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#56421 - 12/19/05 06:35 PM EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once again
Craig Offline


Registered: 11/13/01
Posts: 1784
Loc: Collegeville, PA, USA
What do you folks do when your keychain reaches killer proportions? Break it up like Ma Bell? Toss it into your briefcase or shoulder bag?

My keychain has -- once again -- reached the point where it is causing me to list to one side. It will also shortly begin causing a shift in the earth's rotation. It will probably achieve consciousness and request its own zip code.

Any bright ideas?

-- Craig


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#56422 - 12/19/05 06:43 PM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once again
wildcard163 Offline


Registered: 09/04/05
Posts: 417
Loc: Illinois
At the risk of sounding like a heratic, key chains are for keys, get a pocketable container and keep your goodies in there. And before it comes up, yes I do have a fero rod and P-38 on my key chain, but they're just back-ups to what's in my pocket carry, if I tried to carry my EDC on my key chain, I'd develop carpal tunnel locking/unlocking the house and starting my car <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Troy

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#56423 - 12/19/05 08:02 PM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once agai
Craig Offline


Registered: 11/13/01
Posts: 1784
Loc: Collegeville, PA, USA
I agree entirely. I used to carry everything on one keychain. That worked well -- until I had to have my car's ignition cylinder redrilled. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Now I have three keychains, which I should have mentioned in the first place. One for my car keys, one for my house, office, and mailbox keys, and one for my goodies.

The other keychains are lightweight and fine. The third keychain, the one holding my minitools, is the killer.

-- Craig

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#56424 - 12/19/05 09:10 PM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once agai
xbanker Offline
Addict

Registered: 04/21/05
Posts: 484
Loc: Anthem, AZ USA
Craig (there’s a serious side to this post, at bottom):

In the past, I too was of the mindset that “bigger is better” when it comes to keychains. Ended up with what could’ve been described as “BOB on a Chain.” It pretty much covered the “ten essentials.” At best, I was a serious contender for a Guinness World Record. At worst, an entry in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

Then it became a crutch, a substitute for whatever interpersonal skills I once possessed (which at times needed work, according to my wife). In a new social encounter, I’d purposely, but casually, place my keychain on the table. Its immense bulk screamed, “Look at me!” If the new acquaintance made no comment, he was immediately written off as “clueless.” OTOH, if the response was “Wow!” followed by close examination and questions, I knew I’d met a kindred soul, and good conversation ensued. All the while, I’m beaming like a proud pappa.

But what started me on the road to reform was the day my keychain nearly “kneecapped” me – with an efficiency that would’ve brought a tear to the eye of even the most accomplished of Mafia enforcers. A quick calculation (KE=½ mv2) convinced me my life was in danger. I was reminded of why pendulums were part of the medieval weapons arsenal.

Then there was the time that I got, “Is that a keychain in your pocket, or are you just…?”

Now, on a serious note, I’ve read anecdotal reports of heavy keychains causing excessive wear on ignition switch pins, or messing with internal contacts, all leading to premature failure. Old wives’ tales? Don’t know, but consider the following (YMMV).

From a Mercedes-Benz tech bulletin (wife drove ’02 MB at the time): Keychain Weight: Clients with large, heavy key chains attached to the remote key may experience inadvertent switching off of the ignition.

In some cases, such as on rough roads, the weight of objects on the keychain may overcome the key folding detent force, causing the key to begin to fold closed. The partially closed key may then act as a lever, which can in some cases have sufficient torque to partially turn the ignition switch towards the off position.

In case of client complaints, please ensure that only lightweight objects are attached to the remote key. A new remote key, with a higher folding force, was introduced into production… keys with the higher folding force are supplied by Spare Parts. These keys may be ordered as replacements to help in circumstances where key chain weight may be problematic, although clients should be advised that sufficient folding forces may still be generated where key chain weight is excessive.

On autocare.com: Do not use a heavy keychain. Weight will eventually wear out your ignition switch.”

From candlepowerforums.com: “I've heard “Click and Clack” on NPR [Car Talk] comment on the potential problems of having too much weight on a key chain. Apparently it can definitely damage an ignition switch.”

My keychain now: Silva key fob w/integrated Silva button compass, car key, house key, ARC AAA flashlight and Leatherman Squirt. My Jeep Wrangler thanks me. My right kneecap thanks me.

_________________________
"Things that have never happened before happen all the time." — Scott Sagan, The Limits of Safety

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#56425 - 12/20/05 01:23 AM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once again
KenK Offline
"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2208
Loc: NE Wisconsin
There's a reason Batman didn't have a "utility keychain".

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For my comfort I simply cannot stuff all sorts of gear in my pockets. Even so, I've managed to include a Ritter microlight and a whittled down Fox40 on my spare key chain in my left pocket, and a mini Rittergrip clipped on my right pocket.

Besides my cell phone, everything else goes into my "man bag" at work, or my backpack when out camping or hiking.

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#56426 - 12/20/05 01:28 AM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once agai
wildcard163 Offline


Registered: 09/04/05
Posts: 417
Loc: Illinois
Okay... cool... maybe a list or pics of your third keychain would help. Can you get smaller versions of any of the individual items???

Troy

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#56427 - 12/20/05 01:34 AM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once again
Anonymous
Unregistered


The only things I have on my key chain besides keys is a Photon II and a plastic whistle. Everything else in my EDC is scattered among my pockets, wallet etc.
gino

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#56428 - 12/20/05 02:56 AM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once again
Eugene Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 12/26/02
Posts: 2995
I split mine up. Main keychain holds just the truck key and the keyless fob and the tonneau cover key and arc AAA.
Then I have a wave in my right pocket and a key wallet in my left pocket with my house key, key for wife's car, toolbox keys, etc. This little wallett also holds some spare cash, a gerber ridge knife, a button compass, p38, and a couple bandaids for a minimal PSK.

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#56429 - 12/20/05 02:46 PM Re: EDC "survival" keychain -- too large once agai
Craig Offline


Registered: 11/13/01
Posts: 1784
Loc: Collegeville, PA, USA
Thanks for replying. Way ahead of you. I had to have my car's ignition cylinder redrilled two years ago. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

After that charming and expensive experience, I changed tactics. I removed all the extra crap from my keychain. I now use two keychains.

One keychain holds my car keys, polymer kubotan, RES-Q-ME, and nail clippers. The other holds my house, mailbox, and office keys, as well as my Swiss-Tech UtiliKey, mini-PryBaby, and two screwdriver bits made to fit on a keyring.

The extra crap went on a third, "gear" keychain. It's cool and has lots of useful stuff, but I don't know what to do with it. My regular keychains go in my right and left coat pockets. My shoulder bag is heavy enough already. For the time being, I tossed it into my softsided briefcase.

-- Craig

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