This Wild New Multi-Tool Brings New Meaning to the Term “Everyday Carry”

Meet the Flounder 2.0, which packs several handy functions into a diamond-shaped pendant you can tote on a keychain — or around your neck.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published September 11, 2024

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Fun fact: With an initial box office haul of $120.1 million (around $561 million in today’s money), 1978’s National Lampoon’s Animal House seized the title of “highest-grossing comedy film” and held it for six years, until a little flick called Ghostbusters came along.

Just a bit bigger than a large coin, the new Flounder weighs just 1.16 ounces and offers 13 functions, more than twice as many as the original’s 6.

Though parts of the movie have not aged well, the line, “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son,” endures. On the receiving end of that sick burn from Dean Wormer? A character nicknamed Flounder, portrayed by Stephen Furst.

While he comes off as a pretty inept fella, 2024 is a much different time. There’s a new Flounder on the block, and it’s anything but useless. Meet the Flounder 2.0, a clever, TSA-friendly multi-tool that promises a baker’s dozen of functions — and one eyebrow-raising form factor.

X-Edge Flounder 2.0 Multi-Tool Pendant

Starts at $65

X-Edge Flounder 2.0 Multi-Tool Pendant

First things first. The Flounder 2.0 comes to us from X-Edge, an Atlanta-based crew specializing in innovative titanium EDC products that blend form and function. Following the success of its original keychain multi-tool, the Flounder, which launched on Kickstarter last fall, the team got to work improving upon it, aiming to pack a ton of functionality into a tiny package.

The result is the product you see here, another Kickstarter project that far surpasses the original. Just a bit bigger than a large coin, the new Flounder weighs just 1.16 ounces and claims 13 functions, more than twice as many as the original’s 6.

As for how it redefines EDC? Just look at the thing — unlike just about every other multi-tool that fits in your pocket, this one is designed to be worn around your neck.

flounder-2.0-multi-tool-pendant — “Hmm, a bit small for me,” quothe Flavor Flav.

If rocking a pendant like some sort of mystical wizard is not your style, you can of course throw it on a keychain. Either way, the Flounder’s 13 functions merit closer examination.

Now, just about every multi-tool maker stretches to inflate that figure, and this one is no exception. Two of the listed functions are a keychain hole and Tritium slots, which can hold vials of the stuff to enhance the Flounder’s visibility in low-light. Both elements add convenience but are not really “functions,” per se.

There are plenty of legit ones though, including a bottle opener, pry bar/box opener, fire starter, rope cutter, flathead screwdriver, pocket saw, knife sharpener, file and nail puller.

flounder-2.0-functions — This GIF from the Kickstarter page nicely showcases several of the Flounder 2.0’s advertised 13 functions.

You also get an “everlasting pen” with an uncomfortable-looking size that will do in a pinch. Probably our favorite function is a magnetic bit holder for use with the two included bit drivers (¼ inch and ⅙ inch), which should prove handy for screw jobs medium and small.

The key to squeezing it all in? A nifty two-piece design that unfolds to access the various tools. While that does make us a tad nervous — moving parts = potential failure points — the new Flounder is made of GR5 Titanium. This material is known for being sturdy, light and rust-resistant, which, unlike fat, drunk and stupid, is a pretty good way to go through life.

Availability and pricing

Although the Flounder 2.0 is already successfully funded, you can still “late pledge” and score one at the early bird rate of $65, 27% off the $89 MSRP. Estimated delivery is December 2024.