The PocketWrench II (by Latshaw Tools) is part of my own EDC. They are very handy for prying and poking. Also, they are security friendly because they possess no sharp edges or points of any kind. The prying/screwdriver end is simply a gentle bevel. They can hang from your keychain. I keep mine wrapped in a bandanna in my rear pocket.

-- Craig

I'm curious about the poncho. I always carry either a jacket and/or an umbrella with me, so I usually don't bother packing a poncho. Do you have a specific reason for including a poncho in your kit?

-- Craig

A couple items I rarely see in packs and I apologize if they've already been mentioned.

Guys, get a super absorbant Maxi-pad. Can you think of anything that will cover a gushing wound better?

Dental floss. First off, I hate having something jammed in my teeth. Moving past that, floss can be use for so many things I won't even list them.

It's extremely strong. I use it on my expandable broadheads when sighting in. Just 3x around and it keeps the head closed for several shots, hitting a broadhead target, at 260fps! And I don't even tie it. I just wrap it around and it holds very well. It's light and takes up little room. I like the small Glide container myself.

I friend of mine is a state court judge. She forgot when going to pick he daughter up at the airport that she had one of MY guns in her purse. That was an interesting scene. I never saw my nice little Barretta again. Oh well.

Another lawyer friend tried to walk through state courthouse security with her gun in her purse. No CCW permit. That took the concerted effort of the County Judge to get cleared up. She got her gun back.

Josey & Craig:

I've got floss and a cheap poncho in orther kits. As for the poncho, well, there just have to be limits and choices for a little kit. Re. floss, I would, but the packaging is too 'fat.' I guess I'll break several kinds open some day and see how they pack up w/o the bulk, but I just haven't gotten around to it.

Does anybody have any suggestiions for small floss packs sans packaging? I've seen reference to 'floss cards,' but can't find them.

Craig,
Not really, although I do go to work a lot in shirt sleeves. It was in the 90s here all week. Figured a pvc poncho might serve as a poncho, blanket, ground cloth, whatever.

I believe it. Last time I went to jury duty, I left all my blades and tools behind, except my eyeglass repair kit. I go early, because I carry a lot.

The metal detector picked up the eyelets in my shoes and the zipper in my dress trousers (yes, the guards looked <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />), but NOT the spectacle screwdriver I'd forgotten about in my dress suitcoat pocket.

The guards turned on every flashlight, opened every flashlight, and inspected the batteries. They worked my lipbalm and watched the stick move up and down. They opened both of my wallets. They opened my box of migaine/headache meds. They clicked all of my pens and opened all of them. They opened my lunch. The only thing they didn't open was my can of soda.

Did I feel violated? Yes. Did I feel safer? Yes. Do I like jury duty? Hell no. I'd avoid it if I could, but I have no reason.

-- Craig

Must be a federal thing. I was in the Tarrant County courthouse just a week ago and none of that happened. I saw tighter security by the TSA on my last trip to the airport.

I've been here for quite some time, a few years now, and yet I learn stuff all the time. Your suggestion was a revelation. Why keep the cheap crap around? To give to others less prepared than you are, of course. Duh. The whole "By Jove!" thing hit me when I read your wise counsel.

-- Craig

Diversity is another way of saying you must work with people you wouldn't sit next to on the bus. It also provides guaranteed employment for lawyers.