Within reach: the new life of small, wearable EoC objects

It is called EoC (Everyday carry) and is a kind of subculture dedicated to everyday carry objects, from key rings to wallets to miniature picks. It is characterised by a maniacal attention to detail and a quest for the extraordinary. Although it does not always intersect with luxury goods, in the Wingback collectibles catalogue, the two worlds meet. "At the base, there is a common thought that people say, 'If I have to pull this item out of my pocket twenty times a day, then I want it to be the best it can be,'" says founder Alasdair MacLaine.

Wingback's collection of satin-finished titanium stationery and accessories was available briefly last autumn, but the official launch took place in March. The aerospace nature of titanium is much appreciated by manufacturers of EoC items and their line, further sandblasted with fused alumina, has a darker finish that is not immune to occasional scratches: a plus, it seems, for amateurs and collectors. "It will bear small marks from, for example, keys in your purse and develop a patina when the surface layer oxidises with the touch of your hands. I have always thought that the value of a product at the time of purchase is minimal. The marks it accumulates over time turn it into an object to be cherished,' MacLaine notes. The item I like best is the satin-finished titanium pen; strange, for someone like me who is unaccustomed to using one. MacLaine, a former Dyson product innovator with the Airwrap hair styler and the Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer tap to his credit, enthuses about the design peculiarities: a rough body with a wider diameter than a standard biros ('for less fatigue if you have to write for a long time'), a small additional weight ('to take your time to write') and a one-handed, retractable twist mechanism. "It is a simple product, but it allowed us to focus on every detail, even the most microscopic".

A counter-clockwise twist reveals the mechanism hidden inside and a Fisher Space Pen refill, which allows the pen to write at any angle, even upside down. The refill comes from the USA, but the pen is made almost entirely in Britain. A beautiful object, just begging to be held.

DETAILS Brushed Titanium Ballpoint Pen, Wingback, €260, wingback.co.uk.

MULTIUSO HI TECH A multifunctional tool is an essential element in an EoC kit, but if it contains a blade, there may be legal problems carrying it. The Companion Slim Alox, compact and two-layered, contains sharp elements, but is considered virtually blade-less by enthusiasts. Inside, the classic assortment: scissors, bottle opener, wire stripper and flat screwdriver: it is more of a tool for opening packages and cutting cardboard, tape and cable ties, with a tip that can also be used on Phillips screws. Alox scales make the handle non-slip, and setting the flat screwdriver halfway through the opening (ninety degrees) provides surprisingly strong turning power (€41, victorinox.com).