Why We Make Things This Way
At Aerocrafted, design doesn’t start with “what can we add?”
It starts with “what can we remove?”
Our background in aerospace engineering taught us a truth that sticks: the more complicated something is, the more likely it is to fail. That’s why we don’t chase trends—we chase clarity. Every material, every shape, every line is intentional.
We're pulling back the curtain on the mindset that shapes our shop. It’s how we’ve always built. And why we’ll always build this way.
The Uplock Key Carabiner made with bronze gate and titanium body
FROM SKETCH TO CLIP: HOW THE UPLOCK CAME TO LIFE
We didn’t set out to make another carabiner. We set out to make one that lived up to the standards we apply to everything else we build. It had to feel intentional. It had to function simply. It had to be precise.
Most carabiners are either decorative clips or scaled-down climbing gear. We wanted something purpose-built for real-world carry. Something that works the way people actually use their gear: clipped to belt loops, bags, or keychains. So we designed two sizes: a compact version for pocket carry and a larger one that hooks securely onto a strap or loop.
From day one, the goal was minimalism without compromise. The final Uplock Key Carabiner design is just two machined components—no pins, no hardware, no fasteners to work loose over time. But that simplicity wasn’t simple to achieve.
Various Uplock Key Carabiner prototypes
DESIGNING AGAINST FAILURE POINTS
Because both designing and prototype machining happened in the same hangar, we were able to iterate quickly, shaping compound geometry and complex slotting in real-time while always keeping manufacturability in mind. It was agile, efficient, and very us.
One of our early breakthroughs came when we focused on a common failure point: opening the gate. On most carabiners, when the gate opens, whatever’s attached can fall off. We engineered a solution: separating the clipping mechanism from the key retention zone using a single-piece spring.
Early versions worked… until they didn’t. Under high loads, the spring would deform permanently. The fix? Engineering a specific curve that would let the spring flatten out at full extension before reaching its yield point. We modeled the geometry like a curved beam with a cubic shape (think: y = kx³), added a hard-stop tab at the base of the spring, and locked in a motion that was durable, snappy, and repeatable.
CAD drawing of the Uplock, highlighting Yx=.051*X^3
ENGINEERED TO FEEL RIGHT
Other refinements followed: snap-fit geometry with alignment slots, internal webs to increase strength, and a V-shaped tip that made it easier to clip on without slipping.
We also leaned into the unique properties of the materials. Grade 5 titanium and 7075 aluminum aren’t just strong and lightweight; they allow us to machine long-lasting, precision springs directly into the part. That’s a big reason why the Uplock feels so dialed in—and it’s the same thinking behind our Sideslip Utility Knife and Retract Click Pen, where mechanical action matters as much as durability.
Animation showing the Uplock's curved spring action
The Uplock may be just a carabiner. But to us, it’s something more: a quiet, pocket-sized example of what happens when you apply aerospace principles to everyday carry. Start with purpose. Simplify everything. Let the materials do what they’re best at.