Trending Gear: September 2022

It’s been 30+ years since the original G-SHOCK DW-5000C was released back in 1983. While many things have changed since then, a lot has remained the same—don’t fix what isn’t broken, after all. And that’s exactly the case with the G-SHOCK GW-M5610-1ER. While it has been modernized to meet today’s standards, it preserves the DNA of the original, since only watches modeled after it can use the 5600 designations. The modern 5610 starts off with a shock-resistant case made out of resin, to protect against impact and vibration. Like its predecessor, this is a squared case, measuring 46.7 x 43.2mm.

Before the ultra-popular Bugout, there was the Benchmade Griptilian, an all-around knife that features a CPM-S30VN steel blade with excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention, as well as its little (and popular) brother, the 556BK-S30V. The 2.91" blade is an excellent size for EDC and gives you more than enough edge to get the job done, and with its classic drop point blade you’ll be able to cut, slice, and pierce to your heart’s content. The textured nylon handles give a comfortable touch and help maximize your grip, giving the knife its namesake, and brings the weight of the Griptillian down to 2.56 oz. As for deployment and lock-up, Benchmade’s iconic AXIS lock gives the knife ambidextrous performance and security while offering you convenient one-handed deployment. For carry options, you have access to a lanyard hole and a reversible, tip-up clip.

The Knipex Cobra XS is one of the most popular compact everyday carry tools and one look at its small size and innovative design makes it easy to see why. This precision-crafted German tool measures 3.9“ in length, but has a quick-adjust box joint mechanism that lets you grip up to a 1“ wide item all the way down to a flat sheet of paper when in its minimum position. Because it’s designed to fit in the fifth pocket of your jeans, you can always have this tool on you as a backup, and it’s great to have underneath a sink as you’re trying to get at nuts and fasteners in awkward spaces without a lot of clearance where larger traditional tongue-and-groove pliers and wrenches would fail.

RovyVon’s Aurora series of lights have become a staple in the EDC community when it comes to keychain flashlights, and it’s easy to see why. They’re super small, bright for their size, and versatile for both main and backup EDC. Case in point: the Aurora A1x, an upgraded version of the original A1, which comes available with a Nichia 219C emitter. This means that in exchange for a slightly lower output, you get massive gains when it comes to color accuracy. The A1x takes full advantage of a new side-switch for its operation. This single button comes in a smaller size to prevent accidental activation and pulls double duty as a low-voltage indicator.

The OPen Pro is the latest in Olight's line of machined pens, distilling all the key features of the prior OPen models into a sleeker form factor while still bringing more to the table. Like in previous models, the OPen can operate as a whole light and pen combo or as independent halves--the bottom utilizing a bolt-action operation for writing duty, while the top half is in charge of illumination. The aluminum alloy construction lends itself to super-tough everyday use, with knurling on the main barrel to help with grip. The 120-lumen light on the Pro takes a new position on the tip of its clip, while a Class 1 ≤0.39mW green laser sits up top. Recharging is also easy for this top half via USB-C. The OPen Pro helps cover a number of EDC bases in one sleek package, and takes the 6th spot for September.

The Western Active Honey Badger is a smooth-operating pocket knife that reflects the toughness and ferocity of its namesake animal. At 3.2 ounces and 4" closed, it offers a lot of performance in a value-packed, compact package. A flick of the flipper tab deploys the 3" 8Cr13MoV blade with a vigorous and audible snap thanks to smooth internal roller bearings, but you can also slow-roll it using the thumb hole cutout. The Honey Badger’s handle scales feature a distinct honeycomb pattern—a nod to the preferred food of its namesake—and it provides a secure multi-directional grip. The blade’s integrated and jimped finger choil further aids grip and handling, letting you choke up on the knife for extra precision and control. Retracting the blade is easy via the familiar liner locking mechanism, with the same smooth bearings letting it drop smoothly shut. When you’re done with it, tucking the knife away is convenient with its reversible deep-carry pocket clip. The Honey Badger is available in a variety of blade shapes, including a utilitarian wharncleaver, a clawback for emergency or tactical use, and choil-less straight edge upgraded to tough D2 steel.

In a sea of over-engineered, nigh-indestructible offerings, some selections shine through with uncomplicated and functional designs. This week’s trending Chums Surfshorts Wallet is one such option whose simplistic build would be a good fit for any active lifestyle. At 4.5”x3” this minimal wallet fits into small pockets, and ripstop nylon construction keeps it lightweight yet durable. Two zipper pockets accommodate a handful of cards and cash, one of which has a separate card window for IDs. Finally, the exterior features a key ring that can be tucked into its own pocket for easy access.

The Victorinox Spartan is a compact to medium-sized Swiss Army Knife designed for a wide range of everyday tasks. Inside its 3.6“ body, you’ll find 12 different functions. You get two different size blades, a can opener, two screwdrivers, a reamer, a key ring, a bottle opener and Victorinox’s iconic pair of tweezers and toothpick. There’s also room for a wire stripper whenever you need to do a quick repair, and a corkscrew ideal for a picnic or a celebration. This fan favorite weighs in at only 2.1 oz, providing you plenty of functionality without any of the bulk. Finally, you can find it in its classic red scales or 7 other different colors, so you can match it with your style and carry.

With the number of options out there, selecting the right multi-tool helps you complete a task-effective and pocket-efficient carry. The Gerber Armbar Drive tosses its hat into the ring with a compact form factor reminiscent of folding pocket knives, a usable fine edge, and an extendable bit driver. The aluminum handle holds a 2.5" blade that deploys via a thumbhole and is held in place by a sturdy framelock. The rest of the tools fold out in the same fashion: an awl, a pair of scissors, and a bit driver.

September's most popular item and still considered as one of the brightest AAA flashlights at 300 lumens, the classic SureFire Titan Plus continues to be a pocket favorite for the EDC community due to its compact form factor, simple twisty interface, and strong build quality. The nickel coated brass body gives it a hefty, premium feel, and the smooth machined threads let you know you’re handling a premium light. It comes with rechargeable NiMH battery, which powers the cool white Cree XP-G2 LED up to 300 lumens.