If there’s ever a match that I think is absolutely made in heaven, it’s the match of titanium and EDC. The metal lends itself so naturally to tiny, portable, durable tools that almost every EDC tool I see nowadays is either made from titanium, or can be radically improved if it were. Take stationery for example – sure, wooden scales are nice, plastic scales are affordable, stainless steel scales are elite – but the RU01 trumps them all with its titanium construction and its ability to double as a set of vernier calipers.
The MecArmy RU01 is a tiny EDC ruler that’s small enough to fit on your keychain or be an active part of your EDC collection. It’s tiny, measuring less than 4 inches in length, weighing only 1.4 ounces or 39 grams, but its small size is precisely what makes it so noteworthy. Machined from titanium, this portable ruler features a 2-part design that allows it to easily and seamlessly work like a pair of calipers, measuring things with an accuracy of 0.2mm.
Designer: MecArmy
Perhaps the most portable form of a caliper set you could own, the RU01 is simple and sophisticated. A moving jaw lets you place objects in between the calipers, measuring objects up to 5cm or 2 inches long. Etching on the scale lets you measure in both metric and imperial units, and when you’re not measuring objects under 2 inches (wink-wink), the caliper’s movement makes for a great fidget toy. Obviously, when you’re not measuring objects, the straight edge of the RU01 can be used for drawing/cutting straight lines too.
The RU01 is just good design and seamless execution. The machined titanium construction means phenomenally low tolerances that make the vernier calipers accurate as well as fairly durable. There’s no wobble, no scope for error, and no chance of anything breaking apart because it’s all built so immaculately. A spring-lock helps hold the jaw shut when not in use, so it doesn’t slide open accidentally. All the details, however, are hidden from sight, making the RU01 really feel like a work of art.
The caliper’s front jaw isn’t too sharp, but it also works for opening letters or boxes. I wouldn’t try prying open anything tougher with it, but an integrated bottle-opener would’ve been nice. The RU01 does, however, have a slot on the back for stringing a key ring or a carabiner, so you can carry the gizmo around with you as a part of your EDC collection.
At $79.99, the MecArmy RU01 isn’t cheap for a one-trick EDC. I do wish it had at least a hex driver or bottle opener to really seal the deal, but as far as build goes, there’s really nothing to complain about. It’s reliable, robust, and ready to serve whenever you need it. Normally, calipers are considered fragile tools (because of how sensitive they’re made to be), but the RU01 is far from fragile – in fact, you could easily pass it down to your grandkids. That’s if we all live long enough.
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