Some tools exist purely to get the job done. Others demand to be admired. The fractal vise is both. Its interlocking jaws move like a puzzle, shifting to grip objects with near-perfect contact. Originally an obscure, high-end machinist’s tool, it was too complex for the average workshop. MetMo has taken that complexity and distilled it into something refined, compact, and endlessly satisfying—equal parts engineering marvel, functional vise, and mechanical curiosity.
MetMo has a reputation for resurrecting old-school mechanical designs and refining them into precision-engineered, tactile experiences. Their MetMo Driver brought a vintage ratchet screwdriver into the 21st century with a satisfying mechanical feel. The MetMo Grip reimagined a classic 1950s engineering tool with modern machining. With the Fractal Vise, they’ve once again hit that sweet spot between functional tool and mesmerizing desk toy, making it equally at home in a workshop or as a fidget-worthy showpiece.
Designers: Sean Sykes and James Whitfield
Click Here to Buy Now: $193 $215 (10% off). Hurry, only 20/450 left! Raised over $815,000.
The magic of a fractal vise lies in its jaws, which move independently to conform perfectly to irregular shapes. Traditional vises rely on parallel jaws that can be frustratingly inadequate when holding objects with odd contours, but the MetMo Fractal Vise eliminates that struggle. Whether you’re clamping a fragile model, a round pipe, or even an irregularly shaped tool, the vise distributes pressure evenly, gripping firmly without damaging delicate surfaces. It’s sort of like watching jigsaw pieces fit into each other as the vise’s shape changes to match the contours of the object it’s holding. The result, a much better grip that holds an object at multiple points rather than just sandwiching it between two flat metal planes.
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend owning a fractal vise – it’s too specialized, and there’s a fair chance that 99% of people don’t need it. But scale it down the way MetMo does, and now it’s a work of art that is fun, functional, and accessible (thanks to its affordable price tag). It’s a lot like owning a smaller version of a steam locomotive, or an RC car. It’s functional, but there’s also the added joy in watching a grand machine work perfectly in its scaled-down form.
And the functionality part is what MetMo’s managed to nail perfectly. The Fractal Vise is perfect for designers, artists, hobbyists, craftspeople, model-makers, engineers, tinkerers, or even anyone with a penchant for EDC. The Fractal Vise can be used vertically, horizontally, or even inside-out, allowing it to grip items from the inside instead of from the outside. It’s good enough to be placed on a table and used as-is, but can also be clamped into a bigger vise for a more sturdy, robust setup.
More importantly, the Fractal Vise is a work of art. The intricate design, the way the jaws shift and move, it’s all a part of a mechanical choreography that gives you the same joy you’d get from watching an engine purr, pistons turn, linkages work, or even looking at the movement of an intricately assembled watch. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend owning a fractal vise, but I’d encourage people just this one time because of the sheer beauty of this particular pocket-sized piece. It practically classifies as EDC at this point.
The MetMo Fractal Vise comes in two sizes: the Fractal Vise 32 and the Fractal Vise 82. The numbers refer to their maximum clamping zones—32mm (1.2 inches) and 82mm (3.2 inches), respectively. The ‘shorter’ 32mm version measures just 2.2 inches in length, while the 82mm variant can go up to 5.5 inches long, offering a slightly more elongated vise design that still fits within collector-toy-territory, while being a serious tool you can use in the workshop.
The Fractal Vise has the unique distinction of being both delicate and powerful. You could easily clamp something as frail as an ornate sipping glass in it, and the vise will hold it reliably, but without force. For more robust use-cases, the Fractal Vise can output a clamping force of up to 1,965 Psi (pounds per square inch) – that’s about the same clamping force of the jaws of an alligator. A shockingly high amount for something small enough to fit in your palm.
Each Fractal Vise is entirely machined from metal, with an option of going for an outer block made from either aerospace-grade aluminum or full stainless steel. The aluminum version features hardened stainless steel jaws, keeping it lightweight but strong, while the full-steel variant offers added heft and durability. Every component is precision-milled, hand-finished, and assembled with high-tensile bolts – in short it might look like a toy, but like everything MetMo builds, it’s designed to be as powerful as vises 10x its size, with the promise to last a century even with regular use. “We’ve not removed any metal for weight or cost saving, so this makes for one very rigid piece of kit. Even though its size is small, you can use it like a serious tool while cutting and hammering, so it won’t slow you down while you work,” say the folks at MetMo.
You can grab your own MetMo Fractal Vise (as I plan on doing so too) at early bird prices of £149 ($193 USD) for the aluminum 32mm version and £179 ($232 USD) for the 82mm variant. The full stainless steel versions start at £249 (~$322 USD), which I’d recommend if you need a vise that’s as robust and workshop-capable as they come. For most regular use cases, the aluminum Fractal Vise should be sturdy enough to get any job done.
It’s rare for a vise to be called “fun,” but MetMo’s Fractal Vise manages to be exactly that. It’s an engineering relic revived for the modern age, a tool that’s as practical as it is fascinating, and an irresistible desk companion for anyone who appreciates the beauty of mechanical design. Whether you need a vise or just want an excuse to clamp everything in sight, this little piece of precision engineering is ready to do the job.
Click Here to Buy Now: $193 $215 (10% off). Hurry, only 20/450 left! Raised over $815,000.
