9 Tools That Do Things Differently: Clever New Gear for Your Pocket and Workshop

Introduction

Every so often, a batch of gear comes along that genuinely does things differently. This roundup collects nine tools built around new ideas and innovations for the pocket toolbox and the workshop: a vise that wraps around awkward shapes, a ruler that measures longer than itself, retractable-cable charging gear, a ceramic-bladed utility knife, precision ratchet drivers, a ratcheting multi-tool wrench, a pocketable flood-and-spotlight flashlight, and a bit holder so simple it barely needs explaining.

Memo Fractal Vice: A 1913 Design, Miniaturized

The original patent for the fractal vise dates back to 1913, designed for intimate contact and clamping of massive machinery. Memo has modified and miniaturized that design into a desktop version that securely holds smaller items of just about any shape, distributing pressure more evenly and with more control. Six independent movements let the clamping surfaces wrap around your workpiece, making the flat-sided jaws of a traditional vise look basic by comparison.

The jaws have a depth of 20 mm for a good grip on larger items, and if you need to apply real force, the vise itself can be clamped in a traditional vise to hold it steady. Usually, its own weight combined with a silicone rubber foot is enough to stop it sliding. Clamping force reaches just short of 2,000 psi if really needed. It is machined from solid metal; this version is anodized aluminium with hardened steel jaws and high-tensile cap head bolts, and there is also an entirely heavy-duty steel version that is tougher and considerably heavier. Two sizes of jaw opening are available. It suits hobbyists of every kind: 3D print makers, model engineers, jewelry designers, and anyone working at small scale who needs to file, paint, cut, drill, weld, or glue. Pricing starts at £164 and goes up to £310, with this model at £199. Availability is not easy: units were on pre-order following a very successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over 1.4 million.

Titano Mix 3.0: A Ruler That Measures Longer Than Itself

Recently funded on Kickstarter and now available to buy, the Mix 3.0 from Titano is a multi-featured ruler that feels well-made thanks to premium materials: titanium, brass, and phosphor bronze. It weighs 95 g (3.3 oz) and carries markings in both metric and imperial.

Its main trick is measuring items longer than the ruler itself. Each extension adds 4 in or 10 cm, with the final measurement read off a scale, and the sliding mechanism runs smoothly thanks to an internal self-lubricating brass structure. That same mechanism doubles as a measuring caliper, again in both metric and imperial, when slid fully open. There is also a small steel pen held magnetically in place, and the slide-in mechanism itself closes with magnets, giving it a satisfying fidget factor. The back features a basic slide rule function for simple addition and multiplication, which looks cool but is not that practical in real-world use, plus a paracord lanyard attachment point cleverly designed so the ruler can still be used flat without removing the lanyard. There is a lot to like here, but the $149 price tag may rule out all but the most committed users.

UGREEN Nexode 65W Retractable Wall Charger

UGREEN are market leaders in charging technology, and the Nexode retractable series brings two genuinely practical new items. The 65W wall charger delivers a maximum output of 65 watts shared across three ports: a USB-C socket, a USB-A socket, and the feature that gives the series its name, a built-in retractable USB-C cable that extends to 68 cm.

It is a neat solution that appeals to a minimalist mindset: no cable to remember, quick to set up and put away, tangle-free and clutter-free. That makes it ideal for travel and commuting, moving around the home, or use at work. UK, US, and EU plug options are available.

UGREEN Nexode 165W 20,000mAh Power Bank

For times when mains power is not available, the Nexode 165W power bank pairs a retractable USB-C cable with additional USB-C and USB-A ports. The 165 watts are shared between devices in use, and the power bank itself can be charged at up to 100 watts, reaching a full charge in just under 2 hours.

The 20,000mAh capacity is within airline limits for carry-on hand luggage, offering enough to charge something like a Samsung S24 phone three times over, or fully charge a MacBook Air with power to spare. Fifty percent charge is achieved in under 30 minutes. A smart display shows real-time power flow across all the ports along with remaining battery capacity, and as expected from UGREEN, build quality is excellent with multiple layers of safety protection across both devices. The Nexode retractable series is available now on Amazon and the UGREEN website, with discounts of up to 30% at the time of writing.

O-knife U1 Ultra: Ceramic Blade, Compact Body

The U1 Ultra is the latest utility knife from O-knife, an evolution of the U1 Pro. The Pro is still available and offers a compact but very usable form factor with a 4 mm bit driver. The Ultra sacrifices the bit driver in favor of an even more compact design, a trade-off that works well while still using the same standard-size utility knife blade. Compared with a traditional utility knife, the difference in size and accessible blade length is immediately clear.

New scale material options are aluminium and titanium. The aluminium version uses a super aluminium alloy with an ultra-hard thick oxide layer to minimize wear, with a stainless steel blade frame finished in black titanium plating, available in olive green and stealth gray. The titanium version uses a TC4 titanium alloy with a matte tactile finish and a brushed steel blade frame, weighing 15 g more than the aluminium version. The Ultra adds a push-button lock over the Pro’s rail lock, plus a flipper tab the Pro lacks, and both knives include a deep-carry pocket clip. Check your local knife laws with these points in mind if you plan to carry it in public.

The headline feature is what O-knife calls a groundbreaking ceramic blade, made from HV zirconia ceramic. It is non-conductive, useful if you cut through a live cable; non-corrosive; and razor sharp, with edge retention ten times that of stainless steel. A specialized brushed finish reduces friction for smoother cuts and minimizes dirt adhesion, a real help with sticky tape that can plague shiny blade surfaces. The downside: ceramic blades are more brittle than stainless steel and can chip, so it depends on your use case. Replacement blades cost $22 for a pack of 10, and swapping them requires loosening a screw with pliers or the included tool. The knife costs $55 in aluminium and $65 in titanium, a jump from the $35 Pro, which now looks like a bargain. The price difference mostly comes down to handle materials. Despite the jump, the Ultra has already earned its place as a package opener and box shredder of choice.

7-Eleven EDC Inline Ratchet Driver: Serious Torque in Hand

7-Eleven EDC is a respected Taiwanese maker known for great quality tool accessories, and these inline ratchet drivers are no exception. Both are quarter-inch ratchet drivers, differing only in color and socket: one is designed for quarter-inch sockets, the other for the Leatherman flat bit driver socket, though it also fits quarter-inch sockets.

They are really well engineered with a super precision feel and are pretty substantial, especially next to the original Leatherman ratchet driver. The 711L here is all about torque, and while the weak point under significant force may ultimately be the Leatherman’s own driver socket, the 711L is smoother and more robust with a higher tooth count, offering more precision and control. For regular use, it wins; for sporadic use, the cheaper, more compact original Leatherman driver still fits nicely in the pouch sleeve. Both versions offer forward, reverse, and lock, with a bit socket deep enough for double-ended bits and a useful quick bit release, helpful because the magnets are strong. A 14 mm hex profile on the body lets a wrench be applied if serious torque is needed, and a keyring adapter is included in the box. Both should be available on Amazon, though stock can be patchy since production volume is low, with restocks roughly every month or so.

Nextool W4: A Toolbox in Your Pocket, Almost

Nextool are known for affordable innovation, and the W4 multi-tool does not disappoint. Its main feature is an adjustable wrench with a clever ratchet system: slide the button to unlock, and the head pivots a few degrees in one direction of rotation, moving a locking pin out of the way so the jaws can be forced open a few millimeters and slip around a nut or bolt. Turn the wrench over to reverse the ratchet direction.

It is not just a wrench. The W4 is also a pair of spring-loaded needle-nose pliers with replaceable hardwire cutters, a screwdriver with a concealed double-ended bit and driver socket in the handle, a locking knife, a crosscut and diamond file, and a locking wood-cutting plastic saw. In short, it is a toolbox in your pocket, except at 315 g (11 oz) it is way too heavy for a pocket, making it better suited to a tool box or a car kit where combining features to minimize bulk really makes sense. Quality is fine for non-heavy-duty use, reflected in a very reasonable £50 or $60 price.

Nitecore EX7: Spot and Flood in One Compact Light

The EX7 from Nitecore is a powerful but pocketable flashlight with a unique feature that makes it special. The innovation is in the lens arrangement and LED array: four separate LED arrays, each with a reflector and each containing five emitters in a cross configuration, all developed by Nitecore through a subsidiary. By swapping between LEDs, you can change the light pattern: a broad, bright flood, a long-reach spotlight with a maximum 500-meter range, or a combination of both, all in a very compact light with a maximum output of 6,000 lumens, achieved with high efficiency for long battery duration.

Usually with a light this size you would have to choose between spot and flood: a single-emitter deep-dish reflector gives range but no flood, a TIR lens always involves compromise, and separate spot and flood outputs would require a much bulkier light to match the EX7. Achieving both in this form factor is impressive. Operation uses a single switch with a learning curve: press to turn on, then step through four light levels confirmed by LEDs around the switch. Press and hold to swap between spot, combined, and flood. A double press activates Lumen Shield (a bright flood) in flood mode, or Search (a long-range searchlight) in spot mode, both for short bursts only as the light heats up fast. There is also a random frequency strobe and a moonlight mode that runs 570 hours on a single charge at a quoted one lumen.

In practical terms, a very usable 180-lumen output runs 15 hours in any beam pattern, and 600 lumens is good for more than 5 hours. The battery is a standard, user-replaceable 5,500mAh 21700. Other notes: a fixed two-way steel pocket or belt clip, a magnetic base, a basic battery level indicator, a USB-C charging socket under a rubber flap, an IP68 rating for submersion in water, and electronic lockout, though simply unscrewing the tailcap half a turn also avoids parasitic drain. Features and practicality are excellent once you get your head around the rather unwieldy interface, and the expected price of around £90 or $90 seems right for a light of this type.

Hacksmith Silicone Bit Holder: The Simplest Idea Here

Finally, a quick and easy one from Hacksmith: a silicone bit holder for quarter-inch bits that you cut to size and stick onto your tool. You get 10 holders, each holding two bits, with 3M VHB (very high bond) tape already attached and ready to go. They cost £9 or $11. Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones.

Conclusion

These nine tools prove that everyday carry and workshop gear is still evolving in genuinely useful directions. The Memo Fractal Vice rethinks clamping at small scale, the Titano Mix 3.0 turns a ruler into a precision instrument, UGREEN’s retractable series removes cable clutter, the O-knife U1 Ultra brings ceramic edge retention to your pocket, 7-Eleven EDC’s ratchet drivers deliver serious torque, the Nextool W4 packs a toolbox into one body, the Nitecore EX7 combines spot and flood in a compact light, and the Hacksmith bit holders solve a small problem perfectly. Match the tool to the job and you will not go far wrong.