Leatherman

Just about everyone knows the name of Leatherman. Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, the company has long dominated the game of multi-tools, becoming a household name early on.

The Leatherman Wave® is currently the most popular leatherman ever. Varying its use from boating, camping, fishing, hunting, emergency situations, and various trade crafts. With one use, you can tell why. 


The Wave itself, along with all of their other products, is designed for maximum effectiveness and usefulness along with lasting durability kept in the forefront. Let's be honest, who would ever want a multi-tool that breaks after a few uses? 


Boasting 17 tools, as well as 2 extra bits, it has the best value for what you are looking to get out of any Leatherman product.


Taken from their site, "The Leatherman Wave multi-tool is hands down our most popular model, made famous by its outside-accessible blades that can be deployed with just one hand. When we redesigned it in 2004, we gave the new Wave larger knives, stronger pliers, longer wire cutters, and all-locking blades. Perfect for any job, adventure, or everyday task, the Wave multi-tool is an international best-seller."


The exact specs for the tool are as follows:

Tools:

• Needlenose Pliers
• Regular Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Hard-wire Cutters
• 420HC Knife
• 420HC Serrated Knife
• Saw
• Scissors
• Wood/Metal File
• Diamond-coated File
• Large Bit Driver
• Small Bit Driver
• Medium Screwdriver
• Ruler (8 inch/19 cm)
• Bottle Opener
• Can Opener
• Wire Stripper

Features:

• Lanyard Ring
• 100% Stainless Steel
• All Locking Blades and Tools
• Leather or Nylon Sheath
• Stainless Steel Handles
• Black Oxide Version Available
• 25-year Warranty
• BIT KIT: Phillips #1-2 and Screwdriver 3/16", Phillips Eyeglass Screwdriver and Flat Tip

Measurements:

• 4 in | 10 cm (Closed)
• 8.5 oz | 241 g (Weight)
• 2.9 in | 7.37 cm (Blade Length)

With all of those tools, it is quite easy to see why this is the best selling multi-tool!

Along with making the Leatherman tools, the company was just awarded the 2011 Oregon Healthiest Employer Award. Additionally, they are known for sending their products to disaster relief efforts around the globe, including Haiti, Japan, and in Georgia (US). 

Simply put, if you want a reliable, American made product that has stood the test of time, Leatherman is the way to go.

**Information was obtained from www.leatherman.com including product info, company history, and disaster relief efforts.**

Things to come

Just a quick heads up on some things to come for the blog.

I plan on reviewing a VAST amount of products, movies, music, and vehicles.. some I own, some I do not. I plan on doing interviews with a lot of the manufacturers/producers/owners... and bringing some fun in to the mix as well.

thanks for sticking it out with me.

R

Paracord

I could, literally, go on about paracord for hours on end... Paracord (parachute cord) has been used by military personnel over the years as well as by survival enthusiasts. There are thousands of different knots out there that you can tie with paracord. The most common knot is the Soloman Bar, also known as a Cobra Stitch. The picture on the left features a 3 strand weave with an addition. After speaking with Kevin at The Paracordist (www.paracordist.com), he has made the BSB Fire Making Survival Bracelet, pictured here.

The craftsmanship that goes in to this bracelet is just amazing. You can see the care and dedication he has put in to the design and practicality of the bracelet.

Taken directly from www.paracordist.com is the following description:

Bracelet weave uses about 25% more cord than a cobra stitch of the same length (unless of course you use cobra back and forth until you have an absurd thick and uncomfy bracelet)'

• Single cord construction, easily unravel
• 3/8" diameter firesteel cut to 1" acts as button for loop closure
• I.D. plate is made by my friend Bucketosudz from Artisan Attributes, specifically for this creation. Plate has square ground edges which double as effective scraper for the fireseel.
• I.D. plate can be engraved or decorated. I'm thinking I.D. info or critical medical info.
• Single or double thread of jute runs through top of bracelet (8"-16") it is only on top so not uncomfy to the wrist. Removable for tinder.

The entire design just screams Survival. 

There are a few main sources in addition to Kevin that I go to for help on a regular basis. Stormdrane, http://stormdrane.blogspot.com , has an unbelievable archive of paracord projects where you could easily lose an entire day just researching projects listed on his site. Along with his great descriptions for each project, he usually attaches video instruction as well. 

The other main source for any of my paracord projects is JD at fusionknots.com . JD not only has a whole slew of information listed at his site, he has a youtube page dedicated to the demonstration for each of his knots found here, http://www.youtube.com/user/TyingItAllTogether

In addition to his website and his youtube channel, JD has a book out called Decorative Fusion Knots. I own this book and can tell you that is has been unbelievably helpful in many of my own projects and I highly recommend this for anyone that likes to do any sort of work with paracord.

Many people are seen wearing paracord bracelets, usually a cobra weave, and do not realize the full practicality of what they are wearing. 550 Paracord can be found at just about any military surplus store, or at a lot of outdoor stores, like Moosejaw or REI. You just have to take the time to sit down and actually do the work. and in the end, you will realize how awesome and functional 550 paracord really is.

**The image at the top of the article was used with permission from Kevin @ www.paracordist.com . **

Base Camp X Journal

A while back, I found an article written about the Base Camp X Legacy Journal. As I was beginning my preparations for my motorcycle trip from Detroit to Las Vegas, I knew I wanted to document my journey and what better way than with the BCX Legacy Journal.

Now, the entire journal is hand made... This was taken directly from the site, basecampx.com. "The BCX Legacy Journal is 100% handmade and hand stitched – even the paper is entirely made by hand."  The attention to detail in each and every one of these journals is absolutely amazing. Not only is the detail amazing, but the owner Graeme is such a great guy to work with through the ordering process. 


Not only does BCX make the journal by hand, they make a whole range of Axes and Hammers. Both hand made, and STUNNING in quality.


Bottom line, if you want high quality, hand made journal that isn't your run of the mill mole skin, and want to be as cool as Indian Jones while keeping your notes, get this....NOW.




**The above image was taken with my phone, while on my road trip. I am also waiting to hear back from Graeme about getting an interview for the site done and publishing that.**

Animal Pak

So you work out, and you watch what you eat, but if you aren't feeding your body with the proper vitamins to help boost you along the way it is all for naught. Animal Pak boasts all of the essential vitamins for any serious lifter.

Animal Pak has been around since 1983, and the Pak itself has been the longest multivitamin in supplement history. Animal has a whole array of supplements, which you can find at www.animalpak.com as well as www.universalusa.com . But the guys there have taken it a step further, they created a forum for the general public to be able to talk with ANY of their pro's and have frequent promo's for products. That can be found at forum.animalpak.com

Having taken Animal Pak myself for 9 years now, I can tell you firsthand that this product WORKS. The staff there are MORE than knowledgable as they not only work for Animal, but live this day in and day out, many of them competitive powerlifters and bodybuilders themselves.

So if you fancy yourself a lifter, and aren't taking Pak....what is stopping you?


**Above image used with permission by Animal and can be found at www.animalpak.com**