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that my fingers can't quite get a purchase on. The screwdriver blades and bottle opener have been useful, too.

Third is a really sharp pocket knife, preferably openable with one hand. There are probably hundreds of good ones, so I won't bother to say what I have. The main thing is to get one that sits flat in the pocket. Although the Sebertool has a knife blade, the blade is a little hard to get at. I don't mind the reduncancy. My knife comes in handy for cutting string, opening mail, clipping articles out of the newspaper, sharpening a pencil.

Fourth is a flashlight. The flattest and most reliable I've found is the Princeton Tec Impulse. It's not Princeton's smallest flashlight, but its switch is robust. (I've not had good luck with the Princeton Tec Pulsar's switch, even though the flashlight is the smallest one I've seen). One feature I like about the Impulse is that the light stays on until I turn it off. Some other small flashlights require you to hold the switch down to keep them on.

Of the three things that I carry around all the time, the flashlight has turned out to be the most useful. It has found dropped change in the car, stuff that fell behind my desk, and keyholes lost in shadow. It has guided me through a house, darkened by a power failure, in search of candles and bigger flashlights. It has helped me see the back of my computer and stereo for attaching components.

(Aside: My latest find was a small strap-on headlight that some guys use for camping. Actually, I found mine in a hardware store for about $10.00 made by Eveready and sold as a work light. It's now in my tool kit for lighting up home repairs under cabinets, in closets, and so on. No more drooling around a flashlight held in my teeth! I've just put one into my car's trunk, too.)

When I'm at home, being able to reach into my pocket often means a small project can get done without dragging my 25-pound toolbox up from the basement; often it means getting the project done at all. Away from home, a gadget can be the one thing that will get me or someone else out of a jam and sometimes make a minor hero out of me.

What's your approach? Zero gadgets, or a whole workshop in your pockets or briefcase or backpack?

As the gift-giving season arrives, you might want to think about one or more gadgets for a son, brother, father, best friend, or yourself.

Learn more about this author, Tim Baehr.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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