How many times have you been confronted with a situation where you wish you had; a screwdriver to tighten down a loose screw, a pair of knippers to clip a zip-tie, or a sharp pick to prod / scrape some hardened gunk. Beyond general hand tools that have a place in a tool box, everyone should have a small tool roll or pouch that can handle most tasks that your EDC (everyday carry) kit can’t. These rolls can be as simple or as complex as you need — depending on your DIY skill level — but these core items should be handy in your “junk drawer,” to readily tackle most tasks quickly. This is usually the first thing I reach for when performing small tasks before hitting the tool box for additional specific needs.
Lochby Tool Roll
8”x16” black waxed canvas
Cutters
While I think everyone should have a general purpose knife to keep on their person, it’s prudent to keep other types of cutting instruments in your auxiliary tool kit for various situations.
Razor knife — for dirty work you wouldn’t subject your “nice” knife to or for precise delicate cuts
A pair of scissors or knippers to cut fabrics, zip ties, and nibs. SCISSOR REC (not shown): Klein Mini Scissors are small, stout, and ready for action.
L: X-acto #2
C: Tsunoda KBN-125 5” Cutter
R: Milwaulkee Fastback
Grippers
Needed to hold or manipulate a work piece or nut.
Needle nose pliers for tight or precise holding
Knipex Pliers Wrench — functions both as a wrench for small nuts and a vice grip. The button lock design is a true engineering masterpiece — just push the button and slide the jaws onto the workpiece, when you grip down it applies the appropriate amount of holding force.
L: Unknown pliers from my dad
R: Knipex Pliers Wrench
Metrology
At minimum there should be a small tape measure to take measurements and make marks. Calipers are optional, if tight tolerance is needed. (I use a 9’ Dewalt mini tape measure and a General Tools digital calipers with both imperial fractions and metric.)
Writing
Needed to mark your cut / hole or jot down measurements and notes
0.7mm Pencil — I find that 0.5mm tend to break more easily on uneven surfaces, 0.7mm is a perfect balance of durability and precision marking.
3.2mm (or thicker) pencil for shading high/low spots for planing/sanding or sketching ideas. TIP: shape the lead with a knife!
A permanent marker for writing on slick surfaces / glass.
R: Sharpie
C: Worther Shorty 3.2mm leadholder
R: Pentel GraphGear 500 0.7mm
Poke / Scrape
Most scraping is handled by my prybar, but there are times where a thin sharp pick is required — small electronic reset buttons, scraping hardened glue, small crevices, cleaning threads etc.
Harbor Freight - Pittsburgh Mini Picks ($1.99!). Set of 4, but I only really use these
Bit Driver
Last but not least, some type of screwdriver. At the minimum should be a 2 in 1 flathead/Phillips driver. Even better is a driver handle that can accept multiple types of bits. OPTIONAL: Mini socket set, like the Rolling Mavericks multi-bit & socket 1/4” socket set. (I usually use a socket kit from my toolbox, but including here for the sake of carry theme)
County Comm Titanium Bit Driver
A well-stocked tool roll doesn’t need much—just the right essentials. Pliers for gripping and twisting, a screwdriver for tightening, a razor knife for clean cuts, snippers or scissors for finer work, a tape measure for accuracy, a pencil for marking, and a pick for tight spots and detail work. Together, they handle most everyday tasks and small repairs, making your tool roll a grab-and-go solution for wherever life needs fixing.
Carry News
Evergoods Transit Packing Cube 10L
Evergoods has released a packing cube that is designed to be over-stuffed and compressed down with built in cinch-straps. Unlike competitors, this ingenious little design detail does away with any vacuum requirements to compress the cube. Check it!
Twelve South - Curve Nano Magnetic Phone Stand
Twelve South just released a phone stand that’s MagSafe compatible, able to hold your phone at multiple angles in both landscape and portrait. It has an anti-slip base and folds completely flat when not in use. Check it!
Dump / Tip of the Week
Northwood_dynamics on Reddit shows how you can create a kit based on the simple hair tie. The genius kit uses hair bands to affix gear to a battery bank base. This is the DIY shit I love most.
“A tiny toolkit is like a quiet friend — not loud, but always ready to help."
