Why am I carrying........ The Sequel.
- Thread starter Wayland
- Start date
Very true.
I think it spoilt the story telling as well.
Made it too easy to get out of trouble just by pulling out a screwdriver.
I think it spoilt the story telling as well.
Made it too easy to get out of trouble just by pulling out a screwdriver.
You mean my spelling, or my apparent dislike of a very expensive blade I can not find a use for?
Still like the idea of a tin to put things I will use in my pocket so still carry a 2 oz tin. But then my dads generation carried one for tobacco and matches. Just keeps essential together and not loose. Don't like man bags so I always and only buy coat with at least four pockets to carry the bit most of you have discussed.
Thinking about the subject I have not bought any gadgets for years now, got sick of being ripped off the crap
Thinking about the subject I have not bought any gadgets for years now, got sick of being ripped off the crap
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I was on a Uni bus trip (to the Yorkshire coast, we were studying erosion, but came home with three tons of extra baggage (flint nodules, half the students were archaeology ones
) and in the torrential rain on the motorway on the way home, the main windscreen wiper stuck and refused to move. Facetiously one of the lecturers asked, "Anyone have a screwdriver?", and to nonplused looks I handed over a Swiss Army card, a pink one , with the handy spanner cut outs. When he handed it back to me, after the wipers were fixed, he asked why I was carrying that. "Fixing buses apparently", was my reply.So, on balance of personal experience, it has actually been a useful thing. Banned now for edc though :/
M
😄
Yeah , that and MacGyver or whatever his name was ...
He could take down a whole terrorist cell or dismantle an organised crime firm with just a paperclip , some gaffer tape and a few elastic bands ...😏
I agree with Wayland.
I carry a multitool on my belt , and I use it most days , mainly the (sharpened) blade and the pliers ... Without it , I feel naked 😲
Sad but true .... 😄
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While serving in the army in the 80- 90's an SAS Soldier on a course told us never to waste money buying kit and gadgets from survival aids. use you knowledge and issued kit however bad instead it did the job.
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Mind you I remember a lecture by a few regiment blokes years ago when I was in the TA, and they were advocating all the Survival Aids gubbins of the time, inc. the wire saws hidden in jackets, those plastic survival cards etc. etc. They may well have been TA SAS , and I appreciate that may explain a lot to some, but as an impressionable teenager I thought it was pretty cool. I didn't go as far as sewing anything into my jacket mind, but faffed around with trinkets in tins for some time afterwards. Still you live and learn I guess....
I am going to paraphrase William Morris and say have nothing in your EDC you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. I carry a leatherman squirt attached to my keyring as I find a use for most of the tools at some time or another.
My stand by philosophy is that "life is too short for ugly kit" so I guess that would sit well with Mr Morris.
I don't have a survival tin, though I have in the past and I do prefer to be prepared.
Things I carry whenever I leave the house.
Keys.
Wallet with some cash.
Phone.
Emergency £20 note - separate.
5x £1 coins - separate.
SAK.
Torch.
Whistle.
2-3 handkerchiefs.
packet of tissues.
2 Lighters (bic and zippo) and matches, I don't smoke. I like playing with the zippo, the others are to loan.
hanks of paracord and bankline.
2 pens (black & blue). Black is for me - blue bic to loan.
pencil.
notebook.
hand sanitiser.
Small cuts FAK with tape and safety pins and elasticated ankle bandage.
Some loperamide and paracetamol.
apple.
banana.
A bag of sweets.
A couple of choccy bars.
chewing gum.
mints.
comb.
small tub of vaseline
small bottle of water
and my kindle.
I've previously also carried as a matter of course
a spork.
a hip flask. more when going out socially
a multi tool.
wet wipes.
small binos.
pocket knife.
compact camera.
But then I don't get out much because of reasons and suffer with anxiety so I'd much prefer to be 100% prepared for anything without me going into a shop or having to ask someone.
I find that low blood sugar really affects my mood so I always have lots of snacks.
Although most of my edc pocket carry doesn't get often used by me at least, I find it so much easier to be able to provide someone with matches or a lighter when they ask, or a tissue, or a pen, or gum, or spare change etc. than to decline.
All I know is I'd much rather have pockets full of stuff for it's psychological help as much for it's physical help. It's weight or bulkiness is minimal compared to my ample frame.
It might not be how some of you guys rock with minimal stuff but having a survival tin in ones pocket in case of emergency might be really helpful for some people. Not only for it's perceived practical uses but because it gives a little extra reassurance and helps calm any possible jitters about being out and about.
Besides trying to fit useful stuff into a little tin is fun all on its own.
Things I carry whenever I leave the house.
Keys.
Wallet with some cash.
Phone.
Emergency £20 note - separate.
5x £1 coins - separate.
SAK.
Torch.
Whistle.
2-3 handkerchiefs.
packet of tissues.
2 Lighters (bic and zippo) and matches, I don't smoke. I like playing with the zippo, the others are to loan.
hanks of paracord and bankline.
2 pens (black & blue). Black is for me - blue bic to loan.
pencil.
notebook.
hand sanitiser.
Small cuts FAK with tape and safety pins and elasticated ankle bandage.
Some loperamide and paracetamol.
apple.
banana.
A bag of sweets.
A couple of choccy bars.
chewing gum.
mints.
comb.
small tub of vaseline
small bottle of water
and my kindle.
I've previously also carried as a matter of course
a spork.
a hip flask. more when going out socially
a multi tool.
wet wipes.
small binos.
pocket knife.
compact camera.
But then I don't get out much because of reasons and suffer with anxiety so I'd much prefer to be 100% prepared for anything without me going into a shop or having to ask someone.
I find that low blood sugar really affects my mood so I always have lots of snacks.
Although most of my edc pocket carry doesn't get often used by me at least, I find it so much easier to be able to provide someone with matches or a lighter when they ask, or a tissue, or a pen, or gum, or spare change etc. than to decline.
All I know is I'd much rather have pockets full of stuff for it's psychological help as much for it's physical help. It's weight or bulkiness is minimal compared to my ample frame.
It might not be how some of you guys rock with minimal stuff but having a survival tin in ones pocket in case of emergency might be really helpful for some people. Not only for it's perceived practical uses but because it gives a little extra reassurance and helps calm any possible jitters about being out and about.
Besides trying to fit useful stuff into a little tin is fun all on its own.
Pointless to try to hide them. If POW you will be properly searched, stuff found and you risk a goid beating for hiding stuff.
" Not only for it's perceived practical uses but because it gives a little extra reassurance and helps calm any possible jitters about being out and about. "
Good for you. If anyone chooses to carry any item or items that makes life more comfortable for them, whether practically or psychologically, then it their choice and theirs alone, it doesn't harm anyone else.
I don't carry an every day survival kit but on the few occasions when I've flown in aircraft as a civvy, I have felt deeply upset at having to put my Leatherman and pocket knife in 'hold' luggage. What good they would do me at 30,000 feet I know not, but I hated not having them on me...just in case.
Good for you. If anyone chooses to carry any item or items that makes life more comfortable for them, whether practically or psychologically, then it their choice and theirs alone, it doesn't harm anyone else.
I don't carry an every day survival kit but on the few occasions when I've flown in aircraft as a civvy, I have felt deeply upset at having to put my Leatherman and pocket knife in 'hold' luggage. What good they would do me at 30,000 feet I know not, but I hated not having them on me...just in case.
Once on this forum I had a curt back and forth with a guy who wanted to include a bow string in his survival kit. I couldn't imagine what he was up to where this might be required!
Once or twice a year I end up in some foreign wilderness or other chasing down something dangerous, sometimes where I am not top of the food chain. There are cases where someone gets turned around in this kind of environment and turns up days, weeks or months later. So I feel fully justified in preparing and taking necessary steps to mitigate a situation with a low chance of occurrence but a significant chance of harm to me.
Shelter : survival bag, foil blanket, my Dartmoor knife. I have a new belt that follows the idea of a paracord belt.
Water: Pathfinder bottle nested in a cup and pot with hangers for over fire use.
Fire: lighter, various bits of ferro rod distributed through my kit.
Food:Well I usually have a rifle in these situations but the Dartmoor packs some snare wire and I can knock up a figure 4 with the knife or a Paiute deadfall with my paracord, belt or knife lanyard. I could make cordage but it takes so long!
Back in the UK I can't imagine a situation where I would need so much. My day sack or even bimble bag contains a foil blanket and survival bag in case of being benighted. I always have a pen knife which I must use nearly everyday. I have a lighter. There's not much in the UK that you would have to sit out a night or two at most. If you can walk then you could self rescue in this period.
In my car usually lives my bimble bag and sometimes a "get home bag" depending on what's going on.
This kit I carry is never gimmicky, never complex, actually it's probably more noted for its simplicity and quality of construction. I hope I never need it but because it is and I have the confidence to use it, I feel I can go anywhere in the relative safety of knowing I can get back.
This year I and a buddy got lost overnight in a Czech forestry block in minus -13c. We just kept driving until we got out, miles from where we thought we were but I knew even if we got stuck we would be ok until daybreak when we would be missed.
I'm a control freak I guess but I just like to be pretty situated in any situation. I think being unprepared is unprofessional and I wouldn't want to be a "victim of circumstance"
Oh and a watch. I always have a watch with enough value to get me home!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once or twice a year I end up in some foreign wilderness or other chasing down something dangerous, sometimes where I am not top of the food chain. There are cases where someone gets turned around in this kind of environment and turns up days, weeks or months later. So I feel fully justified in preparing and taking necessary steps to mitigate a situation with a low chance of occurrence but a significant chance of harm to me.
Shelter : survival bag, foil blanket, my Dartmoor knife. I have a new belt that follows the idea of a paracord belt.
Water: Pathfinder bottle nested in a cup and pot with hangers for over fire use.
Fire: lighter, various bits of ferro rod distributed through my kit.
Food:Well I usually have a rifle in these situations but the Dartmoor packs some snare wire and I can knock up a figure 4 with the knife or a Paiute deadfall with my paracord, belt or knife lanyard. I could make cordage but it takes so long!
Back in the UK I can't imagine a situation where I would need so much. My day sack or even bimble bag contains a foil blanket and survival bag in case of being benighted. I always have a pen knife which I must use nearly everyday. I have a lighter. There's not much in the UK that you would have to sit out a night or two at most. If you can walk then you could self rescue in this period.
In my car usually lives my bimble bag and sometimes a "get home bag" depending on what's going on.
This kit I carry is never gimmicky, never complex, actually it's probably more noted for its simplicity and quality of construction. I hope I never need it but because it is and I have the confidence to use it, I feel I can go anywhere in the relative safety of knowing I can get back.
This year I and a buddy got lost overnight in a Czech forestry block in minus -13c. We just kept driving until we got out, miles from where we thought we were but I knew even if we got stuck we would be ok until daybreak when we would be missed.
I'm a control freak I guess but I just like to be pretty situated in any situation. I think being unprepared is unprofessional and I wouldn't want to be a "victim of circumstance"
Oh and a watch. I always have a watch with enough value to get me home!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I think I should point out that all the gear I have in that list - including the torch and whistle - are work related and not just Fantasy Survival Kit...
At work I not only get involved in the waking and cooking for the Participants at the Care Farm but also do bits around the farm, run the Drama Club, do Crafts (inc Bushcraft) with them and organise the Swimming ... and often work late.
The torch is mainly for looking at the key safe combinations (no outside lighting), the whistle for use at the pool, the anti bac for... well, accidents happen..
The multiple knives I cannot justify except in that I like knives (the Leatherman is a bladeless one) and the SAK/ leatherman combo allows for tightening screwbolts easily (the wheelbarrows are notorious for falling apart!) and the SAK and penknife are a matching antler handle pair...
Oh just recalled ... I have a back up torch as well in my other jacket pocket... this one has a hanger and is used to replace the interior light in my van - which has died...
If we go on to vehicle kits then all I am saying is that mine is "extensive" to cover overnight stops, clearing fallen branches from roads and so on ...
The Sunday Times Colour Supplement once described my van as "A mobile Survial Shelter" - about the only thing they got right in the published interview!
At work I not only get involved in the waking and cooking for the Participants at the Care Farm but also do bits around the farm, run the Drama Club, do Crafts (inc Bushcraft) with them and organise the Swimming ... and often work late.
The torch is mainly for looking at the key safe combinations (no outside lighting), the whistle for use at the pool, the anti bac for... well, accidents happen..
The multiple knives I cannot justify except in that I like knives (the Leatherman is a bladeless one) and the SAK/ leatherman combo allows for tightening screwbolts easily (the wheelbarrows are notorious for falling apart!) and the SAK and penknife are a matching antler handle pair...
Oh just recalled ... I have a back up torch as well in my other jacket pocket... this one has a hanger and is used to replace the interior light in my van - which has died...
If we go on to vehicle kits then all I am saying is that mine is "extensive" to cover overnight stops, clearing fallen branches from roads and so on ...
The Sunday Times Colour Supplement once described my van as "A mobile Survial Shelter" - about the only thing they got right in the published interview!
Going back to Wayland's original question ("How many of us have actually found a real use for any of the other stuff that is marketed to us as "EDC"?"); my answer is: well, not me!
For me, the E in EDC refers to my normal life and so EDC kit means regular, everyday stuff. That includes my wallet, containing the sorts of things you'd expect to be in a wallet, my front door keys, my phone, my travel card, a small umbrella, a very small notebook and pen - mostly to note down things to pick up from the shop on the way home!
Using this simple yet comprehensive "urban survival kit", I've been able to get to and from work for many years, stay dry in the rain, get home if the trains go up the spout AND come home with the correct groceries to facilitate my family's continued survival.
For me, the E in EDC refers to my normal life and so EDC kit means regular, everyday stuff. That includes my wallet, containing the sorts of things you'd expect to be in a wallet, my front door keys, my phone, my travel card, a small umbrella, a very small notebook and pen - mostly to note down things to pick up from the shop on the way home!
Using this simple yet comprehensive "urban survival kit", I've been able to get to and from work for many years, stay dry in the rain, get home if the trains go up the spout AND come home with the correct groceries to facilitate my family's continued survival.
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