Core77

NextofKin Creatives Chainsaw Concept

By Ray Hu - May 3, 2011

in Hand Tools

Singapore's NextofKin Creatives design studio recently sent us a teaser of their new chainsaw concept, "nokgear." It's a sleek take on one of the more brutal power tools known to man—not least as a horror movie cliché—to the extent that I'm curious as to how it would hold up against a ~~human torso~~ tree trunk.

As part of an internal initiative to explore aesthetics and user experiences related to hardware tools, nextofkin creatives developed "a lightweight chainsaw for the functional-luxe tribes." The simple juxtaposition of two adjacent rectangular frames provide a robust structure holding the engine, the chain catcher and a separate grip area for the handle. The interplay of simple modern forms and integration of textural materials creates a new aesthetic for tools in used in the outdoor domain.

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Alex

13 years ago

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Love the concept, it's stylish - others could learn from this.
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Marc

13 years ago

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@Bob D - Could you elaborate on the features that seem dangerous to you. Besides the horrible, horrific, stupid boxy main handle that will slip out of the operator's hand and allow the blade to kick back and unceremoniously slice their face into two gruesome mush pies; I actually think the wide frame and wide control handle adds additional leverage for control and can deflect some kick-back. Some have said something about not being able to cut close to the ground; well, morons aren't supposed to cut close to the ground because you will be slicing your toes off or bisecting your shins, so it's probably better so. I don't really see the fail-safe auto-trip that is essential for inexperienced operators, but it seems like a good first, rough and ugly, step in a direction of adding some additional safety features.
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MicK V

13 years ago

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a design consultancy design such a product?
I guess the design consultancy will go BUST in a year or two!

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rl

13 years ago

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its looks dangerous but really cool. i dun use chainsaws but i would like one in my house!!
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Lynn

13 years ago

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Nice concept, like the fresh way of interpretation hardware tool. I personally really like the concept and design. Good job!
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Jox

13 years ago

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I think its freshand iconic in its aesthetic as a concept. It looks pretty cool and friendly. I like it!
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Vince

13 years ago

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Never use a chainsaw before but the design is a good aesthetic exercise.
Looks pretty cool :]
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Blake

13 years ago

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This sums up everything that's wrong with industrial design.
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Jason

13 years ago

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Come on guys, its obviously an iceberg saw. Have YOU ever used an iceberg saw? Doubtful, so please be a little more observant next time......wtf.
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MoDesign

13 years ago

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You guys obviously didn't pay attention to the pictures, it's only for cutting rocks from the fortress of solitude.
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Bob D

13 years ago

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This is the worst of design. It looks seductively sexy but in actual use the various features would be somewhere between awkward and downright deadly, which is even more dangerous since the design is aimed at more casual chainsaw users who may not be familiar with all the safety considerations of using high torque whirling blades.

The designers obviously studied chainsaws when working on this project, but I can't believe for an instant that they ever actually used one. I know it's never going to hit production, but even the glossy renders scare the hell out of me.

(Disclosure: I have used chainsaws for several hundred hours and I rarely bag on design, except when it can physically hurt or kill people.)
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MEP

13 years ago

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Wow! This thing looks extremely dangerous. How do they expect someone to hold onto that handle while wrestling with a chainsaw? It may be interesting as a purely aesthetic exercise, but it's useless as an actual product. I thought the field had decided by this point that pretty isn't good enough.
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kevin

13 years ago

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I don't understand this design either.
Rectangular handle ? Unnecessary frame ?
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Mike Farnham

13 years ago

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Forget sawing near branches or the ground.
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Rob Irwin

13 years ago

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(...funny I wrote this before I read the previously written comment!)

What is up with today's industrial designers wanting to take every artifact of living, slap some geometric shape around its guts and call it the next great thing in modernity?

This thing looks so completely cumbersome. My guess is that these designers have never even used a chainsaw, or apparently didn't do any field testing before they blessed it with their industrial design ego.

Thanks for keeping up with the Joneses, NextofKin Creatives.

R
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W

13 years ago

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Obviously designed by someone who has never operated a chainsaw. It might look pretty sitting in the MOMA gallery, but it's not very functional and the user experience leaves a lot to be desired. This thing would be a chore to hold and the anti-kickback guard looks more dangerous than the ones on existing chainsaws.
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