I was just curious what people include in their EDC setup. I am a huge Paul Harrell fan and he had 5 things he included in his recommendations. When I carry, I carry my revolver, a flashlight, pepper spray, a Bianchi strip with 6 extra rounds, and my CCW safe card for quick access to a lawyer. I am guessing we all carry a phone, so I will leave that off the poll.

P.S. The poll allows multiple choice, so you can pick and choose what you carry if your EDC is somewhere in-between. For example I do not carry a knife, so I selected the first 5 options.

Wow! Surprised at the amount of votes for a knife. I am probably missing out May add one just for versatility as some mentioned.

YouTube

None of the above.

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Sure you did

How can a guy NOT carry a knife ?
Always something needing cut ,poked , sliced ,or opened
Barely a day goes by I don’t use mine for something
Men been edc knives for 100 000 years, give or take . Starting to sound like a trend ;-)
Keep a flashlight and a bigger knife in the truck

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the rules? there are no rules

My EDC changes a bit between home and "away from home".

Home is usually a J frame, knife, pepper spray, creds / cards when out with the dog or walking down the mountain to the mailbox. (Sometimes a sap instead of pepper spray.)

Away from home is a Glock, spare mag, pepper spray / sap, creds & cards, flashlight, knife.

Same basics with adjustments. YMMV.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Gun, wallet, phone, reading glasses, car keys.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Two knives—fixed blade fighting knife, folding all-purpose knife
Lighter
Hand cuff key
Cravat/large handkerchief (first aid tool)

add to the above;

Reading "cheaters"
key ring....... extra car key, and all three houses
Wallet
money clip
two quarters...... hate being handed a handful of pennies nickels and dimes

Well yeah, wallet, car keys and a handkerchief but those weren’t offered, so none of the above.

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Sure you did

LCP or 365, extra mag if going to shop in town
always a pocket knife, usually a Spyderco
Steramlight if in town at night
and if out for a walk with the wife's mutt, a chunky little Puggle (half pug/half beagle) that thinks he's an attack Rottweiler

Knifes, but seldom a defensive knife. Handkerchiefs, handcuff key (no real need, but not exactly a burden). No excuse for no pepper spray, except that it is bulk that I find unhandy in summer. Lighter and matches, but not in my pockets. Sometimes no flashlight in summer. Gun and two speed loaders, or occasionally two speed strips, are at the top of my list.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Check out some of the EDC videos on YouTube, some include guns and some don't. There's some pretty good ones on there.

Additional EDC items:

Front pocket: cravat and leather pouch with small items including space pen, rechargeable flashlight, mini multi-tool, lighter, cuff key, consecrated oil vial.

Rear pocket: folding knife, pepper gel, comb (Yes, self defense application possible).

Attached Images

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Not an EDC thing but regarding flashlights:

Been in bands for over 25 years and dealing with end of night load outs. By far the most effective piece I found was the 5 D cell Rookie Cop flashlight. Even drunks recognize the impact this would have on their melon and part like the Red Sea.

Wallet, knife, gun, reload.
Other stuff as needed. Wallet has a few essentials in it. Mostly a bank card that has solved more problems than any gun I ever had.
I cannot remember the last time i was wearing pants and didnt have a knife. Might have been when I was in first grade.

Along with gun, knife, ammo and flashlight. I also carry the other essentials keys, phone and wallet. When I’m out performing service calls. I do have 2 rubber coated brass doorstops and pepper spray in my tool bag just in case.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

I don't think keys and wallet really count for the purpose of this topic however... one of the "keys" on my key ring that is indeed always with me is the S&W internal lock key.

I only own a single revolver so equipped, it's my 460XVR. With a strictly kept log, 614 rounds (all full-nuts) and this revolver has never managed to lock itself, so I have never actually needed this little key.

I figure since it's always with me, one day I can use it to assist someone else at the range that has a S&W with a locked internal lock.

From the list:

A mouse gun and an equally mousey knife.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I always have a pocket knife, a pen, a small amount of cash, my DL, and one credit card. The car or truck hauls all the other stuff.

I’ve seen posts where people claim to EDC an amazing amount of stuff w/them. I’m a minimalist: Besides my wallet, keys & cell phone it’s just a J Frame (LCP sometimes) & one reload. I do have more ammo in the car, but it’s just a speedloader or spare mag.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Everybody in the World has an EDC, even if you live in a nudist colony everybody has stuff they don't leave home without.

I've told this story before but it really was a Benchmark in my life. When I was stationed in Germany I got sent to a M16 qualification off post. I'm pretty sure it was the very first time I had to qualify on Active Duty. To make a long story short when we arrived at the Range (Vilsek?) it was a blizzard and I wasn't prepared. Due to circumstances beyond my control I ended up in the field for five days with no clean underwear/socks, no personal hygiene items, no wet weather gear, no sleeping bag and no smokes. I learned my lesson and I never again left main post without a small pack with the above mentioned items. It came in very handy more than once.

ETA

When I worked as a security guard tbere were certain things I learned from experience, I should have with me for every shift.

I always had a hat and sunglasses even if I was working nights. I always had at least one pen and one notebook on my person. I always had my phone and a charging cable. I always had a Flashlight (usually two and a spare in my work bag) and a charger for it. I always had my Buck 110 and a Multitool. I usually had a smaller folder in my pocket because a Utilities Admin Assistant freaked out one day when I pulled out my Buck to cut open a box for her. Every company I worked for had me AED/CPR certified and I was required to have a barrier device and gloves all the time. I never bothered with a watch because the company phone or the computer on my desk was always the "official" time. I always carried at least a 40 ounce water jug. My last 3 years I carried a bag of Catfood in the trunk of my car.

I always carried a pack with me to work with clean socks, underwear and T-shirt, a rain coat, a complete set of Waffle Tops. Wind proof fleece. Several extra pens and notebooks and phone chargers. Gloves, winter and work. A Bible and whatever book I was currently reading. I also kept an emergency radio that would double as a battery pack in my pack.

When I worked armed I was only allowed to use the gun and ammunition and OC they issued me with ZERO modifications or alterations. I once had to DX ONE ROUND of ammunition and write a statement as to why (it got a bunch of oil on it)I was DXing it. They also issued me my duty belt, holster and handcuffs, I was allowed my own magazine carriers and radio holder but they had to match the belt.

Now I'm retired and I carry what I want.

I don't carry sunglasses because the VA bought me photo grays but I have a spare set in my car. I always have my hat I always have a water bottle. I always have my wallet and keys. I still carry my Buck and my Multitool and a smaller knife. I always have the same flashlight I carried at work and OC. I always have a handkerchief. I always carry my phone.

And of course a Glock 19 and two reloads

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Retired Career Security Guard

I've carried a pocket knife for the past 58 years (since I was 6 years old). Not as a weapon but as a often used tool. I would feel undressed without one. I carry a small high intensity flashlight (Streamlight Protac 1L/1AA) if out at night or if I'll be in a large building. I keep OC spray in the vehicles and will put it in my pocket occasionally. Gun and spare ammo? Always

the usual... keys, phone.....

20220101_103111.jpg

Two Guns, reloads for both, pepper spray, knife, multi tool, flashlight, phone, wallet with all ID’s, money clip, bandanna, and maybe a couple other things at times.

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Two Handguns every day

Usually a firearm, pocket knife, waterproof match safe with matches, keys, pen, handkerchief, and wallet...oh...almost forgot, a lucky agate. Of course, my truck has everything I need for a few days if needed.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I live out in the boonies, so around the property working, just gun, phone, work knife and some type of multitool. When I go into town just my gun (15 rds) and folder. Truck has all kinds of stuff including SBR.
When I go out with the wife I carry 2 guns/ 1 extra mag and usually just a small pen knife. At night I include a small pelican flashlight. Second gun is for the wife if need arises. Funny when we are together she doesn't carry. If she is out by herself she carries her own, just the way it is...

My back is getting tired just reading about all of the gear some folks carry as EDC.......

Randy

I think some folks are redefining EDC. In the normal context of American life everyone who needs glasses has them, almost everyone now carries a phone, I submit everyone carries a wallet with ID and credit cards, etc. These are normal items carried by everyone and on a firearms forum shouldn't have to be mentioned.

The poll included defensive gear as EDC and that's a world away from a wallet and sunglasses. Moreover, some of the posts seem to suggest that the writer is always afoot. I don't believe that so some of the suggested items are silly - they should be in your motor vehicle.

Almost all smart phones have a flashlight so in 21st century America listing a flashlight as if you didn't already have one is duplicative. Besides, you should have a REAL flashlight, some would say a tactical type of flashlight, in your motor vehicle. So if you list yourself as the EDC of your motor vehicle you already have your flashlight and probably your sunglasses. NOT EDC in the world of self defense, just normative items in your car or truck.

Maybe I'm just too persnickety and cynical .

Gun
Knife
Okay, flashlight.

You're done. Extra ammunition? Okay, that's a good choice for EDC. Lawyer card? Silly. He or she is in your phone.
Pepper spray? I have a gun, what do I need pepper spray for? YMMV I reckon!!!

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Come and take it!!

The stuff I tote around when out and about.


Of course I gotta make sure to keep an extra hair tie handy just in case.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Depends on my clothes and where I'm going. My phone has a light on it. I can start a fire with cord and wet wood. Should probably get a lighter and torch, but they are just duplicates

Minimum 1 gun, 1 reload, 1 victorinox swiss champ. I wear that to the gym.

In town, 1 gun, 1 reload and/or second gun, swiss champ, 3" fixed blade. New York reload is better than a strip or loader.

Outdoors 2 guns, 2 reloads, swiss champ, 4-5" fixed blade.

The most valuable and important tool ever made by man is the knife. 3.5" to 4.5” fixed blade would cover 99% of anything a knife would ever do.

Your needs are different. I for one am not near my car or home all day. When I leave the house I take all I think I may want Evan if it may not be needed. I walk 5 miles a day and sometimes not back home for hours. You take what you want. I’ll take what I want.

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Two Handguns every day

Your EDC is the things that you carry with you everyday.

I am under the impression that you're older than me and have been out of the workforce longer than I have, my apologies if I'm wrong.

The last 3 or 4 years of my work life I worked around a bunch of Millennials who would routinely show up for work with a dead phone and nothing to charge it or show up for a job that requires writing without a pen or a notebook. I watched them show up for work in freezing temperatures with no coat. I would watch the same guy show up over and over again for a NIGHT job with no flashlight.

So no, don't assume that everyone who needs glasses has them. I don't assume people manage to make it out their door with their wallet and keys.


I'm not in my car all day. If I forgot something at work I it would be inconvenient and time consuming to leave my work station and walk all the way out to my car to get it. I read on this forum about people who don't feel the need to carry spare magazines because the leave some in the car. That's not going to help you when you're in the back of the grocery store.

Your phone's primary function is communications. Using the flashlight on the phone KILLS the battery and degrades its ability to preform its primary function.

I was in the gym last week when all the lights went out. What good would a REAL flashlight, in my a car on the other side of the parking lot do me in that situation?


Maybe

Deadly force isn't always justified. Dogs are a thing. Around here so are bears

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Retired Career Security Guard

25% percent of the time OWB so it's just the gun and knife; 75% I carry a shoulder rig with extra ammo. I can't remember ever carrying a flashlight since I retired. Rarely, do I bring pepper spray, but I should.

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213th FBINA

Have you ever heard of that happening?

The minimum, based upon my perceived threat level.

I carry pepper spray for less than lethal threats so I do not have to escalate right to lethal. I prefer not to kill anyone even in defense if it is avoidable. I will not hesitate if they escalate to a lethal threat to my family or I, however there is a lot of area in between threat and lethal threat. The pepper spray is for that gray area.

The culture in which I was raised assumed every male over the age of six or seven had a knife, that it was sharp and that they knew how to use it without injuring themselves. I was around 9 or 10 the first time I encountered a grown man without one. I was as shocked as if he'd been pantless. When I was about 16 I was at work and took out my knife to cut twine on the job. The customer, a state trooper from "downstate", commented that if I'd done that in his hometown he'd have arrested me, but there it made sense.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I was raised in a suburb so that wasn’t the case for us. I am getting a knife for sure though. Probably more useful than my gun as I found out when my wife had packages 📦 I had to open with a ballpoint pen 😂 I have a multi tool but she moved it. Would have been handy to have a simple knife so I’m sold just based on that.

You might be correct but even when I worked every day I carried a gun and two knives. When I say "EDC" I mean weapons. If we're going to define it as everything you need then sure:

Gun
Knives
Wallet (or two, in my case, long unimportant story)
Pen
Handkerchief (exceedingly useful item)
Money clip (I'm odd, I guess - the wallets are for everything but money, such as IDs, credit cards, etc.)
Phone (it's a rare event that I'd run a smart phone flashlight so long that I'd kill the battery)
Car key (okay, that has a small knife attached, so that makes 3)
House key (always separate from the car key)

And the motor vehicles always have flashlights, more knives, various tools that nobody actually would carry except professional workmen, such as hammers, an axe, rope, etc.

But!!!! When I worked every day, over the last 40 plus years, or when I go to the grocery store, the movies, my house of worship, or travel anywhere that a gun is legal, I basically carry on my person the exact same things. So if you're going to expand "EDC" into everything then, not counting clothing, that's everything that I carry when I step outside.

Hell, inside the house I carry a gun in my robe's right hand pocket and a flashlight and a knife in the left hand pocket. Being weaponless doesn't suit me well. So I always wear a robe for that reason. (I know, TMI!!! )

Okay, my apologies, I forgot about millenials!!!!!!!!!!

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Come and take it!!

Besides the usual wallet, keys, and money clip? A Shield 45, spare mag, Swiss Army knife, Leatherman Skeletool, and a challenge coin.

As little as possible. I travel light.

Always a knife, lighter, box of Newports, and a CS-9 in stainless.

Pretty simple, besides the obvious keys and cell phone, it’s my 340 PD and my knife of choice.

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Pass it on.
Mark

I carry a gun, knife, and a flashlight.

I just started carrying a flashlight about a year ago and am surprised how often I use it.