Skip to main content

EVERYDAY CARRY BLOG

Maxpedition Jumbo Novo: Tools With Tim Loads the Wolf Gray

By Bags, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to Tools With Tim for showing the swap instead of just holding the bag up. In All of My EDC Tools in One Bag, he retires a sling he has carried for seven or eight years and loads the Maxpedition Jumbo Novo in Wolf Gray. Maxpedition sent the bag. He says the Jumbo shape dates to 2005, and this Novo version keeps that layout while adding a hidden zip, a bottle pocket, a light sleeve, and a vented back. This is a day-one pack-out, not a month of wear. He says he will come back after a couple of weeks.

Items & Gear List

The rest of the load is his existing kit, and the video does not link those pieces. He names a Leatherman kit, a Cold Steel Recon 1 XL, an Olight in the new light sleeve, an Olight Perun 3 Mini headlamp, an Oclip Ultra on the MOLLE, a Snake Staff tourniquet, a Maxpedition Mini pouch, a Maxpedition Fatty organizer, a 40 oz Klean Kanteen, and an SOL two-person blanket. Those stay unnamed as buy links until there is an exact listing.

Editor’s Insight

Tools With Tim is not shopping for a new kit. He is moving a working one into a heavier bag. His old sling was 500D Cordura in MultiCam Black. The Novo is 1000D. He wants the extra body for a bag that has to hold tools, a water bottle, and a jacket on top. The trade is weight and bulk. He is fine with that for shop days and travel on foot.

The front admin pocket gets his sunglasses against the elastic, and the long slot under it is where his wallet used to live. He likes the new hidden zip better for that job. A flat wallet is harder to lift if it is not in the first pocket a hand finds. His homemade paracord reel almost fits there and does not. The duct tape does not either. That pocket is for flat items, not a junk drawer.

The lower front pocket is gusseted, so it stays open instead of flopping. He puts a simple first-aid pouch and a Snake Staff tourniquet in it. His old bag had elastic loops here for chapstick, pain relief, and a lighter. This one does not. He is already thinking about parking a Maxpedition Fatty in that space so the small daily items stop rolling. That is the right read. A pocket with no organization will become a pile by week two.

One side utility pocket is gone, replaced by a bottle sleeve that zips and has a keeper. His old bag could not hold a 40 oz bottle. He drops the Klean Kanteen in to prove it, and he puts the heavy Leatherman kit in the utility pocket that remains. He is honest that the weight sits outside the bag. The 1000D shell is stiff enough that he is willing to try it. The slip beside that pocket is deep enough for a Cold Steel Voyager, but the handle shows. He switches to the Recon 1 XL because it disappears better against Wolf Gray and black.

The new light sleeve is the clearest update. It is cut for an Olight Baton 3 or Warrior Mini, bezel down, and it needs a little work to seat. He also clips an Oclip Ultra to the MOLLE so the bag can throw light without a hand. Inside, the slip pockets are shallower than his old bag, but they still take his worn Maxpedition Mini charger pouch, a mini survival kit, and the SOL blanket side by side. A beanie, gloves, and a jacket can stack on top. There is a hanger inside, a grab handle, and a concealed rear panel he would use for papers, not a holster he does not show.

The strap is seatbelt webbing with a removable vented pad, and the back panel is vented too. A waist strap cinches out of the way when he does not want it. The bag is less symmetrical than his old one. He reads it as happier on the right side, and the key clip has no home on the strap, so he hangs keys from the MOLLE for now. None of this is a finished system. It is a first fit. Watch where his hands hesitate. Those are the pockets that still need a pouch.

Closing Remarks

Watch Tools With Tim load the Jumbo Novo before you buy the Wolf Gray. The bag is the product. The tools are the test. If you already run a sling, the question is which pocket you would miss from the old one. Tell us whether you would give up a second side pouch for a real bottle sleeve, or keep the lighter 500D bag and leave this one on the shelf.

 

Oknife MK: Chrispy Things’ First Look at the 3-in-1

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to Chrispy Things for a first look that stays honest about how little time he has had with the tool. In Oknife MK Destroys the Competition, he opens the Oknife MK, a pocket tool that packs a flashlight, a short slip-joint blade, and a magnetic bit driver into one clip. He shows the desert-white and dark-green samples and puts the orange color on screen from a photo. This is a launch-day impression, not a month of carry. He says the video is not sponsored.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

Chrispy Things treats the MK as a small system, not a knife with a light glued on. The body is about 2.57 inches long, 0.90 inches tall, and 0.55 inches thick before the clip. The clip is deep-carry and works tip-up or tip-down. It does not swap to the other side, because the switch and lights live there. A lanyard hole and a pull tab on the battery cap give you two places to hang a cord.

The main beam is a spotlight. From off, one click turns it on. He measures low at 15 lumens, medium at 100, and high at 300, with high stepping down to 200. It remembers the last level. Claimed throw is 133 meters at 4,400 candela, and the longest runtime figure is 18 hours. He calls the tint neutral white and does not take it outside. For a first look, that is fair. A 300-lumen pocket beam is enough for a desk, a car, or a dark hallway. It is not a search light.

The side light is the part that makes the tool more than a keychain torch. A triple click from off opens a white flood: 1.5 lumens, then 20. Press and hold from there to reach a 3-lumen red light. A double press on red starts the red flash. He first finds that extra press annoying, then decides it is the right call, because a signal flash should not sit in the normal cycle. Lockout is a press-and-hold from off. A locked tool shows a solid red LED if you tap the button. The tail is magnetic and strong enough to hang the tool sideways on a blade.

Power is dual fuel. The included cell is a rechargeable 10400, 3.6 volts, 1620 mAh, and he says USB-C fast charge takes about 90 minutes. A rubber flap covers the port. If that cell dies, a AAA battery still runs the light. A cable comes in the box. That backup cell is the practical feature. A tiny rechargeable light is useless on day three of a trip if you cannot feed it.

The blade is a 9Cr18MoV drop point, slip joint, no half stop. His calipers read about 2 inches. That length matters if your local rule is 3 inches. It is a package opener and a light cutting edge, not a work knife. The bit driver sits beside it, opens on a detent, and holds 4mm double-sided bits with a light magnet. The included bit is Phillips and flat. He shakes it and the bit stays. The driver does not lock open. The MBS1 set adds more 4mm bits and is sold on its own or in a bundle with the MK. He is clear these are pre-launch samples and that he has not lived with the tool yet.

The title oversells the video. Nothing here destroys a named rival. What he actually shows is a compact light, a legal-length slip joint, and a small driver that can also stick to steel and throw a red signal. If you already carry a separate knife, light, and bit driver, this only wins if you want one clip instead of three. If you need a locking blade or a real screwdriver, keep looking. Watch his hands on the switch before you buy, because the red-flash step is the one people will forget.

Closing Remarks

Watch Chrispy Things click through the MK before you order one. The useful part is the switch map and the size, not the title. If you carry a short blade and a tiny light already, tell us whether you would trade both for this clip, or keep them separate and skip the combo. The orange sample is the one he does not have in hand, so check that color on the maker page if that is the one you want.

 

SERE Pouch: Karl OscarDelta Keeps the APEK Standard

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to Karl OscarDelta for a plain look at a pouch he is now adding to a kit he already wears. In SERE Pouch, he shows the APEK necklace he uses for training in red and for travel in green. The tools on the necklace match. The new piece is the SERE pouch, and that is where his personal extras live. His point is simple. If a teammate may have to find your kit by feel, do not customize the standard necklace. Put the extras in the pouch.

Items & Gear List

He also names a few personal tools inside his own pouch, including a tension tool, hooks, a triple-hump rake, and a slim luggage-tag tool. Those change from kit to kit, and the video description has no product links, so they are not linked here. Check his site for the current listing before you buy. Several of these pages were sold out when this post was written.

Editor’s Insight

Karl OscarDelta is not building a new everyday carry from scratch in this video. He is showing a rule he wants teams to keep. The red necklace is his training kit. The green one is the kit he wears for travel. The layout matches. A student who trained on one should be able to find the same tools on the other, including in low light or by feel. That only works if people stop decorating the standard kit.

The necklace he shows is the APEK+, sold in several K400 Kevlar cord colors. Black is the standard color. He keeps red for courses and green for his own wear. On the cord he points out a hair grip, the AHK3-RF, a split ring, a micro light, and a small key on the back of that light. He also rubs the light lens with an abrasive so it throws a softer glow. That lens trick is a modification, not a separate product.

The SERE pouch is the add-on. On his site it is the LEECH 2.5 RZR XL, and it can hang from the necklace’s Ghost Button or from a clothing button. He uses it for navigation, fire, and cutting extras: a 20mm button compass on a short cable tie, a firesteel, a razor, and a slim last-ditch tool he compares to a luggage tag. The compass, firesteel, and blade are options on the same pouch listing. The pouch is small on purpose. If it does not fit, it does not go in.

The useful split is what a teammate can assume versus what only he knows. A student who has seen his standard load should recognize the necklace. They should not assume they know the pouch. He says that pouch changes. He also says he will not take this particular pouch through an airport. The necklace, on its own, is what he is willing to wear in transit. The pouch goes in checked luggage and goes back on after he lands. That is his travel rule, not a packing guide.

If you are buying this for a group, his advice is to order the same necklace setup and leave it alone. Personal extras belong in the pouch, not clipped onto the standard cord in a new order that only you understand. He frames the necklace as the fast kit, the one a partner might have to reach when you cannot reach your own. He does not teach a method in this video. He teaches sameness. The pouch is the pressure valve. A compass, a firesteel, or a blade can live there without changing the cord a partner already memorized. Covert knives, he says, are a separate addition and still changing. The necklace layout is the part he wants left alone. Watch the red and green kits side by side before you start removing tools.

Closing Remarks

Watch Karl OscarDelta walk through the red and green kits before you order. The SERE pouch is the new piece. The necklace is the part he wants left standard. If you already run a team kit, the question is whether a partner could find it by feel. Tell us if you would keep extras in a pouch like this, or leave the necklace alone and carry nothing extra. Stock moves fast on his site, so confirm the color you want is actually available.

 

You Betcha Tests Six Everyday Carry Tools—Which Ones Earn a Spot?

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Thanks to You Betcha for giving everyday carry the regular-guy test instead of the usual pocket-dump glamour shot. Miles, Tyler, and Ryan try six Amazon-style tools, argue about what actually deserves pocket space, and make a surprisingly good case for keeping some gear in the truck instead. The jokes land because the tests are real enough to change a few minds: a bright flashlight faces a phone and a headlamp; tiny duct tape gets an ambitious strength test; and a folding shovel actually digs. Come for the Midwest banter, stay for the moment a little pry bar becomes the group’s unlikely favorite.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

You Betcha doesn’t pretend this is a lab test. That is the charm. Their question isn’t whether a tool has the most features; it’s whether someone would remember to use it on an ordinary day. The Olight makes a strong first impression in a dark room, especially beside a phone light. It also loses the pocket-space argument for some of the crew. They see a better fit for trades work, a truck kit, or a gift than for everyone’s keys. The video names an ArkPro flashlight, but doesn’t establish a variant clearly enough for us to promise that a particular listing is the one on camera.

Then the Mighty Bar wins them over by doing less, not more. It pries and scrapes, though the guys repeatedly find that a dedicated knife or screwdriver would do those jobs better. But a little metal bar that stays on a key ring can be there when the better tool isn’t. Their verdict is a qualified yes: think backup plan, not replacement toolkit. It’s also the best comic running gag in the video, turning up again when the key organizer needs assembly.

The pocket duct tape makes a funny reveal, but its plate-lifting stunt tears the tape. That is one improvised challenge, not a complete measure of how well it would handle a quick patch. Still, the crew decides a full roll in a truck makes more sense for them than carrying a flat pack all day. The key holder runs into a more basic limit: it tidies a small set of keys, but Miles has several left over. We haven’t identified the brand or exact model from the video, so the links above lead to searches rather than a lookalike sold as the same product.

The TAKEFLIGHT pen offers a light, a bottle opener, and a glass-breaker tip, yet getting to the writing point takes extra steps. They do not test it by breaking a car window, so treat that feature as a product claim rather than a demonstrated result. Their vote is no for everyday carry. Please don’t rely on an untested gadget as your only vehicle-escape plan.

Finally, the Rhino folding shovel gives them a real reason to reconsider. It assembles, digs, folds away, and earns a spot in the truck. That isn’t pocket EDC, and they say as much. It’s a useful distinction: everyday carry can mean the thing on your keys, the tool in your work bag, or a just-in-case item in your vehicle. Thanks again to You Betcha for making that tradeoff entertaining rather than turning it into a shopping contest. Their votes are their own, and our product links are for finding the items—not a claim that every item passed their test.

Closing Remarks

Watch the full You Betcha video for the back-and-forth, the flashlight face-off, the duct-tape mishap, and the shovel test. Which verdict would you change? Would you keep the Mighty Bar on your keys, make room for the flashlight, or leave the whole setup in your truck? Tell us what actually earns a place in your daily routine. And if you like a little comedy with your gear coverage, give the creators a watch on their channel.

 

I Bought Every iPhone 18 Accessory… These Are The 9 I’m Keeping

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to EXCESSORIZE ME. for stress-testing a pile of iPhone 18 accessories so you do not have to. In this roundup they buy far more MagSafe gear than any one pocket needs, then keep only the pieces that still earn space after real carry time. Expect a Find My tracking card, a slim MagSafe stand, a rugged SUPCASE with grip, the Clicks Power Keyboard with built-in battery, UGREEN’s cooled MagFlow power bank, a compact Alpaka satchel, Ohsnap’s magnetic gaming controller, and a Skinarma collab card holder. Watch the full video, then use the gear list below to jump straight to each product.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

EXCESSORIZE ME. frames this as a keep-or-return filter, not a hype dump. That matters when every MagSafe launch cycle floods Amazon with lookalikes. Another shoutout to the channel for pairing sponsor picks (SUPCASE and UGREEN) with honest daily-carry checks instead of pure unboxing theater. If you want an iPhone 18 kit that survives real pockets, desks, flights, and couch gaming, this shortlist is a clean starting map.

Start with the Nomad Tracking Card Pro. It is a thin Find My card that slips into a wallet or phone wallet stack, uses a long-life rechargeable design, and solves the “I left my bag at the cafe” problem without adding another AirTag bulk blob. Waterproof polycarbonate and multi-month battery claims make it more tool than toy. If you already run a full AirTag kit, this is still useful as a spare for luggage tags and shared bags.

The Kenu Stance+ is the quiet desk and travel win. MagSafe magnets lock the phone in place, the stand folds flat, and it works for video calls, recipes, or airplane tray tables without a full tripod. It is not a heavy-duty mount for bumpy cars, but for short sessions it beats propping your phone against a water bottle. Pair it with any MagSafe case and you get hands-free viewing without another clip in your bag.

SUPCASE’s UB Grip is the protective case pick. Rugged edges, MagSafe compatibility, and a built-in grip/kickstand vibe give drop protection without turning the phone into a brick. Sponsor or not, EXCESSORIZE ME. keeps it because grip and stand features show up every day — on the couch, on a counter, and when you one-hand text while walking. Match the exact iPhone 18 model on SUPCASE’s series page so camera cutouts and button maps line up.

Clicks Power Keyboard is the biggest “this changes how I use the phone” item. It is a slide-out Bluetooth keyboard with a 2,300 mAh onboard battery, MagSafe/Qi2 attach, and multi-device pairing. You get real tactile typing for email and notes plus a small power top-up for the phone. It is thicker than a bare phone, and stock can lag after big drops, so treat it as a productivity shell, not a slim daily case. If you write a lot on mobile, it earns the bulk.

UGREEN’s MagFlow Pro magnetic power bank is the power piece that actually keeps up with modern wireless speeds. Qi2-class magnetic charging, active cooling, and a roughly 10,000 mAh class pack mean less thermal throttling during long charge sessions. MagSafe banks that run hot slow down; cooling is the feature, not a gimmick. It is still another brick in the bag, so only keep it if you already carry a bank every day.

The Alpaka Flow Satchel 2L is the bag that holds the rest of the kit. Weather-resistant Axoflux nylon, YKK AquaGuard zips, a bottle sleeve, rear valuables pocket, and a MOD key tether keep phone, bank, cables, and keys organized without a full backpack. At about 300 g and 2L, it is a commute and coffee-run sling, not a weekend pack. If your pockets are already full of MagSafe gear, this is the item that stops the jingle.

Ohsnap’s MCON turns MagSafe into a mobile gamepad. Magnetic attach, deployable grips, hall-effect triggers, multi-mode Bluetooth, and a slim profile that can ride in a pocket between sessions. It is for people who stream or play controller-ready mobile games — not for everyone who owns an iPhone. Battery life is modest by console standards, so charge it with the rest of your desk stack. If you only casual-tap games, skip it and keep the stand and bank instead.

Skinarma’s x Machine56 MIRAGE/56 card holder closes the list with style and utility. MagSafe wallet, side lever for cards, integrated grip-stand, and a translucent collab shell that looks like built-in gadgetry. It holds about two cards, so it is a license-and-transit setup, not a full wallet dump. Stock on the collab colorways can sell out; the product page is the clean manufacturer path when marketplace listings look sketchy.

Tradeoffs to keep honest: MagSafe stacks get thick fast, so pick two or three layers max (case + wallet or bank, not all at once). Clicks and MCON are specialized tools — great when you need them, bulk when you do not. SUPCASE protection trades slimness for grip and drop rating. UGREEN cooling helps speed but adds cost over basic banks. Alpaka solves organization only if you will actually wear a 2L sling. Skinarma collab pieces can go sold out; buy only if the design is part of why you want it. Skip pure hype if you only need charge, stand, and a tracking card.

Closing Remarks

This iPhone 18 accessory cull is a strong mix of daily carry basics and a few high-impact specialty tools. Watch the full EXCESSORIZE ME. video for the hands-on keep scores, thickness checks, and side-by-side context still photos miss. Then grab the links above for the items that match your pocket, bag, or gaming setup. Drop a comment with which piece you would keep first, and tell the creator if you want a follow-up on cases-only or power-only kits. Thanks for reading, and thanks again to EXCESSORIZE ME. for doing the buy-and-sort work.

 

Inside Joe Rogan’s Pool Cue Bag: Cues, Case & Small Essentials

By Video

Video Overview

Karl Boyes catches up with Joe Rogan at the U.S. Open and asks him to open his pool-cue bag. This is a billiards-specific carry setup, not a typical pocket dump: custom playing cues sit beside a break cue, jump cue, gloves, chalk, and small maintenance tools. Thanks to Karl for filming the conversation, and to Joe for showing the tools he actually brings to a match. The fun is in the little choices: a cue that feels right in the hand, an extra reach option, and the supplies that keep a long session moving.

Items & Gear List

  • Castillo Leather Goods cue case — View cue cases at Castillo (his exact custom case is not identified)
  • South West ebony playing cue — custom cue; no verified listing for Joe’s own build
  • Richard Hsu Hsunami 2.0 kielwood shaft — View Hsunami shafts at RJH (choose the 2.0 option)
  • Judd Fuller cue with Steve Serna shafts — custom cue and shafts; no verified exact-match listing
  • Predator BK Rush break cue — View the BK Rush line at Predator (exact finish not specified)
  • Cobra Brothers carbon-fiber jump cue — exact model not independently verified; no shopping link
  • Predator gloves — View pool gloves at Predator (exact glove models not specified)
  • Taom chalk — View chalk at Taom (exact formula not specified)
  • Master chalk, bridge head, cue extensions, and shaft wipes — useful bag extras; exact models not verified

Editor’s Insight

There’s an everyday-carry lesson in this very specialized bag: pack for the task, not for a photograph. Joe’s Castillo case holds more than his favorite cue. It also carries a lighter Judd Fuller cue for a friend who arrived without one, plus tools for breaking, jumping, reaching, and keeping a cue clean. Karl gives each piece enough room to tell its own story without pretending that every custom cue can be bought off a shelf.

Joe says his main playing cue is an ebony South West with a textured wrap and Richard Hsu’s Hsunami 2.0 shaft. He talks about why the wood shaft’s feedback suits him, compared with the feel of carbon fiber. That’s a personal preference, not a universal gear verdict. If you’re curious about that setup, the maker’s Hsunami page is a better starting point than a lookalike listing for an entire cue.

Then the kit changes jobs. The Predator BK Rush is his break cue; a Cobra Brothers carbon-fiber cue is his preferred jump cue for control and feel. He also names a different Cuetec jump cue as especially easy for getting over a ball, but it is not the one he pulls from this case. That distinction matters when you’re trying to follow the video rather than build a generic shopping roundup.

The smallest pieces may be the most practical. Joe has short and long extensions for shots just out of reach, Predator gloves, a bridge head, and wipes for his cue wrap. He has Taom chalk in the bag and says he usually uses it; he also shows chalk given to him by Fedor that he has not tried. A signed box of Master chalk is more of a keepsake than a recommendation to buy a matching box. We link only to identified makers or product families where the precise item is unclear.

What makes Karl’s video work is the conversation behind the objects. Joe explains how a knee injury led him into pool, why he collects cues, and how a long night at the table is his way to unwind. Thanks again to Karl Boyes for letting the details breathe. If your own hobby has a dedicated bag, the takeaway is simple: protect the core tool, carry the small fixes, and leave room for the equipment that makes a session more enjoyable.

Closing Remarks

Watch Karl’s full tour on YouTube to hear Joe explain the feel of each cue in his own words. The links above point to the makers or product lines we could identify; they do not claim to reproduce his custom builds. Which one small accessory never leaves your own hobby bag?

 

More Amazing EDC and Travel Tech – IFA 2026

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to Jon Gadget for another strong day-two walkthrough from IFA 2026 in Berlin. Jonathan and Jamie keep hunting everyday carry and travel tech across the show floor, from ultra-thin MagSafe power banks to call-first headphones and compact travel shavers. The pace is quick, the booth stops are clear, and the picks feel useful for real carry—not just booth demos. If you want a clean scan of what stood out on day two, this is an easy watch.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

Jon Gadget’s IFA floor videos work because he filters for carry friction, not just “new for new’s sake.” Day two leans hard into power, calls, and pocket tools—the stuff that actually changes a travel day. Start with Vonmählen. The Evergreen Mag 3000 is the showstopper on paper: 3,000 mAh, MagSafe attach, and a claimed 5.8 mm thickness at about 83 g. That is emergency top-up power, not all-day laptop backup, and that is the point. Pair it with the 10,000 mAh kickstand model if you want longer runway and hands-free video. Fabric MagSafe cases with a wallet/stand insert keep the same brand language: light, clean, and practical.

The TransitX X1 is the wild card. A powered walking-assist exoskeleton aimed at everyday fatigue, with app tuning and roughly three to four hours per charge, landing near $1,500 when it ships. Jon is honest that IFA had several exo options, including knee-focused designs. Treat this as a category watch, not an impulse buy. For most readers, the real “buy soon” hardware is audio and power.

Anker’s sponsored segment earns its place. The soundcore Space 2 Pro leans on the new Thus AI chip and a Guinness World Record claim for clearest call headphones. Jon’s live call test from a noisy hall is the right proof style: the other end hears the voice, not the crowd. Specs that matter for travel: adaptive ANC, comfort with glasses, about 30 hours with ANC on, and a fast-charge hit of roughly eight hours from five minutes. The AeroClip 2 open-ear buds and Liberty 5 Pro share the same call-first chip story if you prefer lighter form factors.

Valenta’s Mix & MagSafe wallet stood out for the lockable slider card eject and modular bifold shell. It is MagSafe-friendly and comes in multiple colors, with kickstand variants available. Belkin’s UltraCharge Pro 5K uses semi-solid-state (BoostSolid) chemistry for a thinner, denser pack with Qi2-class magnetic charging up to 15 W and a stronger safety story than plain liquid cells—useful language if you fly with magnetic banks often.

JisuLife still owns the handheld-fan lane. The Life 9 is the budget pick near $30 with five speeds and a simple display. The newer Pro/Aroma model adds a leatherette feel, a scroll wheel, and a fragrance pad you can remove to reveal battery and power readouts—closer to $70. yoose covers travel shaving from compact dual-head mini units around $60 up through metal, denser builds and the MINI5 foil model. MOFT’s coffee-finish MagSafe tripod stand is a fun materials note: coffee grind composite for grip and a subtle scent, rolled across cases and accessories. Kangol’s 507 and AHLEM frames are the style bookmarks—less “gadget,” more complete carry identity.

Caveats are simple. Several booth items are brand-new, region-limited, or not fully tested yet (Jon says as much on the shavers). Exoskeleton pricing and availability will move. MagSafe power banks still add thickness and heat on long wireless charges. If you only grab two things from this roundup, make them the Space 2 Pro for noisy work travel and a thin MagSafe bank that matches how you actually top up a phone.

Closing Remarks

Watch the full IFA 2026 day-two run from Jon Gadget for the live demos, call test, and booth context you cannot get from a gear list alone. Drop a comment with the one item you would pack first—thin power, call headphones, or a travel shaver—and tell us which IFA stop you want covered next. Thanks for reading, and support the channel by watching the video end to end.

 

The Best Budget Dive Watch On Earth? – Casio Duro Review

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to HICONSUMPTION for putting the Casio Duro through a full hands-on review instead of another quick unboxing. In this video they argue the MDV106-1A may be the strongest value play in watches: a stainless steel case, screw-down crown, and real 200-meter water resistance for roughly fifty to seventy dollars. They cover first impressions, case finishing, dial details, the quartz module, the stock strap, and why collectors still reach for this black-dial “Marlin” after years of wear. Watch the full review, then grab the purchase link below if a tough budget diver is on your list.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

Another shoutout to HICONSUMPTION for treating the Duro like a tool, not a meme. Watch forums love this piece, and the channel shows why: the watch unites first-time buyers and seasoned collectors because it does dive-watch basics without drama. Specs alone look strong for the money — steel case, screw-down crown and caseback, 120-click unidirectional bezel, sunray black dial, and ISO-style 200 m water resistance — at a price that often sits near a nice dinner out.

Casio barely marketed the MDV-106, yet the original black dial version moved hundreds of thousands of units and earned the “Marlin” nickname from the leaping billfish above six o’clock. HICONSUMPTION notes that Bill Gates even wore one on late-night TV. That kind of word-of-mouth is rare at any price, and it matters more than a launch campaign when you want a beater that still looks sharp after salt water and airport security.

On the wrist, the numbers look big but wear smaller than they read. The case is about 44.2 mm wide, 48.5 mm lug to lug, and 12.1 mm thick. Short, downturned lugs keep the footprint closer to a 42 mm diver in practice. On a 6.75-inch wrist in the video, it sits with presence without hanging off the sides. If the diameter scared you off a listing photo, try it on before you write it off.

Finishing punches above the price. Brushed lug tops meet polished flanks with a clean bevel, the coin-edge bezel ratchets with light action and a little back play, and the polished crown screws down between squared guards with a solid catch. Flip the watch and you get the engraved marlin on the caseback — the same emblem Casio has used on its 200 m tested divers for years. That detail alone makes the Duro feel less like a throwaway quartz and more like a real tool watch.

The dial is simple head-on and richer in motion. Sunray brushing shifts from deep black to charcoal as light moves. Framed lume markers, a twin wedge at twelve, and a red-tipped seconds hand keep the layout classic. The date window at three stays readable on a white wheel. HICONSUMPTION calls out a fan favorite: the seconds hand hits the minute track with surprising consistency for the money. The crystal is flat mineral, not sapphire — a fair trade at this price, and mineral often shrugs off impacts that chip harder glass.

Inside sits Casio module 2784, a Japanese quartz caliber with date and hacking seconds. Accuracy around ±20 seconds per month beats most mechanical movements at any price, and a cheap SR626SW cell keeps it running for years. That is the point of a travel and beach beater: toss it in a dopp kit, pull it out a month later, and the time is still right. Lume charges fast and glows green, though it fades sooner than premium divers. Acceptable for seventy dollars; not a night-dive champion.

The stock 22 mm black resin strap is the weak spot. It is firm, durable, and secure once broken in, but it looks cheap and runs long. Treat it as a starter. The Duro is a famous strap monster — NATOs, tropics, and even curved Seiko SKX-style bracelets fit the 22 mm lugs. Casio also sells bracelet-equipped MDV-106D variants if you want steel out of the box. Half the fun of ownership is a twenty-dollar strap swap that transforms the head of the watch.

Honest tradeoffs stay simple. You get mineral glass, average lume fade, a plain rubber strap, and a design that openly nods at classic dive icons. You do not get a mechanical movement or luxury finishing. What you do get is a legitimate 200-meter tool watch with no anxiety about salt, sand, or hard use, plus a cult following that still cares about the original marlin dial while newer export models drop the fish. For a first dive watch, a travel beater, or a collector’s wet-weather piece, the Duro remains hard to beat under one hundred dollars.

Closing Remarks

If you want a tough, good-looking diver that costs less than most “entry” watches, start with this HICONSUMPTION Casio Duro review. Watch the full video for wrist shots, case details, and the Mediterranean wear test, then use the Amazon link above for the MDV106-1A black Marlin. Tell the channel what other sub-$100 watches you rate in the same lane, and drop a comment if the Duro already lives on your wrist. Thanks for reading, and thanks again to HICONSUMPTION for the hands-on field work.

 

I Bought Every Gadget From Japan… These Are The 10 I Don’t Regret

By Gadgets, Video

Video Overview

Big thanks to EXCESSORIZE ME. for hunting Japanese everyday carry, tech, and stationery so you do not have to guess what is worth the import hassle. In this roundup they buy a pile of Japan-made and Japan-exclusive gear, then keep only ten pieces they still like after real pocket time. Expect gachapon desk toys, a Bape lighter case, a fold-out Shupatto bag, a classic Higonokami blade, Pokemon Sarasa pens, a mini North Face jacket keychain, an hmny key wallet, Plotter notebooks, an AS2OV day pack, and stretch Japanese selvedge denim — plus a Looki L1 wearable camera as the featured gadget. Watch the full video, then use the gear list below to jump straight to each product.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

EXCESSORIZE ME. frames this as a value filter, not a souvenir dump. That matters. Japan is full of cute objects that look great on a shelf and die in a real bag. Another shoutout to the channel for scoring most of this list under $100 and still ending on premium denim and notebooks when the quality jump is obvious. If you want Japan flavor in your EDC without flying to Tokyo, this is a clean shortlist.

Start cheap and fun with the sitting Gundam gachapons. For about $15 you get solid plastic, accurate RX-78 vibes, and that oversized-head charm Japan does better than anyone. Stock is thin outside Japan, so treat listings as scarce desk candy, not a bulk buy. The Bape BIC lighter case is pure hypebeast branding on a 50-cent tool. Real leather wrap, camo prints, about $16 for the case, and it fits standard BIC inserts when the fuel runs out. If you do not care about streetwear logos, skip it. If you do, it turns a 7-Eleven lighter into a pocket flex.

The Looki L1 is the sponsor piece and the only true “smart” gadget here. It is a tiny AI wearable camera that auto-grabs short moments, builds daily photo and comic summaries, and can spit out a simple vlog with music. Battery claims land near twelve hours, LEDs make recording obvious to people around you, and on-device AI can answer basic questions about what it sees. It will not beat a real camera, and yes, you may look a little odd wearing it. For new parents or anyone who forgets to pull out a phone, it solves the “best camera is the one you actually carry” problem at roughly $249.

Shupatto is the most useful bag trick in the video. Pull the handles and the origami fold explodes into a duffel-size tote with a long nylon strap, reinforced stitching, and a single-button closure. Roll it straight, snap it shut, and it still fits a back pocket. About $25 is not cheap for a packable bag, but the size-to-packed ratio is why it scores so high. Next is the Higonokami — a classic Japanese friction folder with a brass handle and simple one-joint design. No lock, handmade edges, light in the pocket, and strong souvenir energy. It is not the safest or most modern EDC blade, but it is unmistakably Japan-made. Prefer a tracked retailer listing over random market copies.

Stationery nerds get the Zebra Sarasa Grand Pokemon collab. Charizard, Venusaur, and Mewtwo barrels with Japanese names, raised prints, spring clips, and color-matched ink. Smooth gel write feel, about double the price of a normal Sarasa Grand on gray-market listings near $30. Cool factor is high; daily-driver value depends on whether you care about the print. The North Face mini mountain jacket keychain is Japan-exclusive pocket theater: full zip, hood, unbuckling arms, and keys hiding inside like a tiny collectible for outdoor brands. Function is secondary to charm, and that is fine.

The hmny casual key pack is the sleeper organization win. Full leather wrap with a built-in key organizer, card slots, a half zip, and a rear quick pocket so keys and cards leave the house as one object. Real leather with rolled edges, water-resistant enough for daily carry, slim with about five cards and two keys. Watch the interior screws so cards do not scratch. If you hate juggling a separate keychain and wallet, this is the list item that changes your pocket layout.

Plotter notebooks sit at the premium end for a reason. Liscio and Publau leather covers, metal spines, modular ring inserts, card holders, pen loops, and folder pages mean you can run the mini as a wallet-notebook hybrid. Near $200 is a lot unless you already write every day. The modular system is the product: carry thin on errands, thick on planning days, archive pages when done. AS2OV’s EPIC Series day pack is the bag closer — Japanese brand, sealed zippers, waterproof fabric, dump pocket, bladder or laptop sleeve, hidden bottle pocket that folds flat, and phone-size shoulder pockets. About $150 for a lightweight daypack with real craft details. It will not stand rigid when empty, but loaded comfort and pocket count beat many same-price bags.

Flint and Tinder’s Japanese stretch selvedge denim finishes the list. Huckberry lists midweight 12.5 oz Japanese selvedge with 2% stretch, dark wash, straight cut, five-pocket layout, and roughly $178. Not a Japanese brand, but Japanese denim fabric with USA finishing. If you want jeans you can squat in without giving up selvedge character, this is the practical “expensive but fair” pick.

Tradeoffs to keep honest: several hits are Japan-exclusive and live on eBay or import shops, so stock and authenticity vary. The Higonokami has no lock — treat it as a traditional friction folder, not a hard-use work knife. Pokemon Sarasa pens are collectible pricing. Looki is a lifestyle camera with privacy optics you should respect in shared spaces. Plotter and AS2OV cost real money; buy them only if leather notebooks or a premium daypack are already on your shortlist. Skip pure logo toys if you only want tools. Buy the pieces that fix a pocket problem you already have.

Closing Remarks

This Japan gadget haul is a strong mix of fun desk pieces and real carry upgrades. Watch the full EXCESSORIZE ME. video for the hands-on scores, fold demos, and side-by-side context still photos miss. Then grab the links above for the items that match your bag, desk, or denim rotation. Drop a comment with which piece you would import first, and tell the creator if you want an episode two. Thanks for reading, and thanks again to EXCESSORIZE ME. for the field work.

 

FINALLY! The Olight Oclip 2 Is Here (Is It Better Than Milwaukee?)

By Gadgets

Video Overview

Big thanks to Project Pine Hills for going hands-on with Olight’s newest release, the Oclip 2 Ultra, and putting it head-to-head against the Milwaukee Clip Light. In FINALLY! The Olight Oclip 2 Is Here (Is It Better Than Milwaukee?), the channel breaks down the new 360-degree rotating clip, the angling head, the secondary base magnet, and the dedicated charging dock that triples run time. The full video is above. Below is a clean gear list with direct buy links so you can dig in after watching.

Items & Gear List

Editor’s Insight

Another shoutout to Project Pine Hills for a review that actually matters to trade work, not just pocket-dump aesthetics. The Oclip line has quietly become its own category of EDC light: a hands-free clip-mount flashlight built for electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, and anyone who needs a light that stays put while both hands are busy. The original Oclip introduced the clip-and-magnet concept, the Oclip Pro refined it, and now the Oclip 2 is a real third-generation redesign rather than a spec bump.

The headline upgrade is mounting flexibility. Where the Oclip Pro locked you into one orientation once clipped down — lens fixed at 90 degrees, always facing the same way — the Oclip 2 adds a 360-degree rotating clip paired with a head that tilts up to 115 degrees. That combination means the light can be clipped onto a bag, a belt, or a hat brim and still be aimed exactly where it’s needed, including straight out like a standard handheld flashlight. The new base magnet is the other big functional change: the original Oclip Pro’s magnet only mounted at the base of the clip, so you could stick the light to metal but couldn’t get a downward-angled beam. The Oclip 2 moves that magnet to let the light mount flush and still throw light down and to the side, which is exactly the angle most panel, engine bay, and duct work calls for.

Power is where Olight got clever instead of just adding battery capacity. The Oclip 2 actually carries a smaller 600mAh cell than the Milwaukee Clip Light’s 811mAh pack, which on paper gives Milwaukee the runtime edge — 5 hours versus roughly 3.5 hours at 100 lumens on a single charge. Olight’s answer is the included charging dock: the light drops in, locks magnetically, and a percentage dial shows charge state, effectively tripling usable runtime across a shift by making a top-off trivial instead of requiring a full cable swap. The dock doubled as a surprise USB-C power source for other gear in the video, including the Arkfeld Pro, which says something about how Olight is thinking about this as a small charging hub, not just a flashlight dock.

On raw lighting versatility, the Oclip 2 wins clearly: spot, flood, red, and UV modes in one small housing, controlled by a simple slide switch, versus Milwaukee’s single high-CRI TrueView LED. Milwaukee still has real advantages worth knowing about — its head pivots further (165 degrees versus 115), its higher CRI output renders color more accurately, and its light can shine back toward the clip in a way the Oclip 2 can’t quite match. But the Oclip 2’s rotating clip is the more genuinely useful trade-off for most carry situations, and the OAL (Olight Aluminum) unpainted finish on the Ultra version means scratches won’t reveal a different color underneath. If you’re deciding between a Milwaukee clip light and an Olight Oclip 2 for trade work, this comparison covers the tradeoffs better than either spec sheet does alone.

Closing Remarks

Watch the full Project Pine Hills breakdown above for the complete mode-by-mode walkthrough, the Milwaukee side-by-side, and the runtime and durability tests. Then use the gear list to jump straight to the Oclip 2 Ultra or check out the Mini, Pro, and Baton 4 for other Olight EDC options. Which clip light are you carrying — the new Oclip 2, or sticking with Milwaukee?

Maxpedition Jumbo Novo Wolf Gray thumbnailBagsVideo
September 29, 2026

Maxpedition Jumbo Novo: Tools With Tim Loads the Wolf Gray

Video Overview Big thanks to Tools With Tim for showing the swap instead of just holding the bag up. In All of My EDC Tools in One Bag, he retires…
Oknife MK video thumbnailGadgetsVideo
September 29, 2026

Oknife MK: Chrispy Things’ First Look at the 3-in-1

Video Overview Big thanks to Chrispy Things for a first look that stays honest about how little time he has had with the tool. In Oknife MK Destroys the Competition,…
SERE pouch video thumbnail from Karl OscarDeltaGadgetsVideo
September 29, 2026

SERE Pouch: Karl OscarDelta Keeps the APEK Standard

Video Overview Big thanks to Karl OscarDelta for a plain look at a pouch he is now adding to a kit he already wears. In SERE Pouch, he shows the…
You Betcha host holds an Olight ArkPro flashlight in the EDC gear test thumbnailGadgetsVideo
September 27, 2026

You Betcha Tests Six Everyday Carry Tools—Which Ones Earn a Spot?

Video Overview Thanks to You Betcha for giving everyday carry the regular-guy test instead of the usual pocket-dump glamour shot. Miles, Tyler, and Ryan try six Amazon-style tools, argue about…
Close Menu

EDC Blog

About EDC Blog

The Castle
Unit 345
2500 Castle Dr
Manhattan, NY