Invariably, we’re all familiar with collapsible fans. We’ve seen them in TV shows, and now that summer weather is here, we’ll see people out in public using them as well. They’re compact and move air, but the main problem with them is that they break. Any ones I’ve had have been inexpensive, and made of thin plastic or wood (for the spines) which breaks. With the UltraFan, that is no longer a concern.
UltraFan: what it is
The UltraFan is your standard folding hand fan, with the materials knobs turned all the way up to 11. Gone are the flimsy balsa wood or plastic that are going to break. With this fan, they’ve been replaced by either titanium or carbon fiber. Obviously, CF is not immune to cracking, so if you want durability over all, it’ll be the titanium.
For the fan “body” itself, gone is that cheap paper (can you tell I’ve only handled inexpensive fans?), and here, it’s replaced with silk. Not only that, the silk fanning is designed to be replaceable, and you can order an extra one as part of the campaign.
Other details
They’ve also focused on the construction, using a hinge pin that relies on tension to help keep it from loosening, keeping the fan from feeling wobbly, or binding up when it’s deployed. Additionally, it’s designed to be flush (more or less) to the fan ribs, making it more comfortable.
Finally, as with all things titanium these days, they’ve also milled in slots for tritium (or regular glow) tubes, which are also available as an add-on. Not sure that you really need tritium on your hand fan, but once you’re at this price point, why not.
Wrapping things up
So, let’s talk about pricing. With the design and materials here, this is not a disposable fan. The titanium version has early bird pricing that starts at $237, while the carbon fiber option is $277. Of course, things like the extra fanning material and tritium will be additional. Though, if you’re using a fan like this regularly, something that is warrantied to last a decade? Then the pricing might make sense. The campaign is fully funded, and closes out on June 29, 2025. Shipping is set for the fall, so you’ll need to get through this summer heat – this year – on your own. Check it out over at kickstarter.com
