My EDC Philosophy of Use | Proven Carry Setup for Everyday Life

My EDC Philosophy of Use: 20 Years of Refinement

When it comes to everyday carry (EDC), there are two types of people: those who carry just the basics and those who refine their kit until every piece has a purpose. Over the years, I’ve built my system around the concept of Philosophy of Use (POU) — a framework I first learned from NutnFancy on YouTube, who emphasized defining roles for your gear and testing them in the real world.

That simple idea stuck with me: if you don’t use it, lose it. If it works, refine it. And today, my EDC setup is the result of decades of applying that principle.

This isn’t about showing off gear or collecting “shiny objects.” It’s about carrying only what works, testing it in daily life, and constantly refining. Every tool I carry now has been through that process — and while this is my setup, yours should reflect your own POU. If something different works for you, that’s the right answer.

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Philosophy of Use (POU) in My Carry

The POU framework is simple:

    •    Define the role of each tool.

    •    Test it in daily life.

    •    Remove what doesn’t get used.

    •    Refine what stays.

If a piece of gear hasn’t been used in weeks, or it fails its intended role, it gets rotated out. That’s why my carry looks the way it does today — lean 😬, purpose-driven, and built for both everyday problems and unexpected emergencies. As I learned keep a notebook on you and write something down if you needed it and didn’t have it. If you needed it multiple times you might want to look at adding it to your carry.

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My On-Body EDC Setup

Watches

    •    Maratac GMT Diver → Titanium, 500m water resistance, GMT hand. Rugged enough for off-grid, precise enough for everyday. Available through CountyComm (affiliate code: CDC10).

    •    Big Idea Design Ti GMT Watch → A collaboration with RZE, tough titanium, minimalist style. My “nice” option that still has proven durability. (Affiliate code: CDC)

    •    Digital Titanium Watch → For gym and sauna sessions, where heat and sweat push a watch to the limit.

POU: I carry watches that balance durability, function, and reliability. Your choice might be a G-Shock, a Seiko, or even a smartwatch — as long as it fits your role and you trust it. These are just a few of my personal favorites that are in my rotation.

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Knives

    •    Primary Pocket Knife (Avius Prototype) → My personal design, carried for months with zero failures. Titanium framelock with steel insert, 14C28N blade steel, slim and ergonomic. This is the knife I use for everything — and I never lend it out. Occasionally, I’ll rotate other knives for variety, but this is my anchor. (Thatknife.com)

    •    Food Knife (belt pouch) → Dedicated to food prep only. Keeping a separate food knife means my primary edge stays sharp and clean for work.

    •    Multitool (Leatherman ARC) → The loaner. CPM Magnacut blade, one-handed tools, and a full toolbox on my belt. If someone asks to borrow a knife, this is the one they get.

    •    Neck Knife (TKELL DP1 with micro survival kit) → Carried when wearing shorts or on long drives. Fixed blade reliability plus a survival micro-kit (firestarter, Nitecore TINI 3 light, Grim lockpick set, Viking spark whetstone, and more). (Affiliate code: DAILY)

POU: I separate roles — my primary blade is for me, food knife for hygiene, multitool for lending, and neck knife for survival backup. You don’t need the exact same knives. Swap in what fits your lifestyle and needs.

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Lights

    •    Olight Arkfeld Pro → My main light. Slim, pocket-friendly, and versatile (white light, green laser, UV). (Affiliate code: CDC10)

    •    Nitecore TINI 3 (neck knife kit) → Immediate backup, rechargeable, and surprisingly bright for its size.

POU: I always carry at least two lights. The main light for everyday tasks, and a backup in case the first dies. Your choice might be a SureFire, a Streamlight, or a AAA keychain light — the key is redundancy.

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Fire

    •    Mini Bic Lighter in Titanium Sleeve → Reliable, always ready, and protected.

    •    Backup Spark + Tinder (neck knife kit) → Waterproof redundancy for off-grid use.

POU: Fire is life — I carry two methods. One is immediate (lighter), the other is survival-proof (spark + tinder). If you camp, hike, or travel, carry whatever makes sense to you — ferro rod, stormproof matches, or a plasma lighter.

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Admin

    •    Lochby Notebook → Tough, weather-ready notebook for field notes and daily tracking.

    •    Rotating High-End Pen → Tactile Turn, CountyComm, or Big Idea Design. Reliable writing tools that fit the same POU philosophy. (Affiliate codes: CDC for Big I, CDC10 for CountyComm)

POU: Admin gear keeps me organized. Yours might be a cheap pocket notebook and a Pilot G2, and that’s perfectly fine if it works.

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Wallet

    •    Short Face Leather Custom Wallet → Minimalist, durable, and built to last.

POU: A wallet should hold essentials securely and comfortably. Whether leather or nylon, custom or mass-market, the right one is the one you actually use daily.

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Eyewear

    •    Gatorz Specter → Ballistic-rated, SEAL-trusted, and indestructible aluminum frames.

POU: Eye protection is non-negotiable. I wear Gatorz because they’re proven, but your POU might lead you to Oakley SI, Revision, or even polarized civilian glasses. Protect your vision first — brand comes second. P.S. Gatorz if you are reading this send me an email would love to be an affiliate lol.

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Why This System Works

Every item has a defined role:

    •    Primary knife = mine only.

    •    Food knife = hygiene only.

    •    Multitool = loaner/toolbox.

    •    Neck knife = situational survival.

    •    Lights = primary and backup.

    •    Fire = redundancy.

    •    Notebook + pen = daily admin.

    •    Watch + wallet + eyewear = daily anchors.

There’s no fluff, no “just in case” toys, and nothing untested. This system has been refined over decades, and it works because it’s layered, simple, and reliable.

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People sometimes laugh and call me “Inspector Gadget,” but they always come to me when something needs fixing, cutting, or lighting. That’s the point of carrying EDC gear: not to look cool, but to be ready when it matters.

This is my EDC. It’s my Philosophy of Use in action. And after 20 years of refining, it’s the most capable, streamlined, and trustworthy carry I’ve ever had.