EDC

aftermooon asked: Hello! I've been reading your blog for quite some time now and I recently lost this small cheap key chain light that I would always use. Now after reading your blog, I want to buy something better that would last me way longer. What would be your light suggestions in terms of the light being relatively small and able to fit in my pocket without making a big lump in it? Thanks in advance!

For small lights go 1xAAA. There are some 1xAA lights that are relatively slim too (usually twisty activation though, like the smaller 1xAAAs). Your budget options are Fenix E01 (basic survivalist light, rugged, not too bright and not the best beam, lasts a long time).

ITP EOS A3/Maratac AAA are the next step up at around $20 for updated LEDs, 3 brightness settings, etc. Up your budget some more and you’re looking at something like Fenix LD01, 4sevens Preon I, 4sevens Preon ReVO, IlluminaTi, VersaTI, Liteflux LF2XT etc etc.

For 1xAA lights check out the Quark Mini AA. I personally wouldn’t recomment the Nitecore EZAA (old version), I haven’t tried the updated EZAA for myself to have an opinion.

Some additional reading:

everyday-carry
everyday-carry
CPF: What is your keychain light???
Beamshot AAA lights, July 2010 by HKJ

eyefivestyle asked: I know nothing about knives. Can I find something of relative quality in the $40 range?

Of course! Kershaw, Böker, and some Spyderco and Benchmade models can fit that range. You might want to up your budget to around $50 or $60 for better options. I always think it’s best to invest a little more in something you’ll use/carry everyday (or need to save your life/the party etc one day). This hobby, however, kills what little college student budget I have >_>.

Additional reading:

Bladeforums:

• Best Cheap Knives
• Best EDC for under $50
• Best value knives

superfuture EDC: To step up your knife game… by 35percent

Anonymous asked: What's the black neoprene looking thing covering his keys?
http://everyday-carry.com/post/1132826426/via-peterock1-editors-note-personally-i-prefer

It is most likely just a keychain silencer.

In the future, PLEASE do not submit ID requests to the ask box. Instead, comment via Disqus on that particular post.

I won’t answer any more questions like this on my ask box, as it clutters up other people’s feeds for your specific question.

and this concludes me trying to catch up with all your questions…

if u unfollowed cuz of walls of text… u must deal

pocket dump pics and submissions to come this weekend B)

Anonymous asked: As an flash-o-holic can you advice me on this: I really like 4sevens Quark MiNi 123 only drawback is twisty instead of clicky... Any suggestions?

I get this question a lot actually. You might want to look into a regular Quark 123 R5. If you like the Mini because of its UI, you can get a Preon 1 with clicky cap with the same UI but lowered output, runtime and throw.

If you just want a small, bright CR123 light with a clicky, check out the Zebralight SC30.

haysdownunder asked: Since you're the flashaholic, help me pick between EDC flashlights, please!! I'm looking at Fenix PD20, Quark 123 R5, and thanks to you and all the stuff you post that I drool over, the Nitecore EX10. Great tumblr; thanks!

Hi there! Finally, a question I can answer.

I own all three of these lights and I would rank the Quark first, PD20 second, and EX10 last. I had the Quark in my pocket today. It’s just a very versatile light that I find perfect for EDC usage. The PD20 is good but the low is not low enough for me, and it doesn’t work well with li-ion cells. I am really impressed with its throw for such a small light, though. The EX10… I was not too fond of the UI (I had the old ramping style) but it might be because I got a defective one with terrible parasitic drain that I have a bad impression of it. In any case, the EX10 I think is not for everyone, it might be popular mostly amongst the flashaholic crowd who like the piston system.

Good luck!

Anonymous asked: I am checking out your site every day. It is very relevent to my interests!!! I noticed you having a problem with the S-biner. Just looking at them doesn't convince me that everything will stay put for me. I am looking for a biner that can hold my keys and me if I need it to. And to be thin enough to thread through the 7mm oxygen wrench hole of my Atwood's Wroach. I have come close in finding one, but the wire closure is thick and gets in the way. Here is a pic

http://shop.torresen.com/shipsstore/utility/images/Wichard/items/2333.jpg.

I want one that is fairly wide, overall no longer than 3", no thicker than 7mm, and can be used for climbing. Any suggestions??

Thanks

Sorry, I can’t think of a keychain that’s wide but not long but not thick but must be strong enough to support hundreds of pounds and an Atwood.

I think you’re going to have to compromise here and forego one of your criteria. Even if such a thing existed, I wouldn’t know of it (I am just a #maleblogger here! ;~;)

Anonymous asked: Thoughts on the Buck X-Tract Fin? I love the design, but I am not sure, it's way inexpensive, too.
Thanks!

lol at people asking me about my opinion on things I’ve never mentioned on this blog/seen before in my life…

I took a look at it just now and had my doubts — I haven’t had much any experience with Buck, especially their multitools. Not sure what you see in the design here, I would personally go for a Leatherman or Victorinox multipurpose knife.

Anonymous asked: Whats a good stiletto switchblade look alike that is spring assisted?

wat

onemanonearm asked: Sup B,
The blog is looking quite snazzy. I was just wondering what your opinion was on the Spyderco Delica 4?

I am a Spyderco fan but I don’t own one, so I can’t say much. It’s pretty popular as an EDC blade though. I’m sure you can find more helpful reviews on YouTube, Bladeforums or the Spyderco forums as well.

Good luck.

thesaddestcat asked: I'm just now getting into the world of flashlights and I'm curious as to what's your opinion on 4sevens and their build quality? I'm just looking for a good entry level EDC light and the Quark Preon 2 has grabbed my eye because it seems to be getting quite a bit of praise.

4sevens is one of my favorite companies mainly because they listen to the flashaholics at CPF and always try to push new, innovative technology in their lights. I think 4sevens designs are great but I wish their lights had a bit tighter threads and tougher anodizing. I feel like Fenix and even Eagletac have slightly better build quality, but 4sevens has great customer service and they’re still growing, so I’m sure future products will have better finishes.

As for the Preon 2, I own one and I stopped carrying it because the clicky was too easy to accidentally turn on. I think the day I stopped carrying it was when I felt my thigh burning from it somehow turning on into high mode. The output and beam pattern are nice for a 2xAAA light tho, wasn’t very fond of the greenish tint on mine.

Anonymous asked: have you checked out this possible source for EDCers?

http://www.countycomm.com/index1.htm

Yes, countycomm is a popular source for keychain gear and watch straps and stuff…

but they don’t ship internationally and even in the US their shipping prices are rape (at least $9 every time I’ve tried)

edit: Frank told me they’ve lowered shipping to $4.50 recently. #babbysteps

Anonymous asked: My capacity for imagination is so small I can't really imagine what type of person you are. On one hand you had all these masculine knives and guns, on the other hand you use all these cute feminine Japanese style emoji (e.g. ^_^ ).

Btw, f--k S-Biners. It lost my keys, too.

Well, this is not entirely true. I don’t own a gun. I’m not sure how my knives are masculine, especially when they’re under 3” long.

But what do you mean ^_~ is cute and feminine?????

and fuqq an s-biner. i feel ur pain (also wildstyle)

Anonymous asked: I really like your tumblr keep it up. Can you give me any info on this cat's knife?

If you’d like to get more information about a particular item in a pocket dump, especially in user-submitted photos, please leave a comment via Disqus on that photo’s permalink page. That way the original poster can check for some feedback once in a while and help you with your ID request.

As far as the picture you mentioned, I’m not sure — looks kind of like a Kershaw of some sort.

Anonymous asked: Hi, hello!

First, I have to give you kudos for doing such a great job curating an excellent EDC site. I really appreciate you taking the time to label items in photos and allowing submissions and asks to form a sense of community.

I just recently stumbled upon EDC, but now I'm hooked. I've noticed a lack of ladies in the EDC community (which is strange considering how important it is for females to be prepared in a world full of not-so-good people), but I'm proud to say that I'm a girl, and I'm genuinely interested in putting together my first setup.
I do have a few questions, however:

• How do you (and to anyone else reading this, feel free to chime in via Disqus) feel about a girl hanging her keys from her pocket or belt? I know it's common among you guys, but I don't want it to be too masculine or tough looking. I actually prefer not carrying a purse, so it seems like the only alternative.

• Finally, do you think it's important for a girl to carry a knife? (I don't do much other than go to class, walk around campus, then come home.) Should I just get something like a multitool - a Leatherman or SAK instead?

Any advice to help me get started is much appreciated!

- Brittany

P.S. Sorry for the lengthy question.

Hi Brittany,

Thanks for the kind words! Sorry about the late response, but here goes…

I think I see some girls carry their keys on a colorful carabiner or something once in a while, but the most popular option other than purse carry seems to be lanyard carry. My sister does this too. So usually it’s some kind of neck lanyard (usually the thicker ones) with their keys and keychain decorations and whatnot.

I think if you don’t feel comfortable carrying a dedicated folder, a keychain multitool like you suggested should work fine. My older sister always asks me if I’ve upgraded my keychain SAK yet so she could take my old one. :p For EDC usage, maybe a Squirt PS4 or a SAK Midnite Manager would be good.

Anyway, I hope that helps. Good luck and carry on~

mnmal asked: I thought this would interest you. I have a new blog called Pack light, go fast, in which I post pictures, tips, videos and links related to packing light, from alpine climbing to traveling light.

http://packlite.tumblr.com