I’d like to think that we’re in a golden age for Titanium (I get the irony of using the term golden to describe it but let’s not focus on that)… whether it’s dominating the EDC world or even slowly carving its way into popular culture with the latest iPhone 15 Pro. Touted as the world’s strongest metal, titanium has some significant benefits that make it such a perfect pick for tools and other EDC. It’s medical-grade, corrosion-resistant, relatively non-reactive, fairly lightweight, and is nearly impossible to damage or even make a dent on. That makes it perfect for EDC, but it also means your EDC can be smaller but still have multiple functions and features, like the TiSpanner, a scaled-down version of your hefty toolkit spanner, but with a few extra tricks up its sleeve. Aside from being the size of a car key, the TiSpanner has a built-in spanner, caliper, bottle-opener, nail-pry, and tungsten-carbide glass-breaker for emergencies. It’s the perfect blend between size and functionality, and fits right on your keychain, allowing you to carry it wherever you go.
The TiSpanner is a uniquely versatile tool with a built-in precision spanner that can open/close nuts and bolts, while also functioning as a caliper tool for measuring. A rotating knob lets you make micro-adjustments to the TiSpanner’s jaws, while its meticulously machined threading ensures the kind of accuracy a pair of calipers would demand. Etched markings on the side of the TiSpanner let you calculate linear measurements, while the adjustable metal jaws themselves expand to fit hex nuts or bolts as large as M10 on the nominal scale.
Look around a bit further and you spot a few extra details that bring more value to the TiSpanner. For starters, a notch in its outer jaw, coupled with the TiSpanner’s general shape, makes it a perfect nail-pry, while a groove in the inner jaw allows the TiSpanner to function as a bottle opener. The linear design of the spanner lends itself well to both those uses, as it turns into a class 3 lever for opening bottles, and a class 2 lever for pulling/prying nails. Finally, the TiSpanner ends with quite a tactical flair, boasting a glass-breaker tip on its reverse end. Designed to be held in between your fingers with the glass-breaker pointing outwards, the TiSpanner can easily shatter even laminated panes of glass like the ones found in cars, allowing for a quick and effortless exit in an emergency.
Each TiSpanner comes meticulously machined from individual pieces of titanium, giving it incredible strength and a fairly long lifespan (I assume a couple of generations at the least). The spanner is small enough to be carried everywhere, measuring merely 2.2 inches when closed. Given its tiny size, it comes with a few slots to put in vials of tritium that help you spot your EDC in the dark, or better yet, just string your TiSpanner around a keychain and you’ll always have your multitool right at your fingertips! The TiSpanner starts at $68 USD and begins shipping in January 2024.
Opportunity rarely knocks twice, but this is one of those times. If you missed CIVIVI’s Thanksgiving Month discounts, you may be in luck! Their top-of-the-line EDC is still on a 15-25% discount, which means your new favorite folding knife is still quite literally within grasp. CIVIVI’s knives are loved by tens of thousands of patrons who form the broad EDC community. Designed to be a handy carry-on that you can keep in your pocket, bag, or even attached to the strap of your backpack, CIVIVI’s folding knives are perfect for everything from opening holiday gifts to using as a survival tool in the great outdoors if you plan on heading camping or alternatively to more temperate climates for the wintertime. The discounts make these knives absolute no-brainers, and like all of CIVIVI’s gear, they’re all built to be incredibly resilient, so your first CIVIVI folding blade might just end up being the last one you ever need… Unless you’re a collector like us!
01. CIVIVI Mini Praxis
CIVIVI’s Mini Praxis knife is a compact powerhouse that draws inspiration from its larger counterpart, the Praxis. With a 2.98-inch D2 steel drop-point blade, it balances strength and sharpness. The wide G10 handle offers excellent grip, supported by a skeletonized stainless steel liner for added stability without excess weight. Remarkably, the Mini Praxis comes at an affordable price point, making it accessible to a broad audience. Engineered as a reliable workhorse, this pocket-sized gem offers blade options in both D2 steel and stunning Damascus steel, known for its marbling patterns. The handle choices include G10, translucent Ultem, and the luxurious Guibourtia Wood for the Damascus variant. The blade measures just under 3 inches, while the overall design prioritizes compactness for everyday carry (EDC). Weighing a mere 2.77 ounces (78.5 grams) and equipped with a practical pocket clip, it ensures easy and discreet portability.
The Mini Praxis seamlessly blends compact design with uncompromising performance, making it an essential companion for modern adventurers.
What we like
Portable and lightweight
That 25% discount makes it even more attractive!
What we dislike
The 2.98-inch blade may be too short for certain applications
02. CIVIVI Baby Banter
The CIVIVI Baby Banter excels as an everyday carry (EDC) knife, combining compact design and practicality for effortless portability. Its petite 59mm (2.34 inch) blade is surprisingly versatile, thanks to the drop-point shape, suitable for various tasks indoors, outdoors, or in tactical situations. Crafted from durable Nitro-V steel with a hardness rating of up to 60HRC, the blade ensures long-lasting sharpness. The full-sized handle, made from G10, offers a comfortable and secure grip while remaining lightweight and rugged.
Incorporating the perfect balance of compactness and functionality, the CIVIVI Baby Banter is a reliable companion for daily adventures. Whether you’re tackling everyday challenges or outdoor escapades, this EDC knife is up to the task, delivering dependable performance in a compact form.
What we like
Small and powerful, like dynamite
Nitro-V Steel is much tougher than D2 Steel
What we dislike
It’s smaller than the Mini Praxis, but double the price because of that Nitro-V Blade
03. CIVIVI Qubit
Designed for those who appreciate efficiency in a small package, this unassuming knife boasts a clever feature – an integrated bottle opener discreetly hidden within the closed blade. Unfold the Qubit, and you’ll discover a classic drop-point blade, now crafted from Swedish 14C28N Steel. This choice of steel ensures exceptional resistance to corrosion, chipping, and everyday wear and tear. The Qubit also offers the convenience of a button-lock mechanism for quick and secure closure. Its aluminum handle adds both heft and maneuverability, enhancing not only functionality but also the knife’s all-metal aesthetic appeal. The knife is running a site-wide 25% discount, and CIVIVI’s just dropped a pink-handled variant which has an introductory 15% discount.
The Qubit effortlessly combines practicality and style, making it a versatile companion for various tasks. Whether you require a reliable cutting tool or a bottle opener, this knife has you covered. Its compact size and innovative design make it an essential addition to your everyday carry toolkit.
What we like
Aluminum handle gives the Qubit a premium touch
The integrated bottle opener makes the Qubit a jack of all trades
What we dislike
At 80 grams (2.82 ounces) some small-knife cravers may find the Qubit a tad too heavy
04. CIVIVI StellarQuill Pen & Button Lock Elementum II Knife Combo Pack
Although well known for their knife craftsmanship, CIVIVI also has a reputation for stepping out of its comfort zone ever so often. By which I mean that if its audience demands it, they’ll redesign one of their best knives with a new feature, like the Elementum II which now has a button lock. Heck, they’ll even design pens if there’s enough buzz from the fan base. The StellarQuill Pen and Button Lock Elementum II Knife Combo Pack are a perfect culmination of this, giving you an updated crowd-favorite pocket folder, along with a compact all-metal ballpoint pen. The Elementum II retains its modern classic status with a beloved drop-point blade, now made from Nitro-V Steel. The most notable detail is the absence of the liner-lock from the previous model, replaced by a tactile button-lock mechanism that most enthusiasts will love.
Dedicated patrons get a special-edition version of the Elementum II with an ivory-colored G10 handle and bright red liner on the inside. The knife is accompanied by CIVIVI’s StellarQuill pen, a precisely machined piece of stationery made from aerospace-grade aluminum that’s perfectly sized to slide right into your pocket. It even comes with a lanyard hole to string into your keychain or a lanyard.
What we like
The button-lock and caged ceramic ball-bearing allow you to easily deploy that gorgeous Nitro-V blade
The StellarQuill pen gets all the points for its small-yet-hefty all-metal build
What we dislike
The pen could use a pocket clip to prevent it from rolling around
05. CIVIVI Button Lock Praxis
Built on the framework of one of their most popular knives, this variation of the full-size Praxis now comes with a button lock, allowing for a more engaging and reliable deploying and retracting experience. Unlike the Mini Praxis (which has its own fan base), the Button Lock Praxis is a little larger and a little more capable, thanks to its full-size grip and 3.75″ Nitro-V blade. The blade still retains its drop-point design, which most people will say is the most popular design in the knife world, but the handle now comes made from Aluminum, giving the knife a balanced grip and a wee bit of weight (6.55oz / 185.6g) that makes it much more stable during use. If you felt like the Mini Praxis was the right design but just a tad too small for your liking, the Button Lock Praxis may just be the perfect alternative.
The Button Lock Praxis is just one of those knives that has been perfected over time and has reached a place where it arguably couldn’t be improved any further. Aside from adding extra tools/features, there’s not much you can do to make this knife better than it already is, aside from a discount I guess?! *wink wink nudge nudge*
What we like
Great value for money with that Nitro-V blade and Aluminum handle
Reliable button lock makes opening and closing easy
What we dislike
The clean design is great, but a thumb stud would have really given the Button Lock Praxis a fun opening interaction
06. CIVIVI Chevalier Ⅱ
The Chevalier II isn’t too different from its predecessor, the Chevalier, except for the fact that it now comes with a gorgeous machined aluminum handle that elevates the knife’s design. When you close your eyes and imagine a classic pocket knife, chances are your brain thinks of something like the Chevalier II – a simple, sophisticated little EDC that’s no-fuss and no-nonsense. The 3.47″ 14C28N steel blade is arguably the perfect size (not too small or big) and comes in a sheepsfoot profile that is great for cutting and slicing, and minimizes the risk of accidentally piercing yourself with the blade’s tip.
There’s something beautiful about how clean and slick the Chevalier II’s design is. This doesn’t, however, compromise on its functionality, whether it’s the balanced all-metal design, the pocket-clip that can be reversed, or the years of expertise its maker CIVIVI has in the knife business.
What we like
Gorgeous clean design with a premium metal handle
What we dislike
The lack of jimping on the top of the blade, which was present on the older Chevalier
07. CIVIVI Propugnator
The Propugnator stands out in this entire list because unlike every other knife, it comes with a fixed D2 blade that doesn’t fold into the handle. This significant design directions means the Propugnator is significantly more robust and is designed for heavy-duty tasks. If you want an EDC that doubles as a letter-opener, owning the Propugnator would be like using a flamethrower to light a candle – it’s kind of overkill. Instead, the Propugnator is built for a more hardcore lifestyle, whether it’s hunting, fishing, bushcraft, survival, or tactical use. The knife comes with a full-tang design, which means the blade’s metal extends all the way to the back, forming the skeleton of its handle. The edge of the blade measures well over 4 inches and comes with a rather edgy-looking reverse-tanto design that resembles the raw appeal of chiseled obsidian. You’ve got a choice between G10, Micarta, or Ultem handles, which give your knife a distinct design and tactile grip. The fixed-blade structure means each knife also comes with its own sheath crafted from Black Kydex, with a loop that lets it attach to your pants or belt loop.
The Propugnator, which means defender or vindicator, is far from your average EDC knife. It clearly means business and nothing else. The full-tang fixed D2 blade is sturdy and reliable, and that sculpted reverse tanto edge works remarkably well for all sorts of cutting, piercing, slicing, stabbing, and scraping tasks. Look away if you’re faint-hearted…
What we like
The raw, brutish design and grippy ergonomic handle is perfect for tactical use
What we dislike
The fixed-blade design makes the Propugnator significantly bigger than its folding friends, which won’t appeal to people looking for compact knives.
08. CIVIVI Typhoeus
The Typhoeus takes the term ‘folding knife’ to an entirely new level. While most knives simply have a blade that folds into a handle, the Typhoeus has a folding handle too that transforms from your regular handheld knife to a push-dagger-style knife that’s better suited for all-out tactical warfare. While the likelihood of needing a push-dagger as EDC is fairly low for us common citizens, the Typhoeus conveniently gives us the option with its convertible design. The knife sports a 2.27″ clip-point blade crafted from 14C28N steel, sitting within a two-part G10 handle that morphs from a linear form factor to a T-shaped one that you can hold in the grip of your hand with the blade pointing out between your fingers. “Perfect for general work or self-defence,” says one reviewer on CIVIVI’s site, and we can’t help but feel that might just be the best way to describe the Typhoeus… a perfectly good everyday folder, but with a wild alter-ego!
The knife’s Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde persona is perfect for anything life throws at you, whether it’s an Amazon parcel or a mugger. Each knife also comes with its own black leather sheath that lets you stash your bad-boy away when not in use.
What we like
Innovative shapeshifting design
Fun to fidget with!
What we dislike
The folding handle means there’s no locking function, which might be a deal-breaker for some
There’s no pocket clip on the knife, but CIVIVI makes up for it with a leather sheath
09. CIVIVI Button Lock Brazen
Like the Typhoeus, the Brazen too has a tactical personality. It boasts an edgy, aggressive design with an American Tanto-style blade that offers dual edges and a pointed tip, perfect for piercing, slicing, chopping, and more. Crafted from 14C28N steel, the 3.46-inch (88mm) blade is housed within a slim yet grippy G10 handle, and in this variant, it ditches the liner lock for a button lock. Rightfully christened Brazen, it isn’t afraid of challenges, making it the top choice for those who confront adversity head-on. With a weight of 3.91 ounces (101.8 grams), it’s a practical everyday carry that’s ready to prove itself, and be carried everywhere you go, thanks to the deep pocket clip attached to the handle.
The Brazen, now with a button-lock, is effortless yet tactical – which sound like conflicting attributes, but they aren’t. The Button Lock Brazen is a lovely companion that gives you two edges for the price of one (thanks to the American Tanto blade), allowing you to cut, pierce, score, and do everything you would with your knife, using whichever edge you find more convenient. It also has a cool-kid aesthetic that should rub off on you too, making everyone ask you where you got your EDC from.
What we like
Two separate edges, where one can be used for scraping or opening packages, while the other can be used for slicing
What we dislike
The double-edged American Tanto blade can be a little tricky to sharpen
10. CIVIVI Vision FG
The Vision FG is our new favorite CIVIVI knife because it ticks all the boxes with an eye-catching ambidextrous design, a unique handle that comes with holes that let you peek through and see the blade when closed (and also make the knife lightweight), and a Superlock on top that lets you effortlessly deploy and dock the knife’s highly capable blade in seconds. Before we admire the superlock and the handle, it’s worth noting that the Vision FG comes with a different kind of drop-point, boasting a straight-back that gives the blade a ‘belly’ of sorts that lets you rock the knife back and forth while using it. The blade, crafted from Nitro-V, measures a respectable 3.54 inches (89.9mm), and will slice even through paracords with practically zero resistance. The handle, on the other hand, comes in translucent Ultem, highly durable Micarta, and the standard G10 variants. A noteworthy detail is the presence of holes that make the handle rather interesting to look at, giving it visual as well as physical lightness (the Vision FG weighs 4.35 ounces or 123.4 grams). Built into the top of the handle is a superlock that relaxes the blade, allowing you to deploy or retract it in milliseconds. The superlock is unique to just the Vision FG, and play with it once and you’ll never want to go back to a button or liner lock ever again!
The Vision FG is a rare combination of good-looking, powerful, and uniquely pleasurable to hold and use. The ambidextrous handle and superlock are sure to keep your hands and fingers occupied at all times, and that straight-back Nitro-V blade is formidable, to say the least.
What we like
The unique design is unlike any of the other knives on this list
That superlock is both functional and fidgety, and is arguably the feature you’ll love the most
What we dislike
Superlock exclusivity! We wish more CIVIVI knives had this kind of satisfying action.
Described by the folks at Tekto as “Compact and Formidable”, the A2 Badger is an impressive little picket blade that’s sure to be a favorite in your EDC collection.
What’s an OTF Knife you ask? Short for Out The Front, OTF Knives are switchblades with a vertical deploying action. Unlike traditional folding knives with folding/rotating blades, the blade of an OTF knife slides forward and backward out of the handle rather than swinging open on a pivot. This mechanism is typically operated by a switch or button located on the handle. OTF knives are known for their quick and easy deployment, making them popular among military, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts… and if you still don’t own one, this might as well be the universe giving you that sign.
Featuring an oversized lanyard hole, this knife design accommodates a wider range of attachment options, including larger cords and paracords. This enhances convenience and accessibility, especially in low-light conditions or when wearing gloves, making it an ideal tool for any situation.
Pioneered by the folks at Tekto, OTF Knives have a tactile thrill to them that folding knives don’t. There’s always that bit of surprise and a slight amount of recoil associated with activating an OTF knife that you’re bound to fall in love with. The A2 Badger, like all of Tekto’s OTF knives, is deployed by a contoured switch located on the top of the handle, right underneath your thumb. Slide the switch and the blade gets deployed out the front (hence the name). The entire process can be done with a single hand in under a second, and even with gloves on, making the OTF knife perfect for scenarios with split-second consequences.
The A2 Badger button boasts an exceptional grip, ensuring maximum grip and control in any situation.
Its precisely contoured button allows for fast and effortless ejection and retraction of the blade.
Measuring a mere 5.26 inches when open, the A2 Badger is Tekto’s smallest OTF knife sporting a 1.8-inch tanto-style blade made from titanium-coated D2 steel. Although the 1.8-inch blade is smaller than your average pocket flipper, the A2 Badger still is quite a nimble beast, making it a favorite among both enthusiasts as well as tactical personnel and first responders. The tanto-style blade comes with a pointed tip and two sharp edges that make it perfect for all sorts of knife strokes. The titanium-coated D2 steel blade holds its edge incredibly well, taking on benign indoor activities, outdoor excursions, and even tactical scenarios with ease. For getting out of emergencies, the A2 Badger also packs a glass-breaker on the rear of its handle, helping you make quick exits.
With its compact and lightweight design, the A2 Badger is both easy to store and transport, making it a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and those with limited space.
Weighing a mere 2.18 ounces and measuring just 3.3 inches when closed, the A2 Badger holds the title of being Tekto’s smallest and lightest knife. It’s built to be ambidextrous, and comes with a 6061 Aluminum handle that houses the OTF mechanism that’s backed by a button lock system so the blade doesn’t slide in while you’re cutting. A pocket clip can be attached to either side of the handle (depending on whether you’re right or left-handed), and a wide lanyard hole allows you to string your A2 Badger to your backpack, around your neck, or even your keychain for carrying wherever you go. The A2 Badger comes in 3 grip color variants – Black, Desert, and OD Green (Olive Drab Green) with a black-coated blade and a 15% discount on its $139.99 price tag.
There are Christmas ornaments and then there is The James Brand Throwflake. This ninja star (or Shuriken star to be precise) is designed to be ready this Christmas for Home Alone action in case those buggers slide down the chimney with bad intentions.
You are going to get a lot of questions asked about this one hanging from your tree though. That said, it’s always better to safe rather than sorry. Yes, you can use this collectible by TJB as your make-shift defense weapon to catch goons off guard. Don’t let your kids anywhere near this one and hang it up high on the Christmas tree, because you know, kids can be unpredictable!
The Oregon-based everyday tool maker wants to give modern explorers a reason to sit back for a while and enjoy the Holiday spirit with loved ones. They even give a warning for keen buyers not to use this as a weapon post the Christmas celebrations since it has “6 very sharp” points. That signals the ninja star could be as good as a knife, good enough to cut through objects like wood or even tin cans. This could also double as a defense tool out in the wild where anything handy in the pocket is critical.
The snowflake-shaped EDC cum ornament comes with a lanyard to hand onto the tree and it does impress with its sheen. Off the holiday tree and this becomes your secret weapon or tool in uncharted territory. For a price tag of $40, The Throwflake is hard to miss and TJB sure knows how to keep up with the holiday fun. So, are you going to get this one for your Christmas tree?
The three ideological aspects behind every portable multi-tool probably are versatility, performance, and user experience. Take one facet out and you’re left with little or no sense to carry the product in your tool bag, irrespective of whether you’re a professional or a self-taught DIYer. If there is someone who understands this better than the other tool-set builders, it’s Arrowmax… Well into its fourth essential portable tool, Arrowmax delivers the M1 Pro, an electric screwdriver, primarily with precision and intuition as its basis. It also comes with five-level controllable torque taking out the elbow-grease you’d require with a manual screwdriver, and the unintuitive power of most electric screwdrivers that require a learning curve. The M1 Pro’s beauty is that you don’t need a learning curve. The motor activates as you grip and turn the driver, automatically rotating clockwise or counterclockwise to open/tighten any screw you need to contend with.
Settings are automatically saved to the screwdriver, allowing it to resume in the last used mode even after being switched off.
The M1 Pro’s design sees a few significant upgrades over its previous models – something that hasn’t happened in a while. For starters, it arrives with a new handle design and touch-sensitive interface, which for many takers would transcend traditional experiential boundaries. Switch buttons near the head offer seamless screw fastening and removal with just a simple touch, while an OLED screen displays dynamic icons and battery power status when charging. The main stake of the inventive screwdriver is the enclosed package of 60 extended S2 steel bits it comes packed with. These various length bit bars and extended rods magnetically snap to or detach from the screwdriver head, enhancing the M1 Pro’s application range manifold and making it a versatile companion for a design project you wish to undertake.
Cutting-edge oval design for improved grip and control
The M1 Pro trades the usual screwdriver handle design for an ergonomic oval body – made from aluminum alloy – improving grip and control. The tool’s compact size permits a precise distribution of weight to reduce hand fatigue during prolonged usage. M1 Pro doesn’t just stop at versatility; it takes performance to a new level with a revamped circuit board, a powerful motor, and control software to meticulously execute touch and motion-activated controls, providing a seamless and efficient user experience.
One of the standout performance features of the M1 Pro still is its ability to function within five-torque modes: the first is A (Auto) mode, where torque is decided by manual or gesture control feature and the other four torque levels range between 1 – 10 kgf.cm. The screwdriver also comes with integrated shadowless LED lights that illuminate the work area, allowing you to even operate in low-light situations without needing someone to hold a torch. The multiple torque modes and shadowless lights have remained one of Arrowmax’s most prized features, so it’s no surprise that they make it to their latest flagship.
It’s not all manual doing here. You can control the torque settings wirelessly with the M1 Pro’s mobile app, available on Google Play, Apple App Store, and Arrowmax. For added smartness in the process, Arrowmax has equipped the M1 Pro with a proprietary Smart Motion Control system (SMC), which allows the screwdriver to be gesture-controlled by the direction you twist your wrist. The motor automatically adjusts torque and direction based on the angle of your hand rotation. Using the app, however, you can customize torque settings for each of the modes, and enjoy the convenience of automatic saving as well. The screwdriver saves the settings you’re working in to resume in the last used mode even after being switched off. And since Arrowmax understands that its tool will be required and should adapt to every situation equally, it can transition to manual mode when electric mode lacks sufficient power, and you continue working without losing a second.
M1 Pro is equipped with fast Type-C charging
The M1 Pro’s effectiveness of the torque and its performance are governed by the built-in 600mAh LiPo battery. This gives the screwdriver a working time of 90 minutes. To put that into perspective, the M1 Pro should be able to tighten or loosen over 900 screws on a single charge. Charging is handled by a Type-C fast charging cable that juices the unit fully in 100 minutes. The tool has a rubber back cover to help with battery replacement without any professional assistance.
M1 Angle Screw – precision at a new angle
The resourcefulness of the M1 Pro really takes a prominent twist with the interesting M1 Angle Screw you get with the M1 Pro Plus edition. Crafted from CNC-machined 7075 aerospace-grade aluminum and featuring steel gears, the special Angle Screw attachment is designed to negotiate tight spaces and challenging angles with ease of maneuvering and working on screws in upright and straightforward positions. The whole Arrowmax M1 Pro package is delivered in an aluminum storage box, again CNC-machined for durability and sheer precision. The M1 Pro box organizes bits efficiently with a magnetic compartment inside so you can remove and snap them back seamlessly during an efficient operation or a creative endeavor.
This versatile tool provides exceptional performance and precision for a wide range of tasks
The M1 Pro also comes with a standard M1 variant, which has the same number of drill bits, the same 10 kgf.cm torque output, torque modes, and battery capacity. The only features it lacks are the Smart Motion Control system (that lets the screwdriver automatically identify torque and rotating direction with your wrist movements), Bluetooth control, and a capacitive-touch display. The touchscreen display gets replaced with a button-operated interface and a smaller screen, like the ones seen in Arrowmax’s previous devices. The M1 starts at a respectable $59 discounted price, while the M1 Pro boasts a price tag of $89 (36% off its original $139 price). Both the M1 and M1 Pro ship globally, making them perfect a perfect addition, nay upgrade, to your existing DIY toolkit!
The Utility Knife gets major props for how simple and sophisticated it looks, but how it cleverly masks functional details into its minimalist design. Styled like your everyday paper cutter, the knife comes with a gorgeous all-metal body, coupled with a textured knob that lets you deploy and lock the blade. The metal handle is weighted and grippy enough for a comfortable, accident-free cutting experience, and also hides within it a slick metal scale that you can detach and use independently to either cut/draw straight lines or measure linear distances.
OLFA Snap Knife – Using the wide blade from OLFA, it’s easier to perform the cutting, slicing and trimming with top safety and solid control.
The Utility Knife sports a CNC-machined metal body that’s 8mm thick, and long enough to hold your standard OLFA blade. The CNC-machined handle ensures a kind of perfection you wouldn’t get from most paper cutters made of plastic. The blade’s enclosure and opening are all machined to absolute perfection, allowing the blade to slide through with zero difficulty and be operated without any of that wobble you’d find in imperfectly manufactured plastic-handled cutters.
A metal slider knob controls the blade itself. Rotate the slider to tighten or loosen the blade, before sliding it in or out. The experience is satisfyingly smooth thanks to the metal-on-metal interaction, giving you a cutter that feels vastly more enjoyable to use than something you’d use in school as a kid.
The knife’s opening sports a 45° chamfered edge that allows the blade to safely exit through, making it visible so you don’t end up hurting yourself. The 45° slant also allows you to use the knife to open boxes easily while resting it on that surface, so you don’t risk cutting too deep into the box and damaging what’s inside.
However, the story doesn’t end there! The knife’s back surface is designed to be magnetic, making it easy to stick onto magnetic boards, fridges, and metal cupboards, but more notably, it’s the docking point for the Utility Knife’s companion – its metal scale. The scale snaps satisfyingly into place, docking onto the knife so it’s always conveniently within reach.
15° Curvature Ruler – Prevent your finger from being cut when cutting and you’ll be able to pick it up easily from any surface.
Blade Snapper – Snap off the blade with the special design in the tip of the ruler.
Its all-metal design means you can use it alongside the knife to cut straight lines (without worrying of damage as you would with a plastic or wooden scale). The scale comes with both imperial and metric measurements, and has a slightly tilted edge that makes it easy to grip and lift off flat surfaces. Finally, a slit in the top of the scale serves as a blade-breaker, allowing you to snap off blunt parts of the OLFA blade to reveal a fresh sharper edge.
Together, the knife and scale make a surprisingly handy combo. Although designed for stationery-adjacent use, the knife serves EDC-based roles rather well too, and the scale is perfect for tiny measurements on the fly. The fact that the Utility Knife uses OLFA blades means you’ve always got a sharp edge at hand, and you don’t need to worry about manually sharpening blades like you would with regular EDC. The only thing missing is a nice lanyard hole or a leather carrying strap, but hey, maybe I’m being pedantic…
“Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote those words back in 1834, but nearly 200 years later, nothing’s really changed. Whether it’s water from a tap or an outdoor stream, you really don’t know whether it’s safe to drink. The color and smell of water will tell you only so much, but you’ll never know whether the water has chlorine, hard minerals, microorganisms, or microplastics in it… and even though it’s really impractical to carry gallons of water with you on an outdoor trek, the folks at Vitaloop have a much more innovative solution. The Vitaloop is arguably the world’s smallest and most advanced water purifier, fit into a bottle small enough to carry in your backpack or even your hand. With a one-button interface that begins the purification process, and a 5-stage filtration system that eliminates “99.9999% of all contaminants from your water” in just 45 seconds, the Vitaloop is practically a camping essential, allowing you to drink and even cook with clean water wherever you go.
Designed as a humble outdoor bottle that can fit in your car’s cup holder or the bottle-mesh on the side of your backpack, the Vitaloop is, in fact, a motor-powered water purifier that uses a multi-stage filtration system to clean pretty much any kind of water, making it safe to drink. All you do is fill the Vitaloop up, hit the filtration button, and the bottle gets to work, filtering up to 13 gallons (50 liters) of water on a full battery charge. Its handy design and single-button interface make it perfect for carrying camping or even while traveling to unknown cities, and that 5-stage filtration system gives you water that’s pure, odorless, and even tastes good!
The way the Vitaloop works is by separating your water into two distinct chambers. When you fill your bottle up with outdoor water through its inlet, it enters the Vitaloop’s inner holding chamber, which stays entirely separated from the rest of the bottle. Hit the button on top and the bottle begins filtering the water out of its inner chamber, passing it through Vitaloop’s patented filtration system. Clean water makes its way into the outer chamber, where you can drink it through the Vitaloop’s wide mouth. The entire process takes under a minute, allowing you to repeat it as many times as necessary, whether you’re drinking water, brewing coffee, or cooking food.
The bottle’s filter is its secret sauce, eliminating a staggering 99.9999% of contaminants to give you clean drinking water. The 5-step filtration system includes a mesh filter that first catches large debris like sand, plastic and other gunk, followed by an activated carbon filter and a graphene filter that traps sediment, neutralizes bacteria, and eliminates chemicals like chlorine, heavy metal, and pesticides. A proprietary Halopure filter neutralizes viruses by destroying their outer shell, rendering them ineffective, and finally, a precision Japanese microfilter purifies water on a microscopic level, trapping microplastics, smaller bacteria like salmonella, and any other particle down to 0.2 microns in size.
Crafted from BPA-free Polypropylene and Tritan plastic, the Vitaloop bottle boasts impressive durability and impact resistance. This unique blend of plastics not only ensures the Vitaloop’s longevity but also grants it moisture resistance, exceptional insulation, and shatterproof qualities. The tinted outer plastic allows you to see your bottle’s water level so you’re never running empty, and a nifty lanyard lets you loop your Vitaloop around your hand, onto your backpack, or around the belt loop of your pants.
Each Vitaloop comes with a replaceable filter cartridge that has a lifespan of 200 liters (52.8 gallons) before you need to switch it out for a new one. The makers offer a variety of filter types to choose from, from the standard Nanoflow Defender filter cartridge designed for camping, trekking, etc. capable of taking on even the most dubious-looking water. The Nanoflow Health+ cartridge does everything the Defender cartridge does, but also adds magnesium to your water, increasing its alkalinity and making it great for your bones, muscles, and blood. For people traveling within cities relying on tap water, the Nanoflow Flex Guard filter works best with outdoor/city water, making it great for people visiting foreign countries with little access to potable/purified tap water.
Every year, over 3 million people die because of diseases caused by drinking water that’s unsafe for consumption. Given how important water is to our sustenance, the Vitaloop could just as easily be a life-saver not just for you, but also for the planet. Aside from giving us pure drinking water, it eliminates the need to carry multiple gallons of water while camping, or carrying single-use plastic bottles that you’d then have to throw away. Each Vitaloop runs on a 2000mAh battery that charges via USB-C and filters over 13 gallons of water on a single charge. The Vitaloop starts at a super earlybird discounted price of $89, although for $109 you can get the Vitaloop along with an extra filter and a padded neoprene sleeve for your bottle. The Vitaloop ships globally starting December 2023.
If you’ve ever gone camping, chances are you probably had to start a fire for your cooking or smores needs. As someone who has never have done this but have seen enough movies and TV shows where people struggle with it, I can only guess that it’s pretty challenging if you don’t have the right tools or if you actually don’t know how to do it. Fortunately for those who still have to do it manually, there are a lot of tools now (and YouTube).
The Fire Starting Multi-Tool from Zippo should be able to do the job for you as its name says. It’s basically a Swiss knife type of tool that has everything you need to start a fire and do other outdoorsy things. It has a flint wheel ignition that should be able to spark that fire and then add shavings from the tinder grater that’s part of the tool. It also has a 420 high-carbon steel knife blade and a double cut saw blade that should let you cut through things like branches which you also need to kindle the fire.
You should be able to start up to 15 fires at 1 inch each or 12 fires at 3 cm each with what’s included in this tool , which includes 1 flint. It also comes with a fire paracord and bail with an attachment point. For non-fire things, there is a bottle opener and screwdriver so you can enjoy a bottle of beer once the fire has been started.
If you often go outdoors and start campfires and such, this is a handy tool for you to always have with you. Zippo is even offering a combo kit which includes other fire starting tools that you may need if you ned to have those smores while exchanging campfire stories.
Your keychain can hold keys, and it can probably open bottles… but can it fix your bicycle? Can it transform into a screwdriver? Can it turn into a box-cutter or self-defense tool? Designed for the outdoor enthusiast who always loves having the right tool on them for the right task, the KeySnap is a rather cleverly designed 5-in-1 carabiner. Crafted out of Grade-5 Titanium (the strongest metal known to mankind), the KeySnap is a pretty brutishly built carabiner keychain that doubles as a multitool. The carabiner’s unique one-piece design allows it to easily attach onto belt loops, backpack straps, and other hooking points, while the KeySnap’s base features a tiny removable blade with a semi-sharp edge that’s perfect for cutting paper, drops, and opening boxes. Look around the KeySnap and you’ll also notice its hex-wrench that also works as a bit holder for a screwdriver, a spoke wrench that’s perfect for fixing bicycles, and a bottle opener that lets you crack open a brewski outdoors.
Carabiners are pretty much a standard fixture in the EDC world and you’ll probably find your fair share of ones with multitools built into them, but the KeySnap is different in two key ways – A. The fact that it’s made entirely from grade-5 titanium, which makes it much more durable than any steel alloy carabiner on the market. and finally B. the integration of a removable blade into the base of the carabiner, allowing you to quickly detach it when you need to, and clip it back in place once you’re done.
The first thing you notice with the KeySnap’s design is the carabiner detail. Unlike most carabiners that come with a spring-loaded arm, the KeySnap just uses a clever series of cuts that allows the titanium to bend as if it were spring-loaded. Given how incredibly resilient titanium is, the arm can flex a great deal without breaking or withstanding any sort of damage. Titanium’s shape-memory nature gives the arm its springiness, allowing it to return securely to its original position.
The KeySnap’s defining feature (and something that sets it apart from the competition) is that detachable miniature blade. Designed to sit securely inside the carabiner until you press the buttons on each side, the blade can easily be removed for cutting and emergency use. It has a rather tiny spear-point edge, so if you want something more tactical you best go for a full-fledged knife. However, for everything else, it’s a perfect blade to have on hand. The spear-point tip is ideal for cutting through envelopes and boxes, while the edge itself is semi-sharp, so you’re really in no danger of slicing skin and hurting yourself.
When you’re not slicing away at boxes and plastic packets, the KeySnap has a few other tools that can prove to be incredibly handy. A hex wrench lets you work screws and bolts, but also allows you to dock a standard hex-bit and turn your carabiner into a makeshift screwdriver. Right beside the hex wrench is a spoke wrench, perfect for fixing spokes in a bicycle, and to the extreme end sits a bottle opener, a common yet much-appreciated fixture of any good multitool… after all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, doesn’t it?!
All the features fit into the carabiner’s rather compact frame, making it a perfect EDC for your outdoor travels. The KeySnap clocks in at 3.11 inches long, 1.38 inches wide, and weighs a mere 1.3 ounces (37 grams). It’s designed to practically last a lifetime (thanks to the Grade 5 Titanium build), and even with the blade, the KeySnap fully complies with TSA hand tool carry-on regulations. Perfect for carrying any and everywhere, the KeySnap transforms the humble carabiner keychain into an EDC that packs a few interesting features that you’ll be happy to have on you at all times. The KeySnap starts at a discounted $49, and ships worldwide for free starting January 2024.
All of us are probably familiar with the feeling of helplessness when we encounter a problem that we can’t solve without some equipment. Even worse, we’re often caught unprepared when we do bring along some tools and, much to our exasperation, discover that we are actually missing the right tool for the job. It’s nearly impossible to bring along all possible tools you can think of, not unless you’re actually a handyman carrying a toolbox with you all the time. That’s why multi-functional tools have become quite popular these days, and this rather ingenious take on that design crams no less than eight functions in a pair of handsome scissors small enough to fit on your palm.
Having scissors in your EDC kit is nothing new, especially in places where you can legally stash sharp tools to be ready for any eventuality. Most of these scissors often come in foldable forms to save up space, but this design often sacrifices power for the sake of size. These are also single-purpose tools that offer nothing beyond cutting and snipping objects, presuming they’re thin and weak enough for that.
The Eiger Tool 8-in-1 Multi-functional Scissors proves that you don’t have to make sacrifices just to keep something small. Even without resorting to a foldable mechanism, these tiny shears reach only 13cm or 5.1 inches, enough to fit in your hand, pocket, and definitely any bag. Even with that size, however, the scissors’ cutting ability isn’t compromised and it can even cut through food ingredients, including pieces of meat.
As the name suggests, cutting is just one of the small scissors’ eight functions. Almost every side and part of the scissors’ body is used efficiently to provide a critical function that you’ll need when you’re on the go. One of the handles, for example, can be used to open lids, while both handles can crush nut shells or hold caps for easier twisting. One of the blades has cutouts for a bottle opener, a can opener, and a degasser, while the other blade also functions as a small knife. Those are 8 distinct use cases that this tool can handle without taking up any additional space in your bag or pocket.
Even with all the features crammed into a single tool, these palm-sized scissors are still made with aesthetics, usability, and durability in mind. An oxidation coating technique not only increases the stainless steel’s rust resistance, it also gives the scissors an elegant black appearance that easily stands out among other EDC tools. The two halves are also easy to detach and reattach, making cleaning a trivial task. Whether you’re crafting crafts indoors or having a stress-free day outdoors, these multi-functional palm-sized scissors will always stay with you, ready to cut through any problem with style.
