Category: Keychain Tools

Opinel Keychain Knife is Itty Bitty and Stylish

Remember what I said the other day, about how the best pocket knife is the one you carry? I meant it. If you cannot or will not carry a pocket knife or multi-tool, there are still quite a few keychain-sized multi-tools available. Any knife is (usually) better than no knife.

The Opinel keychain is 1-7/8″ when closed and 3-1/8″ open with the 1-5/16″ blade fully extended. The blade is made from stainless steel, and the handle is beechwood. Normally sub-$10 knives make me wary, but not this one.

While I do like keychain tools that have industrial-looking or mass-appeal designs, the Opinel knife really caught my eye as something different. Maybe it’s the wood handle. Yes, it’s definitely the wood handle.

Buy Now(via Amazon)
Also available via Harry Epstein

There are a number of other mini knife options as well. At first thought the SOG Micron knife comes to mind, but it’s a little bit too small and flat, and so I regularly misplace it. I’m still not over SOG’s lousy customer service incident.

April 5, 2012
Leatherman Micra Multi-Tool, a Fan-Favorite Mini Tool with Scissors

Leatherman’s Micra keychain multi-tool has been around for quite some time, and remains a favorite choice. While we do favor the newer Leatherman Style CS, but won’t be giving up our Micra anytime soon.

The Micra features scissors, a small knife blade, 3 screwdrivers, nail file, ruler, bottle opener, and tweezers. It’s made from stainless steel to prevent corrosion, and weighs hardly anything.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

If the plain stainless steel finish is too boring for your liking, new color options should add just the right amount of flare to your keychain.

If you find yourself cutting more paper than anything else, you might want to step up to the Kum PenCut scissors.

March 22, 2012
Wenger HypeX Wearable Survival Tools

Wenger, well known for making Swiss Army Knife products big and small, is coming out with a new line of unisex HypeX multi-functional jewelry and wearable survival tools.

Each tool will come with a 21-inch silicone necklace with a stainless steel clasp and either a neoprene or reusable waterproof plastic pouch. We’ve also read that additional models are in the design phase.

These first HypeX models will be released around June 2012 for $49-99. This seems a bit pricey to us, but we’ll reserve judgement for now.

Wenger HypeX Buss

The Buss is one of the more decorative-looking HypeX tools. It features two screwdrivers – Phillips and slotted – that fold out once the cover is removed. The T-handle shape the pendant should allow for a reasonable amount of torque delivery.

Wenger HypeX Pietra

The Pietra is one of the simpler HypeX tools, featuring only a knife sharpener on one side and fire-starting flint on the other.

Wenger HypeX Ridge

The HypeX Ridge is a little more recognizable and features a number of 6pt hex wrenches. We’re not quite sure what the V-shaped feature at the front of the tool is for.

Wenger HypeX Whug

The oddly-named Whug features removable tweezers and an emergency whistle.

Wenger HypeX Wyss

The Wyss is designed with quite a few more tools than the other HypeX pendants. It features hex wrenches, a wire stripper, pry bar, can opener and bottle opener.

March 2, 2012
Swiss+Tech Utili-Key Keychain Multi-Tool

Swiss+Tech’s Utili-Key is the most minimalist keychain multi-tool we’ve ever seen. It sports 6 functions – a combination plain edge and serrated knife blade, Phillips and slotted screwdrivers, micro-sized screwdriver, and a bottle opener.

The aptly-named Utili-Key attaches to your keyring and hides among your keys until called upon for use. While we wish the Utili-Key came in different color options, its polished stainless steel finish helps maintain a discrete and low-profile appearance.

Buy Now (via Amazon)

If 6 features aren’t quite enough for you, maybe the 19-in-1 Swiss+Tech Micro-Max will better suit your needs.

February 21, 2012