Hmmm...

I see a lot of you guys seem to be carrying gear on you with carabiners, belt pouches, and the like. But what if your everyday outfits is just a pair of nice, non-cargo, formal pants with a polo shirt?

I'm asking because I never wear anything on my belt except my cell phone once i'm out of the office and heading home by foot. In my left front pocket, I carry my keyring and in my right front pocket, I got my tri-fold wallet.



Here is a picture of my keyring with my newly added Photon Freedom Micro... I'm afraid my keyring is getting a little too big to my taste, it looks like I have two big Oreo cookies hidden in my left pocket. I'm also worried about damaging the Photon...

Bah, <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> it just feels good telling some people about it.

I don't use cargo pants, shirt and slacks is what I usually wear, and don't usually carry anything on my belt (sometimes a folder if it has no clip).

I always carry a SAK (hanging from a V'nox belt hanger) and a knife in my front right pocket, keyring and wallet in my left front pocket. My keyring is attached to a two carabiner rig (two carabiners joined by a short strap) and has a Victorinox Executive and a small flashlight, besides my keys. Shirt pockets are great, if I feel that my pants are too loaded, I can slip my wallet into one of my shirt pockets, or one of my knives.

I carry the rest of my gear (more flashlights, multitool, PSK, trauma and first aid kits, etc.) in a small backpack that never leaves my side.

I wish I could get mine as small as yours in the first place.

Fortunately, I wear cargo pants most days or I'd have separation anxiety from all my gear. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But you can certainly lighten that load a bit without getting rid of anything important. First, you have 5 items connected with four large rings. That wastes a lot of space. I would ditch the carbiner and the large clip attached to the photon and replace them with something like these:

http://www.countycomm.com/gateclip.htm

I use the smallest size and am pretty happy with them.

Another possibility is simply keep your car keys (and alarm doodle) separate from your other keys. If everything is clipped together, they can tend to bunch up in uncomfortable ways.

By the way, I EDC all the stuff below in my non-cargo pockets. Everyone thinks I'm happy to see them -- little do they know how well prepared I am. (Actually, it's really not noticable in most pairs of pants. I've only ever been asked about the Leatherman clip extending from my pocket.)



The Charge's sharp toolbits are carried in a butter-soft, very thin Sabenza pouch, which you see right under them. You'll notice that my keys are not on my EDC keychain. They ride alone.

Good luck and I hope more pockets are in your future!

I am about to pick this up tomorrow, I'll let you know how it works out. Doug Ritter mentions it and it seems like a good solution; being able to add and remove parts or "modules" as needed (boy am I a freak, modules?...wow)



Marc

"The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it's the same problem you had last year."

John Foster Dulles

Hey thats a neat keychain.
Can you give details, brands etc.

That's the Bison Designs Circle Key Caddie

Here's another view with bits extended:



The items are:

1) Lockpicks -- This is the lightest, smallest set I've found. Not sure where I got it... I can look it up if you're interested

2) Large green spy capsule

3) Small blue spy capsule

4) REI small whistle

5) Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper

6) Photon Freedom Micro 2x

7) Small compass I pulled out of this and tied with a double hangman's knot to size zero of this. This was a little tricky to tie because I used .7mm bead cord. This compass is surprisingly good and I've found it quite useful.

It's all attached via a paracord lanyard to a Nuwai QIII flashlight. There's over 6 feet of cord in this short lanyard.

I actually carry a good deal more than all of this, but I'll post my EDC in a separate thread sometime... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm interested! Where'd you get it? <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
How do you like your Nuwai?

If you dont mind me asking but what can/do you fit into those capsuals.

I wouldn't mind the details on the lockpicks, but they aren't high on my wish list right now, so dont worry about it if its a hassle.

Thanks Wayne

Just checked, I got this pick set at http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-Lock-Pick-Keychain-Pro.html

It's not the best quality set but it works fine and can be a lifesaver in a pinch. If you need to learn how to pick locks, which I think is an essential skill, you should read The MIT Guide to Lockpicking.

The Nuwai QIII is great. It's so cheap, so bright, and so handy that it's a total no brainer to get one (or several). You can buy mod switches for adjusting the brightness and it may the most customized flashlight ever. (Search candlepowerforums.com for details.) You can get them for $20 if you look around (County Comm had them a while back). The only real problem is the anodizing is cheap and will eventually get scratched up. This is only cosmetic and doesn't bother me at all. I also carry a Surefire E2E, which I love.

I'm hoping my wife is going to buy me an EDC Ultimate 60 XR, which is the reigning bad boy of the flashlight world to replace the Nuwai, but I'm not holding my breath... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've been meaning to take a picture of what's in the capsules sometime, but in the meanwhile, they contain:

1) one single-use eye drop container

2) several extra strength tylenol

3) one safey pin

4) three benadryl 25 mg tablets

5) some prescription allergy meds

These are distributed between the two capsules. No room to spare in them, but it's very handy for me to have this stuff available.

Thanks I've just emailed them so see if they ship to Australia.

I've given up looking for things like that over here.

If you have trouble with bison designs, you could try rei.com or survivalkeychain.com, which both sell the capsules. I know REI ships internationally, but the costs might be staggering...

I used to have a lot of stuff on my keyring but felt it was getting too big, so removed nonessentials. What's left: 1) a bunch of keys; 2) Spyderco Jester (Forest green plain edge) and matching Photon II with white led; 3) Photon II knock-off ($1.25 from KevinL on CPF) with red led for not messing up night vision; (sometimes, depending on my mood) Peak Led Solutions 1AAA LED light on Berkeley Point micro-clip.

I do carry some additional stuff in my belt pack, notably a cheap orienteering compass, SAK Explorer, tiny earpiece AM radio, and sometimes a PT Aurora headlamp.

It's too big when:

• You clank or clink when you walk,
• Your pocket bulges so badly you look like you're growing a twin brother,
• Your pocket sags badly enough to throw you off balance, making you walk in circles all day,
• Your pocket bottom gives way and your gear falls out with an embarrassing clunk,
• You replace your car's ignition cylinder lock every month,
• All of the above. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Everyone has their burdens. My lot happens to include breeding killer EDC keychains. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Doug's keychain is a good one, but I'd need two or three of them. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I pore over each and every "keychain" post here, hoping to find a Silver Bullet. It's time to either lighten up, or schedule hernia surgery.

-- Craig

Heh.

Seriously... I've worried about the pockets failing. If you've ever turned a pair of jeans inside out, the pockets aren't the sturdiest looking things.

I'm picturing a new Christmas movie called "An ETS Christmas Carol" with poor old Marley's ghost carrying a giant EDC keyring.

I just can't stand too much stuff in my pockets. Its all I can do to tolerate carrying a mini-Ritter grip in my pocket. The rest of my stuff rides in my black older style Eagle Creek Guide Bag "manbag" that goes with me most places. This also allows me to carry a bit more stuff and/or larger stuff.

You mean you didn't find the thread about upgrading you pockets? Mine have been replace with a custem blend of kevlar and nomex with tripple stiching of 69# thread. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

That was too funny!

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Craig, can we see your keychain please?? I'm always looking for that one extra doodad that will help me save the universe when the fan blades get engaged with biological refuse. (Don't make me wade through that monster EDC thread to find a picture!)

Keychain? Oh, you mean keychains, as in a plurality thereof. I have more than one, you know.

I have so much crap -- I mean gear -- that more than one was needed. Also, I've never posted any pictures because I've never taken any. But fear not. I finally got my Yahoo picture account going. I'll try to take some pictures and post them.

But I have to buy a new vacuum cleaner this weekend, so no guarantees. Yes, I confess to being a comparison shopper.

-- Craig

Neither can my brother-in-law. He usually doesn't even carry a wallet. He is the ultimate minimalist. He will pocket his driver's license, a credit card, and some cash. And that's it.

If you're worried about THOSE pockets, try suit coat pockets, or dressy trouser pockets. They won't hold much more than a set of car keys without bursting.

How do you get by legally carrying lock picks?
In some states they are prohibited more than knives and guns.

It's not a problem in Massachusetts. Carrying lockpicks is just fine here, unless you're a crook. Many other states have similar laws but I have no idea about Illinois.

Here's the law for MA:

Chapter 266 (crimes against property)
Section 49. Burglarious instruments; making; possession; use.

Whoever makes or mends, or begins to make or mend, or knowingly has in his possession, an engine, machine, tool or implement adapted and designed for cutting through, forcing or breaking open a building, room, vault, safe or other depository, IN ORDER TO STEAL THEREFROM money or other property, or to commit any other crime, knowing the same to be adapted and designed for the purpose aforesaid, WITH INTENT TO USE OR EMPLOY OR ALLOW the same to be used or employed for such purpose, or whoever knowingly has in his possession a master key designed to fit more than one motor vehicle, WITH INTENT, TO USE OR EMPLOY THE SAME to steal a motor vehicle or other property therefrom, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and imprisonment in jail for not more than two and one half years.

It's (also) too big when:

Every woman you walk past winks and blows you a kiss...

<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Not too big.

Just questionable advertising.

Would you consider two keyrings? Or adding a tool pouch on your belt. I find a deck of cards sized pouch holds quite a bit, up out of the way. ( think PDA case.)

TRO

Here's my EDC. Very basic stuff.
V'nox Climber, Inova X1 and Storm whistle. No problems with bulky keyrings for me.

That is one big whistle for EDC... just curious, why not something smaller? (Although I really have no business telling anyone they carry too much gear... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

I have been using two set of keys for the last week and it's working nicely. I have switched the large metal rings for small black zipties. A drop of glue prevents the ziptie to go further through the tie's head so the size is fixed.



I like it! Now i'm questionning the value of adding a Fox 40 micro to the lot. It's a bit big...

This has nothing to do with you. I just saw the key fob and it pressed a button...

<rant>
You'd have plenty of room for a whistle if the silly key and key fob weren't so freakin' big. What is it with car manufacturers? I'm always amazed when I rent a car... seems like the keys and fobs just keep getting larger. Don't they know these things have to fit in a pants pocket?
</rant>

I ditched my fob a long time ago. I can manually open a door or pop the trunk. You might consider losing it as well.

LOL groo...! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I like the convenience of the remote... When the girlfriend of friends get close to the car, I unlock all the doors with a double-press of the unlock button. I find it most useful when I get to my car with my hands full of plastic grocery bags; before grabbing the bags in the store, I put the remote in my hand in a way that when I get close to my car, I push the trunk button and the trunk basically opens itself... Then I just drop the bags!.

Did you ever see a Volkswagen remote? The key itself folds back into the remote... pretty hip! <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I do not have a fob but my girlfriend does. I like the fob (VW) bot it is bulky, I wish the fob could be smaller as well as the key. I think it is a over seas thing. Demestic car keys are a lot smaller than over seas.
I like the zip tie idea were did you think you that one?

I dunno about the zip tie thing. It's lighter, but it's not reversible. You can't take something off the keychain. Any other advantage I'm not seeing?

Someone at my office has a VW with that huge silly keyfob thing, I've had PDA's that were smaller, talk about not being able to fit in a pocket. I think it broke like everything else in the car too, I wonder if the weight of the fob on the ignition switch is part of what contributes to VW's electrical gremlins.
I carry one of these http://www.wilsonsleather.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1835289
with my most of my keys, a small knife (Gerber ridge knife with the money clip removed) some first air supplies, a stack of $, and my USB flash drive. This makes a tiny PSK wallet which has my house key so I don't leave home without it. The truck key, keyless bfob and arc aaa are separate.

For an alternative way of carrying a whistle, I use an Ultimate Survival JetScream whistle, and it is nice and flat so it fits into the little money pocket in my trousers/jeans. I also have a little Suunto clipper compass which clips on the the edge of the pocket which helps stop it falling out (not that it ever falls out anyway).
The Fox 40 may be a better whistle, but I cant get them here and the Jetscream works out perfect for me.

I got the whistle recently as a birthday present. So I thought I'd just EDC my new toy for a while. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I hang the keyring on my beltloop and it isnt obvious. So I dont have a problem.
I'll probably go back to the Acme T2000 in a week or so and bring the Storm whistle only when I go kayaking.
Thats my little collection.

Im trying to find a way to add a disposable lighter to my keyring at the moment.
At least then I'll cover the basics, knife, light, whistle and fire.

I'd expect the keys to wear their way through those nylon ties after a while.

Try an Uncle Mike's Magazine/compass pouch,small neat .Use one for year's for a spare glock26 mag.with SAK and with a real bunch of key's and CMG Ultra LED light.

A couple of times, when I've gotten loaners from a local shop, they gave me a Daewoo, and the fob was built into the key itself, and the key was about the size of a lot of keys out there. Just had the lock and unlock button in the body of the key. Can't say as a Daewoo would be my first choice for a car, but hats off to 'em for their key design!

<img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
You really think it was the keychain? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bison Keyring

I got the bison key chain retainer above. Very useful, very high quality. I am not using it quite as I planned. Rather than use my carkey with the entire keyring still attached, I am clipping the keyring to my belt and just seperating my car key when I drive. Hopefully, this way I won't ruin my ignition. One more thing, I have owned similar lesser quality items in the past and have noticed the little bearing that slides on the keychain would get caught on roughspots in the liner and get stuck just enough to be a pain. The machining of the bison is of sufficent quality that the movement of the keys around the retainer is very positive and smooth. Enough that keys can be removed with one hand by using your thumb to press the release then sliding the key over the opening. Very nice. Now if I could just figure out how to go into REI without spend 10x as much money as I planned.

Marc

Replaced the Inova X1 with a Fenxi L1P. Back to carrying the Acme T2000 again and added a lighter. Now I have everything <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Have you considered the Acme Tornado?
http://www.acmewhistles.co.uk/xcart/image.php?productid=79

Dimensions are 1.75 x 0.75 x 0.25 inches and its SOLAS approved.

Is that reflective tape on the flash light and SAK? Is it a specific type, brand, etc...?

Yup, its reflective tape. No brand in particular.

Seriously, Chevy Cobalts as well as some others have had problems with the engines dying. Appearently, If there is too much weight on the ignition key, it can cause the car to stall out at ramdom times when the keys swing and bounce around.

This can be extreamly hard to diagnose, since most people leave only one key at the car repair place.

That can happen to any car, doesn't matter what make or model.
Wife did it when I got her a small keychain carryable mp3 player a few years ago. I took the short lanyard from an AAA maglight and attached it to the player to it could sit down in the ash tray when the key was still in the ignition. That way it wasn't pulling on her keys and we got some use out of the ash tray.
Of course our Chryslersubishi would turn off the engine all by itsself but thats another story.

These are my van keys, allways with me, the Prybaby looks heavy but is not really like that and it's a very usefull tool.

Is that the .22 ammo/pellet pouch?

-- Craig

The dark grey tube is an Arc AAA led flashlight.
The tool that looks like a bottle opener is an Atwood Prybaby, it's a bottle opener/prybar/screwdriver tool made of premium S30V steel.
The yellow thingy is a GlowRing (tritium).
Truck key.
Berkeley Point stainless steel mini clip.
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry that I bumped this tread, but I would really like to see other people's EDC / survival keychains.

Mine is part of my EDC



It's devided into 3 modules (and a carabiner):



And it has the following components:



1 carabiner hook

Module 1
1 ferro-rod (in scrink-tubing)
1 od-ities metal capsule filled with cotton wool and 3 meters of waxed dental floss

Module 2
1 small metal whistle
1 Photon II microlight
1 shopping-cart coin
1 pair of folding scissors
1 Leatherman Squirt P4

Module 3

1 Silver gripper
keys
2 paper-clips
1 safety-pin
60cm of electician-tape

This keychain is first clipped to my belt and then tucked into my jeans-pocket. That way I prevent that annoing rattle.
You hardly notice that it is in your pocket, so no attention from the girls, if you know what I mean.... <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Take care everybody.

I've found out that zipties work great as keyrings. To prevent them from tightening, I put a drop of glue at the junction point. You can't resize them once you've done that but that's okay, they can be cheaply replaced.

I've updated my keyring a little since last year. Here it is today with a Fenix L0P instead of a Photon Freedom Micro, and a USB memory drive :

Why did you replace the Micra with that SAK??

re: Key Fobs
I quit carrying mine after this experience. I was walking away from my vehicle and heard the doors unlock. Seems I had reached into my pocket for something and somehow accidentally pressed the unlock button. For the next several days (I was in a very remote area where leaving the vehicle unlocked was not an issue), I checked the vehicle before I hit the unlock button. Found it was already unlocked. Once I saw the lights flash outside as I threw the keys on the desk.

no more remote for me.....

nomad

I have problems with the pocket wearing out. I eventually get a hole in my right front pocket. These can be very hard to repair. I wish the clothing manufacturers would use better cloth for pockets. I use quality stuff, too ( Lee jeans, TruSpec utilities, 5.11 trousers, etc).

I think it is too big when you decide to no longer carry it.

Hi Jim!

I prefer the small scissors on the SAK for precision work. The SAK is rounder and feels smoother in the pocket, and it's also lighter. Most importantly though, I find the SAK is easier to use... no need to unfold first then pull out the implement while the scissors are in the way, like for the Micra. That SAK also has a retractable pen.

The only reason I would go back to the Micra is for durability (all metal) and the stronger and larger scissors.

What abou a squirt S4? His tools can be accessed without opening the tool, and you've got the quality of a Leatherman.

Bee: If you add a second Photon and switch out the LM Micra for a Squirt S4 and different car manufacturer, you'd have my set-up. I find the micro carabineer is smaller and more versatile than a key ring. The set is a little bulky for dress pants pockets but fine for others.

Some people say that the weight is too much for vehicle ignition systems but I have'nt had any problems. [knock on wood].

But I like the BatBelt look.......
And getting those little necessity's past security at work is simply one more of life's little challenges <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

A cool feature of Hondas (or at least mine) is that once you lock it, if you press unlock, but don't open a door, it locks itself back after like 90 seconds. So accidental unlocks don't have much of an effect.

Btw, I think the keychain is only too big once you're actually removing keys from it to make it smaller.

umm yea i dont carry around knives and big multitools on lights on me all the time. people get worried when ya do. and i kinda cant carry them around class and in stores and banks and stuff, cause ill prob get arrested.lol
i know you have to be prepared but i let my body take care of me,i take care of it it takes care of me. and i know you should always be prepared, but sometimes u cant and i trust in God to get me out of a sticky situation or anything.

but i do have a keychain carabiner with some stuff on itfor survial when im on road trips or hiking/camping.
Peace out! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Working on my first key ring of stuff. Pics soon

Are vintage threads like fine wine?

I have Doug's e-gear light on my key ring but otherwise just have a few keys on it.

Read somewhere that too heavy a key ring can screw up the ignition switch.

A large key ring in fact can damage your car's ignition. I carry 2 keys, a small lite and a leatherman mini and that's it. The rest is in my pockets.

My keyring is getting too large..

My key ring has no keys - Its just a way to keep stuff together.

When attaching stuff to keyrings, etc., I like to use Photon's spring clips. They are small but stout, and the spring is plenty strong, far stronger than the notorious Nite-Ize S-clip (a.k.a. the "Shur-Looz"), for example.

And if you use those to attach your car key to your overloaded keychain, you just unclip it from the rest of the overloaded keychain to save the ignition switch. I do something similar to this with a large carabiner. Keys slide on the carabiner via split ring attached to the key; simply remove the key needed and the rest stay clipped to the belt loop. FWIW and YMMV.

Thanks Jeff, I just lost a ring of keys using those Nite-Ize S-clips and pulled all those clips out of circulation. I ordered some of those clips from Photon in Silver and Black and they are very nice indeed, thanks for the info and link.

Try this, take your vehicle ignition key, hold the metal cut part in your index finger and thumb to resemble it in the ignition switch,and let the accessories dangle and think about the tiny tumblers in your vehicles ignition switch. Too much weight can prematurely wear the cylinders. There are not any test procedures during the switch designing phase that I am aware of for maximum load. Also be aware of any magnetized metals close to the transponder in the ignition column and in the key itself. A strong emf could erase or reset the code, and not allow the vehicle to start. Looking at your ring, I would say you are probably maxed out. I guess you are close to a 1/2 lb.?