EDC for the office

[JohnnyEgo]

So in my work life, I am 'the man', by which I mean every morning I wake up, put on my corporate issued personality, and go forth and middle manage. In corporate speak, it's not that the bag is worth the extra $100. Most of them are probably sewn by the same Indonesian children who put out Kathy Gifford's fall line. What it is about is the signalling. Some will look at the bag and say 'that's an adventuresome guy who is ready to take on the world, and doesn't mind getting his white collar dirty in the field'. Some will look at it and go home and google it, and when they find out what you spent on it, they will decide whether to be jealous or concerned that you are making more than they are. Your underlings may look at it and decide whether you are professional and upwardly mobile, and then determine whether they should align themselves with you or not. Some will wonder where your velcro wallet is and think 'my god, I have kids older than this guy'. The bag dorks will give you a knowing nod that fills you with a warm glow of recognition and respect. And the front line mostly won't care.

So if you ask what separates the $40 bag from the $400 bag, the answer is usually a whole lot of signalling. I won't say that it is unimportant, because anything that affects your ability to provide for your family or be able to afford that extra brick of .22lr or fully fund your 401K is important. Signalling also goes on in every industry in one form or another. For my independent contractors, it tends to be all about who drives the biggest truck. As to how important it may be to the public at large, the truth is 'not very'.

[Sixgun]

Railroad guys like Red oxx. Life time warranty....

http://www.redoxx.com/Shop-by-Gear-I...095/13/Product

[Ropes4u]

I had to google 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' I thought that was some exotic EDC weapon you carried to the office.
It looks interesting.

I've got nothing on the bags, but congrats on the promotion.





HA, look up the saddlebacks!

That is the best lunch box I have ever owned, add their travel coffee mug while you are at it.

[Ropes4u]

That's an awfully expensive bag... What does it do that a $30-40 bag won't?

I haven't found a bag I like for $40, shoot me some links

[Ropes4u]

So in my work life, I am 'the man', by which I mean every morning I wake up, put on my corporate issued personality, and go forth and middle manage. In corporate speak, it's not that the bag is worth the extra $100. Most of them are probably sewn by the same Indonesian children who put out Kathy Gifford's fall line. What it is about is the signalling. Some will look at the bag and say 'that's an adventuresome guy who is ready to take on the world, and doesn't mind getting his white collar dirty in the field'. Some will look at it and go home and google it, and when they find out what you spent on it, they will decide whether to be jealous or concerned that you are making more than they are. Your underlings may look at it and decide whether you are professional and upwardly mobile, and then determine whether they should align themselves with you or not. Some will wonder where your velcro wallet is and think 'my god, I have kids older than this guy'. The bag dorks will give you a knowing nod that fills you with a warm glow of recognition and respect. And the front line mostly won't care.

So if you ask what separates the $40 bag from the $400 bag, the answer is usually a whole lot of signalling. I won't say that it is unimportant, because anything that affects your ability to provide for your family or be able to afford that extra brick of .22lr or fully fund your 401K is important. Signalling also goes on in every industry in one form or another. For my independent contractors, it tends to be all about who drives the biggest truck. As to how important it may be to the public at large, the truth is 'not very'.

Spot on for the trips to the corporate office, I work remote now. I was once told to not wear a tie for a presentation because it was pretentious for my position, lol. There are definite rules for negotiating the corporate world and the higher up you move the harder they can be to survive.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Hmm ... I signal my corporate office with what I know and can do. My briefcase is one I got on sale at REI for about $30 that has room for my files and occasionally my thermos as well as pens and other tech accoutrements. A lot of the time I just carry an aluminum clipboard I got while in service, a notepad, and my calendar. I thank God I don't work in DC or for a company where people play these signalling games.

[Aloha_Shooter]

I haven't found a bag I like for $40, shoot me some links

http://www.rei.com/product/885918/co...-2013-closeout



Not my color but for $29.73 I'll toss it in a bucket with some Rit ...

[KS63]

I am being promoted and have decided to give myself the gift of a new bag(s) for work. I was wondering if anyone was using the ToPo Mountain Bag?

I am also considering a TNF Surge and a Bihn Synapse 19. The bags will be used to drag a laptop and work supplies back and forth from the house to the office. If I get a backpack it must be capable of carrying my Zojirushi Mr. Bento. I prefer something capable of going to the corporate office and as such prefer not to have a tacticool bag. Saddleback is to much $$ to commit to right now.

The Mountain Bag
http://topodesigns.com/products/mountain-bag

Ah, a Man Bag. I've got one that's similar to that one and it's got a bunch of pockets and zippers. It even has a container on the front for wet wipes. I do not use it anymore as my kid is 4yrs old. Very similar. Mine is in Spec Ops Black.

[Zundfolge]

I had to google 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' I thought that was some exotic EDC weapon you carried to the office.

HA! I too thought a 'Zojirushi Mr. Bento' was a knife (a "bento knife" is a smaller knife used in making sushi ... basically a Japanese paring knife). That's why I made the crack about "where's the gun go?" since I thought the OP was carrying a kitchen knife since he's not allowed to carry weapons at work.

[Grant H.]

I use one of these in khaki everyday.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/...dium-28p70.htm