You guys are killing me...

[Boom-stick]

After reading and posting here for the past few months I feel like I've undergone some kind of neurolinguistic re-programing.

I now carry a day-pac to work, my wallet has switched from my back pocket to my front pocket, my desk drawer contains (according to my colleges) some really weird stuff, delta -dart, lights, crowbar, multi tool and a full array of meds. There's a knife on my key chain etc...
I've started going back down the gym, walking to work and drinking less.
All of these changes only dawned on me today!!

But I need some help, I wear a suit to work and my time is 40/50% office based and the rest out with 'joe public' whilst my pac lives under my desk during the day. I need some different carry options as my suit is starting to strain with everything I load up with in the mornings, I even started leaving my leatherman wave at home??

As I'm in the UK firearms are left at home and asp style batons have now been outlawed, lucky I don't have one of those then along with locking or fixed bladed knives.
When I return from vacation I'll be ordering a surefire E2D and a new spyderco UK penknife.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[real_name]

An Englishman drinking less? So you're down to just 10 pints a night then?

If you need a better way of carrying a few essentials while you are in the suit I suggest getting a neck wallet, you can get them from YHA or any of the camping stores in Covent Garden. It's a discrete skin colored wallet that is used by travellers to store the passport and travellers checks but could easily accomodate a few survival essentials if you pack things tightly. Then it can be worn over one arm so it sits under your armpit.
I'm sure there are other options, and with the climate there being the way it is you will probably be able to wear some kind of tactical undershirt comfortably.
TIP: put a guitar string through the neckstring to prevent theft.
If you need to actually replace your pack while you're out of the office I would suggest getting a laptop bag. It still looks professional enough but is also very roomy. Obviously, it will be a target for theft but you sound ready for that. Here in the States there are laptop bags that are specifically designed to carry concealed firearms, I think Uncle Mike's of Oregon make one for example. I realise you won't be carrying a firearm but a bag kiited out thus would surely be kitted out with internal pockets that would still benefit you.

 

[tellner]

5.11 Tactical and Scott eVest make sports coats designed to hold a lot of stuff without bulging. 5.11 is closing out its denim jackets and trench coats, to there's an opportunity for a good deal or two there. They also have a suspension system of velcro and modular pouches for attaching gear. SeV makes a nicer jacket and also has pants that could hide half the Royal Navy without printing.

 

[Boom-stick]

An Englishman drinking less? So you're down to just 10 pints a night then?

I say 'less', what I mean is, I've gone from 'pints' to large whiskeys. That's less, right??

The neck wallet with the guitar string is a great idea.
I have a laptop bag, but it's got my laptop in it??

5.11 is on my shopping list but not for work, I sell real estate and for the higher end of the market that I deal with, well, lets just say 5.11 isn't the image my company is looking for

 

[real_name]

Large laptop bag.
http://www.msar.com/UM/5255-2.html#60

 

[tellner]

Their blazer is actually pretty good looking. But that's why I suggested the SeV version. Their stuff is much more expensive but much more attractive and really is better designed for holding lots of stuff invisibly.

 

[Boom-stick]

Have you got a web link for SeV?

DW

 

[real_name]

Most likely it is this item.
http://rstacticalgear.com/pd_sev_tecsport_jacket.cfm
Looks good. And only 120 Pounds sterling (+/-)

 

[tellner]

http://www.scottevest.com

in particular...

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/30_sport_jacket.shtml

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/40_Milan

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/40_Rodeo

and maybe

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/hiddencargopants.shtml

The other jackets (I like the version 4.0 ones) are more less dressy, more functional.

I swear, with all the shilling I do for them, Jordan should put me on salary

 

[Boom-stick]

Thanks for that, googled sev and found www.scottevest.com
they have the jacket on sale $179!! i'll see if they ship to the UK?

 

[CAS700850]

Look for a shoulderbag that carries both a briefcase and files. the one I use by American Tourister can carry my laptop, power cord, several files, pens and work accessories, a couple of knives, a Leatherman, a Smith 649 in a quick-opening outer pocket, and a Glock 19 with multiple magazines on the inside. Not that I ever did that.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I can't remeber the name of it, but there is a company out of S. America that makes suits with kevlar woven inside. They range from being cut resistant, to withstanding most pistol caliber rounds. Of course the price ranges from $5,000-$15,000, but they at least look the part of a nice dress suit.

Edit: On a more realistic note, Look for suit jackets that are not constricting. The biggest problem with most jackets is that they restrict the movements of the arms. I saw an add for a local "Big & Tall" store that was selling suit jackets with strechable fabric in the shoulders so that the large men could bend and move their arms w/o ripping the jacket. That could be very useful if you have to move quickly to defend yourself.

Also think James Bond when you are trying to carry most of your daily kit. Suits usually have inside pockets where you can carry a fair amount of gear w/o looking odd. If you need more, or discrete storage, sew small pockets inside the sleeves near the cuffs or along the hem of the jacket (an old street performers trick). With practice you can access theses pockets w/o drawing attention.

 

[Waitone]

Seville Street?

I'm sure you could box up what you intend to carry and mosey (that's Yank for "wander") on down and ask what a world class tailor would suggest.

Now paying for it is a different matter.

 

[tellner]

International/Outside The US
SeV ships outside the US via UPS Worldwide Express, Express Plus and Expedited, and Canada Standard. Cost varies upon location and shipping method. Costs will be provided during checkout.

 

[real_name]

Seville Street?

Do you mean Saville Row?
Many well regarded tailors can be found there but they are more interested in making fine suits than making tactical wear.

 

[Boom-stick]

I've only ever bought one suit from a Saville Row Taylor, it was one of their off the peg numbers in a 'less-than-half-price' sale and it still cost over £500 ($950) before before being altered.

 

[tellner]

That high squeaking sound you hear is my jewels getting caught in a vice.

 

[Boom-stick]

Scratch the above post, I've just checked my wardrobe and I actually have 2 suits from that guy, one in green and one in biege.

 

[The Dan in Black]

Tellner,

Thanks for posting that link. I've been looking for a new hoodie and at $30, the one they have is well worth it.

- D