My Bargain 2018 EDC (Every Day Carry) Update and More

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Here’s my latest picks for every day carry tools and items, honed by a lifetime of adversity and adventures (samples of which can be found in my heavily autobiographical action/adventure novels). Practically everyone, from beginner to grizzled veteran, should find something interesting here.

As described in the video, my EDC choices, while many are readily applicable to survival situations, are mostly geared to helping me deal with normal real life contingencies, rather than the end of the world, or Armageddon. Where the circumstances at worst are being stranded not far from a still functional civilization, or being caught in a temporary power outage, or period of localized unrest or other disruption, such as a natural disaster.

My kit is also tailored to me personally in that I possess a good working knowledge of basic survival skills and techniques, which in themselves vastily enhance and expand the functionality of my tools selection in a crisis, and make certain other items basically unnecessary or redundant; and so help me to keep the size and weight of my core kit to a minimum.

Therefore, those readers with few survival skills and/or little knowledge of that sort (or else who expect to spend significant time beyond the boundaries of modern civilization) may wish to add a vital item or two to this kit, such as a small compass (but be warned: even compass use will often require some specific survival skills/knowledge/awareness, to make it worthwhile).

Note that despite the small size and low cost of the core EDC kit, its components can deal with a surprisingly wide variety of problems and challenges; plus, it still includes a healthy dose of redundancy in case of mishaps, or the loss of some items. For instance, there's at least three different ways to make fire (as well as at minimum two different possible sources of tinder); four ways to signal; three different cutting blades (not counting the scissors); two different Phillips screwdrivers, as well as two different straights; two different small containers capable of holding or storing water; and two items which might be used as a Kubaton (or, a total of four ways kit items can be used as weapons in close combat self defense (not including the belt, or the unwound paracord)).

Below I also discuss and provide acquistion links to various supplementary items mentioned in my video (and will get a small cut of any purchases made, thanks! :-) ).

Day pack/Overnight pack

Here I’m purposely linking to general purpose backpacks like you’d see on school campuses or the street, rather than tactical packs, for three reasons: one, because they tend to be lower in cost, which is often a good thing; and two, for reasons of urban camouflage. Because anything that makes you stand out in your environment tends to draw attention to you; and such attention is frequently of the undesirable type. Three, all those extra pockets in a complex tactical pack aren’t necessarily beneficial for many of us, as we’ll usually be able to find things faster and easier searching just one or two or three large spaces, rather than fourteen smaller ones. Just like was the case with my scramble vests decades back (as mentioned in the video).

Most Durable Packable Lightweight Backpack

Venture Pal Lightweight Packable Backpack

Survival and/or Scramble vests, along the lines of what I used in my supercar days

In the video I spoke about two different vests I used to supplement my every day carry, back in my youthful adventure days (I carried such a vest in my car, for contingency use). Below are modern versions I'd likely choose from to do the same thing today.

Yes, I’d usually prefer the less military looking, more casual appearance choices among these, for reasons of urban camouflage, and environmental versatility. And again, an excessive surplus of pockets isn’t always a good thing. However, as scramble vests are primarily for situations where the sh*t has already hit the fan, I could personally go either way on these looks-wise, allowing other factors than appearance to determine my choice.

Note that some of these items would be better for warmer locales, and others for cooler ones (for it’s easy to get overheated, in some circumstances; mesh vests will sometimes be cooler than solid fabric ones).

Mrignt Men's Oversize Pockets Sports Vest

HUMVEE Cotton Safari Vest with Extra Pockets

Outdoor Quick-Dry Fishing Vest

YAKEDA Tactical Outdoor Ultra-light Breathable Combat Vest

UTG 547 Law Enforcement Tactical Vest

Modern Warrior Tactical Vest with Holster and Pouches

Reading glasses

Reading glasses are reading glasses; I’ve experienced little difference between $7 bargains and $30 slammers, myself. So why not get the cheaper ones?

It also doesn’t hurt to get an extra set as well, as reading glasses seem to get broken at least a bit more often than expensive prescription frames. For if you need them and don’t have them, it can be quite annoying. And the magnifier in my EDC is only meant to replace them in a pinch: not the long term.

2 Pair Black and Gunmetal Compact Folding Unisex Reading Glasses

2 Pairs of Doubletake Classic Spring Hinged Half Rim Reading Glasses for Men and Women

Men's Black Leather Money Belt

If you’re more interested in the traveler’s money belt I mentioned instead, here’s a different link:

Money Belt For Travel With RFID Blocking

Optional smart phone related accessories

I mentioned these items in the video as optional supplementary gear to possibly keep your cell phone working a little longer under extraordinary conditions, and/or when you're venturing beyond the normal bounds of civilization. However, they aren't a part of my own core EDC gear at present.

Anker 24W Dual USB Car Charger for cell phones

AmazonBasics Dual-Port USB Car Charger for Apple and Android Devices

Anker PowerCore 5000mAh External Battery

Anker PowerCore Compact 13000mAh Phone Power Bank

Dizaul 5000mAh Portable Solar Power Bank for cell phones

Ankle Weight Strap Possibilities for carrying bulky/heavy smartphone accessories hidden on your person inside loose pants legs

If I ever get around to adapting some ankle weight straps for using to carry smartphone accessories like those above, rather than dead work out weights, I’ll try to make a video about it. But in the meantime, for any of you meaning to do that today, I’d recommend carefully examining the reviews and product descriptions of any straps you want to try it with, in order to maximize your chances for fast and easy repurposing. For instance, are the compartment sizes large enough to carry the accessories you want? Are the compartments easily opened and closed, without significant modification of the straps? Most importantly, you don’t want straps where the weights are permanently attached or embedded, and cannot be replaced or switched out for something different.

Valeo Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights

Adjustable Ankle Weights by GoFit

Digital wrist watch

Watches with old fashioned hands can be a little better at informing you of the time and its context at a glance, than digitals. But mechanical watches cannot match the theoretical maximum of reliability and toughness, for a minimum of cost, of digitals. Because lots of moving parts can’t beat flowing electrons for such things.

That same fact is why some form of electric cars will inevitably take over from gasoline ones, so long as technologies continue to advance.

Casio Men's Classic Sport Watch with Black Band

Black ripstop nylon wallet

As mentioned in the video, I couldn’t find a ripstop nylon wallet identical to my old one. Below are the nearest modern approximations I could locate:

Ultra Slim Men's Nylon Trifold Wallet, RFID Blocking

Lewis N Clark Featherlight RFID Tri-Fold Wallet

Zero Grid Neck Wallet w/RFID Blocking- Concealed Travel Pouch

Kershaw Clash folding knife

Tactical Pen/Kubaton

Note that single purpose Kubatons may be illegal to carry in some places. Multipurpose ones like tactical pens, too. Please check your local laws before buying.

Practical brand Tactical Pen/Kubaton

If you want to regularly utilize the ink pen potential of your tactical pen too, sooner or later you'll require some refills. Due to how your tactical pen's standard ink supply may be reluctant to immediately work when called upon (because of being carried upside down in your pocket), your best bet for refills would be those designed for space pens; since carrying orientation doesn't matter to them. Ergo, your tac pen will work better with those.

Fisher SPR4 Space Pen Ink Refill, Medium Point, Pack of 3, Black Ink

Of course, alternatively, you could always seek to carry a cheap regular ink pen in addition to your tactical, reserving use of your tactical for writing to only those instances when your cheap pen runs dry, or you forget to bring it along.

Varied size mesh pocket/backpack pouches

When I bought my Vaultz, they came in a pack of assorted sizes and colors. I’m using the smallest for my pocket pouch, and intend to use the others to compartmentalize the contents of my day pack, and/or create a selection of every day carry items specifically for my cars, to supplement/expand upon my pocket carry in the vehicles.

Vaultz Mesh Storage Bags, Assorted Colors and Sizes, 4 Bags

BIC mini lighter

You might be able to buy a single mini Bic lighter at a convenience store. Last I checked on Amazon, you had to buy a three pack at minimum there (so in that instance you'd have a few spares you might distribute in giveaway EDC kits, or else hold onto to bolster your own reserves).

3 foot long metal tape measure

Stanley 3 x 1/4-Inch PowerLock Key Tape

2 and 3/8 x 4 inch notepad

Amazon didn’t have any notepads this small when I looked. So maybe check your local discount store. Otherwise maybe you could get a bit larger one, and just cut it down to size.

Micro first aid kit

As stated in the video, I cannibalized a larger kit to put together my own pocket micro. And prepackaged micro first aid kits tend to either be too much for a minimal pocket carry like mine, or too expensive, for their purpose. So the most clever thing you might do about it is get a terrific deal on a larger size first aid kit, to use for your main kit at home or office, and just pick a few pieces out of that, to assemble your micro kit. Hence, the links to such packages I list here.

Note that some of these kits are large enough that you could assemble quite a few micro kits from them (as described in the video), to give to friends or relatives, and still have a decent household or auto kit left over for your own use.

First Aid Only Essentials Kit, 299 Pieces, Fabric Case

MediCare Deluxe First Aid Kit (115 Items)

2-in-1 First Aid Kit (120 Piece) + Bonus 32-Piece Mini Kit

Adventure Medical First Aid Kit Tin

Small Basic First Aid Kit Supplies (100-Piece)

Coleman 27 Piece First Aid Kit, Mini Travel Kit

600 Ziplock Bags, Assorted Sizes

As mentioned in the video, this huge supply of bags almost begs for the buyer to use some of them to create some giveaway micro first aid and/or pocket EDC kits with them, for family or friends (and those low cost kits could become literal lifesavers for some of those folks, down the road).

ZXUY Credit Card Size Pocket Magnifier Fresnel Magnifying Lens (3pcs)

Once again, here's a purchase that comes with spares, suitable for giveaways.

Plastic mirror

I have a slightly smaller pocket mirror made from glass, with its own form fitting plastic or vinyl pouch, which I carry in my daypack. I’d be awfully tempted to carry it in my pocket instead of the plastic mirror, due to the plastic’s tendency to get easily scuffed, but for the possibility of breakage (since I still today can suffer some mighty impacts about the body for various reasons; I suffered a grievous injury from that just months ago, in fact). The glass mirror spoken of here was some sort of promotional item from a bank long ago, and has served me well.

The link is to the same plastic mirror I carry in my EDC, rather than my daypack. Note that the plastic mirror doesn't come with a protective cover of any sort; and it needs one. Apparently a better one than the protection that a small ziplock bag and a flat plastic Fresnel lens provide for the mirrored surface, in my own kit (for a lot of permanent scuffing is taking place). It may be that a small metal camping mirror would be better than a plastic or glass one for this purpose, if one can be found. I just haven't yet had time to explore that possibility.

Coghlans Featherweight Mirror

Needle nose Vise Grip pliers and the small adjustable wrench

I was unaware that there existed a version of the pliers a full inch shorter than what I pack, until collecting the links for this video (the link below is to the smaller one). Mine have performed great, but a smaller pair might be better for a pocket pouch (so long as they’re not harder to use, for some reason).

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Long Nose Locking Pliers with Wire Cutter, 4"

TEKTON 23001 4-Inch Adjustable Wrench

The paracord keychain

After watching my own video, I realized I could combine my small carabiner and paracord lanyard in another way than shown in my video, to improve on things. Basically, while the paracord lanyard clip isn’t suited for directly hooking to my belt loop, it can still hook to my carabiner just fine. So the new arrangement makes my keychain set up a bit longer, and more versatile about stuffing its hanging length into a back pocket than before. Ergo, I’m happier with the lanyard now, than stated in the video, and will be holding onto it indefinitely.

Bomber and Company Paracord Carabiner Survival Keychain Lanyard

Small carabiner

The carabiner suggested here (and the one I use) is not meant for anything much more strenuous than carrying a key chain. So if you wish to have one you could also use in mountain climbing, please be sure to get a much larger and stronger version than this (just to be clear, the link below is to items NOT suitable for use in mountain climbing).

Note that since this would be a bulk buy, like with the zip lock bags and some of the first aid kits, some of these too could be added to mini EDC kits or keychains you give away to family and friends, or compose for swag purposes at business presentations and the like.

2"/5cm Carabeaner D Shape Spring-loaded Gate Aluminum Carabiner, Pack of 20

Swiss+Tech 6-in-1 Utility Key Multitool

ThruNite T01 Mini LED Flashlight

LATE APRIL 2018 UPDATE: My ThruNite flashlight quit working on me completely. Only three months after I began carrying it, I noticed I couldn't turn it on. I thought maybe it had accidentally gotten twisted in my pocket from me sitting on it (twisting the head acts as the switch), and run down the battery. So when I next got the chance, I figured I'd replace the battery, and just try to be more careful with it.

But when I checked it later, it turned on just fine; so the battery was okay. Hmm. So right there I was having intermittent problems with its switch, or the general design of the thing.

Then later, I again couldn't turn it on. It was like it was dead again. So I figured I'd switch out the battery for a new one, and try it. But I can't get the old battery out of it. It's like it's wedged, or frozen in there. And no, there's no signs of corrosion. And the battery was inserted into it new when I got it.

I have plenty of tools here. But it seems the only way to get the battery out is to destroy the flashlight itself. However, even if I could replace the battery, keep in mind the light was failing to work, even with a good battery in it (the twist on and off design seems to have a problem inside).

So NO: I no longer recommend this flashlight. And will be getting a different one (I'll update this page when that info becomes available). END UPDATE:

Military P-51 and P-38 can openers

I’m including links to both the large and small can openers, as either can be a good choice, depending upon your preferences and circumstances. Again, as these are multi-packs, and these things can last for decades on a key ring, any extras lend themselves to further additions to any giveaway EDC kits you might consider putting together.

2 Pack Can Opener, Military, P-51 Model

GI P-38 Can Opener (5-pack)

Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler Pocket Knife

As described in my video, I prefer this smaller subset of Swiss Army knife tools over the much bigger version I used to carry, for several reasons. However, I wouldn't want to go even fewer in the tools department than the Rambler model; as the Rambler seems like the closest thing to an ideal set to supplement all the other items I keep in my every day carry today.

Every day carry health and fitness considerations

I also discussed in the video how your personal health and fitness are some every day carry elements which frequently go unmentioned in EDC videos, yet can be lots more important than any objects you're carrying, in many situations. I mentioned my own efforts in this regard, as well as certain devices utilized for my own regimen. Below are some leads to those or similar items.

Perfect Fitness Multi-Gym Doorway Pull Up Bar

At the time I bought mine, this model was the closest thing to a universal fit for differently sized (including larger, wider, and thicker) door frames, on the market. So that’s a key thing to look for in your own pick: that it’ll work on your own door frames.

Elliptical machine

My elliptical is a Tony Little Gazelle Elite, bought around 15 years ago, possibly even off of one of his TV infomercials. It was pretty pricey, if I recall (at around $500). But it’s also built like a tank, and performs as advertised. It’s pretty big and heavy. I never utilized its fold up potential, but rather kept it set up permanently (you're more apt to work out regularly if it's quick and easy, rather than requiring unfolding and setting up something).

My only gripe with it has been that its resistance cylinders (which look like old fashioned car shock absorbers) were somewhat difficult to replace when I wore them out (I’ve worn out two of them since I got the machine). For various original company phone numbers for that purpose stopped working, over the years. And it can be surprisingly difficult to jury rig replacements for them. And without working cylinders, there’s zero resistance to the workout. Ouch!

I hope I can replace the cylinders again, if the need ever comes up in the future.

I wrote the above before searching Amazon for an equivalent machine in the present day.

Today’s Gazelle Supreme Step is the nearest thing to my old machine on Amazon these days, being of somewhat heavy construction, and incorporating resistance pistons.

But the pistons are in a different location. And buyer reviews indicate problems like mine, about wearing them out; or either the pistons being too strong, so that they can barely move the pedals at all. Ouch!

Today’s Gazelle Edge is considerably cheaper than mine was (and about half the price of the Supreme Step above); but is also made of much more lightweight construction. Plus, has no built in form of resistance. And I personally prefer some resistance.

However, Edge buyers on Amazon seem to like it better than the Supreme Step. And come up with ways to add their own resistance to the gadget, by attaching weights to it, or tying bungee cords across the uprights at varying heights, to make it tougher to swing on the thing. I may use those tricks on my own, if another resistance cylinder goes out!

Gazelle Edge

Gazelle Supreme Step Machines

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