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From Long Island, Mark works as a lawyer and curates his EDC based on real-world requirements. Eschewing showpieces and safe queens, he only carries items that get used (and abused) on a daily basis. Read on to find out who are some of Mark’s favorite gear makers and how he deploys his spectacular EDC.
Featured Tools:
- Impact Tool: Foster Impact Devices Sap
A sap has interesting characteristics not found in other self-defense tools. They allow someone with little to no training (or under lots of stress) to defend themselves against a much bigger attacker by concentrating force. At the same time, it lessens the level of force needed if the individual is trained with the item.
- Fixed Blade: Joe Watson Magni
Joe produces wonderful lightweight self-defense knives. This one quickly found its way into my EDC and stayed there.
- Folding Knife: Chris Reeve Trailing Moon Sebenza w/ Combat Beads MOAB
I have had this knife for many years and the Sebenza is a legend for a reason.
- Pouch + Flashlight: Citizen E Pocket3 Pouch w/ Prometheus Beta QR V2
This handmade pouch serves as the container for my keys as well as the general loadout for the day. This mostly including knives, spare batteries, lock picks, and other small items. -
Lighter: Tokyo Pipe Co. Douglass Model 4
I love this lighter because it's small, expertly crafted, and it holds fuel for a long period of time. This is great since I don't use it every day.
- Compass: Tru-Nord compass
The highest quality button-style compass I've found. It's made from solid brass and calibrated for your particular region of the world to be as accurate as possible.
- Escape Kit: APEK 5.0
The APEK 5.0 (Advanced Personal Escape Kit) is useful for counter-custody situations. Includes five separate tools for removing restraints and breaking glass.
- Keychain Locator: Citizen E Glonutz
Cool little glow in the dark item for hanging on gear.
- Hanks: Uzin Hanks
Norris makes the most badass hanks on the planet.
- Pens: Fellhoelter TiBolt with Spin Caps
I have different pens for different moods. Here I have my Fellhoelter diamond pattern Tibolt w/ Mokuti spin cap and the copper Mini Dragon TiBolt w/ Ti Kerfuffle spin cap. They both have amazing action and the spinning caps are so addictive.
- Flashlights: Laulima
I switch between the Laulima Malihini Ti 2-Tone w/ red dragon engine and the Laulima Malihini aged copper with amber dragon engine. Elegant torches that feel great in the hand and look even better. The red and amber secondary lamps are great for night vision. Sometimes, I crank up the main emitters to light up the room across the street for fun.
- Rosary Beads: Citizen E Bone & Horn Technora Rosary w/ Knife Crucifix
Beautiful work by Citizen E. They make several different versions of these traditional rosary beads. Made with technora cord, they can be used for a variety of purposes.
- Patch: Tactical Gent
I have a small collection of morale patches that get rotated on bags and pouches. This one just happened to pick this one for the shot ;)
Background:
I'm a lawyer based on Long Island, NY. I curate my EDC stuff very carefully based on what's actually useful to me. I don't typically invest in showpieces or safe queens. I like to actually use my gear.
Aside from trial and error, I've been heavily influenced by some of the greats out there like Ed Calderon, Tracker Dan, Brian Fellhoelter, and Mitch Lum/Josh Dawson. I use their products daily and fully endorse. Give someone that's not into EDC a TiBolt or Malihini to hold and watch their faces light up!
Favorite EDC Tool:
It's so hard to choose a favorite. I can say that the Citizen E gear, a Malihini, and a Tibolt are carried each and every day.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
Next on my list would probably be a Hanko Trident or possibly some fancy parts for the mini Tibolt. I have a few things on order from Tom Krein, Creely Blades, and of course more Citizen E gear. Those are my next acquisitions.