It’s undeniable that Kickstarter has changed how products transform from idea to item. It’s democratized the process: no longer does one need a mountain of savings or an audition on Shark Tank to begin to make a product that might be the start of the next “it” brand. To date, the platform has helped produce everything from kayaks that fold up, origami-style, to what may be the most popular camera bag ever. And then there’s this tiny pocket knife, made by WESN Goods.
WESN’s Microblade debuted on Kickstarter last October and met its $12,000 goal in less than 60 minutes. WESN won the hearts of its backers by making its knife as small as possible without sacrificing utility. It’s 2.25 inches when closed — about the same size as a standard house key — and 3.75 inches when open. The Microblade’s titanium body is exceptionally lightweight and durable, and its Vanadium-infused stainless steel blade is harder and more rust-resistant than ordinary steel. A pocket clip and a lanyard hole make it extraordinarily carriable too.
Kickstarter users agreed; over the course of its campaign, the Microblade earned a cool $218,306 — not bad for something so small. Now, nearly a year later, WESN’s first product is available on Amazon for $50. The Microblade hasn’t changed at all either — it still packs all the functionality of a full-sized pocket knife into a package that’ll go unnoticed in your pocket or on your keychain.
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