I’m reading back through some of your posts and especially enjoyed this one. I became aware of EDC through getting into Field Notes memo books. I’ve carried these pocket sized notebooks everywhere for the last 12 years or so and with a quality pen or pencil along as well. I also started carrying a pocket knife a few years ago and enjoy the utility. I also have chosen unique wallets for a number of years since I prefer them to be small and easy to carry in a front pocket.
I feel like there should be another category called MDC or mostly daily carry. Like you, I enjoy bags but mostly because I like to carry a camera with me. When I carry a small Wotancraft canvas camera bag, it makes it easier to carry other useful items. I know that it’s frowned upon for men to carry a “murse” but I like to think that I should get a pass since I do so for a camera. So basically, my EDC or mostly daily carry works best with a camera bag to carry a Fujifilm X camera, with a Lochby Pocket Journal to carry my Field Notes and a favorite pen along with an iClip wallet and a small Swiss Army Pocket Knife to accompany my iPhone and AirPods.
I enjoyed this, Taylor. I appreciate the approach to testing out the gear and upping your EDC game. I came to watches through knives, which led to some shifts in perspective on price sensitivity and affordability. For me, watches made my knife hobby seem cheap all of a sudden! Growing up in scouting and enjoying the outdoors, EDC has been a fun way to channel that spirit as part of my every day. The "Be Prepared" mantra of scouts has stuck with me for sure, but I try to acknowledge that a large part of the enjoyment around EDC is in "gear as adult toys". My EDC items are all imminently functional, but that's only part of the appeal. I roll with a pocket knife, handkerchief, flashlight, keys, and pen on my person whenever I'm out and about. I'll keep a few more items in a hip bag as well. For my office job, the knife stays in my change of clothes (I bike to work - lucky me!). I also have a few EDC pouches (Maxpedition for me, too - hard to beat from the price) - one on my bike, and one in the car. I've also been toying with an "Altoid tin EDC" (another rabbit hole for you) to keep in my hip bag. I try to keep things practical, but, for me, I've given in to the idea that fun is a function in its own right.
Thanks for the comment Nate. I was a scout too and totally agree with the "always be prepared" credo that the scouts drilled into me in my childhood. I think that may have played into my overall experience with this experiment. I'm still trying to find a good solution to having a bunch of extra gear in my pockets but have continued carrying a pocket knife, flashlight, and my airpods in addition to my core kit (phone, wallet keys). I think this is kind of the perfect balance for me. I would love to add a pen but need to find one that is small and unobtrusive.
I'll have to check out the "Altoid Tin EDC", seems like it could be a good solution for a travel kit or hiking kit!
Very interesting read - drew a lot of parallels between what I carry and your thoughts. Generally, I seem to be an essentials only person when it comes to on person EDC, but this article made me think in a few different ways. Extending the idea of EDC to my daily work bag, I realized I have quite a few *typical* EDC items that are with me at all times - just not on person. Turns out I might be more of an EDC person than I originally thought.
I've found, aside from the daily carry, which mostly lives in my pockets (currently), I have developed a kit for the car and for my work bag. The car kit has taken on the form of a sort of "bail out bag" which has some core tools, a flashlight, and a couple kerchiefs in the case I've got to do a spot repair if the car breaks down unexpectedly. I recognize this is unlikely but has allowed me to put some of the items from the experiment that I'm not using daily to good use.
The work bag kit mostly just has a few items that come in handy when I'm working away from the home office. Some of the handy items include some Chapstick, a lint roller, and a little Victorinox multitool. It's not a game-changing experience but I do regularly use these items and in a weird way, they keep me comfortable and looking good when away from the house!
I’m reading back through some of your posts and especially enjoyed this one. I became aware of EDC through getting into Field Notes memo books. I’ve carried these pocket sized notebooks everywhere for the last 12 years or so and with a quality pen or pencil along as well. I also started carrying a pocket knife a few years ago and enjoy the utility. I also have chosen unique wallets for a number of years since I prefer them to be small and easy to carry in a front pocket.
I feel like there should be another category called MDC or mostly daily carry. Like you, I enjoy bags but mostly because I like to carry a camera with me. When I carry a small Wotancraft canvas camera bag, it makes it easier to carry other useful items. I know that it’s frowned upon for men to carry a “murse” but I like to think that I should get a pass since I do so for a camera. So basically, my EDC or mostly daily carry works best with a camera bag to carry a Fujifilm X camera, with a Lochby Pocket Journal to carry my Field Notes and a favorite pen along with an iClip wallet and a small Swiss Army Pocket Knife to accompany my iPhone and AirPods.
I enjoyed this, Taylor. I appreciate the approach to testing out the gear and upping your EDC game. I came to watches through knives, which led to some shifts in perspective on price sensitivity and affordability. For me, watches made my knife hobby seem cheap all of a sudden! Growing up in scouting and enjoying the outdoors, EDC has been a fun way to channel that spirit as part of my every day. The "Be Prepared" mantra of scouts has stuck with me for sure, but I try to acknowledge that a large part of the enjoyment around EDC is in "gear as adult toys". My EDC items are all imminently functional, but that's only part of the appeal. I roll with a pocket knife, handkerchief, flashlight, keys, and pen on my person whenever I'm out and about. I'll keep a few more items in a hip bag as well. For my office job, the knife stays in my change of clothes (I bike to work - lucky me!). I also have a few EDC pouches (Maxpedition for me, too - hard to beat from the price) - one on my bike, and one in the car. I've also been toying with an "Altoid tin EDC" (another rabbit hole for you) to keep in my hip bag. I try to keep things practical, but, for me, I've given in to the idea that fun is a function in its own right.
Thanks for the comment Nate. I was a scout too and totally agree with the "always be prepared" credo that the scouts drilled into me in my childhood. I think that may have played into my overall experience with this experiment. I'm still trying to find a good solution to having a bunch of extra gear in my pockets but have continued carrying a pocket knife, flashlight, and my airpods in addition to my core kit (phone, wallet keys). I think this is kind of the perfect balance for me. I would love to add a pen but need to find one that is small and unobtrusive.
I'll have to check out the "Altoid Tin EDC", seems like it could be a good solution for a travel kit or hiking kit!
For sure! Re: pens - I started with the Refyne EP1. I think it's a great value for a pen that will last a while. And the size is just right IMO.
Very interesting read - drew a lot of parallels between what I carry and your thoughts. Generally, I seem to be an essentials only person when it comes to on person EDC, but this article made me think in a few different ways. Extending the idea of EDC to my daily work bag, I realized I have quite a few *typical* EDC items that are with me at all times - just not on person. Turns out I might be more of an EDC person than I originally thought.
I've found, aside from the daily carry, which mostly lives in my pockets (currently), I have developed a kit for the car and for my work bag. The car kit has taken on the form of a sort of "bail out bag" which has some core tools, a flashlight, and a couple kerchiefs in the case I've got to do a spot repair if the car breaks down unexpectedly. I recognize this is unlikely but has allowed me to put some of the items from the experiment that I'm not using daily to good use.
The work bag kit mostly just has a few items that come in handy when I'm working away from the home office. Some of the handy items include some Chapstick, a lint roller, and a little Victorinox multitool. It's not a game-changing experience but I do regularly use these items and in a weird way, they keep me comfortable and looking good when away from the house!