This Superbly Machined Micro Knife Raises a Provocative EDC Question

The Microcarry Bober’s 13.5mm blade has us wondering: When it comes to everyday tasks, how much “knife” do you really need?

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published September 16, 2024

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Updated September 17, 2024

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Bigger is better. Good things come in small packages. These two long-standing aphorisms sit in direct opposition to each other, leading to one logical conclusion: Both expressions must at least sometimes be true, but perhaps not always.

The Bober’s tiny 5-cm, 1.33-oz size ensures it will sit comfortably on a keychain — and also makes it irresistibly fun and fidget-friendly, with the doughnut hole perfect for spinning around one’s finger like Robocop’s trusty Auto 9.

Which brings us to a rather intriguing Kickstarter project, Microcarry’s Bober Micro Finger Knife. Emerging from a reputable brand and carrying quality materials and construction, this tiny blade nonetheless raises the question: How small is too small?

Microcarry Bober Micro Finger Knife

Starts at $39

Promising details

Before broaching that debate, however, let’s take a moment to examine the Bober’s bona fides.

First off, it’s worth noting that the brand behind it has some pedigree. Staffed with engineers and product design enthusiasts, London-based Microcarry has been developing quirky little EDC items for 10 years. They’re also no strangers to crowdfunding; the Bober is their ninth Kickstarter project.

Bober blade — It may be small, but the Bober’s 440C stainless steel blade is legit.

CNC-machined out of brass, the Bober features a smooth wheel-driven deployment mechanism and a grippable ridge for better control. (Microcarry also offers a Grade 5 titanium-bodied option, although it is only available in a package with the brass one.)

The Bober’s tiny 5-cm, 1.33-oz size ensures it will sit comfortably on a keychain — and also makes it irresistibly fun and fidget-friendly, with the doughnut hole perfect for spinning on one’s finger like Robocop’s trusty Auto 9.

Bober fidget gif — Gotta admit, the Bober does look oh-so-spinnable.

At 13.5 mm, the blade itself is truly micro. It is also made of 440C stainless steel — with a hardness rating of 59-60HRC — a material known for its durability, corrosion resistance and edge retention. Bonus: The blade can be removed for sharpening down the road.

How much size matters?

The title of this section is not a typo. It’s a legitimate question of how much size a blade needs in order to “matter,” or capably handle various knife-requiring duties.

On the Kickstarter page, you can see the Bober taking on a range of everyday tasks, including opening packages, cutting through cardboard, stripping wires and other small jobs.

The blade appears just big enough to handle this work with minimal strain. In this way, it serves as a great reminder that the average person does not need a particularly big blade for EDC use. Sometimes even something with no blade at all will do.

Where the page begins to stretch, however, is in calling this thing “a must-have companion for camping, hiking, or fishing.”

bober outdoors — Insert eyeroll emoji here.

From the looks of this rather laughable GIF, it would be a struggle using this thing to cut through branches, gut a fish or even whittle, let alone tackling a much more critical outdoor task: slicing an apple.

Yes, it’s better than nothing, but for backcountry adventures, we’d recommend something a bit more substantial.

That being said, the Bober does seem like a fun little EDC tool to keep on your keychain and forget about until you need it. Simply deploying it around friends is sure to spark a discussion, in addition to dispensing with the task at hand.

bober backpack — One thing about the Bober is not up for debate: Microcarry really nailed the machining and craftsmanship.

It could also do more damage than a set of keys in a self-defense situation. Just make sure to remove it from the keychain before stepping into the TSA line.

Availability and pricing

The Microcarry Bober is currently raising funds on Kickstarter, with pledges starting around $39 US. Already fully funded many times over, the Bober has an estimated delivery of December 2024.