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HEAdesigns Wingman knife review

I have reviewed my fair share of finely crafted pocketknives made from some of the best materials available. But all of them were more or less of classic folder design. The HEAdesigns Wingman aspires to be different, specifically created with a “futuristic, next level design.” Let’s see how well it does achieving its objective.

What is it?

The Wingman is a Wharncliffe flip folder made from 6Al4V aircraft grade titanium and S35vn stainless steel. HEAdesigns took two years with fifty refinements in that time and over a dozen prototypes to perfect their vision. In addition to looking like it’s meant as a prop for the latest SciFi movie, the Wingman is engineered for serious speed and performance as well.

Design and features

The titanium handle is 4.8 inches in length. I received the green version highlighted with yellow/gold titanium hardware. This picture captures the 3D contouring and wrapped edges of the handle pretty well. The handle is nicely sized with an excellent textured, quality feel and overall weight to it.

Specifications:

Blade:

  • S35vn steel, 3.5in blade length flat ground from 1/8in stock w. 3 grinds per side
  • Two-tone sandblast and hand sand flat finish with full depth speed groove
  • This blade flies out faster than Dominic Toretto at a drag race

Handle:

  • 6Al4V Aircraft Grade Titanium starting at a .19in custom designed to angle taper down to .09in
  • 4.8in long by 1.12in wide with heavy interior scalloping for weight reduction
  • Machined lock relief, steel lock insert, over travel stop, ceramic bearings, and detent
  • Full cutouts through both handles with 3D contoured and wrapped edges unlike any other design

Hardware & Clip

  • 6Al4V Ti hardware and clip
  • Custom HEA pivot with mirrored AEH on back with torx accommodations
  • Blind screwed clip with design cues that make it feel right at home on the frames
  • Full-Length Ti backspacer with hidden hardware, secure screw tech, hidden lanyard hole, and speed milling down the entire piece

The Wingman is just over 8 inches long when extended and weighs in at a 4.2oz. The blade itself is 3.5 inches in length. The custom HEA pivot is very responsive and lightning fast deploying the blade. The pivot has a polished surface and HEA machined into it.

On the flip side, the pivot has a mirrored AEH on back with torx adjustment point. The right side of the handle has a titanium blind-screwed pocket-/beltclip with matching space-age design. The belt clip is stiff and does a solid job of keeping the knife securely on your belt or in your pocket. There are two cutouts through the entire width of the handle, with the lower one going thru the blade as well.

The top of the Wingman has a full-length titanium back spacer. There is a channel machined into the spine of the backspacer for feel and design.

There are ridges machined into the thumb ramp and blade flipper for added friction/grip when force is applied (aka flipping the blade open).

The precision frame-lock secures the blade into the open position with zero blade movement and little chance of the blade accidentally closing. To close the blade, simply press the frame lock aside and the blade smoothly rotates back into the closed position. The Wingman does not have a closed lock that keeps the blade from accidentally opening. Though this is unlikely under normal circumstance, the blade seats firmly within the handle and doesn’t deploy without a good amount of force.

The two-tone blade is razor sharp as you would expect, created with six grinds to achieve its unique style and shape.

The spacer has a hidden lanyard hole built into the rear of the handle…a nice touch.

The Wingman is available in gray, green, gold, blue, and bronze.

Sam Abdelrahman is the founder, president, and lead designer of HEAdesigns, creating bold, futuristic knives. He brings a decade of engineering experience, the highest quality materials, and excellent craftsmanship to all HEAdesigns products. His goal for the Wingman specifically was to create the perfect midsize flipper “that looked like it could move at the speed of light”.

Positives

  • Unique, futuristic design
  • Made from high-quality materials
  • Excellent engineering
  • Lightening fast blade deployment
  • Rock solid, wiggle-free frame-lock
  • Nice contoured feel to the handle

Negatives

  • The space age design might be too much for some

Final thoughts

HEAdesigns had a vision of designing a pocketknife that pushed the limits on style and design while striving for the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship. The Wingman hits the mark on all those counts. Functionally this midsize flipper/folder is fast, well sized/weighted and ideal as a high-end EDC.

Price: $329.00
Where to buy: HEAdesigns.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by HEAdesigns.

Bellroy has a woman’s wallet perfect for minimal EDC

It seems that most of the wallets featured on The Gadgeteer are men’s wallets or unisex wallets that basically hold some cards and cash and really nothing else.  That’s not a problem for men because their clothing tends to have usable pockets, unlike women’s clothing which usually have decorative pockets if any at all.  That lack of pockets is why some women carry a small purse, even when they don’t want to.  The Clutch from Bellroy is a wallet designed for women, and it has many of the things I personally look for in a minimal bag.

The Clutch measures 7.9″ X 5.3″.  It’s zippered closed, so you don’t have to worry about losing anything, and it has a wrist strap so you don’t have to worry about laying it down and losing the Clutch itself.  A central pouch, which can serve as a coin purse, divides the wallet into two sections.  There’s room inside for cards, cash, a phone, and even your keys and a few other small items – making the Clutch a perfect wallet to take when you run out for a quick lunch or some errands and don’t need a big bag weighing you down.

The Clutch, in Bellroy’s own words, is made from “premium hides tanned under gold-rated Leather Working Group environmental protocols, then dyed through so they age gracefully. The woven fabrics we use are sustainably produced and chosen for their durability and lightweight performance.”  The Clutch is available in alabaster (shown), navy, black, and deep blush for $189.95 from Bellroy.

Gift Guide: Gear for the EDC enthusiast

You know the type… they always seem to have a little pocketknife, pen, tool or cloth for every situation, jumping in at the right time to help you open a package or clean up a little mess. Jacob and Janet have teamed up to create this list with the hopes that something will catch your eye for that special someone, or yourself. 

Recycled Firefighter – Nomex Handkerchief

This fire resistant and absorbent Nomex handkerchief comes in several handsome colors and is a great pocket companion for all your other EDC things. It’s 11×11” and looks to be one of the top reviewed items on their site.

Price: $24 • Recycled Firefighter

Taylor Stitch – Raw Brass Keyhook

Cast from raw brass, this minimalistic keyhook looks great and will only look better with age as it develops a natural patina. It will last basically forever and goes with just about everything.

Price: $32 • Taylor Stitch

Standard Goods – Good and Well Co. Cologne Balm

Sometimes you need a little scent boost to feel refreshed in the middle of the day and these little cologne balms are perfect for a quick dab of olfactory goodness. They come in natural scents like sandalwood and black spruce needle.

Price: $20 • Standard Goods

Quiet Carry – Q2 Titanium Key Organizer

The Q2 consolidates 4-8 keys within a titanium housing and also incorporates a locking blade with your choice of blade type – multitool, bottle opener with a knife blade or clip point blade. Note from Julie: I reviewed their Bandit keychain knife and recommend it as well made useful little knife.

Price: $68 • Quiet Carry

Draplin Design Co – DDC Stuff Sheath

There are lots of us who carry around a little notebook to jot down ideas in, like a little Field Notes pad or Moleskine Cahier, only to have them mangled by a denim back pocket. So Draplin Design created a leather sheath for wrangling your small notebook, receipts, note scraps, tickets and whatever else you might have bouncing around inside your bag or pockets.

Price: $39.99 • Draplin Design Co.

Keyport Slide 3.0 key organizer

The Gadgeteer has reviewed every iteration of the Keyport Slide, and we recently reviewed the Slide 3.0, the newest version.  It’s available with four or six ports to hold a combination of key slides and tools like USB flash drives and pens.  The normal slide plates can be replaced with one with a flashlight, a knife blade, or one with both a flashlight and a TrackR locator.

Price: $39 for the four slot; $49 for the 6 slot
Read our review: Keyport Slide 3.0 and Pivot key organizers review
Where you can buy one: Keyport

Snake Hook

When you carry light without a gear bag, you may want something to make sure your keys don’t fall out of your pocket. The Snake Hook attaches to your belt to secure your keychain.  The Snake Hook keychain hook (also known as a pelican hook, key loop, or belt hook by some) is made of solid brass in the USA.  It measures 2-5/8″ long x 3/8″ wide x 5/8” deep.

Price: $24
Where you can buy one: Snake Bite Co.

True Utility FIXR Multi-tool (20 tools in 1)

The True Utility FIXR multi-tool is like having a toolbox in your pocket.  This little powerhouse is packed with twenty tools: various screwdrivers, wrenches, box cutter, pry bar, bottle opener, nail cleaner, bicycle spoke wrench, ruler, cutting blade, wire stripper, and more.  It’s 3.3″ X 1″ X 0.35″, so it won’t take up much room in your bag or pocket.

Price: $12.13
Read our review: True Utility FIXR multi-tool review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Snake Bite Church Key Bottle Opener

Most bottle/can openers I’ve seen have one rounded end for popping off bottle caps and one sharp, pointy end for punching holes in cans.  These days, most beverage cans come with pop-tops, so many can openers now only have the rounded end for bottle caps.  The Snake Bite opener has only a pointed end – actually an end with two points.  The two points allow it to fit over a bottle cap, so you can still open a bottled beverage with it.  And they will, of course, allow you to punch two triangular holes in a can.  Why do you need the holes when you have a pop-top?  The holes vent the can, resulting in a less foamy, less bubbly pour.

The Snake Bite Church Key is made of 302 stainless steel.  It’s covered by a 6-oz vegetable-tanned leather sheath that’s held together with a military-grade kydex holster rivet and hard-drawn nickel-plated steel split ring.  It’s available in a variety of leather colors and special editions.

Price: $25
Where you can buy one:Snake Bite Co.

LighterBro multitool sleeve for BIC lighter

LighterBro multitool sleeves turn a standard or a mini BIC lighter into a multi-functional pocket tool.  Depending on the model, you’ll add tools like knife blades, scissors, screwdrivers, awls, rulers, and more.  The sleeves are made of Japanese steel for strength, and they are available in a variety of colors and toolsets.  You’ll need to supply your own BIC lighter.

Price: $10-20, depending on size, color, and toolset
Read our news post: LighterBro turns a BIC lighter into a multi-tool
Where you can buy one: LighterBro

Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi CA1-TI Flashlight

This little keychain flashlight has a titanium body for strength and a CREE XP-G G2 LED bulb and OP reflector for brightness and endurance.  It’s rated IPX-7 for water-resistance.  It uses a common AAA battery (Li, NiMh, or alkaline; alkaline is included).  By twisting the barrel, you turn the light on through a low, medium, or high setting.

Price: $49.95
Read our news post: Titanium Innovations IlluminaTi Flashlight
Where you can buy one: BatteryJunction

PK-TPE-BK Tactical Pen & Writing Instrument

This pen might literally be mightier than the sword, in every sense of the word.  It’s made of CNC machine milled high-grade aerospace aluminum, measures 5.75″ long, and weighs 1.6 ounces.  It has a threaded cap that can post on the lethal-looking end when you are using the included Fisher Space Pen refill for writing.  Screw the cap over the pen when you are using the pointy end for “taking names”.

Price: $169.95
Read our post: This PK Design Labs tactical pen is made of nightmares
Where you can buy one: PK Design Labs or Amazon

BIC 4-color 3+1 Ball Pen and Pencil

You’ve probably seen those BIC pens with the blue and white barrels and the four different colors of ink: red, blue, green, and black.  This version has a silver and white barrel, and it has replaced the green ink with a 0.7mm mechanical pencil.  There’s a push button on the top of the pen that advances the lead, and there’s a white pencil eraser under the clear cap on the push button.

Price: $5.48
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Fisher Space Pen

Fisher Space Pens were created for astronauts to use in the rigors of space.  They’ll write through water or oil spots on paper; write at any angle, even upside-down; even write in zero gravity – so they should be able to handle anything you experience in your day.  The pens come in various sizes, including the very compact Bullet version shown above.  They come in various colors and in different designs, so you can find a pen that suits your needs.

Price: $17,89 for matte black bullet, shown above.  Prices vary for other models.
Read our post: Did you know that there’s a Fisher Space pen for your backpack?
Where you can buy one: Amazon or Fisher Space Pen

Timbuk2 Blue Bottle Coffee Travel Kit

This won’t fit in your pocket, but it might prove a vital piece of equipment for the coffee addict.  Timbuk2 has stowed a Porlex mini hand grinder (burr), Blue Bottle travel dripper, two porcelain-covered steel Falcon enamelware tumblers, and two Timbuk2 Zarf cup covers into their own perfectly-sized travel bag.  The kit comes with some filters and some beans to get you started.

Price: $125
Read our news post: Brew your coffee your way with this Timbuk2 travel kit
Where you can buy one: Timbuk2 Designs

Knomo Elektronista Crossbody / Clutch Bag

The Elektronista is made by Knomo and designed in conjunction with Danish blogger and broadcaster, Christiane Vejlø.  We first told you about it back in 2015, and it’s still available today.  It may seem like just a feminine gear bag, but it’s actually a portable charging station for your mobile devices.  It’s big enough to hold a 10″ tablet inside, plus there are lots of pockets and pouches to keep your phone and smaller gear neatly organized.  A detachable strap allows you to wear it crossbody or carry it as a clutch with the strap removed.  It also comes complete with a 5000mAh battery and micro USB charging cable; you’ll need to provide your own Apple cable, if needed.  The Elektronista is available in either leather or a splash-resistant material.

Price: $269 for leather; $199 for fabric, with some colors on sale at $99
Read our news post: Here’s the ultimate charging clutch for the gadget-loving woman
Where you can buy one: Knomo

ParaWallet paracord wallet

This bi-fold style wallet may not be as sleek as some wallets, but it could save you in extreme circumstances.  It’s made of 50+ feet of 550 lb 7-strand paracord that can be unraveled and used to help you feed yourself or get yourself out of sticky circumstances.  It also has a ferrocerium fire starter rod, a stainless steel emblem, and tinder (hidden inside tag) so you can start a fire.

Price: $65
Read our news post: You can catch a fish and start a fire to cook it with this wallet
Where you can buy one: Amazon

Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack

Multifunctional items are the key to traveling light, and the Pearl compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack has three functions in a small package.  It’s about the same size as a mirrored compact, and inside you’ll find both a regular and a magnifying mirror so you can check your hair before heading to that meeting.  But it also packs a 3000mAh battery inside that can be used to recharge your mobile device or to power the ring of LEDs around one of the mirrors.  The LEDs help you see yourself better in the mirror, and they can even function as a flashlight in a pinch.

Price: $20-30, depending on color
Read our review: Pearl Compact Mirror and USB Battery Pack review
Where you can buy one: Amazon

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Gift Guide: Gear for the EDC enthusiast originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm.

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Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan Special Pocket Knife review

Along with gadgets and tech-toys, I’ve been a watch guy forever. Shinola is a US watchmaker that I have had my eye on for years. They are based out of Detroit and create fine timepieces and other luxury items. In this case, Shinola has partnered with New York based knife maker, Michael Zieba to create a high end pocket knife, the New York MS3 Manhattan folder. I’m looking forward to seeing if it has what it takes to make my EDC gear short list. 

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

The New York MS3 Manhattan Special pocket knife is made from high-quality titanium and M390 stainless steel held together with blue anodized screws all hand assembled. Every part of this flip-folder pocket knife is perfectly machined, featuring a solid minimalistic design with a nearly instantaneous deployment/flip mechanism.

A Bit of Background:

About SHINOLA:

Shinola is an American manufacturer based in Detroit creating everything from watches, clothing, bikes, to fine leather goods. Their goal is to “…create a community that will thrive through excellence of craft and pride of work. Where we will reclaim the making of things that are made well. And define American luxury through American quality.”

About ZIEBA KNIVES

Michael Zieba is a knife maker based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York’s industrial Park. With a long tradition and experience in high end metal work and custom knife making, all knives are made by Mike by hand.

The New York MS3 Manhattan pocket knife comes in a rugged, padded, protective case designed for shipping and storage.

Specifications:

  • BLADE — 2 5/8 in | 6.7 cm
  • CLOSED — 4 1/6 in | 10.7 cm
  • OPEN — 6 3/4 in | 17.1 cm
  • WEIGHT — 2.2 oz.

The handle is crafted from a lightweight, matte titanium with blue anodized screws that stands out nicely against the flat gray metal. The handle measures just over 4 inches, with an overall length of 6.75 inches when the blade is extended.

The MS3 Manhattan pocket knife features an M390 stainless steel  blade. At 2 5/8 inches, the blade is relatively short (and very pointy) but nicely shaped and wickedly sharp. As you can see, the Zieba Knives logo is engraved into the left side of the blade.

The flip mechanism and frame-lock are both simple and easy to operate one-handed. With minimal moving parts and high quality materials, this pocket knife is definitely engineered to stand the test of time. The belt clip has the Shinola logo etched in it.

The precision frame-lock secures the blade into the open position with zero blade wiggle and little chance of the blade accidentally closing.

There are ridges machined into the backspacer, thumb ramp, and blade flipper for added grip-ability. The beltclip is stiff and does a good job of keeping the knife securely on your belt or in your pocket.

As mentioned above, when closed, the New York MS3 Manhattan pocket knife measures just over 4 inches and weighs 2.2 ounces. It has a very dense, solid feel with good heft to it.

The Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan pocket knife has an excellent material/build quality and weight to it. Its matte finish, form factor, and overall size both open and closed feel awesome in the hand. Being the smallest knife I have reviewed thus far, I find it very pocketable and choose to carry it in the watch pocket of my pants vs keeping it in my EDC bag. This high quality flip-folder is currently my favorite knife in my collection. Its overall craftsmanship, size, and weight makes it ideal (at least for me). The Shinola + Zieba MS3 Manhattan pocket knife is without a doubt an expensive, luxury item but if you’re looking for a great splurge holiday gift, it is definitely worth your consideration.

One more thing: a good friend (Hi Dave) at my day job is quite the knife connoisseur. Whenever I receive a new high end knife to review, I bring it into work for us to analyze (aka play with) and discuss. He is very knowledgeable and often critical but definitely knows what he likes (and dislikes) in a knife. Well when I showed him the MS3 Manhattan, it was love ❤️ at first sight. Like me, he thought the feel, form factor, and build/material quality were without a doubt top-shelf. So much so, he kept holding/futzing with it for a VERY long time (almost awkwardly so 😉) and I was wondering if I was going to have to tackle him while trying to escape with it. All that said, just another testament on just how very nice this knife is…

Source:  The sample for this review was provided by Shinola. Please visit their site for more information and to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $295
Manufacturer: Shinola + Zieba
Pros:
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Premium materials
  • Nicely sized with solid feel/weight
  • Engineered to last a lifetime
  • Smooth opening and closing action
  • Stiff, secure pocket clip
Cons:
  • Expensive

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Shinola + Zieba New York MS3 Manhattan Special Pocket Knife review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 27, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Add storage to your water bottle with PACELid

Fortune may favor the prepared, but sometimes survival depends on it. PACELid grew out of this philosophy when creator Chris Way, a backpacking, mountaineering and all-around adventure expert, thought about how he could customize his gear to make it more useful. He realized that one of his pieces of kit—his Nalgene bottle—was with him at all times, so the idea of attaching items to it gave way to creating a lid that could store items, and PACELid was born. “PACE” is an acronym for Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency and it represents a communication methodology that originated in the military, so this seemed an apt name for this product. PACELid replaces the lid of your wide-mouth Nalgene, Klean Kanteen, or Hydroflask bottle and its own screw-down lid provides secure storage space for small items. Made from tough, injection-molded plastic, PACELid is available in Black, Red, Green or Blue colors for $19.99 each. Visit pacelid.com for more info or to order.

 

Product Information

Price:

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Add storage to your water bottle with PACELid originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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