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.
Today, we're getting down to brass tacks with Idon (@idonjuantatalya) who's born and raised in the Nutmeg State. From his 20-year-old Leatherman Mini to his trio of patinated brass tools (pry, pen, and light), he combines functionality and form in his wonderfully diverse carry. Read on for Idon's full rig rundown and find out what's next in his "must-buy" list.
What's in your carry?
- Knife: CJRB Centros
I've wanted a Centros ever since I saw the prototype on the IG feed of @mallery_dsgns. D2 steel blade, thumb studs, bearings, and an awesome design means I keep throwing it in the pocket over most anything else (although my deep-carry RAT-1 D2 comes in a close second). The Centros is my primary utility blade (opening packages, breaking down cardboard) and primary fidget toy.
- Utility Slip Joint: Böker Tech-Tool City 1
This Tech-Tool was my "gateway" slip joint. I wanted to try a slip joint without giving up a pocket clip, and the Böker fit the bill nicely. It's my go-to for opening food-related packages (chips, etc.) and since it has a relatively soft pull (no half stop) it's also the blade that comes out when I hear the words "Hey, can I borrow your knife?"
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Slip Joint: Rough Ryder Micarta Work Knife
The Böker was my gateway slip joint, but this Rough Ryder relegated all my other slip joints to storage. I'm a sucker for a Wharncliffe blade, especially in a swayback pattern, so when these came available I was lucky enough to snag one before they sold out. I found out later that it's a budget "homage" of the GEC 47 Viper, which is now one of my grails. This RR is my "fruit slayer": no apple is safe!
- Multi-tool: Leatherman Mini Tool
This was a gift almost 20 years ago, and I somehow hung on to through 4 moves. Once I got into EDC, I realized it's the perfect 5th-pocket carry. Full-sized pliers in a tiny package, plus clip-point blade that's so small it doesn't even get a second glance.
- Pry Tool: Rogan USA Sport EDC
I've carried a Rogan pry of one form or another for almost a year and a half, and this one is by far my favorite. The cap lifter gets more use than the pry tip, but it's always good to have my knife insurance on-hand.
- Organizer: Hide & Drink
Snagged this off of Amazon and modded it to test out using an organizer before dropping $$ on a "real" one, but I never needed to. It's not the prettiest piece of kit, but it works and works well.
- Flashlight: Drop x Lumintop Tool AAA (Nichia 219C)
I've got a thing for brass, so when Drop (or back then, MassDrop) first releases their brass AAA lights, I picked one up. It sold me on carrying a dedicated flashlight, especially ones with Nichia emitters.
- Pen: Custom from Etsy
After I got the brass flashlight, I decided I needed a brass pen, and I found this one on Etsy for a good price. The barrel has been scratched to hell from daily carry, but the pen still writes well, so I just call it "patina" and don't worry about it.
- Pry Tool #02: Brasswerx prybar w DIY leather lanyard.
The last piece in my brass trio was this Brasswerx pry. Problem being, brass isn't the best material for actual prying tasks, so once I got my first Rogan pry, this one was retired. I've recently brought it out of mothballs with the whole pandemic thing going on - never know when you're gonna need a button pusher.
- Wallet: Saddleback Leather
Saddleback makes some awesome gear. Had this one for a while now, fits 6 cards plus a couple of bills without any issue, and it's ageing gracefully. I've tried going back to larger billfolds a couple of times, but keep coming back to this.
- Wedding band: Custom (10k white gold, lost wax casting)
I was originally worried about its durability, but it's taken all the abuse I can throw at it without so much as a dent. Officially my longest daily carried piece of EDC gear (4 years on Memorial Day Weekend).
- Watch: Timex Expedition w Clockwork Synergy NATO
Picked up a few Timexes in trades, and this one is by far my favorite. Easily readable digits, date window, and a decent lume, and so far it's been a tank. My only gripe is that the movement is LOUD, but it's not so bad that I'm going to stop wearing the watch anytime soon.
- Earbuds: Anker Liberty Neo
Best true wireless earbuds that I've found for the price. Sound quality is good enough for podcasts and phone calls, and with the charging case, I get a couple of weeks between recharges.
- Hanks: 100% cotton hanks
One for snot, one for not. I've got allergies and I'm always warm, so both get used (and changed out) pretty much daily.
What's your story?
Born and raised in CT, and I currently live in northern CT with my wife, kids, dogs, and cats. I'm an IT guy for a small software company that's headquartered about 10 minutes from my house.
My EDC journey started a couple of years back I was carrying a Gerber EAB Lite for opening packages at work and had convinced myself that it was all I needed.
I made the mistake of telling a buddy of mine that I was thinking about getting an actual knife instead of a utility blade, and he gave me his old Veff-serrated CRKT M21 to try out. Everything went downhill pretty quickly from there.
My hobbies have been pared down to watching TV in bed and scrolling through EDC feeds on Instagram. Between working from home due to the quarantine and taking care of our 18-month-old, free time is pretty limited.
Favorite EDC Tool?
I'd have to say my Leatherman Mini, primarily because of its sentimental value, and the fact that it's a discontinued model, but it is also a really useful tool to have in my EDC. Never know when you're going to need a full-sized pair of pliers.
What's On Your Gear Radar?
My budget for new gear is exactly $0 right now, but the QSP Penguin in Denim Micarta is at the top of the list, followed pretty close by a Reylight Pineapple in brass with the Nichia emitter, or the Böker Rocket Pen in brass.