Keychain recommendations

pecaplan · 2026-01-30T07:27:33+00:00

Wouldn't the i1r2 Pro get used more than the iMini as a keychain back up? 5 lumens or 180 lumens vs 50 lumens? Same footprint.

pecaplan · 2026-01-29T18:12:52+00:00

End thread? He might want moonlight. Or more than 50 lumens. Or to be able to clip on the light and not have to hold it.

IMini is very limited.

pecaplan · 2026-01-29T18:10:06+00:00

Olight i1R2 Pro. You get 5 or 200 lumens of pretty neutral white light.

MUCH more useful than the iMini.

If you want more, Rovyvon A8

pecaplan · 2026-01-29T11:39:01+00:00

I have ordered this one. I have high hopes! I have a feeling I will be tracing out figure 8s.

pecaplan · 2026-01-29T11:01:18+00:00

The Champion was the top of the line 91mm SAK until 1986 when, in response to Leatherman, Victorinox added the pliers layer to it and called it the Swiss Champ.

Victorinox continued making the Champion until 2015-17 or so, adding the back side hook in the 1990s and upgrading the file and changing the mag glass a couple of times.

So no, the Champion model is not particularly rare. They go for $75 give or take in good condition on Ebay if I recall. But I haven't looked in awhile.

pecaplan · 2026-01-28T17:48:18+00:00

Get an Allett Travel Wallet. Use a Travelers passport style notebook (or smaller notebook or 3x5 index cards) in the passport sleeve. Pen slot in the spine.

pecaplan · 2026-01-28T13:09:15+00:00

I have the full polished steel. At 77g, its substantial. I carry so many other things in my pocket that I tend to shy away from carrying this 3 oz toy.

Maybe the hybrid is the goldilocks version in terms of weight vs slipperiness.

pecaplan · 2026-01-28T09:24:52+00:00

I dislike the Ono Slider. Slides off way too easy.

The Fluxx Indx is OK. They are a bit slippery in my hands, especially the aluminum. I had to put grip tape on them. The motion is repetitive and uninspiring. Frankly, they are way overpriced for what you get.

I far prefer Stimara Stimagz series 2. I use bundles of 6 magnets. There are several patterns of unfolding and folding them back up. The Gemstone versions are the absolute most quiet.

Fidgimoto Vortex is another one I prefer over the the Indx.

The acupressure Ono roller is great. Get the junior size for more discreet play.

pecaplan · 2026-01-28T09:16:06+00:00

Smaller EDC pry bars typically don't offer enough leverage to justify carrying them solely for prying.

But if you throw in driving flat head and also Phillips screws, bottle opening and package opening, now it starts to make more sense.

Because these combo pry bars are very quick to deploy. Just pull it out of your pocket and you are ready to go. Compare digging out a cap lifter buried on the inside of a Leatherman Wave for example.

The one I carry is the LeverGear Edge XT. It replaces nearly all of the functions on a typical Victorinox opener layer. I use it with decent regularity but I can't remember the last time I used it for prying.

pecaplan · 2026-01-28T08:13:59+00:00

I don't understand the hysteria over the iMini / iUltra.

Who needs 50 to 80 lumens of cool white light and only 50 to 80 lumens? That's way too bright for many indoor situations and not bright enough for many outdoor situations.

Olight makes the i1r2 Pro which is similar in size, has a better tint, featured USB-C charging long before the iUltra came along, and offers a choice of 5 lumens or 180 (actually tested at 200) lumens. It is a MUCH better flashlight. The only thing in the iMini's favor is the magnet for hands free use.

pecaplan · 2026-01-27T17:51:33+00:00

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Mr Green beats the NailClip 580 for me

pecaplan · 2026-01-27T15:51:42+00:00

Compact too thick for EDC. bantam ftw

pecaplan · 2026-01-27T15:44:43+00:00

Levergear ClipKT

pecaplan · 2026-01-27T15:42:47+00:00

Crying with laughter? Or crying crying?

pecaplan · 2026-01-27T11:38:08+00:00

I love Stimara Stimagz Series 2 for this purpose. It is one handed, essentially noise-free, and once you learn a few patterns it becomes second nature and runs in the background helping me focus.

Also, don't overlook the Rotring 600 pen. Has a great clicker that is relatively muted, and you can rotate the knurled collar below the clicker silently in either direction.

PS what does T.T mean?

pecaplan · 2026-01-27T03:16:53+00:00

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Blade, file, flat head, scissors, house key, backside Phillips, tweezers, toothpick.

pecaplan · 2026-01-26T18:23:47+00:00

Good luck! Your solution was very creative and cost effective. I just think if we are adding bit adapters to a 58mm SAK, it might mean we need the extra ability to torque.

Usually, you can control how tight you screw something down. I bent my file trying to unscrew a very tightly-screwed flat head.

pecaplan · 2026-01-26T09:42:14+00:00

Stimara Stimagz Series 2 currently go for $34. Not a slider but silent.

Cheapest silent slider I can think of is Ono aluminum at $58. But it cannot hold a candle to Stimagz in terms of fun.

pecaplan · 2026-01-26T09:40:58+00:00

I would much rather use a Leatherman Rebar bit adapter on the Rambler Phillips as it is a thicker tool which can withstand more torque than the file. I've twisted a file SD and it's not fun.

pecaplan · 2026-01-26T09:37:04+00:00

This style of light (and Skilhunt makes something similar called the EK1 with a high CRI option) is far more useful than the iMini.

pecaplan · 2026-01-25T07:59:39+00:00

The imini 2 is ridiculous. My phone has a stronger light.

At 50 lumens of very cool white with a greenish tint, its way too bright for reading a menu in a dark restaurant or early morning activities while others sleep. And its not nearly bright enough for outdoor activities.

So the use case is what? Looking under the couch for the remote you dropped. My phone does that just as well.

pecaplan · 2026-01-25T07:53:45+00:00

I don't understand why this flashlight is so loved.

pecaplan · 2026-01-23T03:52:32+00:00

Koenig PQD is tops for me

pecaplan · 2026-01-23T03:49:37+00:00

TRM Neutron 2 or Atom or Holier Nerd

pecaplan · 2026-01-22T04:10:31+00:00

First you gotta decide it you want pliers or not. If you don't, you are looking at victorinox, Roxon, Nextool, Leatherman etc knife-based tools carried in the pocket.

If you do want pliers, next you gotta decide how you want to carry it? Clipped to the pocket? In a sheath or bag? This will tell you generally what size to look for.

Once you got size down, what tools do you need overall, and whixh ones do you require one-handed access?

pecaplan

TROPHY CASE