fidget object. not toy
September 21, 2017 9:19 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for something to fidget with, not a fidget toy or anything made to be fidgeted with. For example, a pocket knife is perfect except that would be inappropriate at meetings and sometimes I am not sober and shouldn't be around sharp objects.
I like smooth mechanical motion. Ball point pens or mini flashlights that click are good but annoy others. I like the aesthetic and feel of metal.
Must be small, metal, pleasant to touch, and fit in a pocket. Must have a moving part(s) with smooth motion like a pocket knife. Can't be something made for fidgeting; no fidget toys or executive desk toys. I'm thinking that some sort of hand tool that I don't know about would fit these ideals but I don't know what I'm looking for.
Assume I've read all similar questions - because I have - and they don't answer my question.
I like smooth mechanical motion. Ball point pens or mini flashlights that click are good but annoy others. I like the aesthetic and feel of metal.
Must be small, metal, pleasant to touch, and fit in a pocket. Must have a moving part(s) with smooth motion like a pocket knife. Can't be something made for fidgeting; no fidget toys or executive desk toys. I'm thinking that some sort of hand tool that I don't know about would fit these ideals but I don't know what I'm looking for.
Assume I've read all similar questions - because I have - and they don't answer my question.
Fidget/kinetic ring? Are you comfortable wearing jewelry? There are styles that have a spinning interior ring and styles that have small gears.
posted by quince at 9:36 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by quince at 9:36 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I accidentally independently invented the fidget spinner concept a few years before the craze by picking up a plain ol' ball bearing from the spare parts bin at work (e.g. - the trick is to find something with a bit more heft and size than the bearings you'd find in a spinner.) I guess the appropriateness of that would depend on your workplace.
posted by btfreek at 9:38 PM on September 21, 2017
posted by btfreek at 9:38 PM on September 21, 2017
Oh! Or are you, like me, someone who would enjoy fidgeting incessantly with a steel tape measure? Because I have a teeny tiny adorable one from Muji that is both fun to play with and surprisingly useful (good chance to practice your metric-imperial conversions). Snapping it back from its extended state is a bit noisy like a regular tape measure, but it's pretty quiet if you're just rolling the tape back and forth, boinging it around, folding it, etc..
posted by btfreek at 9:44 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by btfreek at 9:44 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I fidget with binder clips allll day long.
posted by sacrifix at 9:48 PM on September 21, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by sacrifix at 9:48 PM on September 21, 2017 [4 favorites]
Folding rule
Butterfly knife trainer
Small vise grips
Small folding steamer basket
Not a great list, but you're asking for a metal fidget toy that is not a metal fidget toy, so you kinda have to expect that you're not going to get the best fidget toy...
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:51 PM on September 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
Butterfly knife trainer
Small vise grips
Small folding steamer basket
Not a great list, but you're asking for a metal fidget toy that is not a metal fidget toy, so you kinda have to expect that you're not going to get the best fidget toy...
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:51 PM on September 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
I have a small screwdriver multi-tool on my desk at work that is kind of like this compact screwdriver set. The screwdrivers are behind doors that open and close.
posted by Lirp at 9:53 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Lirp at 9:53 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have ADHD and I love, love, love this thread.
Coins.
posted by craniac at 10:34 PM on September 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Coins.
posted by craniac at 10:34 PM on September 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
A teeny tiny brass telescope keyring or necklace charm (google it) would be perfect. It slides telescopically and smoothly in and out, making it the perfect yet quiet fidget toy and has enough heft to feel substantial.
posted by Jubey at 10:45 PM on September 21, 2017
posted by Jubey at 10:45 PM on September 21, 2017
I go with pens-- but not clicking. I spin and doodle. Zebra F-701 is a good choice.
Komboloi, a kind of Greek Orthodox Rosary. The fidget toys called beglari are an evolution of the Komboloi.
Adding on to coins, above, get yourself a challenge coin. They're typically larger and heavier than any monetary coin, and this better for flipping and rolling over your fingers. The catch is that you can't let it hit the table, because it'll hit loud.
posted by Sunburnt at 10:48 PM on September 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Komboloi, a kind of Greek Orthodox Rosary. The fidget toys called beglari are an evolution of the Komboloi.
Adding on to coins, above, get yourself a challenge coin. They're typically larger and heavier than any monetary coin, and this better for flipping and rolling over your fingers. The catch is that you can't let it hit the table, because it'll hit loud.
posted by Sunburnt at 10:48 PM on September 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
My niece, years ago gave me one of the best presents ever. It's something she bought spur of the moment for me at a rock and mineral show and I just love it. Sorry I can't find a pic online, but here's a description: it's a small piece of marble, about 2.5 inches long and 1 inch wide; it's shaped like a parallelogram with smooth rounded edges and colored like striated aqua glass. It has a divot in the center on one side that I find very soothing to stroke during meetings and such and is absolutely silent, so you can play with it discretely. It's cool to the touch, but warms up the more you stroke it.
Another thing I like playing with are those small screwdrivers for repairing your glasses. They come enclosed in their own little metal cylinder-shaped container so you don't have to worry about poking a hole in your clothes or anything and are also absolutely silent while you screw and unscrew them.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 10:52 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Another thing I like playing with are those small screwdrivers for repairing your glasses. They come enclosed in their own little metal cylinder-shaped container so you don't have to worry about poking a hole in your clothes or anything and are also absolutely silent while you screw and unscrew them.
posted by LuckySeven~ at 10:52 PM on September 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
The thing LuckySeven~'s niece gave them is called a worry stone.
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:12 PM on September 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:12 PM on September 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
I'm really hoping this solves my fidget needs.. mine should be arriving very soon. The FidgiPen.
posted by ApathyGirl at 11:35 PM on September 21, 2017
posted by ApathyGirl at 11:35 PM on September 21, 2017
Have you seen "The Caine Mutiny"?
posted by Cranberry at 11:38 PM on September 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Cranberry at 11:38 PM on September 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've got just the thing for you: The Chestnut Tools Universal Blade Sharpener (NOTE: the tool itself isn't sharp, so no worries).
It would fit in your pocket. I've been fidgeting with this thing like mad. The trick is, it opens and closes with a sprung, locking metal leaver, so you could click with it, but you also can avoid the click when opening and closing it with skill. Especially the lever is very satisfying metaly-smooth-actiony. And it looks a bit like a little funny animal.
Sold for instance here,
demonstrated (for it's proper use) here (so the click you hear here on opening and closing is avoidable through skill, and that's the whole point!).
posted by Namlit at 12:04 AM on September 22, 2017
It would fit in your pocket. I've been fidgeting with this thing like mad. The trick is, it opens and closes with a sprung, locking metal leaver, so you could click with it, but you also can avoid the click when opening and closing it with skill. Especially the lever is very satisfying metaly-smooth-actiony. And it looks a bit like a little funny animal.
Sold for instance here,
demonstrated (for it's proper use) here (so the click you hear here on opening and closing is avoidable through skill, and that's the whole point!).
posted by Namlit at 12:04 AM on September 22, 2017
Ahhh! Thanks, Weeping_angel! I love that thing to death and have been wanting to buy more!
posted by LuckySeven~ at 12:08 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by LuckySeven~ at 12:08 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
I wear a puzzle ring and fiddle with it endlessly. I also find a 2-3 inch length of coated wire to be very satisfying to play with, though if you aren't in a technical place that might not read as professional. It's cheap and unobtrusive, though, and you can cut a few lengths and replenish as one gets worn.
posted by tchemgrrl at 3:24 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by tchemgrrl at 3:24 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
A worry stone is nice for this!
posted by shortyJBot at 4:26 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by shortyJBot at 4:26 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Those new-fangled metal "ice cubes" intended for whiskey
This prayer stone might work, there are others with different sayings and I'm sure you could find a blank one
posted by bunderful at 5:40 AM on September 22, 2017
This prayer stone might work, there are others with different sayings and I'm sure you could find a blank one
posted by bunderful at 5:40 AM on September 22, 2017
I g0ot just the thing for you - a VW key fob . Even available on Amazon. Just make sure you don't buy a cover but the whole key with the "key" part.
posted by pyro979 at 6:21 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by pyro979 at 6:21 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also came to say worry-stone; not just for worrying, but works to fidget.
I have an RSA SecurID fob on my desk that I fiddle around with, too, which works great -- it has a smooth and hard part, a curved and rubbery part over the logo, and the little ring on the end to twist and spin. If you're in a technical field, this would be an under-the-radar fidget toy since it looks like it's supposed to be there. I mess with mine when I get tired of bending paperclips out of whack.
Edit: new ones are spendy, but on eBay you can get pre-owned expired SecurID fobs for a couple bucks each
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:31 AM on September 22, 2017
I have an RSA SecurID fob on my desk that I fiddle around with, too, which works great -- it has a smooth and hard part, a curved and rubbery part over the logo, and the little ring on the end to twist and spin. If you're in a technical field, this would be an under-the-radar fidget toy since it looks like it's supposed to be there. I mess with mine when I get tired of bending paperclips out of whack.
Edit: new ones are spendy, but on eBay you can get pre-owned expired SecurID fobs for a couple bucks each
posted by AzraelBrown at 6:31 AM on September 22, 2017
Best answer: 3-5 links of a bicycle chain. It folds and twists and is great to fidget with. I have one like this on my keys
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:37 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:37 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Or a folding hex key set?
Ooh, this made me realize I have a contender in my pocket - the KeySmart! Motion exactly like a pocket knife, just without the sharp and pointy bits. Plus it makes your keys fit much more compactly in your pocket. [Note: I am in no way affiliated with either The Grommet or KeySmart.]
posted by solotoro at 7:02 AM on September 22, 2017
Ooh, this made me realize I have a contender in my pocket - the KeySmart! Motion exactly like a pocket knife, just without the sharp and pointy bits. Plus it makes your keys fit much more compactly in your pocket. [Note: I am in no way affiliated with either The Grommet or KeySmart.]
posted by solotoro at 7:02 AM on September 22, 2017
A coworker gave me a small metal slinky a few years ago that fits the bill for me.
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:31 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by skycrashesdown at 7:31 AM on September 22, 2017
Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty is great for meetings. They have an amazing selection (24-karat gold! liquid glass!) as well as mini tins that easily fit in the smallest of pockets.
posted by rada at 7:39 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by rada at 7:39 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
A little bicycle tool has allen wrenches and screwdrivers that rotate silently on hinges at each end -- I think it would be a blast to fiddle with, has a nice satisfying metallic "heft," and plus you'd have some tools handy should you ever need to help someone fix their bike!
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:08 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:08 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
A length of chain -
I have a 6" length of ball-chain on my keys, I can take it off if the keys are too noisy. Bending it into shapes in my hand or on a surface is very satisfying
I also have a 18"ish piece of a necklace that broke, some cheap gold plated thing. It lives above the number keys on my keyboard at work and I can pick it up, wind it around my fingers, make shapes on my desk. It's pretty much silent and unobtrusive.
posted by buildmyworld at 8:39 AM on September 22, 2017
I have a 6" length of ball-chain on my keys, I can take it off if the keys are too noisy. Bending it into shapes in my hand or on a surface is very satisfying
I also have a 18"ish piece of a necklace that broke, some cheap gold plated thing. It lives above the number keys on my keyboard at work and I can pick it up, wind it around my fingers, make shapes on my desk. It's pretty much silent and unobtrusive.
posted by buildmyworld at 8:39 AM on September 22, 2017
I fiddle with the clasp on my metal watch band. Maybe a fingernail clipper.
posted by SemiSalt at 8:42 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by SemiSalt at 8:42 AM on September 22, 2017
Rolling trinity rings are quite nice - if you'd rather keep it in your pocket you can tie a string to it to keep the rings aligned.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:12 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:12 AM on September 22, 2017
Thread gauges have a variety of textures that might be interesting to play with.
A small vernier caliper (also in brass).
posted by hydrophonic at 9:38 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
A small vernier caliper (also in brass).
posted by hydrophonic at 9:38 AM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
This pen or this pen-toy are sort of but not quite similar to the Fidgi Pen.
All the pen type toys avoid sharp or pointy bits, avoid the possibility that your toy might be mistaken for a knife, and are are more discreet item to be playing with during a meeting.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:50 AM on September 22, 2017
All the pen type toys avoid sharp or pointy bits, avoid the possibility that your toy might be mistaken for a knife, and are are more discreet item to be playing with during a meeting.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:50 AM on September 22, 2017
Telescoping back-scratchers are available in several shapes, colors, lengths etc. (The non-claw version is what we have around the house.)
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:50 AM on September 22, 2017
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 9:50 AM on September 22, 2017
Go any bike shop and ask if they have some caged bearings in their metal recycle bin. Usually, these are found in a bike's headset. You'll have to clean them up a bit, but it's very satisfying to have one of those in your pocket for fidgeting with.
Also, you could get some very small combination padlocks, either with a dial or a row of number tumblers. Victory if you open them while they're in your pocket!
posted by oxisos at 2:54 PM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, you could get some very small combination padlocks, either with a dial or a row of number tumblers. Victory if you open them while they're in your pocket!
posted by oxisos at 2:54 PM on September 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: What about a watch with a rotating bezel, like on dive or pilot watches? They can be uni or bi directional. Added benefit is it's something you can wear.
posted by Crease Lambada at 5:38 PM on September 22, 2017
posted by Crease Lambada at 5:38 PM on September 22, 2017
My SO finds guitar picks very soothing to fidget with. He kind of freaks out if he doesn't have one. Something about the weight & the shape. He talks on the phone all day for his job and is never not playing with it.
posted by moons in june at 6:07 PM on September 22, 2017
posted by moons in june at 6:07 PM on September 22, 2017
I love this question! I didn't realize I needed so many new things! The bike bearings and guitar pics are things I have around the house anyway, but now I'm going to make sure I have them on me at all times. Thanks, everybody!
posted by LuckySeven~ at 10:44 PM on September 23, 2017
posted by LuckySeven~ at 10:44 PM on September 23, 2017
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