QuietCarry Helm Ti Carabiner

One of the first challenges of the new EDC enthusiast is how to carry their keys in an efficient, useful, and if possible, stylish way. And though carabiners have been around forever and are available at every price point, it’s also nice to take a look at more premium options to see what’s out there, or if one might better fit your EDC’s aesthetic. Not to mention that the use of better materials may be a significant upgrade to your current setup. The Helm Ti Carabiner, brought to you by QuietCarry’s Bryce Alexander, is worth checking out for your next keychain accessory. This premium brand takes the simple climber’s tool and turns it into a sleek and minimalist way to keep your essentials close at hand.

At just 2.5" long and 1.2" inches wide, the QuietCarry Helm Ti Caribiner cuts a simple and compact profile that belies its thoughtful design and construction. It’s completely CNC-machined from one solid piece of titanium, with no stainless steel parts. This gives it the inherent durability, corrosion resistance, and amazing strength to density ratio of the popular material.

The metal’s inherent low elastic modulus (springness) also allows Quietcarry to construct a seamless carabiner that requires no hinge or separate spring, thus no other parts to break or wear out, while still able to retain its original shape. A small detail machined into one of the corners can serve as a mini prybar or screwdriver in a pinch, while the brand’s logo is etched near the gate as a minimalist eyecatch.

Since the Helm shares the same design language as the QuietCarry’s other products, it’s meant to go well their other EDC hardware like the Chase knife and the Pry 64 minitool, the latter of which you can get packaged with the Helm. You can also pair it with the brand’s titanium keyrings and different-sized key organizers, for a even more streamlined, cohesive look.

The Helm comes in three different finishes—All Black, Gray or Stonewashed—that allow you to better match or complement the rest of your kit. If you’re looking for a simple yet thoughtfully designed carabiner to elevate your EDC keychain setup, there’s still time to pledge on QuietCarry’s fully funded Kickstarter page at the link below.

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Trending: Imalent LD10

This week’s choice for Flashlight Friday presents a formidable and affordable contender for your daily pocket or keychain carry. The Imalent LD10 has a built-in 1000 mAh rechargeable battery that powers its Cree XP-L HI emitter for up to an impressive 1,200 lumens on Turbo. Packed in a pocketable aersopace-grade aluminum chassis that’s just 2.83” long and 2.04 ounces light, it provides IPX-8-rated water resistance that allows it to be submerged in water up to 6 feet deep, and impact resistance for drops of up to 5 feet high. A rubber-covered electronic switch provides easy access to the four different output levels (10, 150, 500 and 800 lumens), as well as Turbo and Strobe mode while remaining subtle to preserve the light’s smooth lines. A rubber flap protects the leads for the included magnetic charging cable, and a diminutive hole for the included lanyard gives you additional options for carry. Check out this robust yet pocketable EDC light at the link below.

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Nitecore TUBE V2.0

When you put together affordability, thoughtful design, and simple and efficient functionality into a product, it’s often a winning formula. Products able to accomplish that unique balance of features are often the ones that stand the test of time. And when the Nitecore TUBE came out so many years ago, it ticked all the boxes that made it an instant success as one of the best keychain flashlights to EDC. And while we think it’s still worth it to carry the original one today, there’s always room for improvement. With upgraded performance in all the right places without having to reinvent the wheel, the TUBE V2.0 is a worthy successor to an EDC classic.

When you put the original TUBE and V2.0 side by side, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them to be the same light. The V2.0 comes in the same poly-carbonate shell as its predecessor, down to the same 2.22“ length and 0.33-ounce weight. So it will be a familiar form factor to those already carrying the original. Also like the original is a large selection of colors both clear and opaque, making it easier than ever to pair the V2.0 with the rest of your EDC.

The real treat for the V2.0, however, is under the hood. In short, all of its key metrics were upgraded, without taking up any more space or modifying anything from the original design (if it ain’t broke...). You now get 55 lumens from the original 45, throwing an extra meter out to 25m from the original 24 thanks to a slightly higher candela, with the wide, 100-degree beam offering floody utility. The single-button operation with ramping infinitely variable brightness is still present, but an improved battery now gives you 58 hours of runtime compared to the original 48. The V2.0 even charges faster, taking 1.5 hours for a full charge, 30 minutes faster than the V1. And speaking of charging, a micro USB port still takes care of battery duties.

Like before, the V2.0 carries like a key fob thanks to an integrated stainless steel ring connector that’s able to withstand 77 pounds of weight, scoffing at even the heaviest and jangliest keychain you can connect it to. Last but not least, an IP65 waterproof rating means that the TUBE is as comfortable in light inclement weather as it in your pockets for EDC. Check out the new Nitecore TUBE V2.0 in six colors at the link below.

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D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallets

Organizing pen and paper in your EDC can often be a challenge: small items tend to get lost or damaged in the shuffle, especially when carried loose in your pockets. Plus, with limited space in your pockets anyways, consolidation is always a good thing. For instance, you already carry a wallet, but what if it could also hold a custom notebook and pen as well? That’s where something like the Dango D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet comes in handy. And with the new releases in fine whiskey brown, jet black and rawhide leathers, the D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet has never been easier to carry--and protect--these everyday essentials.

The D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet is a compact bifold front pocket that's been engineered for efficiency. For its compact size, there’s plenty of space, as each of the four pockets in the wallet accommodate up to four payment and identification cards (16 cards total). A grippy silicone band also offers a way to stow folded cash. While we've featured the wallet before in water-resistant DTEX material, there's something about classic leather that never goes out of style. From its unique handfeel to a patina personalized to its owner that develops over time, a leather wallet offers a timeless quality and durability. That durability extends to the CNC'd and anodized 6061 aerospace grade aluminum chassis of the wallet itself, setting it apart from the standard bifold and giving the D01 structure. And against digital threats, built-in RFID protection also helps keep your card information safe from fraudsters skimming for data in public spaces. Last but not least, you can pick up Dango’s separate MT02 multi-tool to further expand this wallet’s capabilities.

The other half of the bifold is dedicated to organizing your stationery. And while it’s compatible with many popular EDC pens and compact notebooks, Dango goes the extra mile by providing a custom pen and notebook with every purchase. The machined aluminum pen accommodates the ever-popular Fisher Space Pen refill as well as Schmidt 4889M ink refills, and slots perfectly into the spine of D01 to both reduce bulk and allow you to retrieve the pen without having to open up the wallet. And in case you’re the kind of person who constantly loses their pen, an integrated lanyard hole helps with retention for both the pen and the wallet itself. The included notebook is no slouch either, with 48 dot-grid pages bound together with red stitching by hand and placed within a thick quality cover, itself protected by the rest of the leather and aluminum.

If jotting down notes and ideas is an essential part of your day, the D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet is a complete starter kit that lets easily consolidate and carry. And even if you already have a notebook and pen as a part of your EDC, the smart design of this package lets you consolidate them into an all-in-one solution that saves space in your pockets while being immensely useful and functional at the same time. Check out the link below to learn more about the D01 in both its new leather iteration as well as other material options.

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This is a sponsored post presented by Dango.

Trending: Douk Douk Le Tiki

An artistic variant of the traditional folding knife from French brand MC Cognet Cutlery climbs the charts for this week’s Traditional Thursday. The Douk Douk Le Tiki is from a line of staunch folders that have been used for over 70 years by members of the French Army and the French Foreign Legion, a testament to its reliablity and sound design.

The stainless steel handle of this variant features a stylized image of the “First Man” from the Maori creation myth—hence the knife’s namesake—and a hardened bright chrome finish for corrosion resistance and a bit of aesthetic flair. The hollow-ground Turkish clip point blade is made of blackened high carbon steel and sports a 3.3” cutting edge that narrows down to a thin point, good for light EDC slicing tasks. This traditional slipjoint features a half-stop and a strong heat-treated backspring to ensure familiar and reliable operation. The whole package is just 2.5 ounces light and 4.25” closed, making for an easy pocket or bag carry.

For a bit of history and mythology in your pocket, as well as a simple yet reliable folder that won’t break the bank, check out the Douk Douk Le Tiki at the link below.

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