Welcome to the Urban EDC Showcase! Each week, we feature one member of the EDC community and the gear they rely on every day. Want to be featured? Submit your gear photo.
Judging from his exquisitely assembled carry, Theo is clearly a man of taste and style. What’s most admirable is how he funded his gear purchases by working hard at the Golden Arches while juggling a full school load. Read on for the full story of Theo’s carry, how he first got into EDC, and what’s next on his discerning gear radar.
Featured Tools:
- Knife: Chris Reeve Sebenza 21 Small
I have several knives but this is far and beyond my favorite. The build quality, incredible tolerances, and titanium construction are all critical aspects that appeal to me. The size was also very important to me when I bought this knife, it’s compact and conforms to my hand nicely. And especially because of where I live, I didn’t want a knife that came off as intimidating. This knife is beautiful but that doesn’t stop me from carrying it daily. You wouldn’t believe the number of times co-workers have approached me about opening up a package at work.
- Flashlight: Okluma DC1
This is the aluminum model that’s been upgraded with a more versatile H17F driver. Aluminum’s eminently practical for real-world use and I’ve also added blue tritium in the optic for a personal touch. I love this flashlight because of the simple yet refined aesthetics; the DC1 is currently my go-to flashlight. I use my flashlights most frequently to walk my family’s German Shepherd and when I’m jogging at night. Having a powerful, reliable flashlight is a must for me.
- Wallet: Dango T01 Tactical Wallet
This is the most recent addition to my EDC. I picked it up during a Father’s Day sale, one for my dad and one for myself. It originally came with a multi-tool card that I have since removed because it would get caught on my pockets. The T01’s design and hybrid aluminum/leather construction make it somewhat unique amongst wallets. I like to keep my stuff organized so a good wallet is essential to me. Time will tell how the T01 fits into my daily use but first impressions are solid.
- Pen: Tactile Turn Slider
I chose this pen because of the stainless steel build. Although it’s a bit heavier, it soaks up drops and damage like a champ - it’s truly built to last. It also feels great in the hand and has a comforting heft to it. I think that a pen is a must-have even in today’s predominantly digital world. I don’t need a pen often but I’m grateful to have it when I do need it.
Background:
My name is Theo and I’m from the Bay Area. I’ve just graduated from high school. Most of my gear is purchased out of my own pocket from working at the Golden Arches. It’s definitely not the most glorifying work but both the pay and hours are good. I’m proud to have a balanced school with work; I graduated with a 4.0 GPA all the while working throughout most of high school.
I’ll be the first to admit that I won’t be sorry to quit McDonald’s when I’m off to college. I’ll be studying Econ at UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara) later in the year.
My hobbies are pretty diverse. Right now most of my free time revolves around reading manga and keeping fit. Fitness is definitely an integral part of my life and I’ve been doing karate for over a decade. That being said, I also probably spend way too much time web browsing more EDC gear!
I first got into EDC through flashlights; I’m pretty active on Candlepowerforums and the Flashlight Fanatic’s Facebook group. I noticed that in a lot of peoples’ pictures that they had other items in addition to just their flashlights. Things went (downhill for my wallet) from there.
Favorite EDC Tool:
Out of the items I listed, my favorite is unequivocally the Sebenza 21 Small. There’s just something about titanium that I really like. It has one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal and its properties are simply amazing. My other grail (not pictured) is a McGizmo Haiku also in titanium.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
Please don’t even make me think about what I’m going to buy next. I’m trying to slow down on the purchases! But if there’s one piece of gear I’ve had my eyes on for a while, it would be a Hanko Trident in titanium. I don’t know if it’ll ever happen because of the lotto system and sky-high secondary prices but one can dream.
