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By Shari Spivack

Wegner HypeX Jewelry Pendants

Wegner

North Cornelius, NC --(Ammoland.com)- As I walked around the convention hall at SHOT Show 2012 in Las Vegas, with literally thousands of booths to peruse, I was looking for items that were attractive and practical but still fit in with my tactical approach to survival gear.

As knives are a favorite of mine, I stopped by the Wenger Swiss Army Knife booth to see what was new and I was immediately drawn to their new HypeX line of multi-functional jewelry.

HypeX jewelry pendants are designed to be functional and attractive tools for the outdoorsman (or woman) that have the clean, classic lines of the Wenger brand and the quality and durability that Swiss Army Knife stands behind. I had to find out more about these truly different and hip looking pieces and when they would be available!

The first run of these jewelry tools, or ‘toolry” as they call it, will be available online and in retail stores in a couple of months. I had the chance to speak with Adriana Ryan, innovator of the HypeX jewelry series and Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Axel Productions, LLC, official Licensee of Wenger Licensing SA.

Adriana has a long standing history with the Swiss Army Knife company having worked in the luggage department for many years, but as a busy mother as well as business woman, she was looking for a way to spend more time at home. Her job required a great deal of travel, but Adriana’s relationship with Swiss Army was solid and she strongly believed in her idea for a line of jewelry for the company. Her research showed that it was something that did not exist at present in the industry and it would bring a fresh look to Swiss Army’s new product line.

Adriana did her research and then presented her idea for a multifunctional jewelry line for the outdoorsman to the company CEO. He immediately saw the potential of this unique idea and gave her the go ahead to develop a product for the company. The other employees were a bit skeptical at first but as soon as the first prototypes began showing up they became some of her biggest fans.

One of the challenges of creating the pendants was to find the best materials to service both sides of the picture, the functionality and durability of the tool as well as an appealing look. Manufacturers used to making tools could not get the metal soft enough for the smooth lines the designer had envisioned and those on the jewelry end could not make the metals hard enough to withstand their purpose in the outdoor world. After several attempts, the attractive and high performance functional pendants were born.

Although there are endless ideas in the works for future tool pendants, the starter series of five includes:

• The Ridge: a hex wrench, pry, wire stripper and bottle opener
• The Whug: an emergency wooden whistle and precision tweezers
• The Whyss: a can/bottle opener, hex wrench, pry and wire stripper
• The Pietra: a knife sharpener/flint (firestarter)
• The Buss: Features a screwdriver

All pendants hang on a 21 inch silicone necklace with a stainless steel clasp. The tools have been field tested to Swiss Army knife standards and come with a three year warranty. The ebony wood and 316L stainless steel are hypoallergenic and hold their integrity against sweat. One of the pieces, the Pietra pendant has been regularly used on a popular survivalist reality show. Future models include tools to aid in such sports as cycling and shooting, with the possibility for a dedicated line for women, although the current pieces are truly unisex and beautiful in their current incarnations.

Wegner HypeX Jewelry Pendants

Adriana truly believes in the future of this hybrid jewelry line. As creator of fine Italian jewelry in a previous business, she understood both ends of this market, the need for a quality piece of jewelry as well as a quality Swiss tool for outdoor use. To date, the HypeX jewelry pieces, with prices ranging between $49 and $99 depending on the style, have been well received at Outdoor Shows in the last few months. The pendants make one of those perfect items purchased in duplicate, one to keep and one to give as gift. Visit: www.wengerna.com

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All-New Design by Ron Lake Features Patented Blade-Assist Technology, Patented Double-Lock System and Highest Quality Craftsmanship.

Coast HP21 LED Light

COAST Products

Portland, OR --(Ammoland.com)- It may be an over-used metaphor to say a product is on the “cutting edge” of innovation. But the new, Rapid Response blade-assist knives from Coast Products permit the term to apply, both literally and figuratively.

And the knives are just one element of a new line-up of professional LED flashlights, multi-tools and knives that Coast will introduce at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, this past January 17-20.

Designed by world-renowned custom knife maker Ron Lake, the Rapid Response folders may be the best blade-assist knives ever manufactured. Combine that with patented ease-of-use and safety features – and an amazingly affordable price – and this knife sets new standards that won’t be matched anytime soon.

It starts with the completely re-imagined SAT (Smooth Assist Technology) system that’s unlike anything ever made before. The patented system features a roller-cam built into the blade that the assisting spring rides on. Just give the thumb stud a nudge and the blade snaps to attention, fast and effortlessly.

Rapid Response knives provide a new level of safety too. Coast’s patented Max-Lock system completely secures the blade when it is closed, and double locks the blade when it is open. Built to last a lifetime and covered by the Coast limited lifetime warranty, these knives have fiberglass-filled nylon handles for maximum strength, a perfect hand fit and great looks. Heat-treated, stainless-steel liners make the knives very strong and corrosion resistant, while the open-frame design lowers weight and makes cleaning easy.

Most important, the Rapid Response blade is finely crafted from 400-series stainless steel that’s rigorously tested to ensure top-quality heat treatment, and each blade is tested for sharpness. They have ambidextrous thumb studs and pocket clips that are easily reversed to the other side of the handle or removed.

Rapid Response knives are available in 3-inch and 3.9-inch blade lengths, which close to 4 and 5 inches, respectively. Both blade lengths are available with a full-edge satin/glass-beaded finish, or with a black blade that’s partially serrated. Retail price for the larger knife is expected to be under $50; the smaller one under $40.

And, as exciting as the new Rapid Response knives are, they are just one product in a completely redesigned line of top quality cutting tools that Coast will introduce at the SHOT Show.

Not Just Brighter … Better
Equally impressive as the new Coast knife line is its new line of professional LED flashlights, which themselves received a complete redesign in the last year. When they were finished, Coast had introduced a staggering number of optical advancements that assures their continued market leadership.

That included inventions like patent-pending Pure Beam Focusing, and unique, proprietary innovations like one-hand Fingertip Speed Focus Control, the convenient Beam Lock System and the Cyclone™ Heat Sink System for maximum light and longer LED life.

The definitive examples of all that innovation are the 5.5-inch HP7 that produces 251 lumens of brilliant light with just four AAA batteries, and, making its debut at this year’s SHOT Show, the HP21 lights a city block with 1,317 lumens, a range up to 850 feet and high, low and strobe modes. It’s powered with just four D-cell alkaline batteries.

The New HP21 – 1,317 Lumens
The HP21 is the ultimate high performance LED flashlight, the choice when only the best and brightest flashlight will do. The HP7 is easy to carry, with the light output and runtime that’s needed by those who rely on their light every day. And they’re just two of a complete line of Coast LED lights.

“We’ve been making top quality knives for more than 90 years,” said David Brands, Coast president. “The new knives, including the Rapid Response, are unquestionably the best we’ve ever produced and they’re quite possibly the best on the market today. All our new professional lights, led by the HP21 and the HP7, have improved light output and optical quality, the two most important factors in the performance of flashlights and headlamps.”

Coast Products – A History of Innovation
Well-known for their premium knifes and multi-tools, over the past decade Coast skyrocketed from zero market share to a market leader in premium LED flashlights by developing innovative products trusted by everyone from the weekend warrior to the Navy Seals and soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Coast’s technologically advanced products are safer and easier to use, while at the same time being extremely functional and enjoyable to own.

About Coast – Coast Products was founded as Coast Cutlery Company in 1919. Originally established to provide quality knives to the farmers, ranchers and workers of the Pacific Northwest, today Coast produces premium LED lighting products, including top-rated flashlights, headlamps and EAL (emergency area lighting), as well as fine-crafted knives and world class multi-tools. Every Coast product reflects an investment in skilled craftsmanship and quality materials and is backed by a Coast guarantee. Coast products are available from leading consumer retailers, dealers and home centers including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Do it Best, True Value, Amazon.com and others. For more information call 800-426-5858 or visit www.coastportland.com.

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