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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.
Maarten (@nerdism_edc) is a nerd in the best way possible. When he was trying to find out what knife works best for him, Maarten bought hundreds (yes, hundreds) of production knives to use and test. And because he’s a film buff, Maarten built his own movie theater in his basement, complete with a widescreen TV. You get the idea. So, read on to find out all about Maarten and his carefully curated everyday carry tools.
Featured Tools:
SAKs: Custom Victorinox
I carry a couple of them. The first being a Victorinox Deluxe Tinker with Brass Trooper scales by Andrzej Woronowski. Next is a Victorinox Rambler with Copper Trooper scales, also by Andrzej.
The Stormtrooper scales were also a custom build. Years ago when I just started out, Andrzej was willing to make custom scales for me with a Star Wars theme. He was the first maker that fused my two hobbies into one. This set in the photo is the most recent of an ever-growing collection. The large Victorinox even has a custom logo on the other side. A mix of both Woro_Knives and Nerdism_EDC logos.
What's your story:
My name is Maarten, and I'm 34 years old. I’m from the Netherlands close to the Belgian border. 6 months ago, I made a 360-degree career change. After a decade working in the social/youth work field, I became a data analyst specializing in geospatial data!
With having a degree in social sciences, that was quite a leap to take. But change is good and I don’t regret my decision for a second -it’s good to learn and do new things and find your way in a brand new field. And another upside, I added even more credibility to my Nerd status.
I first got into EDC at quite a young age. Always carried a knife with me everywhere I went. Such a practical tool. It was only during the last 5 to 6 years that I really got into it when I visited the Dutch knife forums and really connected with the community.
Somewhere in there, I tripped and fell into the rabbit hole called “knife collecting”. Those first few years I bought hundreds of (production) knives just finding out what I do and don’t like carrying. The years after, the quantity went down and the quality went up. I like frame lock knives... I think... maybe?
Aside from knives, I’m also a movie buff. I went even so far as to build my own movie theater in the basement with a 3.5-meter widescreen. And I just can’t listen to music enough. Always digging those crates looking to expand my record collection. I love to play the occasional video game with friends as well.
Also, a lot (no really, a lot) of time goes into the knife/gear hobby. Interacting with the community & other knife nerds, watching reviews, keeping an eye out for that next grail, making photos and posts for Nerdism_EDC. After all these years I still enjoy it.
Favorite EDC Tool:
It has to be the Shamwari and the Brass Victorinox. That is a very difficult question because the knives are all made by makers which I consider personal friends and whose work I admire.
I really like the Shamwari because it’s a custom build Gareth made for me. Thicker stock M390 blade, Snakewood handles, a light stonewash, and it runs on phosphor bronze washers. Making for an EDC knife that in my opinion cannot be beaten – in both performance and looks.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
Recently a lot of French knife makers are popping up (for me) with some impressive work. While not completely sure which one I would like to put on the shortlist, I will definitely keep an eye on them!
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