Recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with Blase Dillingham, creator and mastermind behind Tactikey. In my opinion, it’s one of the simplest, easiest-to-use, and unique self-defense items available on the market today. He constantly expands his product line and conjures up new creations every day to help people maintain their safety in every walk of life.
The Tactikey Advantage
SKILLSET How did Tactikey come about, and how long ago?
What’s up, Ben? First off, huge thanks for being such a big supporter and early adopter. Tactikey has been around for about 6+ years. It started on the age-old idea of using keys as a last-ditch tool, which is a horrible idea. So after 15 prototypes and a lot of trial and error, we’re here to stay.
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SKILLSET What are the big changes throughout the years?
A ton has changed. I originally planned the Tactikey to hold a house key, but then I realized I could make knives, both metallic and non-metallic. Recently, we have expanded that even further with a whole line of multitools. So at this point, the sky’s the limit. However, the original Tactikey, which is patented, is flawless. Other than removing the ‘patent pending’ and adding the patent number, it’s not going to change. Again, they’re the colors. Those will definitely change as time goes on.
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Features and Functions
SKILLSET What materials are the traditional Tactikeys made from?
The OG Tactikey is made from TPE110, which is basically the most rigid soft plastic available, similar to a tractor tire. And, of course, the blades and multitools are made from various high-carbon blade steels, G10, and carbon fiber.
SKILLSET: What’s your go-to tooling for these badass beauties?
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Regarding the Tactieky, early on, I purchased a fairly complicated mold with sliders, made of high-quality steel. The mold, making one Tactikey at a time, can produce 100,000 a month without degradation. For the inserts, I utilize a diverse range of vendors that specialize in their respective crafts. CNC, waterjet cutting, I do most of the beveling and sheath making in-house. To me, that is where the art takes place.
SKILLSET What are some of your favorite products you’ve created over the years?
I am honestly most proud of the Tactikey. I learned how to write a patent and received one from the USPTO. I had to learn CAD and Rapid prototyping. Most importantly, I love it when customers modify my product. In the next year or two, there will be over 100 multitools, custom G10, and Carbon fiber composites. I also have a few collabs in the works with some of my favorite blademakers. As far as my favorite blade insert, it has to be the Urban Scalpel. It has a defensive component and also doubles as a field scalpel.
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The Creative Process
SKILLSET How do you develop new and innovative designs and products?
If you’re an inventor or maker, inspiration comes at the strangest of times. You always have to have an ideabook close at hand to jot down your ideas before you forget them. It becomes second nature after a while. Like art, I like to make products I wish existed but don’t. That’s my starting point. I also work with many other makers who provide suggestions and modify my product to their liking, which speeds up the evolution process tenfold. For every idea I release, I have five more waiting in the wings and ready to drop when the time is right.
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SKILLSET: Is understanding design software and tooling a big plus in this industry?
Definitely, I learned CAD using OnShape and utilized it to create all my 2D and 3D designs. One company, Loc Grips, CNCs my G10 spikes. Spectrum Energetics, a high-end machine shop, handles my waterjet cutting, and then I use Peters’ heat treating. I also personally own an AMK 2×72 belt sander: a great company, a great family, and an absolutely amazing machine. I have also been working with some other makers on experimenting with more 3D printing, small, clandestine impact tools.
SKILLSET How do you handle production scalability as demand for your products increases?
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Regarding the Tactikey, I can produce an unlimited number in any Pantone color.
As for the Blades, I try to automate each step of the process so I am able to make more. I design all my own parts in CAD, and I have them waterjet cut to my specifications, then professionally heat-treated. I would like to find someone to make the sheaths next. That would really help me ramp up production,
Sales and Service
SKILLSET How can understanding customer needs help in formulating more targeted products?
The customers’ needs have been singular since day one. Safer and more effective for the user as a defensive tool. Many customers prefer non-metallic options, while others prefer more discreet tools, and still others opt for a traditional spike. However, I have a feeling that as the multitools become more understood and accepted, client suggestions and collaborations will start rolling in, which I’m really looking forward to.
SKILLSET Does social media make your business life easier?
Back in the day, it was awesome. That’s how I got my start. However, there are numerous bots, fake accounts, shadowbanning, and even worse issues. It is definitely not as much fun as it used to be, but we learn to live with it and adapt to it. Necessity is the mother of invention.
Building and Branding
SKILLSET What makes Tactikeys unique from similar ideas or products?
There are no similar products to Tactikey on the market today. My patent lasts for another 15 years, and if anyone even tries to make something similar, a cease-and-desist letter will be all it takes. It was not easy obtaining the patent; it took 3 years, over 10 drafts, and I had to argue against five prior art patents, which were loosely similar patented ideas that looked similar but did not have utility similar to Tactieky.
SKILLSET When or how does the magic happen?
Over the last five years, I’ve had a private shop in a single-car garage. Still, I recently relocated to one of the most high-tech machine shops I have ever seen. I just rented a space in the corner, about the size of a twin bed, but the shop itself is over 7,000 square feet, with three CNC machines and approximately 50 other tools. It’s the most fun I have had working in years. And yes, Classic rock is playing in the background at all times.
SKILLSET: Who do you find is your primary customer?
The Tactikey customer covers the whole spectrum: college students, all first responders, people who work late into the night, and, most surprisingly, hardcore EDC loyalists have also embraced it more than all other demographics. Ultimately, it is a highly effective tool that can serve as a significant force multiplier in the hands of anyone. What’s important to remember is that the Tactikey is not a weapon disguised as a key; it is, in fact, an actual key. So, until the United States Government decides that keys are not allowed in some places, they will be allowed everywhere.
Future Plans
SKILLSET: Do you have plans for expanding your product line in the coming years?
100%, In the next 3-4 years, I can envision a line of over 100 multitools and blades, both steel and non-metallic. All of the multitools will double as impact tools. Long-term clients and supporters will see numerous collaborations with some blade makers I have been looking up to from day one. I’m talking about 20-30 collabs over the next year or two. That is what I am most fired up about. And even though I don’t advertise them, I have 5-10 unique new products ready to launch when the website is running smoothly.
SKILLSET What are your thoughts on the future of manufacturing in the USA?
It’s tough to tell how this will all play out. I do know all the blademakers I am friends with and really look up to produce limited run, small batches. However, user-friendly CAD programs, 3D printing, and rapid prototyping will dramatically change the landscape going forward.
SKILLSET What advice would you give to future makers or bladesmiths?
There will always be 100’s of people telling you why you should quit, if it’s not one thing, it’s another. They are all wrong. Don’t listen to any of them. Listen to yourself, learn rapid prototyping, and visualize success. Even your own mother, father, and family will try to shoot you down. Let alone friends and those in the field. I call them dream busters. Let it go in one ear and out the other. Stay true to yourself, and good things will happen.
Brand Partners
SKILLSET: You are pretty big on collaborations. Are there any top-secret plans coming up that you’d care to share with us?
If I haven’t said it before, Collabs are my all-time favorites. That being said, I would be totally fired up to run a SKILLSET collab. That would be sick. However, as of right now, without naming any specific individuals, I have three collaborations in the works with blademakers everyone has heard of, and more are in the works. I envision a future where I can send 5-10 blanks to any blade maker interested, and they would have full artistic freedom, from blade profile to sheath design to color scheme, creating an unlimited inventory to choose from.
How to Order
I don’t have a working website right now. I really need one badly. I would be open to a blade trade for a website if anyone reading this has that skillset. I have an Etsy shop, linked in my Instagram bio, where people can purchase my gear.
Etsy Link – tactieky.etsy.com
Instagram link – https://www.instagram.com/ people can shoot me a dm for a custom piece.
Any other important info. tactikey.com coming soon – gear, merch, products, and more.
