EDC for Urban "Convenience"

Posted by: gear_freak

EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/08/03 09:50 PM

Hi,

Let me start by saying that I do carry a Doug-style PSK tin and a fully stocked first-aid kit when venturing to rural/remote/outdoor/questionable areas. However, the tin supplements the following list of every day carry items, which I would chartacterize not so much "survival" gear as "urban convenience gear," although many components would cross over into the survival category (like the Pulsar LED, Leatherman Micra, etc.) With that in mind, what feedback does this astute audience have for me?

+2.5"x4" Nylon Utility Pouch:
MEDICAL
-2 medium rectangular adhesive bandages
-2 mini rectangular adhesive bandages
-1 antiseptic wipe
-4 Motrin IB caplets (200 mg. Ibuprofen)
SEWING/REPAIR (in tiny plastic zip-close bag)
-1 large, 1 small sewing needle
-2 yds. ea. dark gray thread, tan thread
-1 threader
-1 medium, 1 small safety pin
-1 medium brown, 1 small clear button
-1 large, 1 small paper clip
-1 yd. thin twine
-small stick of hot melt glue
ESSENTIALS
-1 Bic butane mini lighter
-Suunto Clipper compass w/luminous ratcheting bezel
-1 small roll duct tape
MISC
-Fisher Bullet Space Pen
-2 business cards
-1 Listerine PocketPak
-1 cough drop/piece hard candy
-credit card-sized fresnel lens

+Keychain
-house key, car keys
-Princeton Tec Pulsar II LED micro light, blue
-aluminum whistle

+Pockets
-wallet
-coin purse (coins=$.25x4, $.10x2, $.05x1, $.01x4)
-comb, bandana, lip balm
-Leatherman Micra multi-tool

+Electronics
-Handspring Visor Deluxe PDA with Sprint PCS Wireless Web Digital Link
Posted by: Hutch66

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/08/03 10:37 PM

I, too, carry my urban kit as much as for convience as survival. Your key chain set up is identicle to mine, except I have a Fox 40 whistle, which I would recomend switching to. Also, a good locking knife would be a great addition to a good kit. Some 550 cord would also be good.

As an aside, can you explain to me what a "threader" is? I've seen several people mention them, but I have no idea what one is.

Thanks,
Chris.
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/08/03 11:31 PM

You're right about the Fox 40. I put one on my wife's keychain, and need to upgrade from my sporting goods aluminum model as well. I see the regular Fox 40 all over the place, but haven't found the "mini" model anywhere. I'd love a glow-in-the-dark mini, but don't know if one is made.

Yep, I'm in the market for a good locking folder. Can't really finance something of Sebenza caliber, but maybe a Benchmade or SOG. My price range is about $75. Ideas?

How do you carry the 550 for EDC? I have a 100 ft. hank I take backpacking, and its in a monkey fist.

A threader is a dime-sized piece of thin stamped aluminum with a diamond-shaped wire loop attached. You push the wire loop through the needle and use it to pull thread through the needle. Advantages are that you can thread a needle one handed, with gloves, with numb fingers, and pull thicker thread through than would normally fit by pushing the thread alone. Its thin as paper and virtually weightless.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 12:12 AM

Benchmade Mini TSEK. My faverite EDC. Great utility and/or tactical knife. IMO. $60-70.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 12:25 AM

A few things I would consider adding

Splinter-picker tweezers (Perhaps redundant with the micra but I would carry them separately anyway)

nail clippers (Perhaps redundant with the micra but I would carry them separately anyway)

immodium or other anti-diahreal medicine

Actifed or other non-drowsey nasal decongestant (I'm prone to head colds this time of year)

spare batteries for the electronics

Notepad and paper - I am looking at the notesaf from brigade quartermasters.

a spool of decent nylon twine - 550 cord is best. If you find some flat piece of plastic that is about the size of your wallet to wind it on and then wind it to the thickness of your wallet it will balance your butt well when you sit by filling the other back pocket of your jeans.

Some latex or nitrile gloves for the med kit don't take up much room but you might be quite glad you have them.

Some light leather gloves (I keep driving gloves in my wind-breaker or in my vest depending upon weather) in case you need to do some rough work in exiting a building.

I'd switch the single piece of hard-candy for a roll of life-savers or equivalent. More candy and it carries easy as well. Or maybe a box of altoids?

I am wondering why you feel the need for such a large pouch when you have so little in it. Is this primarily a pouch for the PDA? I carry my Agenda PDA in my shirt pocket.

Posted by: Eugene

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 12:34 AM

I'm a small guy so I have to keep my stuff light, but currently I have: Leatherman Wave on belt, AAA Maglite (smaller than the AA so it fits in my pocket), keys wallet, cell phone and my primary PDA now is a Blackberry Pager. I work in a small office and just have to walk outside to my truck so thats where most of my gear is, things like First Aid kit, tool kit, bottles of water or Gatoraid, some breakfast bars and beef jerkey and a nice thick tarp. I'm trying to find something smaller than an altiods tin as its slightly big for me and makes a noticible lump in my pocket. I thought about getting another wallet for gear or maybe one of those hidden travel wallets (goto a travel gear maker like Eagle Creek and see the stuff there). I also want to get a bigger knife and some fire starter both for EDC and in the truck kit. I thought about a CRKT Stiff Kiss for EDC and was going to wrap the handle with cord and stuff some of those fire starting bars in the holes survival knife style, but it has been discontinued so I would like to find a current selling product.
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 01:04 AM

Thanks, I'll look that one up.
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 02:03 AM

Great ideas miniME.

The tweezers and nail clippers would be redundant with my Micra, but I suppose a backup wouldn't hurt. Is that the idea?

Roger on the meds, gloves, and batteries.

The PDA eliminates the need, for me anyway, for a notepad and paper, but I do carry a bullet Space Pen and some business cards to write on the back of as backup. When appropriate, I also carry a "Rite-in-the-Rain" mini notepad.

Cool idea about the cordage.

The little nylon pouch isn't really all that big. Its roughly the same shape as an Altoids tin, but thinner. I really only have enough room left over for something the size of a golf pencil or something flat like a credit card.

Ah, a fellow PDA enthisiast! Mine also functions as a wireless phone, so it gets its own belt pouch. If I kept in in a shirt pocket, it would surely find its way to the floor during the course of the day.

Posted by: boatman

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 12:34 PM

Instead of wrapping 550 cord on a piece of plastic try this.At Wal-Mart they carry a flat pack of duct tape.It is very handy to wrap cord on.Plus you got duct tape.For a really good knife I highly recommend A.G.Russell Knives.Model K-94B or K94C are in your price range and very slim line and light weight.I carry a K87 but this model is no longer made I hear.For mini Fox 40's try boat shops.They sell them for PFD's.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 01:43 PM

notepad and paper is not for you to take notes for yourself - tho, ofcourse a notepad will never run out of battery - a notepad is for leaving notes for others. Whether it be to your wife when you need to evac before she joins you or for your boss to let him know that you don't need the job that bad. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Yes my PDA does find it's way to the floor with regularity. I've got some velcro hooks on the back and that seems to help when I am wearing flannel or wool but otherwise it is a bit of a pain. I've been looking for another way since My belt already carries Cellphone and leatherman wave. I may have to trade in the PDA for one that is phone capable so I can liberate my belt slot.

redundant tweezers and nail clippers not really necessary I didn't know what was on the micra.


Posted by: Polak187

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 01:53 PM

Don't know which PDA you guys have but when I got mine (Sony) I purchased one of those tight fit lined aluminium cases for it. Anyway I think they make those for every model out there. What I'm talking about can be seen here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3017384898&category=27968

Now I can sit on it, drop it (well kinda), throw it into my pack or pocket and be little careless. Works nicely so far. If you high polish a rear of the case it can be used as signaling mirror <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Matt
Posted by: Craig

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 02:01 PM

<<...I'm in the market for a good locking folder....My price range is about $75. Ideas?>>

Depends on what size knife you want. I bought myself a Kershaw Silver Spur ($21.95 from KnifeCenter.com), a tiny little knife with a locking blade. It's about the same size as a SAK Classic, but it feels very sturdy. It became my favorite blade. I carry it always. It fits anywhere on my person (watch pocket of jeans, pocket of dress shirts) and I can deploy it with minimal fuss. Very sharp, too. I also bought its big brother, the Kershaw Silver Spur II.
Posted by: Craig

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 02:08 PM

<<The tweezers and nail clippers would be redundant with my Micra, but I suppose a backup wouldn't hurt. Is that the idea?>>

I like redundancy myself. As soon as you have one of something, that item will get borrowed just before you need it, or it will get lost, or something. I try to carry two or three of some essential "tools."
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 02:42 PM

. . . and don't forget Ebay. those of us out in the boonies find it to be the best alternative to Walmart. I got a miniFox (luminous version) there.
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 03:33 PM

Hard to beat $21 for a decent blade! Thanks.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 03:51 PM

I recently upgraded my PDA from a Palm 3xe (old) to a (smaller) Tungsten T. I experimented with cases without a belt loop, but ended up with that style again. There are downsides, but you can't beat the security- I've had no problems with the T hitting the floor.

Unfortunately, where the old 3xe case was large enough to conceal a CRKT Sampson's K.I.S.S. folder on the backside under the belt (horizontal carry), the new one is not... leaving me looking for another "executive" carry option (not necessarily for that particular folder). It's difficult to find a carry that will stay invisible from suit-and-tie to polo-shirt and kakhis.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 04:03 PM

I'm very fond of the Spyderco Endura... Plain, 50/50, or fully serrated blade, stainless or black handles/clip. They can be found for around $40-50.

~Wesley
Posted by: Craig

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 07:52 PM

You're welcome. I love that little lockblade. Lots of cutting power in a very small package.
Posted by: Hutch66

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/09/03 08:39 PM

THanks for clearing up the threader issue for me.

REI carries the mini fox 40 (there used to be one in Atlanta, I assume it's still there) but I've never seen the glow-in-the-dark variety there.

The paracord, about 10 feet of it, is in a coil knot, carried in my left front pocket with a Zippo and bandana.

For $75 there's any number of good folders you could get, and I wouldn't even venture into this discussion except that you mentioned SOG. I've had my SOG Autoclip (the 3.6 inch with black handle)for 5 or 6 years now and have always been happy with it. I especially like being able to practically lock it on to my pocket. Not as strong as some others, but for $40, I think it's a great blade.

Chris
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/10/03 01:59 AM

For EDC you NEED a good thumb ramp. You try sticking something (utility wise ) wihtout a thumbramp (silver- whatever) you will be sorry. Benchmade Mini TSEK.
Posted by: Anonymous

Isn't this an "Urban PSK"? - 04/10/03 02:15 AM

Robert:

Seems very thorough. I have a question for you and the rest: isn't this an urban PSK? or is it urban EDC?

Regards,

atty_guy
Posted by: Eugene

Re: Isn't this an "Urban PSK"? - 04/10/03 02:30 AM

Whats the difference? Ideally your PSK whould be EDC because you never know when you may need it.
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/10/03 03:41 AM

Good point. Thanks to you guys, I now have recommendations for the Benchmade Mini TSEK, Kershaw Silver Spur, Spyderco Endura, and the SOG Autoclip. Sounds like a good sampling to use while comparison shopping.
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: Isn't this an "Urban PSK"? - 04/10/03 03:47 AM

Yes, I would call this urban EDC with some PSK-type extras. If the situation warrants, I'll throw in the classic Altoids PSK tin, FAK tin, hank 'o 550 cord, etc. I guess I like the modular approach.
Posted by: Craig

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/10/03 09:42 PM

These knives represent an array of sizes. Your choice depends on what you're going to use the blade for, how and where you're going to carry it, and how much you want to spend.

On the small side, you have the Kershaw Silver Spur. You can carry that little beauty anywhere on your person with no bulges. On the larger side, you have the Spyderco Endura. I have always wanted the Spyderco Delica, myself. It's a little smaller and easier to carry.

I love to have a larger Spyderco with me on a trip to a national park. I have the Cricket and Dragonfly. I always have a problem chosing which to take.

The Spyderco Endura or Delica should handle any cutting chores you ask of them, but you would not necessarily want to deploy either of them in the middle of a grocery store to cut a pesky thread. You'd scare the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER..

I have no problem pulling out the Kershaw Silver Spur in such an environment. I can have the knive out, opened, the chore done, and the knife folded and back in my pocket in no time at all. But you might not want it to be your only blade in a national park because it IS tiny.

Tradeoffs and choices.
Posted by: Anonymous

The Difference? Huge, or Nonexistent. . . - 04/11/03 02:39 AM

Eugene:

Funny you raise the question. See the earlier thread on shirt-and-tie PSK's. A PSK, as I imagine it, would include items that would have little use or relevance in an urban setting. (Please don't slam me on this. Read the posts in that thread.) I'm not going to carry that stuff because: 1) it's not relevent; 2) I can store it close by; and 3) the vicissitudes of modern life (magnetometers, etc.) make carrying that stuff inconvenient, to say the least.

It's dependent upon the situation and location. I won't carry a gas mask in Las Vegas, but I might have one in DC, or at least have a NIOSH-approved mask. That's my opinion.

Regards,

atty_guy
Posted by: Eugene

Re: The Difference? Huge, or Nonexistent. . . - 04/11/03 03:38 AM

Don't worry I won't slam you, at least not knowingly, I am certainly not an expert I just read a lot of web pages and form my own opinions. I feel that a PSK with Personal being the key word should be EDC and should contain gear that will be relevent to your every day situation. The gear that I don't consider revalent to my every day survival or situations I could be placed it I do not carry personally. I do noy currently carry any form of altoids tin psk with fishing gear, etc because I spend my days in a urban environment and in a small office where I can walk right out the door to my truck. I'm not in a big building where I could be easily seperated from my vehicle and such. I have all my outdoors type gear in my truck since I may on occasion take a trip to my parents farm where I would be more likely to need that type of gear. Also I have found that I can't fit an altiods tin in my 32" waist jeans, the pockets are just too tight. Thats how I equate the personla to every day carry, i.e. my EDC is personalized to situations I could be faced with. I also feel that this just a starting block as well. As a become better equipped in day to day life I have more time to start thinking long term and can do more outdoors type activites and may add more to my PSK. unfortunatly right now I am a computer Geek and begin to feel strange if I am out of range on an 802.11 access point <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/11/03 03:42 AM

I have the same issue, Eugene. I'm 5'6" and 140 lbs soaking wet, so the stuff that I stuff (he he) must be low bulk. There are big and tall men's shops, but there sure aren't shops for the lean and low. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Biscuits

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/11/03 04:09 AM

I just picked up a mini at REI for around 4.50.
Biscuits
Posted by: Biscuits

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/11/03 04:31 AM

That TSEK looks an awful lot like a CRKT Navajo. I bought my wife one. It's a pretty solid knife Its open body is easy to keep clean and it fits in a watch pocket. I can't remember what I paid for it, more than 21.00 but less than 40.00 most likely.
Biscuits
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: The Difference? Huge, or Nonexistent. . . - 04/11/03 02:24 PM

What each personally carries will be dependant upon two things atleast:
1) environments traveled through and within
2) level of preparedness you wish to attain

as to the environments, If you often find yourself outdoors in a northern clime then you will probably carry an extra hat during the winter. This won't depend upon your size or fashion of dress but upon the fact that you want your head warm which leads us to the second item.

As to the level of preparedness you wish to attain this speaks to the scenarios that you don't want to be caught by. Scenarios are more or less likely then others and the consequences of being caught by a given scenario will be more dire than another. For example, being dropped out of the sky and surviving it from a commercial flight over nowhere-land is highly unlikely but if it should happen to you the consequences of being unprepared would be dire. OTOH, the probablility that you will skin your knuckle enough to bleed next time you try to pull a board out of the network switch in the lab might be in the 60% or higher range but not having a bandaid and having to press the bleeding knuckle into your jeans to stop the blood whilst you curse is not so bad a consequence of being unprepared.

As for myself, I am a rather small guy @ 5'8" and I tend to carry an amazing collection of gear. I carry an altoids tin in each fron pocket - one is a standard field PSK and the other is a FAK. I also wear a rather stylish Filsons #8 cruiser vest in charcoal wool unless it is really warm out. In that vest I have enough stuff to setup camp including tarp and stove and a bunch of other things. Now I am a software engineer working in a single story building in a suburb. I am no more than 200 feet from my vehicle during the day and closer at home. My vehicle is parked in a lot not a garage so it will not be crushed by a collapsing structure when a bad thing happens and all my gear will be available - And believe me there is infact more gear there. I travel an hour through some rural and suburban environments on my way to work. I ride back roads most of the time so there is little traffic and little chance of "events". I don't worry about having a knife to open a box. I don't worry about having a bandaid for the skinning of knuckles. The scenarios I prepare for are the low probability - High consequence scenarios. This means that most of what I carry I don't ever expect to need but when / if something truly horrific happens, I will be prepared whilst you, in your tight fitting - but enhancing jeans will be - well - truly horrified. Let's review what these scenarios might be.

1) traveling to work and car hits patch of ice skids off road and sinks into pond in rural setting on lightly traveled backroad early in the morning 10 miles from nearest home which is empty since its occupants are also commuters.

for this scenario, I will be wearing wool ( do this in the winter) which will be warm even if wet unlike jeans, I will have esbit stove and fuel and lighters and matches all of which will be usable after the dunking, I will have a spring-loaded center punch to get me out of the vehicle after the windows short out, I will have a number of flash-lights to raise attention and a whistle or three, I will have a space-blanket to wrap around me while I get a fire started to keep me warm. I will have a tarp that can become my bivouac while I wait for the eventual passersby who may or may-not stop. I will have the cell phone but that may be useless after the dunking as may be the vhf ham radio which is also clipped to my belt. I will have the leatherman wave for creating tinder to start the fire needed to keep me from dieing from hypothermia as the light snow that caused the accident turns into a full fledged blizzard shutting down the road and eliminating all hope of quick rescue. I won't have the stuff in my vehicle - it is at the bottom of the pond.

2) Bad stuff (terrorist incident - riots - SARS outbreak) happens in the nearby city and all roads are blocaded and I am cut-off from traveling home and may be subjected to undesired scrutiny or harrassment from civil officials or worse subjected to lawlessness brought about by the rioting and resultant societal collapse.

Not only will I have all of the afore mentioned items for making life on the road more comfortable but I will have from my vehicle the appropriate pack and boots for making the hike back home easier. I will be able to travel at an easy pace and take the time since I have the gear to feed myself from the land and the gear to make water drinkable. I can go-to-ground for E&E if necessary.

3) Stop on an abondoned section of road because I really need to take a leak and find I can't start my car! See Numbers 1 & 2. This is not that unlikely a scenario for anyone how commutes.

I guess my point here is that, at least for me, there are scenarios for which I choose to prepare. I prepare for them not because they are likely but because the consequences of experiencing them without preparation would be dire.

There are many stylish modes to dress in which are not as restrictive, look just as nice if not nicer than tight jeans and allow for a bit more comfortable carrying space. All that I carry is less than 5 pounds even with the vest. The vest is 3 pounds of preparation. My PSK and my FAK together weigh just under a pound - add my leatherman and cell phone and ham radio (the ham radio is admittedly left on the desk at work I don't wear it around the office but when out of the office it is worn) and you have the 2 pounds of stuff I wear EDC. The vest is not EDC since I don't wear it Every Day. But any day where the weather (environmental or political) is iffy I wear the vest.

Try some pants with pockets
and a nice vest which they will gladly make for you in wool if you want something more formal.
and maybe a shirt with some pocket capacity.

All of these items are available for the short and lean and carry quite a lot without looking too bulky or obvious. Of course, if you carry a few pounds of gear you will have to - well - carry it. This means being a little heavier. A few pounds of gear shouldn't wear you out but you might want to empty your pockets or arrange a light-weight set of gear for when you go running - perhaps in a butt pack along with your hydration solution for your run.


[FULL RANT ON]
OTOH you might consider that you only need to prepare for things that are more likely to happen and just trust that you won't drive off the road into a pond on the way home on a dark night far away from the main roads, and blizzards, earthquakes, hurricanes and social unrest only happen to those other people on the news but never in your neighborhood or to you or your loved ones.
[FULL RANT OFF]
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/11/03 08:34 PM

I weighed 140 once...

I'm not sure when, but I'm sure I crossed it on my way up. It may have been before I learned to read/write, if not before I learned to speak. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/11/03 09:42 PM

hello,
what is the hot melt glue for? and also, what is in your wallet, aside from normal stuff? also, where do you keep the nylon pouch? on your belt, in your pocket...?
thanks <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/11/03 10:04 PM

The hot melt glue stick can be held and partially melted by the lighter, and then dabbed on whatever for adhesive. Just more compact and less messy than carrying a paste-type glue stick.

In my wallet, I keep a couple of extra bandages, emergency info, an extra house and car key, and that's about it besides the normal stuff. I like to keep the wallet slim.

The nylon pouch is small enough to keep in my front pocket. Its about the dimensions of a deck of cards and has a key clip attached. You can get them at Galyans sporting goods stores under the name "Marsupial Pouch."
Posted by: beakman

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/16/03 08:24 PM

For an EDC folding knife, the longest blade that I'm comfortable carrying is about 3". Here are some possibilities that will fit your budget, and around 3" in blade length, with approximate retail price. First, ones that I own:

Kershaw Vapor $20
AUS-6 Stainless Blade, Stainless Steel Handle, Frame Lock
Kershaw Vapor

A.G. Russell FeatherLite One Hand Knife $35
AUS-8 Stainless Blade, Zytel Handle, Modified Lock Back
A.G. Russell FeatherLite

Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter $20
AUS-8 Stainless Blade, Zytel Handle, Lock Back
Ka-Bar Dozier Folding Hunter

Timberline TimberLite Medium Drop Point Folder $15
425 Stainless Blade, Nylon/Fiberglass Handle, Neeley Lock
TimberLite Medium Drop Point

Of these, my favorite is probably the A.G. Russell FeatherLite.

Knives that I don't own (yet):

Benchmade Mini Griptilian $55
440C Stainless Blade, Noryl GTX Handle, Axis Lock
Mini Griptilian

CRK&T Small Crawford Falcon $33
AUS-6 Stainless Blade, Steel/Zytel Handle, LAWKS Liner Lock
Crawford Falcon


Hope this helps.

the beakman
Posted by: gear_freak

Re: EDC for Urban "Convenience" - 04/16/03 08:56 PM

Thanks for the list. I'll print this out and take it "shopping." I've longed for the Mini Griptilian since I saw the ad in Backpacker magazine.