Start with your key chain - You will always have it with you

I like the suspension clip. That has to make the key chain EDC glob-o-stuff more comfortable to wear.

Nice info, and timely with my other thread. Thanks for the link.

Agreed. Its always with you. House keys are on EDC key chain, car keys are carried separately.


EDC key chain:

P38
Exotac firesteel XL
Pocket Tool X Brewser
Swiss Army Classic
Photon Freedom

And some keys of course, lol.

I use a small length of stainless steel cable. It has a light, small knife, pen, screw drivers, P-38, at a minimum. This is not my key chain, however, but separate and in the other pocket. I tried them on my key chain and it was just too bulky so I spread it out.

I like the 2 key chain idea...keeps 'em all together.

I am the total opposite. I despise having crap on my keychain. I prefer to carry essential items in my pockets instead.

So Izzy,

Just curious (don't take this as me trying to start an arguement)

How much of that do you honestly use enough to really justify having with you all the time?

Do you find the tape gums up over everything when it gets wet ? (sweat etc) I hate that, or I need a better tape.

Isn't it a real chore getting something off of there to use each time ?(like the pen)

Couldn't the multi-tool easily fill in for the other saw, utility key, prybar and tick tweezers?

Don't you worry that losing one item essentially could mean losing everything if you were careless and dropped the key ring ?

how comfortable is that cluster in the pocket ?

The system obviously works for you so I am not questioning that. Its just those little details that kept me from ever seeing the utility of having everything bunched up on a mini key chain like that. I keep essential EDC items spread out through several pockets.
To each their own I know, but like I said. Just curious.

Let's face it: guys use the bulging keychain EDC only because they don't want to carry/wear a pouch or small man-bag. Right? Otherwise it doesn't make sense. I'm right with you there, wish I wasn't...

Personally I don't like the pocket bulges. I don't like the squirming if one of the keychain thingies starts to poke one of my non-keychain thingies, mostly while sitting. I do like the potential for discrete carry that it has, though dividing items up and putting in separate pockets does that and maybe adds a small safety factor too.

On a keychain that has keys that I actually use, anything more than a (e.g.) Photon and a (e.g.) Squirt on it would drive me crazy. That's already too much if there's a modern auto fob on it...

I much prefer "organized pocket carry" (OPC). I am mostly an urban person, and nobody makes great gear for this OPC AFAIK, so have to make do. It doesn't need to be bulletproof: it needs to be flexible and thin, no zippers for sure (ruins flexibility in pocket) and no molle.

Out in the bush, my man-genes are intact so I can do it properly and carry a bag/pouch.

I carry a man bag everyday, and keychains are perhaps more necessary to keep things organized in my bag. Otherwise, I'd spend 30 seconds trying to find my flash drive or whatever else. By the way, I don't care what a man bag looks like to others. I'm not "trying" to be a man. I just am.

I recommend a man bag for all men carrying anything beyond keys. I mean seriously. I can't imagine how some guys are carrying their wallet, cell phone, knife, keys, lighter, flashlight, pill case, flash drive, whistle, gum, notes, bandana, and whatever else in their pockets. Some guys top it off with a handgun and a spare magazine on their waist. I would look ridiculous if I tried that.

It took awhile to find the perfect bag, but once I did, I'm never going back to carrying stuff in my pockets only to empty all the stuff at the end of the day and then start over the next day.

^ I carry one too, but not "always", more like when Izzy does. They tend to be Maxpeds, so no keychains needed, but I see what you mean. I have tried the multiple keychains in pockets too, to distribute the weight/poking.

That other stuff was just kidding BTW.

I never need gadget keychains except in the hot months here, otherwise I have a jacket etc. pockets for my EDC pouch. In the hot months, I tend to leave my shirts untucked (retired lol), so that's usually lousy with belt pouches. They are very strict with guys bringing anything strapped (i.e. not on belt) into stores around here. Don't get me started on that...

I've posted this on other threads, but may be missing something as to the way the your key rings are carried...I'm a retired science teacher, and had keys for the acid storage, flammables cabinet, and chemical supply storage on my key ring that needed a degree of security, so I never just laid down my keys on my desk..I used a double pull snap nylon belt loop with a plastic hook snap from a law enforcement supply shop to secure the keys to my belt...with a large central ring and several smaller rings to spread the bulk vertically not to increase the diameter.. they loop/snap arrangement was long enough that all the keys would fit in my rear pocket, and allow the pocket flap to be closed... this worked well, save for breaking the rather small link on the plastic Fox whistle, that I somehow lost...I use the same nylon double snap to secure my Maxpedition cell pouch, rather than a clip...these add a lot of security when out on the scooter (Yamaha FJR 1300)...

Sorry Izzy, guess I did ask a lot all at once there.

I have a couple of new rolls of Gorrila tape but havn't broke into them yet. I have been using the issued army OD tape. Man what a mess that stuff makes when it warms up or gets wet. Goo all over everything. I am looking forward to trying the new tape out (usually wrapped around my lighter)I kayak a lot so its going to get wet.

As for prying, that little strip of metal dosen't look all that strong. I guess I could be wrong. I have a few Boker prybars(the titanium ones with the little glass punch) I wish you guys had a buy/sell/trade section on here so I could offload them. I EDC the leatherman skeletool and find the plier head makes a way better prytool than the screwdriver does actually. Probably because it's thinish and flat.

As for the whole man bag thing. Well....To each his own I suppose. I don't care how it would look to anyone else, I just don't like being attached to something that big when out and about in surburbia. My solution to the whole "how do I carry all this in my pockets" debate is rather obvious.

I Wear stuff with more pockets.

If I can't fit it in a pair of cargo shorts I probably don't need to EDC it.

I did that when I was young and strong. Now that I have entered the "63 to death" segment of the age demographic, I suffer from the big gut-no butt syndrome, and well-burdened cargo shorts quickly become ankle holsters. Happened just the other day during the TSA airport pat-down, with empty pockets. You would think that no one had ever seen an old guy in a thong before...so I carry either a man-purse or ruck. Pretty soon i will be able to hang it on my walker...*sigh*...

For me the "keychain" EDC is more about being able to find what you need in the middle of the night without emptying your pockets and losing stuff. It is an organization and accessibility thing. The keychain can also move between different styles of clothing, and components can be added and removed easily. When I travel by air, I remove the items that are prohibited and put them together on another ring in a bag with my other knives. when I am in a suit, I can still carry what I need. The keychain keeps it all together and transfers easily. If I am in the woods and wearing cargo pants, I use the keychain as a supplement to the more robust collection of larger and more durable items I carry then. In this case, it may actually be hung from my belt instead of in a pocket. Everything is done according to personal situation and preference. What works for one may not work for another. What works in one situation may not work in another situation.

I'm not in your Nielson demographic yet but I also suffer "no butt syndrome". I mentioned to someone else recently that I own a Vic Midnight Manager specifically to have the most function vs. weight while wearing shorts with elastic waistbands.

I agree that a key chain is a foundation for keeping things organized in a bag or pocket. By the way, this is going to be my next man bag for EDC in a suburban/urban environment:

http://www.amazon.com/ClaireChase-Ultima...hase+distressed

You could always try the cargo shorts with suspenders route. Maybe even weave them with genuine 550 cord in alternating colours(I know someone here probably can) Deck them out with some fire steel pouches, a mini compass, a few other gizmos and "wham!" The coolest 63 year old on the whole block. Combined with your thong you never know. YOU could be getting a call from Cody Lundine to fill in for Dave Canterbury on the next season of dual survival.

If that fails you could always patent the "survival walker" in a few years.

Now THAT was funny

thank you, stephen. i do wear suspenders regularly, but tend to skip them when going shirtless, to avoid a sort of demented chippendales look, and tan lines. the market for old folks survival gear is essentially unexploited: i will get to work on it.

I picked up a Victorinox belt hanger and some Nite Ize rings with the tiny s-biners today. Going to try to use more modern tech and update my summer keychains, maybe it'll work out better. That belt hanger looks real good so far, clamps to a pocket rim just fine too.

Waking up an old thread, I'm pretty sure that's the Pico Widgy Bar, not the Micro Widgy Bar.

I just shot milk out my nose! ROTFL!!!!

How do you like the Pico Widgy compared to the other sizes? Is it much less noticeable on a key chain? Does it fail at some tasks a bigger Widgy can do?

Thanks Izzy, I did not know the steel type and had never heard of AISI 316Ti -- good info.

I don't carry a dedicated keychain just for EDC stuff. But I do keep an Inova Microlight, a P38 and a compass on my regular keychain along with my keys.

I like the keychain approach too. This is my most recent EDC keychain configuration. This one has lasted several months, so I think I am on to something... at least for myself that is.

Nice set-up. Mines gonna go to 2 keychains to lessen bulk and noise.

This is mine as it sits in my purse today. I have to admit, I like carrying it in my purse (late Spring through Early Fall) better than in my jacket pocket. This is the bare minimum I take when I leave the house:



Paracord bracelet
Fox 40 whistle
Fauxton
LMF Ferro
Pill FOB (contains Tylenol and Advil right now)
Monkey fist
Shopping cart coin
Keys (Jeep, hubby's truck, house, garage)
SAK (Given to me by my dad when I was in high school. I have no idea what model is is. It's from the late 80s and includes big blade, little blade, saw, scissors, awl, cork screw and can opener)

Shopping cart cpin?

Mine is a special coin for the carts at one of our major chains and no name chains. (President's Choice, Loblaws) They sold them a few years ago, and they're made to go on your key chain so you don't have to hunt for change for a grocery cart. (They're usually chained up and you need to put in a quarter or loonie to use it. You hook it back up when you leave and get your coin back.)

ALDI does the same thing in the USA. You put a coin in to free the cart, and you get it back when you put the cart back and connect it to the chain. This way the store doesn't have to hire someone to collect the carts, and they don't go wandering off to put a ding in my car.

Here's what I saw the other day for pocket carry EDC, so I decided to try it.




Left to right:
leatherman micra secured by ranger band..ranger banded to that is an aluminum whistle.
My car key
Res-q-me
My wife's car key and fuel door key
Cheapy gerber twisty flashlight with ranger band around it
SAK ranger banded to gerber.
Fits in pocket well and rides high enough where it doesn't dig into my leg when I sit.

Nice set-up. I might just add another belt pouch -- roughly camera sized and have it all in there.

TRO

I use a similar method, though it looks like it might be a bit more comfortable. I've been using a bit of light lanyard material & attaching it to my belt using a girth hitch. I then use a small s-biner to clip to the cord & my keyrings, like this:



As I mentioned, this is a pretty comfortable method for carrying a keyring; I like that you can slip the biner/rings into your pocket without them sitting in a lump at the bottom. Also, I keep my keys & EDC-things on separate split rings which seems to work well for me. This what I currently have on that EDC specific split ring:

• Fenix E01
• Inka pen
• Glock-A-Roo's super small whistle

I used to carry a Fox-40 for a whistle, but when I added the pen to my keyring I wasn't willing to have that much bulk.

I've used this plastic key clip on a nylon belt loop for at least 15 years (law enforcement supply shop)...cascading split rings allow everything to slip into rear pocket... just got the E05, and am trying it out...I've had the P38 since 71/72 and now it's a "BTDT" thing.... as far as an additional belt pouch, depending on what you want to carry... an intermediate sized multi tool like the LM Juice S2 and a cr123 light like the Tac Pro 1L fit along with a section of hacksaw blade, small ferro rod, needle, safety pins, tweezers, and petroleum cotton ball in straw into a generic large multi tool pouch... alternatives to the light and multi tool like the Vic Farmer and Bic allow you a little more room

Sorry for resurrecting this, but here's a pic of my minimalistic EDC keychain:

• VARGO titanium whistle
• house key with a True Utility Keytool
• tiny capsule with a piece of waterproof tinder and two spare flints in it
• Victorinox Classic
• Photon Freedom Micro with the neck lanyard thingy as a button protection
• County Comm Brass Wheel Sparker taped to the thingy with the actual lanyard of the Photon wrapped around.

Learn more about it here.

I think keychain edc is one of the two or three best ways to carry small gear.