Hey guys,

I am interested in hearing what some members of the community do to work around restrictions placed upon them by different atmospheres. Within reasonable guidelines, I could use some advice on how to improve my EDC to be able to stay as prepared for anything as possible. To skip that one post in every thread that asks for more specific situations to prepare for, let's say I want to prepare for bad weather typical of the midwest and east coast, and personal defense issues. Let's take it further and say in an urban or suburban environment.

Going to school and working a part time job means that I cannot CCW most of the time, not sure about restrictions of folding knives, but I generally keep them out of the workplace. I carry a Surefire LED in my pocket, and have spare batteries in the car. Wallet with identification and small paper cash always stays with me, as well as my key chain. I carry a lighter, though I do not smoke (have gotten some questions about that). I usually carry a backpack loaded with books/spare clothes, but I can always jam more crap into it. I have considered carrying OC spray, but decided against it as I have been sprayed with it before and Im not willing to trust my lifeon those effects stopping a baddie, therefore I won't even carry it.

I do have a vehicle where I can store stuff, such as food and water, but for the times when I am not able to get to my car, what else should I be carrying? Thanks!

Unless you are entering buildings with metal detectors or subject to search the key word is DISCRETE. Assemble gear you trust that is carry friendly and KEEP IT THERE. How did your coworkers observe your lighter?If you were gallant lighting somebodie's cigarette who did it help? Thats like providing pens to interviewing job candidates or telling the time to a coworker. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Absolutely. If you do nothing to draw attention to yourself, the fact that you are carrying an item that is not allowed in a particular situation or location will never be known by anyone else but yourself. And if by chance you needed to use that item to save you or someone else, there is an old adage, "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6".

How about carrying a cigar or two? That might keep people from assuming too much when you have a lighter and nothing to light.

I think you have a good start with what you mentioned; you might want to put a small whistle on your keychain, like a Fox 40 mini.

A small Swiss Army knife would be a good addition if you can't carry much else in the way of knives or tools. (Maybe even a Leatherman if you can swing it.)

Last but not least, a pre-paid phone card comes in handy when the cell phone networks don't work or are overloaded.

Discrete and LOW KEY are the watch words here.

For instance, don't use a Marine Ka-Bar to open your mail. That's quite an example, I know, but some guys will use any excuse to pull out a "dramatic" piece of their gear. Don't do it.

I carry more than one Swiss Army and more than one lockblade on my person, usually. I use the smallest blade that will get the job done, if I have to use a blade at all. If I can tear an envelope open with a pen, I will. I try to use scissors most of the time.

Once I was breaking down some very heavy cardboard boxes with my Spyderco Dragonfly. Of course, one of the guys sees it, gets all excited, and asks, from across the room, no less, "Hey, could you KILL someone with that?!"

Yep. A total idiot. And the boss was in the area, but fortunately preoccupied. Later on, the same guy asks me to show his buddy my knife. I said no. He said, very defensively, why not? "Because I'm not carrying it anymore, trying to lighten my load," I replied. I had it, but I was damned if I was going to parade it around the room. I totally punctured his balloon. I was very happy.

Now, when there's heavy breaking down to do, I don't plunge right in, and I don't volunteer, either. Other people do. Let them struggle with the dull kitchen knives. No, they don't carry pocket knives. I don't bother asking why anymore, either.

I have what I have and I keep mum about it.

-- Craig

I carry my swiss army knife (soon to be a leatherman), AA flashlight and whistle in my pocket. Noone has ever given me grief, and many of my coworkers carry knives, too.

I think someone made this point last year when the subject came up. A multi-tool is a TOOL, whereas a fixed knife is a WEAPON. Folding knives are in that grey area. That's the perception you're dealing with, and preparedness means being prepared for social bumps in the road as well.

My personal feeling is that in a typical office environment, a good multi-tool with a locking blade will be highly useful, without any social / legal risks at all.

Ask yourself what could happen to me today? Be reasonable, and then ask what can I do to prevent it, or deal with it.

If it is possible a handgun is a better soloution for self defence than a knife or spray, though each has their strong points. However a firearm is a "gentleman's" weapon but a knife is concidered a "thug's" weapon. Carrying a CONCEALED weapon isn't that hard if you don't insist on too big a weapon. If you are going into a school or area that you don't want to carry lock it in your car (unloaded) and you should be OK.

On pepper spray, if you are going to carry it, don't announce that you have it. If it is needed just use it and the supprise that you had anything will work in your favor. DO NOT THREATEN WITH PEPPER SPRAY OR IT WILL LOSE ONE OF IT'S MAJOR FACTORS, SUPPRISE.

A knife is the most usefull tool you can have and I'm not sure why you don't carry one even a small knife is better than no knife. In an urban environment a small swiss army knife other tools file, screwdriver, etc. that can more than explain it's usefullness.

If anyone asks about the lighter tell them it's your significant other's and no more questions should be asked.

"It's easier to push off a 6 month sentence, than 6 feet of dirt."

Take care and stay safe.

Hate to debunk your no social/legal risk for a multi-tool in an office environment, but I got in trouble and almost fired for having a swisstool in a pouch on my belt at work. The tool itself wasn't even seen, but human resources could not see a difference between a tool and a weapon. DISCRETE is now the watchword. What they can't see, they can't complain about.

Same here, I pulled out my leatherman in a .gov office and got the "thats a knife!". I said of course, would you prefer me to chew the box open. But I have become more careful about whom I pull it out in front of now.

Well, perhaps you can find a more suitable atmosphere. I don't like the idea of someone disarmingme. Yes, I don't routinely carry knives or weapons, but that's beside the point. Criminals don't obey the law. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I would also think "DUAL USE". Except in the case above, you might be able to have items that replicate the use of other "prohibited" devices. For example, think of a Kubaton. Why buy this OBVIOUS defensive weapon. Perhaps your <insert relative>, who died in a hiking accident, crafted you what looks like a long wooden whistle. You keep it for sentimental value. It just happens to function as a whistle AND Kubaton. You might even be able to have a long wooden dowel and think of some excuse if someone wants to know. Maybe you practice tying knots on it.

Edited to Add:
I did a google search of "whistle kubaton". Someone said they like to use a "Susato Kildare Tunable D". The main page is here
A image showing the "D" (its on the Soprano side...) is here. A "D" is recommended for beginners, and it's only $30. Just tell everyone you wanted to learn to play a whistle