Have you ever wondered about using a key organizer for your everyday carry? If so, you’ll want to read this guide on how to set one up from a first-timer’s perspective.
I’ve never needed a key organizer. However, in my later years, I’ve found that I’ve amassed more keys than my house and mail keys. My parents gave me a key to their house for when they were out of town, and my daughter has a key to her storage box at her horse barn. Add a few more odd keys, and I have quickly reached key disorganization.
One of The Modest Man’s most loved articles is our list of the best key organizers, and now I am finally understanding why. Key organizers have piqued my interest lately, but the setup has steered me away. So, when the lovely people from Keyport reached out asking to check out their latest offerings, I took it as a sign that it was time to get organized. Want to know how it went? Here’s how I set up my key organizer as a first-time user.
A Brief History of Keyport
US Navy Veteran Josh Downes started Keyport in 2005. As an avid motorcycle rider, he needed to streamline his collection of keys and wanted a streamlined way to mount them on a singular device. He brainstormed several ways to hold his keys, and the Keyport Pivot and Slide were born. Keyport doesn’t just offer organization for keys. They offer a wide range of personalized key and tool organization so you can have anything you need at your fingertips.
What I Tried
Keyport graciously sent me a wide variety of products they have available. Honestly, they sent so many things, and it was overwhelming at first. However, once I took a deep breath and realized what went together and what I really needed, I wasn’t so overwhelmed. Here’s what they sent:
I’ll add here that for the Slide, you have to order key blanks directly from Keyport. It was a very simple process that involved taking pictures of your key on an order form so they could include the correct key blanks. Once you get your order, you take your blanks to a locksmith to have them cut.
Setting Up The Keyport Slide 4.0
After comparing the Keyport Pivot and the Keyport Slide, I realized that the Slide was more suitable for my needs. I like how compact the slide is and how it doesn’t take up much real estate in my bag or pocket.
Surprisingly, setting up the Slide 4.0 was effortless. I went to their site and watched a short video, and I set up my organizer in no time. Essentially, the silver end of the Slide comes off. Then you partially slide in the tool or key and then screw it into place with one of the color-coded screws it comes with.
To use any of the keys or tools, you simply push in the spring-loaded screw and slide the tool or key you need out. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to use more than one key or tool at once, but this organizer allows you to slide out multiple tools at once.
I attempted to use the USB drive, pen, MOCA tool and key in my Slide, but the tool was not compatible with the slide. Instead, I added another key. If you’re looking for a tool to add to your Slide, you can add something like the MOCA 2 EDC tool and attach it to the outside.
As a motocross fan, I added the Checkered Racing Flag Faceplate on one side of the slide to add a personal touch. On the other side, I added the Pocket Flare 2.0 Mini LED light that came with the Anywhere Tools Everyday Carry Kit. I am always in need of a light, and this is an excellent alternative to using the flashlight on my phone. The light is incredibly bright, with three different brightness options.
Setting Up The Keyport Pivot 2.0
If you prefer something with a smaller footprint or a swivel feature for your key organizer, the Pivot 2.0 is for you. Since I went with the Slide, I set up the Pivot 2.0 for my spouse, who very much prefers organization on a small scale.
Setting up the Pivot 2.0 was just as simple as the Slide (and there’s a video on the Keyport site). You’ll need a flathead screwdriver or coin to twist the screw on the end of the Pivot off. Once you twist off the screw, lay the Pivot flat and remove the spacers. Then, add your desired keys and tools. For this one, I added a house key (not pictured), the Keyport x Popl digital business card, RuSH tool and MOCA tool. Then I added one of the spacers back and screwed it all back together.
You can never have too many tools in your EDC, so I added a pocket clip to one side of the Pivot and the NEBA knife module from the Anywhere Tools EDC kit to the other side. Even adding the tools, it’s still a slim key organizer that won’t add much bulk to your pocket.
The biggest perk of the Pivot is the ability to use your existing keys. You don’t have to have special blanks. However, if your keys are especially bulky or have a wide key head, it will protrude out of the sides of the Pivot.
Key organizers aside, Keyport also specializes in a variety of EDC tools. The Keyport Anywhere Tools EDC kit features just about anything you might need at your fingertips. The Pocket Flare 2.0 Mini Flashlight Module is my favorite out of the set. I ALWAYS need a light, so this is a great option if you’re like me. As I mentioned earlier, I added it to my Slide so I always have it on hand. The kit also includes the NEBA knife module which is exactly as it sounds – a handy pocket knife. It also has the MOCA2 Multitool module that features a bottle opener, flathead screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, box opener, scoring tool, hex bit driver, ¼” wrench, 5/16” wrench, ⅜” wrench, 1-inch ruler and 1cm ruler. To round things out, the bundle also includes two pocket clips, which double as money clips, two black paracord zipper pulls and the RuSH tool to help make removal of any of Keyport’s modules easy.
I have a (maybe not so irrational) fear of becoming trapped in my car, so naturally, my favorite Keyport tool is the Escape tool. Needless to say, I keep it with me all the time. It’s the perfect size for slipping in pockets, and I added the glow-in-the-dark Topo faceplate so you can easily find it in dark conditions. This tool features a seatbelt cutter, tungsten carbide window glass breaker, pry bar, and screwdrivers to keep you safe.
Final Thoughts on Key Organizers as a First-Time User
Now that I’ve been using a key organizer for about three months now, I don’t know what I ever did before. Honestly, it’s one of those things that you don’t realize how convenient they are until you actually use them, and I don’t think I can go back to the disorganization of before. Yes, choosing the proper setup from all possible options is overwhelming. Especially when a company like Keyport has you covered so well. However, that’s the whole point of a key organizer. To determine your basic needs and get organized.
If you were like me and on the fence, what are you waiting for? Take a deep breath, dive in and buy your first key organizer. I promise they are so convenient you’ll never look back.
Do you use a key organizer? What made you take the plunge? Let us know which one you use in the comments below!
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