I like to give people gear. Being a gearhead, I don't want all hoard all my research on which doohickey is the absolute best doohickey to solve your doodad problem. Gear is useful, and it's the kind of thing that non-gearheads don't usually buy for themselves.

Today's gear guide: Keychain Stuff!

• Flashlight: Photon Freedom. You can get a cheapo keychain flashlight instead (CountyComm has one for $1.20), just make sure that it has an on/off switch and not one that you have to keep squeezing to light. (You may need both hands for other things!) But I like the Photon Freedom for the following features: First, it dims. ¹ This is really useful if you want to, say, read a program in a dark theater, but don't want to have your flashlight blazing away. Second, it can also strobe, and flash SOS in an emergency. Third, it has a handy clip that can quickly detach from your keychain, which is useful when you want to use the flashlight but not have your keys dangling from it.

• Pico Pen. I have been using the PicoPen for a while now and I really like it. (Available on Amazon, but CountyComm has a better deal.) It's a good keychain pen with a magnetic cap that attaches to the keyring, so I always have it on me. If you want an insanely detailed, 22 page review of keychain pens, you can read "Keychain Pens: IN Search of Excellence". Whoah.

• Cash Can. I reviewed this on Cool Tools last year. It holds a rolled-up $20 bill for emergencies.

• Phone Tag. You need something that will let someone know how to get in touch with you if they find your lost keys. I used to use an actual dog tag, but they're pretty big to carry around in your pocket all the time. This tiny pet tag is just big enough for two phone numbers. Obviously, don't put your home address on it!

• Miniature pocket knife. I used to use a Swiss Tech Utili-Key but found that it was too difficult to open quickly, and too dangerous to use since you have to hold it by the blade if you want to use its other features. This pocket knife is 4 cm closed. The blade isn't much, but it works in all those situations where you want to cut cord or tape and try to use your keys instead. This knife was my grandfather's, but I've seen similar ones in army-navy stores.

That's all for today's gift guide. Go Give Gear!

¹ How does an LED dim, you ask? It actually flickers on and off very quickly.