My on-body EDC has a locking folder (almost always a mini-RitterGrip but sometimes a full-size) and a backup blade on a keyring multi (LM PS4). I also carry a primary flashlight (Nitecore MT10C) and a keyring backup (Thrunite Ti).

i just emptied my pockets to show you what i EDC 24/7:



kit with custom peanut lighter, custom SAK Minichamp, back-up survival Mako AAA flashlight, razor sharp william henry lockblade folder for emergencies, plus a DQG AAA flashlight for daily use and CF small sebenza for everyday chores.

thats three knives, two flashight and a lighter on me, and my pack has additional backups.

Having intimate knowledge your area and your gear fall in line with this philosophy. It will also help refine your redundancies so that you're not carrying multiples of everything, but have back-ups for crucial gear.

This is one of those rules that I hate. Back when I was a cave diver (probably the most dangerous hobby one can have) there were basic rules. You always had three light sources, but only one set of tanks that could be isolated from each other. Two regulators, but that was to support your buddy in case of emergency. Everything else was singular including cave reel. My point, you made sure that your gear was always perfect, you were streamlined so as to not catch anything, and you were trained above and beyond what normal divers do.

Carrying backups is fine in some situations, but they do add up in weight and bulk which causes additional stress on the body and starts to kill your performance.

My EDC, Ritter mini, streamlight (CR123), bic lighter, 4 quarters, mini fisher space pen, and my phone. Photon on my key chain, but I don't always have them with me. Firesteel with tinder in my parka pocket, but only if I wear it.

I am with Russ, I have never heard of such a "rule". The axiom of "2 is 1, 1 is none" is really intended for critical items that have a tendency to fail. On a military mission, failure is not an option, you can't just turn around and say "I will try again tomorrow" so you carried redundant gear and accepted the weight.

In this vein, however; I would carry some redundant capabilities that are critical, but generally multi-use, such as shelter (ponchos), cordage, fire starting methods, tools (but generally different tools with different capabilities such as a sheath knife and a multi-tool), light (headlamp, larger flashlight, small pocket light). I may carry a little extra in the way of expendable supplies as well, but not double or triple.

The thing about going solo is that, among other things, it sharpens your planning and preparations, because getting out of a jam depends entirely upon you, your gear, and your capabilities. in some ways, you may even be safer than going in a group and depending upon "group think" to deal with the unexpected.

Going solo into demanding terrain (i.e., mountains) is usually not a good idea. As a responsible climber, I never did it more than once a month....

I carry about a dozen matches. Technically that accounts for 11 spares. I carry two ferrocerium rods (one on my keychain, one in my PSK container) and for redundancy a mini BIC lighter. I have a fixed blade knife and as backup (or spare) a locking folder. I have two pens in my pocket and one in my PSK. Usually I have one small flashlight and a Photon as a spare. I also have spare batteries for my handheld radio.

The way I learned it, it originally was about the buddy system and not about gear and backup.

That could be true; it would put an end to the thought that since your buddy has a knife, you don't need to carry one. Or since he's a smoker and always carries a lighter, I don't need one. If you get separated, one becomes none.

I generally don't have a back-up person so that idea wasn't in my head, but it makes sense.

Bringing just one of an item forces you to make sure it is a good one, that you know how to use it, and that is will be up to the task.

That old quote about the man who only owns one rifle---.

Consumables are something else. That rifleman probably has more than 1 bullet.