In colder weather cruising flea markets in downtown Branson I absentmindedly flip the gate on a carabiner key chain. When I carry a small multitool I will work the legs open and shut, too. I carry knives but never manipulate them. And ink pens at work get the clickers worn out. Spinner rings didn't work out - they get dirty too quick and are too thick to be comfortable. Ordered up a bike chain x key chain flipper, bike chain roller, and a bow tie spinner to see which style I prefer. As to why, or who has the time? Humans have been doing this with worry stones, begleri, worry beads, rosaries, pocket change, paper clips, pens, pill cases, pocket watches, and fobs for centuries. We have the time. It's whether or not we have our hands free. Some say idle hands are the devils workshop, I suppose we should return to the days of hand made goods and ditch electric powered devices completely . . .
Well, these fidget toys/spinners are really hitting the mainstream I guess. I was in my local 7-11. Next to the cash register, a box of three-lobed spinners. Plastic; obviously made in China. $7.99. Sorry, didn't get a picture. Maybe some of you are seeing them at a 7-11 near you? Moshe ben David
I just got a cheap plastic spinner of the web. I kinda like it. I want to try a smaller one. possibly a solid brass one. I also ordered some bearings, so I can see if I can make one out of ironwood or lignum....nice heavy wood.
I've had my spinner for a little while now, meh, it's more of a distraction for me than something that helps me focus. Doesn't really feel satisfying like spinning other things that aren't meant to be spun. Yesterday though, I rediscovered an old favorite of mine, baoding balls, aka Chinese meditation balls. I got a pair 15 years ago or so and used them all the time. The ones I have have bells in them, so they will likely annoy people, but there are solid ones. They're too heavy to throw in a pocket though, so EDC is kinda out of question. I suppose any smooth spheres could be used, like acrylic, so I'll look into alternatives and post back if anyone is interested.
Fidget toys just got banned from my kids school. Hahaha. Supposed to help them concentrate, ah yeah. Everyone is.... instead playing with toys.
I also like fidgeting with this sort of thing. I've got a couple of marble balls about the size of pool balls I picked up in Taiwan about 20 years ago. Too heavy and large to edc; I only use them when watching TV. For portability, some time back I was in some museum and whilst browsing the gift shop I noticed they had small chunks of polished hematite. These are very irregular in shape, but two of them are small enough to carry in a pocket (they'll easily fit also in a repurposed prescription vial...). Irregular or not, they're just as satisfying to manipulate as something that is spherical. Sooner or later I get asked what they are... L'chaim! Moshe ben David
Try not to judge people for being fidgety, theirs both evolutionary and psychological reasons for fidgeting. I my self suffer on the psychological side, I took up smoking in my teens so that I wouldn't fidget. Quitting would have been easier 18 years ago if I'd had a fidget spinner or cube. Instead I've purchased hundreds of flashlights, 30 or more multitools and 50 or more knives. Fidgeting with a knife makes people uncomfortable I also suffer from social anxiety and adult onset ADD, which both came about after divorce. That out of the way I tried the cube and I can't help but worry what people think when they hear the clicks, so I've gone the fidget spinner route. Loving the simple $10 ones but once I figure out the style I like I plan on finding a well machined stainless.
I can't do it in public for fear of being a weirdo... but I can be found fidgeting with my old Estwing hammer. If not that, I look at my knife. Sent from my 2PQ93 using Tapatalk