www.3ders.org

Nov 16, 2015 | By Benedict

Although the interests of children are forever changing, the Swiss Army Knife still represents a rite of passage for adventurous kids all across the globe. From Boy Scouts to budding designers, the multi-tool remains one of the most coveted pieces of kit for youths, and now there’s a 3D printed prototype of a similar, perhaps even more versatile tool.

Mutant Design, an Australian company specialising in miniature 3D printed products, has produced a visually impressive prototype for a utility knife and multi-tool, which the company has called the Twin Blade 360. The 3D printed utility knife boasts a surprisingly large number of functions, thanks to its dual blades and 360 degree locking mechanism.

As well as functioning as a sharp knife, the independently moving blades of the 3D printed Twin Blade 360 can purportedly be used as a hammer, pick, spear, grappling hook and axe. That’s quite the arsenal for a single, compact device. Don’t let the Boy Scout tradition surrounding penknives fool you: once it has been made with metal components, this versatile tool will be serious business. The Twin Blade 360 has been designed as the ultimate survival tool, able to perform a wide range of functions in potentially life-or-death situations.

The spring-loaded mechanism of the multi-tool enables its twin blades to be locked into position at any angle, which facilitates its use for a large number of purposes. Whilst many penknives will simply fold when pressure is applied to the reverse edge, the Twin Blade 360’s locking mechanism gives it a rigidity suitable for serious tasks. Its small number of moving parts makes it even more durable, so it can be depended upon in those critical situations in which adventurers often find themselves.

We’ve all seen scenes in movies and TV shows in which an adventurer fastens his trusty knife to the end of a stick to make a kind of spear or other elongated device. Many of us will respond to these moments in a similar fashion: How isn’t the knife falling off? The Twin Blade 360 answers these doubts, and is designed with temporary elongation in mind. A hollow skeleton handle allows for rope to be easily threaded through and securely tied, which means that the 3D printed tool can be used as a spear or scythe, for fishing or collecting high hanging fruit. Tom Hanks, eat your heart out.

The Twin Blade 360 folds away into a compact size, and can be easily attached to a belt or bag using a clip. Although the 3D printed tool is currently only a prototype, it shows all the signs of being an incredibly useful little product. The files for the Twin Blade 360 can be purchased for $6.99 at Mutant Design’s webshop.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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