Over the past few weeks, I have been asked multiple times what I carry with me on a regular basis. So instead of my usual fare here at JeffRandleman.com, I though I would give a brief synopsis of my EDC.
The EDC, or Every Day Carry, community has been a place I like to hang out over the past few years, mainly on social media, but even in person a few times. I have met and made some excellent friends through the common interest of the stuff we carry and use daily. While EDC is usually confined to what is in my pockets, I have expanded it here to include a few items that I carry with me daily, even though they are not in my pockets all the time.
Most of these are items that I cannot live without, and need some form of them on a very regular basis. Over the years, my tastes have changed, and my list of EDC items has evolved to become what it is currently. Here are the main items that I have with me at all times.
Where possible, I have included a link for each item so you can check it out further. However, with the exception of Amazon, I am not affiliated with any of these companies in any way. I simply like what they have to offer, and I use their products a lot.
Saddleback Large Front Pocket Briefcase
For several years, I have stood on the sidelines, admiring the quality of craftsmanship created by Saddleback Leather. My dad was a leather craftsman, so I can appreciate quality work when I see it, and Saddleback is top notch. Early in 2018, I finally pulled the trigger on a Front Pocket Briefcase, in Chestnut Brown, and absolutely love it. This carries most of the stuff that doesn’t fit in my pockets, such as my Hobonichi, my journal and my laptop, and goes with me almost everywhere I go. Along with a few books that change out frequently, this is an essential of my daily carry.
Renaissance Arts Leather Journal Cover
A gift from my wife and kids almost a decade ago, this leather journal has been my daily companion through so much. It holds a Moleskine classic hard cover journal, which I prefer to have blank pages for daily journaling and writing. I’ve filled up a dozen Moleskines over the years, and the leather cover has seen me through them all.
Hobonichi Techo
My daily calendar is a Hobonichi Techo. I started using this a couple years ago, in order to simplify my life and move away from so much tech gadgetry. With my love for writing by hand, especially with a fountain pen, this was a logical choice, and the Techo is the perfect fit for my needs. I still use a Google calendar in order to collaborate with my wife and my staff and coworkers, but stuff lands here before it goes anywhere else. I have this wrapped in a handmade cover from One Star Leather Goods.
Leather Field Notes Wallet
In my right back pocket is a leather wallet made by Popov Leather. This holds a Field Notes notebook, long with my license, a couple of cards, and any cash or receipts I might have. I have carried a Field Notes for several years, but leaving it bare caused it to wear out extremely fast. I tried keeping it in a separate cover for a while, but it was just too bulky in my pocket, in addition to a wallet. This wallet from Popov Leather was the perfect merger of the two.
Vintage Handmade Hank
In my other back pocket, I carry a handmade handkerchief. This is almost exclusively one of my own making, labeled Piney River Peddlers. In this photo is one of my favorites, covered with vintage stamps, but I cycle through several other patterns and materials on a regular basis. If you want to see a few other examples, check out Piney River Peddlers on Etsy.
Tidioute Cutlery (Great Eastern Cutlery) Yankee Jack
I always carry a pocket knife, and 99 percent of the time, it is a traditional style slipjoint. I collect knives, and have plenty of options to carry daily, and rotate frequently. But this Yankee Jack, built on the 77 frame by Great Eastern Cutlery, is my absolute favorite. It is a handy piece, made from 1095 carbon steel, with autumn sawcut bone covers, and holds an edge well. I use it for almost everything, from slicing apples and cutting steaks, to opening mail and other day to day needs. I even whittle once in a while with it.
EDC-1 Leather Slip
This slip, by One Star Leather, is a perfect fit for most of my slipjoints built on the 77 frame or similar. It allows me to keep other items in my pockets from rubbing and scratching the bone or the bolsters. And the fact that it holds a small pen is an added bonus. I have tried a few other slips over the years, but never found one that fully satisfied me. Once I got this slip, I haven’t looked back.
Fisher Space Pen
Fitting nicely into the EDC-1, the Fisher Space Pen is always in my pocket. Sometimes I forget to grab another pen when I’m headed out the door, but thanks to the Fisher, one is always in my pocket. It’s small, but once you post the cap, it is close to a full size pen. It is probably the handiest item in my pockets, and I think I’d feel lost without it. (Amazon link)
Maratac AAA Copper Flashlight
This handy little light is bright enough for my needs, and small enough that I hardly notice that I’m carrying it at all. I carry it clipped inside my front left pocket, with my pocket knife and pen. And it’s copper. I absolutely love the way copper develops a patina over time. (Amazon link)
Keys
In my front right pocket are my keys. I carry as few keys as possible, on a brass hook from Scout Leather, but I also carry a copper tritium tag and a few other various copper pieces on my key ring as well.
Morgan Dollar
Along with my keys, my front right pocket usually has a Morgan dollar in it, although sometimes it might be a peace dollar. I carry this as a fidget item sometimes, but mainly keep in on me simply because I love the look and the history of old coins.
Waltham Pocket Watch
In my fifth pocket, I have recently started carrying an old Waltham pocket watch. I know very little about this watch. I carry it because it was my grandfather’s watch. He’s the reason I love old watches, coins, and pocket knives. It keeps time well, and is always a great conversation piece.
Seiko Turtle
On my wrist is usually a Seiko Turtle diver’s watch, although I have a few other watches that rotate on and off as well. I love the classy look of the Seiko, and replaced the bracelet with a leather strap from Cheapest NATO Straps that has held up surprisingly well. The Seiko keeps time extremely well, and provides a classy look no matter how I might be dressed.
Karas Kustom EDK Pen
I almost always have another pen on me besides the Fisher Space Pen. It is usually the EDK in copper and black. This is a handmade pen from Karas Kustoms, and it won’t be the last pen I buy from them. This thing is built solid, and has almost the perfect balance. With a Schmidt refill in it, it writes smoothly, too. An added bonus is that fact that it’s copper.
TWSBI Diamond 580 in Rose Gold
Alternatively, I sometimes carry a fountain pen instead of the EDK. I have several old Parker Vacumatics from the 1930s and 40s, but they stay on my desk. This TWSBI, however, makes its way into my pocket on a regular basis. With a fine nib, it is one of the smoothest fountain pens I have found, and writes like a dream. And with a clear body, paired with the black and gold accents, it’s a beauty to behold. Currently, it’s filled with an Iroshizuku ink by Pilot, the color is Tsuki-yo, which means moonlit night, and is a deep, dark blue ink with a hint of grey. I use this pen and ink in my journal more than almost any others. (Amazon link – TWSBI, Amazon link – Tsuki-yo Ink)
So there you have it. That’s what I carry every day, and how it impacts my routine. It’s always changing, so who knows what might be added next?
Question: What items to you EDC? What are essentials and what are not? You can leave a comment by clicking here.