“You don’t turn your back on family. Even when they do.”
- Dominic Toretto, Fast & Furious 6
You almost had me? You never had me. You never had your car … Ask any racer, any real racer. It don’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning’s winning. *Welcome to The Dispatch from Gallantry, brother.
- Dominic “Dom” Toretto, The Fast and The Furious (2001)
*We totally just added that last line for fun, but if we’re being honest? It sounds even better.
American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter Vin Diesel (born Mark Sinclair) a.k.a. “Vinnie D” is not only one of the highest-grossing actors of all-time, but he’s also a total badass Gallantry Man Legend.
To understand how this cool dude became the iconic Dominic “Dom” Toretto of the The Fast and The Furious movies, as well as the impact that the Fast franchise has had on popular culture, let’s take it back to the beginning.
The time is the 1990’s. Diesel is working as a bouncer in New York City, trying to make ends meet as a struggling aspiring actor. After years of hustling, Diesel’s charisma catches the eye of none other than Steven Spielberg, who then rewrites Saving Private Ryan just to make sure that his new version includes a hearty role for Diesel.
Hey. If that’s not a great 30th birthday present (Diesel turned 30 during the shoot), what is?
Vinnie D in Saving Private Ryan.
Vinnie D in Saving Private Ryan.Flash forward to the period of time following the incredible success of Academy-Award winning behemoth Ryan and Diesel was off to the races. After voicing the titular character in The Iron Giant (1999) and starring in the Gallantry Man cult classic Boiler Room (2000), Diesel was finally cast opposite Gallantry Man Hall-of-Famer Paul Walker (undercover cop-turned-future-Toretto-family-member Brian O’Conner) as the patriarch ringleader of a badass group of street racers/car thieves in 2001’s The Fast and The Furious from Universal Pictures. At last, Diesel had a role that he could really sink his teeth into. And just like that, Diesel became an A-list Action Star.
A loose remake of Point Break from the writer of Training Day and Walker’s director from The Skulls, Rob Cohen, Fast had it all – sweet cars (like Toretto’s beloved 1970 Dodge Charger R/T), even sweeter car chases, smoking hot chicks, a soundtrack that bumped, shootouts, epic bro dialogue for the record books, you name it. Made on a budget of $38 million, Fast grossed over $207 million at the box-office, in turn launching a franchise that continues to print money to this day.
While Diesel has certainly had his fair share of other successful franchises (the Riddick flicks), cool roles (Knockaround Guys), and underrated performances (see Find Me Guilty), his turn as Toretto, likely the most skilled (fictional) racer of all-time, remains his most prolific, career-defining role, the one that has made him undoubtedly one of the most recognizable blockbuster stars of the 21st century.
Remember when Dom briefly switched up from Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) for Rio cop Elena Neves (Elsa Pataky)? That was wild!
Remember when Dom briefly switched up from Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) for Rio cop Elena Neves (Elsa Pataky)? That was wild!Ask any superfan of the Fast movies and they’ll tell you why so many connect with the thrill-seeking Toretto. The strong, rough around the edges Toretto has an edge and a hot temper that you wouldn’t want to catch yourself on the wrong side of, sure, but at the end of the day nothing matters to this guy more than family, loyalty, having a strong moral code (a sometimes ambiguous one, but a code nonetheless), and Corona (as he famously tells Brian, “You can have any brew you want…as long as it’s a Corona.”).
Whether Toretto is orchestrating car theft rings, multi-million dollars heists, pulling off black op missions for shady government organizations, or blowing hot air by telling someone in his crew that it’s time for “one last ride” (even when it’s obviously definitely not going to be), the truth is that at the end of the day Toretto really would give it all up for his family.
Toretto doesn’t have friends. He has family. And, as he makes crystal clear in Fast Five, “There’s always room for family.”
You know what else there’s always room for?
You know it…
“You think this joker over here even gets his EDC from Gallantry, bro? If he doesn’t, let’s ditch him. This op is for Gallantry Men and Women only.”
“You think this joker over here even gets his EDC from Gallantry, bro? If he doesn’t, let’s ditch him. This op is for Gallantry Men and Women only.”- Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell), probably, Furious 7 (2015)
THE FAST POWER RANKINGS: VINNIE D EDITION
1ST PLACE: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (2001)/FAST FIVE (2011)
Money will come and go. We know that. But the most important thing in life will always be the people in this room, right here, right now. Salute.
- Dom, Fast Five
While The Fast and The Furious is legendary for being the vehicle that started it all, Fast Five is perhaps the most surprising sequel of all-time.
“I told you! Don’t come around here again unless you’ve got some fresh EDC from Gallantry on your person - ideally a keychain!”
“I told you! Don’t come around here again unless you’ve got some fresh EDC from Gallantry on your person - ideally a keychain!”Fast Five has literally no reason to be as good as it is, and it completely shocked audiences when it was released in 2011. The onboarding of The Rock was a total game-changer, and, well, you can see how and why by watching the flick.
“Beeeeeeef!”
“Beeeeeeef!”Once you’ve relived that legendary moment when Toretto meets his future Gallantry Man bff Brian in The Fast and The Furious HERE, watch Toretto throw the f down with Agent Luke Hobbs (The Rock) in what is arguably the most testosterone-fueled showdown of the decade right HERE.
“Dude, my shirt is getting extra sweaty up in here. Fresh shirt me, bro!”
“Dude, my shirt is getting extra sweaty up in here. Fresh shirt me, bro!”Watch The Fast And The Furious trailer HERE.
Watch the Fast Five trailer HERE.
“We’re listening, but we’re not hearing anything about Gallantry everyday carry. You know what that means? It means pretty soon we’re going to stop listening.”
“We’re listening, but we’re not hearing anything about Gallantry everyday carry. You know what that means? It means pretty soon we’re going to stop listening.”2ND PLACE: FAST & FURIOUS 6 (2013)/ FURIOUS 7 (2015)
“Universal is going to have the biggest movie in history with this movie. [Furious 7] will probably win best picture at the Oscars, unless the Oscars don’t want to be relevant ever.”
- Vin Diesel, Variety (spoiler alert: Diesel was completely vindicated)
Both of these flicks, Walker’s last Fast movies before his untimely death (RIP Bro Angel) are equal parts awesome and ridiculously over-the-top (in the best way, of course). They’re a total blast. Plus, they’ve both got Gallantry Man Hall-of-Famer Jason Statham as baddie Deckard Shaw in ‘em taking names and kicking ass, so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
“Where’s this bartender at, bro? Dammit! I knew I should’ve brought that EDC flask I just got from Gallantry. It holds Corona, too!”
“Where’s this bartender at, bro? Dammit! I knew I should’ve brought that EDC flask I just got from Gallantry. It holds Corona, too!”Watch the trailer for Fast & Furious 6 HERE.
Watch the trailer for Furious 7 HERE.
“Hey. You thought you could leave without saying goodbye?”
“Hey. You thought you could leave without saying goodbye?”- Brian O’Conner, Furious 7
NOTE : If you get a little choked up when Dom tells Brian “I used to say I lived my life a quarter mile at a time…and I think that’s why we were brothers. Because you did, too. No matter where you are, whether it’s a quarter mile away or halfway across the world…you’ll always be with me. And you’ll always be my brother.” at the end of Furious 7 while Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” plays, don’t beat yourself up. You’re a Gallantry Man, sure. You know what else you are, though? Human. You’re only human.
“You thought I wouldn’t be able to find Tokyo on a map? C’mon, bruh.”
“You thought I wouldn’t be able to find Tokyo on a map? C’mon, bruh.”PHOTO CREDIT: RENEGADE CINEMA
3RD PLACE: THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT (2006)
The haters can hate all day, but truth be told, Tokyo Drift, director Justin Lin’s first Fast flick, is straight money. Diesel may be uncredited as Toretto in the final moments of this Fast flick, but he should be credited, because his appearance is legit epic. Check it out HERE , and then watch the trailer for The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift HERE!
“You lookin’ at my NOS tank, bro? Hey! Don’t be looking at my Gallantry EDC, either!”
“You lookin’ at my NOS tank, bro? Hey! Don’t be looking at my Gallantry EDC, either!”BUT WHAT ABOUT…?
SKRRRRRRRTTTT!!!
We have not included 2 Fast 2 Furious, which is awesome, on this list because Diesel isn’t it. It’s that simple.
Also, since we respect Diesel (we are celebrating the man and his career-defining role here after all) too much here to talk trash, we are respectfully choosing to conveniently forget that Fast & Furious (2009), The Fate of the Furious (2017), and F9: The Fast Saga (2021) even exist. Why you ask? Why what? We don’t even know what you’re talking about. Huh?
Next topic!
Alright. Enough funny business. It’s time to get down to brass tacks. That means talking about how you can get your Toretto on with one (or, even better, all) of our extremely fire everyday carry keychains.
BOOM!
“Damn, bro. That EDC Python-QR Titanium Quick Release from Tec Accessories is lookin’ good! Pull up Gallantry on your phone and let’s order some of those bad boys!”
“Damn, bro. That EDC Python-QR Titanium Quick Release from Tec Accessories is lookin’ good! Pull up Gallantry on your phone and let’s order some of those bad boys!”First up, we’ve got…
THE PYTHON-QR TITANIUM QUICK RELEASE FROM TEC ACCESSORIES
Ultra-compact and ridiculously hardwearing, this quick-release keychain is ingeniously simplistic by design. Without making any compromises on functionality or strength, this precision-machined beauty is made from two solid pieces of grade 5 titanium – and, get this - the simple compression coupling features not a single moving part, so there is literally nothing to break with this one.
Corrosion-resistant and super lightweight at only 2.4 grams, the Python-QR uses a positive locking system that prevents accidental releases so that you never have to worry about losing any gear, no matter how heavy or valuable said gear is.
Toretto would most definitely approve.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Machined Ti6AI4V titanium
- Will not unintentional release
- Ultra-lightweight and compact
- Corrosion-resistant
- No moving parts
- Includes two stainless steel split rings
- 1.22” L x 0.157” W
- 2.4 grams
- Made in the USA
Python-QR Titanium Quick Release
$36.95
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Ultra-compact and ridiculously hardwearing, this quick-release keychain is ingeniously simplistic by design, without making any compromises on functionality or strength. Precision-machined from two solid pieces of grade 5 titanium, the simple compression coupling features not a… read more
“This car is cool and all, but I asked for the RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain from Arktype in Black, Black Camo Exclusive, Charcoal, Navy, and Olive Drab. Log into your Gallantry account and hook your boy up with the lot ASAP, bro, or else I’m going to begin to suspect that you may be in the running to turn your back on family.”
“This car is cool and all, but I asked for the RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain from Arktype in Black, Black Camo Exclusive, Charcoal, Navy, and Olive Drab. Log into your Gallantry account and hook your boy up with the lot ASAP, bro, or else I’m going to begin to suspect that you may be in the running to turn your back on family.”THE RMK PARACORD QUICK-RELEASE KEYCHAIN FROM ARKTYPE
Combining the convenience of a quick-release with the security of a carabiner, this keychain offers up the best of both worlds with absolutely zero drawbacks. The USA-made black-oxide HK military-grade rifle snap hook will stay securely clipped on whatever you fasten it to, while the sturdy slim-profile neodymium magnetic clasp ensures that you can remove your keyring without having to take off the whole thing. In other words, you can rely on this baby to not come loose unintentionally.
The length of this comprehensively functional keychain is perfect for belt loop carry, but it is also long enough for a comfortable pocket tuck. Meanwhile, should an emergency situation arise, you can take it apart to use the hand-woven type III 550 paracord.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Two-piece keychain construction
- Heavy duty black oxide military-grade HK rifle snap hook
- Securely locking slim profile neodymium magnetic clasp
- Hand-woven type III 550 paracord
- Made in the USA
- 5.125" L x 1.125" W total size
- 3.25" rifle snap hook piece length
- 3" keyring piece length
Available in Black, Black Camo Exclusive, Charcoal, Navy, and Olive Drab
RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain
$32.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Combining the convenience of a quick-release with the security of a carabiner, this keychain offers up the best of both worlds with none of the drawbacks. The USA-made black-oxide HK military-grade rifle snap hook will stay… read more
RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain
$32.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Combining the convenience of a quick-release with the security of a carabiner, this keychain offers up the best of both worlds with none of the drawbacks. The USA-made black-oxide HK military-grade rifle snap hook will stay… read more
RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain
$32.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Combining the convenience of a quick-release with the security of a carabiner, this keychain offers up the best of both worlds with none of the drawbacks. The USA-made black-oxide HK military-grade rifle snap hook will stay… read more
RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain
$32.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Combining the convenience of a quick-release with the security of a carabiner, this keychain offers up the best of both worlds with none of the drawbacks. The USA-made black-oxide HK military-grade rifle snap hook will stay… read more
RMK Paracord Quick-Release Keychain
$32.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Combining the convenience of a quick-release with the security of a carabiner, this keychain offers up the best of both worlds with none of the drawbacks. The USA-made black-oxide HK military-grade rifle snap hook will stay… read more
“Look, dude. Unless there’s a Bauhaus K80 Titanium Carabiner from Handgrey in that envelope, I don’t even want to hear about it.”
“Look, dude. Unless there’s a Bauhaus K80 Titanium Carabiner from Handgrey in that envelope, I don’t even want to hear about it.”THE BAUHAUS K80 TITANIUM CARABINER FROM HANDGREY
The K line of Handgrey carabiners were conceived with dual functionality in mind. The K80 is perhaps the best example of that conception, combining a traditional carabiner and a bottle opener into a fluid, perfectly balanced, minimalist design.
Featuring a strong TI6A-4V squared titanium unibody construction, this carabiner has no secondary parts to break or fail on its opening gate. Instead, rather, it relies on a curved built-in spring and the inherent strength of the metal.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Unibody design modeled after figure 8
- TI6A-4V grade 5 squared titanium
- Smaller carabiner shape
- Bottle opener
- 2.07" L x 1.08" W x 0.22" D
Bauhaus K80 Titanium Carabiner
$39.00
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] The K line of Handgrey carabiners were conceived with dual functionality in mind. The K80 is perhaps the best example of that conception, combining a traditional carabiner and a bottle opener into a fluid, perfectly balanced, minimalist design. Featuring… read more
“I told you, woman. No Keybar Freedom Bar in Satin-Finished Aluminum from Gallantry for my Birthday, no getting weird on the hood of my car. C’mon, now. I’ve got a Gallantry Man rep to protect in these streets.”
“I told you, woman. No Keybar Freedom Bar in Satin-Finished Aluminum from Gallantry for my Birthday, no getting weird on the hood of my car. C’mon, now. I’ve got a Gallantry Man rep to protect in these streets.”THE KEYBAR ALUMINUM FREEDOM BAR
Look. It’s simple. The KeyBar, the patented USA-made key and tool organizer (which also happens to include a titanium pocket clip), is just a better way to carry your keys and everyday items around.
Load your keys up and organize them exactly how you want them. You can add your other EDC inserts like a flash drive, bottle opener, screwdriver, and more, too.
Made from high quality materials in the USA, you can trust KeyBar to last a lifetime. In other words, KeyBars are loyal, Toretto-style.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- Patriot themed engraving with American Flag on the front and US Constitution on the back
- Fits up to 12 keys and inserts with included screws
- Expandable to fit up to 28 keys and inserts
- Comes with titanium pocket clip
- Weighs less than 2 ounces
- Made in the USA
Available in Satin-finished Aluminum and Black Anodized
Aluminum Freedom Bar
$44.95
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] KeyBar is a better way to carry your keys and everyday items. It's a patented USA-made key and tool organizer, and it includes a titanium pocket clip. Load your keys and organize them exactly how… read more
“Did you just say that the Cratered Sandblasted Titanium Keybars that I asked you to order for me from Gallantry just arrived? Let’s move, gang.”
“Did you just say that the Cratered Sandblasted Titanium Keybars that I asked you to order for me from Gallantry just arrived? Let’s move, gang.”THE CRATERED SANDBLASTED TITANIUM KEYBAR
Cratered Sandblasted Titanium KeyBar
$66.95
[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] KeyBar is a better way to carry your keys and everyday items. It's a patented USA-made key and tool organizer, and it includes a titanium pocket clip. Load your keys and organize them exactly how… read more
“These sketches of all the EDC Keychains that I bought from Gallantry are dope, right? Alright, now let’s open another bottle and stream a flick. How about something new? I’m thinking…The Fast and The Furious.”
“These sketches of all the EDC Keychains that I bought from Gallantry are dope, right? Alright, now let’s open another bottle and stream a flick. How about something new? I’m thinking…The Fast and The Furious.”STREAMING THE EDC KEYCHAIN
I live my life a quarter mile at a time. Nothing else matters. Not the mortgage, not the store, not my team and all their bulls***. For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.
- Dom, The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Stream the legend that started it all, only on HBO Max, right HERE!
“THE NEW DISPATCH FROM GALLANTRY JUST LANDED IN ALL OF OUR INBOXES! LET’S PAAAARTYYY!!!”
