The Elko Pocket Knife

The James Brand Elko — A Sharper-Looking Desk Companion Than a Box Cutter

The gist: A well-machined keychain knife that replaces the junk-drawer box cutter for opening shipments and packages at a home office, without looking out of place clipped to your keys during a commute.

• Sandvik 12C27 steel blade: Corrosion-resistant and edge-retentive, so it stays sharp through routine package-opening and desk tasks without frequent resharpening.
• Built-in screwdriver/pry bar: The backspacer doubles as a flat screwdriver and pry tool — handy for assembling desk gear or opening blister packaging.
• Genuinely pocket-sized: 2.60" closed, 4.33" open — small enough to live on a keyring or in a laptop bag without adding noticeable bulk.
• Durable build: 416 stainless hardware with phosphor bronze washers for a slip-joint action built to hold up to years of daily use.

The Gadgeteer's review praised the build quality directly: "it's well made, should last for decades, doubles as a screwdriver or prybar," with no significant downsides noted beyond the premium price versus budget alternatives.

Best for: Remote workers and commuters who want one reliable, professional-looking tool for packages, cables, and small desk-setup tasks. Skip it if: you're looking for a heavy-duty utility knife — this is a light-duty EDC tool, not a workshop blade. Runs about $65 — check the current price before buying.