Cars. Front doors. Vaults. Filing cabinets.

What do these all have in common?

They need keys to open.

And what if you have multiple doors, multiple cabinets, multiple safe-deposit boxes?

You have a whole array of keys before you.

My mother carries in her bag a set of key rings for her many keys. Since I don’t have as much keys at the moment, I make do with my Lego keychains with a key or two attached, and the Lego keychains attached… the Lego way. Hey, it’s cute! 😉

(The Katakana reads アリスター, or my first name, Allister, in Japanese.) The Diesel boot keychain is there because I love work boots. 😀

Okay, so for maybe less than five keys, this is all right. But what happens when you’ve got a lot more keys, and you bring them with you everywhere you go? And on a key ring, to boot? Well, it clutters your bag, simply, and who wants clutter when even the Bible promotes order over chaos?

Because I love organizing, and thus I love reading organization-related articles, I came across this product on the Net that I quite want right now, even when I don’t have much to put in it, as an investment for my future. For tonight’s guest, we welcome the KeySmart 2.0 Compact Key Organizer.

Have you seen a Swiss Army knife? If yes, you’ll notice how it manages to organize the many tools it features into one compact gum pack-sized implement. The same is true for this product, but for keys – it can store up to 100 keys! Furthermore, like the Swiss knife, it has a lightweight but sturdy aluminum frame (though there is a model available in titanium) and stainless steel hardware. It also features provisions for other tools such as car keys to be attached.

But it goes beyond that. In one of the most customer-friendly experiences I’ve encountered, KeySmart’s Web site allows you to customize your KeySmart, which you can proceed to order on said site. Based on my site-viewing, this can be done in five easy steps:

1. “Standard” or “Extended”

Choose whether you want the Standard or the Extended size. The latter is more useful for longer keys – typically 55 to 80 mm. The Standard one fits keys 53 mm and below.

2. Choose color and/or material

You can choose from eight colors in aluminum, or the mono-color titanium edition. The aluminum model is available in red, black, blue, purple, green, orange, slate, or Breast Cancer Awareness pink.

3. Choose expansion packs

The base model holds 4 keys. However, you can add “expansion packs” to make your KeySmart hold up to 100 keys. You can even choose accessories to add to your KeySmart, although these will also take up a slot or two.

4. USB Flash Drive

One of those accessories is a USB flash drive (2 slots). You can forego it, but if you want it, you can choose from 8, 16, 32, or 64 GB. With your precious keys by your side, I think it is wise to throw in a flash drive as well, for your most important documents and files for, say, work, or for household document filing.

5. Add-Ons

Finally, you can choose other add-on accessories to add. These include the Bottle Opener, the Quick Disconnect (a two-way carabiner-esque implement), the Pocket Clip, and the Quick Retract (which features a carpenter’s measuring tape-esque nylon cord that you can pull out and retract easily).

I’d get the black or slate Extended model, with expansions enough for 100 keys (which I can then add or remove as necessary), a 64 GB USB flash drive for my confidential and critical files, and either the Quick Disconnect or the Pocket Clip.

We indeed are smart when we buy this: we are smart enough to organize our things well, and we will look smart as well. If you’re a fan or freak of organization, you’ll like this handy tool. It ensures that, in your bag or pocket, your keys don’t go all over the place and risk unintentionally ripping your bag or pocket, and that they stay clean as well.

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The KeySmart 2.0 Compact Key Organizer is available for customization and ordering on their official Web site at http://www.getkeysmart.com. It is also available in fixed customizations at the Laughing Squid and Amazon.