​A bunch of stuff for you today...

First up, found some titanium prybars! So let's talk about those.

Titanium Prybars

​These pry-bars were made a long time ago and I thought I had sold them all. Turns out there were some in a drawer in the store-room.

The "bad" about these is that they have the old business name on them (i.e. "Cogent") ...and not the new business name (i.e. "Magnus"). But not a big deal ...especially if you like bargains. 😀

Titanium Bolt-Action Pen?

​Here's what it will look like with the 2-56 titanium machine screw in it (this is what will hold it onto the bolt inside the pen body):

​Oh, one more thing...

​Unlike a lot of other designs/prototypes where I ask for feedback - this bolt-action pen is getting made (regardless of feedback). Yeah, I know, this sounds arrogant.

​But hear me out:

I own titanium bolt-action pens. I don't own every one on the market - but I'm familiar with them all. ​Most of these pens are pretty damn chunky ...some are so chunky that it's actually like trying to write with a bolt-action rifle!

​As you can probably tell ...I am not a fan of chunky. Slim and minimalist is what I like. But I do like bolt-action pens.

​I like bolt-action pens for ​three reasons...

#1 - Very simple and almost nothing to "go wrong" with the mechanism

#2 - The industrial look of the pen

#3 - Damn fun to fidget with (helps the brain when thinking about stuff)

​So I decided I finally want my own one ...exactly how I want it. 🙂

​I'm hoping to be able to use essentially the same body as the other pens I've made in the past - and so this is basically the bolt-action version of these.

​That Knife (...from the last blog post)

​In the last blog post I showed you a Friction Folder knife prototype we were working on.

​I asked for feedback and, oh boy, did I get feedback. It was tremendous to receive so many comments.

There was, however, a very strong theme across the comments (almost every comment in fact) - see if you can spot it:

​So yeah, YOU told me what you want ...and I have to listen to you. 🙂

​We've stopped development of that friction folder knife based purely on your comments. I really appreciate the feedback - thank you!

Truthfully, I'm not sure if we're going to continue with that knife (and make it a full-on frame-lock) ...or re-design a NEW framelock knife.

​We've definitely not "wasted" the development of this knife. We learned a lot with the cnc machining of the blade - we will use what we learned there for the next knife.

A framelock knife is not a quick-and-easy product. We can do it - but it's going to take a little time to develop it.

And I think that's about it for today.

​I'll confess now...

This is a long-ish post. Not only that, but it's 100% about a new friction folder knife we're working on.

I'm going to take you from the initial concept ...all the way through to the first crude (and admittedly barely functional) prototype.

The Concept

​First, a challenge for you:

​Go and search google and see what you can find in the way of modern-looking friction folder knives.

You may be lucky and find something. Or, quite possibly, you'll find exactly what I found ...which is to say ...NOTHING.

I looked on Instagram, YouTube, Google, ...everything. I found plenty of friction folder knives but they all seemed to be either a "classic" look or an "​traditional" look. ​That kind of look just isn't my thing.

Time to roll up my sleeves (or, more accurately, power-up the milling machine!)

So, as with almost everything I make, I'm doing it because I can't find the thing I want. No big deal - it's what I do.

The concept for this knife, if you've not picked up on it already, is a:

-- Friction folder
-- Modern/non-traditional looking
-- Fully cnc-machined

It's a fairly simple criteria. So let's get started...

The Design

​We actually started with the blade first.

We did this because we initially were designing a different knife ...but the scales (that's the handle part of the knife if you're unfamiliar with the terminology) ​were something we were having a problem with. it was a combination of a design problem as well as how it looked. We decided to give up on that particular knife.

But here's the thing...

The blade was really a ​great ​design (practical and a nice shape to look at as well) - it had a fairly aggressive look to it ...which is was we were after for this friction folder.

​Here's the blade blank (Nitro-V steel) fresh off the water-jet cutter:

​And, after a bunch of machining - it's looking something like this:

​The blades you see above were us proving-out the concept of the machined bevels to see how they would look and function.

​Next we tackled the scales:

​Blade Re-design

Before the blade and scales were put together it was obvious the bladed needed a slight tweak.

​This was because the plunge-line was a little too vertical (and didn't look nice with the rest of the knife). We re-designed the plunge-line and it really transformed the look.

Here's the before:

​...and here is the after:

(note: ignore the pivot hole and stop-pin slider differences ...they are not finalized. And also ignore the quality of the finish on the blade - it was an experiment)

​The (​early) Prototype

​We still have a bunch of tweaks to go - but, overall, the knife is done.

It feels excellent in the hand and is a fairly compact size (which was one criteria I wanted to hit). I think we've managed to make a fairly non-traditional looking friction folder knife.

Here are a few shots:

​I posted a few of these photos on Instagram a few hours ago ...and some of the responses were that it would be better if it was a locking knife (as opposed to it being a friction folder).

​So either a liner-lock or a frame-lock knife. Do you share this view?

If there is not much interest in the knife as a friction folder, then perhaps there is more interest if it was a frame-lock.

Would appreciate any feedback or such you might have...

​Right, let's get the bargains out of the way first (and then we'll get into the prototype stuff)...

​A quick "explanation" of the products I'm about to show you:

​I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing kinda guy. If I get interested in something ...then it typically becomes an obsession. No middle ground in pretty much everything. I know, totally flawed character traits - but it is what it is.

​Now, because of this all-or-nothing tendency...

I really don't like to have a little of something in stock. Having titanium products fully in stock is good ...and having no stock is good too (although I'd rather have stock).

But having just a little stock of something ...no. Don't like it.

​Long story short:

​The products below are almost out of stock - and so I kind of want them fully gone right now (some of these we won't make again ...some we will).

So, onto the sell-off bargains...

PillPots (22m and 28mm)

​Short Loop (both 22mm and 28mm available ...around 5x of each)

​Long Flat (just 22mm available ...6x available)

​Titanium Letter Opener (50% OFF!)

​​It's unlikely we make these again ...because they are VERY difficult to make.

​Also, let's address the discount on these. 50% off is huge. There is a reason for this. These letter openers have a small "machining issue". It's minor ...and it seems such a waste to have these sitting on the shelf.

​Here's the issue (see arrow):

​​Titanium Writing Set

​As I write this there are around two or three of these left (of the 50 Limited Edition that are available).

​These are not being "sold off" like the two products above - but ​there is still a MASSIVE DISCOUNT on them:

​Okay, that's the hot deals out the way - let's talk up-coming products...

​Friction Folder Knife

We're still at the blade stage of this knife.

The concept is a modern-looking friction folder. I'm hoping to have these available in the next few weeks ...but maybe that's a bit optimistic.

​Here how the blade is looking this afternoon (just took this photo 10 minutes ago):

We're experimenting with the main bevels of the the blade having the machining lines.

The above looks fairly "aggressive" I will admit. The line-spacing here is 0.75mm (0.03"). Right now, as I type this, the mill is running again on the blade ...but with a 0.5mm spacing (0.02").

​In the next blog post I hope to have more on this blade for you ...and well as something to show you on the scales.

​The 'Magnus Newsletter'

So this is exciting!

In case you've missed it ...I started the 'Magnus Newsletter' (a PDF you can download) ...and it already had 349 people sign-up to receive the first issue:

​This is the first issue (and so there is a whole load more room for improvement) - but here's the kind of stuff you'll find in it...

• ​"Behind The Scenes" on current projects(I reveal things here that no one else will see ...EXCLUSIVELY in this newsletter!)
• ​"How It Works" guides to different machines used in product production(it's not as geeky as you might think ...and gives you enough info to sound like an expert at the next party!)
  
• ​"Pocket Dumps" from real people out in the real world(and, a break down of what they carry every day and why they carry it!)
​...And a whole load more stuff! Not only that but it's emailed direct to you in an easy-to-read PDF format (you can even print it out if you want)

To receive the 'Magnus Newsletter' just enter your name and email below:

Current Production

​If you've ordered these folding tweezers already and are still waiting ...then they are not far away and will be with you soon!

​They are going well and coming off the CNC machine nicely (just a little later than I'd hoped ...so my apologies for that).

And I think that's about it for now. 🙂

​So here's another idea I'm toying with...

​Super-small tweezers.

​Yes, I know, you're thinking, "Magnus, didn't you just launch Titanium Folding Tweezers and the New Titanium "V4" Tweezers?"

Well ...um ...yeah, I did!

But bear with me here:

​What I'm proposing here is something simpler and, ideally, available at a lower price to you (because many people just can't justify $99 for tweezers - which I understand).

​I'm thinking of just a super-small set of titanium tweezers (still fully made in house, cnc-machined,...all that good stuff) ...but perhaps in a pouch or something like that.

​Basically, the concept is a pair of very small tweezers that can fit on your keychain - it really is that simple.

​The Folding Tweezers we are making are a similar size - but it costs a lot to manufacture because it's essentially three products in one (the main tweezers and then two "scales" that press together as the main housing).

​The tweezers I'm proposing here are ​basically a cross between the latest-and-greatest tips we have developed ...but small like mini TiTweezers we made around 5 years ago when I first started in the whacky world of titanium. 😀

​I'm thinking the tweezers will be something around the size of these on the right below (next to the leather pouch):

The tweezers on the left above are form the Folding Tweezers (to give you an idea of the scale).

​Here's how they would look in the pouch (the pouch is just a rough concept)...

​The idea with these is to make two different tip versions:

​Tip #1: Very pointy (like the current tips on the Folding and "V4" Tweezers) ...best for pulling out splinters.

and

Tip #2: A slight angle ...best for tweezing hairs.

​One more thing...

In the last blog post from me I showed you a Hobby Blade Knife prototype and asked for your feedback. You gave me load of feedback in the comments and I REALLY appreciate that - thank you!

At this stage I'm not 100% sure I'll ​go any further with the Hobby Blade Knife ...as the response was average. Don't get me wrong ...I am happy about this ...because I don't want to waste time on a product that few people will buy - because there is always an opportunity cost (i.e. making an unpopular product costs the opportunity of making a popular product).

I've replied to almost all the comments from that last post.

​So, these tweezers ...​do I continue with them ...or ditch them and move onto the next product?

​So I launched a NEW Kickstarter project yesterday evening...

...and I cancelled it this morning.

​Why?

Because, well, I didn't listen to you (yes, YOU .....the person reading this blog right now!).

I offered up the Double-Ended Titanium Carabiner here on this blog ...and only a handful of people ordered one (which was lucky because I only had 10 available).

​Here's the kicker:

I should have paid attention to those sales (or lack of them) ...because it told me that there was just not enough interest in that product to continue.

​I did, however, continue with it and launched a Kickstarter last night - which, by the morning, had just 18 Backers. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY appreciate the support from these Backers ...but sometimes a product/project is just not viable.

​A good Kickstarter project would have had something like 50 or 100 Backers by the morning ...not just 18. So, regretfully, I pulled-the-plug on it and cancelled the project (I am in contact with these Backers to help them get the "Double Dangle" Carabiner though).

Long story short...

I'm going to listen to YOU more (and, hopefully, I get more feedback from you ...good or bad).

So, starting ​RIGHT NOW, I'm going to show more projects ...​and at an earlier stage too (usually I'm kinda reluctant to show you the ugly and crude early stages - but I think I need to!).

​To kick this off - let's talk about the...

​Titanium Hobby-Blade Knife

​This design is around 60% complete (hell, I screwed-up the machining and it won't go together with a blade in it).

​I'll show you what I have so far ...and, depending on the comments (if any), this will help decide if I pursue this ...or move onto the next project.

​Like I said, it doesn't go together in its current stage - but the photos below should give you an idea of what I'm trying to do :-D...

​A lot of the products I've made (perhaps even most) were done because I received solid interest from you.

And, likewise, I've continued on and made a few products where there was not much interest on this blog ...and, predictably, not many of them sold.

​So I'm here now, trying to learn from my mistakes, and to listen more to YOU and your feedback. 🙂

​It's blog time again!

A quick heads-up...

​Kickstarter Launch (Next Week)

The final prototyping and "test production" of the "Double Dangle" titanium carabiner has gone very well.

We're hoping to do a larger number of these (which will require a new fixture on the cnc milling machine) - and so that's why we're launching a Kickstarter next week.

Here's what the "Double Dangle" looks like tumbled and finished (I think you may have seen these already):

​We've had the original McDangle™ "Mini" Carabiners on pre-order for a while and we will be finished shipping all of those in the next 2 to 3 days - which is good timing for the launching of these NEW "Double Dangles" on Kickstarter.

​Important:

You'll get another one or two reminders from me before the launch of the Kickstarter - but you'll have to be fairly quick because the project will only be live for somewhere between 48 and 72 hours.

​New "Gunmetal Grey" Titanium Capped Pen

​I've just given a few of these Titanium Capped Pens a new finish - which I am calling "Gunmetal Grey".

The finish is similar to the textured bead-blast finish we offered a long time ago ...but this one is smoother.

​It's hard to get across in the photos the texture - although the colour is fairly accurate. I've just done a few of these (and at a HUGE discount to get them out the door as these are the last pens like this) - CLICK HERE to learn more (you'll need to scroll down to near the bottom of the page)

A Video Update From Me...

​I uploaded a video to YouTube a couple of days ago - here it is below in case you missed it.

​Truthfully, it's 13 minutes of me talking about where the business is at now and what we're planning going forward. So, yeah, no titanium stuff ....just me talking 😀

Titanium "Click" Pens

​In the last blog post I mentioned the Titanium "Click" Pens are available again...

​They've been selling very well (which is awesome!).

The first couple of runs of these we did a year or two ago were "challenging" - various issues encountered that were frustrating.

​However, we have these fairly dialed-in now and so the final result of each pen is a reliable and predictable click mechanism and functioning. Some products are more difficult to get right than others ...and this one was ​DIFFICULT!

​TiTweezers™ "V4" (Coming soon...)

​By the end of this week we're hoping to have some of the NEW "V4" TiTweezers™ ready to ship.

I recently showed you some prototypes of these:

​The design has changed a little bit since the above photo was taken - mostly the large chamfers near the front ...because the tweezers would "roll" when you squeezed them together (that's the last thing you want tweezers to do!). We have now fixed this and they are working well.

Still a few more tweaks to go - but there is a chance we have a handful for sale by the end of this week (hopefully!).​

And that's all I have for you today.

Oh, actually, one more thing... I'm hoping to have a handful of McDangle "Mini" Carabiners in the "Gunmetal Grey" blast finish tomorrow. Not made them yet ...but I'm thinking they are going to turn out well. Will see how it goes.

A whole range of things to cover today...

Titanium ​Click Pens

​We're about to start another run of Titanium Click Pens.

The not-so-good news: They will be shipping in December

The good news: You can order pre-order right now (it's been many months since these were last available)​

Titanium "Double Dangle" Carabiners

​We're planning to run these as a Kickstarter project because the feedback has been pretty solid - which is always good.

As I mentioned in the previous blog post ...we've started a new "workflow" when doing Kickstarter projects. Instead of taking products just to the final prototype stage ...we are doing a "mini" production run.

​This should help catch potential production issues early on - and, so far, it seems to be working - woohoo!

​I have a few ready to go right now ​if you want to beat everyone else and ​get a pre-production version (note: these are exactly the same as the final production version ...it's just they are made on a temporary fixture on the cnc machine)...

​Here's the prototype fixture (yeah, I know, kinda crude looking - but it does what it needs to do :-D):

One-Off Leather Bags

​Earlier this year I collaborated with Kohi Point and made some leather bags (it was a Kickstarter project).

I had wanted a specific leather bag for myself (and even made my own titanium buckles for it). The bag came out so good we ended up launching a Kickstarter project.

Well, the first few bags that were made before the Kickstarter, so they could be used for photos, were put aside (because each bag on the Kickstarter was made-to-order essentially).

​Long story short:

We have four of these high-end leather bags - each one a little different. They are also discounted by a decent amount.

​It's easier to offer these for sale on a separate page - so CLICK HERE to check out these four bags.

​And ...I think that's all I have for you today. 🙂

We have a handful of things to cover today...

There are a few titanium things I'm "selling off" ...because recently we've been coming up with new designs and new products (and so some of the older products we naturally stop producing).

Long story short:

There might be some titanium bargains below for you.

​Also in this post I'm also going to share some NEW products and designs we've been working on in the background.

Let's get straight into it...

"V3" Titanium Tweezers ​(BARGAIN!)

We've been making the "V2" and "V3" Titanium Tweezers for ​coming up on three years now.

A couple of weeks ago I launched the NEW TiTweezers™ "Pocket Edition" - Folding Tweezers.

​Whilst we're currently making these I thought it was a good time to re-visit the "V3" version and see if we can improve these (and, well, make the "V4" version).​

But, before we get into that...

​Because ​we're making this "V4" version, then I'd like to wind-down the "V3" version. We have 11 x pairs of the TiTweezers™ "V3" left and I'm slashing the price so I can make room for the new, "V4" version.

​These 11 x tweezers will likely sell quickly - so click here right now​ (I'll tell you right now you're getting almost 50% OFF - be quick!).

​The NEW "V4" Tweezers

Here's the thing...

I first made the "V1" Titanium Tweezers a long time ago. Each newer generation I made - there were big improvements in tips and the ​attention-to-detail in the final design.

However...

Over the years I've had lots (LOTS!) of people ask me to bring back the original "V1" Tweezers ...because of how they looked.

I've finally listened to YOU.

These new "V4" Tweezers are a combination of ...the tips we now have dialed-in to function like a beast ...BUT, also going back to the original overall design (which is the main thing people liked about the original design).

​I almost have some ready - here's the fixture on the milling machine I'm currently using to make them:

("Op1", "Op2" etc. refers to the order of operations to machine the tweezers)

​I have some photos ​of prototypes below.

A ​few things to mention... (because these prototypes are not the final version)

#1 - These are thinner than the final version (the tweezers in the images below are 3.8mm thick ...but the final version will be closer to 5mm thick)

#2 - The DEEP CHAMFERS along the finger grooves (blue arrows) are not going to be on the final version because they don't function well (they cause the tweezers to "roll" ​when squeezing them with your fingers).

#3 - The tips are 90% ​finished in the version below (so there ​is some aesthetic "weirdness" there)

​The above photos are not great - so here's a quick look of the 3D CAD model (it should give you a better idea of the final design):

​CandyCan™ "XL" (BARGAIN!)

​We're not going to be making the CandyCan™ "XL" for a little while - and so I'd like to move the last few we have off the stock shelf.

​There are 7 x left as I type this.

I've just slashed the price on these so you can grab yourself a bargain right now - CLICK HERE (and scroll down to near the bottom).

​Prototype Titanium Prybar (...with a difference!)

​Okay, this is a little different ...and needs some "backstory"​!

My son, Julien (10 years old), sometimes helps me in the workshop - just to help out. And, occasionally, he specifically asks to "work" (i.e. for payment) - and I am happy to do this with him.

​Long story short:

A week or so he asked me if there was another way to make money (I think he was not looking forward to cleaning the stairs/machines ...again ...on a per-hour basis).

I said, "sure there is ...there are loads of ways to make money".

Julien said: "What ways?"

Me: "The best way, and only way really, is to provide value to people."

Julien: "Oh."

Me: "So, for example, in my business ...I come up ​designs that are minimal ...made from titanium ...and that people want. Making something that people want is a great way to provide value to people."

Julien: "Dad, I want to make a prybar." (yeah, I know, he doesn't mess around, right? :-D)

Me: "Fair enough. You need to do the work though ...and I'll help you where you need help."

Julien: *runs off to get a pencil and paper*

​So, as you can guess by now, what I'm about to show you is not my design.

In fact, Julien designed this on paper himself ...and then opened-up the CAD software and created the 2D CAD sketch himself (he has done a little of this in the past).

I helped him with two things:

#1 - Adding the main "slope" at the front

and

#2 - Moving the key-ring/lanyard hole a little (because it was too close to the edge and ​it looked a little wonky)

​Once the design was done Julien had it 3D printed so we could get a feel for it (size, etc.).

Personally I think this is a solid design and, since I currently don't have any prybars available for sale (all sold out), I think there is a chance we make this ...possibly next week because of school holidays (yes, we homeschool Julien, but still follow the school terms roughly - seems to work well):

​The design above looks a little unfinished because of the lack of chamfering.

​If you have any thoughts on Julien's prybar ...then please do comment below (don't hold back with feedback ...Julien is a well-balanced kid and he will take negative criticism like a champ :-)).

​NEW Titanium Design (possibly Kickstarter project)

​We're ​testing something NEW here... (not only that, but it might be your chance to get on-board before everyone else)

​I'll try and keep this short (but it's tricky... so bear with me):

As you know, we've launched a lot of new Titanium products on Kickstarter.com ​over the years (almost 20 in total I think).

Now, one of the things we've learned over the years - rather painfully I might add - is that there is a big difference between coming up with an initial prototype design ...and then actually manufacturing it in a run of a couple of hundred or more.

If you've backed one of my projects on Kickstarter.com, then you've probably experienced a delay (sometimes small ...sometimes big). The delays are, more often than not, because we have problems during production.

We've recently figured out (and I'm surprised we didn't see this earlier) that a big part of the delays that occur is because we only went as far as the fully-functioning prototype stage ...and then launched (typically making 500+ when in full production).

​We need to stop this happening.

Our "obvious" solution:

What we are starting to do is, after the final prototype had been made, we're doing a short run of somewhere between 10 and 20 of any new design.

Now, a couple of things...

​Firstly, what I'm about to show you is the first product we are doing this with (yes, there is a chance you can get your hands on it ...so read on...)

​Secondly, I'm hoping that, in addition to making around 10 to 20, we will sell these (almost certainly at the same price that it will be on Kickstarter for) ...and we will get feedback from these "EARLY BIRDS" before the Kickstarter project ramps up into full production.

​Here's why I think EVERYONE wins here:

#1 - The "Early Bird" customers who buy the first 10 or 20 here on the website get the latest product before anyone else (and should they discover an issue(s) that, say, warrants a replacement ...then a new-and-improved full-production is right around the corner with the Kickstarter project)

#2 - Kickstarter Backers are more likely to experience a project without a delay ...AND once they receive the Reward they pledged for, it's ​far less likely to have issues or such (which, admittedly, does happen from time to time)

#3 - We here at Magnus Industries also gain because we (hopefully) won't have the production problems when there are 500+ to be made (because the "little issues" will likely have been sorted during the initial run of 10 to 20 pieces)

​Hopefully everything I said above makes sense 🙂

​I'm not messing around here...

​I want to try this new method right now (yes, NOW!)

​We've almost finished the new prototype ​McDangle™ "Double" Titanium Carabiner - and, because we're planning to launch a Kickstarter with it very soon, I'd like to offer 10 or right now (and I'd like to mention now, if you're lucky enough to get one, shipping won't be for a couple more days ...so a little delay)

Here's the aluminum fixture we're making for this short run of 10 (for Kickstarter production we will re-make this fixture out of steel):

There is no "sales pitch" for this (because, frankly, I know these are going to get snapped-up fairly fast) - I have just put together a short page with an image and an "Order Now" button - CLICK HERE to go there now.

​If you see "SOLD OUT" on the order page ...then they're gone (but, on the plus side, you will of course have a chance to get it on Kickstarter).

And I think that's all I have for you today. 🙂

​A whole load of updates for you this week... so let's get straight into it!

Black Pens

​I thought we had none of these left. But totally forgot I had sent some away to be "experimented" on with a laser.

However, we ended up not doing the laser-engraving thing ...and so we now have them back and available.

There are only six of these available. They are, of course, Titanium ...but we have given them a Matte Black Cerakote​^™ coating.

One more thing...

​I'm going to slash the price of these all the way down to just $149 (click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the "Blackout Edition")​

Titanium Pocket Folding Tweezers

​The self-​hosted crowdfunding project just ended for the TiTweezers™ "Pocket Edition".

​This is the first project in a little while where I've done all the machining myself (to get to this stage at least).

Nathan did the CAD work to take it to a stage where could just start working on the CAM (that's Computer Aided Machining ...where you figure out and select how the milling machine is going to cut the metal away).

Truthfully, ​I can ​work through a design in my head ...but it's a struggle to get it from there to a 3D CAD model. Luckily Nathan is turning out to be a bit of a CAD Ninja and so working together with him seems to be an effective workflow for us.

50% of McDangle™ "Mini" Done

​Customers who bought a McDangle™ "Mini" received an update from me yesterday on ​these.

We ended up selling way more than I expected (who knew they would be so popular!) - I think we're up to near 500 now.

As of right now we are 50% of the way through making these ...and producing a solid 30+ each day (so not long until they are all done).

​It's taken a TON of tweaking as we ramped up production ...but every one is coming off the CNC functioning incredible well (the machining process does require a little "baby-sitting" to keep that consistency - but Yngvar, who has done 100% of the machining on these, has that totally under control).

​There are two versions: the "​Loop" and the "​Standard"

​We will have finished all of the "Standard" Version by lunchtime today as I write this ...and will have some to spare so those are now essentially IN STOCK.

​If you're after a "Loop" Version, then you'll have to pre-order that one (machining of them is going damn well and so it won't be much of a wait).

Click here if you've still not grabbed yours yet.

​Flipper Knife

​Every now and again I talk about the flipper knife we're making...

​This knife is called Project ZERO and is a pre-order for the "Holy Grail" ​folding knife.

I do "Buyer Only" Updates ...but, from time to time, I mention the knife here as well.

​Project ZERO has progressed a lot recently. ​Over the last few weeks Nathan took the original CAD model ​and totally re-built it from scratch.

​We have now started work on making the scales. There are many different parts to work on and figure out (definitely not under any illusion that it's going to be easy ...but I know we can do it and confident it will be worth the patience and effort).

Below are some images of the progress on the design side...

​The first image is of a cross-section of the pivot of the knife:

Here's a little more detail on the rear of the knife. The back-spacer you see below will end up looking something like this ...but we kind of have to leave this design open a little as we get around to testing how the blade sits when closed, etc.

​Here's a cross-section of the rear as well:

​And here is how the knife is currently looking as of right now (the blade will likely get a few more minor tweaks before production):

​I go into a lot more detail in the official Updates section (if you pre-order Project ZERO then you get access to that ...while everyone else misses out :-D) ...but the above gives you an idea of what we're doing and where we're at with it.

​A few things for you in today's post...

First up (in case you missed it), the crowdfunding for the new Titanium Folding Tweezers has ​just 24 hours left as I type this.

Click here to grab yours right now if you're not already on board.

​Aluminum Wheels

​Last weekend I spent some time with my son and made some aluminum wheels to go with the EpicMake™ Aluminum Construction Sets (sorry, I don't have any of these sets left - all sold).

I had Julien design the wheels himself (I helped him a little). He helped with the water-jet cutting ...and I did the cnc milling (because, truthfully, it was a little tricky). I think they turned out pretty good.

Here's some of the making of them...

First thing was to water-jet cut a blank from 20mm thick aluminum (I don't have a lathe ...so the machining has to be done on the mill):

​Next thing is to fixture the blank securely for machining:

​After the first operation the blanks look like this (kind of look like yoyos :-D):

​Here's what the second machining operation looks like:

​A close-up of the wheels starting to take shape (only the final, third operation to go after this):

​Here's the full set:

(​those are bearings in the middle ...so, yeah, the wheels spin for a loooooong time :-P)

​Finally finished and on the "car":

​Unfortunately, these are not available for sale because they need more development.

​Knife Prototype

​In the previous blog post I showed you an initial knife prototype.

Well, since then, we've spent some more time evolving the design ...and we're getting very close to something we will be making soon.

It's a fixed blade design and will look something like this:

​I'll go into more detail about this knife soon (because there have been a TON of very specific design choices for this knife ...so there is quite a bit to talk to you about).

A couple of quick things...

The blade will most likely not be smooth like in the above CAD drawing - but will have cnc-machined lines in it (we've never done this before - so it's going to be interesting).

The ​scales will likely be G10.

​"Secret" Project

​I've been working on this for a little while now...

​...and it's been fairly "challenging" to say the least.

This project is for a super-compact bobby-blade knife. The plan is to use a standard #11 Hobby Blade (since they are very common). Also, I've been asked for this a lot - so that's another reason to have a go at this :-).

​I'm still not 100% sure we can do it (actually, that's a lie ...because we pretty much tackle anything ...but, time is always an issue, and there is only so much time you can spend on something​).

​I plan to keep working on it becuase, if we can do it, then it's really going to be a super-slick ...super-compact ...super-minimalist ...super-EVERYTHING hobby-blade knife for your keychain.

And I think that's all I have for you today.

​P.S. Remember to check out the Titanium Folding Tweezers because you've only got 24 hours left!