The Krav-Club

What should you carry to face smal and big probles more easily ? It's called EDC for "Every Day Carry". I present here the equipment that I recommend because I have tested and proven it. You will also find the reasons why I made these choices so that you can do the same for yourself.

Items on a light green background are tested and approved by myself, those of which I have an old version are on a dark green background, the others are equivalent models to those that I use on a daily basis. Links to amazon are affiliate links.

Always on you

Always having your wallet in you pocket can spare you lot of trouble. I made a cheap minimalist wallet out of a piece of leather and just two seam lines. I have to translate an article on that subject.

In a similar way, keeping you keys is a priority, I personally prefer these kind of key holder which are silent and compact. I "handmade" mine with an old piece of leather belt and some para-cord, I would maybe write an article on that.

I had the first lamp in the middle of my keys, it'svery practical for everyday use. It can also be used in an emergency to signal at night or for first aid, however this is not what you are going to blind an attacker with. Since then I have a model with a different appearance from the second lamp below but with the same components (I have a BL-47 which is no longer sold). I always wear it around my neck which allows me to have a lamp even in the middle of the night. Both are waterproof but the second has a system that seems more reliable to me (two O-rings + screw cap). For more traditional use I have the two angled flashlights below, they are very powerful but heat up quite quickly in the highest mode, they are waterproof, with a standard battery, rechargeable via USB without dismantling, their base is magnetic and they are supplied with a “headlamp” support. I like the angled lamps because they allow a more natural hold in combat (basically you can light your target while throwing a punch).

A watch you can rely on on any occasion must be solid and waterproof. Personally I hate having to change batteries, especially with the majority of manufacturers requiring a return to the factory. So for years I have opted for solar-charging watches. I have also owned mechanical automatics but they did not withstand shocks and ended up lacking precision (I had a Beuchat and a Seiko).

A pen can always be used for writing and as a last resort can be used as an improvised weapon. These are very sturdy and don't look like lightsabers or miniature rifles like many tactical pens. I keep the pen in my pocket with a ring at the back to make it easy to take out and tape for grip and because it's practical for repairing anything. The parker is more stylish, but is a little bit shorter, which limits its self-defense uses.

Carrying defense sprays is prohibited in France so I don't carry any, but is is quite often tolerated, in particular for women, provided that they are of small volume (< 50ml). I recommend the OC gel models. The Saber Red brand is recognized for its reliability and is not particularly expensive.

Knife carry is also prohibited in France so I don't carry any. Find out about the legislation in your country. If you have the opportunity, the Benchmade SOC-P knife is excellent: very quick to deploy thanks to its ring, it also allows you to open your hand to make a defense without losing the knife. I recommend to buy it with the training version, which fits in the same sheath.

The bag to take everywhere with all the stuff

I had a mil-tech bag that looked a lot like the one below, the zippers failed after two years. The diagonal attachment points on the bag effectively stabilize it both on the back and on the front. Since then I have chosen to take a fairly large backpack. This allows me to always have my minimum essentials with me and to add what I need depending on the situation (water bottle, snacks, clothes, etc.). This model allows you to reduce its volume with side straps for days when I carry the minimum, it has a detachable belly strap (which I attach around the bag most of the time), a chest strap and load lifters on the straps which greatly limits fatigue when the bag is heavily loaded. It is therefore a very versatile bag, it has a lot of interior storage options and you can add more with the M.O.L.LE system. both outside and inside. This is my favorite bag with my bivouac bag (the camelbak BFM 500 which is much bigger).

This multi-tool is indestructible! When I baught it, it was cheaper than the Leatherman, but it is heavy. Cutting a piece of clothing for first aid, a piece of sausage, tightening a zipper, screwing back something that comes loose: I use it for everything.

In case of small scratches or serious injury, you need something to give first-aid. These glove are sterilized, the goal is just to be protected from potentially contaminated blood of a stranger, and to be able to put it quickly. Saline is of prime importance if you have some dust in your eye. Anyway follow a first-aid training, outside of France I don't know teach that aside from the red cross.

Having the means to recharge your phone both with a socket and in the car, to be able to contact a loved one or the relevant services is a serious subject. It also allows you to get your dose of digital drugs ... The external battery and the car charger are of very good quality, I've had them for years and have never failed me.

We're far from the subject, but it's always nice not to eat with your fingers and to have clean teeth if you find yourself away from home unexpectedly. Once again, no need to buy super expensive things: my spork, or "spoon-fork combo" is just a small spoon in which I made a notch at the back to make two teeth...