I would first like to introduce myself as a person just getting into tools. Im in high school and dont have a huge budget but I personally think I got some decent tools GearWrench, Channelock, and Crescent stuff like that.I dont have any harbor freight stuff except zip ties. But anyway I wanted to get some others opinion on carrying tools for EDC. I carry a 4 inch crescent and a leatherman croc everyday and it does just about anything I need it to I just got some 4 1/2 inch ignition pliers and im debating whether to carry it or not. But what would you carry if you carry anything or what would you leave out. I cant carry knives at school so dont suggest any. Thank you!
What tools to carry EDC.
- Thread starter Jackpot11
- Start date
Welcome to Garage Journal!
Why do you want to carry tools? What are you going to work on? Why would you want to carry tools in school?
I hate carrying tools. Had to carry them when I was in medical field service and have to carry them in my current position. Never had need to carry tools on me to work on the car as I always had a tool kit in the trunk.
Don't see any need to carry tools in school. In fact, carrying tools may cause folks to ask questions. If you need tools in a shop class they should be provided. Probably better to study and learn in school and use the tools outside of school.
1cargarage
Well-known member
Hi. Welcome to GJ.
Along with Biomed ^^^ I am scratching my head a bit as to what you might 'need' these tools for. Specifically, why you feel you need EDC tools especially at school.
When I worked on my uncle's farm, I carried a cheap knife (cheap so I wouldn't have reservations about 'abusing'/misusing it) and a pair of Channellock 426 pliers ~$9
in my side pocket. I used both every single day on one thing or another... granted I was working all day. I generally don't find myself needing the pliers when I'm at school (I'm in college currently).
You say you already carry a Leatherman. Personally, I don't care for Leathermans. In my experience they're good as a last resort, but never performed well enough for me to warrant carrying it around all day. I have considered getting a Swisstech keychain,
but I probably won't. Still too bulky for me to pack around all day.
If you have your own car, it isn't a bad idea to keep a basic tool kit in the trunk, but don't get carried away. It's easy to overdo it when it comes to assembling a vehicle tool kit. In the end, you will generally just be decreasing your mpg. Maybe try specifying situations of late in which you needed a tool (skateboard adjustment, etc.)
Happy hunting
Along with Biomed ^^^ I am scratching my head a bit as to what you might 'need' these tools for. Specifically, why you feel you need EDC tools especially at school.
When I worked on my uncle's farm, I carried a cheap knife (cheap so I wouldn't have reservations about 'abusing'/misusing it) and a pair of Channellock 426 pliers ~$9
in my side pocket. I used both every single day on one thing or another... granted I was working all day. I generally don't find myself needing the pliers when I'm at school (I'm in college currently).
You say you already carry a Leatherman. Personally, I don't care for Leathermans. In my experience they're good as a last resort, but never performed well enough for me to warrant carrying it around all day. I have considered getting a Swisstech keychain,
but I probably won't. Still too bulky for me to pack around all day.
If you have your own car, it isn't a bad idea to keep a basic tool kit in the trunk, but don't get carried away. It's easy to overdo it when it comes to assembling a vehicle tool kit. In the end, you will generally just be decreasing your mpg. Maybe try specifying situations of late in which you needed a tool (skateboard adjustment, etc.)
Happy hunting
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whitetrash1
Well-known member
A quality pocket knife and a klever cutter are all I carry all the time
1cargarage
Well-known member
As a 26 y/o who has basically been obsessed with tools his entire life, which you may identify with to a certain degree, I can assure you that the most invaluable tool you have (maybe not yet...) is between your ears. High School is ******** for the most part but trust me, if you're interested in tools and the amazing things people do with them, work your *** off in school (especially math and science) and you will end up with way more options to pursue any interest/obsession you might now have. And who knows? If you keep your ears open in school you might just discover another interest that will take hold even stronger.
I carry a Knipex mini cobra with me everywhere i go... even to church.
And I must say that i'm really impressed with these pliers. I used to carry a mini Channel Lock pliers with me but, there not even in the same league with Knipex.
And I must say that i'm really impressed with these pliers. I used to carry a mini Channel Lock pliers with me but, there not even in the same league with Knipex.
Toymeister
Well-known member
Lets not forget in todays world a nail clipper is a weapon according to the TSA. The OP is an equally paranoid environment, a high school. In many states the knife on a leatherman will get you expelled for a month.
Quite a bit different than my HS days where a kid brought his ax (head covered in cardboard) to HS on the bus to sharpen it on a Baldor grinder. And Yes that was fine, he got it sharpened.
Edit: no idea if he lost the ax temper on the ax from grinding it but the COO on the ax was USA.
Quite a bit different than my HS days where a kid brought his ax (head covered in cardboard) to HS on the bus to sharpen it on a Baldor grinder. And Yes that was fine, he got it sharpened.
Edit: no idea if he lost the ax temper on the ax from grinding it but the COO on the ax was USA.
I carry the two keyring screwdrivers, a P38 clone bottle/can opener and a small 'gator wrench daily. About twice a week one of them sees use too.
The 'gator is small and flat for little bulk in a pocket and the rest are the house keys. No raised eyebrows anywhere and handy for those anywhere emergency things.
The 'gator is small and flat for little bulk in a pocket and the rest are the house keys. No raised eyebrows anywhere and handy for those anywhere emergency things.
bczygan
Well-known member
It also means that there is NO WRONG answer and EVERY answer is the RIGHT answer.
I can see just carrying a tool to have something wonderful to fondle.
Can we admit to wanting to fondle our tools?
In the old days young men would carry a favorite pocket knife around with them always. Some even used it to whittle.
Nowadays there are too many places you can't even carry a knife.
Bill
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My EDC
wallet
keys
phone
Streamlight Stylus Pro
Ronson JetLite
SOG Trident
SOG multitool (bought the optional wire strippers, very handy)
IF you get into a situation where you could use a tool shaped object in your hand the above should do most of what most of us would need. If you need a real tool it becomes pretty quickly obvious.
Kind of surprised you're allowed to carry that leatherman into a high school honestly. Your current EDC should be a wallet, keys, phone, and a condom. Enjoy your youth, there's no need to fill every pocket at this point in your life, plenty of time for unnecessary burdens later.
wallet
keys
phone
Streamlight Stylus Pro
Ronson JetLite
SOG Trident
SOG multitool (bought the optional wire strippers, very handy)
IF you get into a situation where you could use a tool shaped object in your hand the above should do most of what most of us would need. If you need a real tool it becomes pretty quickly obvious.
Kind of surprised you're allowed to carry that leatherman into a high school honestly. Your current EDC should be a wallet, keys, phone, and a condom. Enjoy your youth, there's no need to fill every pocket at this point in your life, plenty of time for unnecessary burdens later.
pendragon1998
Well-known member
I am not sure if you are carrying the leatherman to HS, but that sounds like a great way to get in trouble in this moronic atmosphere of zero tolerance. (If it was up to me, I would encourage all fellows to carry a pocket knife or multitool, but times are what they are.)
I will recommend a single cell CR123 or AA flashlight, such as 4sevens quark mini123, as an EDC. Mine sees use daily. Plus, those interior classrooms are very dark in a power outage.
I will recommend a single cell CR123 or AA flashlight, such as 4sevens quark mini123, as an EDC. Mine sees use daily. Plus, those interior classrooms are very dark in a power outage.
1cargarage
Well-known member
Just one?
Youngguns
Well-known member
I would definitely avoid carrying any tools in high school, especially anything with a blade. I mean, maybe one day you'll run into a situation where pliers may have helped with something somehow (probably not, it's just extra weight) but a knife will just get you expelled.
kctyphoon
Banned
leatherman wave/ small flashlight / lighter / pen / phone / cash
portable backup battery for phone & jump box for car..
portable backup battery for phone & jump box for car..
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Farmall 1066
Well-known member
Gifted my 15 y/o nephew a nice Victorinox knife last year. Shame he can't carry to high school.
Growing up, you could take a shotgun or rifle on the school bus, and the driver would drop you wherever you wanted, and let you hunt your way home. Gun stayed on the bus all day.
As for EDC items, I alternate between Leathermen; Wave, Sidekick, and Crunch, in belt sheath or pocket clip, depending on day and level of dress.
Streamlight ProTac 2aa light. Maybe I'm crazy, but a Swisschamp in my pocket.
Hardly a day goes by where I don't need one of these.
Today I fixed a coworkers glasses, wrote some notes, and cut netwrap off a hay bale, all with my Swisschamp, and used the magnifying glass to read some terminal #s off an electrical connector. Used the light to help get good pictures of a part I was trying to Identify.
Sidekick saved my *** a few weeks back. Broke door handle off my pickup when it was -17 out. Couldn't have gotten in without it.
I totally get the OP's situation, but don't risk F'ing up your school career over this. Play their game and make the best of it while you're there.
Growing up, you could take a shotgun or rifle on the school bus, and the driver would drop you wherever you wanted, and let you hunt your way home. Gun stayed on the bus all day.
As for EDC items, I alternate between Leathermen; Wave, Sidekick, and Crunch, in belt sheath or pocket clip, depending on day and level of dress.
Streamlight ProTac 2aa light. Maybe I'm crazy, but a Swisschamp in my pocket.
Hardly a day goes by where I don't need one of these.
Today I fixed a coworkers glasses, wrote some notes, and cut netwrap off a hay bale, all with my Swisschamp, and used the magnifying glass to read some terminal #s off an electrical connector. Used the light to help get good pictures of a part I was trying to Identify.
Sidekick saved my *** a few weeks back. Broke door handle off my pickup when it was -17 out. Couldn't have gotten in without it.
I totally get the OP's situation, but don't risk F'ing up your school career over this. Play their game and make the best of it while you're there.
Many years ago in high school, I used to secretly carry a small Allen wrench (it may have been 3/16") I could use to adjust thermostats in my classrooms. My classrooms were all pleasantly cool. It took a few days to figure out exactly what I needed. I actually saw some teachers fighting over it a few times. The ones with nice air conditioned rooms would keep their doors closed. The custodians kept "fixing" them, so I had to keep it with me and reset them every few days.
I also carried a very good calculator. My toolbox was in the trunk of my car and I did quite a few roadside repairs. When you're a kid you drive junk, so it's good to have tools in the car.
Flashlight is a good idea.
I hated absolutely everything about high school. Hang in there.
I also carried a very good calculator. My toolbox was in the trunk of my car and I did quite a few roadside repairs. When you're a kid you drive junk, so it's good to have tools in the car.
Flashlight is a good idea.
I hated absolutely everything about high school. Hang in there.
Rarified27
Well-known member
Wow, one of the rare occasions being a teacher is handy in a tool forum.
Quick background, I'm a music teacher who is constantly fixing instruments, so I keep a small hand box where the most dangerous things are a utility knife and a 12V drill- the box is locked at all times because the liability of a student getting hurt will cost me my career. My administrators know the equipment exists and it is secure.
In our time of "zero tolerance", I'm begging you to not bring any form of tool into the school bldg. You're begging for disciplinary action and or a criminal record no matter what you think you'll need it for or whatever you will claim your intent was for the item.
Use your stuff at home or on the weekends and whatever you do, never put it in your school bag; you'll forget about it and the chances of discovering it's still there in school are too high.
Stay safe!
Quick background, I'm a music teacher who is constantly fixing instruments, so I keep a small hand box where the most dangerous things are a utility knife and a 12V drill- the box is locked at all times because the liability of a student getting hurt will cost me my career. My administrators know the equipment exists and it is secure.
In our time of "zero tolerance", I'm begging you to not bring any form of tool into the school bldg. You're begging for disciplinary action and or a criminal record no matter what you think you'll need it for or whatever you will claim your intent was for the item.
Use your stuff at home or on the weekends and whatever you do, never put it in your school bag; you'll forget about it and the chances of discovering it's still there in school are too high.
Stay safe!
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1cargarage
Well-known member
I carry a Knipex mini cobra with me everywhere i go... even to church.
Meh. I own both of them (2 of each). The scale of any job that would warrant either tool is too minuscule to differentiate "a different league". They're both great and the Knipex is slightly nicer than the Channellocks, but as far as the day by day BS that these call for... six of one...
Not to mention, if you lose or get either confiscated by administration/TSA, what are you going to be more pissed about?
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Wow, I went to HS in the 90's and gun racks and pocket knives were normal, in New England.
Teen pregnancy, drunk/racing fatalities, and smoking were the hot items for our day.
Am I really that old? Or have times changed that much for the worse?
... I really can't be that old?
Teen pregnancy, drunk/racing fatalities, and smoking were the hot items for our day.
Am I really that old? Or have times changed that much for the worse?
... I really can't be that old?
logical
Well-known member
I don't think any of the hand wringing over knives is necessary. The CROC that the OP carries is not a knife or anything like the Leatherman that most of you are imagining. It's just a little credit card type tool. He knows he can't carry a knife, he said that.
n8n
Well-known member
I just carry a SAK in my back pocket next to my wallet, a Benchmade Griptilian in my front pocket, and a Sunwayman V11R (modded) in my other front pocket. I figure if I need more tools than that that's what the toolbag in my car is for. Probably the Grip/SAK combo could be replaced by a Leatherman if you prefer them, but I don't like holsters on my belt.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I carry a Swiss Army Knife and a LED flashlight that takes one AA battery. It's surprising how handy that flashlight is.
thewatusi
Well-known member
The only tool a guy in high school should carry around all the time is a pack of Trojans. Enjoy your youth
Rarified27
Well-known member
The zero tolerance policies at most schools are borderline insanity- anything perceived to be a weapon will be considered one.
I constantly tell my students that accurate or not, perception is reality (this comes up a lot during music business discussions "she can sing", "no the auto tuner can sing").
None of the possible hassle is worth it and besides, what kind of emergency will you run into during the day that the school would actually say "Gee, sure am glad that random kid had tools!"?
I don't want to see anyone get in trouble for any reason. Just looking out for the guy!
n8n
Well-known member
Agree, if you're still in school, "EDC" really means "ED (except when you're in school) C"
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
When I drove old beaters, I had a 1/2 x 9/16 long box end, a 1/2 x 9/16 short open, an adjustable wrench, a pair of pliers, a flat and a Phillips screwdriver, wrapped up in some shop rags held by bailing wire. I don;t think I ever had to use it on one on my cars, but definitely used those tools on friends cars !
(Back then, you could take apart most American cars with just a 1/2 and a 9/16)
For Every Day Carry, that Swisstech look nice. You can't beat a Leatherman in a belt pouch.
(Back then, you could take apart most American cars with just a 1/2 and a 9/16)
For Every Day Carry, that Swisstech look nice. You can't beat a Leatherman in a belt pouch.
Yeah there is some bell curve or something. 0 condoms, ladies are afraid to go too far. 2 condoms, ladies are afraid to go too far. 1 condom, ladies are not afraid to go too far. I spent 4 years perfecting this math and there are no other factors at all involved I promise. If you can get as far as third, home is just a condom away. This is super serious advice type **** and you should base your entire high school career on it. You can trust me.
Let me say something you aren't used to from the little shits, I mean students. THANK YOU.
I fixed at least one piece on every single instrument in use at some point in my high school & college band days. I actually had in my backpack a plano box with a drum key, screwdriver set, key oil, cork grease, slide grease, a wine cork (yes that was dumb but it came in handy for odd 'thick' corks) pliers, and a lighter. Probably should have got in trouble quite a few times as it was no secret I was fixing stuff. Basically I had the stuff we didn't have in the supply case, like pads & sheet cork.
My high school music teacher smoked a pipe, and the lighter he used to cure pad glue was a pipe lighter he told me. I have never seen one like it in any smoke shop since then; it looks like a pen or really more like a pen light. I think it was a butane but I don't remember. He had it for so long there was no brand and of course he never remembered where he got it, but said it's fairly common for guys of his vintage to use for repairs. Do you have any idea what I might be talking about?
Rarified27
Well-known member
My regular music students are very appreciative; it's the other ones I get randomly tossed into my theory or beginner band classes that think they're going to "make beats" and "get honeys" by having me teach them the latest Beyonce track on an oboe that I could do without ;-)
As for the lighter, we use butane pencil torches made by Bernzomatic like this one (not the same as ours, but similar). http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CBIJS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
bushmechanic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 4,820
Bah. If he screws himself, he had it coming.
I was always tinkering with one thing or another in school. My favorite "tool" was a watch with a built-in remote control. I tortured my teachers with that thing whenever a television cart was rolled in.
Nobody ever figured out what was wrong with all those TVs.
I know these seem really, really stupid, but I always have them in the glove box, and usually pack one in the old pocket when I inspect my cars here and there:
They work well for occasional tightening or loosening here and there, and both together will hit a crazy array of fasteners.
They aren't the greatest thing in the world to use, but you're less likely to screw up a fastener with them than you are with Channellocks or an adjustable wrench, and they are far more convenient.
I was always tinkering with one thing or another in school. My favorite "tool" was a watch with a built-in remote control. I tortured my teachers with that thing whenever a television cart was rolled in.
Nobody ever figured out what was wrong with all those TVs.
I know these seem really, really stupid, but I always have them in the glove box, and usually pack one in the old pocket when I inspect my cars here and there:
They work well for occasional tightening or loosening here and there, and both together will hit a crazy array of fasteners.
They aren't the greatest thing in the world to use, but you're less likely to screw up a fastener with them than you are with Channellocks or an adjustable wrench, and they are far more convenient.
On your own time
carry your leatherman,
and a flashlight, a really good one... but mostly in the afternoon when you will be out and night will fall upon you
If you have keys, get one of those craftsman 99cent keychain screwdriver things..
I've had one for yrs, and never needed it but one day I might get to use it
Oh and it's not effective but better than nothing
Don't carry your gear at school, anyone over 18 in a hs have a horrible sense in terms of this stuff
carry your leatherman,
and a flashlight, a really good one... but mostly in the afternoon when you will be out and night will fall upon you
If you have keys, get one of those craftsman 99cent keychain screwdriver things..
I've had one for yrs, and never needed it but one day I might get to use it
Oh and it's not effective but better than nothing
Don't carry your gear at school, anyone over 18 in a hs have a horrible sense in terms of this stuff
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Thinking You should get ahold of the Dear Old Hjuttinvildinsen Sisters and get some advice on how to carve a cane out of hickory... You will need the extra support with all this extra stuff weighting down your pockets... While there, ask them where they get their suspenders,,,
fm2176
Well-known member
Off-duty: a watch and pocket knife
Regular duty EDC: add a Gerber multicolor and cigarette lighter
Current duty (involving a LOT of tactical vehicles): add a Milwaukee 11-in-1 screwdriver, slip-joint pliers, almost inevitably at some point bolt cutters, and sometimes a hammer
I'm never too far from my truck, which usually has every tool I could use and then some. The Gerber is a life saver in the military, though, and in the right hands can do 90% of the field expedient jobs I come across, albeit nowhere nearly as well as a dedicated tool (hence the screwdriver and pliers I've been carrying).
Regular duty EDC: add a Gerber multicolor and cigarette lighter
Current duty (involving a LOT of tactical vehicles): add a Milwaukee 11-in-1 screwdriver, slip-joint pliers, almost inevitably at some point bolt cutters, and sometimes a hammer
I'm never too far from my truck, which usually has every tool I could use and then some. The Gerber is a life saver in the military, though, and in the right hands can do 90% of the field expedient jobs I come across, albeit nowhere nearly as well as a dedicated tool (hence the screwdriver and pliers I've been carrying).
twertsy
Well-known member
EDC...............I'm going to guess through context it's "Every Day Carry," but honestly have no clue 
Someone enlighten me.
Someone enlighten me.
Rarified27
Well-known member
EDC...............I'm going to guess through context it's "Every Day Carry," but honestly have no clue
Someone enlighten me.
Yes, EDC= Every Day Carry.
A derivative of the Concealed Carry world.
bushmechanic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 4,820
Those Gerber tools are all over the military. I've still got mine, and it's been all over the world with me. Being able to slick the pliers out with one hand has it's advantages.
I always felt the cutting jaws and knife could use improvement, though.
On paper, other products should be better. In practice, though, the Gerber tends to be the go-to tool for those who aren't in a mechanical MOS.
Things sure have changed since I was in HS. Graduated in 79 in Montana. Nearly every guy carried a Buck 110 or a Sharade/Old Timer LB7 on their belt. Disputes were ALWAYS settled with fists. During hunting season half the PU trucks had rifles or shotguns in the gun racks in the school parking lot. My how times have changed. I KNOW a bunch of you guys know exactly how it was back in the day.
With zero tolerance in play, I wouldn't let my kids take anything that could remotely be considered a weapon in their vehicles. Screwdrivers included. It's just not worth the risk.
With zero tolerance in play, I wouldn't let my kids take anything that could remotely be considered a weapon in their vehicles. Screwdrivers included. It's just not worth the risk.
Elginz
Well-known member
School days, I did not enjoy at all. I remember having a gun on the gun rack in the parking lot all day with out even locking the doors, day after day. We even went out at lunch time and looked at them. No shots fired, but still. Now I take my Leatherman off my belt or don't put it on if I have to go there for something, and lock the doors even when it is a second and I can see the truck.
So I carry a Leatherman for my EDC, as well as a nail clipper.
So I carry a Leatherman for my EDC, as well as a nail clipper.
Mr. T
Well-known member
Something no one has mentioned that would be school safe and I carry in my shirt pocket every day at work is a steel rule.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F6GNKG4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
That's the one I use. Cheap and high quality. Comes in handy more often than you would think. It's Standard and metric, a good straight edge and square on the ends.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F6GNKG4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
That's the one I use. Cheap and high quality. Comes in handy more often than you would think. It's Standard and metric, a good straight edge and square on the ends.
kool_BOY8323
Well-known member
i see no one has mentioned a pen or marker or pencil of some sort. sure he's in high school and that would be considered 'obvious' but i can't count how many times people showed up to classes either in HS or college completely unprepared. EDC is about preparedness.
a blue pilot g2, a sharpie, a ken onion ripple, streamlight stylus pro flashlight, 2 USB flash drives, my wallet, my phone, and my keys. every day.
on work days i have a small electricians bag i tote some smaller and specialized IT tools in, but even on weekends, the only things that typically get left out are my flash drives.
a blue pilot g2, a sharpie, a ken onion ripple, streamlight stylus pro flashlight, 2 USB flash drives, my wallet, my phone, and my keys. every day.
on work days i have a small electricians bag i tote some smaller and specialized IT tools in, but even on weekends, the only things that typically get left out are my flash drives.