Member EDC – JR Grounds

I have recently asked members to post what they carry on an everyday basis, so I figured it was only fair to post mine.

To start, I need to explain I have my EDC separated into various levels.  When I wore a Tactical gear, it would separated into various levels of gear.  For instance, my belt with handgun was my level 1.  My vest with various items was level 2, etc.  Level 1 is what I always had on.  My civilian EDC gear is broken down the same way.  This post will cover my level 1 gear, which is basically what I either wear or have in my pockets.

This looks like a lot of gear, but in reality it is fairly easy to carry.  I wear cargo pants a lot, but even with carpenter jeans the stuff all has a place and maintains a high level of comfort.

1. Primary Handgun with appendix carry inside the waistband holster
2. Primary Flashlight
3. Paracord Bracelet
4. Car Key
5. Watch
6. Spare Magazine for primary handgun
7. Wallet
8. Small pocket knife
9. Handkerchief
10. Triangular Bandage
11. Backup Handgun
12. 10’ Duct Tape
13. Primary pocket knife
14. Lighter
15. Key chain with various tools
16. Plastic Ice Pick
17. Nitrile Gloves

Ok, so let’s look at each item in a bit more detail.

For a primary handgun I carry the Glock 17.  This is a full sized handgun that gives me plenty of firepower with 17 rounds of 9mm defensive ammunition.  If you have ever taken a handgun course from me, you know I am a major proponent of appendix carry.  The key to being able to carry this weapon in comfort and concealment is the holster.  The holster I currently use is the Eidelon from Raven Concealment.  To be honest, the only reason I carry the Glock is due to the Eidelon only being available for this particular handgun.  All else being equal, I prefer the Springfield XD, but sometimes you make a few concessions in concealed carry, and this is what I carry.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Glock, it is simply a preference.  Side note for those who know me….yes, that is the battleship grey, and being a Navy man, it helped me tolerate the switch.  😉  If you want to know more about Glock vs. Springfield, look at my other posts.  The Eidelon holster is simply above all other holsters currently on the market.  It comes with more pieces than a box of lego, and allows you to be almost as creative.  In my opinion the key to this holster is the small little tab that is just under the trigger guard, which presses the grip of the gun back into your side comfortably.  I warn you, at $140 for the full kit it is definitely an investment.  With that said, to go cheap on an appendix holster will often mean it gets left home, which defeats the purpose

For a secondary handgun I carry the Ruger LCP.  It is not a good primary weapon, as it lacks stopping power and has a very limited round count.  It has an accuracy range of about 3 feet and is about as enjoyable to shoot as stepping on the before-mentioned Legos.  However, for compact and reliable, it is perfect.  It disappears in my hip pocket, carried with my handkerchief.  The holster I use is a custom made pocket holster which helps conceal the outline.  If I am using it, things have went horribly wrong and I am most likely at “bad breath” range (meaning I am close enough to smell the bad guy’s breath).

My primary flashlight is the 5.11 TMT L2.  I have only been carrying this particular model for about 6 months, but I am already convinced it is the best pocket torch for the money.  Retail price is $99, and member price is around $60.  It has 3 modes of operation which you can cycle through by quick pushes of the tail cap.  Mode one is a bight 320 lumens, mode two is 15 lumens (with 55 hours of run time), and mode three is a disorienting 320 lumen strobe.  It runs on two CR123 batteries with a Cree LED bulb.  The case is a very durable aluminum.  I used to carry a Surefire E2D, but the bezel on it tended to eat holes in my pockets.  It was a great little fighting flashlight, but a little too aggressive in my opinion.  The 5.11 has a modest knurl on the bezel.  The pocket clip is sturdy and replaceable.  I like that it puts the lens down in my pocket versus up, and is positioned such that I get a deep ride without being hard to draw.  The top feature I like is the lockout feature.  If you rotate the tail cap about 10 degrees, it locks the tailswitch preventing accidentally turning it on.

My backup flashlight is the stainless steel Maratac AAA light which is on my keychain.  It has three modes of operation activated by twisting the barrel.   High is 138 lumens, medium is 40, and low is 1.5 lumens.  The low is awesome for trying to get your keys into a lock in pitch darkness, trying to read a map without killing your night vision, or looking through a backpack.  The high is actually surprisingly effective if needed, although I don’t use it as much since I have a primary light.  I have carried this particular light for 4 years now and still haven’t replaced the battery (note to self…change that battery).  I don’t keep the pocket clip on mine, but simply have it attached to my key chain.  Retail cost: $28

My primary knife is the Benchmade Griptilian.  I have carried this particular knife for about ten years.  I am fan of the thumb hole versus thumb stud, although to be honest I hardly ever use it.  I am faster flipping this knife open than most people are with an automatic.  I think the AXIS locking mechanism is the best designed lock in the industry, as it gives a very secure lock without being overly complicated.  I have the combo edge, simply because this is a tool more than a fighting knife.  It will work in a latch ditch effort as a weapon, but that is not its primary purpose.  I have opened thousands of boxes, cut countless cord, gauze, tape, etc.  I have used the backside of the blade as a screw driver, scraped ice off a windshield.  I use my knife almost daily for some purpose, and this one has never let me down.  I am a diehard Benchmade customer, because they build a quality product at a fair price, and their customer service is unbeatable.  I have sent other knives to them for repair, and they usually do it absolutely free including paying for return shipping.  They have sent me pocket clips for free, offer free sharpening, free tuning, free parts, they even put my name on the blade for free.  The reason I chose the Griptilian is primarily price.  At around $80 member price, it doesn’t break the bank if it is lost.  I used to carry one of their AFCK models, but after I lost it the $350 hurt.

My secondary knife is $5 case folder.  I carry it simply because I like having an extra knife, and it is so tiny it disappears in my pocket.  The primary purpose it sees is to clean my fingernails (I hate dirty fingernails).  Gross, yes…so don’t ask to borrow it.

My “fighting” blade is not really a blade at all.  It is actually a plastic ice-pick.  Not really plastic, more of a strong Zytel nylon.  It comes in a handy pouch which is easily carried on the inside of the lower leg.  If you have taken my Intro to Tac Med Class, you will know ice picks are one of the most devastating weapons, and this one is pretty slick.  With a three sided blade, the wound is very difficult to close, and a 3.5” blade allows it to get deep between ribs.  In a close quarter surprise, this weapon is hard to beat.  Some people have asked if this can pass through a scanner.  It can pass through a metal detector, but it will not pass through a millimeter wave scanner (like used at an airport).  Besides, this is not really something you can easily explain if you are caught with it somewhere you shouldn’t have it.  The explanation it is used for cleaning your fingernails probably won’t work.

Next I carry a lighter.  Why would I carry a lighter when I don’t smoke?  Simply because I am not great at rubbing two sticks together to make fire, and sometimes you need fire.  Not being a smoker, this is the item which took me the most time to find.  I tried the simple Bic lighter.  Cheap, yes, and that was the problem.  When a friend of mine told me about having one explode in his pocket I decided it wasn’t the ideal version (yes he was doing something out of the ordinary, but still).  I tried the Zippo, and it gave me something to do when I was bored.  Besides learning some cool new flip tricks, I found it was a pain.  Zippo has to be refilled about every 5 days even if you don’t use them.  The fluid evaporates and when you need fire, you basically end up with an expensive flint.  The lighter I now carry is a Maratac Stainless Steel Peanut.  This little thing is quite amazing.  It is bullet proof, has a rubber o-ring screw down lid to prevent evaporation, and will burn for a long time.  The case has a flat bottom, allowing it to be used as a candle (great for burning ends of paracord).  At $15 retail, it is cheaper than many Zippos.

A handkerchief is something people today have forgotten.  My dad always carried one.  My grandpa always had one.  My mom always had one in her purse.  The uses for them are extensive.  No, I don’t blow my nose on it, that’s why they make Kleenex.  I do however, wipe sweat, clean my glasses, clean my knife, clean the inside of my windshield, clean my camera lens, clean the screen of my phone, etc.  The one I carry is two sided, with soft cotton to clean and wipe sweat on one side, and microfiber on the reverse for cleaning glasses, etc.  It is custom made by Atterbury Designs for $25.  Yes, that is expensive, and yes, I think it is worth it.  In a pinch, these also can be used to filter water, use as a dust cover for your mouth, pack gunshot wounds, etc.  Once you start carrying one you will be amazed at the uses you find.  I keep it folded in my hip pocket with the back-up handgun.

The triangle bandage I carry is primarily used for medical purposes.  It can be fashioned into a sling, wrapped around wounds, or made into a very effective tourniquet with the use of my key ring items (more on that later).  It can also be used to make a hobo carrying bag, tore into strips for fire or to make a torch, etc.  Again, an item that has more uses than I can list.  This particular one was taken out to demonstrate something to a friend, so it needs repacked.  If you have access to a vacuum packer, these can be pressed down a much smaller size.  I keep mine in a cargo pocket or when I am wearing my favorite pants, I have it in the calf pocket.

Next is a pair of nitrile gloves.  I personally have black that are a bit thicker.  They are made by North American Rescue and sell for around a dollar a pair.  I like the fact they are a bit thicker to prevent tears, but not so think as to prevent the ability to operate a sewing needle and thread.  The black color is a bonus.  If you are going to do ninja crap on the side of a road, you might as well look like a ninja and not an off-duty dental hygienist.  I keep these in my other calf pocket usually.

The weird looking black object is actually an old hotel room key wrapped in duct tape.  I have about 6 feet of tape on there wrapped tightly.  If you can’t fix 90% of your issues with duct tape, you didn’t spend enough time in the country growing up.  I have fixed shoes, zippers, glasses, mirrors on vehicles, gloves, weapon magazines, skin cuts, made a drinking cup, removed splinters, cleaned up broken glass, splinted a twisted ankle, and more things I can’t even remember right now.  In a pinch this can also be used as a pretty effective chest seal for a gunshot wound (or knife wound).  I have more of it in my bag (level 3 equipment), but this allows me to keep a decent amount in my pocket.  Again I chose black because it is way cooler looking than silver, and it keeps with the ninja theme I mentioned above.  Total cost, less than $1.

Paracord bracelet.  I made mine myself.  If you want to see some pretty amazing paracord projects, google a guy named “Stormdrane”, or “Tying it all together”.  Do not google “knotting”, there are some things on the internet you just don’t want to know exist (and yes, I know 75% of you are going to leave this page right now to figure out what I mean).  Paracord is an amazing tool, and there are too many things to list on how to use it.  Perhaps we will do another article later on just how amazing it is.  My bracelet has about 11 feet because of the particular weave I used.  I don’t remember what it is called, but it is a bit wider and flatter than the ones you see in stores.  I don’t have a fancy buckle on mine, but there are some that have handcuff keys, whistles, compasses, etc.  You can also get a new kind of paracord which has fire starter weaved throughout.  It is on my “too get and try” list, but I haven’t do so yet.  Total cost, around $3.

My key chain has a multitude of tools on it.  First, I am NOT a fan of huge key rings which make you look like a middle school janitor.  I have three keys on mine, two house keys, and my shed key.  All other keys are kept in my vehicle or on separate key rings which are only carried when needed.  To keep them together, I use the Keybar.  It is a neat little gadget, but kind of expensive (and they don’t work with us on a wholesale level).  I don’t have the pocket clip installed, as I keep it deep in a front pocket.  Mine was $45.  I do like how adjustable it is, allowing you to carry as many keys as you want in a very tight package.  I added a micro pry bar to mine.  It is 2” titanium and is amazingly strong for a little pry bar.  At $15, it isn’t expensive if I do find a way to break it.  When not in use, it folds nicely into the Keybar.   I also have the Maratac flashlight I discussed earlier, a handcuff key (you never know), a carabiner, a large key ring, and a larger pry bar.  The carabiner is primarily used in my improvised tourniquet along with the large key ring and handkerchief (come to a Tac Med course).  I have used the carabiner for a few other uses as well, and overall it is a handy addition.  The large pry bar is a custom piece designed by my friend Minh Do.  He makes some very cool little things in his shop, and this is one he made a few months back.  It has a can opener, a bottle opener, a nut driver, along with the pry edge.  The length of it makes for a perfect windlass in my improvised tourniquet.  I have used the pry bar more than I originally thought I would, including breaking into a secured bomb defusal building in the middle of a tornado (long story).  This particular pry is unavailable, but you can find similar ones for around $40.

My watch is a Timex G-shock, a fairly common watch which does more things than I know how to operate.  I know many people have went away from a watch due to having a phone, but if you have ever tried to take a pulse rate using your phone with gloves, or wanted to count seconds when you are dangling 100 feet off the ground, your phone isn’t ideal.  It isn’t so expensive as to attract unwanted attention, yet it is rugged and accurate.  I think they are around $100.  I got mine for basically nothing, so I am not positive on price.  There are probably better options, as some will calculate altitude, plot headings, calculate wind speed, call for Batman, and drive your car.  With that said, I probably wouldn’t recommend the “phone watches”.  You aren’t Agent Smart.

My wallet is one I have had for 17 years.  I have no idea what brand it is or even where it was purchased (it was a gift).  I like it because I can carry 3×5 note cards on the right side, a pen, a few cards, and receipts.  I almost never carry cash, and if I do it is simply folded in a front pocket.  On one of the 3×5 cards which is in front (behind the ID you see on the right), I have “In case of emergency call” written.  Some people put this info on their phone, but I figure if I bit the dust it is highly likely my phone went down with me.  Inside my wallet are a few more tools.

One of my wallet tools is another hotel key card.  I have carried this particular one for about 5 years, and it has picked far more door locks than I care to admit. Of course they were always on my personal doors.  😉  You would be surprised how many doors can be opened with this simple card.  I have this one as my favorite, because it seems to have the perfect balance between flexibility to find the bolt, and rigidity to actually activate it.  Price:  $85, but it comes with a free night’s stay.

Another wallet tool is this little padlock pic.  It takes some practice, and seems to only work on about 50% of the padlocks in existence.  However, if you need in something and you have a bit of patience, it is handy to have.  I realize at this point many of you will think I am some sort of kleptomaniac, but there truly are honest and practical applications where you need to get into locked places or items.  This particular little tool was around $10 for a set of two.

The pen I carry is the Fisher Chrome Bullet Space Pen.  It is around $15 member cost and works like a charm.  I have carried this one since I received my wallet 17 years ago, and have changed the ink once.  It always writes regardless of temperature, length between uses, types of paper, and allows me to always have a pen with me.  I like the very small size and the ability to fit perfectly in my wallet.  What I don’t like is it is very slick until it is assembled into writing position.  There have been a couple times when it almost slide out of my hand and into the abyss.  If it wasn’t for the sentimental value, I would probably replace it with the matte black version and rough up the exterior a bit.  The story goes NASA spent a fortune designing a pen that would actually work in the zero gravity of space.  The Russians use a pencil.  Oh well, it is a nice little pen.

The one item that I always have with me which isn’t in this picture is my phone.  The reason it isn’t in the picture is because it is what I used to take the picture, and I am not standing in front of a mirror just so you can see what my phone looks like.  I have been a fan of the Samsung Galaxy line since the S2 version.  I currently have the S6, and remain a die-hard fan.  I don’t like Apple, but to each his own.  A few apps I have which are worthwhile to mention are the Swiss army knife, which can be used as a level.  The Gas Buddy app, which allows me to find cheap gas stations.  RoadNinja, which allows me to find the nearest restroom on my trips, Tactical Nav which is an incredible navigation system, and MGRS Navigation System which is a military nav app.  The current case I use is the Pelican Case, although I have also had great luck with the Magpul protective cases.

Some of you will point out I don’t have a multi-tool.  I tried to carry various ones in my first line, and never really found one I like.  I have had micro-tools, Swiss Army knives, belt mounted tools, etc and never really found one that I used enough to justify the weight, and that could do a job I couldn’t accomplish with me other items.  I do carry multi-tools, but they are now either in my second or third line bags.

So there is my first line gear.  I will cover my second line gear in another post, but it basically consists of my Maxpedition Pocket EDC and a few other items which are usually in the console of my truck.  My third line gear is vast and varied.  I have a bag full of about $1,500 of medical gear, an active shooter bag filled with ammo and tourniquets, a survelliance bag which has optics, snacks, sunscreen, etc, and a couple different bugout bags.  As time allows, I will go through a few of those as well in later posts.  Bottom line, I am usually in some mode of Inspector Gadget.  When I was a kid I had toys.  Now I still have toys, I just disguise them as useful toys.

To help those who see something they like, here are links:

Eidelon Holster: http://raven-concealment-systems1.mybigcommerce.com/eidolon-holster-agency-ambi-kit/

5.11 Flashlight: http://www.511tactical.com/tmt-l2-flashlight.html

Maratac Flashlight: http://www.countycomm.com/aaalights.html

Maratac Lighter:  http://www.countycomm.com/sslight.html

Handkerchief: http://www.atterburydesigns.com

Paracord Projects: http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/

Keybar: http://www.keybar.us/

Micro Pry: http://www.countycomm.com/tisatinwidgy.html

Padlock Pick: https://store.itstactical.com/quick-sticks.html

Space Pen: http://www.spacepen.com/bullet.aspx