ON THE RING

SMALL, USEFUL TOOLS ON YOUR KEYCHAIN OR IN YOUR WALLET CAN SAVE THE DAY

- STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

You won’t forget to take them with you, because they’ll be right on your keychain, around your wrist, or in your wallet.

There’s no end to useful little gadgets that combine several tools in one, take-anywhere device. Some include a knife blade, and most include a screwdriver or two. Most feature what their creators must think is indispensable: a bottle opener. This is in case, I suppose, you’re unexpectedly thrust into a binge away from a drinking establishment with no other way to open your brew. Most of my experience is with twist-off caps, so what do I know.

TRAVEL LIGHT

The great thing about keychain tools and other small gadgets is that they don’t weigh you down. I’m a devotee of everyday carry gear. But after loading up for the day with my keys, wallet, flashlight, a couple of pocketknives, a handgun, spare ammo, pepper spray, pen, notepad, and cell phone, my chipmunk-cheek pockets and waistband have reached their carrying capacity. I’m apt to need a belt, suspenders, and a portable winch to keep my pants from slipping down to the “urban tactical” position below my butt.

Tiny tools that you clip to your keychain or zipper pulls and credit card-sized tools you can tuck in a wallet can solve that problem to some degree. No, they’re usually not as helpful as the full-size tools in your toolbox or the larger multitools you can wear on your belt.

​Sometimes, for instance, you need a dedicated screwdriver with some reach. Still, these little tools can come in handy to hurdle small obstacles tossed in your path during a busy day when you’re traveling light.