“PAIRING” DOWN YOUR EDC- APPRENTICE GEAR & EDC
What's going on, everybody? Stephen here again with another Apprentice Corner Gear & EDC post.
Today's topic is an interesting follow-up to the Value Equation article because it covers something I've been experimenting with recently: streamlining my everyday carry (EDC).
If you know me personally, you probably know I'm that guy who carries way too much stuff in his pockets. My girlfriend jokes that I have a "pocket of doom." Flashlights, pens, toothpicks, multitools, pocket knives—you name it, I've probably got it on me.
Lately, though, I've been trying to simplify my carry. I want gear that covers my daily needs without feeling like I'm hauling around a toolbox. One of the biggest changes I've made has been transitioning from a traditional pocket knife to a utility knife and, at least temporarily, moving away from carrying a multitool full-time.
This post is really a spotlight on multifunction utility knives and why they've become such an appealing option.
Before I dive in, I want to give a shout-out to one of my favorite creators in the EDC space: Taylor Martin from Best Damn EDC. Funny enough while I was writing this, he released an excellent video on utility knives that covers the subject far better than I ever could. If you're interested in this topic, definitely check out his channel. I've been following Taylor's content for years, and his videos remain some of the best-produced EDC content out there.
So, What Started This Experiment?
Honestly, the answer is pretty simple.
For years, I've carried a full-sized pocket knife and/or a multitool almost everywhere. I've owned Benchmades, I have a soft spot for the Gerber 06 Auto (mostly because Daniel Craig carried one in No Time to Die), and I've spent plenty of time carrying knives from Zero Tolerance and other premium brands.
The thing is, when I really sat down and looked at what I was using those knives for, the answer wasn't particularly exciting.
Most of my day-to-day tasks involve:
Stripping wires / patch cables
General IT work, and house odd jobs
And like every other American adult, I feel like I open approximately four million Amazon packages per year.
Over time, I noticed that whenever I was at home, I naturally reached for a basic box cutter instead of one of my pocket knives. Eventually I realized I was carrying a folding knife mostly because I always had, not because it was the best tool for what I was doing.
So I finally gave in to the hype and picked up a Milwaukee Fastback 1505.
To be completely honest, it's one of the best $16 I've spent in a long time.
TheMilwaukee FastbackChanged Everything
Well, not JUST the Milwaukee, but multipurpose utility knives in general. The Fastback 1505 includes a built-in bit driver, and that's where the gears started turning.
As much as I love my Leatherman Signal, carrying it, and usually alongside an additional large pocket knife felt like carrying a cinder block in my pocket—especially during the summer. Between the weight, the bulk, and everything else I normally carry, it started to get annoying.
So I switched to the Fastback and paired it with a socket adapter.
As of now I’m carrying a simple socket extension on a keychain and have a small bit/socket set in my workbag BUT…these days, companies like 711L now make ratcheting socket adapters specifically designed for multitools and quarter-inch drivers. Now, you can have a compact setup that could handle screwdriving, utility cutting, and basic socket work without requiring a full multitool.
That's pretty impressive for a $16 utility knife.
With the Fastback, I get:
A replaceable utility blade (no more sharpening or babying your grail knife, if youre the kind of person to do that…)
A bottle opener (not used often for me, but still cool)
A 1/4-inch bit driver
Socket-driving capability with an adapter
For the majority of my daily tasks, it handles everything I need.
There is one tool I still find myself missing from time to time: pliers.
I don't use them constantly, but when I need them, I really need them.
Fortunately, companies like Klein Tools, Knipex, and others have created some fantastic pocket-sized plier options. The problem is that once you start adding separate pliers, a utility knife, and additional accessories, you have to ask yourself:
Do I really want to carry three separate tools?
For me, the answer has mostly been no.
I keep larger tools in my work bag, which works fine most of the time. Still, every now and then I find myself walking back inside for my Leatherman or heading to the garage for a full-size pair of pliers.
It's a tradeoff.
Does This Mean I'm Done With Multitools?
Absolutely not.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a multitool fanatic.
I own everything from high-end premium tools to budget Walmart specials, love them all. I love seeing the different approaches companies take when deciding which tools are "essential." Some prioritize pliers, some focus on drivers, and others try to cram an entire toolbox into your pocket.
One multitool I'm particularly interested in trying is the SOG PowerPint. It has received a lot of praise because of its compact size and surprisingly capable pliers. From what I've read, the fit and finish doesn't quite match more premium tools, but that's to be expected at the price point, and does that actually matter to you, which is something you have to decide. For me personally, a small set of pliers with a reasonably useful tool selection is definitely appealing, so there may be a review of one in my future.
The Real Lesson
The bigger takeaway from all of this isn't about utility knives versus multitools.
It's about periodically stepping back and evaluating what you actually use.
For years I carried tools that were larger, heavier, and more capable than I realistically needed. I spent countless hours hiking my pants back up while carrying gear that covered 110% of my use cases but wasn't particularly comfortable, so I would leave it behind (especially in the summer time), and if you don’t have it on you, THATS going to be when you need it.
Recently I've started aiming for something different:
Carry 80% of what I need 100% of the time.
That mindset has led me toward a lighter, simpler, and more practical EDC setup.
The gear journey is like any other hobby. Most of us start out by going completely overboard. We buy tons of gear and try to lug it all around all the time for make believe scenarios. Eventually though, we settle into whatever actually works for our lifestyle. And that's perfectly okay - and for me, ideal.
Have Fun With It
At the end of the day, gear, and really anything you do on the side is supposed to be fun.
One of the reasons I enjoy channels like Best Damn EDC is because they aren't always serious. Taylor’s has done everything from building a complete carry kit inside an Altoids tin to creating wallet-based carry systems that pack surprising amounts of functionality into a tiny footprint.
That's the stuff that keeps this hobby interesting.
So my challenge to you is simple:
Take a look at the stuff you have on you every day and ask yourself how much of it you actually use. Maybe you'll find a way to simplify things. Maybe you'll discover that your current setup is perfect.
Either way, the experimentation is half the fun.
Until next time, thanks for your time, and I will see you all again soon!
Later on…
