10E2585: Steele | Ice Crusher Kit

From the people that brought you one of the original coal/ice totes, Steele Canvas. They have revised their 1960's Ice Crusher Kit. $30. Made in MA.

"Fill with ice and whack for coarse or tiny chips.  Hang from brass eyelet to dry."

10E2584: That Shuttler Look

A smart lady told me recently to get out of the house more. Have started going to old man badminton in the evenings. A few good lookin gents out of Darjelling-Limited-central-casting wipe the floor with me without moving their feet. Doubles is the most fun. It is all about the sidelines, as much as the drop shots which you might assume.

...a badminton birdie (aka shuttlecock) is the fastest recorded object in sports. (In) 2013, Malaysia’s Tan Boon Hoeng set a new world record with a 493 km/h smash. - via

 

 Stripes def make you play better...

10E2583: Topo Designs K9 Control

Dog leash. Gap in the market time. Treat your furry friend with their own clip-n-go Topo Designs style.  $29. USA.

"Made from heavy-duty nylon webbing we use on many of our packs and bags, featuring a double-loop handle for adjustability, and finished with a paracord loop (for keys, treats or waste bags) and a durable, lightweight aluminum carabiner clip.

All of our Dog Leashes are handmade here in Colorado." - via Topo Designs

10E2582: HOTH

Hoth from Paul Osborne on Vimeo.

There MUST be other snowboard vids titled HOTH [great name - ed] but I don't remember them.  

Found via YoBeat - they had me at "high contrast".  #desktopvacation

The quotes and voice are Alan Watts the British philosopher.

10E2581: Brexit Barbours

Mainly due to the Brexit decision, the UK's pound Sterling/quid/sovs/sheets is weak against the dollar. Not 1:1 but was edging... Good time to revisit this post about using ebay.co.uk to snag a Barbour...

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I interpret one of the planks of the "buy American" movement as meaning "buy goods from their original manufacturers". Boots and blankets should come from Minnesota, camping gear from Oregon (or California) and moccasins from Maine. Plus, coats come from North Dakota and pencils come from Pennsylvania... Right?

On that tack, a few months years back The Trad revealed a nice tip that should have been obvious but wasn't... when buying British goods, especially nicely aged stuff like say, a Barbour jacket, use British eBay. Bolt of lighting time...

"Ahem, a small word of advice that’ll save you a couple hundred bucks – - Go to Ebay UK for your Barbour. Dirt cheap and beat to hell for about $50. Throw in shipping for $30 and you have the real McCoy with distressed character." -Tintin (The Trad)

Excellent advice. Took a little watching but managed to snag [another -ed] "BARBOUR BEDALE Waxed jacket 38" for 16 pounds sterling - at the moment about $20. Insane.

In the UK a Barbour has some slightly loaded social connotations (i.e. you may be an upper class twit) but no doubt that is just my insecurity showing. Fine, fine piece of kit. The fit with the top pockets was discontinued in 1998 (?) - thus essential.


Related tip from Oma that I won't need this time, "distress a Barbour to avoid the ignominy of appearing to have a new one... elastic bands wound round the arms and leave it in the back of the car for the dogs to trample on."

10E2580: LLBean Rangley Wool Plaid/Leather Gloves

From the "reading my mail" department. The goodness of leather palms and the niche of wool.
Via LLBean. 

• 100% deerskin leather palm and fingers.
• Wool/nylon blend back with knit cuff.
• ThermaTek insulation
• Fleece-lined

Love the use of malone plaid.

• 100% deerskin leather palm and fingers.
• Wool/nylon blend or nylon back with a polyester knit cuff.
• Waterproof and breathable TEK2® insert keeps hands dry.
• ThermaTek insulation keeps hands warm.
• Fleece-lined for extra comfort.