A few key chain sized tools come to mind
1. LEDs - photon, princton tec pulsar
2. Swisstech utilikey / microtechician
3. SAK classic
4. Leatheman squirt
5. Leatherman micra
6. Bison capsules
7. Survival Key Chain
8. Streamlight keymate
9. Not to mention numerous knives which can fit on the key ring (SOG/sypderco/gerber etc)

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Cool list. I have the Photon II, the SwissTech MicroPlus, Victorinox Midnite MiniChamp II, and Leatherman Micra.

I'm looking into getting some items from Bison. I already know about survivalkeychain.com, but I gotta pay my taxes first. I have to look into the Leatherman Squirt.

How does the Streamlight Keymate stack up again the Arc AAA and the CMG Infinity Ultra?

Craig, if you like the Micra, your'e gonna love the Squirt.

To me, the Streamlight KeyMate ranks right up there with the ARC AAA and CMG Sonic. ( I have all three). The form factor of the KeyMate is so neat; it is like a miniature lightsaber from Star Wars. :-0

I'm very fond of the tiny stuff- it's seldom the very best you can carry, there are some compromises for really small size, but comparing it to full-sized equipment is REALLY missing the point. IMHO, really tiny equipment that works adequately is worth a lot more than heavy/bulky equipment that works even better.

In the "tiny" category I'd put:

The aforementioned tiny whistle.

Photon 3 (No, not "2". Water resistant, easy to change batteries, latest model with auto-SOS feature).

BSA Hot Spark (ferrocerium, key sized, just barely large enough to work fine).

USGI P38 Can Opener, doubles as a fine striker for the Hot Spark.

REI "Featherweight" mirror, thinner than a credit card, I cut it down to fit an Altoids-size tin. Hole for signalling. Others (Campmor) carry the same thing, different names.

"Permanent Match" lighter, the plastic version - some don't like 'em. What's not to like? Tiny, waterproof, refillable, multi-fuel, backup ferrocerium and striker if it runs dry. Lights lamps, stoves and fires easier than a lighter.

Mini Bic - if you insist, but it's harder to use for some things, won't work in serious cold, etc. Admirably small and light, though.

"Flapjacks" folding reading glasses - for those who need 'em, a 1 inch by 3 inch oval when folded, it's in the tin.

Wallet-sized Fresnel lens - mostly as a last-ditch backup to above for reading, but might start a fire.

One unusual item that I carry is one of those garden variety needle threaders, the little flat metal tab with a wire loop on it. The aggravation it saves if you have to use your needle and thread, especially in bad conditions (raining, failing light), is well worth the tiny weight and bulk, IMHO.

I usually carry a Leatherman Micra, and I own a few Vic Classics, but I don't really include them in this category. They're small, but IMHO they don't dramatically outperform their weight and bulk. There's no real trick to making a tiny version of something, it's making a tiny version of something that still works well.

Thank you. I'll have to look into getting one.

I like your list. Here are my comments:

1. I thought Photon 3's had not been reviewed as well as the Photon 2's had been and were therefore not recommended.

2. Where does one find a BSA Hot Spark?

3. I just ordered a brushed stainless steel Permanent Match (with keychain attachment) for all of about $2 ($6 shipping) from www.therestlessmouse.com. I'll let you know how it does.

4. I have honestly tried to like and use Mini-Bics. I cannnot. They are too bloody small for me to get a grip on. I keep having to use one hand to hold it and one to work the wheel. I am sticking to the regular disposables.

5. I already have bifocals incorporated into my glasses. Groan. The definitive sign that one has reached the far side of 40. I hate that.

6. I keep my Fresnel lens in my wallet. Seems a natural fit.

7. I have been torn -- delightfully so -- between the Leatherman Micra and the Vic Midnite MiniChamp II. I really like both of them and use them for different tasks. So I carry both of them.

You buy BSA hotsparks at any Boy Scouts of America council store or on the net from the Boy Scout supplier. (of which I forget the web address, I think it is scoutstuff.org )

I think there are two very distinct classes of tiny/keychain tools. There are those you get free with company logos and at the checkout counter and then there are the ones like the little leathermans that are decent quality. A good example is the leatherman squirt EL, the wire strippers on that are great compared to most wire strippers from places like radio shack and the big hardware store, I think because the "blades" overlap like scissors instead of just meeting and the fact that they are a better grade of steel.

Hey, Craig, thanks for the kind words.

>>1. I thought Photon 3's had not been reviewed as well as the Photon 2's had been and were therefore not recommended.<<

I've heard comments to that effect, but I have both, and 5 of the Photon 3's, and don't understand it. I understand there were some switch problems in the early runs, but one of mine is that early and has never had a problem.
The Photon 2 has the exposed switch which is clearly an entrance point for water/mud/whatever, and requires a tool and disassembly to change the batteries. IMHO, the auto-SOS feature of the later Photon 3 models is worth a lot by itself. How many hours do you want to thumb out S-O-S yourself, and what else could you be doing in that time if you didn't have to?

I sort of guess that someone tried the two-switch system of the Photon 3 for five minutes, didn't "get" it, and started looking for reasons not to like it. But that's just my opinion.

>>2. Where does one find a BSA Hot Spark?<<

Anyplace that sells Boy Scout equipment. It's very cheap, too.

>> I just ordered a brushed stainless steel Permanent Match (with keychain attachment) for all of about $2 ($6 shipping) from www.therestlessmouse.com. I'll let you know how it does. <<

Haven't tried the metal versions, I'll look forward to hearing.

>>4. I have honestly tried to like and use Mini-Bics. I cannnot. They are too bloody small for me to get a grip on. I keep having to use one hand to hold it and one to work the wheel. I am sticking to the regular disposables.<<

I understand, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice that much space in an Altoids-size tin. In anything larger, sure. The Permanent Match is no larger than the Mini-Bic.

>>5. I already have bifocals incorporated into my glasses. Groan. The definitive sign that one has reached the far side of 40. I hate that.<<

I'm not using bifocals yet, but I carry multiple pairs of reading glasses everywhere, and am still paranoid about getting caught without any. I read that Teddy Roosevelt took something like 25 pairs up San Jaun hill- I can sympathize. If you can't see, you're pretty much dead.

>>6. I keep my Fresnel lens in my wallet. Seems a natural fit.<<

Some of my stuff is duplicated, and that's one. I also carry a folded oven bag in my wallet, and a few other items. My keychain sports another Photon 3, another Hot Spark, another P38, and another tiny whistle. I don't always remember to grab the tin on the way out the door.

>>7. I have been torn -- delightfully so -- between the Leatherman Micra and the Vic Midnite MiniChamp II. I really like both of them and use them for different tasks. So I carry both of them.<<

As I said elsewhere, the great value of the Micra, for me, is that the scissors and tiny PC blade give me something to cut with in front of co-workers, and when someone asks "have you got a knife?", I can honestly answer "sure" and hand them the Micra, without ever showing them what else I'm carrying.

But, everybody has their own approach to all of the above.