What's Left?

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
It seems like there are so many gadgets out there already that it would be nearly impossible to find a niche that hasn't already been filled. Well, almost! ;)

Are there any sorts of small tools that you guys would like to see that aren't being made or could be made better? I'm always looking for ideas. I particularly like keychain items but I certainly would not limit myself to them.

I have something new in the works right now but I'm not quite ready to show it off. Any suggestions you all might have in the meantime would be carefully considered. :)
 
Here are a couple of thoughts. These may already exist, but...

1. Small knife, like a fixed blade version of the Spyderco Ladybug II. Serrated sheepsfoot blade about 2" long with a handle about 2.5" long. I like to supplement my PE knives with a SE knife, and a little fixed blade mini-rescue with a high-quality sheath that could attach to a keychain would be just the ticket.

2. Non-folding T-handle tool with a phillips head screwdriver at the bottom of the T, a small flat screwdriver at one end of the T, and a larger screwdriver/prybar at the other. Or, a T-handle with a hex driver at the bottom of the T. It could ship in a flat case with the tool, plus a set of common screwdriver bits snapped into the case. Might fit nicely in a rear pocket.

I also have some flashlight ideas, but that gets outside of the realm of stuff you make.
 
Someone needs to build a simple money clip that can securely hold your cash and cards. It needs to be wide enough but still light enough to fit comfortably. Most now are too narrow and allow your Credit cards/license to slide too much.

and while they are building one maybe it could look nice also!!!!
 
Wow! Is this stuff in the ethers or what? James you are very close to what I'm working on. :)

Ira, I've been thinking about that too. How about titanium, maybe with fancy patterning? ;)
 
I want a high end multi tool. Not high end as in 500 tools in one, but high end as in tool steel components, Ti body, maybe with inlays of wood or CF or micarta.

Not really a new gadget but a niche that isn't filled. Probably have to charge $10,000 though, given the time something like that would take.
 
I'm with you Citori. I just wish I had the chops to pull it off but I'm not quite there yet. Maybe in another year or so. I'd like to see something totally bad ass with premium steels and titanium. I'd rather see a super high quality tool with 5 features than a so-so one with twenty features.
 
Peter,

I have always thought a "rescue hook/seat belt cutter" keychain fob would be a great idea. For someoone involved in an accident, a tool to cut yourself and others free is with reach, stuck into the ignition. Even if someone was carrying a knife, the possibilites of not being able to access it exist. From the accidents I've studied, rarely is the key dislodged from the ignition. A safety cutter might also be a better option if the knife someone carries may potentially cause harm (i.e. double edged boot dagger) if used to free someone. I do have some sketches if you might be interested in taking a look.

Dayuhan
 
Maybe something along the lines of a vehicle escape tool. There are a few out there now but most of them seem to be cheaply made with questionable features.
 
Originally posted by Peter Atwood
Wow! Is this stuff in the ethers or what? James you are very close to what I'm working on. :)
Click to expand...

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Peter!
 
The Prybaby is great - may have to pick one of those up ;-)

I second the thought on the keychain belt cutter, that's a great idea.

For my money, though, I'd like to see something long enough to use as a kubotan but functional as a tool: multiple screwdriver bits, hex bits etc, packaged as something which is clearly not a knife in any way, shape, or form. Put a carbide breaker on one end, and a prying tool on the other, store the hex bits in the tube/handle, and mount the driver for them close to one end. I suppose you could even fit a belt cutter at one end too.

The idea is to have something which is definitely not a problem to carry, looks like a tool, has the kubotan defensive possibilities, and can get you out of a wrecked car in a damn hurry.
 
How about a door spike for people that travel. Something that could serve as an impact weapon in your pocket, but in the evening, you slide it into the door gap and it prevents he door from being opened?


A skinny splitting wedge with a grip.
 
I saw one of those door wedges in some catalog recently. Someone's definitely onto that one already.....But a pocket version that was also an impact tool? Hmmm....
 
A Titanium Money clip that has a hinge that opens into a door spike for the traveling knifeknut!!!
 
I would love to see something along the lines of a Victorinox Tinker but with a better steel on the knife blade. Love my SAKs' but hate having to buy a new one every 5-10 years
 
dayuhan13 said:
Peter,

I have always thought a "rescue hook/seat belt cutter" keychain fob would be a great idea. For someoone involved in an accident, a tool to cut yourself and others free is with reach, stuck into the ignition. Even if someone was carrying a knife, the possibilites of not being able to access it exist. From the accidents I've studied, rarely is the key dislodged from the ignition. A safety cutter might also be a better option if the knife someone carries may potentially cause harm (i.e. double edged boot dagger) if used to free someone. I do have some sketches if you might be interested in taking a look.

Dayuhan
Click to expand...

Funnily enough I sent plans to Leatherman for an idead that I have. It includes all of the above and a lot more. Can you say 'Titanium Nitride coating' :D

They wrote a nice letter back but said retooling woul dbe too expensive. If I could find an engineer to look at it it may be worth trying to get a prototype made and carve out a nice niche market.
 
I'm thinking of something along the lines of your fantastic Mini-Prybabies, but with more rounded, "softer" edges, if you will. I have one your Mini's, and I love it, but I'm not so sure airport security would approve of the edges on the nail-puller and screw driver ends. Maybe polishing the edges a-la Swiss Army would do it.

Here's another one. A keychain-sized prybar, looking like a flat ribbon of steel, built in the shape of a very gentle S-curve, with a flat-head screwdriver on one end and phillips-head on the other. The splitring hole could go right behind either head.

Keychain- or pocket-sized tools are the best. Easily carried, easily deployed in public without making a big show of things and scaring the sheeple.
 
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