A knife. My Leatherman Wave, actually. For some reason, they're surprised (or afraid) that it's sharp.

I, as most of you know, am still in Highschool, and I get asked all the time... "Whats this, whats that for, why do you carry?" and it usually refers to Ferro rod, Fox 40 Whistle, Flashlight, as Blast said, While lighting up a power outage, (in my shoulder bag [Man Bag] along with item #4...) P.S.P, and Spudz lens cloth and P-51 can opener. I do not smoke but I do carry a Peanut lighter (which, being in H.S. people think is a pill container containing Ritalin, Vicodin, Xanax, Etc.), I am not a recovering Pyro... I am one! Also, the F.A.K. in my Man Bag, and the Bandaids in my wallet, they raise a question, usually while helping someone out, as mentioned above.

#1 - "Why do you have a light on your necklace? Are you afraid of the dark?"

#2 - "Do you really think you need to take a first aid kit everywhere you go?"

#3 - "Why do you have so much stuff in your purse?"

I've stopped caring what they think, try to be discreet so I don't have to answer so many "questions", and I try to just smile and nod when I'm helping them out with some of my "overkill" stuff.

I often get asked why I have so much on my belt. My daily belt carry when not at work is a Surefire 6P, a Gerber LX1.0 LED Flashlight, a Leatherman bit kit, a SOG Force Multiplier, and a Leatherman wave. That puts about 5 items on my belt. When ever I am asked I just say that I used to do SAR in Alaska and Old habits die hard. That normally dismisses people’s questions.

Though the other day the Police were visiting my house to talk to my roommate, (nothing serious) but when they saw my belt they became more interested in what I did for a living and why I was so well equipped. That I found interesting.

I always carry a man bag with me either in my backpack or on me directly. The interesting thing is that those that see what I carry; either dismisses it to my SAR days, or in the process of asking to use what I have on me.


Much like those of you that had the tow strap that you were using as someone was asking why you carried it. Those that are asking why I carry something (tow strap, axe, hammer and tools, ECT) are normally in the process of needing what they are asking why I carry it.

I forgot - I have been asked why I carry two knives. They can see the metal clip in my pocket and right near that is another pouch. My answer is "they're for different uses". Which is true. The thing in my pocket is a knife, and the thing in the pouch (looks like a knife pouch) is a spare magazine - yes, "different uses". It's nobody's business what those uses are except me.

I never get asked by strangers as I don't keep anything visible. My stuff goes in cargo pockets, vest pockets, jacket pockets or packs. My packs are well made hiking packs or messenger style that don't scream tactical. As far as friends go-- sure I get some teasing, however, when someone needs a band aid, something to cut with or a light--it's me they come to.

I reply "The better question is why don't you have a ... with you?"

Good idea JB!

One of my favorites is when someone asks why I carry something that I'm using in that moment. "Because" might not be a good answer but it's a little more polite than "Duh!"

My friends are the same way... Sadly even teachers know to come to me first! I have gone through 3 band-aids in 1 week in my Welding class, not for me of course! I whip out my wallet and 5 people immediately ask. I have had to use my Mag0Lite once, but it was to fix a track torch. It seems that every time someone sees something I'm carrying, it's the same thing... What is it? Why do you have/ carry it? Who would carry that around all day? When have you ever had to use that? Where did you get that? < That is my favorite question, because it shows me that some people might actually take up prepping.