I recently read a webpage where the author jokingly referred to his “take anywhere, always ready EDC tool kit”.
This was a split ring that rode on his keyring. On that ring was a Photon II LED light, a 58mm Swiss Army knife, and a P51.
I had a quiet chuckle, since I have essentially the same kit on my keyring.
Keyring Tool Kit
My keyring is an unlocked carabineer. Items can easily be added or removed.
It hangs from the ring of the belt hanger over my right front trouser pocket. The carabineer itself is a useful tool. I recently used it as a handle for an overly filled shopping bag.
Whistle
The most obvious difference is that my keyring kit also includes a whistle.
This is a thin brass tube that came with a cheap hollow-handled survival knife my brother had back in the 80s.
Technically speaking, it is better to have a non-metallic whistle for if temperatures drop below zero. (I have a number of plastic whistles with other items of gear such as the soft-core pack and German Army parka.)
I stick with the brass whistle on my keyring, since I have not encountered a non-metallic whistle that is as compact. If I really needed a keyring whistle for arctic conditions, I could probably make one from wood or scrap plastic.
Light
My Photon light is a knock-off, since I am a cheap bastard and got about a dozen for a fraction of the price of an original.
Gave some of those to friends.
Another is with my lock pick pouch.
The remaining lights give enough spares and batteries for mine to last me decades.
That said, my pseudo-photon still lights with its original batteries, and must be at least ten years old.
Rambler Swiss Army Knife
My keyring has a 58mm Swiss Army knife, and some readers will know I recently replaced my old Classic SD with the Rambler.
The Classic SDs are great, but I really recommend the Rambler.
The Rambler comes with the 58mm version of a combo-tool. This has a wire-bender/stripper, cap-lifter and magnetic Phillips screwdriver.
Capability to handle Phillips‑head screws is one of the few shortfalls of my SAK Ranger. The 3 mm screwdriver on the can opener can handle some Phillips screws, and the point of the nail-file might work.
My mini-Leatherman has a short, flat pointed tool that is intended for Phillips screws.
However, some screwheads are at the bottom of narrow screw wells.
The Rambler has a 3D Phillips screwdriver that has more reach and is better suited to narrow places than the Ranger and mini-Leatherman tools.
The Rambler works with the Ranger in much the same way my Mora and kukri do.
The Rambler is easier to get at than the Ranger, so gets used for most jobs, which generally do not need a larger knife. Using the Rambler instead keeps the Ranger in good condition for when it is really needed, and decreases the chance of the Ranger getting lost.
The Rambler gives me two screwdrivers, scissors, a nail-file, a small blade, a bottle-opener, wire‑stripper/bender, toothpick and tweezers.
If I choose to carry a knife other than the Ranger, the Rambler on my keyring means I still have available to me some of the most useful capabilities of a penknife.
Being on my keyring, the Rambler and the other tools on the ring are readily available and immediately to hand. Thus, they see more use than items in pouches, pockets, or tucked in wallets.
Being with your keys, this is the tool set you are most likely to have with you when you need a tool.
Tools left at home in a cupboard or in your truck are not so useful.
P51 Can-Opener
The final object on that split-ring is a P51 can-opener. You can open a can with a Rambler/Classic SD, but a P51 is easier.
The P51 is the bigger brother of the famous P38 mini-can-opener. Some jobs were too much for the little P38, so the P51 was created.
Contrary to what you may read on many websites, the basic design dates back to at least 1924.
The P38 is about 38 mm/1.5 inches long, and has a hole in one of the “top” corners. The P51 is about 51 mm/2 inches long and has its hole at the bottom end.
Of the two types, I recommend the P51, since it has more leverage and is less fiddly, for a barely noticeable increase in size.
If you find the hook blade tends to catch on things, wrap a few centimetres of duct tape around it. The duct tape itself may prove useful.
There are whole webpages describing the various uses a P38/P51 may be put to.
Some of my favourites include:
Pry-bar suitable for opening paint tins and similar
Improvised screwdriver
Box cutter/letter opener
Fingernail cleaner
Measuring gauge
Improvised fishing lure
Scraper for ice
May be easily modified into a ferro-rod striker.
The P51 covers many of the applications that the Rambler does not.
For some jobs it is quicker to bring the P51 into action than to unfold a SAK blade.
Bottle-Opener
On its own ring on the keyring is a bottle‑opener.
The Ranger has a bottle‑opener, the Rambler has a bottle‑opener. The mini‑Leatherman has a bottle‑opener. With a little fiddling, I have opened bottles with the P51. Why do I need yet another bottle‑opener?
A while back I was at a party. Plenty of beer bottles, but bottle‑openers were in short supply.
I lent my Swiss Army knife to some people, but this made me nervous.
Several times have I lent items out and they have proved so useful they were never returned.
I added a “loaner” bottle‑opener to my keyring so in future I would not have to offer more prized tools. It is also quicker to use than the penknives, since nothing needs unfolding.
Other Items
A couple of other minor items may also be found on my keyring.
A paperclip is a useful bit of wire with several possible uses. Push resets of electrical devices. Eject stuck DVDs and computer discs. Can be used to shim or pick handcuffs.
There is a little key from a luggage padlock. This can open many small warded locks.
There is also a short length of insulated wire to bridge electrical circuits.
Conclusion
So there you have it.
One split ring, four(ish) tools.
A tool kit that will nearly always be with you and offers a wide range of useful capabilities.
This is a very good starting point for creating your EDC. Add some cordage and a lighter to your pocket and you have taken a big step in the right direction.
Procuring these items will not break the bank. Adding such a kit to your keyring is within most people’s means.