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.
From Brooklyn, New York, we chat with Erin (@pockettrinkets) who works as a Network Engineer. She first got into EDC by way of her rock and antique pocket watch collection, which fed into her obsession of finding the right tool for the right job. Read on for Erin’s full rig rundown and find out how she deploys her spectacularly curated everyday carry.
Featured Tools:
- Bag: Hard Graft Phone Pack Classic
I tend to stick to the same couple of things in my actual pockets on a daily basis. Women’s jeans have very limited space in their pocket structure so I have to be selective.
This pack saves me from having to leave anything behind or overstuffing my pockets. I commute daily through NYC to get to work. I like how close fitting this bag is and I can sling it quickly from behind me to access something. I feel better knowing everything important is close to me and within sight.
- Notebooks: Field Notes Black Ice and “Pretty Much Everything” Memo books
For the last few months, I’ve been carrying at least one notebook with me daily. It’s been tremendously useful to physically write down a thought. Staring at screens all day for work, I find that breaking away and actually putting pen to paper helps me get things done.
I’ve been using one book as a to-do list and the other as a daily log/journal. It’s a fun personal way to keep track of memories and I even have a small photo printer that allows me to adhere little prints to the pages.
I love the idea of some family members in my future reading these years from now and getting a small glimpse into my thoughts (as mundane as they must be). I am actually a subscriber to their quarterly limited edition so it’s fun to have a new style to look forward to every so often.
“I’m not writing it down to remember it later, I’m writing it down to remember it now.” These words are straight from the Field Notes webpage and I’ll continue using them in such a way.
- Notebook Sleeve: DDC Brand “Stuff Sheath”
A simple sleeve to keep my pocket notebooks protected during daily carry. I toss receipts in there or business cards and I empty it out daily.
- Wallet: Dango D01 Dapper Wallet
I change wallets so frequently. One day I’ll be happy with the perfect wallet but for now, this one is doing the trick. It’s pretty low profile and has a built-in bottle opener and a slightly sharp edge. I use it a lot when I’m in a bind and don’t have my knife around to open a box. - Chapstick Sleeve: Black Label Creation Copper Sleeve
I had one previously that only fit Burts Bees but I’m a Chapstick gal so I jumped on this as soon as I saw it. I carry a different chapstick in every bag or desk drawer I encounter so I’m never without.
- SAK: Victorinox 2016 Damast Limited Edition
I combine this with a paracord lanyard I tied myself and added a copper bead by Armstrong Metal Works. I carry this pocketknife on me 99% of the time. It has every tool I could possibly need on an average day (Damascus blade, scissors, reamer/punch, can opener, two screwdriver sizes, bottle opener, and wire strippers) and it looks great at the same time. I’m a sucker for exotic metals and I love using my gear, no limits.
- Pendant: Steel Flame Dog Paw Killbox
Between the quality of this pendant and the friends I’ve made because of Steel Flame as a whole, I adore this piece. It has special meaning to me and I love the community behind it. I’ve worn it daily since it came to me.
- Flashlight: Cool Fall SPY 007 Sapphire Ultra
I've outfitted my torch with four lanyard beads. I have a couple of Scoopyloops beads (one Mokuti), a JBB Knives Sorry Not Sorry DarkTi bead, and an Armstrong Metalworks Mokume Space Nug bead.
I usually carry flashlights in metals that develop a patina. It was shocking to me when I grew to love this SPY so quickly. I ALWAYS have it in my left jeans pocket. All my jeans have a hole worn in them from carrying it.
I programmed it with one of the Easter egg features that allow the light to have haptic feedback every time I turn the knob to my preferred setting. I love being able to lock the switch at whatever level I want or lock it as a whole so it doesn’t accidentally get activated in my pocket.
- Worry Coin: J. L. Lawson & Co. The Decision Maker in Mokume
If it wasn’t clear by now, I love Mokume. I love the process and hard work I know goes into forging it. I love the way it changes and develops a patina unique to the person carrying it. This coin is in the smallest pocket of my jeans at all times as a sort of good luck charm for me.
- Pen: Fellhoelter TiNyBolt Fluted in Mokume
This Mokume beauty comes with a solid Zirconium handle, bolt, and clip. This pen is always in my bag and it holds sentimental value because it was my first piece at GX last year. I bought it directly from the Fellhoelter table and it was my first choice. I knew I wanted it and I beelined it to their table. It always comes in handy to have a pen on you. You don't realize how much you use it until you forget it one day.
- Handkerchief: FoxHanx vintage Paisley print
The moment I saw this handkerchief I knew it had to join my collection. It's sort of become my style that people know me for. I almost always include a FoxHanx hank in my daily essentials.
I love supporting small businesses. The husband and wife duo behind the company are the two absolute sweetest/hard-working/awesome people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
I use the handkerchiefs for many things like wiping my glasses, resting my phone on them, wiping off a blade, cleaning my camera lens, and on occasion, it’s helped to wipe away a stray tear. They add a nice pop of color and style to my every day and I adore them.
Background:
My name is Erin. Currently, I live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan as a Network Engineer for a media company. I actually use a lot of my gear at work. My flashlight and my Swiss Army knife come in handy serval times a week for a random variety of tasks.
Around April of last year, I finally decided to make a separate Instagram account for my EDC posts and It’s been the best decision I could’ve made in this realm. I’ve met so many great people and I love being able to post however frequently and not be judged for my hobby.
I find myself correcting people several times a week online that just immediately assume I’m a guy. It’s kind of funny and sort of become a joke among my other friends in the EDC community, but hopefully, it dies down. There are tons of women with these interests, so part of me wishes it wasn’t automatically assumed that you’re a guy because you have this gear.
If I had to think about how I first got into this world of “EDC” I would have to pinpoint something silly like the fact that I legitimately had a rock collection. More seriously though, I used to collect and repair antique pocket watches and things kind of all stemmed from there. I love finding the perfect item or tool for a task. I am always on the hunt for what would work best for me.
I love photography and I always keep my camera on me. It's better to be prepared than to find myself in a situation wishing I had one. When I’m not working or sharing my EDC obsessions I manage and post to my dog's Instagram. She’s a Miniature Dachshund and I love her to pieces. Sometimes I’ll include her in my EDC posts because she seems to always creep into the shots.
Favorite EDC Tool:
I would have to say my SPY 007 Flashlight is my favorite. I have it on me always. It’s well built, made to last, and I use it all the time at work.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
Next on my gear radar is a Lautie Noiz Atom. I’d like one in an exotic metal, so I’m waiting for the perfect one to catch my eye.