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Born and raised El Paso, TX, Ever (@bhonda98) plans also to die in this “hot, sweaty, sunny beautiful desert city” that he proudly calls home. As an elementary school teacher, Ever believes in being prepared and it shows in his highly competent and comprehensive daily carry. Read on for Ever’s full story and find out what's next on his finely tuned gear radar.
Featured Tools:
- Organizer: Urban Organizer Mini
Up first, my Urban Organizer Mini. This has to be the best wallet I’ve ever had. It helps me keep my dump nice and organized. It doesn’t scratch my slip joint that I choose to carry for the day.
- Pen 01: Fisher Bullet Pen
Small, easy carry, and precise. What else can you ask for? When I’m at the store or restaurant, I’ve noticed that when I’m due to sign a receipt, the clerk usually makes a face when I tell them that I have a pen. Yes, I’m a bit of a snob, but I don’t want to use their plastic cheapie pen. 😋
- Pen 02: Ti2 Designs Techliner
This is made from copper and it’s heavy but very nice to use with the Jetstream ink refill. Just the perfect weight.
- Coin: Northwoods
Up next, a copper Northwoods coin that I carry as...I just carry it. No other reason. It’s part of my Northwoods Bear Lake in Stag. I was one of the few fortunate ones to buy from the last drop. How do I use it? I use it to make my dump look nice.
- Leather Slip: CharismaLeather
This is an Etsy-ordered leather slip from CharismaLeather for my Apple AirPods. Keeps them safe and attached so dropping and an easy carry is a constant option.
- Keys: Raven Workshop KeyGrip
This holds all my keys in perfect harmony.
- Flashlight: Maratac CR123
This is the Maratac copper flashlight, Rev. 2. Very bright and comfortable to carry. Hasn’t reached the patina I’m wishing for, but I will have to play with it more. It lights up the room and anything else as needed. Battery life is optimal.
- Pry Tool: J. Woytaz G5 Bandicoot
The J. Woytaz G5 Bandicoot with matching J. H. leather sheath and attached Etsy brass bead.
- Watch: Magrette Moana
Up next, Magrette Moana Pacific Professional Kara automatic watch. The movement: Swiss Made Caliber STP1-11 automatic movement with hacking seconds, 28800bph, manual winding, Incabloc shock absorption and Nivaflex NM mainspring. I love to switch it between my leather strap, onto the other two NATO straps that I have for it. As soon as I saw this watch, I knew I had to have it. It’s not a Rolex or Panerai, but it’s very nice to have and wear.
- SAK: Victorinox Cadet
Swiss Army Cadet knife in red berry 2018 edition. It doesn’t need much introduction, only clamors of joy because of its beauty and usefulness.
- Knife: Chris Reeve Knives Large Inkosi Insingo
As if you don’t recognize it...Chris Reeve Knives Large Inkosi Insingo Frame Lock Knife. It’s big, but not huge. It is very nice to carry; even when I’m using my slacks or even a suit.
I am a fortunate owner of the Emerson A-100 as well. That thing feels stout and huge. Both are the same size lengthwise, yet Emerson is thick (G-10), while CR is perfectly blended. Attached is a Combat Beads Line of Fire bead in tumbled brass. That thing is stout and complements my Large Inkosi just perfectly.
- Knife 02: Ferrum Forge
Lastly, it’s my latest acquisition. Massdrop Ferrum Forge flipper knife. This thing is small, but very much a tank. Don’t let the size fool you. It can really hold its own. It’s nice to know that it’s been “dazzled up” with also a Combat Beads aged brass Civilian and Reload beads to help complement the look.
Background:
My name is Ever Balandrán Jr. and I was born, raised, and always lived in El Paso, TX. I plan to die in this hot, sweaty, sunny beautiful desert city that is wonderful to mountain bike with its technical rocky trails; full of cactus and other thorny plants of the Southwest.
I am an elementary 5th-grade teacher. Have been teaching for...too long. It is said that teachers are always prepared, therefore, that’s why my pocket dump is important to me.
I am an enthusiast of knives, quality watches, road biking, mountain biking, and RC scale trucks since I was young. And I spend my free time surfing the web and Instagram, admiring other people’s EDC dump, or RC scale trucks.
I first got into EDC when my father left behind a Camillus US Military utility pocket knife that he found stuck on a tree in Timberon, NM. It was the last time I went camping with him. He got lost on that trip.
He went off to the side to use the restroom. When he wanted to come to us, he got disoriented, and couldn’t find his way back to us; until much later that evening. I don’t ever carry that knife with me since I see it as an heirloom; I’d hate to lose that.
Later in the years, I remember another time when I was helping my older cousin sell some stuff. Just for him selling an x amount of items, he received different prices from a catalog. He let me choose from the different prices. I picked a Swiss Army Knife. I lost it within two weeks since I took it to school. I hated myself for that.
I learned from a young age, that using a watch and a knife, with other tools integrated, were cool, but not necessarily as cool as I see them...and most of us in the Hobby.
About two years ago, I lost a little bit of interest with RCs. I was looking through Instagram when I saw how there was a whole community of people that enjoyed the same things like me, knives, wallets, watches, and even keychains.
Favorite EDC Tool:
Can I pick more than one? Chris Reeve Knives Large Inkosi Insingo Frame Lock Knife, “bank-vault” feel, is definitely the mere definition of this. You can tell quality once you see and feel it. It’s very simple, yet elegant and classy. Did I mention that it is tough looking? I can’t see this leaving my side, and it hasn’t since the day I got it.
Northwoods Bear Lake - Sambar Stag 05 knife. Is this the epitome of a classy slip joint knife or what? It sure is for me!
Magrette Moana Pacific Professional Kara automatic watch. It’s very sporty, it’s big, stylish, tasteful in my opinion, comfortable to wear, precise, and a limited edition with certificate of authenticity serialized out of 1,010 pieces.
What's On Your Gear Radar:
I’ve been keeping an eye on a Medford, Strider knife, and Dirk Wanger mini pen (hope to get ahold of one this upcoming drop), and either Rolex Sub-Mariner or black face Tudor Pelagos. I’m trimming the heard of things that I have, so I can make space for the most desired in my dump.