The James Brand Ellis

For a knife to be “minimalist,” it doesn't always have to mean it sports an understated design that's stripped of features. Minimalism can go beyond looks, instead focusing on letting you do more while carrying less. The James Brand Ellis has a unique balance of  uncluttered design and all-round versatility that's worthy of your minimalist EDC. With a competent blade for cutting tasks and an integrated multi-tool for almost everything else, it'll cover your bases, look good doing it, and free up some pocket space to boot.

The business end of the Ellis features a stout 2.6” modified drop-point blade that maximizes the cutting potential of the blade while keeping it compact. The blade is made out of a highly corrosion-resistant Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel that sharpens up to a nice edge. And because the blade has a mixture of straight edge and serrated surfaces, it's a good all-around cutting tool for your everyday carry. Opening the blade is a classic two-handed affair, made easier with the nail nick in the blade. A sturdy lockback mechanism holds the blade in place during use.

When you're done with the knife, fold it into the anodized aluminum handle, and it's there where the design of the Ellis truly shines. Like the gentleman's knives of old, the Ellis has a second tool built into the design, which opens just like the knife. But instead of another blade, the Ellis gives you a screwdriver and bottle opener. And because of the smart design of the Ellis, you get a full-sized handle that you can use to leverage these tools to the best of your ability. It doesn't stop there: at the pommel of the knife is a combination scraper and pry bar, handy for those who would otherwise use their knife for that task despite every warning not to do so.

For easy of carry, the back of the Ellis comes with a bail for attachment to a lanyard. If you prefer to carry it in your pockets, the 2.8 ounce weight makes it a no-fuss accompaniment to your curated carry. And with its good looks and intelligent features, you can use the Ellis to pare down to the essentials, making your life easier by shedding redundancies. The Ellis is available now, in three different colorways including black, silver, and a stand-out electric moss green. Check it out at the link below.

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Arc'teryx Granville 10 Courier Bag

When looking for a great bag to commute with in a city environment, you probably wouldn't start your search with an outdoors sports brand. But when you think about the kind of performance and durability the great outdoors demands, it makes sense to trust a brand like Arc'teryx with your everyday gear. In addition to making top-notch equipment and apparel for mountain climbing, they also produce minimalist technical gear for everyday urban use as well. The new Arc’teryx Granville 10 courier bag is a perfect example of this, blending portability, ease of access, and durable materials to keep you prepared for any urban commute.

The bag is made of Arc’teryx's proprietary ripstop nylon AC2 material, complete with taped seams and water-tight YKK zippers to provide excellent weatherproofness. So whether you spill a drink or get caught in a quick downpour you won’t have to worry about your gear getting damaged. Dual one-handed release buckles secure the top flap and make sifting through your gear in a pinch a breeze. Plus, the ambidextrous cross-body strap means you can get to your things in cramped quarters by swinging the bag around to your front. Even though the bag weighs only 18 ounces when empty, it also features a three-point strap so you can distribute the weight when carrying heavier loads.

The same attention to detail present on the exterior is reflected on the inside of the pack as well, with plenty of internal organization to keep all your gear in place. Under the top flap is a zippered quick access pocket for your most used items like your wallet or a small notebook. There's also a built-in key clip so you won’t have to go digging to the bottom of your bag in search of your house keys anymore. Then there’s the main 10L compartment, which has another pocket for smaller essentials like charging cables or pens as well as a padded pocket that can fit a 12-inch laptop or tablet.

However you get to work, the Arc’teryx Granville 10 Courier bag is likely up to the task. It’s built to handle brutal weather without sacrificing a sleek design that won’t look out of place in the office. If you’re interested in trying out a bag from one of the most trusted names in the outdoors world, check this one out for yourself by clicking the link below.

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Artisan Cutlery Kinetic Tool

"Inspired by a balisong knife, Artisan’s fun to use gadget features a stainless steel multitool instead of a knife blade. It has a pry bar, bottle opener, hex wrench, and ruler, and its titanium handles have..." (via TheAwesomer)

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