May 17, 2025

My homework from the last Analog Tool Meetup was to write a summary of my ‘EDC’ inspired by Dave Danielson’s blog post.

I’ll split the list between the stuff that is close to me (in my pockets) and those in my work bag.

Pockets

Keys

I’m embarrassed to say my keyring only has a single key on it but lots of other bits and pieces too. I make my own keyrings using paracord snake knots. I have a tiny Muyshondt torch on there along with a USB stick a fob to get into Edinburgh Photographic Society and a few decorative pieces.

Watch

My everyday watch is an IWC Mark XV Pilot’s Watch that I bought after clearing-up my parents’ estate and it reminds me of them. I have a few Casio G-Shocks that I really like to use occasionally.

Wallet

My wallet is a small Pendragon leather card holder that just holds a few cards. As far as I can tell, they are no longer available.

Pen

My pocket pen is an Prometheus Alpha and I love it because it uses the perfect refill.

Pocket Knife

I have tried so many penknives and pocket knives and finally found the holy grail; a Jens Ansø Monte Carlo. I really like pens that are non-threatening without an agressive point.

One Silly Thing

I have a Fenner Benedict ‘Night vs Day’ Hammered EDC Coin in the fob watch pocket of my jeans. Apart from the occasional fidget, it gets used once each week to decide who breaks at snooker on Thursday nights.

Bag

My work bag is a Filson 24-hour Briefcase But I only got here after buying and trying many bags and kissing a lot of frogs! One of my retirement projects will be to sell a lot of used bags…

So what’s in the bag? In short, too much!

Journal

I use a paper planner from a company called MARK + FOLD and a notebook from Ajoto. For my work logbook I use a Leuchtturm1917 Edition 120G A5 notebook.

Pens

I own too many fountain pens and rotate through them in a Lochby Quattro Case. Typically my bag will also have cases with ballpoints and pencils too, even though I rarely use these!

Phone and Laptop

I use an iPhone 16 Pro and don’t keep it in a case because I like the design too much to cover it. This means I need to stay lucky forever*. I do use a Hardgraft sleeve to transport the phone between places.

Audio

I use a pair of Bang & Olufson H100 headphones that take up a lot of space in my bag. I also enjoy listening to music though an Astell & Kern (formerly iRiver for those with long memories) SE 200 digital audio player and a pair of Sennheiser wired earphones.

Book

I always carry something to read, usually a physical book and this is my most important EDC item after my wedding ring.

The Pouch of Shame

I have a ‘travel/tech pouch’ in my bag that has various cables, adapters, USB drives and travel gear such as clippers and small scissors. It also includes chopsticks and a spork (just in case) and a fidget spinner, nail file, spare camera batteries and other things I will probably never use.

Until the zombie apocalypse starts…

Other stuff

I wear two silver pendants round my neck and both are inspired by rivers. The first is called Tract, inspired by the geometry of of shipbuilding cranes on the Clyde. The other is a hand clutching a ‘mudlarked’ garnet from the Thames in London.

Stationery


Previous post Ajoto Pocket Pen Yesterday I received the Ajoto Pocket Pen I backed last year through Kickstarter. This acquisition was something of an experiment, as I already