What's on your keychain?

[scorpion008]

Guys, is a Widgy pry bar as useful as a knife edge? I know it's there to replace your blades, which end up broken, but if it does not taper to a thin edge, I can see most of the applications I need unfulfilled. I may just stick with the beater blade on my Sheffield multi.

[WWW]

Guys, is a Widgy pry bar as useful as a knife edge? I know it's there to replace your blades, which end up broken, but if it does not taper to a thin edge, I can see most of the applications I need unfulfilled. I may just stick with the beater blade on my Sheffield multi.

I must agree with you. Most part of my very ocasional prying necessities can not be done using a pry bar. I've made a very thin one and the only thing I'm able to use it for is to remove staples, it is just too thick for the rest.

[Stormdrane]

Been giving the Leatherman Brewzer some time with keychain duty, swapping it out with the Gerber Shard, and I like it so far... 

[nuphoria]

It is a rather useful little thing

I like the lovely scarf you made for it too

[Stormdrane]

It is a rather useful little thing

I like the lovely scarf you made for it too

Keeps its neck warm on those chilly January mornings.    Although, it seems Old Man Winter hasn't showed up for work this season, with temps 'round these parts looking to be in the 70's this weekend...     

[allyourblood]

Also been giving the Brewzer a go for a few days. It's so small I haven't felt the need to remove my Micro Widgy, which the Brewzer may replace if it's deemed worthy (a difficult feat indeed -- love the Widgy)!


Not on my keychain (but always with me): EDC knife, flashlight, and multitool.

[nuphoria]

It is a rather useful little thing

I like the lovely scarf you made for it too

Keeps its neck warm on those chilly January mornings.    Although, it seems Old Man Winter hasn't showed up for work this season, with temps 'round these parts looking to be in the 70's this weekend...     

70's?? Crikey o'blimey!

Was a big fat zero here this morning!

[Landrew]

It is a rather useful little thing

I like the lovely scarf you made for it too

Keeps its neck warm on those chilly January mornings.    Although, it seems Old Man Winter hasn't showed up for work this season, with temps 'round these parts looking to be in the 70's this weekend...     

70's?? Crikey o'blimey!

Was a big fat zero here this morning!

I'd love for a zero-degree day here. It's so cold, so very cold...

[sotto]

Here's today's:

[stealth007s]

Interesting that you have two TTs on the same ring I know they're two different tools but, what's your reasoning? Just curious, that's all

[sotto]

Interesting that you have two TTs on the same ring I know they're two different tools but, what's your reasoning? Just curious, that's all

No problema. I need one with a bottle opener! 

[JAfromMn]

Here's today's:

(Image removed from quote.)

the man likes his skulls.

Nice carry

 I like that 1911 tool . I wish I had a reason to own one.

[New_World]

my keychain doesn't have the micra on it currently. thinking about putting on a ps4 in blue instead...but i like the inside tools of the micra......decisions...


anyway....
i bought a brewzer by leahterman.
idk why. 

[Gadget Guy]

I've been carrying my smoke PocketToolX Brewzer for several months now and I really love it. A ton of options in such a small package.     I might have to add a Leatherman branded tool for a backup.   

[scorpion008]

Would you guys say that you prefer the Brewzer to the Widgy?

[Steinar]

Would you guys say that you prefer the Brewzer to the Widgy?

IMHO: Pocket Widgy is a better prybar because of the length, Brewzer is a little more comfortable opening bottles with. (As you have to use the good old "everything is a bottle opener" technique with a Widgy.) I like both. Frankly, I can go through most days with just a knife and a P-51, a P-51 opens bottles just fine too.

[scorpion008]

One last question...for now. For those that have both (Widgy and Brewzer), which has a better, thinner edge for prying into narrow cracks? I like working with/demolishing electronics so this is one of the uses for any prybar I get. Also, is the boxcutter on the Brewzer equalled by any part of the Widgy bar? <-Second most useful function.

[allyourblood]

For those that have both (Widgy and Brewzer), which has a better, thinner edge for prying into narrow cracks? I like working with/demolishing electronics so this is one of the uses for any prybar I get. Also, is the boxcutter on the Brewzer equalled by any part of the Widgy bar? <-Second most useful function.

Good question. The pry edge on the Brewzer is slightly thinner at its peak, compared to that of the Widgy. However, the Brewzer is, overall, thicker. I own the Micro Widgy (3") and it is longer than the Brewzer by about a half inch. This length, along with the curved end make the Micro Widgy feel better suited for dedicated prying tasks. Keep in mind that the Widgy is hardened and the edge could be thinned even more (and further back than in its current form) with relative ease, should you need a more slender taper at the pry end.


The box "ripper" at the end works as advertised and pops tape just a hair easier than the Widgy, but I don't find it to be significantly better. Again, the length comes into play here: I find it easier to get a good grip on the 3" Widgy than I do the 2.5" Brewzer, which aids in leverage when busting the tape on a box. The forked end of the Widgy serves just about the same purpose, when you turn it on its side in the same fashion as the Brewzer.


Lastly, one thing I should mention that I never gave any thought to until I owned one myself: I find the location of the bottle opener on the Brewzer to be slightly inconvenient in regards to repeated use of the box ripper. Just when my thumb rests on the jimping to drive the tip through a box, my index finger lands in the crook of the bottle opener and that little hook digs in a bit. It's not unbearable, but I would not want to break down a large supply of boxes using the Brewzer alone. In fact, I don't -- I use a knife. The Brewzer will work in a pinch or for the occasional box just fine, however.


Should you elect to use the 2" Pico Widgy, I'd say all bets are likely off and the Brewzer may very well come out ahead. Against the 3" Widgy, it's a bit of a harder sell.  To me, it really comes down to size, convenience, and how often you're gonna be opening beverages.


I like the Brewzer and it's a cool little pry bar that works well and does what it should. But compared to my Micro Widgy, I find it comes up a bit short in the prying department. Hope this helps a bit!

[Gadget Guy]

The Brewzer's tip is a little think for my liking, so I have thinned it down a bit using a scotchbrite wheel on a bench grinder and it worked like a charm.    I didn't profile it on my smoke Brewzer because it's kind of rare.

The great thing about the Brewzer is it does so much and for its size and weighs next to nothing and the price is right. I've had hundreds if not thousands of pocket tools and I've yet to find anything close as far as overall use. I don't use a bottle opener very often but it's nice to know it's there when I need one.

Anyone notice any difference at all with the Leatherman branded tool?

[allyourblood]

Here's the "hot spot" I was referring to earlier:

[mvecin]

This is what I have now. But might test the new Gerber curve I just got.

[playsguitars]

I like keeping things lightweight when possible. All that's on my keychain is a Victorinox Classic SD, Volkswagen key and a house key, all separated by tiny carabiners on a keyring so I can get them off in a hurry if need be.

[Wootz]

This is what I have now. But might test the new Gerber curve I just got. (Image removed from quote.)

 
I was looking at the Gerber Dime (gotta have pliers or I feel naked).

[SwissArmy Zippo]

I keep my keys pretty minimum…

Swisstech utili-key
Thumb lite
Handcuff key

[sir_mike]

The only item I have on my keychain besides a couple of keys is the SAK Rambler.  It's the perfect keychain tool!

[nuphoria]

The only item I have on my keychain besides a couple of keys is the SAK Rambler.  It's the perfect keychain tool!

I concur - ruddy awesome bit of kit
I carried a celidor one for ages until I landed an Alox one, but they both rock a keychain

[Outback in Idaho]

Today's EDC keychain, with Shields of Strength pendant, bottle opener key, SwissTech Utilikey, Thrunite Ti flashlight, Leeds compact pen(with Fisher universal fine point refill installed), & a couple of keys on the EXOTAC FREEkey System, along with various Gaucho knots I added to some of the items with 0.9mm cord.

(Image removed from quote.)

Bought the FreeKey the week it was released for sale, and been using it up until yesterday.

Have a light-weight swivel snap that attaches to my keyring. Each smaller ring has its own key(s): Suzuki, house, and a pair for mom's Cadillac which has two keys on that ring.

Was walking out to the mailbox, heard a ta-ting. Stopped, looked behind me. There's the set of Cadillac keys on the ground. Was puzzled. 
Slipped it back on, and heard yet another ta-ting. The Suzuki keyring landed on the ground.
Looked at the smaller rings, they are not spread nor damaged. The main key ring looks like normal too.



Not sure what could have caused two sets to just fall off. Going back to a split ring because if this happened in another time or place I'd of been out a set of keys - or worse, some cars too.


The other two rings must have worked themselves out, despite the two full turns. Only other way I can see to carry this safely is to affix a metal wire collect around the two layers, but am worried that may not be enough over time.


Edit: Tried a metal wire idea and it failed. What is happening is the rocker is so soft one's clothes can push that in. And the smaller rings, when laying flat, slide right on inside - on their way to slowly escaping.
  So I put a temporary collar around the 2-layers part, but once that rocker lifts up the end, it will fail too.

  About the only two things I can see that Exotac can do to remedy this is to put a small bump on the inside, then drill a hole there - or fashion a lock. With a hole one can use a cotter-like pin, or another small loop, or something to lock those two sides together.
  That sort of defeats the purpose of the easy use, but also safe guards the keys and anything else that is on the ring. But they would have to weigh how important this is to them.

  Other idea would be to maybe use a flexible O tube (an O-ring would roll & fail) or a mesh sock.

  Whatever method, the lock would have to at least secure the 2-layer, or the 2-layers plus the ending-threading layer. There has to be a block to keep anything from rotating in the rings.

  A split ring, as archaic as they are, are held together with pressure. With enough force they can spread and lose the contents. That is where the FreeKey System excels. But after yesterday's surprise, something needs to lock the rings together and not move to be secure.

[stealth007s]

Has anyone seen or used the S-Biner Keyrack +Bottle Opener ? I found it strolling Dick's Sporting Goods the other day. They have several variations of it. I like my keyring situation right now but I may consider this one day.

[landwomble]

Has anyone seen or used the S-Biner Keyrack +Bottle Opener ? I found it strolling Dick's Sporting Goods the other day. They have several variations of it. I like my keyring situation right now but I may consider this one day.

Been EDCing for 6 months. Very cheap on dx.com. they're good but plastic little s biners break occaisionally. I'd still recommend though. I'm very hard on my keys!

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[Outback in Idaho]

Has anyone seen or used the S-Biner Keyrack +Bottle Opener ? I found it strolling Dick's Sporting Goods the other day. They have several variations of it. I like my keyring situation right now but I may consider this one day.

Depending upon the type of activity, them spring open gates can be a blessing or curse.
If the gate spring fights back with force, get it. If the gate opens easily, just know as you are sitting or rubbing against something, that gate won't save your keys if used to clip the set to your person.

Have gone through a lot of snaps and other methods of key carry.
Ended up using a common Quick Repair Link (screw closure) that my belt slides through with a simple split keyring. Then my two key assortments use rather firm quick snaps. Not fashionable, but for me reliability over sex appeal any day.