How Many Is Too Many?

[Tyson A Wright]

If I'm onsite at my client, nothing with a blade. So instead of a knife, I usually have a TSA-compliant multitool and a small prybar. I see people on forums laugh at the keychain prybars, but it's not there to bust through a door. It's for the kind of stupid stuff that breaks pocketknife blades. It gets used reasonably regularly.

At home, I pretty much always have keys, small (but bright and high-CRI) flashlight, and pocketknife on me. One week, early in the pandemic, I think I was carrying five or six pocketknives, just because I could (which my wife thought was hilarious), but other than that it's pretty rare for me to have more than one on me.

A note on flashlight vs. cell phone: a crappy flashlight will save some battery drainage for the cell phone. But a high-CRI light is vastly better than a cell phone light for many tasks. For example, if you walk your dogs in the dark, it's very hard to tell grass from the dog's mess with a cell, but with a high CRI you get vivid color (making it significantly easier to not leave unwelcome surprises in your neighbor's front yards). I have a tiny Olight S-1 Mini Baton HCRI in my coin pocket. Small, unobtrusive, very bright, easy to switch through modes, high CRI, USB rechargeable. Unlike pocketknives (where I'm still searching for The One), this is a solved problem for me.

Regarding a hank, I was raised to carry one, and often two - back pocket for myself, front pocket to offer a lady. I'm 49, so I guess I'm officially old-fashioned now. Get off my lawn!

-Tyson

 

[c7m2p3]

Most often if im out of the house I will have one folding knife (in the 3-4 inch range) a SAK Pioneer alox with a pocket clip apoxyed on, wallet, keys, AAA flashlight, phone, and probably headphones for phone calls. Add a handgun if im not planning on going north where it is prohibited.

Add me to one of the people that doesn't get the hanky thing. Especially now. Worldwide pandemic and we are carrying around cloth squares made for catching your snot? Seems off.

 

[neo71665]

My hanky is most often used in restrooms that have those blower things that do anything but dry your hands.

 

[Knives&Lint]

What makes me laugh is these folks who post up pics showing their pocket dump and most of the crap layed out on a designer hanky and everything is in mint condition and matches their outfit. Even funnier when they throw in a fidget spinner or yo-yo or brass doo-dad with a lanyard and beads....good grief!

Hey Man, Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

Sometimes I like to match, what about it? Other times I may be hiking 10-15 miles in the mountains, surf kayaking, canoeing in gator infested waters, doing some work on my properties, farm work on my family's cattle farm, etc. In each instance I carry whatever I deem appropriate. IMO it is alot more "funny" (shall we say) to concern yourself so much with what the next guy is carrying. I am not limited by your limitations, cowboy.

 

[craytab]

I find the flashlight mode just drains the battery too much. Also, I can clip my tiny flashlight onto a hat or hold it between my teeth if I need to use two hands.

Agreed. With all the tiny flashlights out there that offer just about anything you could want in a flashlight, there really is no reason to not have one of some type or another with you.

And what do you do if you need to use your phone as a phone, and a flashlight at the same time?

I don't get phone flashlight people.

 

[Barman1]

Ah, good ol' pocket dump thread, love 'em.
My folder changes but that's about it.
I've been carrying this loadout forever.
Phone is in my hand.
Too much stuff weighs me down.

 

[Knives&Lint]

For the better part of the past two decades I have carried at least one modern folder, a Victoinox Swisstool, a pen, and a flashlight (Surefire Aviator) at all times. In recent years I have taken to carrying a SE dragonfly for its added utility and more recently also a traditional folder because I enjoy them as of late. A hank is just something to wipe things off with, very handy and men where I came from always carried them. I have also carried other various items from time to time. First an foremost, I enjoy the items I carry, which is all that really maters. Moreover, I cannot count how many times they have been useful, or even saved the day on occasion.

The thing is, I too do not like overstuffed pockets, but I have found a way to carry all the items I want without it being a problem for me. In fact, other than clips sticking out I think you'd be hard pressed to notice I'm carrying much at all. Alot of it has to do with my choice of pants. I almost exclusively wear pants that have dedicated "knife pockets", and while I don't carry my knives in these pockets I find them perfect for carrying a multi-tool and flashlight. In the winter I wear the Vertx Delta which aren't even cargo pants and wear like jeans, and in the summer I have some Tru-Spec 24/7's that I had made into shorts. I don't feel weighed down at all, and while I do appreciate the idea of minimalism and reserve the right to choose it at any point, for now I enjoy carrying multiple knives. So why not carry multiple knives? Y'all do know where my screen-name comes from right?

Here's a pic of the Vertx Delta "knife pocket", where I keep my multi-tool (it doesn't stick out, that was just for the picture).

EDIT: I was just going through some of my old pics and I came across this one. This is what I used to carry along with my knives some years ago when my lifestyle involved alot more handyman type of work. I won't lie and say it was light, but I was still able to carry it all without it looking bulky. Was all this necessary, particularly with a truck full of tools just steps away? of course not. Did I like having it all on me and did it come in handy? Absolutely, otherwise I wouldn't have carried it.

Nowadays I have taken to carrying many of these types of items in my EDC pack, which goes with me when I leave the house and stays in the vehicle.

 

[unwisefool]

You carry an old game boy around with you?

 

[SteeleJ1976]

Agreed. With all the tiny flashlights out there that offer just about anything you could want in a flashlight, there really is no reason to not have one of some type or another with you.

And what do you do if you need to use your phone as a phone, and a flashlight at the same time?

I don't get phone flashlight people.

I totally agree. I carry a wallet, keys, chapstick, a Tinker or Super Tinker, Rambler, my phone, and a AAA Streamlight Microstream.

 

[cbach8tw]

Slowly learned that two is one, and just trying to figure out how to carry said two, or other items. I like a small fixed blade and a folder with a about a 3 inch blade. I like my KSF sheaths, but want t explore horizontal carry. Very interesting the comment above about different pants to carry all your stuff.

 

[22-rimfire]

My hanky is most often used in restrooms that have those blower things that do anything but dry your hands.

I shake dry.

 

[Knives&Lint]

You carry an old game boy around with you?

Sometimes I do, absolutely. For example, when the kiddos have an orthodontist appointment or whatnot, what's better; sitting in the waiting room with my face buried in the phone like the other parents, or waiting outside playing some Tetris?

 

[Lee D]

I like my KSF sheaths, but want t explore horizontal carry.

I rarely carry a fixed blade nowadays, but when I do, this is what I go with. Armatus is a big improvement over the factory sheath, IMO it’s too bulky for a slim guy.



As for what’s too much, I’m trimmed down to a folder and a Vic...I was carrying a fixed blade but not really NEEDING it. I’ve also put my larger Surefire lights up in favor of a single cell Olight and a AAA Streamlight. I was fooling myself with that “what if” mindset, thinking I needed to be loaded down for situations that I’ll never have to deal with. I do have a small Leatherman prybar on my keys, but I put them on a lanyard and no longer carry them in my pocket. Clutter sucks

 

[neo71665]

Ah, good ol' pocket dump thread, love 'em.
My folder changes but that's about it.
I've been carrying this loadout forever.
Phone is in my hand.
Too much stuff weighs me down.

How you like that zippo? I've been wanting one for awhile I just aint seen one in the store to actually handle and decide if I like texture and weight over my plain brass one.

 

[Jsega51]

And what do you do if you need to use your phone as a phone, and a flashlight at the same time?

Speaker phone so there’s no need to be holding it up to your ear.

 

[Smaug]

For me, the answer is three. Three is too many. I don't carry a gun (yet) or a "tactical pen".

One lock-blade folder with a good steel and a SAK. (with its soft steel )

In summertime, when I'm wearing athletic shorts around, I'll often just rely on a Vic Classic on my keys or a Manager separate in my pocket.

 

[Barman1]

How you like that zippo? I've been wanting one for awhile I just aint seen one in the store to actually handle and decide if I like texture and weight over my plain brass one.

I've got antique copper and brass cases as well and they're actually a little flimsy compared to the case in the picture.
The texturing gives it a lot of strength and some extra grip.
I don't smoke, just carry for the fire, so I use a butane insert.
The Zippo insert is better than the other Z-Plus inserts but not by much, both have operated well for a few years with no leaks, just fired one up after not using it for at least a year.
I found the old school fluid fill was just bothersome in my case.

 

[Charlie_K]

Some of you pack some serious steel (check out the EDC thread).
Personally, after two knives my pants start to hang down. Worse if I got shorts.
I may pack a fixed and a folder, or two folders and small SAK, but some of you, well I don't know where you are headed out to.
Knives, flashlights, pens, pry tools etc. seriously? and then there's the keychain!
When did you say that's it! I gotta leave one home?
How many is too many?
Confess!

I'm... sorry, I don't seem to understand. Too many? I'm not sure there is such a thing. What is this strange concept that you speak of? Do you mean to imply that it's actually physically possible to possess an excessive, unneeded amount of knives? What sort of devilry is this that you speak of?

 

[neo71665]

I've got antique copper and brass cases as well and they're actually a little flimsy compared to the case in the picture.
The texturing gives it a lot of strength and some extra grip.
I don't smoke, just carry for the fire, so I use a butane insert.
The Zippo insert is better than the other Z-Plus inserts but not by much, both have operated well for a few years with no leaks, just fired one up after not using it for at least a year.
I found the old school fluid fill was just bothersome in my case.

Thanks, I only smoke a cigar once in a blue moon. I really didn't care for the thunderbird or double flame zippo inserts I have. Been kinda wanting to try the arc insert.

But yeah I've narrowed my next one down to the steampunk, freedom skull, or the book of the dead. Every time I make up my mind on one it's out of stock, I wait, then my mind changes.

 

[cbach8tw]

I've got antique copper and brass cases as well and they're actually a little flimsy compared to the case in the picture.
The texturing gives it a lot of strength and some extra grip.
I don't smoke, just carry for the fire, so I use a butane insert.
The Zippo insert is better than the other Z-Plus inserts but not by much, both have operated well for a few years with no leaks, just fired one up after not using it for at least a year.
I found the old school fluid fill was just bothersome in my case.

Can we see what an insert looks like for the Zippo? Just out of curiosity. Thanks if you can.

Edit: Just looked it up, the whole thing just slips into the frame, got it now.