The Flounder 3.0

XEdge says the Flounder 3.0 grew out of feedback from its Kickstarter community and the success of version 2, followed by six months of refinement and testing. The guiding idea, according to the maker, is maximum function in minimum size: the new tool is 20% smaller than its predecessor and measures just 2 inches (about 5 cm) long, shorter than most keys.

A safer edge

The headline change is a titanium safety edge, developed from version 2's two-piece design. XEdge describes it as "semi-sharp": able to slice tape, paper and plastic, yet, the maker claims, harmless against skin even if you deliberately rub a finger along it. The stated goal is to handle around 80% of everyday cutting tasks without the risks of a conventional blade.

What's on board

• Magnetic chamber holding a mini "forever" pen that the maker says writes on leather, wood, walls and even underwater, with a replaceable refill
• Magnetic screwdriver bits in two sizes, listed as 1/4 inch and 1/6 inch (also described as 4mm and 6mm), plus two 4mm magnetic bit storage slots
• Rope cutter for cord, tangled cables and zip ties
• Bottle opener
• Pry bar and nail puller, both in hardened steel
• Ceramic sharpening groove for restoring blade edges
• Saw edge for small branches, PVC pipe or notching wood
• Fire-starting striker, which requires a ferro rod; a compact ferro rod carry solution is offered
• Three tritium slots, fitted with either tritium vials or glow tubes

For low-light visibility, XEdge particularly recommends the tritium vials over glow tubes, citing their long life and the fact that they need no charging.

Build and carry

The body is CNC-machined from GR5 titanium alloy, which the maker credits for light weight, durability and corrosion resistance in harsh outdoor conditions. A keychain hole lets it ride on a keyring or hang as a pendant, and its symmetrical shape is finished to look the same on both sides, so it can double as an accessory as much as a tool.