# What is your keychain style? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 11, 2014, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426 "2014-03-11T13:57:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/41 "2014-03-11T23:47:28Z")
I was a ample split ring guy until I found a “[Keybrid](http://store.keybrid.com)” - a hybrid of a key and a split ring. ---
**Author:** ![randompattern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@randompattern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randompattern)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/42 "2014-03-11T23:50:14Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > I was a ample split ring guy until I found a “[Keybrid](http://store.keybrid.com)” - a hybrid of a key and a split ring. Genius! ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/43 "2014-03-12T00:01:39Z")
I carry, in my pocket, a split ring holding a few keys. Also attached is a detachable ring with a [pocket screwdriver](http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?c=&p=32215&cat=1,43411,43417), a Swiss pocketknife, a utili-key, and a [Lego Flash Drive](http://blog.allusb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Lego-USB-Flash-Drive.jpg). His face eventually rubbed off so I used to call him Jaqen H’ghar but then his right hand fell off somewhere so now I call him Jaime Lannister. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/44 "2014-03-12T00:42:25Z")
Split ring with apartment key, building key, mail key, flash drive, a pair of work keys, connected by a quick disconnect similar to **Qadgop’s** to another ring with my car ignition key and remote fob. That way I only have the main keys with me on (very common) days when I’m not using my car, and don’t have that giant fob taking up space in my pocket. Thinking about it, I’ve pretty much embraced the cloud, and haven’t used the flash drive in several months. Maybe it’s time to take it off the chain. ---
**Author:** ![breezman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@breezman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breezman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/45 "2014-03-12T01:42:41Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The Prius has a ‘smart key’, which is a fob. I have a 2-inch Swiss Army Knife on it. That’s funny–I carry the exact same thing. I also have a quick link on a snap-hook with my home and office keys on it. That hangs from a belt loop. And my backpack has another keyring inside that holds a few other work keys that I only use a few times per year. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/46 "2014-03-12T01:59:01Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > You don’t carry a purse? Where do you keep your lady weaponry for when the Communists invade? It is me. _I_ am the lady weaponry. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/47 "2014-03-12T05:42:47Z")
I loathe split rings. I have a bitch of a time adding or removing keys (which happens just often enough to be annoying as all shit). The day I found and bought my [steel cable loop](http://www.koolkrew.com/images/products/steel-cable-loops1513.jpg) was the happiest key-related day of my life! It’s a snap to add, remove or rearrange keys and even split rings can just be put on the loop. I have my big car key, 2 keys for our flat, both keys to my parents’ house, one to my grandma’s and an old key from a job I had at a tiny store (sentimental). I color coded each key with nail polish sealed with Future floor finish (taking the time to [stay in the border like this](http://img4-1.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/home-organizing/new-uses/0605/0605-nail-polish-keys_300.jpg) makes them look better and last longer). I have a split ring with my damn store membership cards and a chrome oval that says “Viel Glück!” (“good luck!” in German) in a nice serif typeface. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/48 "2014-03-12T05:48:58Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I am a function over form guy when it comes to chaining my keys. Simple [split ring](http://www.esslinger.com/splitringnickelplatedkeychainsize1pkg-1.aspx)for me. I have never used anything else. > > OTOH, I have seen people with more key chains/rings than keys. What’s your style? I’m a form-over-function type as well, but I do like my shit to look good. I use [these quick release things](http://www.amazon.com/KEY-BAK-Premium-Quick-Release-Accessory/dp/B0054KHW9S/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=17Z8W4V3KVWQ3982CS8M) and I keep them on a [1/4" stainless steel shackle](http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Rigging-Supplies-Hardware/Screw-Pin-Anchor-Shackles-Stainless-Steel/Stainless-Steel-Anchor-Shackle-1-4-Screw-Pin-33-Ton-Type-316). Mind you, I only need a buttload of keys at work, so when I’m on my own time, I just detach the thing with my car key and my house key, and leave the shackle-full-o’-keys on the counter at home. ---
**Author:** ![Tiktaalik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@Tiktaalik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tiktaalik)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/49 "2014-03-12T14:13:41Z")
In left pocket a carabiner with my Audi fob, 3 house keys, and one South Africa flag dangling thing. (this is on work days - on off days this ends up in my right pocket usually) In right pocket a college lanyard with work keys, couple of thumb drives, and ID for building. I used to always have a small knife or multi-tool on my everyday keychain, but after I lost a couple forgetting to take them off before getting to airport security, I just stopped carrying them - kinda wish I still did have one on the chain though. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/50 "2014-03-12T14:50:48Z")
I have a similar one (don’t know the brand). I never separate it into two pieces. It is convenient having house keys on one end and work keys on the other end. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Snap-On Tools socket analogue, allowing it to snap apart into two keyrings. > > [photo](http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/shouei/item/1011790/) ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/51 "2014-03-12T15:01:27Z")
I used to carry a giant mass of keychains - my daughter was both crafty and loved buying little keychains for me. It was getting ridiculous. Now I have a mustache that talks with a press of a button, a set of those “cart keys” so you don’t need a quarter (or loonie) for a shopping cart, and the keys/command start fob. That is JUST FINE. Our spare house key inherited the boat-anchor key chain 🙂 At least none of our house guests will ever accidentally take it home 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/52 "2014-03-12T15:38:02Z")
Hmm I’m surprised nobody has used one of those multi key organizers, like the Keyport. It seems like at any point in time, there’s one such project on Kickstarter. I’d get one, but my most-used “key” is a 1" diameter 0.5" thick fob that doesn’t fit anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/53 "2014-03-12T16:13:25Z")
Split ring with 4 keys (car, house, other house, sister-in-laws house) one car remote, and two decorative/sentimental items [ul] [li]First decorative item - Red “remove before flight” fabric tag - makes my keys easy to find.[/li][li]Aluminum key fob from the SS United States. Pure sentimentality here. Although it is an incredibly good conversation starter. [/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/54 "2014-03-12T16:57:56Z")
Currently, I use just a split ring. My car key has the built in remote. That and a padlock key and a house key are all I carry around with me now. I used to have the split ring on a halyard clasp clipped to my belt loop. Much later I’d put a short (maybe 6-8 inch) chain between the clasp and the keys so the keys could still be in my pocket. Less dangle, less chance of loss, right? I used to keep my dogtag on my keyring, until over the years the hole in the tag began to grow too much for comfort. I also used to keep a p-38 can opener until I got tired of it poking holes in my pants pocket. Besides, by then, I wasn’t using it to open cans anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/55 "2014-03-17T17:33:47Z")
Split ring with a leather fob; that contains the house keys (door / mailbox). To that are attached separate split rings, one for each of my two cars. A heavy-duty brass spring hook (think that’s the word) that will let me attach it to a loop in my purse if desired. The only ‘gadget’ is a microfiber glasses-cleaning cloth that rolls up and stuffs inside a little fabric pouch. It’s a bulky arrangement but that works well for me as it makes it quite easy to find in my purse. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/56 "2014-03-17T18:03:38Z")
Years ago, the garage we had didn’t have an opener so **Mrs. FtG** bought me a keychain made of two split-rings connected by a piece of leather. There was a snap in the middle that allowed the two pieces to come apart. This meant that when we got home, I’d unsnap the part with the house keys, **Mrs. FtG** would take them and open the garage door while the car kept running. The original leather piece wore out years ago but I keep replacing it with a new one (including adding a new snap). The rings are still the originals otherwise I’d have a Ship of Theseus on my hands. With openers, the original purpose is lost, but it still comes in handy to be able to separate the house and car halves once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/57 "2014-03-17T22:56:52Z")
Two interlocked split rings, the first of which has four house keys, a shed key, and a round plug gapper. The other has three car keys and ten other keys, all of which have known applications. I normally carry a single key and fob for the vehicle I’m driving- the three are spares for emergencies. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/58 "2014-03-18T13:02:13Z")
I do not have to concern myself car or house keys, so I have a couple of office keys. My keychain has a key to the desk/file cabinet and the office. The most important object on my keychain is bottle and can opener I got at the Flora Bama bar. Few, if any, beers are sold in cans and they seldom have screw off caps, so one of these is very handy to have here. ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2014, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/59 "2014-03-19T06:28:12Z")
My key situation became much more complicated than I ever imagined about 18 months ago. I bought my 2012 Mazda CX-9 GT in Nov 2012 and it doesn’t have an actual key. I’ve heard it called a ‘smart key’ (‘smartass key’ is more like it) or an ‘intelligent key’…it’s just a ‘fob’ with buttons for locking/unlocking the vehicle and a button to open/close the power tailgate. But I never use the remote to lock/unlock the doors, as long as it’s on my person, I can lock and unlock the door by touching a button on either front door handle. It also locks the doors if they’re all closed with the windows up and I walk more than 5-ft away from the car with the fob in my pocket. It was annoying at first but has grown on me overall, except I tend to lose the remote fob inside the car (loves to fall between the driver’s seat and center console). Ideally, I could just put the fob and my essential keys on one ring…but no! Keys interfere with the way the remote fob communicates with the vehicle. I was warned about it, but I tried it anyway and it was true. With the keys near it, sometimes the doors would lock or unlock when I pressed the button on the handle, other times- nothing! Even worse, sometimes the fob wouldn’t communicate with keyless ignition and allow the car to start! Removing the keys (and all other metallic objects and electronic near it) made everything work normally agian… So I have a loose remote ‘fob’ and the keys to my house and office on a small ring. I had to relegate all my other keys (keys to sister’s, key to bio-dad’s house, key to mom & step-dad’s house and keys to their cabin, keys to nana’s, keys to best friends…that takes up the entire center console now… ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2014, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426/60 "2014-03-19T06:32:12Z")
Carabiner and a split ring on a lanyard that has my keys and my phone attached. I can now ring my keys if I cannot find them. Until I did this I was losing either on a semi regular basis. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-keychain-style/683426.md?page=4)