Pocket Checking Mechanics! // What EDC Knife and Tools Do They Carry?
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- čas přidán 30. 09. 2022
- What knives do professional mechanics carry with them daily? What EDC tools do they use the most in the shop? We found three things to be common between all the shops we talked to: 1. Mechanics have a tendency to loose their knives pretty often, 2. A small company branded screwdriver is a nearly universal carry for mechanics, 3. Streamlight is by far the preferred carry light for professional mechanics. Huge thanks to everyone that took time to show us what they carry. Let us know who we should pocket check next in the comments.
Check out a little something we have been working on: fortwild.com/
You Can Check out the Axial Shift OTF Here: bit.ly/3UUiouJ
0:01 Intro
0:1 Jeep/Truck Mechanic EDC Tools
4:18 Neighborhood Mechanic EDC Tools
6:38 A Mechanic and Blade Smith!
8:38 Milwaukee Fastbacks Are the Favorite Carry Here
11:28 This Mechanic has Two Knives and "Religiously Carries"
12:37 My New OTF the Axial Shift
Huge thanks to all the shops for taking time to show us what they carry!
Have you been watching Lord of the rings? That morfyd Clark girl is playing a really cool Galadriel . I never paid attention to the lore until recently . She is one bad ass chick , lol. Yeah not too much happening here in Ohio when’s the next blade show?
M U S T HAVE KNIPEX PLYERS/WRENCH 5-6 INCH
"I'm gonna try and hold onto this for a few weeks"
*doesn't put it in his pocket*
😂😂 love it
I really am going to check up on him🤣
Right?! After seeing him clipping a genuinely nice knife on the side of his toolbox within 10 seconds of receiving it, we solved the mystery of how he lost all his other pocket knives.😂
bruh I'd be following him around like a damn seagull waiting for him to lose that one so I could "find" it (mine, mine, mine) lol
He certainly was not into knives. It made my eyes wet to see how he received it and then when he put it away… 😳😭😭
He hasn’t found the “one”
Lots of dude in trades industry use cheap knives..because they dont need to worry if they lost it,or the knives broken...as long its keep the jobs done,it is what it is...good to see that..so people out there who always wonder if this steel good,that steel bad,stop it..buy what you like,use it..🤘🏻 great videos Zac & Jamie
We found a ton of guys had carried nicer knives but ended up losing a few and gave up on that idea😁
I agree I prefer cheap knives for use and leave the nice ones for collecting at home. I carry a mossy oak tanto fixed blade atm it’s like 7 bucks lol
I carry a ozark trail knife at work, that way if I lose it or it breaks no big deal
Same with flashlights. I got tired of loosing $100 lights every couple of weeks
At work I never warranted a top shelf knife. It had to do the job and hold an edge for at least 3 weeks other than that I really didn't care. Anything more was a waste of money.
I really enjoy these pocket check videos. It would be cool to have a series of pocket check videos where each episode focuses on a profession; car mechanics, law enforcement, EMT, fire fighters, construction, farmers and ranchers, military, etc. I expect some similarities, but also some very specific differences.
Personally, when working on my cars, I carry a very beat up Lumintop FW3A flashlight and a sub 3.5 inch pocket knife that has either FRN or G10 scales; getting motor oil or coolant on micarta leaves some very unwanted patina.😅
So true on the knife choice! I want something I can get dirty and replace if needed🤘
Was going to comment but I will reply here, a pocket check of stagehands, AV techs, audio and lighting guys, and entertainment riggers would be super interesting, for me at least.
I think it would also be cool to see how it changes as you go into less blue collar work. Retail workers, accountants, lawyers, librarians, people like that. They have less active needs for knives, but like having them ready. Cutting off tags, prying off staples, opening letters, things like that
My guess is they'll have either smaller, less. Complicated knives. Maybe a slip joint. Or they'll have CEO style knives to hide that they have one. Or to not scare away people. An accountant with a large, serrated hawbill on their neck isn't a good image. A thin pen knife is a lot more socially acceptable
This is super interesting to see what other mechanics carry. 10 yr mechanic myself and my current work knife is a BM grip in 20cv, and most used would have to be flash light. The other guys in my shop used to carry most of what I see here, gerber/crkt/matco or snap on. But now it's all Civivis, a ZT, and a Spyderco thanks to me lol
You’ve been about the good work I see😁
Axial makes a good OTF. I had figured out after some time that my Physical Therapist at the St. Als that i went to after my crash was a major knife guy. He brought me basically his whole collection into the hospital to show me, and I had someone bring me my knives. He had an axial and it was really nice. Felt well built and the neutral handle shape really appealed to me.
from my six years as a parts guy at a dealership, techs always had a knife but it was Kershaw, crkt or some other budget brand and they beat the absolute shit out of their knives. I sharpened and fixed sooo many knives as the resident "knife guy of the dealership"
My dad was a mechanic for 30 years. Always carried a Victorinox Swiss army knife.
I love this series and would love to see more. I think a “why did you choose this knife/light/tool/brand?” follow-up question would also benefit us a lot. I’d love to see the philosophies behind the choices in carry. Keep up the great work!
Kinda cool seeing what normal, everyday non-knife people carry. We’re all used to Spyderco, Microtech, Chaves, Hinderer, Grimsmo, etc. and while those are some of the best knife companies around, it gets kinda old just because we’ve seen them a million times. Thanks for doing these, Zac!
I’d like to see a firefighter/EMT pocket check if you haven’t done so! This retired firefighter carries either one of my SAKs or a Buck 110. When I was a volunteer, I carried a Gerber multitool (because it’s one hand open, just a flick, and the tools are inside the handle so you put more effort on the pliers and not tear up your hand). Be fun to see an EMT whip out a Leatherman Raptor: triage shears multitool!
Cool to see what mechanics tote around everyday. Not surprised to see a lot of working class knives. Nothing wrong with using the right tool for the right job. No sense in carrying a 200 dollar knife in that environment. What is your thought on that Zac?
For the next pocket check, maybe nice to see what law enforcement carry? Or firefighters? Or medical teams? Just a few ideas. Cheers, have nice day!
Great suggestions! I totally agree on the importance of a “beater” knife when it comes to mechanic work. A lot of guys said they stopped carrying nicer knives at work because they kept loosing them.
Medical teams would be great.
Medical teams would be great!
My $200 knives are beater knives, there meant to be used
I always enjoy these pocket check videos! interesting to see the variety and reactions. especially interested about the Shift since I've been looking at em for a minute but didn't know too much about em
Man this video turned out great! Thanks again for coming to interview us and show what we're using.
Really enjoying this series. Pocket checking construction sites would be cool.
spent all day drinking and disc golfing i missed the upload. Great vid Zac!!
This was awesome!! Thanks for coming by and asking about the knives! Excited to see what I can learn from ya about different types of knives 🤘🏼
As always, great upload!
I think it would be interesting to do a pocket check on electricians, or people that work in the tech industry.
Another great video, Zac. 👍
I'm a Mechanic here in the UK. I carry a para 3 and use it every day. One day I broke about 3mm off the point, I was a little upset to say the least, but now it's a better knife because I use it even more for removing interior trim and it's good for cutting heavy hoses.
This video was awesome! Thanks!
Hi Zac in The Wild. Been following you since Blade HQ, glad to see you're still rockin" mate. I'm an intern & my carry is a mini Tac Light & Katmandu multitool. Got two sisters with one a Musician & the other an Artist. They both carry a Honey Badger knives, Usb led flash light & a heavily mod Gerber multitool. All three of us rides so we do have tools on our Kawasaki, Suzuki & Honda. Love your Bike segment mate. Stay safe & Stay true. Greetings from Australia.
Love these pocket check videos! It would be cool if you did a first responder pocket check video!
All your content is great, appreciate your positive attitude
Small-sized church Tech Director here, I EDC a CRKT 5102N snap-lock, Sig P365XL, and a Streamlight Stylus Pro
That was so much fun pocket checking a specific group like that! Love your channel!
I carry that same green kershaw. I liked the color and didn’t realize I’d like the knife so much!
Another great video Zac and Jamie. It’s always fun seeing what people carry everyday
Thanks🙏
Absolutely loved this video, thank u!! I am a service manager at a shop and it all the guys into knives after watching u, Austin, Ben, Jamie, Kurt
I carry two knives, SOG vision titanium, and lately my Camillus Cuda Gibs Special it’s big but manageable and impressive and I’m a mechanic too and have no problems with either
Love the vids zac. Keep up the good work!
I love watching these little shops.
Awesome awesome episode! It's cool they all carry the little screwdriver pen. I actually have an Axial prybar and love it. Their OTFs look great too.
Always looking forward for pocket check episode. It'd be interesting to see construction sites and their edc
great upload like always
As an electrician that does strictly remodels this is an absolute essential tool. czcams.com/users/postUgkx0vyBwjtx9GGOuiqUVT2sRoYqmDoNT_RI Being able to precision cut any material with a light weight tool is priceless.I upgraded to this Dewalt 20v from a competitor's 12v. The Dewalt 20v is just as light as the competitor's 12v. I am extremely pleased with the overall performance and battery life of this tool. As far as oscillators go, they just aren't very ergonomic tools. The dewalt oscillators have an offset handle that do make them somewhat more ergonomic than the competitors' oscillators.
The ace hardware near me sells those axiels, I cut a 3/4 in tree down with it to see if it would hold up right out of the box, it did. I love it, it’s become my backup edc.
Love this! Would be cool to see other tradesmen like linemen, electricians and carpenters EDC.
love to see this stuff. as a Millwright in a union shop i always have a folding knife and my milwaukee fastback on me.. killer content keep it coming
Been a mechanic for 17 years this year, always struggled to find a knife that could keep up. Naturally I didn’t wanna use any of my fancier stuff, I finally found the perfect knife. CRKT Ignitor with their signature serrations. That thing will not die, and the giant serrations are the best I’ve ever used. Not even a CRKT fan lol
I’ve never once carried a knife…. UNTIL a few weeks ago when I first seen on of your “what’s in your pockets” videos. I have multiple knives, but I edc a kershaw blade. Thanks for opening my eyes to this lol
This is such a pro show, so well put together - if it were old school television I would put money on it all being scripted and rehearsed with multiple takes. I really enjoy watching this. As a film set tech it would be interesting to see you pocket check a film or tv production - the props, set dress, riggers, and lighting techs all carry knives, there are plenty of Olfa's but also many folders in pockets
Great video keep them coming
My edc pocket knife is a hogue sig sauer k320. Absolutely love it
As a cook, my workspace is full of cheap-o knives. However, the crew I work with and I bring our personal knives in too. I'd love to take a peek into some kitchens in your area, see what those cooks "carry," albeit probably not in their pockets. Also, my Compact is always on me and often does come in handy at work (opening boxes, fixing equipment on the fly, cleaning under fingernails, etc).
Love that you have been more active on this channel! Love the videos, I think the music can be distracting throughout but its not making me click away,. Thanks Zac!
Great feedback! Thank you so much for tuning in💪
I've been a truck, tractor-trailer, and heavy equipment mechanic almost 20 years and have had a good number of different work knives. After having broken too many pocket clips and hating going in my pockets or fumbling with a belt pouch when my hands are all greasy, I got a Mora Robust for work. It's a heavy-duty version of their basic model. It's a beast, but lightweight and the right size for almost any job.
Solid - great to see people using knives n getting the job - like another comment said - not worried about the steel and all the rest of the hype that we get caught up in - great vid man
👊🤙
Holy cow, your subscriber count literally quadrupled in the last few months! You’ll get close to 100k by the end of the year ❤🎉
Zac, you're just a natural in front of the camera, love the content!
Love this type of pocket check Zac! Being one of those professional Technicians myself, I figured I'd chime in. My current Daily is my Demko AD20.5 in Aus10A with the Shark Foot. Use it multiple times a day in the shop and as far as tool....my brain is always #1. Then I'd say it has to be my battery powered impacts. Zip~
Cool vid once again. Interesting to see what other folks/profession carry. My carry is a Spyderco Salt 2...great knife for a ton of reasons. As far as most used tool, you have to get you a pair of the Knipex 125 Cobra Pliers. You will never leave home without them. Keep the vids coming!
Great knife for sure! Are you around water a lot?
@@zacinthewild Actually not around water a lot but outdoors hiking etc. and love the fact that I don't have to be concerned about corrosion. Raining or food prep she is good to go with minimal cleaning effort!
Diesel mechanic here, used to be only crkt knives. Started with the home front, went to a Kershaw cleaver, back to crkt with the bona fide, and then to the razel gt. However, thanks to snap-on, I have gone way too far into debt with two benchmade knives. My work knife is the full size adamas in black, and my edc outside work is the (super)freek. Love them so much. Most used tool would probably be a battery bit driver.
Seems like that Streamlight seems best for mechanics. For maintenance guys it seems Fenix or Thrunite is better. Just need to light up bigger areas.
Im a Mechanic at Mr. Tire here in Ohio normally carry a pew pew, Spyderco PM3, Pilot g2 pens 1 blue 1 black, trayvax wallet in O.D Green, flashlight varies sometimes im carrying my streamlight stinger, olight warrior mini 2, Streamlight Stylus etc. snap on screw driver, and usually a tread depth gauge
I was a diesel mechanic in shops and in the field. I carried an Old Timer stockman for cleaning gaskets , cutting packaging , etc. I also carried a fixed blade I made myself for heavier cutting and light prying. This was in the 70s-80s
Mechanics weren’t always “brand guys” I had some of everything and sometimes I built my own specialty tool.
Firetruck mechanic here. Most often I carry an Ontario Rat 2 D2 at work. Occasionally a Mini Presidio, Para 3, or Buck 503 gets rotated in.
Also carry a Streamlight Stylus Pro and one of the freebie pocket screwdrivers.
Professional mechanic here, going on 8 years. Always have a spyderco in my pocket, sometimes a Microtech depending how fancy im feeling. Gotta have my streamlight wedge too 💪
I’d say you should check out some motorcycle shops to see what they are carrying. I work at a dealership as a technician and nearly every single person I know in the industry always is carrying. Love the pocket check videos!
I'm a diesel tech for John Deere. Have a knife on my daily. Recently its been the SBD Apex but I also carry a JG Scout a lot. I have a Wurkkos WK02 Flashlight and a Mac pocket pry as well as a pilot G2 in my shirt pocket everyday. Most used tool is without a doubt the pocket prybar. Mine is straight like a screwdriver so I use it to pry, unscrew things, or as a pick in quick situations.
20 year mechanic I carry a streamlight and a kobalt utility knife but I think I'm upgrading to a 1505 also a Bic lighter and a swiss army knife love the videos
I’ve been a mechanic for going in 18 years. Multiple knives and flashlights over the years but current work carry is Victorinox Soldier knife, Narva ALS pen light, Sharpie, BIC pen, and Moleskine pocket notebook.
You should pocket check a stagehand. I’m sure you’ll find some interesting things, since there are several trades working at the same time. It’s also different between concert venues, theatrical, and movie sets, so tons of different kinds of gear
Fun creative content, great job!
Fun vid! It's funny how many working guys use inexpensive chain store folders. The folding boxcutters make the most sense to me too. Cheap and slide in pocket without a paint remover clip. ✌
Why would a blue collar worker use a 300-1000dollar knife to beat up? We don’t have money for that shit.
Shout out Tyler. I'm a 22 year hvac and refrigeration tech and my most used tool is my flashlight. Olight warrior mini even though it burned a hole in my favorite pullover hoodie
17-year mechanic here. On the job i carry a leatherman free k2, pocket screwdriver, streamlight and pen.
I work for a pool company here in the Florida panhandle and I have been carrying some type of Spyderco Salt Series for years. I have finally converted I one of my co-workers and after he finally ruined another Benchmade and Kershaw, he purchased a new Salt 2 with LC200N and tells me at least once a week how much he likes it. 😀
My guess is we’re gonna’ see a lot of Gerbers. I’m a sucker for pocket check videos, love it and please keep it up Zac and the rest of the crew.. Hey there Jamie!
Never heard of Axial knife company but it's awesome that they're made here in Utah! Definitely going to check them out. Who doesn't love an OTF knife! Hopefully it's rad!
Just stumbled upon your videos and saw that you're local to me, so I had to subscribe 🤙
Yep working around vehicles you definatly don't want anything in your pocket to snag or scratch up stuff. A pocket dropper seems to be the right choice and most of these guys just buy whatever works in the moment, not realizing how good some knives are for so little money nowadays like for example the QSP parrot for $20, tons of inexpensive knives that are great. Thanks for the great vid and keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable
When I was a working on cars my most used tool was a toss up, as a mech it was sockets and wrenches, as a tech it was a multi meter and a logic probe. In my pocket, I carried a Streamlight Stylus Pro USB, a pocket screw driver, and a ignition file. The extendable magnet was too big carry around so I had it in my cart along with a CRKT Kiss and a Streamlight Strion, the same as David.
@1:58 - CRKT Stylus by Ken Onion
Ken is a family friend and mentor, and it’s always cool to see his stuff pop up in random places.
I think they have a slightly smaller one, made in Italy by Fox Knives coming up or recently came out. He gifted one to my wife a few months ago and it’s a nice little unobtrusive knife
My work EDC... Spyderco Manix 2 Lightweight, Streamlight Strion, Gerber 600, pocket screwdriver, Bic pen all carried on my person.
I’ve been an auto tech for 8ish years now, I typically rotate my 940 and my zt 0450cf. Usually carry a stream light micro stream as well. Tool used most would probably be my milwaukee 1/4” bit driver.
As an I/T professional for almost my entire work career, I always had a large Buck or Puma folding knife, as well as a pocket screwdriver/magnet on my person while working! My Customer Engineer attache style toolkit always went thru the door when calling on client premises, but the former two handily precluded opening same on numerous occasions. Serendipitously, the small screwdriver doubled as an eating utinsel whilst driving, serving to spear Vienna sausages from the can...
As an auto tech I've been carrying a Benchmade Super Freek for about 3 years now as my work edc and it's been an absolute workhorse. The M4 has proven it's toughness as this thing does get used to pry from time to time and never had a problem. Also usually carry a flashlight and the tiny knipex Cobra pliers. It does kind of feel weird that my work knife's MSRP is higher than my usual titanium edc knives lol.
I daily carry a zt 0450cf, stylus pro, snap on pocket screw driver, Casio f-91w, and a tiny pair of knipex as a mechanic
I also carry my 0450cf in the shop lol or my 940
My buddy Justin who is a mechanic, EDCs a BM 550 and some no name flashlight with a magnetic end. Thanks for the video. Love your work man!
Thanks for chiming in👊
Cool guys there awesome energy
I've been working on cars for 20 years, and the 3 tools I always have on me are a flashlight, a pocket screwdriver, and a pocket knife. But the most used tool I carry is the pocket screwdriver. It gets used for way more things than it was designed for.
Seems to be the EDC tool of choice around the shops for sure!
I agree. If i can get the job done with a screwdriver then thats what im using. I see a lot of guys buying these specialty tools when a simple screwdriver would work.
Literally tge best edc channel ever made.
This was...Wild !
Great too see I was not off the mark with my Streamlight
Very cool fun video I'm not surprised most mechanics carry inexpensive knives my brother is a mechanic and carries a gerber
Usually carrying my Benchmade 940 and a Leatherman skelatool. Definitely use the flashlight the most
As an Aircraft Mech I usually just use a cheapo Victornox, probably gonna lose it here soon enough but I’ve impressed myself with how long I’ve had it!
Yo! Hit the truckers up next! I’m a trucker and I carry religiously!! Keep up the good work yo!
I love it! Definitely need to make it happen.
Absolutely agree with this comment. My brother drives truck and always has a knife, flashlight and various pocket tools on him.
This would be a good one!
I’m a trucker and always have at least 2 knives, a multi tool and a flashlight on me at any given time.
As someone who was a mechanic for several years until I changed careers a few years ago this was exactly what I expected to see these guys carrying. Most of those knives are either really cheap on the tool truck, given away to everyone in the service department, or used as promotional add ons to tools (for a limited time, buy this tool and get a free knife). Also, I'm mostly a Matco guy, I found them to be the best bang for your buck and have just as good of a warranty as snap on. And the tool I used the most was one of the pocket pry bars like some of the guys had in this video. They have hardened steel so they don't bend easily like typical pocket screwdrivers. Working on modern cars means removing a LOT of plastic covers held on with lots and lots of plastic pins. It also works well for holding down electrical connector tabs so you can focus on trying to wiggle it apart and so many other things.
GREAT TOPIC!! could you try asking working cowboys ranch hands what they carry when working? how about asking pro butchers what pocketknife they carry ? maybe commercial fisherman edc? keep going with this series it s way better than most edc videos
Industrial maintenance mechanic here: Leatherman wave, Knipex mini pliers wrench, maglite AA LED flashlight. Outside work: Benchmade pika, Taurus TCP .380
Technician myself. I am a little different with my knives. I daily carry a Medford 187DP that I love, so much so that it’s at Medford right now getting a new blade since I’ve worn it down so much. Since it’s been gone I have been carrying my ZT 0562TI. My most used tool is my phone and a short right angle Matco pick tool.
Hey, great vid. You should pocket check custodians. Not really all that league to have knives at K true 12 schools, but a lot of us have them for useful purposes.
Thanks for doing something different! Keep it up my man!!!!
Is this legit Zac?
I love seeing what real hard workers have for their knives. Show me them beat up knifes!!
You should find some warehouse or supply yard folks to talk to next. That or electricians.
I carry a Stanley fatmax folding knife. The solid blade kind not he replaceable one. Cost me $20 and lasts me well past 4 years each.
The aluminum scales don’t pick up oil and grease, the steel blade is perfect for use as a multi tool, I can use it to lever and pry stuff, cut open boxes, open oil drums, open up maintenance panels with slotted bolts. The steel section on the very bottom corner I use as a very rudimentary hammer for minor adjustments
I'd like to see one on fuel delivery drivers. I mainly run refined (gas/diesel) but also jump in a propane truck occasionally. My edc is a leatherman skeletool cx (for the 154cm) that gets used a lot (if I could only carry one thing this would definitely be it), rechargeable milwaukee pen light with a laser pointer (for the fur balls mostly) and in the other pocket currently is a plain edge claymore. When I jump in the propane truck I also carry 6 inch crescent wrench and 6 inch quick adjust hex head pliers (both milwaukee).
This is twice that Zack has proved what we all know. That as enthusiast and collectors we're the unusual/weird ones, carrying expensive, quality knives. Most working guys I know carry junk gas station type knives if any at all. Loved it...jb
Hey great video!! Mechanic my self so I dig this one!! I agree with the not carrying a knife during work hours just so I don't scratch vehicles. I carry a baby banter to and from work on the daily! Funny how most mechanics carry a streamlight flashlight! Also what I carry at work. And a olight for my not at work carry.
Mechanic of 23 years myself. 99% of mechanics who use streamlights only use them because that's what the tool truck sells and they offer financing. It's kind of sad because there are plenty of great, inexpensive lights out there but most are either addicted to, or just balls deep in tool truck financing. I myself have sworn off tool trucks 10 years ago and never looked back. I do not owe one cent to anyone, I 100% own all my tools.
Some younger techs I know who got hooked early are locked into INSANE amounts of debt to those tool truck guys. I'm talking 20 grand plus.