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As an avid outdoorsman and former Boy Scout who enjoys hiking, fishing and camping, Collin (@me_edc) embodies the Scout's “Be Prepared” mindset. And as a self-confessed gear nerd, his carry features a bevy of interesting yet highly functional choices. Read on to for Collin’s full rig rundown and find out what’s next on his gear radar!
Featured Tools:
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Knife 01: Northwoods Fremont Jack
I've always loved classic slip joints like this. It's a nice size for most of the tasks I need a knife for, and it doesn't raise eyebrows in the office the way a big scary black frame-lock does.
Like many EDC guys, I own a lot of knives and while this Northwoods is a newer acquisition, for me it really ticks all the boxes. It's simple, elegant and disappears in my pocket. And the build quality is excellent, which seems to be typical for Northwoods.
- Knife 02: Benchmade Mel Pardue 530
This was the first quality knife I ever bought. I lost my first one and was so bummed about it that my then girlfriend bought me a new one to replace it (obviously I married her).
I really have used the heck out of this knife, borderline abuse at some previous jobs, and it has always performed well. It really opened my eyes to what is out there in the knife world when you look beyond the cheapo knives you can get for $9.99.
It was the first step down the rabbit hole and in that sense, it might be the most expensive knife I ever bought. I don't always have this guy on me, especially if I'm wearing slacks, but if it's not in my pocket it's usually nearby in my bag. A good tough knife is truly invaluable.
- Flashlight: Streamlight Microstream
I have carried this light for years. I don't need anything tactical and I don't need super high lumens in an EDC light (I keep a bigger light in my truck in case I do).
For me, I just need something that's lightweight, compact and can help me see something under the couch or out by the trash can at night. The Microstream fits the bill perfectly. I have tried out a lot of lights, but I always come back to this one.
- Watch: Citizen Nighthawk BJ7000
This was a watch I had on my wish list for a long time, and when I finally got one, it lived up to my expectations. The dial is a bit busy, but it's still easy to read and I like the slide rule bezel, it speaks to my inner nerd.
The lume is great for low light and the 200m water resistance provides peace of mind. I have a couple of extra straps, but the stainless steel one that comes with it is really very well made, so I typically keep it on that.
- Pen: Fisher Bullet Space Pen
There are a lot of cool EDC pens out there, but as far as what I like to have in my pocket every day, it’s the classic space pen. I don't like to overthink my pen, I just need it to write and this pen always works.
It writes on almost anything and I never need to fool around to get ink to start flowing. They are simple, tough and relatively inexpensive. I typically have a red refill in mine, it's kind of a job-specific thing for marking up drawings.
- Handkerchief: Canela and Co
Pretty simple here, it's nice to be able to wipe my hands off when I'm going from the shop to the office. The Canela's do a good job and are great people to work with. And let's be honest, hanks just make a great backdrop for those Instagram pics.
Background:
My name is Collin and I'm a Mechanical Engineer from Southern California. I'm a bit of an outdoorsman. I enjoy hiking, fishing, and camping and doing things that get me outside.
I would say that I first started thinking about EDC when I was in the Boy Scouts. We were always taught to keep out "10 essentials" on us when out on trips and the mindset of "Be Prepared" has stuck with me. When you add to that the fact that I'm a kind of a gear nerd, getting into the world of everyday carry seems like it was inevitable for me.
Favorite EDC Tool:
It's tough to pick, but I would say the Nighthawk. Realistically, I use my watch more than anything else. The Nighthawk is well made and interesting and I always enjoy wearing it. Plus, fooling around with the bezel is entertaining when I'm bored.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
I think I would like to try out one of the Lionsteel Shufflers that Mike Latham special orders. They seem to nail the "modern traditional" pocket knife niche well. It's a classic slip joint design with modern handles and blade steel.
