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A minister from Missouri, Jeff (@jrandleman) spent 22 years working with teens as a youth minister, and the past 8 in a lead pastor role. In his free time, Jeff enjoys reading, writing, spending time with his 7 kids, and roasting his own coffee beans. Read on to find out what Jeff uses on a daily basis, and how he manages to do it all with such poise and grace.
Featured Tools:
- Briefcase: Saddleback Leather
I have admired the quality and craftsmanship created by Saddleback Leather for several years. My dad was a leather craftsman. I can appreciate quality work when I see it, and Saddleback is top notch.
Early in 2018, I finally pulled the trigger on a chestnut brown Front Pocket Briefcase. I must say, I absolutely love it. This carries most of the stuff that doesn't fit in my pockets. I mainly put my Hobonichi, journal, and laptop since they go with me almost everywhere. Along with a few books that change out frequently, this is an essential part of my daily carry.
- Journal: Custom
This was a gift from my wife and kids almost a decade ago. It has been my daily companion through so much. It holds a Moleskine classic hardcover journal. I prefer to have blank pages for daily journaling and writing. I've filled it up with dozens of Moleskines over the years. The leather cover has seen me through them all.
- Calendar: Hobonichi Techo / One Star Leather Goods
My daily calendar is a Hobonichi Techo. I started using this a couple years ago. It helps me to simplify my life and move away from so much tech gadgetry. With my love for writing by hand, especially with a fountain pen, this was a logical choice. The Techo is the perfect fit for my needs.
All of my appointments land in my physical calendar before being sent on to my shared google calendar. I have this wrapped in a handmade cover from One Star Leather Goods.
- Wallet: Popov Leather
In my right back pocket is a leather wallet made by Popov Leather. This holds a Field Notes notebook, my license, a couple of cards, and any cash or receipts I might have.
I have carried a Field Notes for several years. I found leaving it bare caused it to wear out extremely fast. I've tried keeping it in a separate cover for a while, but it was just too bulky in my pocket. This wallet from Popov Leather was the perfect merger of the two.
- Hank: Piney River Peddlers
I carry a handmade handkerchief in my other back pocket. This one features vintage stamps, which is one of my favorites. I cycle through several other patterns and materials on a regular basis. Check out Piney River Peddlers on Etsy if you want to see a few other examples.
- Knife: Great Eastern Cutlery
I always carry a pocket knife. Ninety-nine percent of the time it's a slip joint. I collect knives and rotate my daily carry frequently.
Featured in the photo is my Yankee Jack. It was built on the #77 frame by Great Eastern Cutlery. This my absolute favorite. It is a handy piece made from 1095 carbon steel with autumn saw-cut bone covers. I use it for almost everything from slicing apples, cutting steaks, opening mail, and other day-to-day needs. I even whittle once in a while with it.
- Knife Slip: One Star Leather
This slip is a perfect fit for most of my slip joints built on the #77 frame or similar. It allows me to keep other items in my pockets from rubbing and scratching the bone or the bolsters. The fact that it holds a small pen is an added bonus.
- Pen 01: Fisher Space Pen
The Fisher Space Pen is always in my pocket. It's small but when you post the cap it's close to a full-size pen. It is probably the handiest item in my pockets. I would feel lost without it.
- Pen 02: Karas Kustoms EDK
I almost always have another pen on me besides the Fisher Space Pen. It is usually the EDK in copper and black. This is a handmade pen from Karas Kustoms. It won't be the last pen I buy from them. This thing is built solid and has almost the perfect balance. The Schmidt refill I've put in it writes so smoothly.
- Pen 03: TWSBI
I sometimes carry a fountain pen instead of the EDK. I have several old Parker Vacumatics from the 1930s and 40s, but they stay on my desk.
This TWSBI makes its way into my pocket on a regular basis. With a fine nib, it is one of the smoothest fountain pens I have found. The look of the clear body and black and gold accents makes this a beauty to behold. Currently, it's filled with an Iroshizuku ink by Pilot. The color is Tsuki-yo which means moonlight. It is a deep and dark blue ink with a hint of grey. I use this pen and ink in my journal more than almost any others.
- Flashlight: Maratac AAA
This handy little light is bright enough for my needs and small enough that I hardly notice that I'm carrying it at all. I carry it clipped inside my front left pocket. I absolutely love the way copper develops a patina over time.
- Keychain: Scout Leather Co.
In my front right pocket are my keys. I carry as few keys as possible on a brass hook from Scout Leather. I also carry a copper tritium tag and a few other various copper pieces on my key ring.
- Coin: Morgan Dollar
Along with my keys, my front right pocket usually has a Morgan dollar in it. I carry this as a fidget item. I keep it on me because I love the look and history of old coins.
- Pocket Watch: Waltham
In my fifth pocket, I have recently started carrying an old Waltham pocket watch. I know very little about this watch. I carry it because it was my grandfather's watch. He's the reason I love old watches, coins, and pocket knives. It keeps time well and is always a great conversation piece.
- Watch: Seiko Turtle
On my wrist is usually a Seiko Turtle diver's watch. I love the classy look of the Seiko and replaced the bracelet with a leather strap. The Seiko keeps time extremely well and provides a classy look no matter how I might be dressed.
Background:
I am a minister in central Missouri, in the town of Sedalia. This is the same place where the Missouri State Fair is held. I have been in ministry since my first year of college. This year will be my 30th year. For the first 22 years, I was as a youth minister. I would work primarily with teens. The last few years have been in a lead pastor role, which I absolutely love.
My wife and I just recently celebrated our 25th anniversary. We have 7 kids ranging in age from 3 to 20 years old. Our lives stay pretty busy from that fact alone, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Needless to say, my family and the ministry take up a lot of my time. In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, hiking, and mountain biking as often as I can. I also love coffee and roast my own beans. I have at least 8 different ways to brew a cup of coffee and enjoy the aromas and flavors coffee can have.
I have always carried a few things in my pockets, usually a knife or a pen. I never really considered the quality of those items until relatively recently in life. After my grandfather passed away, I received a few of his knives. He mainly collected Case knives. That is what started me along the path of looking into better quality blades. From there, my interests spread to watches and a few other EDC related items.
When it comes to pens and writing, journaling has been a lifelong habit, ever since college. So a pen and a notebook have always been nearby. I write frequently, journaling daily, and carry a notebook and pen with me at all times. That too was first influenced by my grandfather. He always had a small notebook in his pocket, along with a pen.
Favorite EDC Tool:
Out of everything listed here, it's hard to choose a favorite. Right now, I might say it's the Yankee Jack. Tomorrow it could be my grandfather's Waltham. It's hard to identify one single thing that I like better than all others. They all have their place and fulfill a specific need or function. I'm not sure I would really stop using or carrying any of them at this point in my life.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
What's next for my EDC lineup? I am always on the lookout for more knives made by GEC on the #77 frame. There are several on my list that I would like to track down. Little by little, I am doing just that. I am also expanding my collection into the realm of Case knives. I've been primarily focused on the Barlow, Teardrop, and Stockman patterns. I would also like to look into some more fixed blades down the road. The Bark River Knives has caught my eye.