Cardsharp 2 packs a razor in a credit card package
By C.C. Weiss
July 2, 2012
The Cardsharp 2 is available in natural brushed stainless steel and Teflon black blade colors
Image Gallery (7 images)Several years ago, designer Iain Sinclair launched the Cardsharp, a razor-sharp stainless steel knife folded into a credit card-shaped package. The knife combined real-world function with sleek, aesthetic design. Late last year, Sinclair updated the knife into the Cardsharp 2.
An evolutionary update, version 2.0 of the Cardsharp includes a stiffer polypropylene build and a child-proof safety lock. The knife packs 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) of stainless steel cutting surface into its own card-like sheath. A series of three folds is all it takes to turn the device from card to knife.
While the Cardsharp 2 doesn't offer as much utility as a multi-tool, it's a featherlight (13 gram) knife that's easy to transport anywhere. The knife can slide easily into a wallet, pocket or gear bag, and the blade locks into its sheath so it won't open accidentally. Sinclair says that the knife is less than a tenth the weight of a Stanley utility knife and about a seventh the weight of a Leatherman knife.
It's not too difficult to imagine uses for a thin, razor-sharp go-anywhere knife. The Sinclair firm says that it's useful for everything from emergency wilderness survival to arts and crafts. It can be customized with silk screen printing or laser engraving for use as a gift or promotion. It retails for US$25.
The video shows how easily the knife transforms.
Source: Iain Sinclair via Gear Hungry
Upon graduating college with a poli sci degree, Chris toiled in the political world for several years. Realizing he was better off making cynical comments from afar than actually getting involved in all that mess, he turned away from matters of government and news to cover the things that really matter: outdoor recreation, cool cars, technology, wild gadgets and all forms of other toys. He's happily following the wisdom of his father who told him that if you find something you love to do, it won't really be work. All articles by C.C. Weiss
Great idea...but maybe not, unless you're not an airline traveler ... because its metal, and it will show up during an airport security scan...where it will be confiscated by TSA.
I wonder what the limit is for how many people will individually buy, forget they're carrying, lose them to TSA, and stop buying them? My limit, at $25, would be...one. I mean, how useful is a single blade, except for opening tough packages...and hijacking airliners?
Personally, I carry a swiss army knife. You can do a lot more with it, for one. And it's easier to remember to pack it in the checked luggage rather than carry-ons...even so, I've lost 3 to TSA over the years because I'm so used to wearing it on my belt I forget to pack it in the checkables. So I'm thinking this little gadget will go to a lot of TSA families or the Sargasso Sea of airport confiscations.
skypix3rd July, 2012 @ 09:27 am PDT
I wonder how many times you can open and close it before the plastic hinge breaks. I won't be adding this one to my knife collection.
DrPepper593rd July, 2012 @ 10:35 am PDT
Neat design. "Sharp" in all respects....
...except one, that is: couldn't there be a danger of this being considered to be a concealed weapon in certain jurisdictions?
FadAddict3rd July, 2012 @ 10:44 am PDT
skypix,
Don't be flippant about airline hijackings, especially when it's untrue. Even the former head of the TSA says knives won't help anyone hijack an airliner after 9/11 and should be allowed. The current procedure is to keep the reinforced cockpit door locked no matter what. It's not great to let a few passengers or flight attendants be murdered, but it sure beats letting a hijacker crash an entire plane full of people.
Gadgeteer3rd July, 2012 @ 10:12 pm PDT
Ditto really. I wonder how many places you could carry this or use it without being arrested? Certainly in NZ they would take it away at an airport. I have already lost a more expensive knife when the Xray found it buried in the depths of my briefcase. Still might get one if they ever hit our shores. How would you import one?
stuart.hayman3rd July, 2012 @ 10:15 pm PDT
I have one of the original design. I got it because the concept is so creative I thought the inventor should be rewarded. When I find out where to buy the 2, I'll get one of them, too. I use it as a letter opener, and am curious to see how long it holds up to being constantly opened and closed.
famousperon4th July, 2012 @ 08:33 am PDT
Well this looks good, and I am going to get two. I will put one in my stainless steel mesh wallet which cannot be scanned by xray, and they never open it, and the other in my steel business card holder, which also gets thru - amazingly - so far. It looks v. handy indeed.
MichaelJRJose7th July, 2012 @ 02:22 pm PDT
@famousperon - the website claims "living hinges guaranteed for life" - as always with lifetime guarantees I wonder "whose life?" The life of the hinge ends when its broken!
agulesin10th July, 2012 @ 06:38 am PDT
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"Razor-sharp"? See BladeReviewscom's review about this Cardsharp 2
Serge V. Richard2nd July, 2012 @ 07:32 pm PDT