Utility Sets
Utility Sets
I have a great fondness for the Utility Set, as well as some amount of pride, if I do say so myself, as it is my own invention. The story of the origin of the Utility Set goes something like this:
It was in the days when everyone was beginning to panic about the onset of Y2K. In those days, cell phones did little more than give people a way to make wireless phone calls, and they were nearly the size of a hefty walkie-talkie.
The job I had at the time required me to carry a cell phone at all times. But that wasn’t all. I also had to carry a huge set of keys, a collection of tools for working on audio/visual equipment and a flashlight for working in dark places – plus a pager!
It was bad enough that having so much hanging on my belt pulled my pants down. There was the added aggravation of not being able to quickly and easily get at the tools I needed. And worse, it seemed that every time I put my phone down, it disappeared!
Eventually, a good Utility Set began taking shape. It went from being constructed out of a taped-up cardboard box to a product made of leather. It’s what started me off in leatherworking.
You can see more about The Origins of the Utility Set here.
But every time I came up with a new design for a Utility Set, cell phones got smaller and smaller. Fortunately, the Leatherman and Maglite companies also kept making their products smaller and smaller too. As a result, I was able to develop a very useful product that added very little weight or space on my belt.
Although I came up with designs for many models of cell phones, smartphones are putting an end to the Utility Set. For one thing, with their slim design, and with the screen taking up nearly a whole side, it is difficult to design ways of carrying the multi-tool and the flashlight. In addition, all smartphones come with a built-in flashlight app anyway.
But I’d like to show you my Utility Sets just the same, if just for the sake of posterity, if nothing else.
The great thing about Utility Sets is the variety of configurations that are possible. They can be equipped with the smallest multi-tools and flashlights, or can be adapted to carry those that are a bit more heavy-duty. And with all that material and equipment surrounding your phone, it is extremely well-protected even if you drop the Utility Set. Utility Sets can even be made with no flashlight pocket at all.
Currently I do have a few Utility Sets still in supply. All of them are the US500 model. It will accept a device approximately 3 1/2” x 1 7/8” x 7/8”. The US500 is fully leather-lined inside and the top flap has a cut-away to accommodate a side-mounted antenna, such as the LG VX8300, for which the case was specifically designed.
I’m happy every time I see that there are still people using these small flip-phones, and if you are one of them, I highly recommend my Utility Set to you. I think you’ll like it!