It makes sense that astronauts take EDC gear with them to work on the International Space Station. It makes even more sense that they would choose 711L EDC gear as part of their EDC loadout. Astronaut Jonny Kim included the 711L EDC flex head ratchet wrench for Leatherman as part of his ISS Expedition 73 toolkit and asked EDC holster 3D printing specialist ZapWizards to make a holster that would securely accommodate our tool alongside his Leatherman multitool.
A 711L EDC flex head ratchet wrench is orbiting the Earth on the ISS
Yes, you read that correctly, EDC gear in space includes a 711L EDC flex head ratchet wrench that is currently orbiting the Earth on the ISS mission Expedition 73. The 711L EDC ratchet wrench is part of the gear that NASA astronaut and flight engineer Jonny Kim chose to take with him to help facilitate his mission goals. Packing extreme reliability and precision ratchet action into a lightweight, ergonomic package, it’s a perfect choice for EDC gear on the ISS.
What EDC gear do astronauts use?
We’ve wondered what EDC gear astronauts use, and discovered they use a range of multitools and accessories, according to procurement manifests published by NASA. We also know that one piece of EDC gear being used on the ISS is a 711L EDC gear flex head ratchet wrench, because astronaut and flight engineer Jonny Kim, pictured above, asked custom EDC gear holster manufacturer ZapWizard to make him a holster for his Leatherman tool, ratchet driver, and 711L EDC flex head ratchet wrench.
An astronaut multitool holster custom made to include 711L EDC Gear
If you take a look at the ZapWizard video, you can see Jonny Kim, pictured above wearing his ZapWizard holster while working with Takuya Onishi, confirming that the 711L EDC Gear flex head ratchet wrench fits perfectly in the custom build that he asked ZapWizard to make for his Leatherman Garage holster.
Being able to take the 711L flex head ratchet wrench with him to the ISS was clearly important to the NASA astronaut, as he had already ordered an Arc holster and was disappointed that he could only fit his fixed head 711L ratchet wrench into the side mounted receiver.
Why is the 711L EDC flex head ratchet wrench a space-age choice?
There are other options for a ratchet wrench that is compatible with Leatherman flat bit holders, but nothing that matches the build quality, precision and high tooth count smooth ratchet action of the 711L EDC ratchet wrenches. High quality flat shank EDC tools that fit Leatherman flat bit holders can complement your multitool EDC gear and reduce the total number of tools you carry, which is definitely a space-age, space-saving choice!
Jonny Kim has both the fixed and flex head versions of the 711L EDC ratchet wrench. If you are working in space with a limited baggage allowance the flex head ratchet gives you a bit more flexibility and more functionality than a fixed head version for getting into those tight spaces on a densely packed space station. So, next time you’re thinking about heading into space, perhaps pick up a 711L EDC flex head ratchet wrench from our EDC tools for Leatherman to complement your astronaut EDC gear!
