Staff Picks: Pocket Dump from Ilya

Hi Everyone, For me EDC is not just a bunch of tools, but also a reflection of who you are. So I like when things you possess have some deeper meaning. Things that you carry with you every day should tell a story about yourself. Here is my story.

Watch- Phoibos is a well known microbrand that offers great value for reasonable money. This Reef Master was my first “real” mechanical watch that I decided to try. And its absolutely fantastic. NH35 movement + sapphire crystal+ ceramic bezel for around 300 usd is a “goodbye Seiko” package. And the design language speaks to me in several ways. The Octopus on the dial represents the multitasking that you need to have in my profession. Working in logistics business you often have to do a lot of different things at once, orchestrating the process to keep the cargo flowing. The sandwich trafaret numerals reminds me of my traumatic soviet past. Back in the days, living in Soviet Union, you faced those everywhere. All the signs on the walls & posters around you had been made with trafarets. So looking at this dial makes me a bit sentimental & optimistic at the same time 🙂

Flashlight- Being an advocate for 18650 format, I decided to try this Wuben Owl flashlight because having a lot of flashlights, at some point you get tired of the same pattern. X3 brings a breath of freshness to the market. Its not the first to have a rotating head. And not the first to have dual lights. And not the first to have a case with a charger. But its the first to combine all of them in one package. Moreover, the overall aesthetics & build quality takes this flashlight from “tool” into “gadget” category. The only things that bugs me a bit is that you dont have USB-C charging port & you need to keep the magnet away from your watch 🙁 And although im still more a fan of 18650, im glad that companies like Wuben & Rovyvon are not afraid of pushing innovations experimenting with new products.

Knife- After having a lot of different knives, you get your own preferences. And Chase from Quiet Carry has everything that I love in knives- 3 inch blade, good steel, liner lock, G10 scales & full liners that are skeletonised. The attention to details and excellent execution makes this knife one of my favorites. Its not mindblowing in any separate dimension, but in general its a great overall versatile folder with everything I like.

Hank- Last but not least. Kimagi hank with a Japanese pattern is my choice for office carry. During my teenage years, I grew up on Yukio Mishima books that shaped my personality & made me the person I am. Since those times, I always try to have something with Japanese vibes with me as a reminder of The Way that we all choose & what I had chosen for myself.

Hope that was entertaining.
Thanks for the podcast!
Ilya.