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22pen mini multi-pen review

CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – Pens with multiple ink colors are handy but they can be bulky. The 22pen from Mario Shimodaira is different. It’s a Kickstarter project for a pen that is small and thin enough to become part of your EDC and everyone who sees it will ask where you got it.

What is it?

The 22pen is a unique Japanese designed pen that holds two different inks/pens in one very compact package that clips in your favorite notebook like a bookmark.

Design and features

First of all, I’ve never seen a pen like this one. The design has a unique eye-catching look that makes me think of one of my favorite sci-fi TV series Firefly and begs me to pick it up and write with it. Which I was able to do because they sent me a pre-production sample.

The body of the pen is made of what feels like a lightweight plastic, but it’s really Italian cellulose acetate which is a premium material that is also used to make designer eyeglass frames. The 22pen sample that was sent to me has a cool tortoise shell vibe if a tortoise shell can be blue and brown.

The 22pen has the ability to use a variety of pen refills that include: Zebra 4C Ballpoint Pen Refill, Mitsubishi uni SE-7, Mitsubishi uni SXR-7 Jetstream Ballpoint Pen Refill, Pilot, and Cross-Mini-Ballpoint-Pen-Refill. Just pull out the refill and insert a new one whenever you like.

The pen is only about 4 inches long and is flat, so it feels kind of weird to write with it when you first pick it up. As long as you pay attention to how you’re holding the pen so that only one pen tip is touching the paper, it works great and it even works fine if you draw with both tips touching the paper at once.

The 22pen isn’t going to replace my everyday favorite pen, but it’s handy for people who like to keep a bullet journal or carry other small notebooks. I like it because I can write my todos with one color and then cross them off with the other color without having to carry two pens or a larger multi-pen.

Sure, you can do that with any multi-pen, but when I’m finished writing, the 22pen’s built-in gold plated clip lets me store the pen right inside my journal. And since the pen is so thin, I can still close the notebook cover as I normally would.

What I like

  • Unique design
  • 2 pens in 1
  • Stores in your notebook

What needs to be improved

  • Maybe make it a little longer

Final thoughts

If you’re a pen person, you will want a 22pen in your collection. At almost $60, it can be considered a bit on the expensive side. But it’s unique, interesting, can use a variety of refills, and small enough to clip to your notebook. As it stands, it’s the best mini pen I’ve used.

How can I buy it?

The 22pen campaign ends on 3/30/19 and they have already passed their funding goal of $4,499. You can pre-order a 22pen starting at $58. After the 22pen campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June/July 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Mario Shimodaira.

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22pen mini multi-pen review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 13, 2019 at 7:13 am.

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MAGCON is a drawing tool that fits in your pocket – Notable crowdfunding campaign

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – It’s not often that I find a drawing tool that is this cool in the way that it looks and in the way that it works. MAGCON is that tool. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

MAGCON is a pocket-sized anodized aluminum curved and straight ruler combo that can be used as a compass/protractor and is suitable for US letter-sized (A4) paper sheets.

Why do I like it?

I was sent a pre-production sample and I can say that there are several reasons why I like the MAGCON. First of all, it uses…magnets and I’m a sucker for anything that uses magnets.

The center cylinder doesn’t pierce paper like a traditional compass. Instead, it sticks to the paper with a low tack adhesive and then the ruler attaches to the cylinder with a magnet and smoothly rotates around it. It’s a genius design!

If you like to draw or want to be able to easily draw circles and arcs/curved lines and more, the MAGCON tool will let you do that without taking an art class.

Be sure to check out the video above which shows the MAGCON in action so you can see what you can do with this pocket design tool. The way it can be used to draw mandalas really caught my eye.

Where can I find more info?

The MAGCON campaign ends on 4/26/19 they launched today and have already met their funding goal of $1,019. You can pre-order a MAGCON set starting at $30. After the MAGCON campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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MAGCON is a drawing tool that fits in your pocket – Notable crowdfunding campaign originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 12, 2019 at 6:23 am.

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KRMA Titanium Pen – Notable crowdfunding campaign

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – Minimalism is in.  Titanium as a material is in.  And pens are useful and can also be cool.  Combine all of those things together and you might end up with the KRMA Titanium Pen.

What is it?

The KRMA Titanium Pen is a sleek writing instrument that is machined from Titanium with a twist action mechanism.

Why do I like it?

I’ve gotten into pens quite a bit lately, and I appreciate a design that is sleek and minimalist but made from durable materials that can last a long time.  The KRMA Titanium Pen caught my eye for all of these reasons.  Externally, it is virtually devoid of features save its beefy pocket clip.  Inside, it uses a twist mechanism to deploy its Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge.  It is available in standard Silver, Black, Gold, Blue, Green and Pink anodized colors and with each of these you can choose between machined or bead blasted finish.  The KRMA Titanium Pen also includes a Refill Extender Kit in Small, Medium and Large sizes to accommodate other ink refills.

Where can I find more info?

The KRMA Titanium Pen campaign ends on March 15, 2019. To date, over 200 backers have already pledged nearly $12,000 toward the $7,777 funding goal. Pledge packages start at $45 for a single pen and increase from there depending on the options and add-ons selected.  After the end of the campaign period, rewards are expected to start shipping in May 2019. Visit the KRMA Titanium Pen campaign site for more information or to become a backer.

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KRMA Titanium Pen – Notable crowdfunding campaign originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 9, 2019 at 10:30 am.

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KFC is going crowdfunding crazy

CROWDFUNDING NEWS – KFC Innovation Labs, founded in 2019, is taking KFC’s craziest marketing ideas to the public through Indiegogo crowdfunding campaigns.  For all the campaigns, they are a hard go/no-go depending on whether they reach their funding goals. To support a campaign, you can toss them $20, $50 or $60 and get a set of puffy stickers, a limited edition t-shirt or limited edition sweat pants.

Some of the campaigns also have purchase options, but they will only apply if the campaign gets funded.

Stay with me here, as it gets a little crazy!  Each of the titles below are links to the individual funding campaigns.

Kentucky Fried Hot Tub

Yup – they’re pitching a wood-fired hot tub that looks like a big old bucket of chicken.

Funding goal: $46,683. Additional perk: get a tub for $13,311. Funding as of this writing: $335.

Picnic with the Colonel

You can get an assemble-yourself cardboard picnic table and Colonel.  The table is said to be large enough to hold four folks and a KFC $20 fill-up with all the fixins.  Don’t plan to dine in the rain.  Because it’s cardboard.

Funding goal: $32,248. Additional perk: get a set for $1,020. Funding as of this writing: $80.

Smart cane remote

Throw out old canes and smart remotes! Here’s the “feature set”:

  • Integrated gyroscope and battery-powered microcontroller
  • Handsome cane shape
  • Colonel-head decorative handle
  • Rubber foot for optimal safety

But, the description says they are still working out details.

Funding goal: $195,052. Additional perk: get a cane for $1,703. Funding as of this writing: $50.

Little Colonel locator

Nothing looks better on a little one that the Colonel’s tie.  This one is linked up with a GPS and Bluetooth locator.  Style & function!

Funding goal: $10,050. Additional perk: get a tie for $132. Funding as of this writing: $1,022.

Colonel on Ice

Disney has done it.  Sesame Street has done it.  Why not the Colonel!

Funding goal: $2,206,750. Additional perks: be part of the Colonel’s army and get a thank you, $5; VIP show tickets, $150; be in the show, $50,000. Funding as of this writing: $55.

Obviously, more of a marketing ploy that an actual pitch for products, KFC is leveraging interest in crowdfunding to get some branded clothes out there.  But you never know.  This is the same company that once replaced buns on a sandwich with fried chicken.

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KFC is going crowdfunding crazy originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 9, 2019 at 8:33 am.

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EMT-The EveryMan Tool – Notable crowdfunding project

CROWDFUNDED – EDC is sort of our bag here at The Gadgeteer, baby.  And the best EDC gadgets are small, sleek, and multi-functional.  The EMT-EveryMan Tool is all that, and you just might be able to add a bag of chips.  (Not really, but customization is available!)

What is it?

The EMT-EveryMan Tool is a pocket-sized multi-tool that includes several base features and also can be customized with several add-on features.

Why do I like it?

The EMT packs a lot into a compact, cool-looking size and shape.  At the heart of the EMT is a utility blade that slides to deploy and can be locked in virtually any position along its deployment path.  It accepts standard utility razor blades for low cost and high availability, and blades also appear to be quite easy to swap out.  Also included is the obligatory EDC tool bottle opening (which I find to be quite useful as a craft beer drinker).  A flat head screwdriver and pry bar are also present, as well as a 6mm hex driver.  It open slot can be used to attach it to a keychain or paracord lanyard.  One of the more unique features is a 3x11mm Tritium slot that has a glow bead embedded in it to help you find the EMT in the dark.  The EMT is made from stonewashed Titanium and Aluminum materials.  As if all of that wasn’t enough, there are a whole host of customization add-ons planned, like pocket clips and various Tridium glow bead colors.

Where can I find more info?

The EMT-EveryMan Tool campaign ends on March 21, 2019. To date, over 200 backers have already pledged over $13,000 toward the $7,500 funding goal. Pledge packages start at $30 for a single EMT with standard blade insert, black paracord lanyard and green/blue glow bead and package prices increase from there pen of any of the style, or $195 for a set of all three. After the end of the campaign period, rewards are expected to start shipping in June 2019. Visit the EMT-EveryMan Tool campaign site for more information or to become a backer.

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EMT-The EveryMan Tool – Notable crowdfunding project originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 8, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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