Showcase #118: Senior UX/UI Designer from Bern, Switzerland

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.

With the spectacular Alps in the background, we talk to Andreas (@swisswood) from Bern, Switzerland. When he’s not creating amazing websites and apps, Andreas is busy photographing and sharing his enviable collection of Victorinox SAKs with the world. Read on for the full story of how he first got started collecting, and what’s next on his gear radar!

Featured Tools:

• SAK: Robert Lessard Custom
  This Victorinox Spartan was modified by Robert Lessard, who does very high-quality and precise work. The brass scales are beautifully crafted. Even the end of the tweezers is made of metal. I use it every day for everything, from cutting string to opening letters.
  
  
• Lighter: Zippo
  When I was younger, I smoked so I always had a Zippo on my person. The advantage of an expensive lighter is that other smokers don’t have to plug the lighter out. Fortunately, I don't smoke today. Now, I use the lighter to start a fire at the grill or smoker.
  
  
• Knife: Deejo
  I put the Deejo knife together with the configurator on the website of Deejo. The blade is made of black titanium and has a fog spring as graphic. The handle is made of olive wood. I like the product design on the knife. It is very light (only 27g) and minimal. I don't really need the knife, it's more like a collector's item that I simply enjoy carrying.
  
  
• Pen: Kaweco
  This is my Kaweco Brass Sport. I'm a very creative person, so drawing, sketching and writing are things that I enjoy and do very often. Therefore, I like to have special writing instruments. Not every ballpoint pen fits into the trouser pockets, that’s why this little Kaweco Brass Sport is just perfect.
  
  
• Utility Tool: Griffin Pocket Tool
  I haven't had this for a long time. I have always seen great photos on Instagram. The tool fits well with my Victorinox knives. There's a certain security when you carry it with you. With this one little tool, you can repair and fix all kinds of things. It also looks nice.
  
  
• Keychain: Loyal Stricklin
  I've had a neck lanyard for years. Great thing but with time it was too big for me. I’ve chosen a model that has been around for so long. The big safety clip is practical. I also need the bunch of keys to ring my cats in the evening to let them know there's food.

Background:

My name is Andreas Schick and I live in the countryside near Bern, the capital of Switzerland. I work as a Senior UX/UI Designer. I create websites, iOS and Android apps.

Unfortunately, a year ago I had a burnout and had to quit my job after 19 years. I suddenly had a lot of time at home and I needed to do occupy myself. So, I started collecting Victorinox knives and taking photographs with just my iPhone.

I wanted to challenge myself and see how many followers I can get on Instagram (without buying users). At the moment, I have 12,000 organic followers and I cannot be happier to interact and share my pictures and stories with every single one of them.

My biggest hobby is collecting Swiss Army Knives from Victorinox. To photograph them and show them on Instagram. I also have some radio control cars (like the Baja Desert Trucks) which is a good balance to my digital work. I also like walking and hiking in nature. In Switzerland we have the Alps with a lot of great mountains, that's fun.

It’s difficult to say how I first got into EDC. My father always said a real man has a knife in his pocket. The first big knife I got from the Boy Scouts. It was some kind of Bowie knife with a deer antler handle. The first Victorinox Alox I got for free when I did military service.

Favorite EDC Tool:

Without a doubt, it's the modded Spartan by Robert Lessard. The knife has many useful functions. I need the blade the most. After that, it's the beer crown opener.

Next On Your Gear Radar:

I am waiting for the Alox Limited Edition Series 2018 from Victorinox. (Pioneer, Cadet and Classic). Also, the Victorinox Pioneer Nespresso 2018 that should also be released in spring.