I have been carrying around keys since I was about seven years old. I still remember getting that first one (front door to our apartment) and how adulty it made me feel. To be entrusted with such responsibliity surely meant that I was now a man and many more keys would be in my near future, including the much coveted ignition key to a 1971 Chevy Nova (silver with black stripes, big back tires and an 8-track stereo). Well, as time went on, more keys were in my future, but sadly, never one to that Nova. First came the door key, then one for the the mailbox and my bike lock, and eventually one for a car and one for work who knows what else. Over the years I have have carried several dozens of keys with one constant – they have all lived on some sort of ring. And from that ring they have poked holes in my pockets, scratched furniture and made a lot of noise. You would think in the centuries* since the advent of the metal key that we would have come up with something more elegant than the split ring. Enter the Keyport Slide.
The Keyport slide is a nifty little gadget that holds six keys in one sleek package. To access each key, you push a color coded button and slide it forward. Simple. Elegant. Genius. Say you don’t have six keys? Well, they also make accessories to fit the empty slots such as flash lights, flash drives, bottle openers and barcode holders.
Because the Keyport Slide uses special key blanks, getting your keys made takes a little effort. The way it works is this: You print out the Key Photo ID Form, fill it out, place your keys on it and take a picture, Flip the keys over and repeat (while Keyport recommends covering the teeth of each key with tape beforehand, I found it easier to block it out in the computer). Then you send the form in and wait for your blanks to arrive. Once they do, just take them to a lock smith or other trustworthy key cutter and have your keys made. Since mine arrived on a Saturday and I was too anxious to wait until Monday for the locksmith to open, I took them to a good hardware store (ie. not a home center) and they had no problem cutting them. Once they are cut, you snap in the colored buttons, slide the keys into the Keyport and snap it shut. Now go unlock something!
I have to say that I love this thing. It is compact, light weight (lighter than conventional keys and ring) and just looks cool. It also earns big points for not bashing around in the wind when I’m riding my motorcycle. If you or someone you know rides, this will likely be an attractive feature.
The Good
- Light
- Compact
- No pocket piercing or jingling
- Great for motorcycles
- Looks cool
The Bad
- Minor hassle to get the key blanks
- A little pricey
Would I recommend: Yes, very much so.
The Keyport Slide – $40 plus key blanks @ $5 each, $25 each for chipped auto keys
Note: Keyport is taking preorders for a new, less expensive version.
* The More You Know: Back in the 6th century BC, Theodorus of Samos, when not busy inventing the level, ruler, square and bronze casting, also invented the key.
Images via: mykeyport.com