Today's EDC - two new items

Some items have been on my want list for way too long, and for whatever reason, I never pulled the trigger on them - the Victorinox Alox Cadet Swiss Army Knife is certainly one of those.  Highly regarded, great price, good looking piece of kit - it appears to have a little bit of everything - plus, I am a SAK fan, and carried a Victorinox Compact for a long time, it is very much my favorite SAK for EDC, with hardly a useless tool (that silly multi purpose hook though...if it didn't have the file on it, it would be completely useless.) and my required two layers - I find any more than two layers is just too bulky for the pocket.  I received my Cadet a couple of weeks ago, and have carried it quite a few times - I very much like what everyone else likes - great classic SAK spear point blade, solid tool complement, lightweight, and thin, thin, thin. 

I always thought of the Vic Compact as a very thin, lightweight SAK - but against the Cadet it looks ginormous.  Feels bulkier in the pocket, too.  

The thing is, the tool complement of the Compact is pretty excellent - there is not a tool on there I haven't used many, many times - including the corkscrew (there are sometimes emergency wine opening requirements in my life) and the pen!  The little eyeglass/jewelers screwdriver that threads into the corkscrew? Genius! 

That said, it's let down a bit by its scissors - while sharp and fairly tight - the cheesy wire spring setup is horrendous - Wenger seems to make way better scissor springs - and these things can't even begin to touch the likes of the Leatherman Juice scissors - the reigning champ of small multitool scissors.  These Vic scissors have popped off of the spring more times than I can count in the years I have carried one of these.

But, how cool is the "hidden" feature of a stainless pin that slides securely underneath the corkscrew into the scales?  It's very damn cool.  That silly pin has come in handy!

The Cadet, on the other hand - very spartan - that thinness comes at a price - but the reality is, for daily use, what else do you really need in an office environment?  I think it is a pretty solid compromise of size versus functionality - especially for typical daily office use.  Plus it wins big marks in the looks department - very non threatening, but with the unique look of the Alox scales - plus they feel great in the hand.

I have a difficult relationship with AAA lights.  I love their overall size, weight, and portability, plus, modern versions of this light form factor tend to put out a surprising amount of light for its overall size.  That said - I lose them.  I lose them constantly.  I have lost two of my most favorite lights ever - the Fenix LD01 in "limited edition" stainless steel, and my Foursevens Preon 1, with a Preon 2 clickie.  I hoped they would show up eventually, so I waited....I searched, and I hoped....and I searched, and I waited....and I hoped against hope...and pulled out the credit card yet again.

(Confession: as I built the links into this article, I noticed the Preon 1 was on sale (30% off) in titanium no less (!) on the Foursevens site, and couldn't resist - so I ordered another one...its that optional clickie, the three modes, and the amazing pocket clip -  and now in titanium??? I just plain love that light!)

Somewhere in EDC Forums land, I saw a shot of a copper Maratac AAA light - and hey, wow, that is a cool looking light!  Turned out while they were supposed to be a limited edition run, there was a new model "Rev 2" available on the County Comm site - so I pulled the trigger eagerly - I just couldn't live without a AAA light, especially with my current minimalist carry approach - nothing meets those kind of requirements like a AAA light.  This light has two modes - a 1.8 lumen low, and a 125 lumen high - not quite the three mode UI of my previous AAA lights, but pretty much what I always need from a light like this - a pretty low low, or a douse the area with light high.  Interestingly, the "regular" Maratac AAA has three modes, 1.5 lumen, 18 lumen, and 80 lumen.

Today is the first day I have carried this light, and I plan to carry it a lot more as I find the AAA form factor to be a great combination for this kind of minimalist carry - although the EDC world appears to be smitten, at the moment, by the Veleno Designs Quantum DD, a very interesting minimalist light (Excellent review here by Tony of Every Day Commentary.)  But c'mon - I can't even keep track of a AAA light, let alone something this small...but its brushed stainless....and so small....and so cool....must...keep...wallet...in...pocket...

 I will give it a proper review after I carry it for a few weeks.  Couple of initial observations: nice beam, spill-y, good low, crappy pocket clip, nicely machined threads, not the most flawless knurling, super lightweight, very cool looking light - plus the copper should patina really nicely. 

I handed the Maratac light to my wife tonight who wanted to check it out ("Is that a new flashlight?" Yes, I sheepishly answered) - and she was surprised: "Wow, this thing weighs practically nothing!" - so I pulled out the turntable cartridge stylus downforce gauge, err... scale...and popped it on.

1.2 oz! Wow.  That is darn light for a...light.  Note, that is WITH battery (Energizer AAA lithium)  So, I decided to put the knife on the scale too, and found:

1.6 oz!  Again, wow! - Less than 3 ounces for a SAK and flashlight combination that is very very useful and great to carry.  For the heck of it, I thought I would compare to the beloved Vic Compact.

Pretty significant jump, relatively, albeit with quite a bit more utility.  But to be honest, at the risk of repeating myself, the Cadet is a very capable tool, and its super pocketability, combined with the weight makes it a new minimalist favorite in my book.  I hope to end my losing streak with AAA lights, and to that end I have gone in a strange direction -  I have decided to take a shotgun approach to this issue of losing AAA lights - I ordered an Olight i3 last week when they were having a killer Black Friday sale ($15.37!!) then the Maratac, then tonight another Preon.  I'll NEVER lose three!!!

This great Victorinox Alox knife, combined with a 1.2 ounce, great looking/unique copper finish 100 lumen light - that is a lot of utility in ones pocket - it is a good time to be in this hobby.  Go minimalism!

Quickly becoming new wallet time

My current bifold wallet (a no-name leather jobbie) is starting to get a little worse for wear.  I just can't get leather wallets to last more than a couple of years, been through Coach models, and others and they all seem  to last about the same.  I tend to carry this wallet in my front pocket more and more, so I am thinking I will move to something more suitable for the front pocket.  I have come down to two choices at this point:

1. The Colonel Littleton Front Pocket Wallet

2. The Saddleback Leather ID Wallet

Both of these seem to have the most consistent positive reviews, and their features seem to synch with mine. I am not much of a cash carrier - I tend to use cards for most of my purchases, so that is the primary goal. Plus, I have a nice money clip I can press back into service.

Incidentally, while I was doing some wallet research last night, I found this guy who has an amazing YouTube channel doing lots of great wallet reviews - which I recommend highly.  The dude is a wallet reviewing MASTER:

Steve Montelli YouTube Channel

Gerber Shards arrived

At first glance they seem really nice. I like that they seem thinner than my Atwood multitools which I used to carry on a keychain. I am going to put one of these Shards on my keychain and see how it works out.

I picked up a few of them, as they were on sale at Amazon for around 5 bucks. Nice little stocking stuffer or random gift for a friend/relative - especially at that price.

Amazon link

Actually - looks like the price has gone up over the past few days. Now $6.99.

*Review* - The Tec Accessories P-7 suspension clip - or the tiny giant of the EDC world.

How can something so small be so hugely useful?

I gotta be honest - when I first started reading about the use of suspension clips on EDC Forums, I didn't get it.  What was the point of suspending something in your pocket?  But as I saw more and more references to them, and as I saw the comments and reviews grow and grow in number on the Forum store, JS Burly's, it piqued my interest, so I bought one!

The Tec Accessories P-7 suspension clip is made of spring tempered stainless steel, the metal isn't shiny, but instead features a bead blasted finish that is more of a matte - which, despite its size, is pleasing to the eye and probably makes it even more discreet.  This is a very small clip, at .28" wide (7mm), and 1.53" long (39mm) and weighing in at a flyweight of .11oz (3 grams) it is the definition of small, light, thin, and unobtrusive - the clip is very difficult to see when clipped to the edge of ones pocket.  In short, it delivers fully on the office-friendly paradigm that I am chasing.  

The clip features a standard, small split ring, to which I attached - as I tend to do with anything I can find that is metallic and round - a McGizmo clip (I absolutely love these clips, but that is a discussion for another day.)  The McGizmo adds to the flexibility as I can attach and detach items very easily and quickly.  I have never found the clip to be obtrusive, I haven't caught an edge on anything, no one has pointed it out, and as you will see below, it transforms bulky visible items into a much more discreet package.

The clip costs around $12, which frankly feels a little high for what is basically a drilled, rounded, and bent thin piece of stainless steel (I am sure I am over simplifying - I am no metalsmith) - but as you will see, I still think the value is there, albeit with a couple of small caveats.

The manufacturer claims the clip conquers "key fob bulge" - and it makes this claim on the basis that if you think about the piles of gear we EDCers cram into our pockets, and the resulting feel and weight of a metallic lump at the bottom of the pocket and then you add the suspension clip, you take the heavy, visible, and bulky lump, and now suspend it in a vertical orientation, anchored by the clip securely attached to the edge of the pocket.  

The Leatherman Juice S2, my latest favorite office multitool (a great combination of weight and capability) is a good example of a tool that benefits from the suspension clip.  The tool doesn't feature a pocket clip, it has a small lanyard point, and it is just heavy and thick enough that it feels heavy in the pocket, and "prints" easily - i.e. you can visibly see the outline of it in the pocket of typical dress trousers or dockers.  Put the tool on the P-7 and the manufacturer's claims magically come true - what was weighing down your pocket a few seconds ago now is suspended gracefully and pulls off that ever elusive disappearing act.  I couldn't believe the difference - and to be honest, I am not sure how I missed the point of this until I actually used it, but there you go.  As an added bonus, your loaded pockets are now willing recipients of MORE GEAR!! 

I like that this clip allows me to spread the load of the gear I am carrying.  For example, if I am carrying a medium sized folder like my Spydie Sage or Caly3 along with a CR123a flashlight in the left inside pocket of a sportcoat, forget about adding a multitool - it would be way too heavy.  But if I suspend the multitool and clip it to the right hand trouser pocket, it is much more balanced, weightwise, and significantly cuts down on single pocket bulk.  Plus, a suspended Juice S2 coexists really well with a front pocket wallet.

I tend to find that this clip works best with items that do not already have a pocket clip, for me, mainly medium sized multitools, and key rings loaded with the myriad of gadgets we tend to attach to them.  I mainly purchase flashlights that feature a pocket clip, so I don't normally use the clip for my lights, but I tried it on a couple of lights that allow for a split ring - and the result was largely the same - the seemingly magical, graceful suspension leading to the disappearing act!

I have become a believer.

I did mention some caveats, so first off, at $12, Tec took a lot of heat on the forums, but to be honest, this thing works so well, and has so much positive impact on the overall comfort of carrying stuff, I find $12 to be more than reasonable.  However, the second issue is a result of one of the clips greatest strengths, its lightness, thinness and unobstrusiveness - it can tend to bend and open up at the clip point where it attaches to the pocket.  This is easily solved by a quick squeeze of the pliers - but it is something to keep an eye on.  I have owned my P-7 for many months now, and have used it alot, and I have had to re-shape the clip three or four times, as I like it to clip very firmly to my pocket edge.

There have been some newer entrants to the suspension clip market, most notably the Munroe Dangler has been getting a lot of play on the forums, mainly because of the fact it is made of titanium (and we EDCers flock to titanium like moths to a flame) and that it is available in three different sizes, including a larger one that features a bottle opener in its design.  Apparently these Danglers are like hens teeth however, Munroe appears to be a relatively small, artisan group, and I think demand currently outstrips supply if comments on the EDC Forums are any indication.  Plus they are even more expensive, ranging from $20 - $59 depending on size. 

My wife has been stealing my P-7 on a regular basis, she likes to use it as a clip for her key ring in her purse, clearly leaving open the justification to acquire a new suspension clip - so I just might order one of these Danglers - if I can find one!!

Been on a minor shipping spree

Just received half of a recent order from UPS (home with a sick kid.)

What is this?

I will give you a hint:

My first Case knife since I was a young boy. This purchase came along as I was recently searching for the right birthday gift for a neighbor friend recently (of course I immediately went searching and researching for a suitable flashlight or knife) and I ultimately decided on an orange bone Case Peanut. When it came in, I couldn't help but put my hands on it, and while it was a little smaller than I expected, I was immediately taken by the quality of the materials, the feel of the opening and closing of the blades, and just enchanted with the "old fashioned-ness of it. I immediately justified a purchase for myself as a crowd friendly pocketable option for times when a locking blade might be inappropriate - plus, heck, I had caught the Case fever and just had to have one!!

I was able to check a few different models of Case knives this past weekend at a nearby Bass Pro Shops, where along with the absolute lack of help/service at the knife counter, and the fact that they didn't have the model I wanted, led me to check the look, feel and pocket-ability only and order what I wanted online. This is rare for me - as I do like supporting local business (as much as Bass Pro is "local") in fact I am a strict adherer to the support your local hobby store and bicycle shop 100%. Not to go off on a tangent, but those are two specialist shops that are disappearing more and more.

Review to follow soon.

Today's Carry

Today was a sport coat day (blue patterned Brooks Brothers if you are asking! And if you happen to click that link -c'mon this is no fashion show - I didn't pay even remotely close to that for it - I bought mine at the Brooks Brothers outlet.) - appropriate dress for the meetings I had today, and quite frankly - I like that I get extra pockets out of the deal.  The sportcoat is a great "tool" for office dwelling EDCers...the double whammy of looking a bit dressed up, with the bonus of all those extra pockets.

Today I brought the Bill's Urban Wallet (BUW?) back into service after a long break from using it.  I actually used it this past weekend and enjoyed the utility that it brought me (how quickly I forget) so I decided to carry it the office today as well.  The load-out was simple, a very-very-mini-first aid kit (I hesitate to even call it a FAK as it only has bandaids, gauze, and Advil) split between the two zipper compartments, the trusty Leatherman Juice in one of the front sleeves with an orange paracord lanyard attached with a McGizmo clip (eases pulling the tool out from the pocket of the wallet as it sits fairly deep), and the Lumapower Incendio V3U+ as my light of choice.

Note: the Leatherman Juice is slid partially out of the pocket to prove it is there! 

This combination didn't achieve that magical "disappears into the pocket" trick.  It weighs in at 8.3 oz, and felt slightly bulky in my pocket.  I always knew it was there, if you know what I mean.  In fact, it sometimes felt like it was weighing down the left side of my coat a little, to the point where I could feel its left shoulder leaning/slipping down to the left. Again, this is only slightly - but enough to notice.  I can't help but think that, especially for what I normally need in a typical office day, that a combination like the Leatherman Squirt S4, along with a nice AAA light like my new copper Maratac that I haven't opened yet, and my Spyderco Dragonfly 2 might be able to conjure up the disappearing act a little better - it should, at only 5.8 oz.

Did I need any of these tools today?  Well, sorta.  I came back to my office after a long morning meeting and was greeted to a shipping box on my desk.  The clip point blade on the Juice made short work of that - not exactly a "hard use" day - by a long shot!!

Long weekend edc

In addition to reviews of gear, as this blog grows, I would also like to focus on various carrying approaches and combinations of tools that I find particularly useful.  Combinations for me tend to be oriented towards whatever activities I may be up to in a given day, or just a preference for the overall weight/bulkiness, the clothes I am wearing or just plainly what I feel like carrying - sometimes I will pick up a piece of gear that I hadn't carried in awhile.  To that end, this was my daily EDC during this past 3-day weekend...

iPhone 5, Bill's Urban Wallet, Zebra F301 pen, Spyderco Caly3, Leatherman Juice S2 (with a Tec Accessories P7 suspension clip and McGizmo clip), Lumapower Incendio V3+ XML LE.  I mainly like to carry a dedicated knife of some sort, a multitool and a flashlight pretty much at all times.

Multitool

If I am not doing any specific work around the house, I will usually have the Juice with me as my multitool.  It is typically up to the task for light work, the screwdrivers, pliers, bottle opener, and scissors typically being used the most often.  Sometimes if I push it with the pliers on too hard of a job, I can feel them flex - but for light tasks, this tool is an excellent compromise of size, weight and capability.

Knife

This weekend I picked the Caly 3.  I haven't carried it in quite some time, as the Sage 1, and Dragonfly 2 have been my most frequently used knives lately.  To be honest, I find this knife a little heavy at 3oz - strangely it "seems" heavier than the Sage 1 (3.2oz), maybe because it is more solid-feeling in the hand, but it is sure pretty - and I do like the steel of this knife, ZDP-189.  Holds an edge really well and while the non-ZDP part of this composite blade shows scratches really easily, it is a very strong and not-too-difficult-to-sharpen blade steel.

Light

My favorite carry light these days has been my trusty old Novatac 120p, which I love.  I am pretty committed to the CR123a lithium battery format (I have ~80 Titanium Innovations primaries from Battery Junction), and I have recently moved into the rechargeable RCR123 versions of this type of battery as well, to great effect with this particular light.  This light, while plenty bright (LP claims ~500 lumens on high with the RCR123's), and a gorgeous tint (I went with the warm tint, which is pretty darn close to incan quality!) has the most frustrating UI.  There are 4 "settings" which you cycle through by "soft clicking" the clickie while the light is turned off.  It has a setting to remember the last setting you had used, which I utilize.  I find it frustrating to not be able to change the brightness level of the light while it is on.  I may be just very used to the Novatac UI, so that could very well be coloring my opinion of the Lumapower light - but I have yet to get used to it after many weeks of use.  However, even with those frustrations, the weight of this light (1.27oz without battery) and its size - combined with the brightness make it an amazing little light.

Wallet

In addition to my "regular" back pocket leather wallet, the Bill's Urban Wallet serves an add on purpose with its two zipper compartments, and two "sleeve" pocket compartments.  This time, I had a very small First Aid Kit in one of the zipper compartments, as I was hiking with the kids and you never know when you need to tend to a minor scrape or cut.  Also, I carried along the bit kit and extender for the Juice, which adds to its overall utility for a relatively small weight investment:

The bit kit is a nice little piece of gear - and very elegantly designed.  The extender slides over the philips head tool in the Juice, and then you can utilize the different bits that come in the kit from Leatherman.  Serving both the ability to extend the length of the bit - handy in a lot of cases - and add capability with the different options the bits allow.

Warning - I have never blogged before, and I am giving it a shot now - happy to take any feedback, good or bad - as this is my first post!