I'm looking for a single word that means "tools of the trade." I know the word exists, and I simply cannot think of it. As in, for a specific hobby/career/practice, one might have a specialized set of gear. Can anyone think of a word that fits this?
It could work, but there's a less common word, that's less generic. In the same way "milieu" might mean one's social setting, or "bailiwick" might mean one's jurisdiction, I'm thinking of a word that specifically means a person's specific/unique toolkit.
Gear? Pack? Utility belt/pack? Maybe it's more than one word? For example, "first-hand kit"? I know in WWII when the commander of a tank requested a type of shell, he'd yell "Load HE!" Or "Load AP!" *HE = high explosive AP = armour piecing So maybe something like that, that is specific to your character's profession. The last thing I can think of is an archaic dictionary perhaps? You know how we don't ride horses anymore? Would anyone understand you if you exclaimed, "Damn, I feel like I was rode hard and put away wet!"
Gadget, gizmo, nuts+bolts (doesn't work unless people know what "nuts" and "bolts" are), suitcase, briefcase, sack. Mess traps = eating and cooking utensils including pots + pans. Flipped through the book, "SNAFU: sailor, airman, and soldier slang of World War II" by Gordon L. Rottman. Didn't really see anything other than "mess traps" that might work for you.
Instruments? apparatus appliance device engine gadget gizmo machine means mechanism utensil weapon contraption contrivance implement job whatchamacallit
Normally, "tools of the trade" refers to knowledge and not any physical tools. You could just say "toolbag" or "kitbag" and be done with it.