February 10th, 2010
Titanium accessories in your pocket make for less weight with high strength. Titanium is starting to show up in fashion accessories such as rings, necklaces and pendants. Obviously the strength, or corrosion resistance of Ti is not particularly important in these examples but the attractive platinum color and light weight do offer benefits.
Where the strength combined with corrosion resistance shines is with objects designed for everyday carry, such as titanium money clips, titanium pill/cash containers or even Titanium emergency whistles. One manufacturer, clip-money.com, even provides a small titanium money clip that has a 4mm hole milled into the bottom. This money clip now can be worn o a titanium ball chain with or without money held in place. Adding a split ring to this clip this device can be fastened to a key ring and then hang the keys and accessories on the pocket opening with out them bunching up on the bottom!
Used as a Titanium Pocket clip, one could hang small tools, flashlights or even pocket knives inside a pocket without any tell tail signs such as THAT’S A KNIFE in his pocket. (Socially incorrect behaviour in many places!)
The corrosion resistance of Titanium is perhaps most important when used in a pill fob or container that can be waterproof and not react with emergency medications that might be carried for an extensive time before needed.
Now that more affordable titanium personal accessories are becoming available I believe that fashion and utility are coming closer together.
Tags: Titaniium Money Clip
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 23rd, 2009
Lets start with the assumption that anyone reading this blog is fully aware of the usefulness of money clips in lightening the load carried. There is so much information available on the benefits of using Titanium alloys for such things as Titanium money clips and not much I could add to that discussion.
However, the vast majority of money clips currently marketed are not designed to carry credit cards, & driver’s licenses along with folded cash. Since there are very, very few individuals that do not require at least a couple of credit cards and ID cards this is a major oversight. Sure, you can slip some cards inside of bills before folding and inserting into the clip BUT then the cards can slip around inside your pocket OR fall out when removing bills from the card.
There is one design actually featured ON TV, a stainless steel clip with one side having spring wings to retain a number of cards and the other having a conventional clip for folded cash. Aside from the poor quality of material used this contraption becomes so thick and uncomfortable to carry that you might as well stick with your overloaded wallet.
OK, my aim was to produce a very streamlined titanium money clip that offered the ability to hold three credit cards (four with slightly reduced retention) and a reasonable amount of folding money. Using 1 mm thick Titanium alloy I had small wings formed on the same side as the retaining clip. These wings are precisely located to the exact width of common credit cards and surprise most driver’s lisences! Extremely light weight due to the use of Titanium and with the lowest profile possible given the amount of cards and cash that can be carried.
Now in stock at www.clip-money.com along with some other interesting titanium designs.
Tags: titanium money clip
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 20th, 2009
With whistles it must be said that the bigger the size the bigger (louder) the sound created. IF proper design principles are followed of course. There are a number of safety whistles out there such as the FOX 40, that are very durable plastic and thus corrosion proof which give a very loud two toned sound as required by marine regulations. Great if you are lost in the woods AND if you did have it with you.
The main problem with all these emergency whistles is one of size, sure they fit in a pocket but are not really comfortable to carry around. Hung on a keychain they just take up too much space. This is where the very small and light whistles can prove very useful due to the small size & light weight. Aluminium whistles, of the same size as Titanium ones will actually be lighter and while not as strong they still hold up well on a key chain.
The advantage held by a titanium whistle is one of corrosion resistance.
A titanium whistle that is 3/8” in diameter, a bit over 1 ½” long, weighing one third of an oz, and with a lanyard hole is produced by clip-money.com. The resonance of titanium and the small internal sound chamber produces a very high frequency whistle sound.
Still loud if blown properly and the high frequency sound waves do travel a long way and are very distinctive. There are some reports that this high frequency sound may actually repel bears in the wild and are likely to be painful to dogs you might encounter on city walks. The real advantage with these is that either hung on a key chain or on a ball chain around the neck they will be handy when you need them.
Blowing one of these very small whistles does take a tiny bit of practice. Too slow a breath, trying to make a weak sound, can “choke up” the sound chamber. A sharp short and forceful breath with the lips just around the end of the whistle will make a sound more than loud enough to cause ear pain if inside a room.
I would love to hear actual reports of the use of this kind of whistle in scaring away dogs or other animals.
Tags: titanium whistle dogs bears
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 17th, 2009
I am as guilty as most men when it comes to hanging extra goodies on my key chain. I do need my car remote, office and home keys in addition to the darned oversized chipped auto key. The small flashlight just comes in so handy these early winter nights. A couple of barcoded tags with sensors for gas, airmiles etc and that is about as light as I am able to get my set of keys. I checked in the office and found I am not nearly as bad as some others with pill fobs, thumb drives, miniature screw drivers etc.
This is not that much of a problem in the winter as the keys do fit into a jacket pocket. Summer however, especially with shorts becomes almost painful when having to do a bit of light shopping. I did find one convenient means of lessening the wear & tear on my jeans pockets. By taking a small and very light Titanium money clip and milling a small hole at the end away from the spring hinge I produced a clip that slides easily onto the outside of the pocket, or the small “watch pocket” or even belt or top of pants. With the addition of a small carabiner I could now drop the keys & other assorted pieces into my pocket and have them hang from the CLIP and not bunch up at the bottom of my pocket.
What a difference this makes in comfort and even ease of extracting the collection from my pocket. The small money clip is so light that I simply leave it on my keys all the time. Measures only ¾” x 2 1/8” and weighs about 1/3 of an ounce.
I do expect that once this little clip gets into circulation I will get quite a bit of feedback about other applications. Anyone with an old unused money clip might try drilling a hole, fitting a clasp or even split ring & trying it out for free!
Tags: Key chain pocket clip
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
December 16th, 2009
It seems that almost everyone has the occasional need for medication, even if it is only standard painkillers, but seldom has the pills at hand. Even women whose purses should hold a bottle of aspirins or antihistamine tablets seldom carry any form of pill stash.
While not often completely waterproof there are inexpensive plastic containers available, some even with connections for hanging on a key chain. At the higher end there are aluminum tubes or even waterproof Titanium Pill Fobs available such as the one carried by www.clip-money.com/other.html
Having an extra $20.00 as an emergency cash stash at hand for those times when a credit card cannot be used is another modern requirement. We are so dependant upon ATMs, and credit and debit cards that it is a real inconvenience when we find ourselves in a situation where none of those options are available. The container to be used as a cash stash really does have to be durable and waterproof as typically this money will be very seldom accessed. An aluminum tube works well but is not completely corrosion resistant so perhaps a Titanium Cash Stash such as the dual purpose Pill Fob mentioned earlier might be worth the extra money.
I guess the only potential hazard of hanging the Titanium Pill Fob / Cash Stash from your keychain would be an overzealous police officer thinking it might be used for recreational drug storage.
Any comments on the ideal size or design of such containers or personal experiences will be appreciated.
Tags: Titanium Container Pill Fob Cash Stash
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
