CAN WE FIX IT? YES WE CAN

PUTTING TOGETHER AN EDC TOOL KIT THAT ACTUALLY WORKS

- JIM COBB

It has been said that mankind's use of tools is one of the things that sets us apart from the animals. I mean, we're not the only ones. There are some chimpanzees, for example, that use sticks to dig up bugs to eat. However, I can guarantee you that we spend far more on our tools than any other living creature on the planet. So, we have that going for us.

When it comes to EDC gear, we tend to classify it as being onbody or off-body. These are pretty much just as they sound. If you are carrying it on a belt, in a pocket, or otherwise on your person, it is considered on-body. Everything else, such as what you might carry in a backpack or shoulder bag, is off-body.

A tool kit isn't something that you're likely to toss into a pocket, given the size and weight. That said, we're not talking about lugging a full toolbox around everywhere you go, complete with a full set of wrenches and sockets. But, given that trying to turn a screw with a knife blade isn't the best idea, we want to hit a compromise between having a good assortment of tools to tackle jobs, while also keeping the size of the overall kit reasonable to carry daily.

WRENCHING TOOLS

I realize that for many people, a good quality multitool is part of their standard EDC load. And that's certainly not a bad idea. However, there are many repair jobs that are made much easier with the availability of a few additional tools.

Let's face it, trying to loosen a nut with the needle-nosed pliers that are common to multitools can be an exercise in frustration.

To that end, I like to have some sort of purpose-built nut busters. One option is a small pair of channel lock pliers or perhaps a small adjustable wrench. Simple, lightweight, and effective. You could even get one of each, so you can hold the bolt as you loosen the nut.