The What Do You Use to Mark Wood? post got me thinking again about carrying a pencil as part of my Every Day Carry (EDC).  Is anyone up for a little show and tell of what they carry on a daily basis?

My EDC is Samsung S9 in an Otterbox Defender case, wallet, keys, StreamLight MicroStream Flashlight (I like that it runs on just a regular AAA battery and it's much smaller and not "blindingly" bright like most tactical flashlights), Gerber Kiowa pocket knife, Gerber Dime Travel (I got this specific multi tool because it doesn't have a blade - supposedly approved for TSA travel, though I have not personally tried going through security with it), a pack of gum, Rite in the Rain Notebook (I used to carry Field Notes, but they just didn't hold up in my pocket).  Fisher Space Telescoping Space Pen (I used to have a Bullet Space Pen, but I let someone borrow it during a meeting and never got it back, plus it was a little annoying to use because it required 2 hands, the telescopic version can be deployed with just one hand), Stanley 6' FatMax Tape Measure (there have been a couple of occasions when the question of "how big is that" came up and it was useful having a small tape measure on me), Panasonic Earbuds (so I can watch/listen to something on my phone in public when I have to wait i.e. when at the mall and wife is shopping or waiting at the doctor's).

I guess you're more of a less is more person.  That's good too.  I empty out my pockets when I'm weighed at the doctor's office.  The nurse usually comments that she's amazed by how much junk guys carry in their pockets.

I was a cub scout and boy scout so their motto of "Be Prepared" as kinda stuck with me.  I could definitely do without the tape measure, but I think everything else is useful.

I used to wear a Leatherman Wave on my belt, but I haven't carried that in a while.

Wallet, phone, keys.

And a g23.

Funny I carry the exact same thing, just add a Leatherman Charge and a Fenix flashlight to my pockets lol.

Are those coins or is that something else?

Are those coins or is that something else?

Yup.  Three quarters, two dimes, one nickel.  Never leave home without 'em.   

Leatherman Skelatool, handkerchief (for when I cut myself with the Skelatool), two Pental mechanical pencils...7 and 5mm, pen, Milwaukee marker, Wiha 39"/100mm Long Life folding rule, earplugs, glass' micro cloth (only blind in one eye...can't see out the other), Moto Z cell phone (has great flash light, conversion, calculator apps), Leatherman style cs.

These threads always make me cringe when I see all the junk some guys carry around with themselves every day.

FWIW I hate carrying too many things with me in my pockets. I only carry a wallet, one key fob for my car, a knife and my iPhone. Keep it simple, keep it light

I am in your camp, except no knives: Wallet, key fob, cellphone, (and a pen if I expect to be using one, e.g., bank business, etc.). Less is more to me.

Same when I work in my shop: nothing in my pockets except may be a cell phone (for emergency). No aprons (except for photography reasons) and no tool belts (I cringe when seeing people adding an extra of 5 pounds or more to their bodies with a hammer dangling, a cordless drill, etc.!).

My apron plane sits on a shelf reachable at my bench.

I hadn't really noticed it before, but maybe it's been in the back of my mind since a couple of people mentioned they don't like having a lot of stuff in their pockets.  On Friday night I started to notice that my front left jean pocket was quite full and a little uncomfortable to walk in.  I guess I didn't notice as much over the summer because I wear Docker's shorts that have the pockets on the side of the legs as opposed to directly in front of the legs like in jeans.  I suppose my thigh could have also gotten fatter.

Maybe I should consider lightening the load or wearing different long pants.

Lighten the load! It's also a metaphor for life! Reduce stressors and carry less burdens! Makes for better living

I guess I do have a lot of "baggage" with me .

Ha, dont feel bad, most guys do I think. Since society says its not okay for us to carry purses or fanny packs we are forced to cram everything we need in a day in our pockets. And while it will vary for every person depending on their line of work and average day some guys still carry way more stuff than they actually use in a given day or sometimes given week. I usually start this conversation with guys when I see their key ring. Its an easy sale when I ask how many times they've actually opened the side gate lock and why they need to carry it with them all day every day on that massive bundle of keys. Start with one key and it gets easier and easier to eliminate hauling around that which we dont actually need. Then start applying the concept to emotional baggage or people in ones life! Thats when it gets complex.

Quote from: ben_r_ on October 22, 2018, 05:01 PM

I usually start this conversation with guys when I see their key ring. Its an easy sale when I ask how many times they've actually opened the side gate lock and why they need to carry it with them all day every day on that massive bundle of keys. Start with one key and it gets easier and easier to eliminate hauling around that which we dont actually need.

That kinda reminds me of Paul Akers and his 2 Second Lean.  I'm a fan of his .  He's all about fixing what bugs you and eliminating waste.  My wife gets sick of hearing me say fix what bugs her when I mention how I think the process can be improved.  I suppose I should follow Paul's advice and eliminate some of my own waste.

Huh, never heard of that one. Ill look into when I get a chance. Im not sure how I feel about considering it "wasteful" though as that seems like it would carry with it a negative connotation. IMO eliminating burdens or lightening to load, at least in the initial phases, is neither a good or bad thing, it's just a thing. Like doing all things in moderation, be it good or bad thing, to hopefully change ones life for the easier/better. Which I guess is a positive end result.

Oh sorry, I kinda assumed people would know who he is - he's the founder and president of Fastcap.

What’s Fastcap?

FASTCAP - Manufactures and distributes a wide variety of
Woodworking Tools and Supplies
https://www.fastcap.com/

EDC - Only carry what I use/need:
Small Trifold Wallet: U.S. Military ID, CO Driver’s License, 2 Credit Cards, 2 $$20’s
Key Ring: Car Key, House Key, Mailbox Key.
7 year old flip phone stays in car (cell phones don’t work at my house in the mountains).
Costs $2/day (U.S. wide) on days when I use it. GPS in car.

Woodworking and self defense must have a lot in common.  I used to carry a G19, but now I mainly carry an M&P Shield.  I just ordered 2 Milt Sparks VM2 holsters and I am quite disappointed.  I thought Milt Sparks was supposed to be one of the best holster makers around, but neither holster fully covers the triggerguard and some of the dye rubbed off on my hand.

You might want to take a good look at TT Gunleather.  The waiting time can be long since all sales are custom-made, but the quality is superb. 

Not trying to take any sides here.  But lets not go too far with the gun discussion. In the current environment people have very differing views and things can easily become heated or tense. And regardless of viewpoint the topic can become very off putting to both sides when they come to this forum.


Seth

Pretty rare that I carry, but when I do it's usually a Ruger LC9s or an LCP. Im not a big dude and printing becomes an issue with the style of clothes I wear. That and I cant stand a heavy dead weight on me that larger/heavier/all metal handguns tend to feel like to me.