The best key rings are the ones that travel through life with you — holding keys and fobs to your cars, homes and offices, even as those cars, homes and offices are traded in for newer models. A key ring keeps your essentials together, providing a safe haven for keys, entry fobs, and significant trinkets from your travels.
The key ring can be credited to a chap from Manchester, England called Samuel Bealey Harrison. A 19th century lawyer, miller, politician and judge, his main claim to fame is that he invented the split ring key ring, which still forms the basic design of most key rings today.
Key rings come in a myriad styles, from decorative souvenir key rings to practical bottle opener key rings. And they come in an equally generous selection of materials, including leather key rings, ceramic key rings, brass key rings and beyond. A good key ring becomes a memorable partner, and taking time to choose one — for yourself or as a gift — is just the beginning.
What style of key ring should I choose?
First, take a look at the actual ring part of your key ring. It typically features a circular piece of metal that overlaps itself for almost a whole circuit, to provide a secure loop for your keys. To open it, you have to pull the metal apart and thread one key at a time onto the ring. As you will probably already know, this is easier with some key rings than others.
Key rings are usually made of stainless steel, which is strong, durable and won’t rust. Depending on how thick it is, it will be easier to slide your keys on and off, so if you’re not too dextrous (or tenacious), a slimmer band will be easier to manipulate. If you are going to have lots of keys and other heavy objects dangling from your key ring, choose one that looks sturdier.
And make sure the overlap is wide enough to keep your keys safely on the ring. Heavy keychains, trinkets, and keys can cause the metal ring to pull apart, which can lead to you losing your keys.
Once the practical part is taken care of, it’s time for the fun part — choosing the decorative features. A leather key ring is considered luxurious and tactile, and will be easy to feel for in a pocket or bag. A metal detail such as a disc or custom shape is easiest to personalise with a name or message (see below). Other decorative features come in enamel, acrylic, wood or fabric — a scarf key ring is one that won’t get lost at the bottom of your bag!
Away from the standard stainless circle key ring, is the carabiner key ring that opens via a hook or screw. Larger, lightweight versions of these are popular with people who enjoy boating, camping, hiking or fishing, as you can use them to hang a torch or charger, and you can hang them from a belt or backpack if you can’t fit them in your pocket. Or choose the hybrid version of a key ring clip, which comprises a regular key ring at one end, and a swivel clip at the other. It’s super functional, as you can clip it to a belt, or to the loop found inside some handbags or travel bags.
And then there’s the purse key ring — a whole new category of key ring all to itself. Pouch, purse of wallet key rings combine the function of a small purse with the practicality of a key ring, so you can keep your keys and coins or cards all in the same place.
Personalised key rings
Key rings make a super gift. It’s something the recipient will have for a long time, and you will cross their mind every now and then over the coming years when they pull their keys out of their bag or pocket. A personalised key ring adds another layer of consideration, and ensure that it’s unique and extra special. It’s easy to make your gift of a custom key ring truly one of a kind by adding a photo, name, initials, or even a personal inscription. Tip: When searching for your key ring, check the ‘Can be personalised’ box in Special features.
Collectable key rings
Key rings are also very collectible. According to the Guinness World of Records, the largest collection of keyrings (Americans call them keychains) belongs to one Angel Alvarez Cornejo from Seville in Spain. Angel is the proud owner of 62,257 key rings, and has held the title since 2016. He started collecting when he was seven and now rents a warehouse to hold his collection. The word for collecting key rings is copoclephily, so someone who collects key rings is known as a copoclephilist. The word comes from the Greek ‘kope’ meaning handle, and ‘kleis’ meaning key. File that one away for certain glory at your next pub quiz.
So now you have a good idea about what kind of key ring you’re looking for. In these pages, you’ll find all the best key rings, including leather key rings, photo key rings and personalised key rings Australia-wide. You’ll also discover a wide range of other necessities and gifts including women’s accessories and men’s accessories.
