The edwin wallet takes what we love about the binder clip, and transforms it into a wallet for the modern minimalist – simple, functional, robust, reliable, and contemporary.

The name is inspired byMr. Edwin Baltzley, an avid writer, inventor and father of Louis Baltzley, the inventor of the binder clip. In 1910, Louis created the binder clip as a more efficient way for his father to secure his manuscripts without damaging them. Fast forward a century and we're still using the same basic mechanism of his original design. Brilliant!

Thewallet uses the inherent spring properties in spring steel to provide the security needed to keep your valuables in place. One size truly fits all; the edwin is perfectly capable of holding a single card (the extreme minimalist) or up to 15 cards (the striving minimalist). Opposite the binder clip side of the wallet, edwin includes a quick draw, single card slot for your most used card; you'll be amazed how much you'll fall in love with this feature.

As much as we all deeply want to maintain our minimalist persona, that Costco card and '90s student ID somehow make their way back into our daily essentials. After being stretched to capacity, wallets and money clips make it almost impossible to get back to our more consolidated stack while maintaining any level of functionality. The edwin is designed with this type of user in mind and is much more forgiving.

Design Team

Shane Rogers: Co-founder hive design, engineering management

Brian Holm: Co-founder hive design, mechanical engineering

Phillip Priolo: Student intern, hive design, industrial design

Bryan Herrera: Engineering, hive design mechanical engineering

hive design Fat wallet and the edwin classic Problem and Solution

hive design edwin classic and edwin +

hive desgin When full, the edwin wallet remains compact.

Design Specs

· Built from a single piece of metal – No bands, no screws, no textile.

· Binder clip style backbone – An alternative to elastic bands that maintains its internal spring force after repeated use.

· Primary card isolation – Provides easy access to your most used card; no more holding up the checkout line.

· Cash stem organization – Creates a unique and efficient storage solution for your cash.

· RFID blocking – Protects against illegal RFID scanning of your credit card.

· Tools – Incorporates a hex socket set, Phillips and flat-blade screwdrivers, and a ­bottle opener (edwin+).

Having access to a primary credit card was one of the top priorities. It took some clever folding, and the solution morphed into a two sided wallet. The back side has a dedicated single-card slot where you keep your most used card. A hidden tab pinches the card in place to keep it from sliding out, and the card is easily accessible by one hand while not having to dig through a stack of cards.

The whole wallet is the size of a credit card and can hold a stack of 15 cards. The rest of the cards are held on the other side by the main clip. This is the binder clip part of the edwin wallet. Thank you L.E. Baltzley! You know you'll also have to have that Psyco Donuts member card too, so up to 15 cards can fit in this compact spring steel origami wallet.

Cash wasn't forgotten either. Simply fold your bills around the "cash stem" and lock them into place with the wire arm. The essence of the binder clip remains strong with this one, yet has been brought into the new century to fit its new purpose. The benefit to making a wallet in this fashion makes it easy to add a couple bonus features like a Philips head and flat head screwdriver. Featured on the edwin + model, in addition to the screwdriver features standard size hex cutouts are available to use in a pinch. Of course edwin + has a bottle opener. Watch their Kickstarter video to see why. For those who like classic clean lines, the aptly named edwin classic foregoes these tool features and keeps it simple while maintaining the same outline.

The simplicity of it all is what truly sets it apart. There are only two parts, and there's nothing to break, wear out, or go flying (see most two-plate wallets). Phillip, industrial designer on the project, lost part of his old 2-plate wallet because it flew into the kitchen at a Mexican restaurant while trying to pay.

The edwin wallet really shows how clever simplicity can really be the best solution. Another benefit of a simple metal wallet is that it interferes with RFID scanning which helps keep your credit card information safe. There is a plethora of wallets on the market, and edwin finds its perfect place. It's simple, durable, and functional.

We are currently raising funds to bring the edwin wallet to market on Kickstarter.

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