Awesome Copper

For a motor to work, it needs tightly-wound copper or aluminum coils to generate a magnetic field when current is applied. This fascinating video from NIDE shows how their machines do the work automatically, first loading an armature, then rapidly winding copper wire around its fins.

Copper not only is one of the more beautiful metals out there, it’s known more recently for its ability to stave off bacteria and viruses. The Copper Clean wallet is a clamshell-style case for your credit cards and cash, offering the germ-fighting benefits of copper, along with its ability to shield from RFID scanning.

Typically, Damascus patterned metal is made entirely from steel. But it looks even more amazing with copper folded in. Tyrell Knifeworks walks us through the process of forging a gorgeous bowie knife by welding then pressing together layers of the mixed metals. The colors in the handle look awesome with the blade.

Tactile Turn’s sleek and substantial pen features a side click mechanism, providing satisfying feedback when deploying or retracting its pen tip. It’s available in titanium, copper, bronze, or zirconium, in 4.6″, 5.3″, and 5.8″ lengths. An optional titanium Damascus clip doubles the pen’s price but looks amazing.

Artist Douglas Pryor specializes in sculpting, raising, chasing, and repousse techniques to produce incredible 3-dimensional metal art. Watch as he hammers a flat sheet of copper into a playful sculpture of a gecko slurping syrup off a stack of pancakes. He’s currently working on an awe-inspiring crocodile.

As we’ve seen before, Ross The Random has a knack for turning bits of hardware into small works of art. In this video, he shows us how he took an old copper nozzle from a MIG welder and transformed it into a badass ring based on the visage of Spider-Man’s terrifying nemesis Carnage.

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, 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.

We’ve seen how factories make full-size chain-link fencing by bending and twisting stiff wire. Now watch how it’s done on a much smaller scale. W&M Levsha created this custom machine that bends copper wire into the proper angles to make a mini fence. The weaving still needs to be done by hand though.

LittleBall Creations makes beautiful marble mazes from bent and soldered copper wire. Here, they show off one of their self-contained mazes that sits inside of a cube. The marble rolls from one end of the track to the other when the cube is flipped over. If you’re interested in buying their work, contact them on Facebook.

Watch as a solid block of copper is magically transformed into a set of linking rings with the help of talented metalsmith Viktor Leontiev and his trusty milling machine. The finished piece looks great set onto its hand-turned wooden base.

The latest addition to AltDynamic’s series of collectible desktop curiosities comes in a satisfying tubular egg shape. Inspired by the mathematics of Gabriel Lamé and the 1960s Superegg design by Piet Hein, the roly-poly metal egg comes in titanium, stainless steel, and copper editions with machined or mirrored finishes.

Most soap dishes are made from plastic, ceramic, or wood. But we dig the more substantial look of Lukas Alberts’ soap dishes, which are machined from metal with strategically-placed ridges to keep soap bars from getting soggy. They come in solid aluminum or copper, both of which will oxidize and patina over time.

The Arizona Copper Company makes these unique wall and tabletop clocks with dramatic patina finishes. The nature of the process means each clock is one-of-a-kind. They come in a variety of sizes in both square and round designs. Our favorite style is the high-contrast look of the dark turquoise pattern.

GRID’s slimline card wallet features a body made from copper, which resists bacteria and viruses, and also offers protection from RFID scanning. It holds up to 12 cards and has a built-in money clip for cash and receipts. Save 52% in The Awesomer Shop.

Garrett Wade’s handsome copper desk accessory makes a great display piece or paperweight, while its 6″ diameter glass magnifying lens makes it easy to read details on maps and other printed diagrams. The curvature of the glass pulls in light, improving illumination as well.

This palm-sized flashlight looks great with its solid copper body and tactile finger grip texture. Powered by a single CR123 battery, its Cree XP-G3 LED offers three brightness modes: 5 lumens, 55 lumens, and 450 lumens. Put it in your pocket, or hang it from your keychain. Measures 2.75″ long and weighs 2.7 oz.

Farmer Customs‘ machined metal bottle opener is the perfect keychain companion. It’s got a sleek, yet pragmatic design that allows it to hang a keys from either end, and clips easily onto your belt or pants pocket. Available in aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, or titanium for the ultimate in strength.

Grid’s slimline metal wallet can hold up to 12 cards and cash with its exterior money clip. Beyond its durability, its copper construction offers two other big benefits: it blocks RFID scanning, and bacteria can’t live on its surface, keeping germs at bay. Save 52% in The Awesomer Shop.

Maker of things The Q has been on a bit of a roll lately, producing all kinds of nifty things for us to enjoy. Watch as he takes a copper coin, flattens it out, and turns the sheet metal into a working “paper” airplane. While it isn’t one of his more complex builds, it’s still a cool build.

While you could go with a basic black or olive drab knife handle, copper gives your gear a richer and more substantial look. Over time, the metal patinas, making tools made with copper more personal as well. Everyday Carry showcases 10 great knives which use copper in their construction.

Thanks to its colorful sheen, copper is one of the most visually interesting metals out there. If you prefer your pocket tools with a little more flash than plain old black or stainless, then check out these cool flashlights, courtesy of our pals at Everyday Carry. We’re particularly taken with the Olight S2R II.

Like the Hygiene Hand, the bomb-shaped Safe Nuke is designed to put a little distance between your fingertips and public surfaces. The tiny tool is made from antimicrobial copper, and features a touchscreen-compatible stylus on its tip. Plus, its attached paracord can be looped around door handles.

If you’re really dedicated, you can create a copper penny floor by carefully arranging tons of individual coins. Or you could head over to Penny Tiles‘ Etsy shop and purchase some of their pre-fabricated tiles to expedite the process. They only come in British 1p coins though.

Not to be confused with the popular WordPress plugin of the same name, Vital Carry’s Super Cache is the perfect keychain accessory, offering a safe home for pills, matches, or other small objects, with two bonuses: 1) it’s got a built-in match striker, and 2) it doubles as a Sharpie Mini holder. In Titanium, Copper, Brass, or Aluminum.

A smaller and slimmer version of the Tactical Marker metal Sharpie case. The Sturdie is meant to house the ink core of a Sharpie, so you get practically the same size and shape as the marker’s original body. It comes in titanium, aluminum, brass or copper.

Evan Snider walks us through the process of crafting a completely handmade chainmaille shirt, painstakingly assembled from thousands of copper rings, individually opened, then linked over the course of 66 hours. The finished shirt weighs in at about 25 pounds.