Carry Feature #008
Owen
@owen_edc
Welcome to our Carry Feature series where we feature a member from our community and dive a little deeper into who they are and why they chose the items that make up their everyday carry. Want to be featured? Submit your photo here (Google account required)!
Feature Q&A:
Q: Tell us about yourself. Who are you? What are you doing for a living? Where are you from?
A: I’m Owen, living and working from a small fishing town based on the North East coast of Scotland, UK called Arbroath. For a living, I am a CNC (computer numerical control) machinist, specifically a CNC Miller working for a company supplying high precision gears and transmission parts into all facets of industry, Renewables, Mining, Motorsport, and Defense. In fact, any industry that needs gears and transmission components can rely on us to supply parts to exacting standards.
I got into EDC after finding myself sitting for hours at a time watching @bestdamnedc YouTube videos along with others. I grew up spending my spare time in youth groups such as the army cadets, so always had an appreciation of relying on the gear you had on hand to complete jobs and tasks.
I started following EDC accounts from my personal Instagram account and then decided to make my own to keep things separate and now I find myself never on my personal Instagram!
Ever since joining the community, I have grown my personal collection with some sentimental pieces from friends and makers I have met along the way.
Q: What’s in your photo?
Key Chain
- @rambler.made “The Rabbit” Leather Key Chain Clip in Dark Brown
Peter’s leatherwork is second to none, from the product design, execution and attention to detail to the packaging and personal typed messages (on a typewriter) Peter has it all figured out! - Olight I3E EOS in Black (Buy Here)
Always handy having a keychain torch. I did have the I1R but charging it via USB annoyed me so the ability to change out the AAA battery makes up for the increase in size. - @cahptools Darkened Brass Panda Keychain
I got this in a package deal with their V3.5 knuck/bottle opener & panda bead, it has zero function but looks sweet on the keys.
Gear:
- @rambler.made “Raven” Minimalistic Leather Wallet in Dark Brown
This is the pre-order version that has the stamp of @raven_the_pirate on the reverse from the collab they did. There’s enough room for a couple of cards, some notes, and even a few coins while keeping a low profile. Again, I can’t praise Peter’s craftsmanship enough. - Leather Slip from @edcjournal/@spadesgoods
I was fortunate enough to have this gifted to me as a welcome into the EDC community, Pavol and I have stayed great friends since and as you can see it just gets better and better with age! - @dean_edc Modded SAK
Compact Tinker with brass scales and acid-etched/stonewashed tools. This was a birthday present from my girlfriend that Dean put together for her/me and as far as I am aware it is one of a very few! My all-time favorite modded SAK! - Olight i3t EOS in Desert Tan (Buy Here)
For the size – this thing packs a punch! Handy when walking the dog at night. Will be swapped out for a brass torch soon hopefully! - @875fps Brass Prybar with a @rjkcustoms Bead
This Pry was gifted to me from John after sending him some beads and brass dice! Everyone knows these prybars and how hard to get. They are scarce and for good reason! - Timex Expedition with Leather Strap (Buy Here)
Everyone needs to know the time/date, right? - @muskandhustle No.24 Nitro Pen™
These scents are unbelievably good! If you know – you know! To accompany it, the Nitro Skin™ Alpha leather sleeve, made by @lostdutchmanleather and sold via Musk & Hustle.
Q: What is your favorite personal photo from your own profile? Why?
A: This is my favorite photo from my personal page. Not only was it the first knife I bought myself (Victorinox Alox Pioneer) but it is also my workhorse! This thing takes a serious beating daily and just keeps going! Also, in my opinion, the use of swarf from my workplace as a backdrop combining my EDC with my career makes the photo.
Q: What is your favorite community photo from someone else’s profile? Why?
A: It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Sams (@raven_the_pirate). This photo by him blew me away at the time and still does, the effort that has clearly gone into it along with the idea behind it is just amazing. The Tuna sandwich (disassembled CRKT Tuna, Lucas Burnley) still laughing…
Q: How did you get into CNC machining your own beads, dice, and other metal goods?
A: Good question! In all honesty, I didn’t plan on making anything for anyone other than myself! I just didn’t want to pay the price of some other beads on the market. After thinking to myself “I could (maybe) do that” and some trial and error in the workshop after hours (shh don’t tell my boss) I came up with a design I was happy with and made a couple for myself. I then posted them to my EDC page but never with the intention to offer them to anyone.
I was blown away with the response which resulted in other members of the community wanting some for themselves. But in all honesty, it began with me gifting them to good friends I had made through the community as my way of saying thank you for the friendship and thanks to them sharing photos it kind of just blew up from there and I am forever grateful for it!
Q: What’s in your dream carry and why?
A: If I had an unlimited budget and if UK knife laws didn’t exist then I’d have to have myself a Ti Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 31 Drop Point. Being a fan of modded SAKs, I would also have to have one of Johns (@875fps) Ti SAKs to match – though, bagging one of these on his drops is next to impossible! Other than that, a nice watch (Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m) would be awesome.
But in all honesty, at the moment – being able to carry gear made by people I now call friends means more to me than the most expensive gear out there!
Q: Who is your favorite gear maker?
A: I am fortunate enough to have made some great friends through EDC who are also makers. Whether it’s been through trades or being gifted, I have accumulated some great pieces!
If its leatherwork you’re after, then my go-to makers are:
For SAK mods:
My Hank lady:
For the best scents around:
Q: What are your go-to #everydaycarry Instagram pages?
A:
- @_zedder82_ – a.k.a Torsten, he has been there for me since day one, continuously encouraging me with my page and whatever I am up to. It is also great to see how far his photography has come on and his continual support of other EDC pages.
- @raven_the_pirate – a.k.a Sam, this one is probably no shock to anyone! His photography is just mind-blowing, he is forever breaking boundaries and has some of the coolest gear around. His page has grown from strength to strength and the fact he still takes the time out to interact with his followers is very humbling.
- @the.owl.edc – a.k.a Junya, has his EDC dialed in, his photography is on point and he’s always thinking of ways to interact with the community and get people involved! He’s been supportive of me since day one and we’ve even swapped the odd gift or two!
Q: Any last comments?
A: Thank you for having me here on Novel Carry, I always enjoy reading the features on here and getting to know the people behind the pages so having my own is a great honor.
To all those that have taken the time out to read this feature thank you! Creating my EDC account is by far the best decision I have ever made and the friends I have made along the way are those to last a lifetime and for those who have gotten gear from me whether it be beads or dice I am forever grateful for your support.
