Showcase #209: Valet and Photographer from Greenville, South Carolina

Welcome to the Urban EDC Showcase! Each week, we feature a member of the EDC community and the gear they rely on every day. Want to be featured? Submit your gear photo.

Valet by day and photographer by night, David (@davids_edc) first got into EDC after discovering the amazing Benchmade 940 (we can all relate). As they say, the rest is history as he slid down the slippery slope of acquiring better, everyday gear. Read on to learn all about David’s superbly functional carry and what he has his sights on next. 

Featured Tools:

• Carabiner: PETZL Spirit
  Hands-down the best carabiner for being a valet. It holds a ton of keys, is built like a tank, and it doesn’t have an annoying lip that so many carabiners have, where keys can get caught up. I’ve had this for probably 8 months or so, and I feel naked without it.
  
  
• Knife: Spyderco Smock
  At the moment, the knife that is getting the most pocket time is the Spyderco Smock. I actually usually carry 2 knives, simply because I like to fiddle with them all day long. Recently it’s been the Smock and the Kizer Feist, but my regular rotation also includes a Benchmade 940 with brass Flytanium handles, a Benchmade Bugout, and a customized Para 3. It all just depends on what feels right that day.
  
  
• SAK: Pioneer Alox
  I didn’t think I’d like any SAK.. but then I bought this for a killer price, and it hasn’t left my pocket since. I use the punch almost every day for punching holes in valet key tags when they inevitably get torn. I also use the screwdriver a lot for everything from tightening tripod plate screws, to scraping stuff.
  
  
• Wallet: Travelambo
  For the past 10ish months, I’ve been carrying this faux leather wallet from Travelambo. For $7, it’s killer. But I have another wallet coming in that was made for me by a guy I met through Instagram, so I’m super pumped about that.
  
  
• Pen: Schon DSGN
  A guy surprised me with this when I bought a knife off him. It immediately went into my pocket, and hasn’t left since. I actually had no idea what it was until someone on Reddit told me what it was. It’s built like a tank, takes the Fisher refills, and I really like it.
  
  
• Headphones: Galaxy Buds
  I listen to music constantly through the day. I always have the Galaxy Buds on me because they’re so portable, and because they’re inconspicuous to wear at work.
  
  
• Phone: Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
  I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 10+. I love having a massive screen, and the S Pen is pretty convenient when it comes to editing photos on my phone.

What's your story:

Hey, I’m David, I’m currently a valet in Greenville, South Carolina by day, and a photographer by night. Outside of those two things, I like relaxing at home, watching TV, hanging out with friends, or playing some video games.

The most used items in my carry are definitely the carabiner and pen, followed closely by the SAK and earbuds. I also wear a watch (a beat up Timex Ironman), but it’s horribly unphotogenic, so I didn’t include that in the picture.

I’ve carried a knife every day for most of my life. I got my first one when I was probably between 5 and 7, and I haven’t stopped since. My plunge into the EDC world happened earlier this year when I stumbled across the BladeHQ YouTube channel and discovered the Benchmade 940. Ever since then, I’ve bought knives, flashlights, pens, wallets.. The list goes on.

Favorite EDC Tool:

My favorite item out of the bunch is my 940, which at the time of writing this is at Benchmade getting a little TLC. I love the look, feel, fidget-factor. Everything.

What's On Your Gear Radar:

Next on the list of things to buy is probably going to be a nicer watch. I’m not very easy on my watches, so I’m thinking a G-Shock is the only way to go. I’m not sure what the next knife will be, but I’ll probably be picking something up before the end of the year.