The Modern Maker's EDC: Where Dirt Meets Data

There’s a weird divide out there between the folks who work with their hands and the folks who work with their heads. Like you can’t turn a wrench if you know how to write a Python script, or you can’t appreciate a good compiler if you’ve got dirt under your fingernails.

At Clevis Barnwell’s, we call bullshit on that. The modern maker doesn't live in just one world. We fix, we build, and we debug. The tools we carry reflect that reality. It’s John Dutton meets Linus Torvalds out here, and your Everyday Carry (EDC) needs to keep up.

The Analog Foundation

You can’t hack a piece of paper. When the power goes out or you’re under a truck trying to sketch out a wiring diagram, you need something that just works. The Bolt Action Pen is our go-to. It’s machined to outlast you, with a satisfying click that doubles as a fidget toy while you’re waiting for your code to compile or your stain to dry. It doesn't need a firmware update.

Juice on the Go

But let’s be real—we’re dragging around a lot of silicon. Phones, earbuds, smartwatches. When you’re bouncing from the workshop to the server rack, dead batteries aren't an option. The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) is a permanent fixture in our go-bags. It folds down to nothing, charges three devices at once, and means you aren't hunting for cables when you should be hunting for that missing 10mm socket.

Powering the Shop

When you get back to home base, you need infrastructure that doesn't feel like a cheap plastic afterthought. Your workbench should be as robust as the tools on it. We've been running the CRST Metal Shop Power Strip on our main benches for months. Metal housing, individual switches, and enough juice to run your soldering iron, your laptop, and your shop vac without tripping a breaker.

Your EDC isn't just about what's in your pockets. It's the ecosystem of gear that lets you move seamlessly between the digital and the physical. Stay sharp, stay charged, and keep building.