My name is Ruben, and I’m the person behind Kraken’s Key Trading Company. By day, I’m a full-time full-stack software developer. At home, I’m a happily married father of two sons. This business is a passion project of mine, and I couldn’t do it without the support of my wife.
Kraken’s Key Trading Company started out of a need to solve problems with my own EDC. Once I realized I could share my solutions with other people facing the same issues, the business just felt right.
What EDC Means To Me
EDC (Everyday Carry) means different things to different people. To me, it’s a philosophy of being prepared. When I was younger, I went from Cub Scout to Boy Scout, and I learned what it meant to "Be Prepared," whether that meant having a simple Swiss Army Knife or just carrying a pencil throughout the day.
I’ve turned into a bit of a maximalist in the sense that I tend to carry more than I’ll probably need. My EDC has been built over years of not having things when I needed them. Becoming a father has only made that more apparent. I carry diapers and wipes on me wherever I go now!
The Push to Start a Business
When I was working on my first prototypes and getting close to having something I felt comfortable selling, I asked a question on Reddit: "How do you keep from ‘getting high on your own supply’?"
Because I craft every piece by hand, I build a connection to my products. I make every cut and every mark. Before anyone even gets to touch what I make, I’m already building its character. One answer I got on that post provided the final push I needed to launch:
A user shared a story about a friend who always gave away his art. When asked how he could part with it so easily, the artist replied:
"Well, I made it once already, so I know I can make another one if I want it. But this person can't. Even if the next one isn’t exactly the same, practice makes perfect. Now we are both happy."
That stood out to me. I know how to make wallets, pocket slips, organizers, and notebook covers, but others might not. I get to share what I’ve bonded with.
Solutions to Everyday Problems
All of my products are solutions to problems I ran into with my own primary EDC. I had loose change, so I created the Quartermaster, a small leather change purse. My knife and flashlight were scratching my phone, so the Boatswain, a leather slip for a knife and flashlight, was born.
I was actually ready to sell the first revision of the Boatswain, but after carrying it for months, I didn’t like how the leather beneath the flashlight pocket sat after breaking in. The second revision solves that problem, and I’m dialing in the final dimensions now.
Expanding the Gear
At first, Kraken’s Key Trading Company focused purely on leather goods. Broadening into general EDC gear was the natural next step. I’ve used Field Notes for a long time, and I only sell products I personally trust. I will always carry and sell gear that I rely on, even if I’m not making it myself.
Step Up to the Workbench
There’s a lot I have learned in these first three years, and Kraken’s Key Trading Company isn't even close to its final form. To celebrate how far we have come, I just launched a brand new About the Maker page on the site. Click over to check out a full breakdown of my current daily pocket dump and see some behind-the-scenes shots of the workbench.
Thanks for being here for the ride.
Set Sail, ⚓️🏴☠️
Ruben
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