Starting your culinary journey shouldn’t require emptying your wallet or cluttering your countertops with unnecessary tools and gadgets. The most accomplished home cooks understand that delicious meals emerge from mastering a few essential tools rather than collecting every kitchen contraption imaginable. These five kitchen essentials feature an intersection of clever design, practical functionality, and accessible pricing that transforms novice cooks into confident culinary creators.

From Japanese craftsmanship that brings centuries of blade-making tradition to your cutting board, to innovative designs that transform how we interact with our cooking tools, this collection offers both aesthetic appeal and daily usability. The beauty of these selections lies not just in their individual capabilities but in how they work together to create a cohesive cooking experience that grows with your skills and confidence in the kitchen.

1. Iron Frying Plate

The Iron Frying Plate breaks down the barrier between cooking vessel and serving dish. This innovative tool transforms the traditional frying pan into a multifunctional piece that serves both as your cooking surface and your plate. Crafted from 1.6mm-thick mill-scale steel, this beautifully engineered piece brings restaurant-quality searing capabilities to your home kitchen while maintaining rustic elegance that makes it worthy of your dining table. The detachable wooden handle system allows seamless transition from stovetop to table.

The mill scale steel surface develops natural non-stick properties through use, becoming more seasoned and effective with each cooking session. The rust-resistant finish means you can focus on perfecting culinary techniques rather than worrying about maintenance complexities that often discourage beginner cooks. Working with quality steel cookware teaches essential techniques like proper preheating, temperature control, and natural seasoning development.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69.00

What we like

• Eliminates the need for separate serving dishes, reducing cleanup time and kitchen clutter.
• Develops natural non-stick properties through use, improving performance over time.

What we dislike

• Requires proper seasoning and maintenance to prevent rust and maintain performance.
• Limited to single-portion or small-batch cooking due to compact size.

2. Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors

Kitchen scissors are often an afterthought in most home kitchens, relegated to opening packages rather than fulfilling their true potential as precision cutting instruments. These Precision Chef Kitchen Scissors elevate the humble shear into an elegant culinary tool that handles everything from delicate herb trimming to robust meat preparation. The specially designed curved serrated blade creates clean cuts through tough connective tissues, while the ergonomic structure ensures comfortable extended use during lengthy prep sessions.

The black oxidation finish serves both aesthetic and practical purposes, creating a fade-resistant surface that maintains its professional appearance through years of heavy use. This finish process goes beyond mere cosmetic enhancement, actually improving the durability and longevity of the steel while creating a distinctive visual identity that complements modern kitchen aesthetics. These scissors transform tedious food preparation tasks into efficient, enjoyable processes.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69.00

What we like

• Curved serrated blade design makes cutting through tough meats safer and more efficient.
• Durable black finish resists fading and deterioration while looking professionally sleek.

What we dislike

• Specialized design may require learning proper technique to maximize effectiveness.
• Higher price point compared to basic kitchen scissors may stretch tight budgets.

3. OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker

The OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker turns the often messy and inconsistent process of creating homemade dressings into a foolproof operation that encourages culinary creativity. This ingeniously designed vessel allows you to combine oils, vinegars, herbs, and seasonings with perfect emulsification every time, eliminating the guesswork that often leads beginners to rely on store-bought alternatives.

The watertight construction with its innovative flip-top lever ensures zero spills during mixing and pouring, while the compact 1.5-cup capacity provides the perfect portion size for most salad preparations without creating waste. Crafted from BPA-free Tritan material, this shaker combines durability with complete transparency, allowing you to monitor the mixing process and achieve consistent results. The break-resistant construction withstands daily use while remaining dishwasher-safe for effortless cleanup. The dual-function lever flips back for smooth pouring and forward for secure sealing, making storage simple and leak-proof.

Click Here to Buy Now

What we like

• Watertight design with an innovative lever prevents spills during mixing and pouring
• BPA-free Tritan construction offers durability while remaining completely dishwasher-safe

What we dislike

• Single-purpose design may not justify counter space for minimalist kitchen setups
• Compact capacity requires multiple batches when preparing dressings for larger gatherings

4. Black Kitchen Knives

Crafted in Seki, Japan, a region renowned for centuries of blade-making excellence, these Black Kitchen Knives offer the best of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design sensibilities. Each blade is created through a meticulous hand-forging process that ensures unique character while maintaining consistent performance standards. The molybdenum vanadium steel core receives a titanium coating that creates the impressive black finish while enhancing durability and corrosion resistance far beyond what standard knife steel can achieve.

The full-scale double-edged construction provides superior balance and cutting performance. Working with professionally crafted knives transforms your relationship with food preparation from chore to craft. The superior edge retention means you spend less time sharpening and more time developing proper cutting techniques that improve both speed and safety in the kitchen.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99.00

What we like

• Hand-crafted Japanese steel construction ensures exceptional sharpness and edge retention.
• Titanium coating provides superior durability while creating a distinctive professional appearance.

What we dislike

• Premium materials and craftsmanship result in a higher initial investment than budget alternatives.
• Requires proper maintenance knowledge to preserve performance and prevent damage.

5. Playful Palm Grater

The Playful Palm Grater gives the traditional box grater a makeover through a lens of ergonomic innovation and whimsical design. Crafted from a single aluminum alloy plate and shaped to nestle perfectly in your palm, this compact tool transforms the often awkward task of grating into an intuitive, controlled process. The paper-curl aesthetic brings unexpected delight to routine kitchen tasks while the thoughtful sizing ensures you maintain complete control over the grating process.

Available in multiple vibrant colors, this grater allows you to inject personality into your kitchen toolkit while maintaining serious functionality. The single-piece construction eliminates the joints and seams where food particles typically accumulate in traditional graters, making cleanup significantly easier and more hygienic. This palm-sized grater excels in situations where precision and control matter most. You can grate ingredients directly over dishes with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating waste while ensuring even distribution of flavors.

Click Here to Buy 2 & Get 10% off: $45.00 $50.00

What we like

• Ergonomic palm design provides superior control and comfort during grating tasks.
• Single-piece aluminum construction ensures easy cleaning and long-lasting durability.

What we dislike

• Compact size limits efficiency when processing large quantities of ingredients.
• Novelty design may not appeal to cooks who prefer traditional kitchen tool aesthetics.

Creating your kitchen sanctuary doesn’t need you to sacrifice style or break your budget. These five kitchen tools combine smart design and professional performance, while co-existing with accessible price points. From the dual-purpose elegance of the Iron Frying Plate to the precision engineering of Japanese black knives, these tools serve multiple roles while maintaining a commendable aesthetic appeal.

Building Your Culinary Foundation On A Budget

The beauty of this collection lies in its synergy. Together, these tools cover every fundamental cooking technique while teaching proper methods through superior materials and construction. The playful palm grater encourages fresh ingredient experimentation, while the dressing shaker transforms simple salads into culinary statements.

Quality scissors and knives build confidence through reliable performance. Investing in well-designed essentials creates a foundation that grows with your skills. These tools convert your kitchen into a workspace and showpiece, inspiring creativity while delivering results that make every meal feel like an achievement worth celebrating.

The post Best Budget Kitchen Tools For Beginner Chefs: 5 Must-Haves Under $100 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most good projects die by a rough cut. You print a crisp lattice, reach for the hobby knife, and five seconds later, there is a gouge exactly on the outer surface – a part that’s easily visible. That small heartbreak is what HOZO Design set out to delete with NeoBlade, a cordless cutter that trades brute force for forty-thousand-times-per-second ultrasonic finesse. The idea is simple: let vibration slice through projects with the perfection of a knife through room-temperature butter.

NeoBlade looks and feels like a chunky marker that fits perfectly into your grip. Battery clicks into the tail, blade peeks from the nose, and the whole tool tips the scale at 6.4 ounces, so even a long session of trimming support material will not sprain a wrist. Press the trigger gently, and Precision mode fires in quick bursts, perfect for knocking a single nub off a resin mini. Pull past the detent, and Continuous mode hums until you let go, turning foam board or acrylic sheet into respectful, silent ribbons. A perfect gizmo for finishing touches on all your projects.

Designer: HOZO Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $149 (33% off). Hurry, only 90/800 left! Raised over $619,000.

Forty kilohertz of motion means the edge never drags long enough to melt plastic or splinter wood. Instead, it slips forward under light pressure, one microscopic slice after another, leaving a glassy face that looks almost molded. A smart driver reads resistance on the fly and feeds anywhere from nine to forty watts to the actuator, so switching from soft PLA to stubborn ABS feels seamless. There is no temperature dial to chase, no speed knob, no guesswork.

Keeping the tip cool is the job of a tiny turbofan buried in the barrel. Air enters through side vents, slides across the metal core, and exits behind your hand, dropping blade temperature far below the scorch line of common filaments. The handle stays comfortable, the cut stays clean, and warping never starts. Two bright LEDs flank the blade to fill shadows that magnify mistakes, a small but welcome nod to late-night builds.

HOZO ships six blade profiles in snap-forward cartridges. A 30-degree spear handles everyday trimming, a longer spear dives deeper stock, a curved slice glides through vinyl and leather, a twin-edge scores parallel grooves, and two chisel tips tackle carving and cleanup. Used blades press into a one-way slot on the cartridge, so they retire safely instead of migrating to a drawer where future you will forget they exist. The tool cap hides a stubby driver and a magnet that holds the fresh blade steady while you line up the tang, a little UX grace that feels earned on a cluttered bench.

Cordless convenience lives or dies by downtime, so NeoBlade ships with an optional TurboDock that charges the handle and a spare cell in about thirty minutes. Slide one battery out, slide the other in, twist, and you are back to slicing before the printer’s next layer cures. Makers on a tighter budget can rely on the USB-C port in the grip, though that route parks the cutter for an hour or more. Early Kickstarter pledges locked in the full kit for $99 USD, a tidy slice off the planned $149 retail tag. The Creator Combo (priced at a discounted $149) packs the NeoBlade, a TurboDock, an extra battery, and a spare blade trial kit with 6 blades.

But don’t confuse this with one of those cheap cutters on Amazon or that soldering iron that you also use to burn off imperfections in 3D prints. Because the edge oscillates instead of tearing, you avoid the fuzzy bead that hot-wire cutters leave in foam and the ragged fringe delivered by abrasive wheels. Clean edges mean less post-processing, which in turn means more time for tuning the slicer profile or experimenting with paint. Model makers, cosplay armor builders, prop shops, even electronics hobbyists who need to notch an enclosure without filling the room with ABS dust will notice the difference on day one.

NeoBlade lands at a sweet spot between pocketable craft knives and industrial ultrasonic stations that never leave a lab. It gives hobbyists, cosplay armor fabricators, prop builders, and small-batch product designers a push-button guarantee of clean edges and repeatable results. By making ultrasonic cutting as casual as clicking a pen, HOZO turns the most stressful step of fabrication into the easiest. Projects move forward, sanding blocks stay clean, and the next big idea arrives sooner because the last one didn’t stall at the trimming stage.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $149 (33% off). Hurry, only 90/800 left! Raised over $619,000.

The post RIP Hobby Knives. The $99 NeoBlade carves through foam and acrylic with ultrasonic precision first appeared on Yanko Design.

A tech executive explains how a unified AI strategy helps businesses reduce complexity, boost efficiency, and avoid the costly pitfalls of fragmented tools, driving long-term innovation.

The creative process is a multi-faceted journey, one that involves different stages that sometimes require tools different from our normal ones. Authors, for example, often find themselves doodling mind maps or sketching figures, while designers will type out notes and tasks every so often. When it comes to tools like notebooks and paper, there is no one solution that rules them all, but apps offer a kind of synergy that isn’t possible with analog tools.

At the same time, there are in fact too many apps nowadays thriving on buzzwords like GTD, PKM, and AI, and a whole lot of them seem to be targeted at a more tech-savvy audience. Their power often comes with complexity and carries an aesthetic that will spreadsheet-lovers more than stationery collectors. Worry not, because there are indeed note-taking and productivity apps designed with creatives and creators in mind, and these are five of the most powerful and beautiful note-taking apps to help designers, artists, and writers collect inspiration and organize their ideas.

Milanote

Even before the whole tribe of powerful note-taking apps descended on the digital landscape, Milanote was already carving out a niche for itself. Designed specifically with designers in mind, the app offers just enough tools to help users gather as many bits and pieces of inspiration as they can and then organize their thoughts, references, and inspirations for use later.

Designer: Milanote

Milanote basically gives users an infinite canvas to pin card-like objects that can contain text, images, YouTube links, and checklists. These can be arranged in a column or float on their own, drawn over with scribbles, and connected with lines, giving them the freedom to create mood boards, palettes, charts, and other visually interesting compositions to help their creative process. At the same time, it also helps them keep tabs on their tasks with checklists and kanban boards.

Milanote has been around for almost a decade now and, unfortunately, its age is starting to show. Unlike other apps in this space, the selection of objects that you can embed in that canvas is quite limited. While it does keep things simple, it might also fail to give the tools designers need to go beyond these basic building blocks. Milanote’s pricing system hasn’t changed that much either and it is one of the more restrictive and expensive ones out there.

What We Like

• Clean and beautiful interface.
• Simple and easy to use.
• Available on Desktops and Mobile devices.

What We Don’t Like

• Very restrictive free tier, expensive pricing.
• Limited types of objects.

Scrintal

Although it started as something like yet another Notion alternative (more on that later), Scrintal recently launched a new version and a new image, billing itself as a “Playground for the Mind.” Instead of the more document-centric platform it once used, it now embraces a more visual approach to shaping your ideas and documenting your creative process.

Designer: Scrintal

Like with Milanote and other apps like it, Scrintal uses different kinds of blocks to represent objects, but this time with more variety and power. Not only are the more types of blocks, you can also do more with them, like structurally linking them instead of just drawing lines between them. And when you’re done with the free-form brainstorming process, you can actually convert your boards into more traditional structured documents.

If Milanote only had a very limited free tier, Scrintal doesn’t have one at all. You can have a free trial, but that’s pretty much it. And because its “2.0” version is quite new, there isn’t even any mobile app available yet. Of course, you’re unlikely to move blocks around on your phone or tablet, but just being able to view your notes anywhere can be quite convenient.

What We Like

• Powerful free-form canvas for doing anything you want.
• Link blocks not only visually but also logically.
• Switch between visual board and standard documents seamlessly.

What We Don’t Like

• New version doesn’t have mobile apps yet.
• No limited free tier.

AFFiNE

As powerful as many of these note-taking tools might be, very few of us really know what happens behind the scenes. It’s not just because they’re complicated pieces of software but also because we have no access to their code in the first place. Some people are more conscious about their privacy and data security, and AFFinNE tries to serve this user base by offering an open source platform where you can be in total control of your data.

Designer: AFFiNE

AFFiNE’s experience operates on two different levels. On the one hand, you have what looks like a traditional linear document, except that paragraphs are actually blocks that can be almost anything, from images to tables with sliders and controls. Literally flip the switch and you’re taken to an infinite whiteboard where you can arrange these elements in a more visual way.

AFFiNE is one of the very few open source apps in this space, and some might see its fast-paced development and changes as a sign of instability and unreliability. That said, its free tier is quite generous and its lowest paid tier is also affordable, though you will have to for a different subscription to have access to much-hyped AI features.

What We Like

• Generous free tier.
• Seamlessly blends linear documents and visual blocks.
• Open source software with self-hosting options coming soon.

What We Don’t Like

• Still new and undergoing many changes.
• AI features is a separate subscription.

Miro

Generating and organizing your own thoughts is one thing, but working with others can be quite a different beast. Different designers might have different requirements when it comes to their tools, and keeping everyone on the same page can sometimes feel like herding cats. Miro is built specifically to address the needs of collaboration, but rather than using a boring document or spreadsheet, it offers a lot of flexibility in how you express ideas and tasks.

Designer:

Miro makes working in teams not only more efficient but also a bit more fun. Visualization tools can speak louder than words, especially when they’re interactive and pleasing to look at. It also supports a wide variety of templates so you don’t always have to start a mind map or kanban board from scratch, further reducing time and friction.

This is one of the more mature products on this list and, unfortunately, it is also one of the more complicated and expensive ones. Targeted at creative professionals who mostly work with others, Miro has more disadvantages than advantages for the solo designer. It does have AI features to help condense the complexity, but, again, the pricing could be a little too much for individuals.

What We Like

• Plenty of tools for brainstorming, planning, and documentation.
• Expansive library of templates for different use cases.
• Mature and stable platform with large industry backing.

What We Don’t Like

• More oriented towards visual collaboration than individual ideation.
• Expensive pricing plans

Walling

If you’re looking for a more organized visual representation of your content without becoming a full-blown structured document, then Walling might suit your needs and aesthetic tastes. Using the metaphor of blocks, which it calls “bricks” here, you basically create walls of different types of bricks that include images, videos, text, tables, calendars, and more. And, of course, it also has AI to help you generate ideas and organize them.

Designer:

Unlike a more free-form infinite canvas, these bricks follow a grid-like pattern that makes them look more like neatly laid-out magazines than messy whiteboards. Indeed, Walling actually lets you publish your wall or even just a section of it, practically turning it into a webpage. It’s almost like a website builder, but with a lot more freedom in how you want to lay out your cards.

Although Walling has been around for half a decade now, it has only been recently making waves with its simpler and more straightforward interface compared to bloated visual note-taking apps. In that course of time, it has also adjusted its free tier to be a bit more useful, while its paid offerings are also priced competitively.

What We Like

• Clean user interface and magazine-like document layout
• Publishing walls or sections is a simple click.

What We Don’t Like

• No free-form canvas option.
• Heavy focus on AI features.

Honorable Mentions (or Why Your Favorite App Didn’t Make The Cut)

This list is almost literally just the tip of the iceberg. The so-called PKM space is overflowing with apps with a wide range of designs, capabilities, and target audiences. These might not even be the most popular in the market, but power and popularity don’t always translate to satisfying user experiences.

There are definitely more options available, though not all of them might appeal to designers, artists, and creatives. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention them, however, because people have different needs and tastes as well. If the previous five didn’t meet your requirements, the following apps could be more to your liking instead.

Notion and xTiles: Superpowered Databases

Databases and spreadsheets were traditionally seen as the purview of executives and IT, but the likes of Notion and xTiles have made them trendy among the productivity-loving crowd as well. In a nutshell, these platforms offer the ability to display the same piece of data in different ways, turning a line in a spreadsheet into a to-do list or a list of links into a grid of images.

Both these apps work on the level of “blocks,” which can almost be anything. Like Walling, they only allow a limited way of arranging these blocks, often in grids or columns. They are extremely powerful, appealing not just to advanced users but also to more creative people who want to bring their analog Bullet Journals to the digital world. All that power and flexibility, however, translates to complexity and, in many ways, visual chaos. It takes a lot of work to actually make good-looking pages, and you might find yourself losing time to that instead of actually doing creative work.

Obsidian and Logseq: Privacy-First, Visuals Second

When people think of note-taking with computers and mobile devices, they most likely think of typed notes first. In this area, Obsidian and its open source rival Logseq are at the top of the food chain, offering the simplicity of text-based documents but with add-ons that go beyond just words. Both, for example, feature whiteboards and canvases where you can arrange and link your notes visually, mixing in some images and files as well.

These apps value the privacy and longevity of the notes above all, which is why they adopted plain text as their primary document format and stored files locally on the device, with options to sync to the cloud at additional cost. These apps have a large treasury of plugins that add dashboards, spreadsheets, interactive elements, and whatnot to the experience, but at the end of the day, they’re still text-based, and that might be a bit limiting to visual note-takers.

MyMind and Google Keep: Pining for Pinterest

Pinterest is quite a popular resource for designers and artists, making its staggered grid (a.k.a. masonry) layout a favorite among those creating mood boards. It’s a simple design that adds visual interest without going overboard, and it’s the kind of layout that some note-taking apps are trying to adopt as well. It removes unnecessary features and distracting designs so you can simply focus on collecting references, jotting down inspiration, and scrolling through your gallery.

MyMind is a particular example of this design. With its simple and clean interface, it feels almost like Milanote but confined to this dynamic grid layout. It doesn’t come cheap, though, and has no free tier, but Google Keep comes close as a poor man’s moodboard option. That said, it really eschews the freedom of expression in exchange for a tidier space, something that could feel a bit suffocating for some users.

The post Top 5 Beautiful Note-taking Apps to Spark Creativity and Enhance Productivity first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are cameras for the masses, and then cameras for photographers. There are cars for commutes, and cars for automotive enthusiasts. Similarly, there’s EDC (Everyday Carry) meant for the general populace, and then there’s EDC designed specifically for people who need the right tool at the right time in the face of adversity. Every first responder will tell you that a faulty tool (or even the wrong tool) can sometimes be the difference between success and failure, life and death… which is why the EDC meant for these situations needs to be engineered to absolute perfection. Ask first responders what their favorite EDC is and the most common name will be the Skeletool RX from Leatherman.

Measuring about four inches long and tipping the scales at a mere five ounces, the Skeletool RX is a lesson in efficiency. Its stripped-down design—complete with a carabiner clip and integrated bottle opener—might initially give the impression of being too minimal. But spend a week with it, and you’ll likely change your tune. This tool is crafted for those who value simplicity and performance over frills, and it delivers that effortlessly. No unnecessary tools, no distracting details, nothing extraneous – just sheer productivity in a compact, rapid-deploy package.

Designer: Leatherman

Click Here to Buy Now

The Skeletool comes in a few variants, the RX being one of them. Others are the standard Skeletool, designed for versatile everyday tasks; the CX, which features upgraded materials like DLC-coated stainless steel and a 154CM blade for added durability; and the Skeletool KB, a streamlined option that focuses on knife functionality with a built-in bottle opener. The RX, however, is purpose-built for emergency responders, with features tailored to critical, high-pressure situations. It includes a serrated 154CM blade with a hooked design for cutting through tough materials like seat belts or fabric with ease, as well as a carbide glass breaker for fast access in rescue scenarios. Couple this with the ’emergency’ red colorway and you’ve got yourself the perfect life-saving instrument for those who need split-second reliability.

The blade is a little different from the kind you’d find on other EDC knives. Made from 420HC stainless steel, it’s sharp, durable, and incredibly easy to deploy one-handed. Its unique edge helps with all kinds of cutting techniques, letting you effectively slice through everything from parcels to wood, paracord, and even seatbelts. The knife is big enough to handle slicing, cutting, and general utility tasks but compact enough to avoid being cumbersome. Its placement on the tool ensures it’s always at the ready, giving you a reliable edge in situations where you’d otherwise be scrambling for a dedicated blade.

The pliers, another essential feature, are no slouch either. Designed with needle-nose precision and a sturdy grip, they tackle both delicate and heavy-duty tasks with ease. Whether it’s tightening bolts or gripping small wires, the pliers hold up under pressure—literally. The inclusion of hard-wire cutters and regular wire cutters further adds to their versatility, ensuring that even small tasks around the house or campsite are covered.

On the end of one of its handles is the RX’s its bit driver system. It comes with two double-sided bits stored snugly in the handle, offering four functions right out of the box. Got a loose screw or something that needs repairing? The driver system comes in handy, but one of the bits holds a surprising function – armed with a carbide tip, this bit turns the RX into a glass-breaker that can easily shatter through even reinforced or toughened glass panels, making it perfect for emergency exits or evacuations. Leatherman’s upgrade packs and adapters also let you expand its capabilities like adding 1/4-inch bits or other add-ons.

All its features included, the Skeletool RX still fits comfortably in your grip. Its ergonomic design, coupled with carbon fiber handle accents, ensures a comfortable grip no matter the task. The balance between size and weight feels deliberate, allowing for maximum control without any awkward bulk. Even the mechanism for opening and closing tools has a tactile quality that’s oddly addictive—you’ll catch yourself flicking it open and closed just for the sheer fidgety satisfaction of that smooth motion. Finally, a carabiner clip on the handle lets you easily string it to your backpack or belt loop for secure carrying… and a deep pocket clip lets you slide the Skeletool RX into pockets and pouches for quick-access.

However, the Skeletool isn’t for everyone. Its focus on minimalism means it doesn’t pack as many tools as some of its bulkier competitors. If you’re someone who demands a full arsenal of gadgets in a multi-tool, this might feel limiting. That said, its design philosophy leans heavily on portability and daily practicality, so it never feels like it’s trying to be something it’s not. You can always enhance its functionality with additional bits, but even without them, it covers most of the essentials, making it perfect for its intended target audience of first responders and EDC enthusiasts who just need pure functionality in a small yet sturdy package.

Click Here to Buy Now

The post The Ultimate Emergency Multitool: Why First-Responders Love the Leatherman Skeletool RX first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Colab and Jupyter Notebook are powerful tools for coding and data analysis, each offering unique features and benefits. Compare them to choose the best fit for your needs.

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In the thrilling world of everyday carry (EDC), the right pocket knife is like a trusty sidekick, ready to assist in everything from adventurous outdoor escapades to meticulous handicraft projects. There’s no shortage of options out there, from rugged and intimidating army knives to palm-sized pocket knives that can barely cut through paper cleanly. Choosing the best knife for all purposes is definitely a tough one to make, but fortunately, there’s a promising candidate right around the corner.

Enter the OKNIFE XEN-OAL, a folding knife that effortlessly combines ultra-lightweight design with uncompromising durability. Using a revolutionary super aluminum alloy, the OKNIFE exudes not just power but also confidence and style. This knife is more than just a tool; it’s an essential companion for those who crave adventure and creativity in their daily lives.

Designer: Ken Onion

Click Here to Buy Now: $130 $189 (31% off). Hurry, only 194/500 left! Raised over $132,000.

Designed by the legendary Ken Onion, an internationally recognized name in knife design, celebrated for his innovative approach and eye for detail, the OKNIFE XEN-OAL boasts a pedigree that speaks volumes. Drawing inspiration from the highly acclaimed Olight Arkfeld EDC flashlight, Onion has crafted a knife that breaks the mold. Gone are the traditional curves of typical pocket knives; instead, the OKNIFE XEN-OAL features bold architectural lines and distinctive angular geometry, making it a true masterpiece in form and function.

At the core of the OKNIFE XEN-OAL’s impressive design is its OAL Super Aluminum Alloy handle. This isn’t just any aluminum — it’s Olight’s proprietary blend, as light as standard aluminum but with a hardness that is 1.77 times greater than 6061 aluminum. After meticulous oxidation treatment, the handle’s surface achieves remarkable wear and scratch resistance, with a surface hardness not unlike alloy steel. This ensures that the knife maintains a pristine appearance, even after countless adventures. Moreover, its elasticity rivals that of TC4 titanium alloy, adding a touch of resilience to its sleek profile.

Weighing in at a feather-light 73g (2.57 oz), the OKNIFE XEN-OAL is the lightest 3-inch blade folding knife you’ll find. Its compact size and ultra-lightweight design make it an indispensable tool for those on the go, significantly reducing user fatigue. Imagine hiking up a mountain or crafting a masterpiece without feeling weighed down. This knife is designed to be your constant companion, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

The blade of the OKNIFE XEN-OAL is crafted from CPM-S45VN steel, a marvel of modern metallurgy. This high-performance steel offers a trifecta of superior hardness, exceptional edge retention, and excellent corrosion resistance. Whether you’re slicing through rope on a camping trip or carving intricate designs in wood, this blade remains sharp and reliable, ensuring you can tackle any task with confidence and precision.

The innovation doesn’t stop there. The OKNIFE XEN-OAL incorporates a frame-lock mechanism on its aluminum alloy handle, taking full advantage of the excellent toughness and elasticity of OAL super aluminum. This ensures the knife remains securely locked during use, providing stability and peace of mind. No matter the task, you can trust that this knife will stay securely in place, ready to perform.

Adding to its allure, the OKNIFE XEN-OAL features a handle with an exquisite CNC-machined 3D triangular pyramid array pattern. This design not only enhances the knife’s aesthetic appeal but also provides superior traction in all conditions. The non-slip design ensures the knife stays securely in hand, even when tackling the most demanding tasks. Additionally, jimpings on both the handle and blade spine offer rock-solid control, allowing you to wield the knife with precision and confidence.

For outdoor enthusiasts and craft aficionados alike, the OKNIFE XEN-OAL is more than just a tool; it’s an experience. Its combination of innovative design, superior materials, and practical features makes it a must-have for anyone seeking a reliable, stylish, and high-performance pocket knife. Whether you’re navigating rugged trails, crafting intricate designs, or simply enjoying the great outdoors, the OKNIFE XEN-OAL is your trusty sidekick, ready to conquer any challenge with flair and finesse. So, gear up and let the adventure begin!

Click Here to Buy Now: $130 $189 (31% off). Hurry, only 194/500 left! Raised over $132,000.

The post Discover the Ultimate EDC Folding Knife: Ultra-Lightweight Frame Lock Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

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There’s no rule that says everyday tools need to be mundane and boring. With the trend in everyday carries and kits, people are discovering how ordinary objects can become more interesting or even more functional by changing their designs. Sometimes that means giving the object a fresh new look, one far removed from the original design and yet even more familiar to people. A flashlight, for example, doesn’t have to just be a cylindrical or rectangular stick you point with, and this concept design runs with that freedom to envision alternative forms, giving it the shape and interface of one of the most familiar products of this age: our smartphones.

Designer: Sihyun Choi

There is, of course, a good reason why conventional flashlights are shaped as long fat cylinders. They’re easy to grab and wrap your hands around, and their length allows you to possibly insert it in narrow spaces. There might also be some traces of their original inspiration, the equally cylindrical candlesticks. It might be an ergonomic design, but ergonomics can change over time as well.

Today, for example, many people are just as adept at grasping their smartphones in their hands, which is the inspiration behind the WHITT concept. In a nutshell, it takes the basic form of a smartphone but puts the internals of a flashlight instead. It’s not a completely faithful recreation of a smartphone, of course, considering it tapers to one side a bit. It actually looks more like a lopsided flask or even a handheld laser projector in this case.

WHITT is also operated like a smartphone, at least when it comes to turning it on and off. The button is at the side, like where you would find a phone’s own power button, which is something we probably unconsciously push dozens or even hundreds of times a day. The similarities end there, however, as the flashlight isn’t even powered by rechargeable batteries. It uses two AA batteries that can be easily swapped out, unlike the fixed batteries inside smartphones.

As interesting as the design might be, it still leaves the question of ergonomics hanging. Opposite the tapered side is a curved edge with a ribbed surface that should improve the flashlight’s grip. Even then, a cylindrical flashlight is probably still easier to grip firmly, which is an important aspect of the tool’s utility.

The post Flashlight design concept reframes an ordinary tool as a familiar smartphone first appeared on Yanko Design.

Named after the world’s most fearless animal, the Honey Badger, the A2 Badger from Tekto has quite a reputation to live up to… and let’s be honest, it does. It’s tiny yet ridiculously capable, with a 1.85-inch OTF blade on the front that deploys as soon as you hit the switch on the handle, and a glass-breaker on the end that makes the A2 Badger a formidable EDC literally from head to toe!

OTF knives are a little different from your standard folding blades; they’re spring-loaded switchblades that shoot straight out from the front of the handle. It’s a thrill to watch and even better when you realize just how functional that quick deployment can be. Whether you’re a tactical aficionado or just someone who appreciates a well-designed knife, the A2 Badger could be your new favorite.

Designer: Tekto

Click Here to Buy Now: $118.99 $139.99 (15% off, use coupon code “A2YANKO”). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours! Also, get free FedEx 2 day shipping.

At first glance, you wouldn’t expect much from a knife that measures just 5.26 inches when open. But don’t let the size fool you. The A2 Badger packs a 1.85-inch tanto-style blade made from titanium-coated D2 steel. This isn’t your average pocket knife. The tanto blade’s angular tip is engineered for strength, perfect for piercing tasks or cutting through tough materials. And because it’s coated in titanium, the blade offers added durability and resistance to wear and tear. It’s the kind of material you want on your side when you’re deep into an outdoor adventure or facing a split-second emergency.

The A2 Badger doesn’t just stop at being sharp; it’s thoughtful in its design, too. The oversized lanyard hole is a small detail, but one that makes a big difference. You can easily thread larger cords or paracords through it, making the knife more accessible when you’re in challenging environments. Speaking of environments, the 6061 aluminum handle is lightweight yet durable, designed to withstand the kind of rugged conditions that would send a lesser knife packing. Plus, there’s a button lock mechanism in place that ensures the blade stays secure, whether you’re opening or closing it, so you can count on the knife when it matters most.

But what makes the A2 Badger stand out isn’t just its functionality—it’s how easily it fits into your life. At a featherlight 2.18 ounces and just 3.3 inches small when closed, this is Tekto’s smallest OTF knife (even tinier than their A5 Spry Mini). Yet, its size is deceptive; this little tool is nimble, quick to deploy, and engineered for ambidextrous use. A pocket clip can be attached on either side of the handle, making it perfect for left or right-handed users. Plus, at the end of the handle is a glass-breaker tip that can be used to shatter through even laminated and reinforced glass panels – perfect for an emergency escape (especially when paired with the D2 blade for cutting through seatbelts). It’s an ideal everyday carry tool, whether you’re heading into the great outdoors, running errands around town, or even protecting yourself in an emergency.

For those who like options, Tekto delivers. The A2 Badger comes in three grip colors—Black, Desert, and OD Green—so you can match it with your style or other gear. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman, a first responder, or just someone who values great design, the A2 Badger proves that sometimes, the best things really do come in small packages.

Click Here to Buy Now: $118.99 $139.99 (15% off, use coupon code “A2YANKO”). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours! Also, get free FedEx 2 day shipping.

The post The Ultimate Tactical EDC Upgrade: Tekto’s A2 Badger OTF Knife Packs a Punch first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Imagine a toolbox that fits in your palm. Not a metaphor, but an actual toolbox of sorts. The Titanium Multifunctional Magnetic Screwdriver or the TI-MMS for short, is a marvel of compact multitool design that packs a surprising punch. Small enough to disappear in your pocket but packed with enough features to handle a range of everyday situations, it’s like a Swiss Army knife that’s been reimagined for the modern tinkerer. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium, this EDC is light, corrosion-proof, and tough enough to survive whatever you can throw at it—whether that’s a quick fix at home, an emergency situation, or a tactical escape.

Designer: Comandi

Click Here to Buy Now: $69 $99 (30% off). Hurry, only 174/200 left!

About the size of a car keyfob, the TI-MMS packs as many as 7 different tools within its palm-sized design, starting with a multi-bit screwdriver. Inside its compact frame, you’ll find a set of 4 hex bits neatly stored with magnets. No more digging through a drawer or toolbox for the right bit—when you need a driver, the TI-MMS lets you mount those bits on top for a standard screwdriver experience. However, if you want to upgrade your drive, mount the bits on the side, within the TI-MMS’ ratchet mechanism that lets you apply some serious torque without feeling like you’re wrestling a stubborn screw. This side-mount option offers a more comfortable grip, especially for those longer jobs where your wrist usually starts protesting.

Beyond its screwdriver duties, the TI-MMS also handles everyday tasks like a breeze. Tucked into its sleek body is a multi-functional pry bar, perfect for prying open stuck lids or pulling out nails. Cutouts in the multitool’s side serve as a hex wrench, with slots that fit 4mm and 6mm nuts, making it handy for tightening bolts when a full toolbox isn’t an option. And for those moments when you need to slice through something—be it tape, a package, or whatever else life throws at you—there’s a foldable scalpel blade that takes replaceable 11# surgical blades. The best part? It’s TSA-compliant. Just pop the blade out before flying, and the tool remains travel-friendly.

While the scalpel blade is designed to also serve as a self-defense tool, the TI-MMS’ integrated window-breaker is perfect for tactical and emergency exits – a feature you hope you never need but are glad to have just in case. A ceramic bead is perched at the top of the tool, ready to smash through glass in an emergency. You never know when you might need to make a quick escape, and this little feature makes sure you’re covered, whether you’re dealing with an actual emergency or just one of those days when you accidentally lock yourself in (or even outside) the car.

In true multifunctional spirit, the TI-MMS also throws in a blunt saw edge (conveniently placed on the pry bar) for more stubborn cutting like thick branches. And for the night owls or outdoor adventurers, there’s an option to install tritium vials in six pre-cut slots, giving the tool a glow-in-the-dark effect that makes it easy to find in your bag or tent, even when the lights are long gone.

Grade-5 titanium was an inspired choice for this tool. Known for its durability and resistance to corrosion, the TI-MMS is built to last while staying remarkably light. At just 80 grams, it’s easy to carry around in your pocket or attached to a keychain, without feeling like it’s weighing you down. Details like brass gaskets and a well-designed integrated lock for your blades just add a chef’s kiss to the overall build. Although the folks at Comandi don’t explicitly say so, the multitool should last you decades without showing any signs of giving up. That’s where the replaceable scalpel blade comes in handy too, allowing you to switch old blades out for new ones so you spend less time sharpening your multitool’s blade and more time actually using it.

And while the TI-MMS covers almost everything you could need in a tool, there is one thing I personally miss: a bottle opener! After a long day of fixing, prying, and cutting, wouldn’t it be nice to crack open a cold one? The TI-MMS ships globally, starting at a discounted price of $69. This includes the compact 7-in-1 multitool itself, along with a detachable scalpel blade, and free worldwide shipping.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69 $99 (30% off). Hurry, only 174/200 left!

The post 7-in-1 Titanium EDC Multitool combines both Tactical Gear and a Toolshed into the Ultimate Portable Form first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re the type of person that likes to do handy projects every once in a while and outside your home or workstation, then a portable work table is probably a necessity. Not all tables or surfaces can be sturdy enough to do some sawing, hammering, or other tool-related activities. Not all work tables though are easy to assemble or to carry around or those that are portable may not be that strong to handle all the activities you need to do.

Designer: Worx

Tool brand Worx has come up with the Sidekick Work Bench, a “handy, compact, portable worktable”. When not assembled, it’s a weird-looking, toolbox-like contraption that a handyman carries around but once unfolded, it’s actually a 2-foot-square table. The collapsible design but easy to assemble tool gives the user maximum portability and versatility as well.

The table has metal legs that can withstand soft ground but also not slip on hard or smooth surfaces. The worksurface has different sections that can be used for whatever project it is that you’re working on, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. At the corners, you’ll see things that look like the infinity symbol but are connectors that you can use to connect to other Sidekicks in case you need a bigger work area or to other Worx products that can be connected.

Reviews say that this seemingly DIY-looking contraption is actually very stable and sturdy, perfect for whatever project you’re working on that needs a work table. The fact that it’s also pretty easy to set up adds to the good feedback from users.

The post Worx’ portable work table is sturdy enough for your handy projects first appeared on Yanko Design.