Nite Ize DoohicKeys

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** August 13, 2015, 08:55:02 PM

I didn't realize that there were two different styles of DoohicKey, but after spotting them at Home Depot, I now have both of them.

The standard Key Tool is smaller than a lot of one piece tools but actually seems quite well made and well thought out.

It is also quite light and would fit nicely on a keyring.

I've yet to use it for much, but I get the feeling I'm going to like it.

It's evil twin the SkullKey Tool however seems a bit less interesting.

The giant molded skull on this one seems unnecessary and adds a lot of weight. You really do notice this one on your keys, and the semi-exposed blade seems like a bad idea.

It is very similar to one of the tools I ordered for The Great $2 Challenge:

For those keeping track, this one is Contender #11.

Given that the head on Contender #11 doesn't seem as large as the one on the SkullKey Tool I'm sort of thinking this might be one of those times where I think I will prefer the fake to the real thing, if for no other reason than a dramatic reduction in weight.

Anyone else have a DoohicKey?

Def

pingu · **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2015, 09:37:17 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on August 13, 2015, 08:55:02 PM

Anyone else have a DoohicKey?

Yes and no. I got the Key Tool recently but its already in the retired box. I like tools with integral clips for their convenience but apart from that I don't know what the designer was thinking. Screwdriver, yes, but a tiny tool for a huge screw. The bottle opener/cap-lifter performs poorly. The angle that the lug is forced to approach the bottle is quite an obtuse angle which doesn't reach the bottle so only half contacts the cap. I'm sure it could be improved with a sharper angle.

As for wrench sizes, my normal aim for 13mm clearly isn't practicable, but 3/8" isn't even 10mm. IMO a fail. I opened the 3/8" to 10mm before I retired it.

Did I mention the useful clip. Clip useful, tools not.

Stormdrane · **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2015, 09:38:12 PM

I bought a few of them last year and modded a couple with glow-in-the-dark powder and epoxy for a video tutorial a few months back.

Kampfer · **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2015, 09:40:33 PM

Here is another one
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,57431.0.html

I bought a DoohicKey when it was released last year, don't find much use for it, so i gave it to Lowtech.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2015, 10:03:00 PM

Quote from: Kampfer on August 13, 2015, 09:40:33 PM

Here is another one
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,57431.0.html

I bought a DoohicKey when it was released last year, don't find much use for it, so i gave it to Lowtech.

Good idea.... Thomas doesn't do much, so a mostly useless tool is good for him!

Def

Kampfer · **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2015, 10:06:36 PM

windson · **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2015, 10:52:38 PM

I have the carabiner version. Will post a pic of the mod I did to it later

windson · **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2015, 10:58:29 PM

Here you go. Not as useless as I expected it to be. Actually a nice little tool.

360BT · **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2015, 01:20:01 AM

On the KeyTool is the box cutter edge sharpened? If it is sharpened will it cut flesh? I do like the looks, but curious before I go look at one.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2015, 01:34:32 AM

No it is nowhere near sharp, just cut kind of like a diamond and coming to enough of a point to cut tape but not much else.

Def

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2015, 01:35:05 AM

Quote from: windson on August 13, 2015, 10:58:29 PM

Here you go. Not as useless as I expected it to be. Actually a nice little tool.

(Image removed from quote.)

I like that mod!

Def

Gareth · **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2015, 03:09:04 AM

I do have one of the carabineer style ones as it happens. My brother-in-law gave it to me at Christmas. Seems well made but I have to admit I've yet to do much with it.

Zephon · **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2015, 09:22:02 AM

Got one of the carabiner types just coz it's like 50% off in the nearby hardware store. Thinking of getting it as a novelty gift for Christmas. In the office the most use I've had for it is lifting staple-wire. At least I didn't have to worry about any of those getting under my fingernails. hmmm....the carabiner is definitely finger-candy while thinking of stuff....o well, will probably just keep it with the belt clip for the heck of it.

I like that mod of reducing the size of the flat head (to a #2? #1?)

windson · **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2015, 09:54:36 AM

Quote from: Zephon on August 14, 2015, 09:22:02 AM

I like that mod of reducing the size of the flat head (to a #2? #1?)

It's about a #1 and works quite well.

zoidberg · **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2015, 11:45:33 AM

Quote from: pingu on August 13, 2015, 09:37:17 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on August 13, 2015, 08:55:02 PM

Anyone else have a DoohicKey?

Yes and no. I got the Key Tool recently but its already in the retired box. I like tools with integral clips for their convenience but apart from that I don't know what the designer was thinking. Screwdriver, yes, but a tiny tool for a huge screw. The bottle opener/cap-lifter performs poorly. The angle that the lug is forced to approach the bottle is quite an obtuse angle which doesn't reach the bottle so only half contacts the cap. I'm sure it could be improved with a sharper angle.

As for wrench sizes, my normal aim for 13mm clearly isn't practicable, but 3/8" isn't even 10mm. IMO a fail. I opened the 3/8" to 10mm before I retired it.

Did I mention the useful clip. Clip useful, tools not.

3/8" isn't 10mm, while a 10mm socket can fit 3/8" it won't work the other way round. My one fits 3/8" stuff just fine.

pingu · **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2015, 11:47:15 AM

"I opened the 3/8" to 10mm before I retired it."

ba-ta · **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2015, 10:26:54 PM

Had mine for almost 9 months now. I use mine mostly to remove eschutions on sprinkler heads without damaging the drywall (to much!). Outside of that haven't used it to much. It is.good at popping off the ice that builds up inside my freezer and makes for a great fiddling toy.

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2015, 10:38:03 PM

Hey, I just got a reply from them. I had a couple ideas so I sent them a email and this is what I got back.
JR

rdub934 · **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2015, 11:03:31 PM

Don't know if you've seen this one yet, but coming soon is the DoohicKey ClipKey. Same functionality as the QuicKey but features a carabiner clip. I kind of like this one...

https://www.niteize.com/product/DoohicKey-ClipKey.asp

Zephon · **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2015, 01:56:21 AM

Quote from: rdub934 on August 16, 2015, 11:03:31 PM

Don't know if you've seen this one yet, but coming soon is the DoohicKey ClipKey. Same functionality as the QuicKey but features a carabiner clip. I kind of like this one...

https://www.niteize.com/product/DoohicKey-ClipKey.asp

Hey, I kindda like this one. I guess I'll maybe hold out on the Quickey and just wait for this one. It seems to combine the best of both worlds.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2015, 11:48:14 AM

I'm not sure I care for the exposed serrations on these.

Def

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2015, 03:39:31 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on August 20, 2015, 11:48:14 AM

I'm not sure I care for the exposed serrations on these.

Def

Exposed sharp edges does seem to be a recurrent theme in one piece tools, and probably the thing I find most disconcerting about them. Do they expect people to make a sheath? Do they expect everyone to carry their keys on their belt rattling like a jailer? It's not just the pocket ripping, and thigh slashing potential, but also the sensibility of using the other functions on the tool. It's a shame so many "tool makers" focus so heavily on what's marketable at the expense of what's sensible and usable

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2015, 04:13:15 PM

I agree- I do not care for exposed blades on tools. This type are at least slightly better than some because the blade is along an inside section, so at the very least it is slightly less likely to cut something that you don't want cut.

The issue is, since it is more exposed than a hook style blade (think Rake Ring Tool) is that the edge is either not that sharp and it's safe, or it is sharp and it's not safe. And, we all know how useful a dull edge is.

Not to mention that an exposed blade won't stay sharp long, especially when it is designed to be carried on a Keychain.

Def

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #23 on:** August 20, 2015, 04:58:14 PM

The fact that the blade presses down on bottle tops when opening them doesn't help matters either

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #24 on:** August 20, 2015, 05:38:57 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on August 20, 2015, 11:48:14 AM

I'm not sure I care for the exposed serrations on these.

Def

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on August 20, 2015, 04:13:15 PM

Not to mention that an exposed blade won't stay sharp long, especially when it is designed to be carried on a Keychain.

Def

Quote from: 50ft-trad on August 20, 2015, 04:58:14 PM

The fact that the blade presses down on bottle tops when opening them doesn't help matters either

I must say I agree with Grant, twice! Unlike a seatbelt cutter those blades are exsposed, and might be a great idea for opening a letter or box, yet on the other hand kinda dumb

and again like he said in the second quote, being exsposed, over time their just NOT going to stay sharp! And like 50ft-trad said, pressing the blade down on the bottle top doesn't help what so ever!
JR