Top 10 sleek Japanese designs gift guide for those who love minimalism in their everyday life

A place for everything, and everything in it’s place – that is the Japanese philosophy my 2 years living in that country taught me. The level of efficiency, detailed behaviour and organization visible in everyday life in Japan is an almost calming experience. It is that level of eye for details and design ethics that we bring to you in our range of Japanese products. Small yet humble, each product reflects it multifunctional nature that respects the materials used and also respects the user by helping them make the most of every design. Add to it their space-saving nature and minimalism, we are in love with everything here – right from this convention defying screwdriver to the Japanese-lantern inspired candle. Look through this gift guide and I’m sure you will find something for your friends as well as for yourself that is sure to warm your heart this holiday season!

1. All-in-One Screwdriver

This screwdriver won’t screw you over! Aptly named the all-in-one screwdriver, this design comes with 20 bits you’ll need and its unique twisting and spinning mechanism makes it feel like play, rather than tedious work. This movement happens with an innovative ball bearing design that lets your fingers move with ease and the spinner enables the user to easily move the screwdriver when screwing bigger screws. In addition, the hexagon bit holder gives the electric screwdriver the opportunity to take over the movement when needed. The bits are made from Stainless Steel with a Titanium Nitride coating that gives it extra strength. Sleek, minimal and a pleasure to look at – in a world flooded with functional all-in-one screwdrivers, this screwdriver makes a worthy addition to your tool case that not only impresses with its aesthetic but also with its added functionality of the Spinner Wheel when you need some help.

Click Here to Buy Now: $85 $99 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

2. All-in-One-Grill

Cooking outdoors doesn’t have to be a hassle if you have an all-in-one tool to cook all kinds of dishes. Whether you’re barbecuing, frying, grilling, steaming, smoking, or just cooking a hearty stew, this modular grill has all the parts you need to cook a masterchef-worthy meal outdoors with your family. There’s even a special module to warm your bottles upright – perfect to get your mulled wine warm and toasty! The grill lets you experiment with the kind of cooking you want – you don’t have to be stuck with simple packaged food while camping. Given its tiny size, this grill sits on any table whereas the attention to detail on the design show the thought put into this Japanese design.

Click Here to Buy Now: $382 $449 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

3. Battery-free Aroma Diffuser

Our sense of smell is one of the primary sensory experience that people draw on to relax. With air quality being in the dump in general this year, this aroma-diffuser helps their eco-friendly users truly relax with the lack of batteries. Meet the battery-free Aroma Diffuser – a minimal design that uses the heat from a carefully shielded candle that generates enough electrical power to turn the fan and helps spread the aroma of your choice. The transparent design of the aroma diffuser adds to the magic of the mystery while watching the candle’s flame can add to the overall meditative experience. Made from recyclable materials, this is a truly thoughtful design that keeps your entire experience sustainable.

Click Here to Buy Now: $212 $249 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

4. Gravity Pen

This tradition defying pen challenges the notions set up by mass produced pen manufactures for years – instead of focusing on the ease of manufacturing, it focuses on the ease of writing for users. Made from lightweight aluminium, the pen is designed with a lower centre of mass, which means better grip an overall elevated writing experience. A lot of high end pens also come with a heavy back – the section opposite the nib is heavy, causing you to lift the nib and make the writing experience more difficult. The grip of the pen is intentionally larger than the barrel giving a more comfortable hold and it’s faceted design makes it easy to hold for longer durations with ease!

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $45 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

5. Scissors w/Base

You know the frantic struggle we face when we need something opened up – be it your long awaited Amazon package or just that packet of chips you’ve been eyeing for a while. Scissors have a tendency to disappear just when you need them the most…until now! Designed to be displayed proudly, this 2-in-1 design is a scissor and a box-cutter in a minimal package that stands tall. Made from Japanese stainless steel with a black Teflon coating, the scissors stands on a milled aluminum base. The base is magnetic, ensuring the scissor can be kept upright and keep the scissor easily accessible when needed. Visually, the scissor cuts an impressive figure with its all black look and wide shape and a small extension that makes the box cutter almost seamless in design. This one is for showcasing!

Click Here to Buy Now: $42 $49 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

6. AirTag Carabiner

When Apple launched AirTags, it was the solution a lot of us were waiting for, while also answering the permanent question of where are my keys! The AirTag gets a more rugged, carry-friendly version with this Carabiner. A simple accessory that takes your precious Apple accessory to the next level, attach this stylish metal carabiner to your purse, keys, bags, bikes or even umbrellas! It is made from Duralumin composite alloy – a material suitable for use in aircrafts, spaceships and even boats! When you buy an accessory like AirTags, you know its not a possession you will forget about. Rather its something you cherish and use it to track the objects you value – and that is exactly why the AirTag Carabiner comes in use – its a precious to hold your precious.

Click Here to Buy Now: $102 $120 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

7. Hanging Desk Organizer

Say a goodbye to cluttered desk with this hanging desk rack – a genius organizer that lets you stow away your spare pens, notebooks, hang your keys and even store your charging cable. The system is magnetic which makes the design modular so you can organise as you wish. The rack is held in place with a nano suction tape – making it easy to stick, remove and relocate. The installation-free design makes the entire process mess-free, because the one thing you don’t want is to add clutter to your desk while installing your desk organizer. The rack also comes with accessories you can stick to streamline your setup – the cable holder sticks magnetically and keeps your cable accessible and away from you until you need it. The pin can be used to stick small notes and is strong enough to have keys, lanyards or even your phone on it. And lastly, a hook at the back of the organizer keeps your bag floor-free until you’re ready to pack up for the day!

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $169 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

8. Japanese Lantern Candle

The one thing I hate about buying expensive candles is that once they are over, there is no way around it but to get rid of the remnants. To put it simply, this is a pillar-shaped candle but the beauty begins once the candle starts burning – the more it burns, it turns into a traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern. This happens with the use of 2 different grades of waxes – one on the inside, which burns the way a normal candle would and another on the outside which retains the shape. The hollow shell mimics the effects of a lantern by diffusing the light that passes through it. The  material used for the outer shell is a patented non-melting wax – hence it collects the wax as it melts. In fact, we can even hold the candle in our hands while it is burning and have no hot wax drip onto your hand. Providing almost 60 hours of burn time, this candle is one for keeping.

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $69 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

9. Ceramic Cup

Winter is coming…and along with it the joy of holding a warm cup of coffee or chocolate on a cold frosty morning. To amplify this feeling, we bring you this ceramic mug with its earthy tone and a wooden handle that is designed to be a treat for your fingers holding it. From the first sip you take, the interaction is actually between your skin, the beverage and the mug – which is one factor we omit to include in our drinking experience but this minimal mug has you covered. The cup meets your lips in a soft touch, given the materials and the mug’s design. The mug is made using quality Japanese ceramic and the quality is reflected in your tactile experience with holding and drinking from the mug. The aesthetic of the mug gives the look of cast iron, which may shock the user when they find out its ceramic and warm. Sipping your beverage with all your focus on it is a humbling experience and this mug lets natural elements be a part and elevate this daily experience.

Click Here to Buy Now: $51 $60 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

10. Quick-Access Organizer

A minimal holder that may look simple, but holds all your essentials with a fun little magnetic twist – that’s what this Quick Access Organizer brings to us. What do we need on a daily basis? Our keys, earbuds, pens, glasses and wallet, all of which can be fit into this tiny holder. The organizer uses a magnetic rotating mechanism, allowing you to swivel the lid easily (actually making it the most fun aspect of this entire design) and drop the contents easily into its place. And the best part is, it enforces the habit of looking at the same place for items you need without getting the entire family involved in helping you find it!

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $69 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Pre-Black Friday sale ends Nov 16th.

The post Top 10 sleek Japanese designs gift guide for those who love minimalism in their everyday life first appeared on Yanko Design.

A key with 15 functions: Screwpop Toolkey is most ergonomic and compact EDC you can get

Who said, everyday carry equipment has to be thick and bulky? Screwpop visions you can just have a Toolkey: a key per se to look at, but a lethal multitool as well, to add 15 different tricks up your sleeve.

We have seen multitools evolve from bulky Victorinox knives to credit card-style gear. An example or two have also appeared in the Toolkey form factor. The Screwpop idea however stands out to me for the versatility and exceptional simplicity with which it is presented to the end user. So, whether you need a screwdriver, a file, wrench, a serrated edge, or a bottle opener, the Toolkey in your pocket will never leave you wanting.

Click Here to Buy Now!

Designer: Screwpop

Of course, it is not for the coarse tasks of hardcore adventure junkies and their crazy escapades. For everyday quick and simple jobs, this multitool with an array of functional tools will be a go-to solution. With 15 different functional options, the Toolkey offers a great variety in an unprecedented footprint: which is also the biggest USP.

Made from a metal injection molding process in stainless steel, this ergonomic, slim, and ultra-lightweight multitool is provided in a unibody design. It weighs 18g only and incorporates a neodymium magnet so that it can stick to the refrigerator or your toolbox. Owing to its 3.2 mm thickness, the Toolkey can easily slip into your wallet. But if you like to flaunt your multitool, you can attach it to a keyring or carabiner and hang it from the loop of your pants. If you’re impressed with the simplicity and utility of the Toolkey, you can get one right away from Screwpop for $20.

The post A key with 15 functions: Screwpop Toolkey is most ergonomic and compact EDC you can get first appeared on Yanko Design.

We’re Cool With The STK Multi-tool

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Look, multitools are a dime a dozen, and we’ve long stopped paying attention to the endless stream of pitches we get over this new one or that new one. However every now and then we come across one that stands out for one reason or another. We can’t quite put the finger on why the STK Multi-tool (STK stands for ‘Sliding Tool and Knife’) caught our attention, but there you have it.

A compact and elegant titanium and steel tool that combines a sliding blade with a money clip, a pry bar, 1/4? bit driver, flat-blade screwdriver, bottle opener, and wirestripper. Its blade has two edges – one for cutting, and one for scraping.

Maybe hit the jump and check out all the pictures, as this might help make sense of why we like it so much. Do we like it enough to pay the $185 pledge to own it? Well, maybe if we were adeventuresy types… but we’re not.

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[ Project Page ] VIA [ The Awesomer ]

Wildcard is A Slim Multitool With A Detachable Blade

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Multitools on Kickstarter are just like wallets on Kickstarter: there are way too many! But every now and then one comes around that adds a little innovative twist and stands out. The Wildcard is yet another multitool stamped out of solid stainless steel, except this one features a fold-out serrated edge blade. Better yet, the blade is detachable so if you forget you’re carrying it at the airport, you can just surrender the blade and order a replacement, instead of having to ditch the whole thing. It’s also got a screwdriver, a prybar, and a bottle opener. The whole thing measures just 2mm thick and is credit card sized, so it’ll fit in your wallet easily. It’s a smart design, and definitely worth the $25 pledge necessary to secure one.

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[ Project Page ]

The Mother Of All Swiss-Army Tools Is Ancient

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You’re looking at a museum piece. Literally. The thing “was made in Solingen, Germany about 1880 for J. S. Holler & Co.’s cutlery store in New York City. It was used to display the fine craftsmanship available to their customers,” and is now on loan to Cody Firearms Museum up to Fall 2015. It packs 100 “blades”, including “pocket knife blades of every style imaginable, a serrated blade, two dagger blades, several different types of shears and scissors, an auger, a corkscrew, two saws, a lancet, button hook, cigar cutter, tuning fork, pens and mechanical pencils, mirror, straight razor, and a functional .22-caliber five-shot pinfire revolver. The one modern convenience it doesn’t seem to have is a bottle opener, but the bottle cap as we know it wasn’t invented until 1892.” No bottle cap opener? The thing is worthless! No but seriously, that’s one badass tool that not only looks impressive even by today’s standards, but also serves to remind us that Swiss-Army-style multitools have been around for a heck of a long time.

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[ Museum Page ] VIA [ MikeShouts ]

Star Wars Multitool Is Still A Shitty Multitool, But, You Know… Star Wars

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Oh we sure have posted about multitools over the years. And lately, with Kickstarters popularity, we see as much news about “revolutionary” multitools as we do about “life changing” wallets. At the end of the day, it’s just a piece of metal with bits and bobs to help you do stuff. It’s not life changing or even that exciting, to be honest. But hey, this one is shaped like the Millennium Falcon, so it’s got that going for it… which is nice. Features?

– Officially licensed Star Wars multitool
– Made from stainless steel
11 functions:
o Screwdriver
o Earphone Tidy
o Bottle Opener
o Wire Stripper
o 5 box-end wrenches / ring spanners
o Ruler
o Parcel opener
Small/slim enough to fit into a wallet

It’s £10, or about $15USD, and available for pre-order now with shipping in September.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Geekologie ]

Crab Mate: Crab Shaped Multi-Tool

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Multi-tools are super handy, so in an ironically cute twist someone has come up with a crab shaped one that doesn’t have any hands. The Crab Mate is a crustacean that can do it all. If by “all” you mean screw driver, hex wrench, pry bar, bottle opener, mini saw box cutter, paracord knotless tie device and key chain. Perhaps you could even use it to open up a real crab?
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This handy and whimsical tool will come in either stainless steel or titanium with a polished finish. The little crab measures 2.9″ by 2.7″. It’s functional but cool enough looking that you’ll want to keep this little sea creature out on display. Available soon via Kickstarter.

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A Few Cool Wedding Rings

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Who ever said that wedding rings need to be boring or frilly? Or *gasp* non-functional? Easy there Ron Swanson, check out this trio of cool rings we found that have some attitude. They’re like the Fonz of rings (outdated reference? sorry, referencing the Fonz will never jump the shark). Left to right above, you’ve got the titanium Piston Ring:
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Flick the little thumbwheel and the piston actually moves back and forth. I guess this one is for “car guys” and the mechanically inclined. Also people who feel the need to endlessly fidget with something. Next up is the Camera Lens Ring:
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The lens ring is made of black zirconium and is for the photographer. No not the photographer of the wedding, the groom who is a photographer. Although it would make a nice gift for your photographer too. That was confusing. Less confusing is the AF and MF switches and realistic looking markings on this ring. Remember to let the pros take your pictures at your own wedding- no selfies. Lastly is the Multitool Ring:
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This titanium ring actually works! Just like a regular multi-tool but much smaller. It’s got a comb, bottle opener, straight blade, serrated blade and a small saw. I don’t think you can build a house with this ring but anyone getting this ring is probably so manly that they already build their own house anyway. So there you have it, wedding rings for dudes- they don’t have to be so boring and unmanly.

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The Cole-Bar Hammer Is The Swiss Army Knife Of Demolition Tools

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You had us at ‘demolition’. But since we’re sticklers for details, we might as well tell you a bit more about the Cole-Bar. It’s technically a hammer, but it also does duty as 6 other tools: a crow bar, a demolition tool, an angle measurement tool, a ruler, a socket wrench and nail pliers. Granted some of these “tools” are somewhat of a stretch; anyone can call a hammer a ruler as well if you use its straight edge to draw a line. But the point is that the Cole-Bar features a patented locking gear mechanism, meaning it can be opened and extended from 0-180 degrees and locked in place at 15 degree increments. This turns it into a full fledged crow bar for instance, but you can also split it in two and use each half as a separate tool. There’s a socket wrench mechanism at the end of one of the halves, and angle measurement notches at the end of another. The current prototype is made out of a #45 carbon steel with electro-plating which is likely to survive repeated attempts to destroy it. The final production model’s composition hasn’t been determined yet, and yes, this does mean that the Cole-Bar isn’t a finished product. It’s doing the Kickstarter dance as we speak, 64% into a $100k goal in $65 increments. If you pledge, you can expect to see it in the Fall.

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[ Product Page ] VIA [ GearHungry ]

Leatherman Raptor For Medics

There are multi-tools for a variety of purposes; the Leatherman Raptor was created with medics in mind. Constructed around a pair of 420HC stainless steel medical shears, the Raptor also features a carbine glass breaker, a ring cutter, a ruler, an oxygen tank wrench and strap cutters that can be deployed one-handed. If other Leatherman tools are any indication, the Raptor will be built with materials and craftsmanship of the utmost quality. Expect to see it hit the market in May 2013, although no price has been announced yet.

[ Leatherman's Facebook Announcement ] VIA [ Uncrate ]