nothing beats the excitement of coming home and seeing that awaited package ​​at your doorstep. The samples were here! For the first time, even for myself, I have actually held a piece of cured carbon fiber. One of them was even without protective coating, exposing the composite material which would be toxic if the particles came loose.

The focus here, however, is the strength of the material. Out of curiosity, I tried to bend the composite part with both hands, and it amazed me. It didn't flex even a bit. I instantly remember what I've read about carbon fiber before - it's harder than steel. Well now I know. This is definitely different from "feeling" carbon fiber trims in car interiors. You would never be able to hold a piece of it and try to bend it unless you remove the whole part from the panel.

So while the shifters are being manufactured, I might as well share some process of how Carbon Shifter took shape into what it is today.

Right after I had the idea of making a paddle shifter key chain out of carbon fiber, I began sketching out shapes out of my head. Very soon I came up with these complex curves that fit your fingers as if you are actually pulling on the paddles during shifting. That's how the Shifter got its signature warped shape.

After picking the shape that I liked, I sketched out the connected parts, fastening details, and color variety. Material choice and type of machining were also planned out.

tonight, I found out a stupid and potentially fatal mistake I made couple days ago. A countersink opening that was supposed to be 3/16" in diameter that I'd mistakenly written as 3/8". Sure enough, I realized it immediately when I saw the picture of the sample from the supplier. My first reaction? "Oh f***! Holy sh**!" Staring at the ruler, I was surprised how in the world I could've made this kind of mistake.