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Everyday Carry: Field Reporter

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Some storytellers require little more than a desk and a pad of paper to produce tales of adventure — be they true stories or fictional escapades. Other folks, however, require a finger on the pulse of the comings and goings of the world to properly paint a picture of the tale they’re trying to tell. For those familiar with journalism, you may have heard these folks referred to as “field reporters.” Essentially, these writers literally and physically chase stories around the world, ensuring that their pieces are injected with boots-on-the-ground first-person veracity with details that could only be discerned by folks in attendance of whatever event it is they’re covering. Of course, to do that properly, field reporters also require a useful set of everyday carry gear to ensure that no bit of information goes overlooked or unconsidered. It’s with these intrepid scribes in mind that we’ve put together the following EDC loadout — ideal for keeping tabs on every minutia as they travel from place to place, telling stories that deserve and need to be told.

CIVIVI C-Quill Bolt-Action Defense Pen

Some say that the pen is mightier than the sword, but having a pen that’s tough enough to use as a self-defense weapon makes that idiom seem even more truthful. And that’s what you’ll find in the CIVIVI C-Quill Bolt-Action Defense Pen. It’s constructed from solid aluminum — which makes it both lightweight and impact-resistant — and it has a glass-breaker tip for even more functionality in emergencies.

Purchase: $40

American Bench Craft Hemingway Journal

As digital as the world has become, there’s definitely still something to be said for the written word — especially for those who are traveling writers that need to make quick notes on the fly. As such, the American Bench Craft Hemingway Journal — built from premium full-grain vegetable-tanned leather here in the USA — is an indispensable tool. It even comes with a Field Notes book and has a lifetime guarantee.

Purchase: $94

Ray-Ban Rb3025 Aviator Sunglasses

It may be true that Ray-Ban’s Aviators are the most iconic sunglasses of all time. In any case, they’re timelessly stylish and are a longtime staple for adventurers, travelers, military and law enforcement personnel, and (of course) pilots. Featuring the same basic design that dates back to 1937, these ones offer 100% UV protection, have striking gold-colored frames, and come with a duo of G-15 lenses.

Purchase: $169

Spyderco SpyOpera Knife

Though much of their catalog toes the tactical line, sometimes Spyderco comes to the table with something a bit more refined — as is the case with their frankly-gorgeous SpyOpera knife you see here. This refined folder comes with a Bohler M390 blade (boasting the brand’s signature leaf shape and oversized thumb hole), a canvas Micarta handle, and a sturdy lockback mechanism. It’s still just as tough and functional as we’ve come to expect from Spyderco, but it scores big time in the style and refinement realms.

Purchase: $175

Rolex Explorer II Field Watch

Most people probably don’t think of Rolex when considering a watch for use during an adventure or when out in the field. We think that’s a shame, however, because their handsome and reliable Explorer II watch was built specifically with those purposes in mind. In fact, it comes with a highly-legible dial — complete with luminous markings for low-light usage — alongside an ultra-corrosion-resistant Oystersteel case and matching band, and it’s waterproof down to 330 feet. Pair that with a 24-hour bezel, automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and you’ve got yourself one of the best field watches around.

Purchase: $8,350