Tag Archives: folding

This Award-Winning Foldable Microwave Oven Concept Turns into a Portable Carry Case

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You’ve got portable grills, induction cookers, and portable stoves, but there’s no portable version of the microwave. Most microwaves today are heavy, bulky, and aren’t designed to be carried around… but what if they were? Designer Park Saun created the Foldwave concept to show what a portable microwave could look like. With a collapsible design that turns into a portable carry case when not in use, the Foldwave gives you the option of being able to carry your microwave around. Use it at home from one room to another, carry it to work, or even to a picnic. The collapsible design makes it easier to carry on your shoulders… and if you’re wondering whether portable microwaves are even feasible as a concept, a Japanese company developed the world’s first battery-powered microwave this year!

Designer: Park Saun

The Foldwave’s innovation, as a concept, lies primarily in the way it goes from cube-shaped to compact. The sides of the microwave buckle inwards, allowing the top and the bottom elements to join together into a smaller, more manageable carrying volume. A handle on the top makes it easy to carry the Foldwave around with you, and using the Foldwave is as simple as opening the door in front, adding your food, and turning the knob on top to run the appliance.

Even though conceptual, it’s important to really address how this technology would be feasible in the long run. Microwaves are usually sealed shut to prevent radiation leakage, and it’s important that the Foldwave keeps that in consideration too. As far as the components go, the microwave magnetron sits on the top, while the rotating platform can be found at the bottom. One would assume that the high-voltage transformer sit right at the top with the magnetron, powering the device, while a battery unit could be potentially stored at the bottom, allowing the microwave to balance its components and weight out while still being bottom-heavy enough to stay stable when open.

The Foldwave is a winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2023.

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This rapid-deploy tactical folding knife combines sharpness and style in a handy package

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EDCs or Everyday Carries have become the common person’s version of Batman’s utility belt, cramming as many essential tools as possible in a small bag. Of course, what is “essential” can be different from person to person, with some prioritizing gadgets and electronics, while others have a complete set of handyman tools at their disposal. Whatever your use case might be, there will always come a time when you need to cut or slice something and pocket-sized scissors just won’t do. That’s where the Tekto F2 Bravo folding knife comes in, delivering a sharp and powerful blade that quickly deploys for whatever task you need it. Best of all, its small size and handsome looks make it a perfect addition to any EDC kit.

Designer: Tekto Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $127.50 $149.99 ($22.49 off with coupon code “F2YANKO”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Folding knives, even the tactical kind, are a dime a dozen these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re all equal in ability and design. Some look and feel like large weapons for battle, while others are small yet so flimsy that they can barely cut anything worthwhile. Striking the perfect balance between size, strength, ease of use, and aesthetics, is no easy feat, and yet Tekto manages to pull it off again and again, as proven by the F2 Bravo, a handsome tool whose simple beauty belies the cutting power that lies within.

Titanium Accents – With its custom pivot, machined clip, and milled spacer, the F2 Bravo exemplifies a premium, high-end feel that uniquely matches the look and feel of the knife.

Lightweight – The F2 Bravo weighs only 2.4oz (68g) and comes in two different handle materials best known for their lightness and extreme durability, Forged Carbon and G10.

It may have “tactical” in its name, but the Tekto F2 Bravo looks and feels more like a premium tool than a rugged knife. The handle, which comes in Forged Carbon or G10 variants, feels light yet solid, providing confidence in your grip, while titanium accents put it a level above your common folding knives. Recessed liners also give it a rather clean appearance, cementing its image as a high-end product that won’t look out of place in your carry.

Ceramic Ball Bearings – The state-of-the-art ceramic ball bearing mechanism allows the F2 Bravo to deploy the blade rapidly and smoothly with the utmost ease.

The Tekto F2 Bravo is more than just a pretty face, of course. The titanium-coated D2 steel blade offers sharp and precise cuts every time, while its black appearance gives it a more elegant character compared to the typical silver blades of other knives. More importantly, getting access to this powerful blade is quick and easy thanks to a state-of-the-art ceramic ball bearing mechanism that can deploy the blade swiftly and smoothly. And with a discreet liner lock with a strategically placed jimping, you always have a secure hold on the knife, regardless of the difficulty of the task at hand.

Why settle for bulky, unattractive, or ineffective folding knives when you can have the best of all worlds? With a smooth and swift deployment thanks to innovative ceramic ball bearings, and a handsome minimalist design, the Tekto F2 Bravo tactical folding knife is more than just a tool. It is also a timeless and well-thought-out design that would be a welcome addition to your EDC team.

Click Here to Buy Now: $127.50 $149.99 ($22.49 off with coupon code “F2YANKO”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

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The stylish and capable CIVIVI Mini Praxis folding knife is perfect for pockets and small EDCs

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We try to be prepared for anything that life throws at us, but we can only cram so many things into our pockets or even our bags. You can make tools smaller, of course, but you also run the risk of reducing their functionality if you cut away too much. It takes diligent and creative design to strike a balance between size and performance, but it is not impossible. Take for example the CIVIVI folding pocket knife that can really clip inside your tight jeans’ pocket, combining function and style in a package that isn’t only easy to handle but also easy to buy.

Designer: CIVIVI

Click Here to Buy Now: $29.75 $35 (15% off with coupon code “yanko15”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

There always comes a time when we need to cut through something and scissors just won’t cut it, pun totally intended. Knives are the better solution for cutting ropes, wood, and other materials, but the more powerful a knife is, the larger it usually is as well. That’s not even considering how some of these knives won’t pass certain security checks, making it a hassle to take them everywhere. Typical mini pocket knives do have the right size for portability but sacrifice not only performance but also comfort. That’s what makes the CIVIVI Mini Praxis a wonder to hold and behold, combining the best of both worlds without compromises.

At the heart of that feat is a 2.98-inch hard-use blade, ranging from 58 to 61 HRC on the hardness scale, which is not only in the perfect shape for cutting and slicking but also in the perfect size to meet most legal requirements. With a ceramic ball bearing, the blade unfolds and folds smoothly, making each flip feel satisfying each and every time. A liner lock also makes sure that the blade stays in place, keeping your hand and other EDC items out of harm’s way.

The CIVIVI Mini Praxis, however, isn’t just a sharp folding knife, it’s also an ergonomic one. A contoured G10 handle that scales over a stainless steel inner frame delivers an excellent grip, with recesses designed especially for your fingers. Jimping on the top of the blade also provides a place to rest your thumb to further enhance your hold for especially stubborn ropes or wood. And when the job is done, the built-in deep-carry pocket clip makes it super easy to slip the folded knife into your pocket and get going.

With choices of a satin-finished blade, a stonewashed blade, or a Damascus steel blade, and G10 or wooden handles, the CIVIVI Mini Praxis also exudes style in such a small package. Whether you’re out camping, trying to hook some fish, or just preparing for any eventuality, the sleek and handy CIVIVI Mini Praxis folding knife can easily fit in pockets and bags to deliver the sharpness and confidence you need to cut through any task, anytime, anywhere.

Click Here to Buy Now: $29.75 $35 (15% off with coupon code “yanko15”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

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This sideboard swings at 90 degrees to form a work from home desk & function as a flexible storage solution

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Are you still looking for the perfect desk? One that you can end hours working away on, without feeling uncomfortable and bored. One that also lets you eat your meals on it, and binge-watch on some Netflix as well. Well, so am I! And I’m sure that’s the case with most of us, since working from home became the new norm, and our home offices became our new hang-out spots. Having a great desk is extremely important. Simply a ‘good’ desk won’t do either. A great desk helps us work comfortably and effectively. It puts us in the right mindset, helping us achieve our daily productivity goals and checkmark all the tasks on our to-do list! Not only should our desks be clean, but they should also sport an ergonomic and functional design! And good looks are a bonus. And finding a desk that does all of the above can be a Herculean task. But worry not, I’ve found the ultimate desk for you – the Hideaway Swing Desk.

Designer: Bisley

Now, the Hideaway Swing Desk is no ordinary desk! Primarily because it’s not just simply a desk, it’s also a sleek and elegant sideboard. In its original state, the Hideaway Swing Desk functions as an excellent sideboard that is perfect for smaller homes. But when you move the furniture piece at a 90-degree angle, it transforms into a functional and sturdy workspace. The multifunctional design is intended to be a flexible storage solution that can solve a variety of problems in modern homes. Its dual functionality makes it unique and allows it to not only store your belongings but also serve as an efficient and effective work-from-home desk.

The Hideaway Swing desk features a matte velvety surface that instantly draws attention. The surface is amped with anti-fingerprint features and a sturdy coating that is resistant to abrasion, impact, and micro-scratches. It has a contrasting wood laminated desktop finished in – oak, maple, walnut, or shorewood. A hidden push-to-open drawer is smartly concealed in the desk, with a soft fabric lining to protect your precious personal items. The desk is also equipped with a built-in USB, pin plug, and cable management system.

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Ultra-minimalist folding chair tries to redeem the notch’s tarnished reputation

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Although it doesn’t have a monopoly on the word, the smartphone market has appropriated the term “notch” and, unfortunately, given it a bad reputation in terms of design. Although their purpose can always be justified, the initial implementation of the notch on smartphone displays felt more like a solution in search of a problem. Of course, there are plenty of uses for cutouts, even the straight rectangular ones. This folding chair, for example, uses that design element not only as an interesting point of interest but also as a mechanism that gives the piece of furniture a more flexible form that makes it a lot more usable for many purposes.

Designer: Kostas Synodis

There is nothing inherently good or bad about a notch. It’s simply a cutout that can be used to create an empty space for visual effect or to make room for some other things. On smartphones, the notorious notch takes a bite out of the display to make room for cameras and sensors at the top instead of having the entire row unusable like in traditional designs. For this chair named “Notch,” the cutout functions both as a visual contrast to the rest of the product while also acting as the way for the chair to become a flat plank of wood for easy storage or transportation.

Most folding chairs implement a lever and fulcrum mechanism where the seat folds down from the backrest, and the legs fold close to each other. In the Notch’s case, however, the parts move in the opposite direction, with the seat folding down and the legs folding away from each other. Since the seat and the back legs are finished in a different color than the backrest and front legs, the notch practically creates a window for this contrasting part of the product, turning the chair into a sort of decorative piece when it’s folded up and propped against a wall.

In addition to its rather unusual design inspired by African foldable chairs, the Notch is also designed with sustainability and efficient production in mind. Made from high-quality plywood cut using CNC technologies, the chair can be made using precise, cost-effective, and low-waste techniques. Because it folds perfectly flat, the chair is easier to ship and can be stored easily when not in use.

Although the Notch’s practical and aesthetic benefits are unmistakable, the comfort it provides might be a bit questionable. The angle it reclines might not be familiar to everyone, and it definitely makes it less useful for those times when you need to sit upright. The seat itself is relatively short, and the design doesn’t have room for softer materials like cushions or even textiles that could add to the chair’s comfort and ergonomics.

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This space-saving foldable heater is as cool as your Xbox Series S

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A compact heater crafted for individuals who are fed up with the bulky and impractical design of static heaters that beam heat only in one position. This highly maneuverable heater is different from those traditional ones in all respects though!

Winters brings with it chilling cold and consequently, and out come the good old heaters to neutralize things. While heaters solve the intended purpose, they don’t always look as good as modern radiators. Nor are they as compact and handy as some other appliances. Therefore, I’m always left with the unsatisfied craving for an ultra-compact heater that looks good, does the task and simply vanishes away when the winters offset. Have a look at this compact folding heater that superimposes right over what I and for that matter, many of you out there keep longing for in the winter season.

Designers: Wenhua Xu and 托迪 设计

Like a tripod it can be set at any angle and height, fulfilling the user’s requirements without any hassles. It is designed like a folding lamp that can be kept even in the cabinet drawer when not required. Yes, the design is such that it folds into itself, making it very easy to carry in hand or backpack with you. This is an important feature, especially for people who travel a lot in colder regions, and prefer to have their own heating solutions.

Aesthetically the Folding Heater (yes, that’s what it is called) is ideal for modern homes and studio apartments. The appealing form factor will appeal to the young crowd who normally debunk things just for their looks. It’s just like carrying the cool Xbox Series S for style statement per se. Operating the heater is as simple as it can get. The touch-sensitive round display shows the real-time temperature and on either side are the buttons to toggle temperature. On the top, the heater displays the time and on the bottom is the On/Off toggle button.

There’s not much to say here, as the design explains for itself and does what it is intended to do in a cute way. I would definitely like this compact folding heater in my arsenal of geeky possessions, it’s that cool. How about you?

The post This space-saving foldable heater is as cool as your Xbox Series S first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Origami-inspired lamp folds flat into a sheet while carrying, and opens into a nifty tabletop lamp when you need

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Working almost like an iPad cover/stand would, the ORY lamp is a nifty little flat-packed number that you can slide right into your backpack and carry wherever you need. Upon arriving at a dark setting that requires tabletop illumination, the sheet cleverly folds into a two-way tabletop lamp that shines light downwards and forwards, letting you easily light up a space for work, reading, dining, etc.

The nifty little Ory lamp (named for its origami abilities) assumes the shape of a flat sheet of faux leather, making it ridiculously easy to slide into backpacks, briefcases, or folders. It uses two powerful COB (Chip on Board) LEDs that sit flat within the lamp’s design, and comes with crease-lines that allow the flat leatherette sheet to transform into a tubular structure with two offshoots (sort of like two banana peels) that sport the LED strips facing downward. Switch the lamp on and the LEDs cast a bright direct light onto a tabletop surface. Flaps on the sides of the LEDs act as lamp-shades, preventing the direct glare from the LEDs from hitting your eye, while focusing the light downwards towards an otherwise dark tabletop surface.

Designer: Il-Seop Yoon

As interesting as the lamp may look visually, its internals are just as awe-inspiring. The lamp’s folding/flexing design still manages to cleverly integrate all the necessary electronics in, while still remaining deceptively flat. The lamp runs on a mobile phone Li-ion battery, giving it a slim construction, and even sports a wireless Qi-charging coil on the side, allowing you to fold the lamp up and place it on a wireless charger to juice up its battery. The absence of a traditional charging port, according to designer Il-Seop Yoon, allows the Ory lamp to be water-resistant too, so a couple of drops of rain (or a knocked-over cup of coffee) won’t do anything to the lamp.

Metal plates inside the lamp’s design give it structure while also providing the creasing necessary for the lamp to flip and fold. Moreover, I wouldn’t be surprised if they acted as a heat sink too, dissipating any of the thermal energy generated by the LEDs.

There aren’t too many technical details (or pricing) on the Ory, given that it’s currently just a proof of concept. Although, I’d really like to see the lamp hit production soon!

This electric scooter folds down to half the size of a conventional kick scooter for easy city transportation!

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Smacircle is a redesign of the electric kick scooter that folds down to half the size of a traditional kick scooter for easy transport and seamless maneuverability.

Getting around crowded cities always feels harder than it should be. Even if you live in a driving city like Los Angeles, finding parking is near impossible and then there’s the walk from your parking space to your destination. In New York City, you always have to add in the time it takes to actually walk to and from the subway station. In walking cities, the sidewalks just get too packed. Introducing a new way of getting around the city, designer Rice Mak conceptualized Smacircle, an electric scooter that folds down to half the size of a traditional scooter so you’ll always have a ride as you make your way through the city.

According to Mak, Smacircle solves the “last kilometer” problem of most crowded cities. While subways cover the majority of urban areas, the distance between each stop is at least one to two kilometers, which means your destination is likely one to two kilometers away from each subway stop. Smacircle is an electric scooter that can fold down to a size you’ll feel comfortable with bringing onto the subway and then once you’re out, you can zoom in the bike lane for your destination.

Featuring an integrated motor in its vertical support bar, Smacircle folds in three places to become one-third of its operating size. Unfolded, Smacircle reaches the same height and width as a conventional kick scooter, but has an advantage over the latter for its compact folded size, dropping down to half the size of a traditional folded kick scooter.

Edging out the conventional scooter further, Smacircle comes with built-in shock absorbers that work to maintain the scooter’s small, but mighty build, enhancing its overall maneuverability. In the center of the scooter’s handlebar, just above the motor, Mak incorporated a digital display panel where users would be able to read the scooter’s battery life, speed, and mileage. Equipping Smacircle with everything a city rider might need for their commute, located on the same display panel, users can access the scooter’s high beams and USB socket.

Designer: Rice Mak

Smacircle comes with a small kickstand to remain in place when at a halt.

Smacircle folds down to half the size of a traditional folded kick scooter.

With a narrow build, Smacircle is easy to carry at your side too.

The digital display gadget reveals all the technical information necessary for a smooth ride.

The scooter’s hinged parts lock into place when unfolded. 

Built with integrated shock absorbers, Smacircle ensures a swift ride.

Finally, The Heated Outdoor Folding Chair You’ve Been Waiting For

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Because the great outdoors are best enjoyed while warm and seated, this is the Heated Outdoor Folding Chair available exclusively from Hammacher Schlemmer. I can already feel my butt sweating around a campfire.

The $180 chair has a heating element woven into its seat and has three different temperature settings: 113ºF, 122ºF, and 131ºF. Am I going to hack mine to go up to 300ºF so I can use it for cooking hot dogs? Warranties were made to voided. Its AC rechargeable battery pack provides about six hours of heat on a full charge or about a half-hour of grilling time for me.

Alternatively, just sit on one of those hand warmer packs in a regular folding chair. Sure it might not be as elegant as a heated folding chair, but it’s also not as expensive. If I’m going to spend $180 on a chair, you better believe it’s going to be one of those fancy Japanese toilets with all the bells and whistles.

Craft Your Own 3D Pixelated Papercraft Mario Figure: It’s-a Me, Mario!

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Mario: he could never commit a crime and get away with it because absolutely everybody would be able to pick him out of a police lineup. I mean unless he took his hat off and shaved his mustache, then nobody would have any clue who he was. Created by user DAZMAKER, this is an Instructable detailing how to construct your own 3D pixelated Mario papercraft sculpture. I can already feel the stinging paper cuts on my fingers.

Crafting your own pixelated Mario papercraft sculpture basically involves using a razor blade to cut out a ton of paper pieces, then folding those and carefully taping those pieces together. No glue is required for the project, which is a good thing because my wife is probably getting tired of driving me to the hospital with one body part glued to another.

Am I going to make one? Maybe, but I might just start with only crafting Mario’s head first and going from there. I’m very noncommittal. Like when I said “I’ll give it the old college try” instead of “I do” during my wedding vows. My wife still holds that over my head during an argument.