Tag Archives: stainless steel

Chopstick-shaped tongs make cooking, serving, and eating a breeze

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Anyone who has cooked food will have come across a situation where they need to pick up a piece to either turn it over to cook the other side or to take it out of the pan or pot. Large portions are no problem for turners and tongs, but more delicate pieces can end up being an exercise in patience and dexterity. Smaller tongs aren’t always the answer because of the standard design of these tools and their wide, often spoon-shaped, heads that don’t afford precision and dexterity of movement. Some situations call for a radical change in that design, which is what these chopsticks-like pair try to offer, taking a page from one of the most precise utensils ever invented.

Designer: Isao Sekikawa

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $19 (10% off). Hurry, Labor Day sale ends in 24 hours!

Some ingredients or pieces of food are so delicate that they need to be handled with a bit more care than what large cooking tools often provide. That’s true whether you’re trying to flip thin strips of meat on a frying pan, taking out cooked flakes of fish, putting in ingredients in a hot pot, or even just creating a complex arrangement of small fruits. Some of these you can’t even do by hand, while others are possible but not ideal for safety and hygiene. These specially designed tongs solve that problem in a rather fun-looking way that makes you feel you’re really in control.

Unlike your typical tongs, these Chopsticks Tongs don’t have large or wide tips, so picking up and holding small, delicate pieces isn’t a chore. And while they may look like chopsticks from one angle, they don’t require as much dexterity any more than normal tongs. They’re still made from a single piece of metal bent in the middle, so you won’t have to worry about juggling sticks and accidentally dropping them into a pot. Unlike conventional chopsticks, the tips are flat and ridged, preventing food from escaping its grasp. The tongs have a slender form and a minimalist aesthetic that not only saves space but even gives it an elegant design that looks stunning whether it’s in your hand or hanging in your kitchen.

Of course, normal chopsticks aren’t made for use in high heat, so these lifestyle tongs use SUS821L1 two-phase stainless steel that is known to be stronger than the SUS304 variant that’s commonly used. More importantly, the steel used for these tongs is made from recycled offcuts and scraps, giving it a more sustainable and environment-friendly characteristic. What’s interesting about these tongs is that their black color doesn’t come from paint or similar coating materials. Instead, it’s the product of a special metal processing that ensures the color won’t scratch or peel over time. That black oxide coating also ensures the safety of the food you’re cooking or the tableware you put in your mouth.

Durable, precise, and elegant, these Chopstick-shaped Tongs give you the perfect tool for managing small and delicate pieces of food. And while the 275mm (10.8in) Chopstick Tongs are great for keeping your hand at a safe distance, the shorter 175mm (6.9in) Lifestyle Tongs are better for smaller and more precise movements. You might even want to use it for actually eating your food without having to worry about how to use chopsticks properly. Whether you’re frying strips of meat, preparing a hotpot, or simply enjoying a healthy salad, these handsome Chopstick Tongs add a whole new flavor to your culinary experience.

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $19 (10% off). Hurry, Labor Day sale ends in 24 hours!

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From SpaceX to Your Closet: The Story of Vollebak’s Stainless Steel Blazer

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When you hear the words ‘stainless steel’, chances are you’re never going to think of fashion. Your mind will probably conjure up hundreds of products before it thinks of a ‘stainless steel’ blazer, but here’s where the folks at Vollebak love pushing the limits of imagination and invention. To them, cotton, linen, polyester – these materials are a little too basic for fashion. Vollebak’s created garments out of carbon fiber, kevlar, ceramics, ballistic nylon, even copper (known for its anti-bacterial properties at the height of the pandemic). So, while most of us usually think of utensils when we hear the phrase ‘stainless steel’, Vollebak’s designers are already 10 steps ahead, figuring out how to make clothes out of it. To that end, meet the world’s first (and probably only) Steel Blazer. Made from 24% stainless steel, this isn’t your grandfather’s tailored jacket; it’s a fusion of fashion and function, incorporating aerospace-grade stainless steel into a surprisingly lightweight and versatile design.

Designer: Vollebak

The key to the Steel Blazer’s innovation lies in its unique material composition. Unlike traditional blazers crafted from wool or cotton, this garment utilizes a blend of 76% polyamide and 24% stainless steel. This might seem counterintuitive – why would someone make a metal jacket, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable and heavy? However, Vollebak’s clever engineering ensures the opposite. The stainless steel fibers are woven into the polyamide in a way that maintains a comfortable weight and a surprisingly soft feel. The resulting fabric looks undeniably unique. It has a grunge aesthetic, caused by how the fabric creases and folds. These creases eventually end up becoming your blazer’s identity, giving the blazer an incredibly cool distressed look. “You’ll also feel a subtle grain under your fingers when you touch it – and these are the steel fibers you’ll be feeling”, say the folks at Vollebak.

However, the inclusion of stainless steel goes far beyond aesthetics. This space-faring material boasts exceptional properties that translate into real-world benefits for the wearer. Stainless steel is renowned for its remarkable strength. Early lab tests by Vollebak indicate that the Steel Blazer surpasses their previous copper-infused garments in tensile strength by a significant margin. This translates to a jacket that’s highly resistant to tears and abrasions, perfect for those who lead active lives or simply appreciate built-to-last clothing.

The benefits extend beyond strength. Stainless steel is naturally resistant to corrosion, which means the Steel Blazer is unlikely to succumb to rust, a common concern with some metal-infused clothing. Additionally, the material offers surprising weatherproofing capabilities. The outer layer of the jacket boasts a water-repellent finish, making it ideal for light rain or unexpected downpours. This versatility ensures the Steel Blazer can seamlessly transition between various weather conditions.

With steel fabric on the exterior, the blazer also features a soft and breathable inner lining that wicks away moisture and keeps the wearer comfortable throughout the day. The minimalist design prioritizes clean lines and a sleek aesthetic. The convertible collar allows for customization – wear it folded down for a relaxed look or fasten it up for a more formal presentation. Hidden metal snaps ensure a secure closure, while four strategically placed pockets provide ample storage space for everyday essentials.

The story behind the Steel Blazer’s development adds another layer of intrigue. Vollebak spent four years meticulously researching and refining the process of integrating stainless steel into wearable garments. Their inspiration came from an unlikely source – the SpaceX Starship, a behemoth of a rocket designed to propel humans towards deep space exploration. The outer shell of the Starship is constructed from stainless steel due to its ability to withstand the extreme temperatures of outer space. Vollebak recognized the potential of this material and embarked on a journey to translate its properties into a revolutionary piece of clothing.

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Aestus Signature Pen gives off luxurious vibe with stainless steel and ceramic dock

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Even though I live mostly in the digital world, I love to journal and write things down so I also collect a lot of pens. They’re mostly the gel pens and the cheaper ones because fountain pens can be pretty expensive. Besides, my handwriting is sometimes undecipherable (even to myself) so I don’t want to waste my money on something that may not be that useful.

Designer: Rahil Hasan

Some of my friends who collect fountain pens have told me though that these kinds of pen are better for my handwriting (and maybe my mental health). Aestus is a limited edition signature pen that caught my attention because of its unique form. I actually thought it was a tiny light saber at first glance, but a lot of fountain pens do look like they come from Star Wars.

This pen is made from high grade stainless steel and has two geometric shapes that turn from a hexagon profile into a circle. What makes this even more sophisticated is that it comes with a ceramic docking unit where you can place the pen when not in use. It has a layer of cork in both the upper part and the base. So the design of the pen and the docking unit gives off a luxury product vibe.

The prototype for the Aestus pen was created in India’s largets prototyping center, T-Works. They presented a prototype as a token to the CEO and Chairman of tech company FoxConn, Mr. Young Liu. They haven’t said yet if this will be available for commercial purchase but it will probably be pretty expensive so it’s an aspirational product for some fountain pen collectors.

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Save your nails and beat the stress with this innovative wave spring key ring

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We all know that it’s a good idea to keep keys together in one place, but no one talks about how painful that can actually be. Key rings are basically a single piece of metal bent to coil in a circle, and that design hasn’t changed one bit in decades. It’s a simple design that’s meant to keep your keys secure to the point that you’ll break a sweat or break a nail when actually trying to add a key to the ring. Worse, the rings that do try to be more flexible and easy on the nails end up being less reliable instead because of their softness. Fortunately, the solution isn’t as complicated as you might think, as demonstrated by this distinctive key ring that takes its smarts from the design of aerospace equipment and cars.

Designer: MAENI

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

The common key ring is really just a flattened coil of metal, the most practical shape not just for holding a bunch of keys but also for securing them in place. In order to prevent those keys from accidentally getting loose, that coil provides no gap in between and is often quite rigid, requiring you to exert a lot of force to open one end for a key to get through, which often ends up with broken nails. Conversely, there are rings that are so thin and pliable that they get easily deformed the moment you deal with thicker keys and objects.

The simple answer to this decades-old probably is apparently to change the kind of structure used. Instead of that traditional coil spring, this key ring employs a “coiled wave spring” shape instead. This kind of spring is heavily used in heavy-duty vehicles and equipment, from aerospace to automobiles. Turns out that this same wavy shape is perfect for a more user-friendly key ring that won’t break nails or test your patience.

With this wave spring design, inserting a key is as easy as sliding it into the ring through the natural gaps made by the waves. To remove a ring, simply lift the tip without worrying about damaging your nail. The key ring is designed to be as stress-free to use as possible, removing any hurdle to keeping your keys organized and safe in a single place.

Despite its uncommon appearance, this stress-free key ring is actually lighter than a typical keyring at only 3 grams. That’s thanks to a thinner material, only 0.8mm thin, and its beautiful waveform shape. At the same time, it’s actually twice as strong with a high-tension stainless steel SUS304 body so it won’t get bent out of shape even if you insert a thick key. Whether it’s to protect your nails or to protect your sanity, this one-of-a-kind key ring will give you peace of mind knowing all your keys are in one place and that you can add or remove them easily as often as you want.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

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Refined Kitchen Elegance Meets Precision in Top-Tier Meat Slicing Scissors

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When thinking of cutting up food, especially meats, most of us will probably think of very sharp and sometimes large knives, from chef’s knives to steak knives. While those are indeed the most common tools, they’re not always the most efficient. Chef’s shears or kitchen scissors are just as useful for cutting up not just meats but also any kind of ingredient. But just like their stationery counterparts, these kitchen tools are often made following a common design, easy to manufacture but not exactly the easiest to use. Fortunately, all it takes is some creative thinking and a deep connection to traditional craftsmanship to design a pair of kitchen shears that are not only a pleasure to hold but also a pleasure to behold.

Designer: Chiaki Murata

Click Here to Buy Now: $84 $99 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Black Friday sale ends in 48 hours!

Cutting up meat using scissors is admittedly not a common practice except for kitchen veterans, but not because it’s that useful. The reason is mostly because of convenience and effort when common kitchen scissors are not cut out for the job, pun totally intended. The common kitchen shears are pretty much just bigger, sharper, and edgier versions of your desk scissors, and not much more. They can cut through some meats, sure, but they don’t always make for an enjoyable experience, especially when the tool starts to get dull and look worn.

The Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors easily set itself apart not just with their looks but also with their performance. It is filled with design details that, at first glance, might look simply aesthetic but are actually carefully thought out to improve the tool’s usability. For example, the serrated cutting edge and curved blade are not just for show, though they definitely make the scissors look more interesting. They make it easier to slide the scissors under what you’re cutting and also prevent the material from sliding out accidentally.

The design of the hinge is also unique, larger than what you’d find even on most kitchen scissors. Because it is fully covered, however, it doesn’t get dirty as easily as other hinges. Along with the thick handles, these kitchen shears lie a bit elevated when placed horizontally on a table, creating a more hygienic design that prevents the blades from coming in contact with the surface. You can also make the scissors stand vertically and it will stay balanced and raise the blades away from the table’s surface. Whichever way you place it, the scissors remain easy to pick up, ready for your next food snip.

It doesn’t hurt that the mighty shears are handsome to boot. Made in Tsubame Sanjo, Niigata, Japan, the scissors take advantage of the region’s world-renowned expertise in metalwork and cutlery to craft such a fine specimen of a kitchen tool. The oxidation coloring method used to give the stainless steel body a distinct black luster also makes it impervious to discoloration after long periods of use. The oxide film even causes light to be reflected in different ways, creating the illusion of colors that add to the scissors’ charm. Whether you’re cutting meat for cooking, cutting chives for garnishing, or even cutting pizza to divide among yourselves, these elegant kitchen scissors promise to deliver a less stressful experience that also makes you look good in the process.

Click Here to Buy Now: $84 $99 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Black Friday sale ends in 48 hours!

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Camber envisions chairs and benches made from a single sheet of metal

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Furniture is so critical and so common in our lives that few of us probably give a second thought to how they’re made. As long as they serve their purpose and look good, tables, chairs, and other pieces of furniture might as well be made from alien material for most people. Unfortunately, the materials and processes used to make these essential products have started to chip away at the health of the planet for the sake of keeping humans comfortable. Designers have started to become more aware and conscientious of this problem, and they have started to put their creativity to work in solving it. In addition to using sustainable materials right from the start, another potential answer is to reduce the amount of waste that results from the manufacturing process, like a single sheet of metal that is then cut and bent to form a sharp-looking chair.

Designer: Paul Coenen

Even the simplest piece of furniture sometimes uses multiple parts. A table will be made of at least four legs attached to a tabletop, and those connections might require screws or other means to keep the table from falling apart with the slightest weight. With conventional furniture designs, these parts are often cut out or formed at different times from different materials, a process that often yields wastes bits and pieces that can no longer be used anywhere else.

Some furniture designs have become a bit smarter by attempting to utilize every inch of a single sheet of wood or metal, but those might still need extra parts to connect them together. A more efficient way would be to just use the whole sheet and nothing else, but it’s also more challenging to create visually appealing designs. You might think it’s a simple case of folding metal, for example, but making it usable while also looking good is actually harder than you might think.

Camber is an attempt to check all those boxes by cutting and bending a single sheet of stainless steel to form seats you’d want to look at as much as sit on. Rather than simply bending two ends to form legs, the design actually involves making two angular cuts where the folds would happen before actually bending down the legs. This creates not only a more interesting design but also adds some stability to the bench or stool’s legs.

Sanding gives the seats a reflective yet matte surface, removing the need for any harmful coating. It’s an almost perfect complement to the designer’s SST mirror, which uses the same single-sheet principle, except that the surface is polished to the point that it becomes more reflecting. Stainless steel might not be the most environment-friendly metal, but its longevity ensures that these chairs and benches should last far longer than other types. Camber is simple, almost brutalist in its appearance, but its appeal goes beyond looks, offering a design that isn’t only efficient but also, in some odd way, charming in its own right.

The post Camber envisions chairs and benches made from a single sheet of metal first appeared on Yanko Design.

Three modules comprise this minimalist stainless steel furniture set to reveal hidden storage compartments

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Non Square is a minimalist, stainless steel furniture set that combines side tables and stools within a simple, cubic structure.

These days, we are each looking for ways to save space without compromising our style. Providing the products to bring us there, designers aim to strike a balance somewhere between functionality and adaptability. At times, adaptability can be boiled down to a product’s multi-purpose operation or even its minimalist appearance.

Designers: Hyunjun Yu, Soojin Jung, Kyoungseo Park

Functionality typically stems from a product with a long shelf life and the ability to execute its primary purpose. Adding their design to the mix, Hyunjun Yu, Soojin Jung, Kyoungseo Park conceptualized Non Square, a furniture set that integrates side tables and stools within a stainless steel hexahedron structure.

Introducing Non Square, the team of designers explains that, “It [pursues] the beauty of irregularity within, as opposed to regularity on the outside.” From the outside, Non Square sports a minimalist, stainless steel appearance that seems like a nondescript side table dressed as a cube. A closer look and Non Square’s larger purpose is revealed.

Composed of staggered, asymmetrical internal storage compartments, Non Square disassembles into three modules that each carry their own function. The largest component, a spacious side table, makes room for users to set bulkier items atop, such as coffee table books, flower vases, and electrical appliances.

Then, a standalone rectangular storage module tucks beneath the tabletop’s surface into one of the L-shaped cavities formed by the main module’s legs. The final module maintains an irregular shape, combining the angular convenience of a triangle with the enclosed look of a cube. When combined together, the three pieces form a perfect cube and be configured so that the storage compartments are either turned inside or outside, to keep items hidden or within reach.

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These claw-inspired EDC folding knives use an Emerson Wave deployment method for safe and precise movements!

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There are some pretty hardcore EDC multipurpose tools on the market. From plier-based to knife-based tools, they’re trusted across industry lines for their ergonomic build and long-lasting reputation. With so many multi-use tools out there, the nitty-gritty, technical details are what set some tools above others. Edging out fixed knives for folding ones, the world’s leading e-commerce site for karambit tactical knives, Karambit.com, features a whole collection of portable multiuse tools with curved blades that fold down so you can bring them anywhere.

Originally built for farming, multiuse tools are currently used for utility, self-defense, and combat purposes. Knives that use folding and Emerson Wave deployment methods are easy to carry around safely and provide a lot more accuracy during use. As described on their site, Karambit co-owners Phillip Koontz and William Simkins say, “Emerson Wave Karambits feature a patented wave-shaped opening mechanism that allows a karambit to open instantly as it’s removed from the pocket.”

On Karambit.com, the standout Emerson Wave knives come shining with a curved blade for clean slashing through dense material. Finished in Black Idroglider and made from stainless steel, the Emerson Wave karambit blade is constructed for the long haul. While Emerson Wave knife deployment offers convenience and efficiency, it also promotes user safety, ensuring that while the karambit is inside the pocket, the knife will not dislodge.

Built using some of the strongest stainless steel available, many of the Emerson Wave deployment tools are constructed in Italy from NC690Co Stainless Steel. The Emerson Wave karambit collection also features knives that come fitted with safety finger rings and ergonomic handles for intuitive operation. Available for reverse and forward grip, the black G10 scales on each tool’s grip make handling each knife a lot safer and enhances the knife’s overall precision rating.

Designer: Karambit.com

Traditional charm meets a modern steel edge with Karambit’s Emerson Wave multi-use tools.

An added safety ring enhances the knife’s safety features and makes it easy to clip on and carry.

Laden in black G10 scales, the grip is ergonomic to promote convenience and precision.

The Emerson Wave deployment knife explained. 

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Grenade-shaped Whiskey Stones: Bombs Away!

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Whiskey: for optimal tasting, it’s best served around 60 – 65°F (15-18°C), but adding ice can actually dilute some of the flavor notes. So how can you chill your whiskey without diluting it? With whiskey stones, of course. Or, in this case, whiskey grenades. Fire in the hole!

Created by The Wine Savant and available on Amazon (affiliate link), the 1.8″ grenades are constructed from 304-grade stainless steel and are ready for use in less than an hour in the freezer. They come in a four-pack and include a storage bag and tongs so you can place the grenades in your drink instead of lobbing them in like actual grenades and breaking all your glassware.

Of course, wanting to make sure your whiskey is at optimal tasting temperature to express all the intended flavors is assuming you’re drinking a whiskey you actually want to taste, and not the back-alley swill I drink. The stuff I drink is best poured directly past your taste buds, where you hope it goes down and stays down.

[via The Green Head]

Razer’s new stainless steel reusable straw makes sustainability ‘sexy’!

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Why does a gaming tech company need to launch a reusable straw? I imagine it’s vertical integration of some weird sort, given how much time gamers spend sipping carbonated beverages. Or maybe there isn’t really any logic to it – like the time Tesla sold surfboards, or The Boring Company sold flamethrowers. The point is that logic aside, Razer’s unveiled a series of collapsible, portable, reusable, stainless-steel straws. They retail for $19.99, come with a cleaning brush, and are capped with a silicone tip so you don’t accidentally burn your lips off hot beverages.

The Razer Reusable Straw comes made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, with a telescopic design that allows it to be disassembled when not in use, for easy storage. When put together, the straw measures 230mm – optimally long enough for a Venti-size drink at Starbucks, although it isn’t diametrically wide enough for a McFlurry or Boba Tea (so don’t bother trying). For hot drinks, the anodized black straw comes with an acid-green silicone sleeve that prevents your lips from accidentally touching hot metal. The entire straw is infinitely reusable, and comes with its own cleaning brush for maintenance-purposes, all packaged in a nifty silicone carrying case with a carabiner, so you could strap your Reusable Straw right to your belt loop like EDC, or tuck it into your pocket and carry it with you everywhere you go.

Designer: Razer