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What unusual/uncommon item(s) do you always keep around for a perfectly logical reasons?
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MBech feddit.dk MBech@feddit.dk
Joined: 2025-02-17
#52 · Quote Reply

I always have a lighter on me, so I never need to find a bottle opener.

There's always something to open a bottle! A knife, a thick stick, your mate's worn shoe, your neighbor's side mirror. The possibilities are endless!

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muxika lemmy.world muxika@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-06-08
#53 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

It's not considered a deadly weapon (lol) in my state. You can even open carry it, but I'd rather not.

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MarieMarion literature.cafe MarieMarion@literature.cafe
Joined: 2025-06-05
#54 · Quote Reply

Tweezers. Always.

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FinjaminPoach lemmy.world FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-11-12
#55 · Quote Reply

I can’t be the first person to say this, but a poop-knife.
[deleted]
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rouxdoo lemmy.world rouxdoo@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-17
#56 · Quote Reply

I also usually have my phone within arms reach

The piddly light on my phone is no match for a real flashlight, though.

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fizzle quokk.au fizzle@quokk.au
Joined: 2025-11-21
#57 · Quote Reply

Fire extinguisher.

Get a small one and put it in your boot or the back of your ute (seppo: truck).

If you're ever first to a car accident, or have one yourself, you'll be very glad you have it.

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emeralddawn45 lemmy.dbzer0.com emeralddawn45@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2023-07-28
#58 · Quote Reply

The piddly light on my phone is no match for a real flashlight, though.

I mean idk, mine gets pretty fucking bright. So much so that I keep it on the lowest of like 4 or 5 settings by default. What are you having to illuminate regularly? I guess I might be biased as I like the dark and don't even really turn on lights if I'm home alone, but seriously why do you need a crazy bright flashlight all the time? I think they're cool but I actually can't think of a single use case where my phone wouldn't be good enough, outside of like actual camping or night hiking or something.

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oneser lemmy.zip oneser@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-06-28
#59 · Quote Reply

Fire extinguisher. Get a small one and put it in your boot or the back of your ute (seppo: truck). If you're ever first to a car accident, or have one yourself, you'll be very glad you have it.

Haven't read the word seppo for a hot minute. Thanks stranger, made my day!

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SparroHawc lemmy.zip SparroHawc@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-06-04
#60 · Quote Reply

A T Wrench set, Standard and Metric. Allen wrenches suck ass, they hurt my fingers and can never get a good turn on the screws. T wrenches give you something you can actually use without hurting your hand. Furniture slides. They have two types one for use on carpeted floors and one for hardwood floors. It makes moving furniture around so much easier. I also keep a furniture jack. That makes it ...

With an allen wrench, when you need to get more torque without killing your fingers, you hold it by the long side and stick the 'handle' in the screw.

2
tiredofsametab fedia.io tiredofsametab@fedia.io
Joined: 2024-08-14
#61 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

The longest ones also have (or at least had) a max of a few days of battery and many just 1-2 days. Found this out when Hurricane Ike rolled through Houston.

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SparroHawc lemmy.zip SparroHawc@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-06-04
#62 · Quote Reply

I didn't know a potato casserole could be used with such utility.

No no, you're thinking of scallop.

A scalpel is the medical term for the shoulderblade bone.

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tiredofsametab fedia.io tiredofsametab@fedia.io
Joined: 2024-08-14
#63 · Quote Reply

I have a dosimeter/geiger counter. So far, it's only been a neat toy for about an hour. I hope it never is more than that.

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BenderRodriguez lemmy.world BenderRodriguez@lemmy.world
Joined: 2026-01-30
#64 · Quote Reply

It's not considered a deadly weapon (lol) in my state. You can even open carry it, but I'd rather not.
[deleted]
2
early_riser lemmy.world early_riser@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-10-05
#65 · Quote Reply

[deleted]
[deleted]
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Atherel lemmy.dbzer0.com Atherel@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2024-06-14
#66 · Quote Reply

A handheld calculator and a slide rule. If the power goes out for a long time, I'll still be doing math while the rest of you chumps will be using your fingers to count to 10.

Joke's on you, I can get to 20 because I also use my toes!

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Mac mander.xyz Mac@mander.xyz
Joined: 2023-06-14
#67 · Quote Reply

Need to check amazon, my thinks

Fuck Amazon

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Mac mander.xyz Mac@mander.xyz
Joined: 2023-06-14
#68 · Quote Reply

Got tips for someone who just got a lot of flock in their neighborhood?

Don't commit vandalism on camera.

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choui4 lemmy.zip choui4@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2026-01-24
#69 · Quote Reply

Fuck Amazon

Fair point. On the other hand, where else do I buy?

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RustyShackleford piefed.social RustyShackleford@piefed.social
Joined: 2025-11-27
#70 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

It’s a real thing for some of us. Wish it wasn’t, but not all of us have it so easy.

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muxika lemmy.world muxika@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-06-08
#71 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

No matter what time of the year, we're in the news a lot.

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JoshuaFalken lemmy.world JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-30
#72 · Quote Reply

No no, you're thinking of scallop. A scalpel is the medical term for the shoulderblade bone.

Haha, oh I know.

Years ago, a small joke at a friend's expense resulted in the dish being called scalpel potatoes. Occasionally I make reference to it amongst those that aren't aware and personally I find it all the more funny to make inside jokes to myself.

I wonder sometimes if I'm going a bit mad.

Cheers.

2
OberonSwanson sh.itjust.works OberonSwanson@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-07-16
#73 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

You not needing one yourself doesn’t equal the average person’s experience. Probably less than 10% of Americans eat enough fiber daily.

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HubertManne piefed.social HubertManne@piefed.social
Joined: 2025-03-13
#74 · Quote Reply

It's not considered a deadly weapon (lol) in my state. You can even open carry it, but I'd rather not.

wait till ice sees it. IM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

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HubertManne piefed.social HubertManne@piefed.social
Joined: 2025-03-13
#75 · Quote Reply

Just keep a baseball bat and a glove in your car. It’s not a weapon, I just keep it around in case I get the chance to play…😉

I mean keeping a tire iron can actually be useful in a car and works as well as anything else.

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FinjaminPoach lemmy.world FinjaminPoach@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-11-12
#76 · (edited) Quote Reply

It’s a real thing for some of us. Wish it wasn’t, but not all of us have it so easy.
[deleted]
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muxika lemmy.world muxika@lemmy.world
Joined: 2025-06-08
#77 · Quote Reply

wait till ice sees it. IM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE. BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

I know I'm fucked either way.

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EuroNutellaMan lemmy.world EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-22
#78 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

I just shit myself so the problem doesn't apply

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HubertManne piefed.social HubertManne@piefed.social
Joined: 2025-03-13
#79 · Quote Reply

I have no logical reason other than I like it but I have my keys on rings that are on a actual climbing grade carbiner and then on the keyring I have a thing from the internet that can sharpen knives and has a ferro tod and a whistle. then a can opener thats swag from some conference.

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EuroNutellaMan lemmy.world EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-22
#80 · Quote Reply

I keep a Windows 11 installer USB on my person almost at all times. I've had to perform an impromptu utilman.exe trick (consensually) multiple times. (Replacing the ease of access menu EXE with a command prompt somehow still allows you to get an administrator CMD window on the lock screen, even in 2026).

I have something similar but with a Ventoy USB with different Linux distros in case I need to do an emergency reinstall or need a live USB

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EuroNutellaMan lemmy.world EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-06-22
#81 · Quote Reply

Joke's on you, I can get to 20 because I also use my toes!

Jokes on you, I can count to 21 all by myself. I still need to call my buddies for anything above that tho

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MrSelatcia lemmy.world MrSelatcia@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-03
#82 · Quote Reply

Nail clippers. Small but powerful penlights.

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SparroHawc lemmy.zip SparroHawc@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-06-04
#83 · Quote Reply

Haha, oh I know. Years ago, a small joke at a friend's expense resulted in the dish being called scalpel potatoes. Occasionally I make reference to it amongst those that aren't aware and personally I find it all the more funny to make inside jokes to myself. I wonder sometimes if I'm going a bit mad. Cheers.

You should re-read the entirety of my comment. :-)

There's a 'game' that started on Reddit where people make a long comment chain where they correct the prior person, and then give an incorrect explanation of what the word actually means.

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toynbee lemmy.world toynbee@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-08-02
#84 · Quote Reply

[deleted]

I think the popularity wasn't so much about the tool itself but about the original poster not realizing it was unusual. Like the cumbox.

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xorollo leminal.space xorollo@leminal.space
Joined: 2024-03-21
#85 · Quote Reply

No no, you're thinking of scallop. A scalpel is the medical term for the shoulderblade bone.

No no you're thinking of a scapula.

A scallop is when someone is unfairly blamed for something, with the purpose of deflecting attention or responsibility from the actual cause.

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seathru quokk.au seathru@quokk.au
Joined: 2025-11-20
#86 · Quote Reply

These small wire things that keep cables tidy inside packaging. You can also buy a big roll of it but you usually don't need more than a few centimeters so why not keep what would usually be thrown away? It's got so many uses and takes almost no space.

Same with the twist ties that come with trash bags. I don't think I've ever actually used one to secure a trash bag but they are handy for hundreds of other uses.

1
Sergio piefed.social Sergio@piefed.social
Joined: 2025-08-01
#87 · Quote Reply

Donegan OptiVisor Headband Magnifier - https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/

with optiloupe - https://doneganoptical.com/product/optiloupe/

and Quasar LED lighting attachment. https://www.esslinger.com/led-visor-lighting-system-attachment-for-optivisor-headband-magnifier/

I originally got it when I was doing a bit of electronics work. But every couple of months there'll be times when I really want a hands-free magnified view of something I'm working on, even if it's just for a household chore. There are plenty of cheap knock-off out there, but I believe this is the original. I was at the Intrepid Museum in NYC and there was a photo of a NASA engineer wearing one of these.

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Mac mander.xyz Mac@mander.xyz
Joined: 2023-06-14
#88 · (edited) Quote Reply

Fair point. On the other hand, where else do I buy?

Another commenter here recommended

Sanwu Lasers dot net

https://anarchist.nexus/comment/2705294

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choui4 lemmy.zip choui4@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2026-01-24
#89 · Quote Reply

Another commenter here recommended Sanwu Lasers dot net https://anarchist.nexus/comment/2705294

Thank you, I didnt see that. Appreciate it

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Mac mander.xyz Mac@mander.xyz
Joined: 2023-06-14
#90 · Quote Reply

Thank you, I didnt see that. Appreciate it

You're welcome!

1
neidu3 Moderator neidu3@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2024-11-03
#91 · Quote Reply

I think the popularity wasn't so much about the tool itself but about the original poster not realizing it was unusual. Like the cumbox.

I'll probably regret asking this but.... cumbox?

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pishadoot sh.itjust.works pishadoot@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-07-05
#92 · Quote Reply

I mean idk, mine gets pretty fucking bright. So much so that I keep it on the lowest of like 4 or 5 settings by default. What are you having to illuminate regularly? I guess I might be biased as I like the dark and don't even really turn on lights if I'm home alone, but seriously why do you need a crazy bright flashlight all the time? I think they're cool but I actually can't think of a single ...

Not who you're replying to, but I carry a good flashlight for use when it's light, not when it's dark.

Dropping something small on the carpet or a floor in a lit room can still be super hard to find, but take a bright beam and shine it sideways and you'll catch the shadow immediately (just an example)

It's crazy how much I use it. Super underrated tool.

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pishadoot sh.itjust.works pishadoot@sh.itjust.works
Joined: 2023-07-05
#93 · Quote Reply

A T Wrench set, Standard and Metric. Allen wrenches suck ass, they hurt my fingers and can never get a good turn on the screws. T wrenches give you something you can actually use without hurting your hand. Furniture slides. They have two types one for use on carpeted floors and one for hardwood floors. It makes moving furniture around so much easier. I also keep a furniture jack. That makes it ...

Put a battery operated water alarm in the pan your hot water sits in and change the batteries when you change out your smoke alarm batteries (whenever there is a clock change). TRUST ME DO THIS

... Wut?

1
toynbee lemmy.world toynbee@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-08-02
#94 · Quote Reply

I'll probably regret asking this but.... cumbox?

Yes. You will regret asking.

To put it simply, a redditor repeatedly jerked off into (IIRC) a shoebox for an extended period. The same box, no disposal or cleanup of any sort. He made a casual reference to this box and was surprised when others couldn't relate. He posted pictures.

I never saw the pictures and I don't intend to, so if you are interested to learn more, you'll have to do your own searches.

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🌈 vanta rainbow black 🌈 lemmy.blahaj.zone vantablack@lemmy.blahaj.zone
Joined: 2023-12-19
#95 · Quote Reply

Stick a sewing needle in it. Find one that fits inside with the spool of floss. I've carried one in my bag for decades at this point.

highly recommend! i sew all my patches and pockets onto my outfits and shit with waxed dental floss. never had anything break ever even after years

examples: https://vanta.diy/

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Darohan lemmy.zip Darohan@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2024-06-04
#96 · Quote Reply

No no you're thinking of a scapula. A scallop is when someone is unfairly blamed for something, with the purpose of deflecting attention or responsibility from the actual cause.

No, you're thinking of a scapegoat, a scallop is a person who buys up a large number of high-demand items in order to resell them at a higher price.

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Plum lemmy.world Plum@lemmy.world
Joined: 2023-07-14
#97 · Quote Reply

highly recommend! i sew all my patches and pockets onto my outfits and shit with waxed dental floss. never had anything break ever even after years examples: https://vanta.diy/

I like yr jurse, my friend.

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IWW4 lemmy.zip IWW4@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-07-12
#98 · Quote Reply

Put a battery operated water alarm in the pan your hot water sits in and change the batteries when you change out your smoke alarm batteries (whenever there is a clock change). TRUST ME DO THIS ... Wut?

Fixed

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IWW4 lemmy.zip IWW4@lemmy.zip
Joined: 2025-07-12
#99 · Quote Reply

With an allen wrench, when you need to get more torque without killing your fingers, you hold it by the long side and stick the 'handle' in the screw.

Yeah.. or just use a T Wrench

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Postmortal_Pop lemmy.world Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world
Joined: 2024-03-30
#100 · Quote Reply

Don't commit vandalism on camera.

Golly gee, it's like you guys think I'm going to be a public menace or something.

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imetators lemmy.dbzer0.com imetators@lemmy.dbzer0.com
Joined: 2025-06-10
#101 · Quote Reply

Gas jet lighter. I do not smoke. But when people ask for a lighter and I pull my lighter out, they always ask "How come YOU have a lighter?" Funny every time.

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