Does anyone use one of these for EDC? I'm considering one for that purpose and would benefit from any thoughts you may have.

By the way.... does the name "Jumbo Fat Boy" seem a little like overkill? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have the Jumbo. It can be an excellent EDC, and it can be a horrible EDC, depending on when and where you are going to use it. If you will be very active, avoid it like the plague.

I first used it in NOLA last year. Most of the time I was stationary, or walking from place to place. It was excellent. I almost always had everything I needed, and things were very accessable, unlike most backpacks.

I recently used it for a Winter Wilderness Medical Training week, and it was horrible. Much of our time we were mobile in rugged terrain. The Jumbo did not travel well and was always in the way. It does not work well with bulky clothes either.

I carry a Jumbo as EDC. I found the Fatboy was a tad small for me and the Jumbo is just about right. I think a lot of it depends on your use and what you are looking for.

I've added the following to mine:

1) Jumbo Rollypolly on rear upper strap mount point.
2) M2 pouch on front strap mount point.
3) Standard Rollypolly (sewed) above forward pocket
4) Modified gearkeeper* on strap above M2 pouch
5) I hooked a couple of stainless "Twisties" into the top webbing so I can clip my keys on.

* Replaced cheezy gearkeeper clip with this sturdy stainless clip from Berkeleypoint.com.

I carry mine almost always and have rigged it up so it works for about everything. For example, I have the clip on there so that I can clip my dog's lead (Ray Allen Flat Braid Latigo Waist Lead) to the pack if I need my hands free. The jumbo rollypolly can hold a bunch of balls and frisby at the dog park. I keep plastic storage bags in the standard rollypolly (you can roll up the rollypolly with them in there) and then open the rollypolly for transporting dog waste until we get to the next trash can.

So for me, it really works out for almost every occation. I can EDC it, and it can accomidate outings like the dog park.

The downsides?

1) If you carry it around in an office setting you will get some comments.
2) It's big enough that you might find it getting a bit heavy.
3) I had to sew on the second rollypolly. No attachment point where I wanted it.
4) No place for 8.5x11 papers.
5) Doesn't fit well into a backpack.
6) The flap doesn't cover well enough for rain protection.
7) I have some minor nits about the drawstrings in it.

Overall, I love it. If only it could be part of a modular backpack system...

-john

Here is what it looks like:








Hmm. What can we fit in there? Let's see...

Many Thanks to JohnN and Malpaso for their invaluable input and pictures.
Obviously you both know what you are talking about. I'm going to try one out and perhaps copy some of your modifications. I know it's not part of a modular system but I'm thinking about how I might adapt it to carry along on a several night backpack trip. I am always frustrated by the need to access some items without removing the backpack.

Again Thanks
Jon Davis

I have the Jumbo and use it as EDC. I like it alot and agree with Malpaso - if you're going to be doing some serious moving - might not be the best choice. For simply walking, though, it's fine. I like the Nalgene size pocket. I also added a compass/ first aid pouch to the rear strap mount. I keep finding more and more things to fill it with, though, so I may add more pouches with time.

FYI, it was quite an adventure attaching that standard Rollypolly. I had to use a sewing awl as I had to go through several layers of 1000d Cordura. I was thinking rivets might also work, but you'd probably need one of those hole punches made for leather to get the holes made.

-john

That is some FINE-looking kitchen countertop you got there, JohnN. Love the choice of tile and the cabinets, too.

I'm a Henckels user myself, but since Wusthof is German-made cutlery excellence, too, I salute your choice. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Christina. I love it as well. My wife and I both love natural materials. When we remodeled the kitchen, my wife found and picked out the countertop.

Ironically, the knives closest to you are Henckels. :-) I just purchased that block because I wanted something in bamboo that could hold a fair number of knives and that is what I was able to find.

However, I've been replacing the Henckels with Shun knives (there are some in the block as well) which I like much better. Actually in a German knife, I like the Messermeister Meridian Elite.

The Shun is really only a mid-range Japanese knife, but I'm happy with it because the price is about the same as the German knives but they use harder steel with a finer cutting angle. That equates to better cutting.

So, eventually, I'll proably end up with all Shun knives and a single 8 or 10" Messermeister Meridian Elite chef for heavy duty work.

Here are a few Shun pics. Most are only so-so, but you can really zoom in on the top one to get a good feel what the Shun knives are about.

I found Fred at foodieforums.com to really be informative about Japanese cooking knives. This old review is still pretty cool. On sharpening. Intro to American style Japanese cooking knives.

Here's a few pictures of the remodel which has some detail pics of the granite under different lighting condtions (it's hard to get the color quite right). If you are curious, the whole story is here.

Off topic, I know. But at least I now feel Equipped To Cook (tm). :-)

-john

Agreed. You can get a lot in there. I could even get more in mine and that is without even breaking out the rollypollys. However, it isn't so big that you can just toss stuff in there. You need to be neat.

Also, as previously mentioned, it isn't clear that the Jumbo makes a good hiking companion -- especially if you have it loaded down.

YMMV.

BTW, here is Malpaso's report he was refering to.

-john