Oh! Gizmo

By Andrew Liszewski

Porsche Design has managed to get their hands into everything from sleds, to radios to toasters, but they’re clearly not going to be satisfied until there’s a Porsche version of every single sellable product on the planet. So next up to get the Porsche Design makeover is the swiss army knife. The company has teamed with Wenger to produce a collection of 4 different knives including the P´3711 ‘N size’ and the P´3712 ‘S size’ Executive which are both pictured above.

While the naming convention leaves something to be desired, the contoured handles and “silky finished ruthenium” casing at least makes the knives look like they could open a letter or file a nail in 2.3 seconds flat. Pricing varies depending on which version you get, and the different versions vary in terms of the on-board toolset. The Executive model pictured on the right runs $139.99 while the larger model on the left runs $159.99. The most expensive version is the P´3714 ‘N size’ Cigar Cutter (not pictured) and it runs $240.00.

[ Wenger Porsche Design Swiss Army Knives ] VIA [ Toolmonger ]

By Shane McGlaun

As a professional geek and connoisseur of all things gadget, video game and movie related I tend to get lots of stuff packed in clam shell packages. You know the type I mean, those virtually impenetrable pieces of plastic with the gadgety goodness nestled deep inside. I have tried all sorts of methods over the years to open them without bleeding to death from the resulting nicks and cuts from the plastic packaging once it rips with varying degrees of success.

ThinkGeek has a new gadget opening gadget that anyone like me needs to buy. The Dual Bladed EZ Clam Shell Opener is designed specifically for opening clam shells and other packages. In addition to opening clam shells, the device can open boxes and cut those pesky child-proof labels that hold CD and DVD cases closed. Grab one of these in preparation for all the cool stuff you will get this Christmas at ThinkGeek for a mere $4.99.

VIA [ ThinkGeek ]

By Andrew Liszewski

You might think it’s impossible to recharge the batteries on a cordless screwdriver in just 90 seconds and you’d be right. But the FlashCell from Coleman manages to pull this off since it doesn’t actually use batteries, but instead relies on a large capacitor.

So while the FlashCell charges incredibly fast it also discharges just as quickly. An equivalent-sized battery powered screwdriver might be able to handle 37 screws but you can expect the FlashCell to give up after about 22. (As taken from Popular Mechanic’s review of the FlashCell.) However the advantage is that once you stick it back in the charger you only have to wait a minute and a half before you can get back to work again. Team Products International, the company who actually makes the screwdriver claims it has a life cycle of about 500,000 full charges with no memory effects and will retain about 85% of its charge after sitting unused for 3 months. They admit that the technology wouldn’t work as well when applied to something like cordless drills but for the occasional assembly project around the house this seems like a pretty great idea.

The Coleman FlashCell is available on its website for $99.99 and you can read Popular Mechanic’s review of the screwdriver here.

[ Coleman FlashCell ] VIA [ Popular Mechanics ]

By Andrew Liszewski

When it comes to flashlights is there really such a thing as too bright? It seems Black & Decker doesn’t think so since their latest spotlights have an impressive 20 million candlepower rating. Now when it comes to physics I’m no Richard Feynman but I’m pretty sure a flashlight this powerful could actually let you see all the way around the world, and possibly even back in time. But just a couple of days.

Not surprisingly the spotlight also has a rather unimpressive runtime of about 25 minutes when powered by its rechargeable batteries but it can also be plugged into a 12-volt DC outlet allowing you to drain the battery on your vehicle as well. It uses 2 replaceable 120-watt Philips halogen bulbs and even includes a shoulder strap since you’ll probably get tired of holding it well before the 25 minutes of battery life runs out.

It’s currently available from Amazon for $76.24. I suggest getting two for Hallowe’en night so you can dress up as the 40 million candlepower monster who blinds little kids.

[ Black & Decker 20 Million Candlepower Spotlight ] VIA [ The Green Head ]

By Andrew Liszewski

When I read the name ‘Audio Ruler’ I thought this was another lame attempt to cram MP3 playback functionality into a device that really had no need for it. But it turns out Crayola has created something that’s actually kind of neat. You just slide the device along whatever it is you need to measure and it will announce the distance in quarter inch measurements up to a foot.

And while you’re sliding the Audio Ruler along it actually leaves a trail of disappearing ink so you can make sure the measurement was made exactly where you wanted it. Now while the one foot limitation makes it pretty much useless for carpenter types there’s no doubt it will go over quite well with the younger set. Particularly if the talking function drives their teachers crazy.

The Crayola Total Tools Audio Ruler is available on their website for only $7.99.

[ Crayola Audio Ruler ] VIA [ bookofjoe ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m skeptical at how long someone could actually survive if all they had access to was this Credit Card Survival Tool. Sure it provides you with essential ’survival’ tools like a bottle opener, a butterfly screw wrench and even a ruler (only 3 more inches until I reach the ranger station!) but something tells me if you were stranded on a desert island this wouldn’t be item #1 on your wish list.

But if you don’t like the awkward looks from your co-workers whenever you whip out the old Swiss Army Knife just to open a FedEx box this could be a more subtle alternative.

It’s currently available from FISHBOY for only $4.95 and if you got it engraved it could make for an expensive but impressive business card.

[ Credit Card Survival Tool ] VIA [ Lifehacker ]

By Andrew Liszewski

These days carrying around a concealed Swiss Army knife is kind of frowned upon so maybe that’s the reason Wenger created this Swiss Business Tool. At its core is a compact stapler and while it might not be quite as pocketable as the army knife it still packs just as many useful functions.

On the stapler’s base you’ll find a series of fold-out tools including ‘high performance’ scissors, a staple remover, an optical gauge, and a nail file/cleaner. The stapler can also be switched to function as a hole punch if you happen to need a handful of confetti at any point. And you might consider this a plus or a minus but the Swiss Business Tool does not include a knife giving it a slim chance of actually being allowed in your carry-on when flying.

The Wenger Swiss Business Tool is available from Crane & Co. for $100.

[ Wenger Swiss Business Tool ] VIA [ ThisNext ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Wood carving seems like it’s not that hard but the few times I’ve tried it the sharp knives and chisels took more off my fingers than the piece of wood. So I can see why the CompuCarve from Craftsman would be incredibly useful for any workshop. It’s basically a computer controlled router and milling machine that can produce complex 3D patterns on most soft materials like wood, plastics and even high-density foam.

It includes custom 3D software for creating your own designs and even though it’s claimed to be user friendly I imagine there’s a bit of a learning curve depending on how complex you want those designs to be. And while it does require a PC the designs are transferred to the machine via memory cards so that your computer doesn’t have to be in the same sawdust filled room. Of course given the CompuCarve’s relatively compact size it can only handle materials up to 5 inches high and 14 1/2 inches long meaning you’re somewhat limited to only producing stuff like 3D signs and ornate wooden boxes.

The Craftsman CompuCarve is available from Sears for $1,899.

[ Craftsman CompuCarve ] VIA [ Uber-Review ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of multi tools. It’s just that sometimes when you cram too many functions into a single tool the whole doesn’t necessarily equal the sum of its parts. This Multi Meter though seems to strike a nice balance. It’s primarily designed as a metal detector for locating metal objects behind walls but it also includes a laser and spirit level plus a whole list of other capabilities:

- Locates concealed AC power cables
- Locates concealed metal objects like pipes, nails, screws, cables etc
- Incorporates a Laser Level
- Incorporates a Spirit Level
- Incorporates a ‘white-light’ LED Torch
- Tests Light Bulbs including fluorescent and incandescent bulbs/tubes
- Tests Cartridge Fuses, Diodes, Capacitors, Heating Elements etc
- Locates breaks in an AC power cable
- Checks polarity on two cable (no earth) AC appliances
- Incorporates a ‘self-test’ battery check for added safety and piece of mind

It’s currently available from BoysStuff.co.uk for about $36 but I’m pretty sure it will work just as well for any of our female readers.

[ Multi Meter Multi Tool ] VIA [ The Red Ferret Journal ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’m actually kind of surprised that this is the world’s first dimmable LED flashlight but since I can’t think of any other companies offering this feature, it must be. The Titan from SureFire can be adjusted from anywhere between 0 lumens up to 70 lumens by rotating the bezel. And even though it’s only 3.5 inches long it’s built like a tank and could probably eat MagLites for breakfast.

The body is made from tough, corrosion-resistant Titanium and the virtually indestructible LED is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire window. It even has a tailcap connector threaded at 1/4-20 UNC allowing it to attach to most standard tripods for hands-free usage.

While the Titan might seem like the perfect tool for your upcoming weekend camping trip you might be disappointed to learn the limited run of 1000 Titanium units will set you back $500 each.

[ SureFire Titan ] VIA [ Popular Science ]