Showcase #351: High School Science Teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Welcome to the Urban EDC Showcase! Each week, we feature one member from our community and the gear they rely on everyday. Want to be featured? Submit your gear photo.

For this week's community feature, we're elated to have Brian (@bdcoffey) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Brian is a high school science teacher and he spends his free time crafting knives, tools, and jewelry. Read on for the full rundown of Brian's carefully considered selection of high-quality everyday tools!

Featured Tools:

• Knife: Chris Reeves Small Sebenza 21
  I really like the simplicity of the Sebenza, and the fact that it's made in the USA. I also appreciate the fact that the knife is built to be easily taken apart for easy maintenance by the customer.
   
• Light: HDS Executive Clicky
  The HDS is such an amazing light. I really like the tailcap click switch and its wide variety of modes. The clip is very secure and it's just such a well thought out and well constructed light.

• Watch: Marathon Medium Quartz Diver
  I really like its small size and how absolutely reliable it is. I can set it and 6 months later it will still be dead accurate without losing or gaining any time.

• Pen: Kaweco Al Sport
  As a teacher, I'm in constant need of a pen, I also love fountain pens and items crafted out of metal, so the Al Sport is right up my alley. This is a ‘fine’ nib and I use the Kaweco cartridges primarily. My oldest sister is also into fountain pens and I think she is responsible for my obsession!

• Wallet: Self-made Leather Bi-fold
  I made this leather cardholder myself. Over time, I've worked to carry less in a wallet because I hate sitting on something big in my back pocket. I had a tri-fold wallet made of fine elk skin and it lasted forever, but it was just too thick. When it wore out, I made a single-pocket card slip that I carried for about 5 years. After that, I made this bi-fold as I needed a bit more room. I've been using it for about 3 years now. It's made from veg-tanned leather and is saddle stitched with waxed nylon.
  

• Chapstick: Burts Bees 
  I've have used this stuff forever and really feel lost without it.

Background:

My EDC journey started when a customer recommended that I check out Instagram. It was then that I saw how many people posted pictures of "pocket dumps" and that really caught my interest.

Just like many others, I feel like I have been ‘EDCing’ for ever. I grew up in a household where you always carry a pocket knife, chapstick and of course your wallet on you. So I can remember all the way back to elementary school, when I was already carrying these items daily.

I really enjoyed it when some of the EDC Facebook groups featured "pocket dumps". I'm chagrined that this component is lesser seen now. I do belong to another phenomenal group that celebrates the use and carry of traditional slip joint pocket knives and related pocket stuff. I really like traditional knives for their classic construction and timeless aesthetic.

I'm happily married with two young daughters, so most of my time is spent with them. I also love making folding knives, EDC tools, jewelry and all sorts of other cool things. I guess my hobbies all involve making and creating. Another passion of mine is film photography, so we can add that to the list.

Favorite EDC Tool:

My favorite tool is a toss up between the HDS and my Sebenza. Aside from each being a technological masterpiece in their own right - I got them from two different and really great guys I befriended through my slip joint knife group. So they have extra sentimental value!