A cool keychain - kirdashi!

[choombak]

A buddy in India created this piece - a small leather keychain, with a kirdashi. Perfect for hanging on your car keys. Would also appreciate if you post thoughts on this idea - I find it unique and cool. Very useful design to carry a kirdashi.

The keychain is vegetable tanned leather, and measures 4.3" in length, while the kirdashi is 3.7" in length with 1.5" edge and a bottle opener on the other end. It has a right handed chisel grind and has been finished upto 150 grit (hence the visible scratches - an attempt to keep sync with the kiridashi's main purpose - utility). No info on the steel.

Meanwhile, enjoy the photos.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You made an engineering error in the direction of the bottle opener. It should be turned 180° so the spine is on your fingers when the bottle is opened. as it is, you are pushing the blade into your fingers when opening the bottle. I'd fix that before selling any

 

[Fletch Helical]

I'm curious since the carabiner has the sheath hanging upside down with regards to where the flap is. What prevents it from opening and it falling out on you?

 

[Erin Burke]

You made an engineering error in the direction of the bottle opener. It should be turned 180° so the spine is on your fingers when the bottle is opened. as it is, you are pushing the blade into your fingers when opening the bottle. I'd fix that before selling any

Hey Stacy... I saw that as well. But flipped 180-deg, it looks like a person (me for example) would be pulling that blade into the heel of their palm. Both directions could be dangerous if a person weren't careful... especially after a couple of drinks.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Fletch,
The flap probably tucks in the pocket to hold the blade in the sheath.

Erin,
Yes there is a point and edge no matter which way it is turned. The difference is, that as a lifting lever, the fulcrum is the butt end, the lift is the hook, and the lever arm is the blade. Force has to be applied to the arm (blade) to transfer to the lift (hook). It is far better to apply it to a smooth surface than one with an edge on it. The thumb will be on the unsharpened surface beyond the edge, and the index and middle finger will rest on the spine. The blade edge will be in the open area of the palm, and with moderate care won't really contact the skin with enough force to cut. In a good design for a bottle opener, there shouldn't be an edge or point anywhere, but that isn't what choombak has made.

 

[Rick Marchand]

I humbly consider myself an expert in opening bottles:thumbup: and would say that I prefer the design as it is in the picture. I'd rather have the spine in the palm and my ring finger wrapped underneath. Can't say I dig the carry system, though... but it isn't bad.