CoffeeStudyTalk

Updated my EDC over the years, but settled on some basic brand names. Card Wallet concerns.  For the longest time I’ve owned a Coach card wallet but always was nervous to use it as I found myself it falling out of my pockets at home.  I finally found a way to clip it to my inner pocket and weigh it down next to my keys.  I may try other attach point options to clip it to my phone. Another reason for downsizing to a slim wallet is to keep my back pockets empty as it’s painful during long drives and a nuisance to be mindful to relocate my larger wallet. March 2024: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Casio A168WG Victorinox Manager Victorinox Huntsman Coach Leather Card Wallet

I’m liking the Huntsman Victorinox 4 layer more and more.  I thought I’d prefer a Deluxe Climber/Tinker but the added height from the pliers make it debatable.  I also am oddly enjoying the Champion Plus for EDC pocket carry…it’s even larger than any 4 layer. I think what’s making me prefer the Huntsman is the wood saw.  It makes it ideal for true EDC. Outside of a Mountaineer, Angler, Fisherman and Deluxe Tinker.  I have most common 4 layers to choose from.  Doubtful beyond collectible only would I EDC the Fisherman/Angler.  Mountaineer sounds cool, but I’d prefer a discontinued Passenger or a Ranger instead.

Picked up another discontinued model that’s a bit more uncommon, a Deluxe Climber.  It’s almost identical to a current model Deluxe Tinker, except it has a corkscrew instead of a phillips. I’m debating on whether to sell this and get a Deluxe Tinker instead, but for now will pocket EDC this as I do like the pliers. This was a fair price of $26. Truthfully, this needs only the bit driver and it’s a Cybertool M.  If all I want is a phillips, I should splurge for the Cybertool.

Picked up a Champion Plus.  It’s a discontinued Victorinox Swiss Army knife model and the predecessor of the current Swiss Champ.  The one big difference it lacks the Pliers. I kinda like this 6 layer tool set, although it feels impractical for pocket EDC, I’ll try it.  Otherwise I’ll stick to my Huntsman or Deluxe Climber. As opportunities present themselves I’ll pick up discontinued models in good condition to add to my collection. Paid only $45 for this one, a decent price.

It’s been a while and I’ll get back into the habit of cleaning my knife collection.  I’ll need to get some oil, sharpeners and other tools to do this properly. For now it’s simple cleaning off any residue on the knives and implements as I often use them to open packages and get all the tape gunk on the blades and scissors. My Trekker sees the most action and I’m finding the Phillips head is useful.  I’ll need a Deluxe Tinker or Handyman to include a set of Pliers.

Did a small haul and got 8 pristine Swiss Army Knives. Fieldmaster x 2 Huntsman x 2 Tinker Delemont Evo Junior 9 - Sold Pruning Knife - Sold Bantam Champion Plus Deluxe Climber I’m now fully stocked on Huntsman and Fieldmasters as I wanted those for my car and backpacks.  Now let’s take inventory of what I have in the collection… I did some adjustments and sold the Delemont and Pruning Knife.  I’ll keep the Bantam, kinda cool knife. Current Collection - 35 knives 111mm - 1 Trekker Black // 2011 91mm - 18 Swiss Champ Red // 2011 Champion Plus Red // 2009 - 2016 Huntsman Silver Tech // 2009 - 2011 Black // 1979 - 1985 Red // 2011 Red // 2011 Camo // 2011 Fieldmaster Red // 2011 Red // 2011 Explorer Red // 1991 - 1992 Deluxe Climber Red // 1992 - 1998 Climber Red // 1979 - 1985 Traveler // 1979 - 1985 Hoffritz // 1985 - 1990 Ruby // 1999 Camper Red // 1999 - 2005 Spartan  Red // 2005 - 2009 Black // 2009 - 2011 Ruby/Sapphire // 2009 - 2011 Tinker Red // 2011 58mm - 10 Classic Classic x7 S

It’s the utility of a simple pair of scissors that makes a 58mm Classic Swiss Army Knife probably one of the best for urban EDC.  While a knife can work, the scissors just works better in most situations. Bottles, bottles… The one drawback of a Classic is the lack of a bottle opener that is remedied with the similar sized Rambler or Manager. For me a Manager, which is essentially a Rambler with a retractable ballpoint pen is my ideal urban EDC. Size and Weight are also factors in dubbing the 58mm Swiss Army Knife one of the most convenient and therefore practical EDC tools. It also free’s up simplifying my choice of a completing the Classic with a separate knife folder and Im finding a 91mm Camper or my 111mm Trekker ideal. But the awl… The only additional tool I could find useful on a 91mm SAK is maybe the awl.  It’s surprising how valuable it is to make a hole in a plastic lid using an awl. That said, the Cellidor 91mm awl is in an inconvenient location in the bottom tools and can ea

I got a chance to visit the Surplus Store in Austin and it lived up to its name in finding cheap Victorinox Swiss Army knives. They had them arranged in several set of bins ranging in price from $1 for basic 58mm Classics to $3-4 for 91mm and specialty scales 58mm Classics. Most were in rough shape and had seen better days, but there are a few hidden gems and for $9, scored 6 58mm Swiss Army Knives: Memory Signature Rambler Classic x3 The Memory, Signature and Ramblers go for $15-20 each online and the Classics at least $3 a piece so overall a $69 value for $9. This is the price point that makes this hobby fun. Update - 7/1/22 - Cleaning 🧼  Finally got around to cleaning the knives I bought.  Most were surprisingly already clean with no dust or debries between the scales. I’m liking the Rambler and may use that for my EDC.

I'm really liking the simplicity of the Casio A168 and normally rock that most days (swapping for my G-Shock 5600 for weekends). I'm also preferring a lighter weight kit and went back to the Victorinox Cadet. It's otherwise the same gear I've been rocking for almost 2 years and while the iPhone 11 has done great, I'm wanting something with 5G. I'll wait and upgrade to the newer iPhone in November. Feb 2022 EDC: Apple iPhone 11 Victorinox Cadet Swiss Army Knife Casio A168 Watch Leather Wallet   

Found a nice example of a 1991-1992 Swiss Army Knife Explorer model.  I dated it based on the tang stamp on the main blade is from 1986-1992 and it has to be after 1991 as it includes the carrier hook on the bottom tools. The old style grey magnifying lens confirms it’s an older model Explorer and those were from 1973-2004. Overall a good find for $20.  And something I wanted to complete my collection as a counterpoint with the similar 4 layer Huntsman.  The choice of Phillips and magnifying lens makes this a useful choice.

Lately, I’ve simplified my Pocket EDC and generally carry 7 core items with an additional 4 optional items. My core consists of: iPhone 11 Wallet Keys Wristwatch USB thumb drive (on keychain) Swiss Army Knife (on keychain) Bandaids (in wallet) My optional items: Airpod Pro Pen LED flashlight BIC Lighter More often than not I’m including only the optional Airpods with my core EDC.  The rest I find more convenient leaving in my messenger bag or backpack that I have near me.

I’m usually with my messenger bag that includes more items, like first aid, bottled water and some snacks.  But if I’m on foot around town this is usually what I have in my pockets along with my keys and a Kingston 8gb USB drive. I’ll likely add a Bic lighter to make for a more complete basic tool set.  Possibly a small bit of paracord wrapped in a keychain. March 2021: iPhone 11 Ballpoint pen Victorinox Cadet Swiss Army Knife Leather wallet    

It's been a while and my EDC has changed every few months.  I'm back to sporting a Swiss Army Knife and have found it useful (you don't realize how often you have to cut something like a piece of rope, plastic, boxes, tape, etc). Other than opting for a quartz watch, the new daily essential is a face mask. EDC July 2020 iPhone 6s Black Leather Wallet Black Swiss Army Knife - Spartan w/ fast release keychain Victorinox INOX Quartz Watch (OD Green Dial) Disposable Face Mask Not pictured are my keys and a simple ballpoint pen.  I'm finding having a pen quite useful, more than a swiss army knife.

Part of my EDC while I'm studying.  I sometimes also carry a Swiss Army Spartan, but lately haven't felt the need.  Only recently, I started lugging around my old Zippo and upgraded it with a Butane Insert (very convenient). Not pictured are my ATH-MSR7 Headphones & iPhone 6s. EDC June 2018: iPhone 6s Black Leather Wallet Swiss Army Knife - Spartan Rolex Explorer 114270 Zippo Lighter (Butane Insert) Pilot Custom 74 Fountain Pen NY Yankees Baseball Cap