Ten years ago, I wasn’t trying to start a business. I was just trying to find a better way keep my keys organized.
Like most folks, I carried way too much stuff in my pockets. Keys, giant carabiner, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, a pry tool — basically a jumbled mess of gear that made my pockets bulky and annoying. Every day, I’d think, There’s gotta be a better way to carry this stuff. But no matter what I tried, nothing quite worked.
So I grabbed a notebook and sketched out an idea: one tool that could do it all — hold my keys, open a bottle, turn a screw, tighten a bolt, and clip to my pocket without being in the way and keeping my keys from getting lost. Something simple. Something sleek. Something I’d actually use every day.
That sketch turned into a prototype. And in April of 2015, I launched my very first Kickstarter campaign with nothing more than an idea and a belief that others might want something like this, too. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we raised nearly $30,000, and the Griffin Pocket Tool officially came to life.
Since then, we've launched two more successful Kickstarters — one for the Griffin XL, a beefier version of the original design, and another for our Adventure Tool, designed for more rugged, on-the-go use. Every new version was inspired by feedback from our growing community and driven by the same mission: to keep your gear minimal, useful, and always within reach.
Now, as we celebrate 10 years of carrying better, we’re gearing up for our next Kickstarter launch — featuring several upgrades to the original designs, including features many of you have asked for over the years. It’s a thank-you to those who’ve supported us from the beginning, and a new chapter for those just joining the ride.
We’re still a small, family-run business. We still pack orders by hand. And we still believe that great design doesn’t need to be flashy — just functional, reliable, and made to last.
Thank you for helping turn one pocket-sized idea into a 10-year journey. Here's to what's next.
– Casey