Showcase #330: Telecoms Technician from Perth, Western Australia

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.

From Perth, Australia, we chat with Zac (@zalexyoung_) who works as a Telecommunications Technician. Zac first got into EDC by way of the Hinderer XM-18 (fantastic start) and has since assembled a drool-worthy collection of custom tools that he uses every day. Read on for Zac’s full rig rundown and find out how he merges his love of photography and gear collecting to stunning effect.

Featured Tools:

• Knife: Les George Rockeye XL
  This beautiful custom by Les George with its 5-inch blade isn’t exactly the easiest to EDC but it is one of the favorites in my collection with mosaic Damascus by Chad Nichols on the bolsters.
  
  
• Secondary Knife: Jason Good Barlow Slip Joint
  Another custom, this slip joint by Jason Good is an excellent secondary knife in my EDC, with its modern traditional design using micarta, titanium, and CPM 154 steel. Being a slip joint it is easily used in an urban environment which is a big plus. The elegance of traditional is a big reason for my newfound love of slip joint knives.
  
  
• Flashlight: Lumen Essentials Titanium
  Custom theme here with a flashlight by Lumen Essentials in titanium with a CWF Dragon Driver. Amber secondaries were the main reason for going for a custom torch as I love the way secondary LEDs look.
  
  
• Pry: Lynch Northwest AAP V1.2
  My Prybar is by Lynch Northwest the AAP V1.2, I chose this pry due to being lightweight, having a great clip, and a unique design. What more could you want from a pry!
  
  
• Pen: Nottingham Tactical
  My pen is a Nottingham Tactical TiClicker in the Killer Beez pattern. I love the aesthetic of the machining on this pen which is a big reason why I picked it. It’s a great conversation piece and I always enjoy writing when I get to use it.
  
  
• Zippo: Hate Project Brass Zippo
  I don’t smoke but can use this Zippo with a butane insert at work, I really like the Hate project and what they are doing, and this piece, in particular, has a cool story.
  
  
• Hank: Young Hanks
  This hank was made by my partner and is probably my favourite to use in photos, plus the added benefit of being able to wipe down my EDC gear.
  
  

• Patch: Viking Patch by hieu6066
  An awesome patch gifted to me by my good friend Hieu and is one of my favorite things featured here as it is designed off my image!

What's your story:

My name is Zac, I live in Perth, Western Australia. I'm 24 and enjoy collecting knives/EDC gear, photography, eating burgers, drinking beers, and spending time with my family and two puppies. I am currently working as a Telecommunications Technician and have been for the last 3 years. Someday, I’d like to try my hand at making some EDC items of my own.

My original interest in EDC began with the craft of knife making and how a tool can be useful but also elegant and beautiful. My first folder purchase was a Hinderer XM-18 which began my entry into the EDC community and the addiction we all call collecting. I am very fortunate to have acquired the EDC items I have and enjoy engaging in the local and various EDC communities here in Australia.

My free time is mostly spent playing/exploring with my two dogs or enjoying burgers/beers with my family and friends. I am really enjoying the ability to combine my hobby for EDC and photography which leads me to explore places with my gear and capture their beauty in environments to match.

Recently, I have been trying my hand at a bit of anodizing with some well-received results and can't wait for more chances to mod knives!

Favorite EDC Tool:

Picking a favorite is probably the hardest part of the write-up. With each piece of EDC eventually having a sentimental or significant story after being carried long enough, for me it would have to be my Hate project Zippo being gifted it by an excellent member of our community as I had not had any Haye project items before. I've seen awesome things happen within the EDC community its always great to see strangers helping each other out brought together by a common hobby.

What's On Your Gear Radar:

I have been keeping a very close eye on the CKF/Rotten Design Evolution having played with a few CKF knives before and owning a Switch I'm very excited to try to get one of these beautifully made knives by Mikhail and his team at CKF.