Awesome Brass

We’ve seen alot of unusual instruments, but this is the first time we’ve come across the Cornu de Pompeii. Evidence of this G-shaped horn were found in the ruins of Pompeii, and María Ruíz and Abraham Cupeiro built a replica of it so we could hear what it might have sounded like. Listen to more here.

MecArmy’s miniature compass is small enough to wear as a pendant, on your keychain, or attached to a bag. It features a high-sensitivity movement with an anti-magnetic bearing and glow-in-the-dark markings and comes in copper, brass, or TC4 titanium for $10 extra. Measures 1.48″ L x 0.925″ W x 0.51″ H.

Brass instruments like the tuba and its smaller brother, the sousaphone, make some of the best sounds in a marching band. John Baylies, aka Sousasteps, upgraded his sousaphone in two ways: it controls a synthesizer, so it sounds like an electronic didgeridoo, and its bell is packed with LEDs that change in sync with the music.

Coppertist.Wu’s brass bottle opener gives you the rare opportunity to hold a scorpion in your hand without the risk of getting stung. The design is based on the deadly Brazilian yellow scorpion and is incredibly detailed, down to the critter’s leg joints, pincers, and terrifying tail stinger.

Luke from Instrument Maniac bests his 91 instrument performance, with 20 additional ways to play music. This, the snippets connect into a single song rather than just playing the same lick repeatedly. For a real challenge, try naming as many instruments as you can with your eyes closed.

Take a look inside the Vincent Bach factory, where they handcraft premium brass instruments. In this video, you’ll see craftspeople transform stamped sheets of brass into a variety of precision trumpets for professional musicians. Along the way, you’ll learn about how a trumpet works, too.

This pen-style multitool combines five useful functions in one: a hobby knife, a flashlight, a touchscreen stylus, a glass-breaking tool, and, of course, a ballpoint pen. Each of its brass modules screws together between its engraved endcaps to represent the golden band of Ruyi, a Chinese symbol of good fortune and prosperity.

This unique piece from Japan’s Traveler’s Company provides a cozy home for a pencil in your pocket. Inside its brass outer sleeve and underneath its cap, you’ll find a stubby wooden pencil. Both the pencil and eraser are replaceable with refill packs, and the unplated brass will develop a delightful patina over time.

W&M Levsha shows how they made a cool gizmo that takes the place of a 6-sided die. The brass gadget is about the size of a pocket watch and has a lever that spins a flywheel that’s engraved with six dice faces. When the lever pops up place, a mechanism stops the wheel to reveal a random number.

Lynx makes all kinds of cool accessories for tabletop gaming. Among our favorites are these D6 dice that look like bullets. They’re cast from 100% brass with a baked-in copper tip. They’re designed to roll evenly on their six sides, but we think you should earn bonus points for landing one on its flat rear end. Sold in a six-pack with a metal storage box.

This premium tactical pen features a bolt-action mechanism and a built-in D-ring for attaching to a key ring, a carabiner, or a lanyard. It takes an off-the-shelf LAMY M22 refill and is available in machined titanium or brass. Its top has six slots for DIY installation of 1.5x6mm tritium glow vials.

There’s nothing inherently dangerous about playing a tuba. Sure, you might run out of breath, but that’s about it. YouTuber and maker MasterMilo has created the most dangerous brass instrument we’ve ever seen. His flamethrower tuba is powered by a chainsaw engine and spews a stream of flaming propane out of its bell.

Yoshiharu Hamono’s Penato Knife gets its name from its carbon steel blade’s pennant-like shape. It comes with a brass body and sheath, so you’ll be happy to leave it on your desk or shelf even when you’re not using it.

UK artists Two Brass Monkeys make wonderfully challenging sculptural puzzles from brass and stainless steel. Among their tricky designs are the spherical Gob Stopper, the hexagonal Joy of Hex, and log-shaped Pygmy and Marmoset. Each one will flex your brain as you attempt to separate and put together their geometry.

Do the chickens have large talons? We’re not sure, Napoleon. But these tongs sure do, and their mighty metal claws will hold onto your ice cubes like a bird with its prey. They’re made from antique brass-plated stainless steel and measure 7-7/8″ long.

We love the smooth looks of Craighill’s latest writing instrument. Its all-metal body features an undulating ripple pattern with gradually larger waves as you move from its tip to its tail. There’s a reassuring clicker mechanism and it takes off-the-shelf Schmidt 635 refills. Comes in brass, stainless steel, or PVD black stainless.

Most pocket-sized screwdrivers are too short to provide meaningful leverage. But Silver Fox Tool’s handmade EDC screwdriver is about 3.5″ long so you can grab it with your whole hand. It’s made from brass and stainless steel, and comes with a leather strap. It has on-board storage for two bits, and knurling for extra grip.

This hexagonal brass pen from Minimal and Stoberi offers the perfect combination of minimalism and timeless design. The pen’s shape keeps it from rolling, while its metal construction provides substance and durability. Its threaded cap matches the hex shape, concealing its purpose until needed.

Get your day started right with this warm and enveloping arrangement of Fleetwood Mac’s 1987 hit track Everywhere performed by the always entertaining Seb Skelly on five brass instruments. Need more brass to wake up? Try a dose of Killer Queen.

Maker W&M Levsha already created the tiniest barbecue we’ve seen. Now, he’s taken his miniaturization skills to the next level by building a tiny chess set that fits within a watch face. He had a bit of help from a laser engraver, but there was still plenty of precision craftsmanship required to pull off the feat.

Virginia-based Teale Designs makes this everyday essentials multitool that combines a pry bar, bottle opener, and 1/4″ hex driver. Each one is machined and hand-finished in brass and includes a lanyard and a double-ended driver bit that stows inside its body.

The head of an old bolt doesn’t seem like it would make a very nice piece of jewelry. But in the capable hands of artist Anif G, this ordinary piece of brass hardware is transformed into an impressive knight-themed pendant with a hinged door and storage compartment for a photo or pills.

Ant Design’s little gadget might not look like much, but it’s sure to be a useful addition to everyday life. The Q1 quick-release connector lets you easily detach and attach things like key rings and tools using a rotating magnetic mechanism that locks securely in place. It comes in aluminum, brass, or titanium versions.