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 Do you EDC?

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emilyc
post Dec 28 2015, 08:11 PM

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I'm a big fan of Victorinox. I have multiple models for various usage:

Spartan: Everyday home use.

Classic SD: for shopping purse.

Ranger: Hiking, backpacking.

Bantam: Work.

Waiter: Work backup, with extra corkscrew attachment that's useful for unraveling knots.

But the one I carry the most with me is the SwissCard Lite since it's always in my wallet.

Box description of the SwissCard Lite.
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Ranger vs Bantam
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Ranger
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The Huntsman is very similar to Ranger, but lacking the file. I'm happy with Ranger as I've used the file and metal saw a few times. Last time I used my friend's Huntsman to trim the mango tree at my house, since then I've been wanting a Victorinox with a saw attachment! biggrin.gif

Bantam
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Bought the Bantam for RM45 at an outdoor store. Online the Bantam costs nearly RM70 not including postage, crazy! Since Bantam is so cheap, I wouldn't mind lending it to colleagues. But now it's probably my favourite Victorinox after the Ranger. It's so compact and useful!

I also have a Leatherman C33x which I intended for work, but it's not as sharp as Victorinox, nor do I like the ragged edge. So I bought the Bantam instead as the main knife for work. Plus, I need the can opener.

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As for flashlights, I love my Fenix E05! So does everyone in my family, they always want to steal it tongue.gif It's so small and yet so bright. During blackouts if I set the flashlight to stand on its own so it will shine at the ceiling, it actually produces a brighter illumination compared to using candles. The E05 is about the size of a AA battery (it uses AAA battery). I can't be bothered with using a flashlight with non standard battery, it's too much of a hassle to acquire them.

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This post has been edited by emilyc: Dec 28 2015, 08:26 PM
emilyc
post Dec 29 2015, 12:06 PM

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QUOTE(Armata @ Dec 29 2015, 09:33 AM)
Wah..that's one nice collection u got there on Victorinox! I guess u get most of those victorinox coz u love having them..rather than getting 1 that suits all occasion. Hehee...dont worry, i am guilty of such thing as well nod.gif

On the Bantam, it comes only with knife and those screwdriver, tweezer and can opener right? And the Ranger doesnt come with a Plier? I find plier to be very very useful.. nod.gif

For the swiss card, how thick is it? 2 credit card thickness? Wonder how it feels to be slipped into a wallet?

And nice Fenix light! I have like 8 Fenix lights...but right now i only EDC Olight Baton due to it's small size, ease of recharge and 550 lumen on a RCR123 nod.gif
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Thanks! Haha it's more like being lazy to move them around. For example the Classic SD is always in my purse that I use for shopping. It's too much of a hassle to move it to my work bag or worst, I might forget to move it back and then not having it when I need it most.

One time I was at a shop, it was late and I wanted to go home. Had been searching for an item all day without success and only found it at the store. The item was tied/locked to the display shelf and every staff ignored me. Angered, I used my tiny 58mm Classic SD to cut though the clamshell packaging of the product, to the shocked face of cashiers and then angrily took the product to the cashier and paid. The moral of the story is, even though the 58mm Victorinox looks cute and flimsy, it's a sturdy beast!

The Bantam is single layered so it's compact. It has the standard tweezer, toothpick, blade and the combination tool with flat screwdriver, can opener, bottle opener and wire stripper. The Alox variation is even more slim and compact, but the tweezers are too important to give up.

Yeah the Ranger don't have pliers, but I was after the wood saw and the scissors XD

The SwissCard is about 3 card thickness. It does add a slight bulk to the wallet, but it's been so useful on various situation so I'm willing to overlook the mild inconvenience. In fact, I used the pen tool just now because I forgot to bring a pen heh. The SwissCard is very sturdy, as in the tools won't fall out even if shaken violently. There are fake copies being sold though so I advise looking at YouTube vids to notice the difference. Also be careful to not bend the card too much, like sitting on the wallet.

Even though the Fenix E05 only has 27lumens, it's still blinding. I like the newer E05 because it has 3 different lumen settings. My older model can't be used in close distance because it's too bright. It's also a twist-on type so not really suitable for self defence. I'm thinking of getting another Fenix just for fun, but haven't decided which. I was interested in the E10 but it can't stand on its own so I haven't gotten yet.
emilyc
post Dec 29 2015, 05:15 PM

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QUOTE(Armata @ Dec 29 2015, 02:04 PM)
Lol..yupp, ur more than qualified to be EDC hoarder.. nod.gif

Sometimes I also try getting multiple same gears to put them into different bags. But those are limited to cheap gears like RM1 cricket lighter, permanent marker, G-lock carabiners and some clip ties. Coz like u, sometimes I also afraid I  might forgot to put them into the bag I will be carrying on that particular day. And after thinking for couple weeks, I have concluded in order to keep my expenses down, and at the same time ensure I have everything I need in diff bag, I opted to get this :

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


Something like Maxpedition micro pocket organizer..but as it is expensive, I get a brandless type…still costs close to RM60 tho..  sad.gif

So jst stuff everything into that pouch/pocket organizer, then whenever I change back, jst pull up the pouch and xfer to the nxt bag. That way I have everything inside… So you can consider that as well, since u carry hand bag, I assume ur a lady and as such, definitely have more than 1 handbag lol

I have the leatherman style CS..hold a tiny blade like your Classic SD I think, but pretty sharp as well..so yup, those definitely comes in handy at the least expected moment..

Ever consider getting a plier type multitool? brows.gif
If u want cheap and reasonable, try Leatherman Wingman or Sidekick..sidekick comes with the saw as well. And like they say in EDC community, 3 is 2, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. And we always need a backup fr our backup tools… nod.gif

I take it u prefer triple A light since it’s slim, small and easily available in term of batteries. I seldom go for Triple A due to it’s short amount of time, the only triple A light I have is Fenix HL10..figured I would need a flood…but end up purchase a Fenix HP25 headlamp for flood pulak.. lol
For EDC purpose, I always stick to either single AA or Single RCR123 on body…sometimes both as a backup to each other lol. In my bag always goes the bigger 18650 light with loads of spare cells.

If you plan to try out RCR123, Olight’s S10R baton is highly recommended…but make sure u get the latest version coz older one don’t have quick charge USB platform…or if u want even smaller pocket rocket, Olight S1R…smaller than S10R by around 5mm or so.. u will be amazed if u manage to get ur hands on one… nod.gif
Oh btw, jst something to share…not anything significant, but I was waiting for my wife the other day and there’s a Guardian pharmacy nearby…spent around 40mins browsing while waiting..then chance upon alcohol swap. It’s a pack of 10pcs, individually packed…at around RM1.20 or so…very convenient so grab 20pcs and split them into different bags/pouches of mine. Never know when might come handy.. nod.gif
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Aaaand I just bought a Victorinox Minichamp XD Originally wanted a Rambler for the Philips screwdriver, which was a step up from Classic SD.

But I saw the MiniChamp first (the Rambler had an effective camo design lol) and decided to get MiniChamp because it's my dream Victorinox for the 58mm category. It's only a difference of about RM60 but MiniChamp has a lot more tools. It'll be my new EDC biggrin.gif

I rarely use a plier and already have a full sized plier at home so don't really need one smile.gif Some of my purses are smaller than your tool bag haha. So I'll stick to my MiniChamp XD

Yea I picked AAA battery flashlight for portability. It's for my shopping purse as shopping complexes in Sabah sometimes will have blackouts lol. I don't use it heavily and IIRC only changed the battery for the first time in a year and a half, plus that was the battery that came with the flashlight. So it's very economical despite the bright output.

I know about the alcohol swabs, my brother uses it for PC maintenance heh.

This post has been edited by emilyc: Dec 29 2015, 05:17 PM
emilyc
post Dec 30 2015, 01:47 PM

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QUOTE(Armata @ Dec 30 2015, 09:12 AM)
Ahh..didnt know ur in Sabah...which i guess tools like this are a lot more useful to you folks than ever.. nod.gif

Minichamp seems to have everything, kekee...except plier tongue.gif
And pretty small in size compared to most of leatherman's multitool.

Aye aye...smaller than tool bag means pretty dang small d ur handbag. Tho mind i ask if you're a girl? Seldom have girls into such stuffs.. smile.gif

Oooh....using alcohol swap in PC Maintenance...but why's that? Can share? biggrin.gif
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It was kinda a hasty decision, the Rambler would've worked just fine as the added tools are only so so. I do like the pen though and Victorinox makes them easy to replace by users. Now I just need to find out if the outdoor shop sell spare parts. Though I doubt it, might have to obtain them online.

Yeah I'm a girl biggrin.gif Been wanting a Swiss Army Knife for years, but didn't know they sell under the name Victorinox. Love my friend's Huntsman so he gave me Spartan as a gift. The 91mm Spartan was too large so I bought the 58mm Classic SD. I saw the Rambler back then but opted for the cheaper Classic SD instead.

Even though I'm happy with the purchase, I find myself thinking of the combo tool on the Rambler a lot. That Philips screwdriver is so useful! Yesterday I finally decided to reward myself with a Rambler after a busy period at work. However, instead of a Rambler, I walked out the store with a MiniChamp lol.

I'm an outdoorsy girl so I love these stuff. I also love hiking jungle trails so a Ranger is awesome for that smile.gif

The alcohol swab is used to clean the processor surface I think, the area where heat sink rests. Swab is used to clean the area before applying thermal paste and then reapplying heat sink. I haven't done before it but saw my brother do it.

emilyc
post Dec 31 2015, 04:08 PM

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QUOTE(Everdying @ Dec 30 2015, 02:23 PM)
a cool single AAA light thats also affordable, around rm70-80, which u can check out is the lumintop tool AAA.
officially it doesnt support 10440 batt since it has no cutoff so u may just burn it out, but unofficially it does, and will throw its output to at least 200 lumens...
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When I browsed through Fenix TK series, the thought that crossed my mind was:"These will work great in Alan Wake!" biggrin.gif

I like the MiniChamp but wished it removed some useless tools to make it more compact and lighter. The ruler and spatula are pointless. It's so cute and fat though! I like the weight in my hands but I won't be hanging it with my keys. Will just drop it in my purse instead.

I'm interested in the Leatherman Squirt PS4, will look it up at the outdoor store next time. I hope they have a pink one! XD

Never seen a lumintop tool AAA before as well, might keep my eyes open at the store for it too. Thanks for the recommendations!
emilyc
post Jan 1 2016, 06:40 AM

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QUOTE(Everdying @ Dec 31 2015, 08:52 PM)
its actually not a spatula, but a cuticle pusher... for polishing finger nails...
i like the ruler and is one of the reasons i bought it, can use to measure strap widths for watches.
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Oops, yeah it is. Since I won't use it as a cuticle pusher (painful!), I've gotten used to thinking it as a spatula tongue.gif Hmmm, do you measure strap widths a lot?
emilyc
post Jan 1 2016, 11:38 AM

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QUOTE(Everdying @ Jan 1 2016, 08:34 AM)
not often, but like the pen on it... its one of those tools that u think u dont need until the day comes that u search all over for one.
the rambler u mentioned before is actually also a more convenient tool than the classic IF u put on keychain... which u don't...
its cos the blade opens away from the keys, unlike the classic, making it abit more convenient to use the knife.
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Today I opened a new package and found the MiniChamp to be very useful. There's the knife and scissors, then I used the "orange peeler" to cut the ties of the plastic bottle cap because it was too hard to twist open. No more regrets in not getting the Rambler!

I agree about the pen. I also have another pen tool on my SwissCard which had proved useful on several occassions, just wish spares are easier to obtain.
emilyc
post Jan 1 2016, 02:11 PM

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QUOTE(Everdying @ Jan 1 2016, 11:46 AM)
spare pen is somewhat easy to obtain here, just expensive at rm5 each.

ok, i just checked...the price of the pen has increased to rm17 now...screw that.
but if still interested i can share the link.
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It's 6.85 DOLLAR on Amazon! Victorinox sells relatively cheap SAK, for example the Bantam is <$13 but hot damn they're making a killing selling spares.

Time to start developing a habit of bringing a pen everywhere! Just put one in each bag lol.

p.s. Do share the link, thanks!
emilyc
post Jan 3 2016, 03:21 PM

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Checked out Leatherman Squirt PS4. Didn't quite like the construction. Plus, the shop only had the rusty display unit left so I wasn't going to buy that!

I'm interested in the Wingman because it's bigger and cheaper. Didn't see it at the store though. Anyone has experience with both models before?

Edit: Just realised the blade on the Wingman is partly serrated. I dislike combo blade :/ Any model similar to Wingman but with straight edged blade and scissors? (Sidekick is similar but has a saw instead of scissors).

This post has been edited by emilyc: Jan 3 2016, 06:24 PM
emilyc
post Jan 3 2016, 09:28 PM

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QUOTE(Everdying @ Jan 3 2016, 08:21 PM)
wingman is cheaper? PS4 is suppose to be cheaper.
if u saw any wingman that's cheaper, they're probably trying to clear it.

or buy the scissors somewhat brother of the PS4 - the micra.
of cos the magic question is - how big a knife u want...else u may be better off getting another SAK.
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The PS4 at the store was RM239 sweat.gif So Wingman would be cheaper if bought online... though the same can be said for the PS4. However, I'm no longer interested in the Wingman because of the partially serrated blade. My Leatherman knife was like that and cutting with it feels like nails on a chalkboard x_X

I want a Leatherman for the pliers, the Micra is scissors :/ Not too concerned with knife size, just want it to be straight edged. SwissTools are too expensive XD

Oh well maybe if I had more time I will visit another outdoor store and see if I would change my mind regarding the Squirt PS4.

emilyc
post Jan 4 2016, 08:43 AM

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QUOTE(Ben38 @ Jan 3 2016, 11:18 PM)
For many people, the most important tool to EDC has become too heavy...
user posted image
They prefer to replace it with that:
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I can't view your images :/
emilyc
post Jan 20 2016, 09:49 AM

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QUOTE(canaviso @ Jan 14 2016, 09:17 PM)
Hi, here it is
user posted image

By the way, can you pm me where you got your pepper spray? Also any idea where i can buy maxpedition micro wallet here? Thanks.
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I bought my pepper spray from Guardian. They will require you to register your information because it is considered as dangerous item.

The canister is black while the trigger is red in colour. It's made in USA. It sprays in a long straight stream, spraying a orange-ish yellow liquid. It's a dye to mark your attacker. I shake the canister from time to time to ensure the liquid is mixed well, kinda like maintenance and test to see if it works. It does. I sprayed it into the sink and could feel the effects even without direct contact.

Many years ago I bought a pepper spray that was made in Malaysia. It sprays a weak short ranged cone and didn't have dye. Doesn't burn as much either. It was crappy. After buying the USA one from Guardian I've been using the same type ever since.
emilyc
post Jan 20 2016, 05:52 PM

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QUOTE(Armata @ Jan 20 2016, 09:55 AM)
Last time i bought once from Guardian as well. But no registration's needed. But nowadays i couldnt see them anymore. I guess it was removed.

And i have tired some XX brand too...sprayed on palm...then take a sniff..nothing, then proceed to dab my cheek..nothing..then try it on my eyelid...some minor tingle...and i know it's crap liao.

But u might want to consider getting new one since u been spraying them as test whether it works. Usually cant last too many spray..
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I'm in Sabah and I still see the pepper spray in several Guardians smile.gif Yeah I'd need to buy a new one soon, but my current one is still ok (can feel the liquid when shaking).

Btw, thanks to the poison in this thread I bought Gerber Dime as well lol. Pliers are awesome! So now my EDC tools are MiniChamp + Dime~
emilyc
post Jan 28 2016, 10:01 AM

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What do you guys think of the Fenix E12? I'm thinking of getting that as an upgrade to my E05. Choosing it for more lumens as well as a longer battery life and yet still relatively compact, better for outdoors whereas E05 is more for urban use. Only interested in AA or AAA batteries as they are easier to acquire.
emilyc
post Jan 28 2016, 10:51 AM

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QUOTE(Armata @ Jan 28 2016, 10:10 AM)
Last time i bought the E11 for RM48 each..
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What!? When I bought E05 three years ago it was already RM55! I was choosing between E11 and E05 but opted for the latter as I wanted it more for urban use. Plus, it was about 25% cheaper. I think the E11 was around RM75.

Anyway I've been waiting for a redesign on the E11 because tail stand is so useful! They finally did it. E12 is RM115 from gadgetworld2u. I wonder how much it will cost at the outdoors shop as they have a reputation for selling cheaper than online prices biggrin.gif (Except for the Leatherman Squirt PS4, that was mighty expensive!)

emilyc
post Jan 28 2016, 02:43 PM

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Where did you buy your E11 last time?

Haha I prefer regular batteries like AA/AAA over rechargeable ones. Sure they are more economical but they don't last as long. For example I bought the Creative Muvo MP3 player back in 2005. It uses a single AAA battery. 11 years later it still works!

In comparison my brother bought the Muvo successor with built in rechargeable battery and it stopped working after around 3-4 years.

The first time I learnt the lesson was with my digital camera. I chose Panasonic FZ5 because it was cheaper (still a great camera btw), but everyday I wished I had chosen the Canon because it uses 4 AA batteries. It was like RM500 more expensive though! My FZ5 still works but the battery is only so so. Quite impossible to find a replacement sad.gif

So now, standard batteries if possible!
emilyc
post Feb 4 2016, 04:25 PM

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QUOTE(Everdying @ Jan 28 2016, 04:00 PM)
if want to go AA, my preference is the LD11.
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Thanks for recommending the LD line, else I never would've noticed. I ended up picking up a LD09 2015 edition for the momentary on function. I was so happy to see the shop selling the 2015 edition, which was my first choice rclxm9.gif

QUOTE(tescogot @ Feb 3 2016, 11:13 AM)
the retail package opener is also sharp and i'd never seen anything like it on any other multitool

the scissors however was not as sharp as i like

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I disagree. I find the package opener on the Dime is rather blunt compared to the one on Victorinox MiniChamp. Just for fun I used the MiniChamp package opener to free the Dime from it's package, the plastic was thick but the MiniChamp did well.

user posted image

I tried to do the same using the Dime's package opener tool, no luck lol. It wasn't able to puncture the plastic. However, the shape itself is nice to cut the tape on boxes for example. As for sharpness, Victorinox left Gerber in the dust. I have to be very careful when extracting the tool so I wouldn't accidentally cut myself.

The scissors on the Dime are sharp but their shape is so weird it had to be held at a certain angle in order to cut. It can still do the job like cutting thread, but forget about any precision work with them. IMO Gerber shouldn't bother with the scissors patent because it's not that good to begin with lol. Victorinox scissors on the other hand are very sharp and precise.

QUOTE(Armata @ Feb 3 2016, 11:28 AM)
where u buy it? Still available and price?

Wanna grab 1 also if still have.. nod.gif
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I bought mine from TouchDIY. Looks like it's still in stock.

QUOTE(Everdying @ Feb 3 2016, 06:21 PM)
even reading edc forums, so many dimes broken...
but anyway, ps4 is more 'pocketable' on keychain cos the dime is bigger, and that bottle opener position on the dime is really wtf.

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I think it's because people overestimate the micro tools, used them beyond their means and end up breaking them. When I was researching between Squirt and Dime I've seen equal mentions of both tools being broken. Just have to accept that they, especially the pliers are not meant to be used like full size pliers, else there's a high risk of them breaking down. For that reason I don't plan to lend my Dime to anyone in case they accidentally break it. As for myself, I wouldn't be too rough on it.

At first I disliked the bottle opener being non collapsible too, but now I love it! Since the Dime is a stiff tool, I use the opener as added leverage to flip the dime open. I've also tested the bottle opener, it opens so easily compared to Leatherman or Victorinox because of its larger surface area. I love it! I wish bottled drinks are more common in Malaysia so I could use it more often drool.gif
emilyc
post Feb 4 2016, 06:09 PM

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QUOTE(tescogot @ Feb 4 2016, 04:54 PM)
your review proved what i read on another forum somewhere about gerber and leatherman

but i did saw a video on youtube showing the package opener used to cut a plastic package no problem

my scissors was not as sharp but my knife was sharp as hell i accidentally and effortlessly cut the skin on my thumb this morning

i can compare with victorinox since i got both and i can safely say that my dime's blade was as sharp or maybe sharper than victorinox
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I used the package opener on the Dime to open the packaging of a toothbrush and it worked. However the plastic for the toothbrush is much more flimsier than the one packaging the Dime. If I have to choose, I'd choose the tool on the MiniChamp everytime simply because I can rest assured it will work. The head is also pointed to help with puncturing and starting the cut. The tool on the Dime has a flat head :/

The knife on my Dime is sharp, but not as sharp as Victorinox. Due to the overall construction and quality of the Dime, I view it as something to abuse instead of something to be loved and well taken cared of like my Victorinoxes. Poor Dime! tongue.gif

 

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