Behind the Design: The MSTR LINX EDC Keychain System

It happens to the best of us: one minute you’re getting outside the car or house, the next you find yourself locked out with no option other than to break back in. While there isn’t a surefire solution to your ailing memory, you can at least start the habit of keeping your keys in places where you won’t forget them. Or better yet—keep them on your person at all times. Enter MSTR LINX.

Bad jokes aside, it’s the way the MSTR LINX keyrings are connected that makes them unique. A small gap in each of the rings allows a user to connect or separate a chain—which makes them virtually impossible for gravity to separate the chains accidentally. But unless they’ve gone through some form of extensive pocket spelunking tests, you’ll have to see it to believe it.

The MSTR LINX system is composed of small MINI LINX, medium-sized MEDIUM LINX, and a CARBINER, which holds all the LINX pieces together. They weigh a fraction of an ounce each and are given a stone tumble finish to provide them with that oh-so-shiny metal look.

Apart from holding keys, the CARBINER can also be used as a bottle opener to open beers—effectively replacing that one bottle opener you’ve been keeping on your existing keyring since college.

Although seemingly simple in design, the chains went through an exhaustive series of prototypes before arriving at their final design—beginning with plastic prototypes.

Once crucial design details were dialed in, the next round of prototypes were made from CNC machined titanium. However, the interlink was too wide and the bevels too deep.

The third round of prototypes were made with lighter bevels and a tightened interlock system—effectively making the rings more secure. If it looks a lot like the final product, that’s because it uses the same stone tumble finish. The width of the MINI LINX was also widened for aesthetic and functional reasons.

It may look like an ordinary keychain (because it most definitely is), but a lot of work went into making it look good and hold your keys without them falling off your person. The project has already exceeded its Kickstarter goal of $32,000 (it now stands at $73,015). You can find more details on this key-saving contraption there.

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