Obsessed in miniature.

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
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My wife thinks I may need help, but I'm not sure. I have over the past couple of years become very interested, ( the ol lady thinks I am obsessed) in just how small an object can be shrunk and still be useful on a daily basis. Things like monoculars, pen knives, kayaks, phones, ect... I've been on this goal to make my edc stuff as small as possable. For instance I carry a whittled down stub of a pencil to write with, carry the smallest monocular on hikes, and see how much of my daily cutting tasks can be done with knives like Buck Lancer and Victorinox classic.

Even motor vehicles have not escaped my search. Over the past year I've tried to see how long I can go without using my truck. I've been using my Vespa PX150 for almost all my transportation needs. Just can't carry home improvment stuff on it.

Do I need help? :eek:
 
On a related note, I've always wondered how certain primitive cultures used to shrink the heads of their enemies. What an amazing skill set!

Not that I need to shrink anyone's head or anything.(but I like being prepared for anything)
 
Emanuel said:
On a related note, I've always wondered how certain primitive cultures used to shrink the heads of their enemies. What an amazing skill set!

Not that I need to shrink anyone's head or anything.(but I like being prepared for anything)
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Part of the secret, I've heard, is the skin is removed from the skull. Once the skin is shrunk it is then stuffed with some sort of filler (kapok? styrofoam? baked beans?) to form out the head.

Is this going to be part of your EDC?
 
I’m intrigued by most miniature functional things (I don’t consider shrunken heads functional, at least not for me). I’m particularly interested in very small yet effective knives and flashlights. My EDC knife is a William Henry Spryte, and my EDC flashlight, beyond the one on my keychain, is smaller than my thumb. Very small yet fully functional is tough to do well.
 
jackknife said:
What's you're edc flashlight?
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This one:

http://hellzteeth.com/reviews/orb_raw/orb_raw.htm

http://www.cones-stuff.co.uk/ORB 3W RAW.htm

The light manufacturer is now working on a slightly smaller model. Here's a picture of the prototype light with a CR123 battery for size comparison (the light does not use this battery):

hand_wee_Raw.jpeg
 
Charlie Moore said:
Here's a picture of the prototype light with a CR123 battery for size comparison (the light does not use this battery):
Click to expand...

Interesting light! Do you know whether it's regulated or direct drive?

--Bob Q
 
It's direct drive. Might have to make it a bit longer to fit a regulation circuit; I suspect space is quite limited here.
 
Is this going to be part of your EDC?
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Only if I can get one small enough to fit on my keychain!:)
 
In general, when you take miniaturization to an extreme, you have to compromize something else, usually either cost or performance. In the case of consumer products, it's usually performace that suffers to obtain extreme miniaturization.
 
But seriously, I like small stuff too.

I have been thinking for some time how I might be able to cut down one of those slim Zippos to make it a mini version in the same proportion of a full size zippo (the slim ones are the same hight, making them out of proportion).

The tiny Gerber LST (under 2" closed) used to be one of my favorites.

I have been thinking about getting one of these:
http://www.brightguy.com/detail_int.php?Sku=STR72001
There are lots of tiny flashlights out there, but this one is more like a mini version of a regular light. I can't find batteries anywhere for that skinny little Coast, so I passed on it.

I have to confess to cutting down a standard Bic pen when I was a kid. You can basically make it as short as you want. Maybe I should do that again, as it's really handy to have.

I have several Spyderco Ladybugs, although I wish I had one of their tie clip or necklace knives. I know they made Police and Rescue models.

This is the only place I still see this knife:
http://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=34764
No description, but I think it was listed as 7/8" on Smoky Mountain.
 
Carl64 said:
But seriously, I like small stuff too.

I have to confess to cutting down a standard Bic pen when I was a kid. You can basically make it as short as you want. Maybe I should do that again, as it's really handy to have. .
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Man, you too?

I'd forgot about that trick, maybe I'll do it again. Of late I've been carrying a Zebra mini pen from Japan. Writes good and is about the thickness of a old fashioned barn burner match and 4 inches long.

The cut down Bics are a hell of alot cheaper!
 
Shann said:
deleted because I hadn't read the link yet. I'm a moron. :o
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I had to be fancy and do that customized link thing, instead of just inserting the URL like normal. I thought it had more dramatic effect that way. :)
 
Regarding the FireFli light, I've only seen one review. It's below:

http://ledmuseum.candlepower.us/firefli.htm

I have one of these myself. It works reliabably but it is not as bright as say a Photon, Peak or Arc keychain light -- especially the newer models with more efficient LEDs. I can't speak to the FireFli's runtime as I've not used mine enough to tell.

Good conversation piece though and worth the 20 bucks in my view if you're into small.
 
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