Showcase #44: Customer Service Officer from Austin, Texas

Welcome to the Urban EDC Showcase! Each week, we feature one member from our community and the gear they rely on everyday. Want to be featured? Submit your gear photo.

This week, we talk to Nikki (@yetirage) from Austin, Texas. Nikki works in customer service for an online vacation company. She used to be a firefighter and EMT, and her EDC pursuit was fueled and shaped by her experience as a first responder. Read on to learn more about her classy and highly functional daily carry!

Featured Tools:

• Knife: Esee Izula 2
  I always have a small-medium fixed blade on my person. My work as a first responder has made me keen on keeping a knife to abuse should the situation arise.
   
• Multi-tool: Swiss Army Pioneer Alox
  While I prefer larger knives, I work in an office space, and this is less threatening to non knife folk. It has multi functions that prove to be everything I need out of an office knife.

• Light: Maratac AAA
  I find I use my pocket light the most. You don't know how useful it is until you carry it every day. Additionally the copper is antimicrobial, it keeps my pockets cleanish.

• Pen: Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen
  By far my favorite fountain pen. It's design is proving to be timeless and it writes like a dream.

• Notebook: Midori Traveler's Notebook
  Keeps my bills organized. I journal a lot and the ability to just buy new inserts as I need them speaks to me on a practical level.
  

• Pendant: Forged Mjolnir
  I wear this every day. I feel it helps me stay connected to my heritage, and it's also a personal totem of strength.

Background:

Growing up in Alaska started my love affair with nature. A knife is the most useful tool you can have in the woods. I was denied owning a knife as a child simply because I was "a girl". Watching my male cousins and friends receive pockets knives while I could not, enraged me.  

That adolescent anger paired with my work as a firefighter and EMT really kick started my obsession with EDC. You are most helpful to yourself, and the people around you if you are mentally, and materially prepared for crap situations. That, and I figure I am an adult now and I can buy as much candy and as many knives as I want!

I like to hike, camp, and improve my bushcraft skills whenever I get the opportunity. I also forage for wild edibles and am learning how to discern them from non edibles. I enjoy snorkeling in the local fresh water swimming holes the Texas Hill Country has to offer. My indoor time is usually spent cooking, reading Sci-fi and playing Dungeons and Dragons. I'm a big nerd.

Favorite EDC Tool:

Probably the Swiss Army Knife. It really is a great little tool with multiple applications. As my weekdays are very relaxed these days, it's all I really need.