Change of pace in life, have to upgrade EDC habits.

[Knifestyle]

Very recently, my life has taken some major turns and my lifestyle has had to change considerably. For the last few years I've been a blue collar college student working his way through school, every day I wore jeans and layered jackets that whatever gear I needed. Never without my Chrome satchel which I basically lived out of occasionally. Form before fashion, the only time I unloaded my pockets was when it was time to change the jeans I wore. Now? I'm working in an office every day, commuting by car constantly, taking graduate courses at night, and a few times a week attend fraternal organization meetings which require a formal suit and respectable appearance.

However, I'm still the guy who has to handle anything with a chaotic life to prepare for. So here I am settling into a new apartment and a new daily routine, trying to sort out what kind of gear I should still keep carrying, what I need to replace, and how to adapt it all to my new 'Mad Men' wardrobe and appearance requirements. I'll be breaking this down into categories to try and narrow down what I need.

How to carry-During the day I'm in dress slacks, a button down shirt and a tie. At night I pull on a sport jacket which has a minimum of two inside pockets and two outside pockets, a few of my blazers have more. I'm known for always carrying a pocket square for decoration, so the chest pocket is off limits. Some events I wear a vest for a full three-piece, I may relegate this for events where I'm on-duty in order to justify the extra pockets for administrative odds and ends.

Filling my bag-as much as I love my Chrome bag, I'm in a new world and I'm now using a standard black laptop-style bag with my organization's symbol embroidered on it. Quite a lot of pockets and dividers, but have yet to narrow down what I need to have in the corporate world compared to my usual college antics. What are some basic essentials for the office and meetings that adults with jobs rely on rather than punks like myself?

Sharp things-I used to sleep with a neck knife, and always had a fixed blade or two on my person with a folder in my waistband. Those were the days. Now I'm meeting more politically correct standards, nowadays sticking with an old Victorinox Cadet solely because it's inoffensive. I usually carry a pink Spyderco Delica, but it's simply too large for most situations nowadays. I do have a Boker Subcom which I occasionally used as a hidden tie clip, but when I'm just in charity meetings and not at work I wouldn't mind having a fixed blade somewhere in my suit in case we need to set up or take down some decorations. I've used 'sheathsticks' made by the Hideaway Knife company to pin sheaths into clothing before, are there any generic alternatives I could put together for less than twenty dollars a pair?

Lights-I have traveled the world with a Surefire E2L which is also an impact weapon I've trained with, but the military style abrasive grip is a factor in dress pants when I'm wearing rings. I still have my old Fenix EO1 on my keychain, but I need something strong enough for when the lights really go out.

Multitools-My Leatherman Wave just can't come along for the ride anymore. I still keep a Squirt on my keychain, but I'm feeling my Vic Cadet isn't quite up to a hard job if it comes up. I need something functional enough for casual jobs, light and small enough not to wear out my clothes or bulge pockets, and reliable without gimmicks.

Paracord-I can't get away with a bracelet anymore, need to find a way to store it all in my bag, in my suit jackets, pants pockets, etc.

Whistle-I love Fox 40 whsitles, and have carried several of them...And all of them eventually broke off my keychain, I literally have a small pile of them with the key fob cracked off. Any sturdier but inexpensive options?

Personal upkeep-Despite wearing a suit every day I still wear my hair long in a ponytail, need to keep clean and presentable, and often have to adjust myself before meetings or interviews in a rush.

Traveling with clothes-I have a Toyota Matrix hatchback already filled with a decent car kit. I need a way to keep an outfit such as a tuxedo in decent shape hanging in the back seat or laid out over the open trunk section.

Pens-I carried a Zebra 701 for a year, and absolutely loved it. When I lost it, I have yet to find one in any stores, and can't justify shopping online for a 7 dollar pen. I've tried carrying the Zebra 402s, but keep snapping them because they're still plastic bodied under the steel barrel.

Wallet-Mine is about ten years old, falling apart, generic brand tri-fold. Any thoughts on what I could upgrade to that will hold more gear without going the nylon military-looking route? I carry in my front pocket so size is a factor.

Business cards-Right now, I'm carrying them in my old wallet. Any simple options for carrying them that doesn't clutter my pockets considerably?

Unusual trinkets-My fraternity often requires me to bring along some challenge coin style artifacts, some small medals I put on for ceremonies, bits of jewelry I don't wear during the day, etc. For example, I have to keep around a pair of white cotton gloves which are for very special occasions. Any tricks for keeping these things protected and organized in a ready-to-go format?

Watch-My old military-looking Dakota with the rechargeable LED lights has finally died past warranty. I'm looking for an inexpensive, conservative watch with a stainless steel band. Something neutral that goes with everything.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Life changes and you have to adapt that is for sure...

A couple suggestions...

Light. Fenix E15. Still keychain size, but tiny and 140 lumens(now 155 with the new LED I think). I think that is is a better keychain light than the foursevens Mini (even though the mini is brighter).

Put a fixed blade in your briefcase. As long as it is in a secured pocket...then at least you'll have one. Or get something like a Krein pocket bowie which I find really does disappear into a pocket...thin sheath and into the back pocket. Should be pretty discrete.

You could always go with one of the tactical laptop bags...I think Maxpedition makes one. Probably has more pockets and places to put things...

Just get a simple business card case. Keeps things slim and easy to carry.

Use a ziplock bag for the gloves and jewelry. Keep them in your bag as well.

[araneae]

It sounds like you need to change that pink d4 for a lower profile folder. I would suggest a squeak which is also available in pink, or perhaps a chaparral. They are both slim, light and the wire clip is very low profile.

Wallet, I have been carrying a maxpedition micro for almost five years. It is slim and doesn't have lots of pockets or anything, but I hate bulky wallets. If you are looking for minimal, I would recommend this one. It has held up very well, but it is nylon- the black is not too military looking.

Light, look at the 4sevens preon, and the preon pen light. They are smooth and slim. I have been very happy with my mini xml, but it does have the knurled barrel.

The 301 compact is a nice inexpensive pen that takes up minimal space. The 701 is a nice sturdy pen.

[Donut]

4sevens makes a nice titanium whistle, not too expensive in my opinion. http://www.foursevens.com/products/WhistA

I think a RA Clicky would make a good light that won't tear up your pockets, but it runs slightly more expensive and is limited availability. Maybe a Zebralight SC52 or SC52w would be a good all around option. If you really like Surefire, E1b or EB1 are smooth on the outside.

[RanCoWeAla]

Here's what I carry. A Spyderco Caly 3.5 on right front, German Eye lockback Sod Buster right back, a checkbook size wallet with straight razor inside left back, Case pearl handled Swayback Gent in left front picket and a Spyderco Dragonfly on my keychain.

[Knivesinedc]

Here's what I carry and how, Front left: Maglite LED Mini, SAK Pioneer model, Cold steel super edge/w lanyard,Swisstech 4-in-1 tool, keys. Front right: Dragonfly2 PE, Native 4 Black Blade SE, Zippo Blue Starburst. Back left: wallet/w Victorinox Swisscard Quattro.

[twinboysdad]

same basic work environment, but business casual. Go Surefire backup loose in r front, Caly 3.5 clipped r back, Keys and I phone in l front and my keys have an H1 Ladybug Hawkbill and a Photon LED. Wallet goes back left. Clipped to shirt is Zebra 402. You now have 2 lights, Two blades (one small and sheeple friendly and SE, the second is discreetly carried and PE and could easily be pressed into SD), a smart looking pen, a communication device, and funding.

I seriously recommend you check out our fellow member Mark Greenman's webpage goodkit.com where he has the very best EDC ideas known to man. ****, if you PM him he would probably come post some ideas here. His site is really awesome and pretty Spyderco loyal. I got my keychain set up from him and the redundancy in EDC idea as well.

I don't do a Maxpedition or organizer, but if I did I would have a Leatherman Squirt as well as an Esee Izula with no handle scales for a small fixed blade

[LC Kid]

Hi Mr. Knifestyle!


The whole point for EDC Stuff is to adapt it to your lifestyle, in a way it works properly and doesn't interfere with it. Anything else is just worthless.

- Flashlight: Fenix E15 is a very good one, but I'm not particularly attracted by CR123 lights. Another one could be the 4Sevens, Preon or Mini.

- Multitools: Leatherman Squirt is Ok, and Leatherman Juice is really good to. Victorinox Cadet? Really? :D - Sharp things: The Perrin Pocket Bowie is really hard to beat. And the CRKT Minimalist is an amazing little fixed blade. But if you prefer folders you must go Little Big Knives: Spyderco Techno, my personal favourite, simply the Best EDC Folder Knife Ever, but the Spyderco Dragonfly G10 is so really close to that title. :spyder: - Pens: I absolutely love the Hinderer Investigator Pen. You just won't find anything better in that size. Worth every penny.

- Whistle: Unique Titanium has a bunch of them, really nice ones and with decent prices, very affordable and easy to find and buy; with these you don't have to catch some impossible 'Flash Sale' or pay like $ 500 bucks to get one.

- Business Card: my personal Wallet and Business Cards Case are, since the last 4 years, Saddleback Leather. Combined I didn't pay more than $ 30. Unbelievable prime quality, that only gets even better and better with use. And they will be for sure, the last ones I'll ever need to buy. :) - Watch: I'll always go with my Omega Speedmaster Professional. Well, that is just me... :cool:

[LC Kid]

Hi Mr. Knifestyle!


The whole point for EDC Stuff is to adapt it to your lifestyle, in a way it works properly and doesn't interfere with it. Anything else is just worthless.

- Flashlight: Fenix E15 is a very good one, but I'm not particularly attracted by CR123 lights. Another one could be the 4Sevens, Preon or Mini.

- Multitools: Leatherman Squirt is Ok, and Leatherman Juice is really good too. Victorinox Cadet? Really? :D - Sharp things: The Perrin Pocket Bowie is really hard to beat. And the CRKT Minimalist is an amazing little fixed blade. But if you prefer folders you must go Little Big Knives: Spyderco Techno, my personal favourite, simply the Best EDC Folder Knife Ever, but the Spyderco Dragonfly G10 is so really close to that title. :spyder: - Pens: I absolutely love the Hinderer Investigator Pen. You just won't find anything better in that size. Worth every penny.

- Whistle: Unique Titanium has a bunch of them, really nice ones with decent prices, very affordable and easy to find and buy; with these you don't have to catch some impossible 'Flash Sale' or pay like $ 500 bucks to get one.

- Business Card: my personal Wallet and Business Cards Case are, since the last 4 years, Saddleback Leather. Combined I didn't pay more than $ 30. Unbelievable prime quality, that only gets even better and better with use. And they will be for sure, the last ones I'll ever need to buy. :) - Watch: I'll always go with my Omega Speedmaster Professional. Well, but that is just me... :cool:

[FLYcrash]

For folding knives, I've been dressed up ever since leaving college, though I shed the tie a few years into my Ph.D. Somehow teaching high school locked me into professionally dressed habits.

I've been very happy with either my stainless steel Lava or my newer foliage green G-10 Dragonfly II clipped into my wool gabardine slacks. The pointy blade of the Dragonfly makes it a bit more versatile (e.g., for opening envelopes, etc.), so if I had to choose one, that's what I'd prefer. :)