sperry topsider -made in brewer maine

In Sperry-speak this is the Authentic Original®. Know to the rest of us as Top-Sider. Sperry have finally jumped in, and now work with Highland Shoe, Co. in Brewer, ME to create this essential item. These are $300, but if you use code FRIEND you can get 25% off (so $225)... I just tried, it works. Sure would wear Arrow Mocs or whatever but grew up in Top-Siders. Question, can you get new soles on these or is that a lost cause, cus I burn through the sole in one summer basically... BTW, incase you wonder, this is a pure "find", Sperry have not contacted me atall.

Yes, you've seen similar factory videos by now but this one worth a look. Happy Friday!

us army pocket can opener -p38

The P-38 can opener is 38mm long and has been alternately called the "best Army invention ever" or the "John Wayne". If I could have found the training video w/ The Duke opening his C rations with this thing you know I would have included it...


GeorgiaOutfitters has a detailed page with the complete history. #recommend. They seem to have become beloved by ex-Army types and bushcrafters/bugout/EDK types as evidenced by the below comment from PatentsPending.

I still have the first one I grabbed out of our first box of C-rations, in Army boot camp in 1977. The only place a GI could get them was in a case (12) of C-rations, where they appeared to be thrown in as an afterthought, 4-5 to the case. It's on my keychain. I still use it to open cans when camping (car-camping, that is). I've used it to adjust my carburetor, get a grip on a splinter, clean my fingernails, pick my teeth, adjust rifle sights, let air out of a tire, rip open taped boxes, and open cans of all sizes to the gasps and amazement of lookers-on. It shows no sign of wear, other than the hole where the keyring has carried it for 28 years.

They have them at Ball and Buck in the North End. $1.
[thx to @thewilderthings for the inspiration]

aaron draplin -the whole ball of wax

If you are a scuffling creative thinking about art, escapes, graphic design, putting all your experience into your work -I bet you will like this. If you have been following DDC (you know, Field Notes, yeah that guy) then this is a must watch. Draplin lays it all out there. Recorded at the Walker Art Center in MN on March 6, 2012.

jacob sutton -light emiting diodes

Short and sweet. Incase you can't see the embed above it is a RED shoot, at night, of William Hughes shredding in an LED suit. Still below. Head to Nowness to view.

paging marlin perkins

If you remember Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom you'll appreciate this. Color correction ftw. Shiner Pale Ale from the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas.

schuyler towne reveals the inner workings of locks

This is Schuyler Towne, who is a " a mechanical security researcher" aka "competitive lockpicker". Consequently he is very interested in the construction of locks and making them more secure. There is some extreme geekery here, meaning education, and it is great. Or maybe you want to know how a master key works? Bam, video below. Fascinating stuff. He has a blog looking at vintage safes and locks that is really worth looking at too.



I wish I knew about him when we closed our front door with keys inside last month... His workshops would make a good corporate event I bet. He is pretty high energy generally (videos above are more mellow). I believe he may be speaking at the upcoming TEDxSomerville talks in Somerville, MA. Will keep an eye out.

the knife man

Amolador is the Portuguese word for grinder, or knife sharpener. These skilled knife sharpeners push their bikes through the streets, playing a distinctive tune on pan flutes to signal their presence.

Their bikes serve as a mobile workshop, with a sharpening stone mounted on the top tube, a tool box strapped to the back, and umbrellas draped over the handlebars.

Apparently there used to be many amoladors, but with the advent of cheap knives and scissors it's a dying profession which is too bad because it's pretty cool.

I found a Popular portuguese saying, "quando há amolador, há chuva": when the knife sharpener is around, it's going to rain.
-words and video by mattquann

starboard clothing co. -toile bow tie

Another cottage industry tie maker you may/not have heard of, Charleston Clothing Co. Hard to find toile bow ties, but they have them. Look good. $45.

in the blood

In The Blood is a film & live exhibit/show illustrating turn-of-the-century Maine lumbermen & river drivers. If you follow 10engines you'll know this is a favourite subject of mine, and have to say this is one of the the best productions of this sort I've seen.

ITB is ostensibly a documentary featuring interviews with retired loggers laid over uncommon archival footage and photos of rivermen and activities in the camp. If you have seen From Stump To Ship it is that on steroids, taking every advantage of technology but respectfully. The filmmaker Sumner McKane, also exhibits the movie as a show with live music; a few left if you live in Maine -check listings.

interview with rohan anderson (whole larder love guy)

Great interview here with "Ro" the writer and photographer of Whole Larder Love. Somehow I didn't realise just how enthusiastic he was about the front end business of simply growing the vegetables. He is working on a book that will compliment and probably eclipse his blog, but after seeing this I think a cookery show should be the next step... I'm giving these ideas away for free here!

Hat tip to Ryan of ForestGlenRoad for finding this.

elbow patches -angry beige etc

late to the party -mountain man

Molly Sarlé, Amelia Meath, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig are Mountain Man. Formed while they were all in Bennington, VT, they create acoustic and a cappella vocal harmonies. Pretty spare, in a great way. Appalachian references. #bosh

Debut album Made The Harbor was recorded in the attic of an old ice cream parlor I understand. Got me...

air weave yellow raincoat

The Air Weave® raincoat looks like value. Made with lightweight, durable waterproof nylon, exceeds military specs for waterproof material and meets NFPA 701 flame-resistance specs (vertical flame test). Seams are sewn and taped to form a waterproof seal as strong and dry as the material. No metal parts, rather non-conductive nylon snaps that will not rust or corrode. Available with hood as pictured or coach jacket style. Made in the Good Ol'...

Available through Gemplers and others. Around $40.

only -cut & sew

Just found ONLY based in NY, NY. Streetwear beginnings and now cut&sewn stuff too. Have not seen it in the wild but looks clean and crisp. All made in USA, most in NYC. Limited runs and not expensive, good sales. They have done a "vintage materials" cap collection in the past but it was the amber shirt that stopped me.

uncle bill's tweezers -the sliver gripper

Uncle Bill's Tweezers; Made from a single piece of spring-tempered stainless steel with a patented clip holder that shields the points for use on a keyring. I like anything that is delivered in a tube... #fathersday

skogsarbeideren -means forest worker

A documentary/profile of lumberman Torbjørn Prytz [Norwegian I believe -ed] filmed and edited by Tobias Aputsiaq Prytz. #kidis19 #chops

alistair smith -pacific crest collection

Final year fashion student Alistair Smith has taken inspriation from the story of the Pacific Crest Trail that stretches the length of the left coast. He says that on this trail the history of many well known and idolized American outdoor brands developed and tested their first products.

Snap review, you may see shades of Nigel Cabourn here which may be so, Alistair did a year placement with NC. Bunch of cool touches as well though. Alistair said via email; "I understand that the clothing is not really vintage 'repro', but hopefully it's an interpretation that pays homage to the original gear." Good stuff. A bit more at his site, including a woodsy lookbook video.

The pacific crest collection is a celebration of the primitive outdoor gear and customized sportswear that helped thru-hikers on the trail in those early years of adventure & discovery... The result is a collection of garments that mix old with new, natural fabrics and vintage inspired finishes with small references to those early designs by [then] young outdoor companies such as Gerry, The North Face, REI, Sierra Designs and Patagonia.

aa clothing co. -sub $50 khakis

Sub-$50 khakis made in the USA may not be unicorn status but they are hard to find. Enter All American Clothing (AA) based in Arcanum, OH. Their products have all or virtually all of their core components manufactured or grown in the United States of America, as well as 100% of their assembly conducted in the U.S.A.

The All American Casual Pant is made of a 7.5 oz wrinkle resistant 65/35, poly/cotton blend and features a gusset for improved comfort and durability. It has a flat front and there is a very discreet welt pocket on the right leg that is perfect for holding a cell phone. $43.95

a love story... in milk

V smartly done. Created by Catsnake on commission from Friends of the Earth.

american classic barbershop -st. louis

The barbershop is one of the few last refuges of an old man.
-Dave Devine, owner.

I don't need it too much *ahem* but love visiting barbershops. This place def' going on the list.

American Classic Barbershop
5419 Chippewa St.
St Louis, MO 63109