Travel frequently around the world and you’ll start to notice certain associations, especially in regards to the things for which larger cities are known. Florence, Italy, for instance, is a haven for the arts and culture. Los Angeles, similarly, is the epicenter of the entertainment world. Portland, Oregon is known for being a bit weird. Pick a place like Pittsburgh, however, and you’ll find something immensely different. The Steel City isn’t correlated to a pop culture gimmick; it’s a place where rugged, salt-of-the-earth folks work their hands to the bone, doing tough manual labor to support their families. While other cities offer flights of whimsy, Pittsburgh is a place of no-nonsense function-over-fashion, and we find there’s something very charming about that. It is with this in mind that we put together this week’s black and yellow-inspired everyday carry pocket dump: a collection of straightforward gear that looks good not because it’s fashionable, but because — first and foremost — it functions well.
Maxx & Unicorn Pill Keyring
Featuring a solid brass construction with a black oxide finish, this sturdy keychain can fit literally dozens of keys onto it. And you never have to worry about them coming loose, thanks to its hexagonal screw-on closure. Better still, it’s made here in the USA from locally sourced materials.
Higonokami Friction Folder Brass Knife
Proof positive that you don’t need a bunch of bells and whistles to have a superb everyday carry knife, this Japanese folding blade boasts a simple solid brass handle mated to a beautiful reverse tanto blue paper steel blade. Just remember, it has no lock of which to speak, so be conscious of your cuts if you plan to carry it.
Bellroy Card Sleeve
Minimalist in its format without any of the pretensions typically associated with style-forward gear, Bellroy’s card sleeve is a superb front-pocket cash and card carrier. It’s built from environmentally-certified premium leather, can fit up to eight cards, and even features a handy quick-access pull tab to help you avoid frustrating fumbling.
Tactile Turn Brass Shaker Pen
Built from solid brass, Tactile Turn’s Shaker Pen boasts an impressive and quiet all-metal clicker mechanism. It also comes with a handy stainless steel pocket clip, fits all Parker-style refills, weighs just 1.7 ounces, and is built right here in the USA.
