It doesn’t seem like all that long ago when titanium was considered a futuristic material, seen only on spacecraft and other secretive government projects. But these days, the lightweight alloy is everywhere, from golf clubs and suitcases to EDC gear like knives, watches, and pens. Titanium’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it especially ideal in applications where space is at a premium, allowing for surprisingly tiny pieces of gear that are much more robust than their size implies. And it’s four of these compact titanium items that comprise this week’s everyday carry loadout which we have punnily dubbed “Ti(ny).”
We’re big fans of carrying multi-tools, as they add boatloads of utility you can’t get from a knife alone. But a full-size Leatherman or Gerber isn’t always convenient, which is where keychain multi-tools come into play. Unsurprisingly, The James Brand has a stellar take on the form with the Halifax. This minimalist multi-tool combines a flathead/Phillips screwdriver and a bottle opener into a streamlined design that measures less than 3” long and is cut from 6AL-4V titanium billet.
Pens are another EDC essential that can occasionally be too bulky for their own good. Do you really want a full-size pen in your pocket, threatening to jam a hole in your pants? Probably not. Thankfully, Big Idea Design has a more elegant solution. Its Mini Click Pen is a shrunken-down version of the brand’s classic Click EDC Pen, and it’s small enough to fit inside your coin pocket. The lightweight writing utensil takes D1 Type Refills, including the ever-popular Fisher Space Pen pressurized capsules. The solid metal-construction pen also boasts a lifetime warranty.
First unveiled five years ago as WESN’s very first product, the Microblade remains a staple in the boutique knife brand’s catalog. An industry shaker, the Microblade stood out (and continues to stand out) for being an unfathomably compact blade that offers real utility and isn’t a novelty. Small enough to fit on a keychain with a 2.25” closed length and a 1.5” blade, the frame-locking Microblade doesn’t skimp on quality with a D2 tool-grade steel blade, Grade 5 titanium scales, and ceramic bearings.
For a few years now, Bulgari and rival Piaget have been duking it out for the title of world’s thinnest mechanical watch — at least until Richard Mille came out of nowhere to steal the crown in mid-2022. But for much of the year, Bulgari was the world record holder thanks to the release of the Octo Finissimo Ultra, and it’s still arguably the most impressive and wearable of the super-thin watches out there. The watch is absurdly thin, with its 40mm titanium case measuring just 1.8mm thick and its titanium bracelet coming in even thinner at 1.5mm. But the true marvel, of course, is the BVL180 caliber movement that drives the watch, as it manages a high beat rate of 28,800bph and an impressive power reserve of 50 hours despite its extreme thinness.
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