The fun and fabulous toys by our friends over at aroundsquare are best known for two things: a whole catalog worth of wearables and carryables to choose from, and being able to pick up most everything in that catalog in a range of materials from wood to the most exotic materials and alloys.

For their October drop, they’re cooking up even more material science with a healthy dose of polyetherimide (PEI), otherwise known more popularly as Ultem. To say that it’s made a splash in EDC is an understatement; its unique properties of high strength and rigidity give it exceptional stability even at very high temperatures, making it a sort of superplastic once it’s set. Matt (the founder of aroundsquare) has a great write-up about it in his e-mail announcing the drop.

As for the drop itself, there’s plenty to scope out and scoop up, Ultem or otherwise. Leading the pack are long and shortform “MKUltems,” my personal favorite wearable they offer, which also comes in both a matte machined finish and polished versions. There are Ultem begleris with the new apple-shaped Mílos beads, as well as in the larger Hardcore Titans variant. Last but not least are Ultem options for both the Banzhi ring and several Knucklebones, so there really is a lot in this drop to look out for if you want to get your amber game on.

What we like: Variety is the spice of life, and Ultem is just another great material option if you’re looking for the perfect mindfulness or meditation toy from aroundsquare. Bonus that it’s also particularly distinct in appearance without adding too much to the cost of a product, without any performance drawbacks.

What to watch out for: Some aroundsquare drops can get popular, and given Ultem’s, these could be snatched up quickly. Set those alarms for 7PM Pacific today, Friday the 27th, to get a jump on the release. Also, check out the other inclusions, like a new cashmere sweater and acrylic sets.

Final verdict: Amber is the color of our energy.

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The post The Drop: aroundsquare Ultem Collection appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Earlier this year, Hogue released their Deka MagnaCut Knife, a made-in-the-USA EDC folder featuring cutting-edge blade steel and superb performance. Now the folks at Hogue have made a great thing even better by releasing an exclusive edition of the Deka MagnaCut that showcases beautiful and durable Ultem material for the knife handle. The translucent yellow handle allows you to see the super-premium blade steel, even with the blade closed.

Like MagnaCut stainless steel, synthetic Ultem material has taken the EDC world by storm, and a lot of everyday carry gear made nowadays features it because of the weight savings, stability, and durability of the material itself compared to traditional materials. On the Hogue Deka MagnaCut knife, the Ultem edition weighs in at 2.1 oz compared to the original Allen Eishewitz design’s 2.4 oz. When you EDC a lot of gear, weight savings are welcome, particularly when it does not negatively impact performance.

And on the Hogue Deka MagnaCut Ultem knife, you get that in spades. Whether you opt for the 3.25” Wharncliffe or clip-point blade, the Deka can cut through your daily tasks while retaining a sharp edge. And the same ambidextrous ABLE-lock featured in the original is seen here, making it a joy to use with either hand.

What we like: The addition of Ultem to the premium MagnaCut stainless steel featured in this made-in-the-USA folding knife makes this the definitive version of the Hogue Deka MagnaCut.

What to watch out for: Because of the Ultem material, you must like the yellow translucent look if you buy this knife. If that does not work, consider picking up the regular Hogue Deka MagnaCut knife instead.

Final verdict: It’s rare to see an EDC-friendly knife become even better, but Hogue has managed to do that with the new Ultem edition of the Deka MagnaCut knife. It’s available exclusively at BladeHQ, and you’ll want to pick one up sooner rather than later before they sell out.

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The post The Drop: Hogue Deka MagnaCut Ultem Knife appeared first on Everyday Carry.

If you carry small items in your EDC, you might find it inconvenient when they get jumbled in your pockets or lost in your bag or pack. Small storage boxes like the CountyComm Ultem Slide Box have that use case in mind. This small storage box has what you need to store small tools, bits, coins, and even medicine when you need it. And because it features Ultem material, it sports a unique look that’s super strong and lightweight for your everyday carry.

The CountyComm Ultem Slide Box features a slide top and a small container for everyday essentials. If you need to get more familiar with Ultem, it’s the common name for polyetherimide synthetic material. Ultem is semi-transparent, with a distinct yellow-orange look. It’s a high-strength plastic that can stand up to extreme temperatures. And compared to a metal box of the same size, the Ultem Slide Box is extremely lightweight, tipping the scales at just 0.65 ounces.

Decorating the exterior of the case is a topographic design etched into the Ultem material. It adds a touch of class while letting you quickly identify the small items you can place inside the 1.79” long box. And inside, you can place necessary items like daily medicine, small eyeglass screws, hex bits, coins, and whatever else you need to fit inside without getting lost inside a large pants pocket or your EDC sling bag.

What we like: This tiny and lightweight slide box lets you carry tiny everyday carry essentials without worrying about losing them in a larger container. And its Ultem construction matches with many EDC pocket knives and pens released over the past year, letting you coordinate your looks with items made from the same material.

What to watch out for: The CountyComm Ultem Slide Box is not watertight, but the lid is secured with detents to prevent you from losing it during regular use.

Final verdict: If you’re in the market for a small and lightweight way to carry little EDC essentials, carrying a small organizer case like the CountyComm Ultem Slide Box is vital.

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The post The Drop: CountyComm Ultem Slide Box appeared first on Everyday Carry.

Our friends at Tactile Turn make some of the slickest machined metal EDC pens in the business. That’s because they have dedicated lots of time to honing their manufacturing process to ensure that they get high-quality results. And because they make every one of their pens at their United States machine shop in Texas, they control their destiny. So when the folks at Tactile Turn decided to make the smoothest pen they could come up with for everyday carry, they delivered with the aptly-named Smooth Operator.

The Smooth Operator derives from Tactile Turn’s community favorite Slim Bolt Action Titanium Pen, but with several significant changes made by the team to smoothen out the experience. Externally, the titanium body has been dark-tumbled and polished to have a smoother feel in hand compared to the grippy texture of the standard pen’s body. The ultra-deep carry bent steel clip features a curved appearance that eliminates sharp edges snagging at your pockets. The cap also features a smooth exterior save for the stylish yet practical Torx head finial.

But when Tactile Turn designed the Smooth Operator to be the smoothest pen possible, they also had internal changes in mind. The bolt action internal structure now features Ultem material tuned for an exceptionally smoother feel due to less friction compared to metal on metal. And the Smooth Operator also comes with an OHTO 0.7mm PS 107 needlepoint ink refill, which comes with a soft oil-based ink that helps the pen glide across your notepad.

What we like: The Smooth Operator‘s smooth treatment and the upgraded bolt action are a welcome addition to Tactile Turn’s bolt action pen lineup.

What to watch out for: The pen is only available for preorder until March 2nd. There’s no guarantee that it will return as a permanent addition to Tactile Turn’s EDC offerings.

Final verdict: Whether you’re looking to get your feet wet by picking out a new titanium metal EDC pen for yourself or you’re upgrading, the Smooth Operator is a slick choice.

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The post The Drop: Tactile Turn Smooth Operator Bolt-Action Pen appeared first on Everyday Carry.