I love it when someone takes an item that we all use everyday and reinvents it to make it more convenient. For example, when was the last time you thought to yourself that you love the design of the everyday ordinary keychain split ring? Probably never… More likely, you swear under your breath every time you break a nail or pinch your fingers when you need to remove or add a key to your keychain. The FREEKEY is a reinvention of the split ring and it’s awesome. Trust me, I don’t say the word awesome very often.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

I’ve been using the FREEKEY for a few months now, but didn’t post a review because I was unable to find any stores that sell them here in the US (or anywhere else for that matter). I don’t like posting reviews of products that you can’t buy because that’s just mean… so I held off until today. Something told me to google FREEKEY and I happened to find out that this Swedish made product is now being carried by Fenix Outfitters. So here we go…

What is the FREEKEY? It’s a sandblasted finished stainless steel split ring key holder that has been redesigned to make it much easier to use. In the image above, you see the FREEKEY on the Left and a regular split ring that we all know and love on the Right. The regular split ring has been around for years and years and does its intended job well. The only problem is that to add and remove keys, you have to wedge something between the two pieces of the ring to lift one end. Usually the thing we use as a wedge is our fingernail, which often ends with pain and suffering as nails break or finger tips get pinched.

That’s where the redesigned FREEKEY shines. It’s still the familiar circular shape, but instead of the layers of metal being flat, there’s a curved layer that creates a spring effect.

Squeezing the FREEKEY in a specific spot on the ring causes one end to lift up.

The squeeze takes much less effort than using your nail to pry the two layers apart on a normal split ring.

Just squeeze…

…and slide a new key on or off the ring. Simple! No broken nails, pinched fingers or swear words needed.

Put all your keys on one FREEKEY…

Or use the included group rings to organize your keys. Keep all your house keys on one group ring and all your work keys on another.

I absolutely love the FREEKEY and plan to never use an old fashioned split ring for my keys ever again. The only problem with the FREEKEY right now is availability and price. One FREEKEY (with 3 smaller organizational group rings included) is about $9. I know that’s very pricey. But once you use a FREEKEY, I think you’ll be hooked. Here’s hoping that this product will take off in a big way and we’ll never have to deal with those old style rings again.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Car, EDC, Keychain, Keyring

FREEKEY Press to Open Keyring Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 19, 2012 at 2:45 pm.

Fans of EDC (EveryDay Carry, the art and science of preparedness through personal gadget selection) have been using belt-mounted key holders for years.  How about one that does more than just its obvious function? Billed as “The world’s most talented keychain,” The Clip from LittleBonsai is a stainless steel belt clip that can hold your keys, but it can also be used as a personal electronics cable manager, money or credit card clip, bottle or box opener and more.  Designed and manufactured in Boston, Mass., U. S. of A. The LittleBonsai site shows it “starting at $15,” but alas, it appears to be out of stock at present (as of 17 Apr 2012). If interested, you can go to the Webstore and enter your email address to be contacted when The Clip is again available.

UPDATE: As of 18 Apr 2012, it appears that The Clip is once again available for pre-order here.  I’ve placed my order…!

Filed in categories: Gear, News, Pocket Gear

Tagged: Belt Clip, Keychain

LittleBonsai The Clip is Simple, Functional, Versatile originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 17, 2012 at 3:00 pm.

Raise your hand if you loath adding and / or removing keys from your split keyring? The action usually requires you to jam your fingernail between the rings in order to lift one of the “tails” up far enough to add or remove the key. Broken nails and pinched fingertips are a common result. The Key Sergeant is a handy little tool that provides a wedge to easily split the metal ring without splitting your nails in the process. The Key Sergeant is available in 3 styles and several colors. It is priced from $1.29 – $3.59 each. You can even put it on your keyring… but I guess you’d need a second Key Sergeant to help you do that.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain

Key Sergeant Makes Keyring Management Easier originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 25, 2012 at 3:27 pm.

While maybe not as versatile as a Leatherman or similar multi-tool on your keyring, you’ve got to admit that this is pretty cute.  The Tool Tank from Spinning Hat Playful Design includes three heads ( large and small phillips and flat ) cleverly disguised in its tracks.  Each head magnetically fixes into the turret and it’s available in green and red. Might not be the best design for getting into those tight places but what do you expect from a tank ?

Available for preorder for £9.99 ( $15 )

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Keychain, Multi-tool

Tool Tank – Is that a tank in your pocket or are you just… originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 16, 2012 at 9:00 am.

Are you like a bazillion other people that use their car keys to open boxes? Don’t you hate it when tape particles stick to your car key. The Key Knife can solve that problem because it has a retractable snap-off blade built into the key shaped holder. The Key Knife is available from World Tools for a whopping $1.35 each.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain

Key Knife Opens Boxes Without Annoying Tape Residue originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 4, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

The Switchkey is an automatic key fob made of aluminum. It comes with one key blank that you can take to most hardware stores for duplication. Grind the blank, assemble the parts and you’ll have a nifty spring action switch blade style key. The Switchkey is priced at $33, which includes free shipping.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain

Switchkey – Another Keychain Gadget You Don’t Need, But Will Want Anyway originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 31, 2011 at 6:01 pm.

The guys that brought us the Keybrid Key have a new product due out this Fall. It’s the Carabiner Key and it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s a key with a carabiner clip built into the top for easy attachment to a belt loop, backpack loop, keychain, etc. The Carabiner Key comes as a blank. Just take it to almost any shop that sells keys and they can grind the key for you. This product will be available via Amron Experimental in the Fall for $7-$10 each.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain

Carabiner + Key = Carabiner Key originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 18, 2011 at 5:30 pm.

Sometimes it’s hard being a gadget lover.  Here at The Gadgeteer, we’ve told you about and/or reviewed a ton of keychain tools over the years, and I’d be lying if I told you that for at least half of them, I’ve found myself flush with new-gadget-frenzy, my cursor hovering over the “buy” button, only to change my mind, close the browser tab, and never look back.

Why, you ask?  Well, as much as I love gadgets, I also love simplicity.  And when it comes to my keyring, the simpler the better.  It’s something I have to lug around in my pocket all day, after all, so unless it’s something I’ll use on a regular basis, its presence on my keyring simply isn’t justified.

That said, the Hookeychain from Megawing (the same designers that brought us oddities like the Armed Notebooks) may be the first bauble to make it onto my keyring in a long time.  Appearing to be a simple cylinder of aluminum, the Hookeychain has a magnet embedded in its angled end, allowing you to stick your keys to any ferromagnetic surface.  It’s not clear just how strong the magnet is, so while you probably can’t use the angle of the Hookeychain as a hook to hang your jacket on, you probably can hang a lightweight hat on it, and you can certainly use it to pin up a self-reminder note for later.

The Hookeychain is available from various online retailers, I found it for $16 at Molla Space.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets

Hang Your Keys Almost Anywhere With Hookeychain originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 15, 2011 at 10:00 am.

As Julie wrote a few posts down, here at The Gadgeteer, we can’t get enough keychain tools and gadgets.  So here’s another, the Swiss+Tech Micro-Plus EX 9-in-1 Key Ring Tool.  As the somewhat lengthy name implies, 9 tools are embedded in this little gem, including pliers, bottle opener, 4 screwdrivers, and wire cutter/stripper/crimper.  All stainless steel and folds down into a pocket-friendly oval shape to attach to your keyring.  $9.99.  Got a favorite keyring multi-tool?  Sound off!

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, News

Tagged: Keychain, Keyring, Multi-tool, Spotlight Gadgets

Micro-Plus EX puts 9 tools on your keyring originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 8, 2011 at 3:00 pm.

Here at The Gadgeteer, we can’t get enough keychain tools and gadgets. But sometimes it’s tough to find them at the bottom of our gear bag when it’s dark. TEC Glow Fobs might help solve that problem. They are cool little stainless steel or aluminum tubes that are filled with a light emitting resin. Expose the fobs to the light and they will glow. The longer you expose them the longer they glow (up to 12hrs). They can be recharged over and over with virtually no loss on their glowing effect. If you don’t want to deal with exposing them to light, you can opt for a Glow Fob Pellet kit that will help you to replace the included pellet in the fob with a self-luminous tritium vial (you’re on your own for actually obtaining the tritium). Prices for the Glow Fobs range from $18-$22 and the replacement pellet kit is $4.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain

Let there be light with the Tec Glow Fob originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 5, 2011 at 12:28 pm.

Do you carry a full sized pen in your pocket or gear bag, or do you keep a mini pen on your keychain? If you’re looking for a new mini pen, check out these great looking offerings from Sunshine Products USA. They are available in Titanium, Brass, Aluminum or Stainless Steel with your choice of a Brass, Copper or Aluminum cap that can be attached to a keychain clip. These mini pens use Lamy Pico M22 Refills and are 2 15/16 Inches with the cap and 3 9/16 Inches when extended. The Titanium version will set you back a whopping $225, but the other versions are only $60-$65 depending on the cap type and style.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Pen

Sunshine Products have Mini Pens back in stock originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 27, 2011 at 11:00 am.

Your title of retro gaming geek would be in question if the sight of this alien didn’t immediately bring you back to battling through endless lines of the Invaders.  Now you can have a memento of those hard-fought battles with this stainless steel Invader replica multi-tool keychain.  On each articulated arm is a mini flat head and mini philips screwdriver.  The aliens have invaded Art Supply Warehouse and can be purged for a mere $15.39.

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, News

Tagged: Keychain, Multi-tool, space invaders

Space Invaders in Your Pocket originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 20, 2011 at 10:00 am.

It has been 5 months since my review of the Keyport.  Since then, I’ve been in contact with one of their representatives who has kept me in the loop with new colors and products.  Keyport recently sent me a few new items to review.

Keyport has a whole new set of colors to choose from.  The new colors are black, abyss, azure and spectrum.  I was sent the black colored one.  It looks just as great as the silver one that I reviewed awhile back.  The protective coating feels a bit different and the representative did tell me that they are using some new coating techniques to protect the new Keyport.  More about the coating later on.  Prices for the Keyport are the same as before and start at $79.

I also was sent a bottle opener which slides out like the keys.  This is a great accessory to bring out on your next BBQ.  Using the bottle opener from the Keyport would make great conversation.  And it only costs $5.99.

Next up, Keyport decided that they could fit in a USB flash drive in the blade slots.  And that’s what they did!  Currently the USB flash drive comes in 4 GB and 8 GB options but higher capacities will come in the future.  The 4 GB will cost $18.99 while the 8 GB will be $28.99.

And lastly I was sent a mini-reel which attaches to the end of the Keyport and will keep the Keyport safely tethered.  The mini-reel is priced at $4.99.

Keyport also invented a LED flash light that fits in one of the blade slots also.  Listing price of $9.99.

Seems like Keyport is coming up with more and more accessories.  So it’s hard to decide which choose as far as having keys or accessories inside my Keyport.   Or maybe I should carry 2 Keyports?

 
Here’s my follow-up review of the original silver colored Keyport that I got 5 months ago.  It has been working great!  There is a great weight difference between having just a Keyport versus having 6 individual keys.  There hasn’t been any problem with my Keyport and I totally will agree that it’s a wonderful product to have.  There is something of note though.  It’s probably my fault on it happening.  The coating on my original Keyport has been shedding and scratches have shown up on my Keyport.  That’s probably caused by my other individual keys on the same keychain as the Keyport.  I actually don’t mind the scratches at all.  It gives my Keyport some “character”.  I’m sure most people have less than 6 keys, so they should have nothing to worry about.  All in all, Keyport is a great product!

Filed in categories: Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Keychain, keyport

Keyport Revisited originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

They may look like an alien instrument of torture, but they are really a pair of stainless steel tweezers for your EDC (Every Day Carry) gear. PockeTweez tweezers are precision made and super sharp. They fold up into a small 2.5 inch long package that makes them perfect for your keychain, gear bag or pocket. They are available for $25.00 at PockeTweez.

[via Gear Patrol]

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

PockeTweez – Splinters and eyebrows should be afraid originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm.

Standard pocket knife not cutting it for you?  Need a few more tools your pocket, but not more bulk?  Only 2.5 in long, the Leatherman Squirt PS4 is a little gem that packs no less than 9 tools into a keychain-sized package.  In fact, it’s one of a very few multi-tools that includes both pliers AND scissors.  Anodized aluminum handles available in black, red or blue complete its sharp look.  $25 from Amazon, and also available at several other online retailers.

Got a favorite mini-multi-tool?

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Multi-tool, Spotlight Gadgets

Leatherman Squirt PS4 Packs a Lot into a Little originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

When I reported about the Keybrid keyring key blank back in July of 2009, I knew instantly that I wanted one. It’s good thing I’m a patient person because it took over a year before they finally became available. Scott Amron recently sent me a sample to test and now I can tell you all about it.

The Keybrid is available in a Kwikset or Schlage style key blank, which should fit 95% of locks in the US. If/when you order a Keybrid blank, make sure you order the right style for your lock.

This is a real working key blank, like the ones you can buy at Lowes, Walmart and other stores that offer key grinding stations. The only difference is that the Keybrid has a split keyring where you would normally find the top of the key.

I took my sample blank to Walmart and asked them to make a copy of one of my keys. At first the sales guy said he couldn’t do it, but then I told him it was a standard key blank and he said ok. It was a simple operation that took less than 60 seconds and didn’t cost me a dime since they charge for the blanks, not the grinding. Of course, if you would buy a dozen Keybrids and ask a store to grind them all into keys for you all at one time, they might not be so agreeable.

Here we see the finished key, which works perfectly in the lock it was made for. The keyring works as expected as well. The Keybrid site mentions that you can clip this key to your belt loop and even use it as a money clip. I guess you could do those things, but this is a stiff keyring. It requires some effort to pry the rings apart to insert a key, let alone slide it on your belt loop or use to hold cash. Not to be a stick in the mud, but in my opinion, it’s best when used just as a keychain.

The only negative aspect I can find with the Keybrid is that if you carry your keys in your pocket, they won’t lie as flat as they would with a regular keyring. Since I throw mine in a gear bag, I don’t really notice.

Right now, Keybrid key blanks are currently only available in Silver. But they will soon be offered, in Black, Gold and other colors. They get two thumbs up from me.

Filed in categories: Miscellaneous, Reviews

Tagged: Keychain

Keybrid Keyring Key Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 2, 2011 at 4:30 pm.

How many keys are on your keychain?  One?  Two?  Three?  As for me, I carry 10 keys at any given time.  It might sound a lot but it’s actually the bare minimum for me.  Daily I carry 2 car keys, 2 PO Box keys, a house key, garage door key, 3 office keys, and a key for the old house.  And yes, 10 keys make a very big and heavy load in my pockets.  So how does the Keyport help in my situation?  It does so by fitting 6 keys into a nice and neat slot-based enclosure.

Having 10 keys on a keychain not only looks ugly, but it’s also a tough job having to carry it around the whole day in my pockets.  So that’s why I decided to review the Keyport when I found out that they were releasing it.

What is the Keyport?  I read about the Keyport 3 years ago when they first released a few graphical designs of the Keyport product.  My initial reaction was that the Keyport looked great, and the idea of it holding 6 keys was amazing.  Then I found out that their suggested price was $300 and that I would have to send my keys to them to be cut and put into the Keyport.  That didn’t sound reasonable from a consumer’s point of view.  Many people online had the same reaction and gave negative feedback on forum sites.  I  forgot about the Keyport, thinking it was just some vaporware – just a rendering of a nonexistent product.  But that was 3 years ago . . .

In 2010, I got an email from Keyport stating that they indeed have designed the Keyport and are ready to ship.  I clicked on to their site and read up on their product again.  First, they lowered the price of the Keyport to $79 and $99, depending on what model you choose.  Secondly, they don’t require the consumer to ship their keys to them to be cut.  The 2 main problems that everyone on the forums complained about have been solved!  And that’s why I give their R&D and PR departments an A+ grade.

The whole ordering process starts by printing out a PDF document that you place your keys on and use as the background as you take pictures of both the front and back of your keys.  This will allow them to determine what key blanks to send to you.  You just email the pictures of the form to them, and you’ll get a reply in a day or two telling you which key blanks correspond to which key.

I was sent the key blanks and the Keyport.  I took the blanks to a local hardware store to have them cut.

Included with the Keyport are 6 color-coded nodes.

There are 6 ports that the 6 keys will slide out from in the front.

Keyport also etched in a serial number to help identify your keys if you happen to lose them.

The 6 color-coded nodes have tiny springs in them.  They are placed on the cut keys.

To assemble, you remove the end cover, then you slide the keys, with the nodes facing out, in through the back of the Keyport.

A 2” lanyard is included to attach to a loop on the rear cover of the Keyport.

I noticed that the plastic rear cover of the Keyport where the lanyard is threaded through doesn’t look as strong as it should.  I have a bad feeling that the lanyard will rip the rear plastic cover.  I know most people probably won’t use the lanyard, since having 6 keys will be probably enough for them.  They will just carry the Keyport by itself without it being hooked up to another keychain, but I have a few more keys to carry along with the Keyport.  The earlier design (see the last two pictures, above) of the Keyport 3 years ago shows a metallic-like loop for the keychain, which looks like it would be more durable in the long run.

For my tests of the Keyport, I arranged the cut keys so the ones needing the strongest turning torque  were in the middle of the Keyport.  The reason for that is that the Keyport flexed a tiny bit if I located a key that required a lot of turning torque on the outside of the Keyport.

Here’s a picture of the Keyport with all 6 keys exposed.  And one with the Keyport on the keychain.

Size comparison of the Keyport with my other car key fobs.  Left to right, 2000 Benz ML320, 2007 BMW 760Li, Keyport (with a 2003 Toyota Rav4 key inside), 2009 Aston Martin DB9, and 2008 Porsche Cayman S.

The Keyport comes in 4 metallic colors: blue, pink, gunmetal, and brushed stainless.

Keyport also offers a $99 bundle that will allow you to put in a transponder-chipped key for those cars that require it.

For $79, some might think that it’s still pretty expensive.  But personally, I think it’s reasonable for having something this stylish, and it does reduce the weight of my keychain.  There is less metal in my pockets.

Filed in categories: Car Gear, Gear, Miscellaneous, Reviews

Tagged: Keychain, keyport, keys

Keyport Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 14, 2010 at 10:00 am.

The MyArk Ti-6Al-4V Alligator Wrench is a key ring multi-tool made from Ti-6Al-4V, which is an alpha-beta titanium alloy with medium to high strength. The tool features a bottle opener, a ratchet wrench for nut sizes from 3/8”- 3/16” on one end and metric 10mm- 4mm on the opposite end (perfect for car battery terminal nuts) and a built in PK and flat head screw driver. It’s available now for $49.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

An Alligator for your Keyring originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 24, 2010 at 1:31 pm.

The Key Tool and Shackle Set from I want one of those is a small tool kit that fits over a standard sized key. It is constructed of stainless steel and offers 8 different tools including three screwdrivers (small, medium and large), a file, bottle cap lifter, nail cleaner, tweezers and a wire cutter. Price – £9.99. Also available through Vat19.com for $7.95

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

Another keychain tool – You know you want one originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 14, 2010 at 11:00 am.

I’m starting to become an ECD (Every Day Carry) enthusiast.  While tons of items fit into this category, one that caught my eye is the Piranha from PocketToolX, which specializes in what I call keychain multitools.  It’s a single-piece, stainless steel, multi-purpose pocket tool with a built-in neoprene bit holder that secures up to 1.5″ long bits, such as the included double-ended Phillips/flathead.  Tighten screws, loosen bolts, pry things open and pop the tops on your favorite BEvERages.  And since you’ll barely notice this 1.9 oz, super-slim multi tool in your pocket, it’s perfect for everyday carry.  $49.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Keychain, Tool

PocketToolX Piranha packs a lot into a keyring tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 14, 2010 at 10:59 pm.

Take heed, fans of keyring tools!  The Micro-Max 19-in-1 pocket tool kit from Swiss+Tech may be your next ally.  Made of stainless steel, it features a patented, quick-release self-lock mechanism to keep it securely attached to your keyring.  Includes 2 hex wrenches, 6 screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutter, wire stripper, wire crimper, hand drill, file, bottle opener, 2 rulers (mm & inch), and 2 ruler extensions.  $19.99.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, pocket tools

Swiss+Tech Micro-Max 19-in-1 keyring tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 14, 2010 at 2:48 pm.

The Inchworm is an EDC (Every Day Carry) tool from TEC Accessories that you keep on your keychain. It’s a 3 inch long 6Al-4V grade titanium rod of 3/16″ diameter with grooves cut at 1/8″, 1/2″ and 1 inch increments with a bead blasted matte finish surface. Having a small ruler always at your fingertips can be really handy. The Inchworm costs $18.00 and is available now from TEC.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: EDC, Gear, Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Inchworm – A Ruler on your Keychain originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm.

You’ve no doubt heard of skeleton keys. They were keys from many years ago that were made to open any lock regardless of the make or model. The TAD Gear Skeleton Key won’t open any lock, but it does have a skeleton engraved on it. It’s a titanium keychain tool that has a built in bottle cap lifter, flat screw driver tip, and a nail pry bar / puller. There are two versions of this key. One with a spanner wrench tip for strider folders (pocket knives) and one with an e-key to open electronic cover panels. It’s expensive at $100, but it might make a nice gift for the EDC fan on your Christmas list.

[Via The Awesomer]

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tool

Modern version of the skeleton key from TAD Gear originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 6, 2009 at 10:55 am.

Everyday carry fans will love the Screwpop tool. It’s a 4 in 1 keychain tool shaped like a key, that has a Phillips screwdriver tip #2, flathead screwdriver tip #2, 1/4” hex. nut driver, and a bottle opener. At only $4.95, it would make a great little stocking stuffer.

Filed in categories: Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Spotlight Gadgets, Tools

Screwpop 4-in-1 Keychain Tool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 30, 2009 at 1:50 pm.

Those crazy gadget guys over at ThinkGeek.com are offering a cute little keychain speaker shaped like an oversized original iPod earbud. It has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and doesn’t require any batteries. It might make a fun little stocking stuffer and will only set you back $8.99.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, News

Tagged: Keychain, Speaker, Spotlight Gadgets

Earbud Keychain Speaker originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 17, 2009 at 8:41 pm.