This week’s new releases include a milestone G-SHOCK, Vosteed’s upgraded Hedgehog, and RovyVon’s advanced SL series flashlight.
G-SHOCK GMWB5000SS-2 50th Anniversary Release
The watch industry changed forever in 1974 when Casio released its first-ever wristwatch, the Casiotron. As the world’s first digital watch with an automatic calendar function, the Casiotron represented a ground-breaking shift in the industry, introducing digital technology into the realm of personal timekeeping. 50 years later, Casio celebrates its roots by releasing a set of models that pay homage to several Casio icons, one of them being the G-SHOCK GMWB5000SS-2. Inspired by the iconic GMWB5000 (which was in turn inspired by the very first G-SHOCK), the G-SHOCK GMWB5000SS-2 retains the original G-SHOCK form but elevates it with a full-metal exterior. Design elements such as the blue IP finish applied to the bezel top and gold vapor deposition on the dial’s perimeter pay homage to the original Casiotron while symbolizing the vastness of the sky and sea. Gold IP accents on the side buttons and the fluted pattern on the dial’s perimeter are also great details to notice.
The GMWB5000SS-2 boasts a robust suite of features that make it every bit a modern G-SHOCK. It connects to the CASIO WATCHES smartphone app for functions such as automatic time adjustment, reminders, and a phone finder, while maintaining all the usual G-SHOCK functions, easily viewed even with low light thanks to its Super Illuminator backlight. The watch is encased in special eco-packaging made from recycled materials and includes a cotton pouch for accessory storage, underlining Casio’s commitment to sustainability. It harnesses solar power to operate its functionalities, including Bluetooth connectivity and radio-controlled timekeeping (Multiband 6), ensuring precision and reliability. The DLC-coated screw-lock case back, engraved with the 50th-anniversary logo, coupled with its metal band featuring a bicolor finish and a “50th Anniversary” engraving, make this timepiece a true testament to the G-SHOCK’s longevity and iconic position in the industry.
Tactile Knife Co. Osprey
Some of the coolest and classiest gents folding knives have come out of Tactile Knife Company as they’ve expanded past making some of the best everyday carry pens you can buy today. With the release of their new Osprey, Tactile has entered new territory once again, and we like it. The Osprey is Tactile’s first dedicated fixed-blade outdoor knife, with an incredibly beefy full-tang construction featuring MagnaCut steel hardened to 63-64 Rockwell for the ultimate in modern cutting potential and edge retention.
The design language of the Osprey melds the shape of a rugged outdoor survival knife with the clean and minimalist gents’ aesthetic of Tactile Knife Company’s products. The 3.7” cutting blade features a clip-point shape with a well-defined tip for piercing and a slightly recurved belly that enhances its slicing ability. Last but not least, the small but pronounced patch of top jimping works in concert with the carefully shaped and chamfered ergonomic grip in the Richlite Micarta scales to provide substantial control over cuts big and small. The Osprey is the beefiest knife in Tactile’s stable yet, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
RovyVon SL Series Multi-Function Safety Light
Renowned for their innovative lighting solutions, RovyVon takes illumination to the next level with the newly released SL series. This multi-function safety light packs a powerful punch with its 20 LED bulbs. The primary front light delivers up to 1000 lumens of cool white light, perfect for outdoor nighttime activities, while the secondary lights offer a high Color Rendering Index (high CRI), red light SL42 and SL44), and two 365nm UV LEDs (SL41 & SL43), catering to various lighting needs. The side lights, available in white and red (some models include blue), feature multiple modes like flashing and breathing, making them ideal for emergency use.
The RovyVon SL series is built tough, sporting a body made from high-quality polyamide materials with an impressive IPX8 impact and water resistance rating that keeps it functional, even in harsh conditions. This light comes with four independent switch buttons for simple and intuitive operation, a large 2500mAh battery that recharges in 1.5 hours via the USB-C, and a real-time battery indicator. It also comes with versatile mounting options, including detachable and adjustable clips, a magnetic base, and various clip types, ensuring easy and secure hands-free attachment in any location. So, whether for EDC, emergencies, or outdoor adventures, the RovyVon SL series multi-function safety light is designed to meet all your needs.
Vosteed Hedgehog Aluminum
We’re big fans of Vosteed’s RSKAOS Titanium Knife and the recently released Vosteed Hedgehog is a smaller, lighter, and more affordable iteration of the premium folder. Needless to say, we love it already. Sporting a 2.99″ S35VN blade, the Vosteed Hedgehog promises exceptional edge retention and corrosion resistance. Its modified sheepsfoot blade shape with a lightly curved belly makes it perfect for slicing and cutting tasks. With an overall length of 7.11″, a handle length of 4.12″, and a weight of just 4.42 oz, it’s compact enough to leave plenty of room for other essentials in your pocket when closed.
It recently underwent an upgrade, and the new Hedgehog’s handle is crafted from 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum, featuring a hard-coated matte finish and a CNC-machined frag pattern that provides both enhanced control and attractive styling. The design includes precisely machined weight relief pockets to minimize user fatigue, along with double CNC chamfered corners for added comfort. It has several deployment options, including a back flipper, thumb stud, and fuller, all supported by a ceramic ball bearing system and a Top Liner Lock mechanism with an integrated button for intuitive closure. The result is a smooth, quick, and safe operation that makes the Hedgehog not only a practical tool but one that’s also tons of fun to use.
Stabby Labs The FN PEN 2.0
Designed to be the most robust writing tool in your EDC, the FN Pen 2.0 retains the sleek, discreet design of its predecessor but boasts new features that make it the ultimate tactical pen. Made from CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminum, this pen is built to last. Its standout feature is the threaded bore, allowing for interchangeable tips. Whether you need the Penetrator Tip for metal scribing and ice breaking, the Graphite Pencil Tip for writing and sketching, or the Glass Breaker Tip for shattering tempered glass, the FN Pen 2.0 adapts to your needs.
Additional upgrades include a rubber eraser that cushions your thumb during strikes and doubles as a pencil eraser. The new custom-shaped magnet embedded in the eraser cap snaps perfectly over the tungsten carbide tip, providing a satisfying fidgeting experience and ensuring you never misplace the tip. With its enhanced versatility and thoughtful design, the FN Pen 2.0 is the ultimate tool for any situation.
Kizer Harpoon Mini
If you’re looking for a knife to take with you on your outdoor excursions this summer, make sure to take the newly updated Kizer Harpoon Mini. Made in collaboration with Maverick Customs in Kentucky, this smaller 3” version of their original Harpoon fixed-blade knife upgrades the blade steel to premium CPM 3V that can withstand outdoors, camping, and survival utility tasks like cutting through wood and tough material. The namesake harpoon-style blade shape has a well-defined point for piercing tasks, and a large curved belly for slicing, making this a good knife for skinning and meal prep in the wilderness.
We especially like the flat ground edge of the blade and the lack of a bolster at the heel, making the Kizer Harpoon Mini exceptionally easy to resharpen and maintain on a whetstone. The blacked-out coating also contrasts nicely with the yellow translucent PEI scales on the handle, which is on trend in the everyday carry knife space. The full-tang construction and sheath mean this knife is always ready for work, with no moving parts to fail, making this a great all-around fixed blade for everyday carry to pick up this summer.
LifeStraw Sip Reusable Stainless-Steel Water Filter Straw
Ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water is vital for maintaining good health, and the LifeStraw Sip Reusable Stainless-Steel Water Filter Straw – Package of 3 is designed to meet this need. Made from high-quality stainless steel and featuring BPA-free and FDA-approved silicone mouthpieces, these straws prioritize safety and durability. The innovative high-flow filter membrane uses a hollow-core membrane microfilter medium that effectively removes 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites, including E. coli and salmonella, as well as 99.999% of microplastics. This straw also uses a 0.2-micron pore-size filter that can purify up to 1,000 liters of water, meeting US EPA and NSF P231 standards and ensuring safe, clean, and drinkable water.
Each 10” straw weighs just 1.8 oz (3 oz with its case), making it an ideal travel/on-the-go companion. The user-friendly design requires no batteries or electrical outlets, making it simple to use. The package includes three straws, each with a leak-proof carry case, adding convenience and protection. As a B Corp, LifeStraw ensures that every purchase helps provide a child in need with safe water for an entire school year, reflecting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
