USB Swiss Army Knife - No, Seriously!

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/36148.html' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/36148.html</a><br /><br /></div>"It was bound to happen. Given that you can buy a Victorinox Swiss Army Knive with just about every gadget known to man, from horse-hoof awl to Hubble Space Telescope lens polisher, it's no real surprise that the company - in association with flash memory outfit Swissbit - is now offering cutting tools plus USB flash memory stick. The gadget will be unleashed on an incredulous world at CeBIT next week. The USB Swiss Army Knife is available with 64 or 128MB memory, plus all the usual extras - knife, corkscrew and tin-opener. The 64MB version will cost €55; the price of the 128MB version is tba."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/1392.jpg" /> <br /><br />Ok, this is simply cool. I normally carry around a 256 MB Flash drive with me, but more often than not I wish I had a small knife or pair or scissors on me. This way, I can have both! :mrgreen:

[Gary Sheynkman]

but if you use that as file storage you wont be able to carry it on a plane...

Beware of the C word...lol

[iand]

I have doubts as to the reality of this item. First, it doesn't really look as though the usb part could fit in the length of the outer shell. Second, it's a geek tool... and what computer-minded geek needs to carry a nail file around? To be truly useful, it would need the usb drive, wire cutters/strippers, and a philips head screwdriver sized for computer-case screws.

[Gary Sheynkman]

I dont....it will be announced at CeBit. You want to know the stall #?

[Crocuta]

I carry both a flash key and a mini Leatherman most of the time so this looked like a pretty cool idea, but Gary's right... not being able to carry it on a plane would be a problem. One of the things I use my flash key for is to carry backups of important documents when I travel. If I don't have it with me, then they can lose it.

Later, I got thinking that there are other times that I want these separate. For example, I sometimes loan my flash key to a student for an hour or so when they need to move a file and don't have anything to do it with. I wouldn't be happy handing over my knife. Also, I often leave the flash key in the USB port while working on something that I've carried with it. If I needed a knife or screwdriver at the same time, I don't think I'd like to have to shut down the application that's accessing it, and remove the drive. That eliminates the whole point of always having a small knife handy.

In the end, although I love the gadget-worthiness of it, I think I'm better off with separate devices.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

And as GF says, these things are meant to be used outside. Electronics and outside don't mix very well without proper protection.