Your everyday carry says a lot about who you are and what you’re prepared for. It’s not about showing off gear on Instagram; it’s about having the tools to handle whatever comes your way, from the daily grind to that worst-case scenario you hope never happens.
My EDC isn’t built around trends or gimmicks. It’s been shaped by years of real-world use, training, and trial by fire. Some pieces have been with me for decades because they flat-out work. Others are newer additions that had to prove themselves under pressure before earning a place on my belt or in my pocket.
This is the gear I carry every single day, the knife that’s survived saltwater abuse, the pistol that’s eaten over a thousand rounds without a hiccup, and the watch that’s as tough as the Marines who wore it back in the ‘90s.
Why the Spyderco Delica 4 Still Has a Place in My Pocket
Some gear earns its spot and never leaves. The Spyderco Delica 4 is one of those.
Lightweight, compact, and razor-sharp with its VG-10 stainless steel blade, this knife has been with me through everything from daily utility tasks to backcountry trips. I’ve used it for carving, prepping kindling, striking a Ferro rod, and even endured a week of daily saltwater submersion without issue. A quick cleaning and light coat of oil were all it took to bring it back to perfect condition.
For spring and summer runs, I clip the Delica 4 to my waistband. Rain or sweat doesn’t phase it, and it has never failed me in years of use. For under $90, it’s hard to find another EDC knife with this much versatility and durability.
Why the Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA Remains My Go-To Flashlight
Flashlights are often overlooked in EDC setups, but they shouldn’t be. The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA has been my reliable companion for years, and it’s not going anywhere.
Compact enough to ride in a pocket, it features dual-fuel capability—running on either a CR123 for maximum brightness or a standard AA battery if that’s all I can find. That versatility alone makes it an invaluable tool for travel, work, or emergencies.
The serrated bezel adds a measure of defensive utility, and its simple tailcap switch ensures intuitive operation. No matter where I am, I know I’ll have reliable illumination when I need it most.
Why I Switched to the Citizen Promaster Diver
Some gear you try for a season and move on from. Other gear becomes part of your story. For me, the Citizen Promaster Diver is in the second category.
In the early 1990s, I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, serving as an Infantry Mortarman (81 mm), and later deployed with the 24th MEU (SOC). At the base PX, I picked up a Citizen Promaster Diver. That watch never left my wrist. Jungle humidity, saltwater swims, cold-weather field ops, nights sleeping in the rain, it took the same abuse I did and never quit.
No batteries to swap, no babying required. It just worked. And when you’re a young Marine bouncing between deployments, that’s exactly what you need: gear you don’t have to think about.
Fast forward 30 years, and Citizen is still making a nearly identical watch: the BN0150-28E Promaster Diver. Same rugged DNA, just tuned up for today. You’re still getting ISO 6425-certified 200-meter water resistance, a stainless steel 44mm case, Eco-Drive solar power (no batteries required), a screw-down crown, and lume that cuts through the darkness.
Yeah, I’ll admit it—part of why I bought one again was nostalgia. That original Promaster saw me through some of the most formative years of my life. But it’s not just about the past. This watch remains a legitimate tool watch today. It’s built to take a beating, keep running, and look good doing it.
The fact that Citizen didn’t feel the need to reinvent it after three decades says everything you need to know. Some things just get it right the first time.
Why the Ridge Wallet Still Fits My Needs
Minimalist carry has its advantages, and the Ridge Wallet nails it. Mine is titanium, slim, and built tough. It holds 8–12 cards securely, keeps a few folded bills on hand with the cash strap, and blocks RFID scanning.
I switched from a bulky leather wallet years ago, and I’ve never looked back. For around $85, it’s a sleek, durable option that simplifies my everyday carry.
Why I Switched from the Glock 17 to the PSA Dagger Compact
For years, my everyday carry pistol was a Glock 17. It’s a classic for a reason: reliable, proven, and backed by decades of service. But carrying a full-size pistol every day has its trade-offs. I wanted something a little more compact, optics-ready, and easier to live with day in and day out, without giving up reliability. That search led me to the PSA Dagger Compact.
Live Inventory Price Checker
|
|
PSA Dagger Compact Complete Polymer Frame & PSA Dagger Full Size - S Complete Polymer Frame, Black | Palmetto State Armory | $ 179.98 $ 99.99 |
|
|
PSA Dagger Compact 9mm RMR Pistol w/ 10 PMAG 27rd/15rd Magazines & PSA Pistol Bag | Palmetto State Armory | $ 449.99 $ 419.99 |
|
|
|
PSA Dagger Compact Complete Polymer Frame & PSA Dagger Full Size - S Complete Polymer Frame, FDE | Palmetto State Armory | $ 99.99 |
|
|
PSA Dagger Compact 9mm Pistol With Extreme Carry Cuts RMR Slide, Threaded Barrel - 2-Tone Sniper Green With PSA Soft Case | Palmetto State Armory | $ 359.99 $ 309.99 |
|
I’ll be honest, at first, I wasn’t sure the Dagger would hold up. PSA had its share of criticism when these first hit the market. But after putting one through its paces, my doubts disappeared quickly.
The ergonomics are solid. The grip angle locks in naturally, the extended beavertail keeps slide bite away, and the slight magwell flare gives extra support where it counts. The trigger has a cleaner break than I expected, with less of that spongy feel you get from a bladed safety. Add in PSA’s stainless guide rod instead of a polymer one, and the gun feels more refined than its price suggests.
But the real test was on the range. Over the past few months, I’ve run more than 1,200 rounds through the Dagger, using everything from 115-grain FMJ to 147-grain poly ammo from HOP Munitions, with Magpul, Glock OEM, and Mec-Gar magazines. It’s eaten everything without a single malfunction. For a pistol that costs around $320, that’s impressive.
The only hiccup I’ve had? The factory suppressor-height front sight worked loose after a range session. A little Loctite fixed it, and since I’m running a red dot anyway, it wasn’t a dealbreaker. Speaking of optics, I mounted a budget-friendly red dot on mine, which gives me a complete, carry-ready setup for under $500.
The best part? It fits in the Glock 19/17 holsters I already own, so the transition from the Glock 17 was seamless. That alone made it easy to carry daily without having to rework my entire setup.
Bottom line: the Glock 17 earned my trust years ago, but the PSA Dagger Compact has now earned its spot in my EDC. It’s smaller, optics-ready, and—so far—just as reliable.
- Holster: Tier 1 Concealed
- Magazines: MEC-GAR 18-round Metal Mags
- Ammo: HOP Munitions 147-grain HP
Conclusion: The Gear That Earned Its Place
EDC isn’t about carrying the newest gadget or filling your pockets just to say you’re “prepared.” It’s about gear that proves itself, day after day, in the real world.
My setup isn’t flashy, but it’s dependable. The Spyderco Delica 4 has been with me through years of hard use and still rides with me on daily runs. The Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA is the light I know will work, whether I have a CR123 or just a spare AA battery lying around. The Citizen Promaster Diver has been on my wrist since my Marine Corps days, and the updated version hasn’t skipped a beat. And the PSA Dagger Compact—a pistol I was skeptical about at first—has now gone over 1,200 rounds without a hiccup and fully earned its spot in my carry.
At the end of the day, that’s what matters. Every piece of gear here has been tested, proven, and trusted, not because of a brand name or a price tag, but because it works when I need it most. That’s the only standard that counts.
PSA Dagger Compact 9mm Pistol REVIEW | You’re Gonna Want To Read This
About Scott Witner
Scott Witner is a former Marine Corps Infantryman with 2ndBn/8th Marines. He completed training in desert warfare at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Mountain Warfare and survival at the Mountain Warfare Training Center, the South Korean Mountain Warfare School in Pohang, and the Jungle Warfare school in the jungles of Okinawa, Japan. He now enjoys recreational shooting, trail running, hiking, functional fitness, and working on his truck. Scott resides in Northeastern Ohio.
Charlie Kirk has been shot.
Dear God. Please take Charlie into your loving arms as he was trying to do your work and make America a better place to live and change the perception of the Satanists that push their sickness of LGBTQ, abortion and all tolerance for criminals releasing them back into the public making our society less safe. Charlie was a supporter of your children in Israel and new the war between them and the Muslims was soley based on hatred for the Jewish people and talked and demonstrated how that was wrong. Please help law enforcement find the shooter and give him/her… Read more »
Charlie Kirk has been killed.