Do you EDC?

I built my bug-in kit. I built my get-home bag. I even built an IFAK kit. One problem that all three of these kits were not solving was: what happens when I need something immediately, on my person, with no time to run to the car, desk, or home?

The answer is EDC, or Every Day Cary.

I began my experiment with EDC starting with utility and security, aka a pocket knife, of course! Like my dad said to me over and over again growing up “every man should cary a pocket knife”. After watching hours upon hours of review videos by my YouTuber of choice, Nutnfancy, I chose the SOG Aegis. I really do like this knife and I may do a video review on it at some point in the future…although Nutnfancy pretty much covers it all.

Just like anything new, it takes time to really create a habit. As I recall from one of my corporate management classes, it takes 21 days to be more exact. This was certainly the case when it came to remembering to pocket my knife in the morning, pulling it out and actually using it when I needed it, and of course putting it back in the same location every night so I wouldn’t misplace it. This rhythm can be applied to any new habit you are trying to develop, actually. Remember it, use it, return it.

Time to step it up a bit, right? Anyone can carry a pocket knife everyday, so how about a flashlight? Yep a little less common but not impractical. Going back to Nutnfancy’s recommendations again, the Streamlight Stylus Pro is a ridiculously awesome light for its $18 price tag and my mini-light of choice. Taking two AAA batteries and having a rockin’ CREE C4 LED, it pumps out some serious lumens. The tail button works great for on/off or momentary and the clip is very sturdy!

Now that I had a couple things clipped in my pockets every day I found myself using them more and more while at the same time getting a bit frustrated at getting my hands in & out of my pockets easily for other things like phone and keys. I started to imagine “what if I had a little pouch for these loose items with enough room for some emergency supplies?” The answer was the Maxpedition Mini Pocket Organizer .

The pouch itself is pretty sweet. At 6″ tall, 4″ wide and a mere inch thick it can quickly grow with its contents. It sports six elastic straps, two large pockets, a keychain clip, velcro patch area and mesh outer pocket. The stitching is very well done and zippers are super smooth and easy to pull with the included draw strings.

So how to I like it? Well, its been a week and I am still in the “getting used to it” phase. Like a 50lb backpack full of military gear or textbooks, extra weight and bulk does take a little time to adjust to. I am still swapping it through different pockets to manage which is least noticeable and most comfortable.

A quick list of the goodies inside:

• Fenix LD01 swapped for a Streamlight
• Sharpie
• Pen
• Southord Pick Set via BumpMyLock.com
• Lighter
• Whistle
• Earplugs
• 2 Pair Nitrile Gloves
• QuikClot Combat Gauze
• Credit Card Magnifier
• Small Pill Assortment
  • Aspirin
  • Excedrine
  • Ibuprofen
  • Antacid
  • Immodium

A quick anecdote: The second day of carry I got my first chance to use this little improvised kit. We were dining at a restaurant and all of a sudden the power went out. Without any hesitation I pulled the kit out, fired up the flashlight and we were able to get our bill taken care of and get out the door. It was a minor use, but a sweet little trial run.

So do you guys have an EDC kit? If so, what are you carrying and how do you carry it?