our products
Our products are unorthodox but quickly become prized possessions and daily essentials. They disregard the line between spontaneity and utility, between lighthearted toys and practical tools. They reject categorization. Just like us. You can manipulate our products, you can wear them, you can put them to work.. or you can simply carry them. Appreciate them for their unique properties, their shape, their weight, their texture, their sound, and the knowledge they will be there for you as companions, getting better with age.
Their beauty stems from the simplicity of our design philosophy. We seek to remove what is unnecessary, while at the same time elevating a refined function—to help us be here now, as now is, and to express ourselves, as we are.
begleri
Begleri is a remarkable little skill toy that originated in Greece, as an adaptation of the traditional Greek rosary/ worry beads known as komboloi. The komboloi were often flipped around and between the fingers, and over time this practice led to the simpler, linear design of begleri. Begleri consists of beads secured at either end of a cord, usually in a symmetrical arrangement, which can be flipped around the fingers to perform tricks. Traditional begleri were cherished items, and were often made from materials such as semi-precious stones. Aroundsquare respects this history, and continues the tradition, with innovative designs, precision machined from top grade materials.
chetki
Aroundsquare’s chetki are our take on the classic “Russian prison beads”. They are designed for flipping, much like a balisong or a set of begleri, and with practice, a wide variety of tricks and combinations can be performed. But as the name suggests, these beads have a unique back story.
mkultras
More than a piece of jewelry or a personal item, a fine set of beads carried daily becomes a reliable companion, with us through all the ups and downs of everyday life. Aroundsquare's MKUltras are a contemporary rendition of the classic form, inspired by Greek komboloi, mala beads, misbaha, and other traditional beads carried throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
knucklebones
Aroundsquare’s Knucklebone is the original hardbody knuckle roller. It is a skill toy that is manipulated with the fingers to perform tricks and patterns, or simply to pass the time. It is very discrete (unless dropped) and can be played in restricted spaces. The kbone makes a great EDC item, and serves well as a worry stone. But don’t be deceived. In the right hands, this toy is capable of complex technical tricks that can entertain for hours.
deadeye coins
Aroundsquare’s Deadeyes are our first entry into the world of currency manipulation. We’ve started calling these “contact coins” because they lend themselves to a style of manipulation that resembles contact juggling. On the surface, the Deadeyes look like just a refined worry stone made from metal, and they certainly serve well for that. They are precisely crafted and beautifully finished, with an ergonomic indent on either side that is perfect for thumbs of any size.
rings
Aroundsquare's collection of bold, beautiful, minimalist rings, including our distinctive banzhi thumb rings.
other manipulatives
In addition to our other more expansive product families like begleri and chetki, Aroundsquare also produces a number of other unique manipulative items. These include established items like contact balls, flow ropes, and foot bags, as well as Aroundsquare originals such as dubulo (monkey knuckles) and our nowhere planks. Each of these is unique in its offerings and rewards, and supports the development of physical dexterity, focus, and skill development.
apparel
Aroundsquare’s Knucklebone is the original hardbody knuckle roller. It is a skill toy that is manipulated with the fingers to perform tricks and patterns, or simply to pass the time. It is very discrete (unless dropped) and can be played in restricted spaces. The kbone makes a great EDC item, and serves well as a worry stone. But don’t be deceived. In the right hands, this toy is capable of complex technical tricks that can entertain for hours. More...
stationery
Our growing range of desk and table top items include an eclectic assortment of stationery goods, functional tools, and creative materials that live and work on the horizontal plane. These include pocket knives, pens, notebooks and writing materials, tableware, and creative playthings. Our designs are refined, and deceptively minimalistic--packed with depth and intentionality which may not be apparent at first glance. We've sourced absolute premium materials for everything from the blade steel in our pocket knives to the paper inside our notebooks, and distilled each item to its core purposes to give them a feel and functionality that is unsurpassed.