Earlier this week, I tried to write a post about why I give my everyday tools and gear extra attention. I kept rewriting it until I gave up. The post wasn’t a total loss, though, as it helped me understand myself a little better.
I also realized that some of the obsessive aspects of my personality – such as what compels me to try 4 different types of new-to-me screwdriver styles at the same time – go back to high school. Maybe it goes back further, but there were definitely strong roots stemming from high school-aged experiences.
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Update: Well, I guess I wasn’t quite over that abandoned post, as this one turned out a lot longer than I anticipated.
It was maybe 1999 when I took a drafting class, and I needed extra supplies from the art supply store. I remember having tons of questions and purchasing indecisions at the time.
I also remember how difficult it was to find a book on technical drawing to help me get better. So, I took some risks with trial and error. I had a limited high school student budget, and so “trial and error” then was mainly “make a choice and live with it.”
Trial and error taught me a lot about what I like and don’t like. For instance, I like writing with gel pens more than I do ballpoint pens, and I prefer finer pen tips than wider ones. I like my steak cooked to medium “doneness,” t-shirts without pockets, and orange juice without pulp.
Trying different things allows us to find our preferences. But I also like the “trying things out process.” And when it comes to EDC tools, pens, pencils, and some other daily-use gear, I tend to care more than average. Part of this is likely due to ToolGuyd being a big enabler.
“I just don’t get it.” I hear that sometimes.
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I gave a small inexpensive fountain pen to someone the other day, and their colleague remarked about her husband’s deep interest in pens. She might have used the word “obsession.”
Why does he like pens so much? I just don’t get it.
Since I had just written and rewritten a long post about a similar topic (before abandoning the idea), I had what I think is a reasonable answer.
For one, it’s a hobby. But how does it turn into a hobby?
Why do some people like pocket knives? Flashlights? EDC tools? Pens? Pencils? Watches? Shoes? Other things that use or carry with us daily or even just regularly?
Why spend more time, effort, or money on something than is beyond functionally necessary?
At the least, I like things that better suit my preferences. Working with something that suits our preferences helps make tasks more enjoyable, or at least less mundane.
Working with others can do the same, but there are lots of times when many of us are working privately. Many of the different jobs I had were very social environments. Now, much of what I do is private. My kids are at preschool, and I am alone, writing to you. We might interact, via email or social media, but right now, I am alone, typing away.
I’m tapping away on my Ducky mechanical keyboard, with clicky keys and orange LED lights. My next keyboard will have less audible keys.
Did you know that some people have more than one computer keyboard?
I like my keyboard, and spent a lot of time researching it, after trying a more mainstream option that I didn’t like and had returned. I went to different stores and did a lot of online research before settling on the Ducky Shine 3.
Why did I want a mechanical keyboard in the first place? I tend to break or wear out keyboards every few years. My last keyboard before this was a cordless Logitech. A key was stuck one day, and I removed a key to fix it. Well, apparently you can’t remove the keys on that keyboard. I was done with the cheap membrane-style keyboards. With the one I have now, an LED is out. I can fix that myself when I want to. If a key wears out, I can replace it. Keycaps can be replaced. A big bonus is that I can remove all the keys and give the keyboard a thorough cleaning every few years.
I bought this keyboard 4-1/2 years ago, for $149. I had gone through maybe 3 cordless keyboards the previous 4-5 years, and so I think I’ve gotten my money’s worth with this one.
If I have to type a lot, shouldn’t it be a good experience?
If I have to wear a watch, why not one that I find aesthetically pleasing?
With pocket knives, I had been getting along just fine for years, with just a cheap Gerber and whatever utility knife I bought on sale.
I then bought a Gerber multi-tool for keep at work, and it came in handy. One day, I treated myself to a Leatherman Wave, because I was buying a couple as Groomsmen gifts and wanted one too. And then I bought a Leatherman Skeletool as a gift to myself when I passed a milestone in my PhD program.
One day, whether it was a sale on Amazon, or a forum post somewhere, or a combination of the two, I bought a Kershaw Leek knife. Did I come across the forum when looking into making Paracord keychains? The timing seems about right. The Leek was a gateway knife, and helped deepen my curiosity and interest in pocket knives. After that, I wanted something different and went with Benchmade. After that, Spyderco.
I remember obsessing about the Benchmade mini Griptilian that I bought. I did lots of research, and then waited for a good sale. If not for ToolGuyd, I might have stopped there, at least for a while.
At the time, ToolGuyd was a hobby, and I used the little revenue to bolster my tool budget. If I was ordering from a supplier, maybe I’d add on a different brand of screwdriver to try out. ToolGuyd didn’t give me obsessive personality traits, but it’s definitely an enabler.
I wanted to answer questions, for myself, and for ToolGuyd readers.
The other day, we talked a lot about EDC bit-holding screwdrivers. That would have been a very different post if I hadn’t been interested in exploring EDC and multi-bit screwdrivers.
Now, I’m preparing for new knife reviews for the later part of the year. I always go a little overboard when I do this.
ToolGuyd allows and even compels me to explore different brands, styles, and preferences.
I know what I like, but I enjoy the exploration process. I tell myself that my exploring and testing different knives will help me help others, who might only be ready to buy just one knife. The same as it is with tools.
In the EDC screwdriver post, how can I describe the merits of different brands and styles if I had bought just one and stuck with it?
If I have to cut things throughout the day, such tasks are a little less mundane if it’s with a knife I like. I still use utility knives quite a bit, but I like using my knife.
Is it pocket jewelry? Maybe. But that’s okay.
Little joys can turn into bigger ones, and deeper hobbies, but they don’t always.
Years ago, I knew I liked gel pens. I was happy using disposable Pilot G2 pens. I would try something different every now and then. And then I got into fountain pens. Now, I have a few pens a couple of ink bottles, and a bunch of ink sample vials.
Some people are into headphones, and I don’t understand it. To each their own.
If there’s a bowl of m&ms, and you can just have one, do you pick out a particular color? Did you buy a particular color of water bottle? Do you have any preferences when it comes to shoes? Boxer short or underwear colors and patterns?
In today’s world, we often have many options. With tight budgets, we have to pick from among those options, and live with the decisions. With more discretionary budgets, there’s the potential to select more than one option, or something a little more premium in form, function, or both. Either way, decisions have to be made. Some people become more attached to their purchasing decisions than others.
Does it all just boil down to “that’s just the way people are?”
Why buy a pocket knife that costs more than $50? Why own more than one watch? Multiple pens and multiple inks?
Why buy more than is functionally necessary?
Because it makes people happy.
Not everything turns into a hobby for me. Sometimes I simply buy something to put to use without further thought. Other times, my budget doesn’t allow for much exploration.
Some people have watch collections, while others like collecting or at least trying out new bags, shoes, or outfits. Some people turn their daily organizer into artistic outlet. Here’s a Google image search for “bullet journal”.
Me? I like writing instruments and tools. It makes me feel better to know that it’s not just me. There are pen enthusiasts, pencil and mechanical pencil enthusiasts, and a lot of people into pocket knives, flashlights, and other kinds of everyday gear.
Here’s a Google image search for “EDC pocket dump.” EDC, or everyday carry, encompasses all or any of the little things that we use for our daily tasks, for work, play, or a combination. Sometimes sharing in an interest is what makes it a hobby.
I’d be lying if I said that I only look at different brands and styles for ToolGuyd-related purposes. A lot of times, there’s enjoyment in it for me. It’s in my personality, and it has been for a long time. Because I couldn’t find the answers I was looking for, I took it upon myself to learn things the hands-on way. And I found it to be fun.
My father likes to collect Hot Wheels cars and coins. I once found a car he had been looking for, and I bought it for $5 (maybe a little more?) at a collectibles shop while visiting family out of state. It was the Hot Wheels Go Cart. He was happy to have it, but I also think he wished he could have found it at the big box store or toy store for 99 cents. The search was part of the fun.
Some people collect things that will sit on a shelf or in a closet, and that’s okay. I tend to like collecting things that I use daily or regularly. It just kind of happened that way.
So why might someone have an active interest in pens? Knives? Watches? Tools? Because little things make us happy. It’s not about showing off or throwing money away, although there are some people who do find happiness in that.
Today, I’m writing with a Pentel Energel needle-tip gel pen (~$1.65), while my new Pilot Prera pen ($38) dries. I flushed it out and am waiting for the water to dry. I most recently jotted some notes on a Rhodia no. 16 dot grid notepad ($5.75). I need to draw something out soon, and will use a Staedtler pencil (shown at the top of the page, $12-20). My knife is a USA-made Hogue X1-Microflip in blue ($109).
There are some functional choices here, but also some intangible “because I like it” reasoning.
OH – and also a new Caribbean-blue paracord keychain that I made over the weekend. I am planning to give someone a small Victorinox Swiss Army Knife keychain, and wanted to give it with a kechain. I learned that I still stink at tightening up small bead-less monkey fists, and so I’m keeping it for myself. It’s not attached to anything at the moment, but I’ll fix that later.
You have to enjoy life. There are lots of things that won’t add any joy to one’s day, but it’s good to explore those things that can.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to full up my new pen with some new Pilot Ama-iro blue ink ($1.75 for sample). And then… I have a bunch of holes to drill in wood, with whatever drill or impact driver I find first.
Ryan Evans
I clicked on this hoping to find my dream EDC writing instrument, a mechanical pencil, .5mm ideally, that has a cap. The only one I found was the Pentel Sharp Kerry. I purchased it and it lasted maybe a week in my front pocket before it snapped in 2. I have looked at the Tombow Zoom 505 Mechanical Pencil but am leary of the friction top. Why can Staedtler not make what I want? I’d buy several, just in case I loose one, or my wife “borrows” it.
Stuart
Have you considered a case? I bought a pen sleeve last week, but can’t find it at the moment to test with the pencil, sorry. I also bought pencil caps, but for wood pencils. One could perhaps maybe make their own cap for a mechanical pencil. Maybe that’ll be a project I try to tackle. Maybe a shaped wood or plastic cone with O-ring spring retention?
Also, look at the Pentel GraphGear 1000. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/pentel-graphgear-1000-mechanical-pencil-is-excellent-for-shop-use/%3C/a%3E There’s no cap, but you don’t need one, as the tip retracts!
There’s also the Rotring 800, but it’s pricey and reviews haven’t been very good. The Rotring Rapid Pro seems to have better reviews.
If you wanted a capped mechanical pencil for the smaller size, there are some other models out there.
Staedtler (recently?) came out with plastic versions of their 925 pencil. Maybe pick up a few for your wife in her favorite color? https://www.jetpens.com/Staedtler-925-65-Color-Drafting-Pencils/ct/1180
Oiuchi
I have Rotring 800 and this is my favorite pencil for 5 years.
Just make a habit to retract it after using and all will be OK.
Matt
Rotring 600 is the one. It is not for pants pockets, but it is very well made and gorgeous to hold and use.
Ash
I also spent years searching for a ‘perfect’ 0.5mm drafting pencil. I owned 6 Rotring 600s while studying architecture and the last one eventually got dropped one too many times, which meant I finally had to decide on something. Bought an Atomor hexagonal pencil in stainless steel, and am in love with it. I’ve wanted a stainless steel drafting pencil with an hexagonal grip (like my Caran d’Arche RNX.316 fountain pen) for so long, but had given up ever finding one. no cap though…
pete
i’ll have to follow you on insta, didn’t know toolmag was you. My EDC used to be more complex but after loosing stuff and what not it ends up being more simple. It would probably still be complex if i didn’t have three kids lol… and a wife hahaha
george
You have to much time and money 🙂 growing up with no money, no choices we were glad to have anything and we made it work. Gone through some collecting until I realized it really made little differance my life. So I have a cheap knife, a cheap pencil and pen, on and on. And I still get the job done. But yea, to each his own.
Stuart
Well, I don’t drink tea, coffee, beer, wine, or liquor (at least very often).
Some of my interests come from money-saving efforts.
With pens, I had to throw away a lot of cheap pens. Stepping up to better quality disposables and refillable pens helped with the frustration and waste.
I wore out several wireless keyboards. Some of them were wireless keyboard and mouse sets that didn’t mix very well. But still, I had to throw away several wireless keyboards because they couldn’t be fixed. While my current keyboard was a bit of an investment, it’s comfortable and should last me a while longer. If I replace it, it’ll be because the Cherry blue keys are too audible and bothers the kids when they try to sleep. But usually now, I work at night from the couch on my laptop.
With other things, I allow myself to indulge a little more because there are added justifications. I can try a new knife brand because there will be ToolGuyd content drawn from it, making it a business decision and not a personal one.
Growing up, I didn’t have choices either.
Even after that, I had to be very selective about what I bought. I had more time than I had money, and so I researched a lot of decisions. That’s what filled my head with the types of tool opinions and insights that I created ToolGuyd to share.
Now, I have a little more money, but a lot less time.
You don’t need “too much time and money” to find enjoyment in EDC items. I enjoy different things across a range of costs.
My pen yesterday was a $3 Pilot fountain pen, earlier today it was a $1.65 plastic-bodied Pentel. My knife? A Kershaw Dividend (sample) https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/kershaw-dividend-edc-knife-review-usa-made/%3C/a%3E .
I’m not out to spend a lot, I’m out to find what I like, and to use something I like to make rather ordinary tasks a little more enjoyable.
When working on a project in the garage, I put on the music. It could almost be the same kind of thing.
Steve
Having cheap tools break during work can be expensive not to mention dangerous. If i have to go out to the store to buy a new set of ____ because the one i had broke because i cheaped out, spending the extra money on a good tool would pay for itself right there.
If a cheap ratchet has the gear mechanism give out when i am tightening some bolts, and my hand/arm smashes into something or i get injured, my ability to put food on my table is impacted.
No thanks to cheap tools.
fred
I was a boy scout and then a scout leader – scoutmaster for many years beyond my son’s tenure. I say this because I believe that the Scout Motto: “Be Prepared” is an excellent one. There is, however , a fine line between the scout motto and becoming a hoarder. Tools have a particular place in being prepared. But if you have so many of them that you have difficulty choosing what to carry for a specific job, obsess about having just the right thing, or worse yet can not lay your hands on a needed tool because it lost in the clutter – then you have too many and its time to sell some off or give some away.
I’m not one to preach on this – since I have too many tools – many for hobbies I’ve passed over in favor of new pursuits. I also am blessed (or maybe cursed) by having inherited the hand tool collections of my father, grandfathers and several great-uncles. Having 3 homes – rather than making things better – probably has made things worse – since duplicates stashed at different locations appeal to my logic (or the OCD part of my engineering and business school educated reptilian brain).
I’m happy that my kids don’t seem to have inherited this bug. I’ve taught them and their spouses to use tools well enough, and I’ve provided them with a fair selection – but their passions lie in different directions. I envision either a giant garage sale or auction being held upon my demise – even though I’ve embarked on a thinning-down process over the last few year since I retired.
Hilton
Fred I grew up in Baden Powell’s stamping ground Rhodesia and South Africa. I too live by the ‘Be Prepared’ motto and organise my day and trips accordingly.
Stuart
Agreed.
I never sought out to be a knife collector. Eventually I might sell some of the lesser-used knives, others I plan to give away.
You’ll find that a lot of people on enthusiast forums do this. Things like knives have good resale value. If I had more time, I’d look into buying certain things used.
There are things I want to get into (I’ve always wanted to take up archery), and others that I just cannot spare the time for anymore.
I’d like to get more into large-project woodworking, but I don’t have the space for the bigger tools to make it easier. I keep flip-flopping about a jointer. For the time being, I’ve been making due without one, and I think I’m heading towards a preference for small projects and flattening boards by hand.
I have always had a tendency to hoard, and have been forcing myself to instead consume and cut back. I received sun-imprint paper and saved it so long it went bad. I had a free Scholastic booklet of IOUs in elementary school, but never found a good enough reason to rip one out. My Mead Trapper Keeper came with a blank calendar notebook, but I had always been saving it. My external USB CD burner had a unique CD-front-etching feature, and came with 2 free samples of the special CD media. I didn’t want to waste them, so I never used them.
I find myself liking EDC-type items, but not wanting too much in idle rotation. After I catch up with my workload, there’s more shedding to be done.
Nathan L
I received a pretty neat science activity kit for Christmas as a teenager and never used the included small can of helium or indeed most of the other consumables. I can really related to that mindset you describe and have been making a deliberate effort to not hoard things that should be enjoyed, and indeed not saving for later things that may not last.
Stuart
There were also times when I broke something or used it up, and couldn’t get a replacement.
My parents got me a 50-in-1 electronics learning toy. One of the components was a small piece of high resistance wire. Well, mine snapped in half at some point early on. We couldn’t find replacement wire anywhere.
Things like that have turned me into an over-buyer now, at least when it comes to small parts or raw materials.
Eli
I can relate to this post extremely well. Over the years my fascination with tools has branched out into various more specific interests including; pocket knives, multi-tools, flashlights, watches, and vintage lighters.
My philosophy in regards to spending is that I refuse to buy something that I wouldn’t use for fear of damaging a costly item, and that I wouldn’t be completely distraught if one of EDC items is lost or broken. I would say that my multi-tools are the exception to the rule as far as cost is concerned, but the higher price tag is justified for me due to the added utility.
Personally I haven’t gotten into what I would consider even mid-level spending on most of my items, and probably won’t ever purchase anything I’d consider high-end. I’m not really interested in collecting per se, but more what you described as far as trying different versions and styles out to find what suits me best.
I currently have too many pocket knives (20-25 or so), and although I do try to rotate most of them into my carry, I have a select few that are my favorites that spend the most time in my pocket. There is a bit of guilt involved with knives when I see money sitting on the shelf like that, something I don’t have an issue with in regards to regular tools. I suppose building a small collection is part of the trial and error necessary to find the right fit.
charles
my backup edc stuff is the discards after going through much the same process as you. primary stuff is what I have ended up with.
Kershaw Whirlwind
Maglite aaa led (solitaire?)
(diy credit card/wallet made from foil antistatic bag and packing tape)
car keychain…
(other stuff my cwp is for… 🙂
I used to carry a Leatherman on my belt when working in an enterprise environment, but now I drive to service calls and I have a 15# messenger/laptop bag that has everything for the work world. My pockets are my personal edc.
MT_Noob
Don’t get me started on fountain pens and inks. It is rather amazing at all the mental gymnastics we do to try to justify a hobby or obsession. When in fact the whole process is enjoyable. Certainly I could get by with just a Bic pen just fine. But trying all the varieties and types and inks is fun, (although it can end up pricy). And before you know it you are making mental excuses like “I need special pens and inks because I am left-handed” or “if I buy a nice new pen or this special color ink I will be more likely to take the time to write a nice letter to a relative”. the reality however is that I already have enough bottled ink to last me several lifetimes in almost every shade of color.
Aside from the hobbyist collector point of view, I am also fascinated by looking at how different companies solved the same problem. That really fascinates me. You can take anything, a knife, a pen, and old fashioned film camera. And break it down to a few simple functional requirements, and yet solving those very simple problems and requirements can result in a huge variety of engineering results. And the results can vary wildly.
Stuart
Well, it all started with functional needs.
I needed a new pen, and found that the different style helped improve my handwriting. Eventually, I realized that finer tips and gel ink help me write slower, but smoother, and also smaller. So for notes and things like that, I like 0.5mm gel pens.
With knives, I did like my Kershaw Leek, but I found that I didn’t always like the assisted opening mechanism. So I eventually bought the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.
I read all kinds of comparisons online. For instance, thumb hole or thumb stud? With the Benchmade, you have both options.
I had the budget for just 1 knife.
And then I realized that there were lots of the same questions in forums. So maybe I could explore my curiosities for ToolGuyd. I had still wondered what I was missing, in choosing Benchmade over Spyderco.
I’m changing up how I organize my days, which will mean more writing. Maybe there will be a pen or mechanical pencil mentioned in.
More knife reviews are definitely in the works.
There will always be some “why not just use a 10 cent pen and 5 dollar utility knife” responses. I get where they’re coming from, and this post was a way to try to answer that.
I’ve paid close attention to different brands and styles of hand tools, power tools, and accessories. It shouldn’t be unexpected that I would do the same with other tools and instruments I work with throughout the day.
It can be hard to sort through things, though, since I do a lot of things for ToolGuyd purposes. Some of my hobbies became professional pursuits.
I do a good amount of deliberating. “It’s for ToolGuyd” is a good way to avoid emotional hesitation or personal biases.
JoeM
My Grandmother is very formal, and has been my entire life. She’s a Legend in our family, of how particular she is about manners, grammar, and etiquette. She’s taught me a lot about life in general, but I think the most profound thing she has ever said to me is this:
“There are three things in this world that you never question about a person. How they take their Tea, What Watch they wear, and the Tools a Tradesman works with. These are choices that are deeply personal, and you never question why. You may ask what they are, but never, ever, question them in any other way about them. It’s rude, and you have no right to question their choices of these things.”
I’ve lived my whole life with minimal funds. Due to some family drama, some lies told, and some personal tragedy, I’ve had to make really tough choices in my life, but stand firm on my integrity that I’ve made the right choice. I admit that I’ve not always made the RIGHT choice, but I can stay firm that I was CORRECT in doing so, and whatever consequences that come of it are for me to deal with. They’re my responsibility.
This includes the COST of my tools, my EDC, and my daily routine. If I had more money to work with, I WOULD experiment, looking for alternatives and backups. But, I don’t have that money. If I’m going to buy something, the Research comes first. It has to be of a brand I TRUST (unless I’ve never owned that type before, then “The Brand I Trust” is about to be researched.) because I can’t afford to just… REPLACE it. I’m going to care for it, I’m going to maintain it as long as I can, and I’m going to have to budget for an upgrade, if I can manage to budget for it at all. Sometimes that’s the difference between finishing a project, or throwing it out. It happens, I gotta deal with it.
So… In my life, I’ve developed extremely OBSESSIVE tastes in things. I like my Tea steeped 5 minutes, with 2 sugars for a standard sized cup, and milk to cool it down. If I’m using a bigger cup, because I need a bigger boost, that amount of sugar will increase to keep it sweet. I carry LEATHERMAN Tools on my belt (when I wear one, athletic shorts when I’m not feeling well don’t exactly have belt loops.) and I make, recycle, or totally rebuild whatever method I need to in order to hold my EDC where I need it. I make my own sheaths, holsters, and other carriers, because it makes it “Mine” and reinforces my wish to carry it. I carry a Fisher Bullet Grip Stylus Pen, which I have modified a spare pen cap to cover the stylus when not in use. It returns the Bullet Grip to the same profile of its traditional brother the Fisher Bullet, with a point on both ends. This is both Aesthetically and Functionally improved over a standard profile, and makes the replaceable stylus tip last longer. I carry an LG G6 Cell Phone, in a protective case, and will only upgrade my Cell Phone when my contract is up, and I will only go to an LG G-Series flagship model to do so. Because Samsung, Apple, Huwawei, Sony, and all the other brands frankly disappoint me, or are too much on my monthly contract to buy. And until I can afford a REALLY good Android Wear watch with Heart Rate/Fitness capabilities, I will not wear a watch. I have a habit of killing watches, and always have, so no longer wear one.
I, also, was a Scout. Very high ranking. The equivalent of a Lawyer by the time I left the organization. I am extremely militant, and have an unhealthy love of various Bladed weapons. I have several from flea markets and such, that I just appreciate for their innovative designs and such. I have, also, been known to intentionally buy books or knives/Leatherman Tools to give to my friends and/or their children. It is a very ritual act I hold dear. When a young girl reaches certain ages, I go out and buy a specific comic book series for her, to inspire her to be the best woman she can be as she gets older. When a young boy reaches a certain age, I buy him a knife or a Leatherman, and I give him a lecture about the concept of Bushido and the tenets of Duty, Honour, Respect, and Loyalty. And if I wasn’t already crazy enough, and it has only happened once so far, when my friend’s Daughter joined Scouting, I inherited many of MY Scouting tools to her, and helped sponsor her in the ranks.
We are all particular creatures. We are all precise and obsessive over getting things done right in our eyes. We don’t want to slap together any old shelf, any old box… it has to fit exactly. Every screw, nail, rivet, staple, weld, and even blink we take while doing the job are all exactly controlled by us. We like our rituals because they’re the outward expression of what we are on the inside. Our work will speak for us, so we often wear, carry, use, and COLLECT what we are as an outward way of doing the speaking for us in life. Your neighbour needs a shelf put up, they’re more likely to go to the person who has a pile of tools in the corner of their house, or carries tools on their belt, than the person whose entire house is spotless with nothing more than pictures of people, and famous art on the walls. I often like to say “We are the Avatars of all we came from, and believe in. Every action, down to every breath, that we take, should reflect those things, or we are simply lying to ourselves.”
The same goes for a person’s EDC, their Tools, their favourite Watch, and how they take their Tea. These are the ritual elements of ourselves, shown outwardly so that people can trust and understand us. With so many people distrusting so many others, being the Avatar of something they can rely on is key to our ability to do the job that is needed. What we have trained ourselves to be.
MT_Noob
Any tips on how to make your own sheaths? I was thinking I should make something that would allow me to cary my Leek (thanks for getting me hooked Stuart) knife, my kaweco sport pen and a few bills/ drivers license all in one pocket without everything bumping into each other. I’ve never tried leatherwork, but I’m thinking it might be possible to do somethign similar to a wallet/knife sheath. I’m just not sure how to jump in…. without buying all sorts of leather working tools and creating another hobby.
JoeM
Yikes… Umm… The best I can do is say, draw it first, measure everything you want to include, and then practice using paper. If you can come up with a design that works with paper, you can literally take the paper version and transfer it to a hide, then just reassemble it in Leather.
Don’t hate me for this one… Practice your Sewing Skills. Learn the Blanket Stitch, Straight Stitch, and several decorative edge stitching methods. DON’T FORGET KNOTS, TOO. There are Knots specific to Sewing, and they need to be in your head. It’s all available online.
Beyond that… If you are lucky, you can find a good Leather dealer… I don’t know where you are, but up here in Canada, the #1 place is http://www.buckskinleather.com for basically everything. Tandy Leather products are simultaneously the hardest to get, and the top of the line. And you have to brace yourself… A single hide of Leather, whether that be Lamb, Deer, Moose, Cow, Kangaroo, Pig, or Vegetable Leather (It’s really well made Paper, essentially. Made from sustainable Tree Bark and such… But it takes special patience and extra money to work in that.) is going to be EXPENSIVE. In Canadian Dollars, a Hide can run from $180 to $500 or more, depending on what it is, and HOW BIG.
Expect to buy more than a square foot at a time. Because they don’t sell them one or two square feet at a time. They sell them by entire hides of animals. No way around it.
That’s all I can think of, and I KNOW I’m failing you miserably with answering the question. Y’see… I’m half Native American, and I not only learned Leather working from my Mother, I learned the Native American way, with my Mother’s tools, and with the intent to use all natural supplies by hand. I was lucky enough that I impressed her with what I made, and she just handed over a bunch of her tools and supplies when I started.
I have added a few new modern tools, like leather punches for next to nothing, and I use metal needles because they’re easy to get. I’m still researching an expansion of my tools, like a Mallet for my type of work, Rivets, and a better stock of Sinew, among many other things. But, I have to warn you, my recommendations are full of gaps, and I’m very sorry about that. I was unfairly fortunate that I come from a Native line of makers. My Jewish half handles a lot of the modern building stuff, budgeting, finances, intellectual stuff, and power tools, but my Maker abilities all come from my Native half, my Mother’s side. I can make both natural AND artificial things because of the mix of the two. I make stuff because I’m Native, but I can work in MODERN ways because I’m intellectually Jewish. So, yeah, I can make Sheaths out of Leather and Sinew, but I can build Computers and Cabinets as well. I could make a bracelet in a 1000 year old Native style using seed beads, or I could make one out of Sterling Silver chain and Swarovski Crystals. I’m all over the place with this stuff, so it’s not really fair to you.
But… Honestly, start with Paper and draw it. Then Measure what you need from it, and get everything working on a page. Cut it out, put it together, and keep making that until it’s right. This will then tell you whether to bother getting into Leather working as deep as you need to, or if you’re looking to ask a pro to do it. (No, I’m not a Pro. I’m an Amateur. I don’t even get to say the words “Pro Leather Worker” in the same ROOM as a Pro, let alone call myself one.)
MT_Noob
Thanks for the tips. They are helpful. Doing a mockup is something I probably would have skipped past (and then regretted). I’m going to give it a try, it might end up as the ugliest ever, but it will be mine.
Thanks for sharing!
JoeM
Trust me. Your first few projects WILL be ugly. It won’t be until the Ugly starts to get in the way that you’ll try another version to get better at it. So, Ugly is fine. It teaches you where you want to go, and what mistakes you made on the last one.
Patrick T
See, I knew there was a reason I’ve come to love this site, you’re a pen guy! I think there is a lot of overlap in these communities. If not in the areas that we nerd-out over (pens, watches, knives, keyboards, tools, etc…), then in the passion we all have for those “hobbies”.
I’m not a knife guy. However, I can really appreciate the passion that other people have in that area and know that there is a huge community just waiting to share that passion with me when I decide I want to sample it. That’s one reason I love this site. I come for the posts but stay for the comments. Wellll, most of them ? I’ve learned just as much from the comments as I have from the posts. It reminds me a lot of the pen community in that way. Thanks for making this a great place to lurk. Now, if only the latest Penaddict episode was out, I’d be a happy camper!
MikeIt
I second the Pentel Sharp Kerry, I’ve had mine for 20 years or so. It is tres sexy but it was always an “indoors” pencil and kept in a pencil case (aka padded case for the detachable face of a car stereo). It would always draw compliments when I took it out when playing D&D back inthe day. Dammit, I’ve said too much already. Anyway. If that’s too fancy for your liking you could also try a lead holder which I used to use for drafting before CAD took over. You can get leads in varying softness/hardness, the lead is fully retractable with the push of a button (it can also fall out if you are not careful) and the push button release/advance has a little built in sharpener though I prefer the separate lead sharpener (it will show up as a suggested item on Amazon). I put one in my toolbox some years ago and it hasn’t left since. It makes a nice line, has a good grippy end and I can write normally with it compared to the flat “contractor” pencils that need to be whittled to get to the lead. Maybe this can be added to the infuencer page? Or not.
https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Technical-Mechanical-Pencil-780BK/dp/B000YQEFGU/
Stuart
The abandoned post was centered around how a lot of my obsessions stemmed from my high school drafting class. Seriously! 2H lead for… something, 4H or 6H for hidden lines… having a proper lead hardness for different parts of a drawing helped set me down the “proper tools for their tasks” mindset.
The newer Staedtler 925 series is only a little more expensive, depending on where you look. That’s what’s linked to at the top of the post, but they also make it in a 2mm lead holder style.
Kurt
My EDC pen is a Pilot V5 extra fine tip blue. I love the way it writes, but wish the ink lasted longer. I haven’t had good luck with mechanical pencils, so I just have a pack of Ticonderoga’s in my kit, along with a dollar store pencil sharpening cup.
Jim Felt
You guys could all be model railroaders and not even know it.
And that’s kind of a compliment.
Anton
I was just thinking the other day that pens and flashlights are very common EDC items with similar profiles and somebody should make a decent single AAA or AA flashlight /pen multitool.
I tend to not like things floating around in my pockets so there is limited comfortable space next to my skeletool.
Tool Of The Trade
For my edc it’s my .45 pistol, knife, lighter, cigarettes, something to write with and something to write on, my toolbag and everyday hand tools for work(hammers, pliers, etc) , my mechanics tools, headlamps and flashlights, an extra phone that’s charged, my quick pump floor jack, jack stands, a small piece of lumber, tow chain, at least one bottle of water, and aspirin. Most of these items stay in my truck at all times and I make sure that I have them before I leave for work every morning.
Matt
Rotring 600 is the one. It is not for pants pockets, but it is very well made and gorgeous to hold and use.
Don
I had a good friend (who unfortunately passed a way a number of years ago) who gave me some very simple advice that I love. We were talking about something that was of interest to me , but others couldnt understand why I had that interest.
She looked at me and said ” Does it make you happy?” I sad yes. She replied “Then keep doing it” Never looked back and those things that make me happy, I keep doing.
MT_Noob
Sound advice indeed!