What's Taking EDC Down The Wrong Path

[@JustineWiniker]

EDG, you hit it on the head! EDC is not supposed to be commercial, expensive, and hardly used. I'm stuck in that funk.

[@rickyhonerkamp2526]

You are correct sir! I carry for strictly utilitarian reasons. It has become a gear snob fashion show. It is amazing how many folks will buy any gadget that gets some buzz even if it has no practical purpose.

[@johnshepherd9676]

I am new to this wider world of EDC. Until I started watching KZbin channels EDC had a very specific meaning to me and my peers. EDC was centered around self protection. People would talk about other items they carry but that was an afterthought. For me, EDC was, and remains, very utilitarian and my objective is reduce what I carry to the essentials.

[@mcrb1776]

Before social media there where EDC Forums. EDC has always had stuff from entry level all the way to high end, and all the way from users to collectors. Even over a decade ago. The focus has shifted more on the high end since social media emerged, as that gets more clout. But the entry level will always be there.

[@DeconstructedWithJosh]

Dave Whipple from BushRadical has a fantastic video on his real world use EDC. In the video he shows his EDC being: a small used pocket knife (Imperial Peanut), a BIC lighter and a guitar pick. He's never paid more than $6-$8 for his pocket knives and keeps a drawer full of them to rotate when his current one goes blunt. It's AWESOME. It's because of people like him (and others like you) that I try not to buy new knives/tools anymore. I just look for used knives or tools that someone got bored of or never took care of, and just upcycle/restore them myself. It's fun and you get to give new life to something! Cheers mate! PS: small typo in the title (Wrong instead of Wring) you might want to correct for the algorithm :)

[@JonCross]

Agree on Monday points was into EDC channels before and went away for a few years got pulled back in when looking for a new bag. Agree many have some commercial, have found a few though like youeprs also malvedc also really straightforward. Keep up the good work.

[@MASC440]

As soon as a profit/commercial motive creeps in to anything, it gets contorted and debased. As an 55yo electrician into camping/hiking/4wd all my life, DIY tools, mods, gadgets that made this easier, more efficient/effective were of great interest to me. Now when I get on YT to look at what's out there, I'm both amazed and disappointed at channels that are obviously sponsored and pedal expensive, useless cr@p and the sheep that nodd-a-long.

[@lancephilip]

Thank you for saying what I was thinking. Big Idea Design is a ripoff.

[@Everydaygary]

It’s unfortunate that a lot of people pay a premium for these items when you can get something similar for a better price.

[@haakonr1]

I’m actually fine with some aspects of comersialsm in the sense that companies like Big idea design and the James brand caters to a different audience that may not otherwise be open to the idea of EDC. The more people that carry (especially knives) the wider the acceptance , which ultimately benefits us all irrespective of anyone’s motivation to carry. It also can, and often is a gateway to a more utilitarian carry once they discover the utility. I’m much less enthusiastic about the consumerism surrounding EDC. Always keeping up with the trends, FOMO, huge collections is unnecessary for most people and not very sustainable in a wider sense

[@ParkerBinion]

Like you, I'm a function over form guy. Brand is virtually meaningless to me. For example, if Roxon puts out a better product than Leatherman or Victorinox, I have no issue carrying the Roxon. But if someone wants to buy an innovative, exquisitely designed higher-priced pen or screwdriver, that's fine with me. Some of the BigIDesign stuff is (or was) innovative. Most of it is not. None of the James Brand stuff appears innovative to me. Agree that both are generally over-hyped for what they offer. The coolest design I own is a pocket screwdriver handle from 711L called the Lollipop. The handle alone cost me $44 and that was with a 20% Prime Day discount. Some people would think that's crazy. But it's gorgeous and superbly designed. But it is also extremely functional (and under patent). It's a spinner (and so it is much faster than a ratchet when the screw is loosened) and the top quickly converts into an L handle when extra torque is required to get a screw started or to tighten it down. It's the perfect pocket screwdriver when paired with an EDC bit kit like the Steinwhale Stubby double-sided bits.

[@jbeachbob58]

100% right on Gary. Keep doing you. I can tell you I have already unsubbed from many other channels. Please stay the course and be the last one standing. I have purchased items based on your vids. Happy with them all and didn't break the bank. Cases in point from this very vid. The Chum wallet and the Gerber.

[@Everydaygary]

Thank you so much for the support. It means a lot

[@ToolTechGeek]

I purchased various clones of the james brand Elko based on seeing one in this channel. I like most a lightweight one that has composite scales and is very affordable unlike the original one.

[@knghtbrd]

The abstract what you've said Gary: We used to be showing each other what we've found useful to have with us, and talk about why/how it has been useful. Now it's "shop the look" as they so blatantly say in the fashion industry, people who are buying overpriced crap because it's The Thing To Do, not because it's the best at what it does or even that it does something for them. Carry What You Use, and Use What You Carry. Otherwise you look like the fat kid airsoft meme pic. If it doesn't serve a purpose, why have it? Luxury CAN be that purpose if you're honest about it. One of the things I carry is chosen over an alternative that cost half the price because of how it looks. Like, that's the reason: Two things, one costs half the price (and I already own it), but the other looks smexy AF. No other reason for the new product. It does have a few added features, and one lost, but I don't care about that much.