It’s all in the wrist

They say good penmanship can be found in a supple yet controlled wrist. I disagree. It begins with what you are holding in your hand. Writing with a fine pen is a completely different experience from your standard Bic rollerball. So, you go to the MontBlanc store. Right? Well, not so fast, grasshopper. Remember, MontBlanc is a fine instrument, but plentiful in shirt pockets at your office. You demand something that others don’t know about, something a little more, well, special. Enter Caran d’Ache. Designed in Switzerland, made in Switzerland. There are a ton of options; some are less expensive, some are investment grade. Try this one out for starters.

https://www.carandache.com/us/en/roller-pen/varius-carbon-roller-pen-p-10029.htm

Set the hook!

For all of you fly fishermen out there, I know there are tons of great options when it comes to choosing the right reel for the right fish. Have a look at this outfit. Talk about a million options. There might be another fisherman on the same river with an Abel reel but I guarantee you, it will not be the same as yours. Pour two fingers of your favorite scotch and try the configurator one evening. It’s fun.

https://abelreels.com/main/rove-series/

Feed your wanderlust

For those who enjoy the great outdoors and spending nights out in the wild, you have to check out these tents by Zpacks. Made of Dyneema (ultralight material stronger than steel) they are waterproof and ultra light weight. This two-person tent packs super small and weighs 19.5oz! You don’t want to get caught out in inclement weather with inferior gear. Believe me, it sucks.

https://zpacks.com/products/duplex-pro-tent

 

Fire, always a necessity

This needs to be in your go bag. Lightweight and bombproof, when you need a flame, you need something reliable. Enter the world of ExoTac. This lighter will perform when you need it to. Every time. Check out their other gear when you visit their site.

https://www.exotac.com/products/titanlight

 

Gaming Nerd Alert!

Did you recently find a box of your favorite GameBoy games from your child hood and wondering what to do with them? How about getting back into portable gaming with a player that will make your games look 10X better than they ever did before? Enter: Analogue Pocket. Just go visit their website to see what this thing can do. I can’t fit it all on one page. If games are your thing, you need to own this.

https://www.analogue.co/pocket

 

Next level Point and Shoot

This next product is a cult favorite of semi-pro and pro photographers worldwide. The Ricoh GRIIIx HDF. It is extremely versatile, small and compact and utilizes what is called HDF (highlight diffusion filter) to give your images more of a film like quality than a digital point and shoot. You might have to wait a bit for this one or call your local camera store. They are not easy to find.

https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/product/gr-iiix-hdf/

 

Best lazy cup of coffee

 

OK you lazy bums out there. For those who love a great cup of coffee but don’t want to mess around with grinding beans or using a pour over kettle treat yourself to a known leader in the field. Techni Vorm MoccaMaster. And for those who don’t want to wait for the pot to completely brew, you can sneak a cup with this one. They come in a variety of colors so make it count if it is going to sit out on our countertop.

https://us.moccamaster.com/collections/glass-carafe-brewers/products/kbgv-select?variant=46144639533219

This DAC is the Schitt

 

For those who are not too familiar with the audio space, it is a long, deep, very deep, rabbit hole. And talk about expensive. There are turntables out there that cost as much as a Corolla. It is easy to fall in the hole, especially if you are a nerd. So, you have a great pair of wired headphones that you think are the bomb. Maybe they are. But whatever you have, it is being held back from truly performing. Enter a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter). Your computer has one but it is crappy. So is the one on your phone. This little bit of kit will dial up the audio quality on your wired headphones to the Nth degree. And it won’t break the bank. So, if you are looking to get into Audio, start here. Start with this company. Their stuff is the Schitt.

https://www.schiit.com/products/mimir

Be the Grill King

Your weekend just got smoked. Ditch the daily grind and unleash your inner Grill Master with the new Weekend Warrior Bundle, available for a limited time only. With the Weekend Warrior grill, the Griller’s Utensil Trio, two 40 lb bags of Ultimate Blend Pellets, and the Small Rub & Sauce Bundle, you’ve got everything you need to own the weekend cookout. Built like a tank with legendary stainless-steel quality where it counts, this grill is made to last a lifetime. Plus, with set-it-and-forget-it PID temperature control, your cooks will be more consistent — and more delicious — than your neighbor’s burnt burgers. From mouthwatering slow-smoked ribs to high-heat sears that rival the steakhouse, this is the grill for anyone ready to take their grilling to the next level — and become a true Weekend Warrior.

 

The Pocket Knife - a classic tool

Men just aren't men unless they have a pocket knife. It is as simple as that. You know it to be true. Ever need a knife to open a package, asked a buddy for his and he whips out his pocket knife to lend a hand? Didn't you think to yourself "now there is a man that is prepared". Note: MAN, not guy or dude. Be a man, carry a knife. You will love this little jewel at around 2.5" closed. Easy to carry, amazing to use. ALMAR KNIVES

Don't toss those old slides, just yet

  This device converts old 35mm slides and film negatives into digital images without the need for a computer, allowing you to easily preserve your memories. Slides and negatives are placed into a tray that aligns each properly. How cool!

Hammacher Schlemmer

Hierloom quality Knife

There is just something to be said about a hand made, high quality knife that defies any normal description. I have yet to meet a man who was not honestly thrilled to receive a quality knife as a gift. Whether they are a hunter, outdoorsman or just a collector, this knife is sure to please even the most discriminating person. AL MAR KNIVES

Great Cookin'!

Summer is here, bringing with it a season full of BBQ and outdoor living. This year treat yourself to the best cooker ever and revel in the compliments that will flow like honey as your guests sample your cooking. This amazing little smoker was introduced to me by my amigo (thanks Wayne) and touted as the most stupid easy cooker to use. I had my doubts but after tasting the sausage, ribs and brisket that came out of this thing, even my dumb 'ole self can look like a backyard pro. COOKSHACK

Bye bye Video Store - Hello ROKU!

This has to be one of the best gadgets for $100. For those of you who have been contemplating whether or not to cancel your subscription to Netflix, wait! This little box (about the size of small chocolate box -yes i'm hungry) packs a powerful punch. You can stream instant videos from Netflix, check out the latest releases from the Amazon Video store, play your favorite Pandora channel and even setup a slideshow from Fickr or your Facebook account. Many more "Channels" are being added by Roku and there is NO subscription fee to access these channels. You buy the box, link to your accounts, grab a slice of ZZAH and press play. Order the ROKU box HERE

The GLO Bible

Quite simply, the most amazing interactive Bible I have ever seen. What an amazing study tool and it should really appeal to the younger generation. View the demo when you get a chance. Not available for a MAC yet but due out this year. GLOBIBLE

Touch activated enthusiast watch

The specifications on these ultra cool watches read like something out of a James Bond movie. Keep in mind, these watches are cool for one primary reason (IMHO), you touch the glass to activate the various features of the watch! Titanium case. Black rubber bracelet. Black Touch Screen dial. Bidirectional Rotating bezel. Scratch Resistant Sapphire crystal. Deployment clasp. Quartz movement. 43mm case diameter. Water resistant to 30m / 100ft. Perpetual Calendar, Luminous hands, LCD backlight, 2nd time zone, Barometer, Altimeter, Compass, Chronograph, Thermometer. Tissot T-Touch Expert Titanium Analog/Digital Mens Watch. BUY ONE HERE

Skull pounding goodness

Until you experience the sound from these Skull Candy SkullCrusher headphones, your ain't heard nothin' yet. The name says it all, they will pile drive your skull with sound. What makes the phones so unique, so great? Aside from their incredible comfort, these over-the-ear phones feature an inline adjustable Bass Booster that you can literally feel inside your head. I don't know how they do it but for around $70, they are worth every cent. Hook yourself up with a pair at BestBuy

Suunto Vector HR - tells all but the future

The Suunto Vector HR is your tool for peak performance, whether you're already on the mountain or training to get there. Armed with an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, and heart rate monitor, you'll have the information you need to make responsible decisions in the great, vertical outdoors. So, if you are looking for a watch that can go anywhere and do just about anything, Suunto watches will not let you down. Strap one on today. SUUNTO

YETI Coolers.

Simple words cannot describe how in the world one can justify spending $400 on a cooler. Your wife and friends will think that you have lost your friggin' marbles for spending so freely on something so, well, worthless. But it will be you who has the last laugh. YETI coolers keep your cold stuff almost cold 5x as long as the "5-day" cooler sold by brand X. What happens to a regular 'ole cooler when it rolls out of the back of your truck doing 60 MPH? The question is , what's left? Drop a YETI out the back doing 60 and it'll get scratched, that's about it. Bear proof and almost bomb proof a YETI will be the last cooler you ever buy. Be a big boy and pony up the dough for a real mans cooler. YETI COOLERS

The NEW Kindle.

OK folks. I can honestly tell you that after owning the original Kindle, I can make some direct comparisons to the new one. MAJOR UPDATE in my opinion isn't the thinner format and lighter weight of this new Kindle. It is BUTTON position. The First Gen. Kindle made it far too easy to accidentally advance or retard your pages. The new Kindle has addressed this Achilles heel, thereby making your reading experience that much more enjoyable. Let's not also forget that you can be driving down the highway (as a passenger, of course), in an airport or out on the range (with a cell signal, duh) and buy, download and begin reading a new book or periodical almost instantly. How Cool! Get'em here: AMAZON