Showcase #104: Brazing Technician from Sweden

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.

In this week’s showcase, we talk to Magnus (@mifoto_se) from Sweden who is a Brazing Technician. When he’s not tinkering at the factory, Magnus spends his time behind the camera, chasing light and capturing shadows. Read on for the full rundown of Magnus’ daily carry, which is tempered by his unique brand of hands-on practicality and technical expertise.

Featured Tools:

• Knife: Spyderco Para 3
  I used to love everything about the PM2, except its size. Imagine my enthusiasm when Spyderco announced the Para 3 (and imagine my frustration when I had to wait 2 full months for it to become available in Sweden!). The blade to handle ratio, overall ergonomics, grippy G10, compression lock - it’s all perfect and right up my alley.
  
  
• Light: Fenix LD12
  Tail switch on/off, side switch mode operation, 4 output modes plus strobe and SOS, 125 lumens maximum output, 1xAA. Love the UI, love the fact that AA batteries are everywhere.
  
  
• Watch: Casio G-Shock Mudmaster
  I have a substantially wide taste in watches. That said, the GWG-1000 is definitely the largest and most tactical looking watch in my collection. I once heard someone describe it as "delightfully vulgar" and I can only agree.
  
  Packed with features, it is truly a monster of a workhorse. Solar powered, multi-band atomic timekeeping, altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, stopwatch, timer, 5 daily alarms, full auto calendar, world time, mud resistant, shock resistant, vibration resistant, 200 m (660 feet) water resistant... I could go on but let's just say, it does it all!
  
  I wear it on a two-piece N.A.T.O style strap from Jays and Kays. For a large wristed gentleman like myself, this is a much more comfortable option than the original resin strap. Lastly, as if the watch itself wasn't already bulky enough, I threw on a pair of Bullbars (also from Jays and Kays) to make it stand out even more.
  
  
• Pen: Schrade SCPENBK
  This was one of my first so-called tactical pens. Did you ever have a plastic pen break in your pocket, creating an inky mess? Or a plastic clip that snapped just from clipping it to a shirt pocket? No more. Screw on cap, steel clip, black anodized aluminum body, Schmidt P900 M refill. This thing will take a beating and still perform.
  
  
• Bottle opener: CRKT Snailor
  I wanted the real thing for years but even if I found one, I could never really justify the price tag. So, I picked up the CRKT version instead as soon as they were available. Nowadays, you'll usually find it clipped to my belt loop. Honestly though, I hardly ever use it to open bottles. Personally, it’s more of a conversation piece.
  
  
• Misc: Skeleton key and 1993 dime
  People always ask me about these. None of them have a purpose other than serving as good luck charms. Some people carry spinners and tops, I carry a coin.

Background:

My name is Magnus Isaksson, I am 31 years old, born and raised in the south of Sweden. I work as a Brazing Technician at a factory where I usually spend my days tinkering with induction brazing and capacitor discharge welding. Setup, repairs, maintenance and development, that sort of thing.

When I am not working, I spend my time either behind a camera or in the darkroom. I have been shooting for more than half of my life, always trying new cameras, formats, film stock. Lately, other than photography, I've been really into ham radio and I'm aiming to become a licensed operator sometime soon.

I first got serious about EDC sometime in 2015 and that's when I really got into collecting knives, pens, watches and so on. I sometimes get comments asking "Dude, don't you ever use your knife/light/pen/multi-tool? There's not a scratch on it!" Well, that's because I have quite a few and I rotate between all of them. That way I don't get bored.

I don't consider myself a prepper by definition, but I do believe in a certain level of preparedness. Something to write with, something to light your way, a cutting tool and a decent watch. Those things will get you a long way.

Favorite EDC Tool:

If I had to choose one single item from the picture above it would be the Mudmaster. I am one of those people who just can't stand leaving the house without a watch and I consider it to be an important tool not only at work but always. I am a strong believer in being on time, and I prefer not reaching for my phone to check the time.

Next On Your Gear Radar:

I have read so many good things about the Fox Knives Tur by Jesper Voxnaes, it's about time I check it out and see what all the fuss is about. Elmax, carbon fiber, made in Italy - sounds good to me. Besides, any Vox knife is a good knife.