Like every carpenter and tradesman, I am constantly on the lookout for a better way to carry all the tools I use on a job. This search has taken me from buckets with “organizers” to bottomless tool bags, to fancy pack out systems, all in the hope of finding the perfect way to carry the tools that I need the most. About a year ago I discovered my latest and best solution to date: The Savage Industries EDC ONE. The brainchild of Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame, it breaks the tool bag mold in quite a few interesting ways that come together to make this bag the most effective tool bag that I own.
Let’s start with the obvious: This bag is white, both on the outside, and—more importantly—on the inside. This means that when you’re looking for something in the bag, you can actually see what’s in there. No more black hole. This means that I am much more likely to double check what is in my bag before I leave my truck to do a job.
The bag is made from recycled sail cloth, making it much lighter than its canvas or ballistic nylon competitors, but is still tough enough to stand up to the rigors of a construction site. Combined with the clam shell opening that actually opens all the way—and stays open so you don’t have to constantly fight the bag—this lightweight bag is just the right size and shape to carry everything I might need for a particular job. And let’s not overlook the benefits of a single open compartment, which means I can fit all the tools I might need for a task without needing to stuff them into special little pockets or holders. This also makes clean-up a breeze; just open the bag, shove everything back in, and zip it shut.
This bag isn’t all great though. There are definitely a few issues. First of all, the price. At $225 for what amounts to a gym bag with no fancy organization, I would say this tool bag is a little overpriced. Then there is the shoulder strap, which I feel is way too skinny to comfortably use when the bag is full (though the magnetized handles, which I use more often when lugging the bag around, are fine). Also, the white sail cloth that makes it so easy to find tools quickly becomes dirty after a few weeks of use. While the bag is machine washable, it still ends up looking a little too dingy to carry into the homes of some of our higher-end clients.
In short, if you have some extra cash and are tired of trying to find the perfect tool storage solution and like the way this bag looks then give it a try. To me, after a year of daily use, all of the pros have proven to outweigh the cons.
This article originally appeared in TOOLS OF THE TRADE.
