + case
Small rag for wiping sweat and quick cleanup
Snus

Off duty...

Wallet
Keys
Some kind of fixed blade knife(I have a few)
Leatherman Micro
Swiss Champ
Cellphone no case
Snus

Working off duty is closer to my work kit. The USAF knife is usually deleted

[Magicman]

I also carry a Leatherman Micro in my front pocket, but alas, they also discontinued it.  Yup, I bought several so I should not run out.  ;D

[lxskllr]

Depending on what you're doing, the paracord prusik + biner can be very useful, and takes up little room. I use a 6' piece of paracord, and use fisherman knots to make a ~3' loop. I double that over, run it through my right two belt loops, and clip it with the biner. It isn't something I often use, but it's a real time saver when I do. It can be a third hand to hold something while you're working, and the biner can be tied to be a hook for fishing fallen items out of inaccessible areas. It holds open flappy screen doors, holds tree branches out of the way, holds tools when working at height, makes a handle for pulling a tarp, makes a handle for pulling wire and rope... Lots of uses to make life easier.

I'm highlighting that part of a what I carry cause it's probably not obvious, and it could be useful to the right person.

[beenthere]

Pocket knife and foam ear plugs.
Knife the Victorinox Swiss Electrician Silver model (2½" blade)


 

[barbender]

 I carry a Leatherman Wave, a 4" Crescent wrench, and a Streamlight aaa flashlight. I've broken and lost many a Wave over the years. Leatherman's current warranty policy kind of irritates me. They still stand behind their tools, that part is great. But they require you to send the tool in for repair. I would much rather purchase say a new knife blade, and have it shipped to me and then install it myself. Leatherman acts like repairing the tool is some sort of black magic, that only they can accomplish. 

 I see there is even a market for scrap Leatherman parts now, owing to the fact I assume that like me, other tool owners don't want to be without their tool for an extended period because they need a screwdriver fixed or the tip of a knife us broken off. 

 Now I think I have 2 broken Waves sitting on a shelf, that I can't remember to send in🤦 This shortcoming in my personality is also why I needed to purchase band blade sharpening equipment, I would never to remember to send in my blades that need sharpened🤷

[Resonator]

I googled EDC, and it came up as "Electric Daisy Carnival". Somehow I don't think an electronic dance music festival in Vegas is what you guys are talking about. ;D

I carry a Leatherman "Wingman" that was given to me as a present for being best man at a wedding many years ago. It has been with me to many jobsites, and traveling all over the US and Canada.

[Andries]

EDC = Export Development Canada, a federal department that develops exports. Nope.
EDC via Wiki = everyday carry. 
Yep.

[beenthere]

I'm trying to start carrying more because I am tired of constantly running back and forth to the shop throughout the day.

Suggest you make a list for two-week period running back and forth, and then check off what you want to carry in your pockets. 

I run back and forth on projects between shed, garage, and basement shop. A recent project to change out the oil seal below the gear box on my brush hog (rotary cutter), I just kept loading the parts and wrenches needed in my gator. The next non-rainy day I hope to get the new seal pressed back in place and then button up this project. I'll take a photo of how full the gator box is when finished, but sure couldn't carry it in my pockets everyday. 


    P.S.  As a side note, this was job my first ever experience using a toothed 7¼" sawblade on my portable corded saw to cut through 6" of 1/2" steel plate. 
Was very nervous about touching that saw blade to the steel, but very satisfying results. That HF metal-cutting saw blade cut through it like butter.

[SawyerTed]

beenthere gives great advice above.

In my case, rather than carry more stuff, several years ago, I started more toolboxes with basic stuff related to where the toolbox resides - tractors, truck, sawmill, boat, utility room/basement.  What's in the box depends on where it stays.  Some are stocked with less expensive tools.  In case they disappear, I've not lost a lot.  

Bigger repairs get brought back to the shop. 

It cut way down on the trips back to the shop for basics and I don't have to carry as much on my person. 

[RetiredTech]

I carried a Gerber tool with me everyday when I was working for a living. I liked it better than then the Leatherman tools. Since I retired I usually just carry my old pocket knife. Thanks to this thread I may have to rethink that. I haven't even thought about the old Gerber since I retired.

[JD Guy]

Funny you should mention the Gerber tool. That was the first multi tool that I started with(not sure the Leatherman was even out yet). Lost the Gerber many years ago while cleaning out a livestock stall and just gave up on ever finding it and even if I did I figured the manure mixed with hay would have turned it into a solid piece of metal. Replaced it with a Leatherman Wave and it is always on my belt..Well, guess what, the Gerber turned up a couple years later and after washing it up really well and oiling it up it is still in great shape 8). It stays in the farm truck glove box now, think it deserves retirement!! Years earlier I always had a pair of pliers in a belt holder and a Case pocket knife.

Edit: Forgot about money clip, large red handkerchief and Copenhagen  :D

[Wlmedley]

Years ago an older man told me that his back  hurt so bad he couldn't even stand to carry any change in his pockets.Anything I put in my pockets ends up either lost or in the washing machine. I hardly ever carry any change  :laugh:

[Otis1]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned a lighter. I do smoke, but am actively trying to quit. Still, a lighter is good for lots of things, like burning the end of a nylon rope or starting a fire. 

Right pocket is phone and folding knife, left pocket is lighter and keys. I do carry a leatherman, small first aid kit, headlamp, extra lighter or matches, 55 gal. garbage bag, and a few other things in my backpack when I'm out in the woods.

[Old Greenhorn]

My EDC has changed over the years depending on the job I was working and how close to the action I was. I thought when I got to the level of just carrying a small pocket knife I had arrived. :D 
When I was working in EMS I had a 'bat belt' of stuff and I hated it for the clumsiness and weight, but needed it because it had the urgent and immediate needs at hand. Later I switched to a small thigh pack which worked better and I could drop next to a patient as I worked on them. I still keep that pack in my truck and if I stop at a car accident I come across it's the thing I grab when I get out. For the working world I carried a Schrade Mulit-tool in a very nice heavy leather case that never wore out but got real shiny for many years. It was a gift from the Schrade company for the work I did designing fixtures to make the jaws for those tools and doing all the programming to make them. I think we made about 2,000 jaws a day for them when they were in production. But that tool now sits in my 'festival bag' because it's handy to have in situations where you don't have a toolbox handy for unanticipated 'stuff'. Has my name laser engraved on both the tool and the case.
 I don't like a lot of weight and dangly thingies. I have just a phone in the case and a folding belt knife (cheap, 4" blade). I keep a lumber crayon on a recoil string hanging off my right pants pocket (thanks Jake). That's it. I like using real tools instead of trying to make a multi-tool work on any equipment. They are all 'a compromise'. A knife you always need, but I have lost a bunch of those belt clip knives in the woods, so I buy cheap ones (with no serrations) when I see them at various markets. I lost 3 in 4 months but haven't lost one in almost two years now.
 I am kind of with RetiredTech in that I might re-think what I carry and why. Maybe I'll just go back to an Old Timer pocket knife. These stainless knives they make and sell everywhere today are pith poor at holding a really good edge. I like a carbon steel blade you can put a really sharp edge on and it holds up. I like my old Boy Scout knives for that and I may revisit those.

[upnut]

I carry a Dunn's Bird Knife, carmex, wallet, and folded up bandana every day. The bandana is alternately a glasses cleaner, sun screen, bug shield, washcloth, emergency bandaid and nosewipe rolled into one. 

Scott B.

[lxskllr]

I miss carrying my zippo since I quit smoking. I don't need fire often enough to keep a fueled zippo with me. It would dry out before I needed it. I keep fire in the truck/house/office, but I don't need it often enough to carry it.