We at RainyDayMagazine have always been a big fan of shirts with French cuffs, so we already had a small collection of cuff links.  We asked some of the staffers to show us their favorites.  Of course, we knew someone would have a set made from old microprocessor chips :-)

Typically, cuff links have a "display" piece for the outside of the sleeve and a swivel bar which is pushed through the button hole to secure the sleeves together in the back.

The iKuffs cuff links work in basically the same manner.  The links are machined from solid stainless steel.  Each link is made up of three parts (Front ring, LED stem, rear battery compartment).

Each iKuff part is threaded and can be easily disassembled and reassembled. 

To attach the iKuffs, remove the front ring, insert the stem through both sleeves, and thread the front ring back on the stem.  It was easy with two hands...we'll see what happens when we try to do it with one :-)

Instead of a jewel center, the iKuffs have bright blue LEDs.  The battery compartment acts as the switch for the LED...tighten the compartment to the LED stem until contact is made to complete the circuit to light the LED.

Of course, the iKuffs can be worn with the LED off.  Then they just look like elegant stainless steel fashion accessories. 

We heard a rumor (OK...we are starting a rumor...) that the next version may incorporate either some kind of metal cutting laser or GPS tracking capabilities and that it is something Q will be adding to 007's equipment list.

Even if those features never make it into production, the current versions of iKuffs are still beautifully crafted pieces of functional art.  We loved the combination of the solid stainless steel and the fun whimsical blue LED.  We are looking forward to the glass and carbon fiber version of this unique line of men's fashion accessories!

Cuff buttons were created back in the late 1700s to replace cuff strings.  Their main purpose were to keep the cuffs of a shirt closed.

By the mid 1800s, cuff button or links had turned into fashion accessories, usually made of gems or precious metal (gold, silver, etc...).

The technology of the cuff links has not changed much since then...that is until Ivan Nogalo took some of his ideas and realized them in a line of cuff links for those looking for something a bit bolder in their sleeve accessories.

The iKuffs from Ivan Nogalo looked like they could be part of James Bond's standard-issue equipment and could emit some kind of metal cutting laser beam.... you know, just in case he was somehow sealed in a metal drum and was about to be tossed into a nuclear hazardous waste pit.

Anyway, we got a pair of the iKuffs to see if they were real fashion accessories or just geeky novelty items.

In the FirstLook review, we'll take one apart and see what it's made of.  In the FirstUse review, we'll wear them to a formal function and see what others think of them.

Reviews:

1. FirstLook

2. FirstUse

Review Summary:

Initial Impression- Beautifully crafted

Usability- Twist on blue LED

Durability- 120 hrs/battery

Price- $200