EDC Update feat. Helio

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 07/01/2019 at 23:06 • Filed to: None

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First off, I’m not really an “EDC guy”, but do admit to enjoying the subculture. The whole reason I started doing this is because my wife and I both work ancillary to the emergency services but we didn’t actually have any emergency plans or supplies ourselves.

I’ve always carried a bag, but mine had excess capacity so I decided to fill it. My wife just started carrying a “duty bag” with all sorts of emergency goodies so I added a few things. Basically if there is a large event, I wanted to ensure we both would be OK for a day or even two if we tried hard.

We are always told here in Vancouver to expect “the big one” an earthquake that will decimate & paralyze Metro Vancouver and Vancouver island (3-3.5 million people). I’ve attended numerous seminars on this and frankly, it scares the shit out of me.

The three major additions to what I would normally carry anyways are the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which were all fairly cheap for the functionality offered.

The Ghoststrike, I chose because I wanted a small, lightweight knife in a very safe holster and the Lifestraw can do 1,000 gallons of water filtration/purification.

The Helio however, which I just retrieved from my US PO Box is really something. Solar panels, a 5,200mAH battery and several light settings allow for a very functional device. If the light is on its lowest setting and the device is fully charged you can get 700+ hours of light without any solar/external power.

The Helio is so well made and functional that I really recommend you check it out if you want a practical/large external battery with more features and a solar panel. I’ve included a walkthrough on the features instead of a slick ad or PR video.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/01/2019 at 23:24

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That Helio light looks cool and very well designed! I am contemplating getting one now as we often lose power here...

Is that second key in from the left for the Forte? If so I am really surprised as your Forte is relatively recent and my Accent uses the same key design and it’s from 2009!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/01/2019 at 23:29

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Yeah, it is the Forte key!!!

imadick > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/01/2019 at 23:41

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Not a real EDC without a gat

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/01/2019 at 23:41

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Also regarding the Helio, I’m not trying to be a shill. I normally wouldn’t buy something that isn’t mass-market or something it doesn’t have a lot of online reviews.

I like the device design and the fact that it’s a not-for-profit organization.

I was extremely wary of there being no reviews online that I could find but decided to take a g amble and bought it anyway

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > imadick 07/01/2019 at 23:45

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Not worth going to prison over and ruining my wife and I's careers

MrDakka > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/01/2019 at 23:46

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The only thing you need for EDC

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/01/2019 at 23:51

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I need to pick up a lifestraw.

After a literal 6 years of trying to find the perfect edc pocket knife, I’ve given up and settled with an Opinel No. 8, carbon blade. $13, the sharpest blade I’ve ever handled from the factory, incredibly light and a world-renowned design no less. I’d like something a bit more heavy-duty that can be opened and closed with a single hand, but the Opinel has worked pretty well.

imadick > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/01/2019 at 23:52

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I was joking. Every EDC seems to be the following: wallet, keys, phone, Desert Eagle (for “personal defense”).

His Stigness > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/01/2019 at 23:53

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When the big finally hits us ("us" being those on the west coast) we're fucked. I'm going to remain blissfully unprepared for that. I don't have it in me to prep. When the last ginormous California wildfire came within a few miles of my house (that really narrows down where I live...) I had no idea what to pack. All I care about is my cat, and I knew where he was. 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MrDakka 07/01/2019 at 23:58

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*puts on tinfoil hat*

Until the banking system collapses man!

AestheticsInMotion > imadick 07/02/2019 at 00:03

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Don’t forget the $600 knife with a Damascus blade mad e by an obscure instagram knife maker, with multiple $60 beads attached to the lanyard that’s woven “just so”.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 00:14

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We’re key buddies! :D

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 00:19

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Solid setup. Have you tried the Lifestraw yet? And maybe you should add a water bottle, just in case.

And I think I prefer the Canadian EDCs without firearms. Americans always carrying guns makes me more than a little nervous (and yes, I’m aware of the irony).

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 07/02/2019 at 00:23

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This bag I always have with me, but the forte has a ton of stuff in it just for my professional use. Water and food included for long shifts

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 00:26

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Good call.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 07/02/2019 at 01:02

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Made the mistake of posting this photo to r/EDC

They’re ruthless. “What? No Grenade  or chemical hazmat suit?”

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 01:04

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I'm sure they mean well. You know, the 400 pound guys who are certain they'll survive the apocalypse.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 07/02/2019 at 01:06

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I hope that if I don't survive, someone finds my.stuff useful

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 01:10

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The most Canadian response to the apocalypse.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 01:28

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Just out curiosity...got a flint? Or a couple of metres of venetian blind cord? How about a half dozen 8" cable ties? And some Nitt o electrical tape.

I think EDC is a bit ridiculous (certainly in my neck of the woods) but our cars are typically filled with all manner of useful paraphernalia and tools.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion 07/02/2019 at 02:08

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Nice and cheap... My usual knives are ridiculously expensive (Benchmade and some older American-made Kershaws ) and one is no longer produced (Benchmade 707, which is about the perfect mix of size, utility, and discreetness for an office worker , in my opinion).

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > imadick 07/02/2019 at 02:11

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Those ridiculous guns some people claim to carry, beyond their crazy kits in general. Who has the space to carry that much stuff? I’m not 400 lbs, so there’s no way for me to hide a full-size handgun...

AestheticsInMotion > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/02/2019 at 02:18

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Benchmade definitely isn’t cheap, but you get a lot for your money. I was thinking more like the knives that get auctioned off on social media for thousands, are made of various rare metals, and are either genuine works of art, or just gaudy monstrosities.

“oh, that’s your edc knife? Okay, let me see you cut something with it. Go on.”

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > His Stigness 07/02/2019 at 02:22

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The risk of my death in the initial shock of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake is reasonably high. If I survived, walking the 10 miles from work to my house within the 24-48 hours before chaos ensues should be easy enough. From there, I have guns, at least a few weeks of food for the family, and a couple weeks worth of gas for the generators, so we should be alright for a while as long as the house hasn’t slid down the hill in a landslide or otherwise become uninhabitable. Worst-case, we could drive or hike up to my wife’s parent’s place, which is a long way from anywhere you’d likely encounter looters.

phenotyp > AestheticsInMotion 07/02/2019 at 03:13

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My dad gave me a SOG Access 18 years ago, which I still use, and liked so much that I bought the updated, slim  version 3 years ago. Their blades (folders with locking) have been the best and sharpest I’ve ever owned. I love the small size and flat profile. 

AestheticsInMotion > phenotyp 07/02/2019 at 03:15

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I remember going to a sog factory store a few years ago. I handled a few knives, and the fit and finish was incredible. They also said they'd sharpen the blades for free for life. My buddy picked up a fantastic fixed blade knife that's served him well as a camp knife, I wish I'd done the same. 

phenotyp > AestheticsInMotion 07/02/2019 at 03:22

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I’m the farthest thing from an EDC-type. But I use tools, build shit, etc. the SOGs are just always there. Sharpest and best I’ve ever used, bar none. 

functionoverfashion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/02/2019 at 09:32

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I like the idea of EDC but I can only imagine (as from your comment below) what the r/EDC is like. I’m not sure I need to find out for myself.

As much as I like to generally be prepared, I lean toward the strategy of stashing things in my vehicles, bags, office, etc. so I am near the things I need without having to carry them. This includes some basic tools, band-aids, and a few medications (I don’t take any regularly but I keep a few basic things handy).

I do carry a pocket knife just about everywhere I go though, to the point that I feel like it’s an extra appendage. My latest one is small because I work in an office environment, but it has a great feature that I love. It’s not a multi-tool exactly, but it has a blade and one other tool that’s a bit thicker than a typical blade, the tip can be used as a flat or phillips screwdriver, and of course there’s a bottle opener which I find silly but whatever, it’s there so I use it (I’d just as soon use the edge of the closed knife like I have with all my others). But I find that I use the other little tool for all the jobs that would have dulled the blade, or risked breaking it - the scraping, prying, etc. and the blade is reserved just for cutting.

I miss my kershaw with the assisted-open blade, but this is a bit more appropriate for my current job.

His Stigness > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/02/2019 at 10:40

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Exactly. The shop is only two miles from the house. But I need generators. But no guns because I'd use them before the earthquake. 

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > AestheticsInMotion 07/02/2019 at 13:02

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That’s crazy. I won’t even carry my numbered blue- class Benchmade outside of special occasions when I’m unlikely to need to use it, I couldn’t imagine daily carry of something really expensive. Like I have never been able to justify their extremely limited gold-class knives because I know I’d never carry one .

imadick > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/09/2019 at 17:32

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Pfft, clearly you aren’t exercising your freedom correctly

HELIO.Energy > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 07/17/2019 at 13:08

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Love the mention of HELIO. Thanks from your friends at Makers4Good. Find more at www.Helio.Energy