Category: Guy Stuff

Things that make men go “Oooooh!”

More Knife Stories

Guy Stuff, Marxists, Resistance, Tools

Reader Blackwing1 had some good things to say about his Leatherman CS4 Juice:

…and I must say it looks good for an everyday carry (EDC) function;  but it does lack a whole bunch of SHTF gear, which was the premise of the original post.

Unfortunately, I just can’t get past the fact that Tim Leatherman voted for Fuckface Kerry, back in the day.  So I’m reluctant to buy any LM products — and yes I know, it’s ancient news, but there it is.  (According to him, he’s not anti-gun — “I own a rifle and a shotgun” — but the fact that he was prepared to vote for Anti-Gun Fuckface really sticks in my craw.)

I was once given a Leatherman tool as a Christmas present, and I passed it on to someone else as soon as the occasion arose.

Feel free to take issue with me.

That Knife Thing

Guy Stuff, Tools

Following on from my post about the Swiss Army Champ multi-tool knife, Reader John DJ sends the following:

For 27 years I took the President’s scrip to run about the globe and inflict bad outcomes on disapproved peoples, places, and things. During that time I learned to appreciate multi-purpose tools. I have used a bunch of different ones. Leatherman brand demolition tool, Victorinox Climber, Farmer, Electrician, gov’t issue demo knife and cap crimper (both complete crap but kept for nostalgia), and a host of large bladed knives (Gerber, Puma, Al Mar, too many to recall).

All that is to say that the Victorinox offerings have the most utility. I really like the Farmer model with saw and a couple blades. It is basic and good enough. The Leatherman tools are too heavy and unwieldy for what they offer. Better to slip good needle nose pliers in a bag or pocket along with a Victorinox and get on with business.

Below is my current favorite. It recently replaces a similar version loaned out but not returned. It is issued to Fallschirmjaeger youngsters, friends from my youthful days at Fortress Bragg. A good knife and a St Michael’s medal are mandatory kit for every competent paratrooper.

Did I mention that I really like Victorinox pocket knives with Alox handles?

I have to say that I like the look of the above sweetie, although it lacks just a few post-SHTF features that I’d like to have.  But as an all-day utility knife?  Sign me up.

And thanks for the letter.  All such are always welcome.

Protestor Molestor

Good Stuff, Tools

When it comes to addressing an unruly crowd of nasties, I’ve always thought that this would be the best method.

However, times change, and it’s tough to find an M4 Sherman in good running order these days.  So what to do, what to so?

Sent to me by Mr. Free Market, a handy tool indeed (video).  I especially like the lyrics.

My suggestion:

  • Let loose three or four of these against your average Pantifa / eco-terrorist / anti-ICE demonstration.
  • Follow up with fire trucks to hose away the residue.
  • Streets look neat and shiny again.
  • Repeat as necessary.

It’s the same principle as the first idea, but it has to be cheaper, more easily deployed, etc.  I’m trying to find a reason to argue against the above, but cannot.

Perhaps my Kind Readers can assist?

Consolidation

Marketing / Advertising, Retailing, Toys

According to this rather lengthy video, Rolex is dropping hundreds of smaller Rolex “dealer” outlets and instead creating Rolex megastores in “prime” locations such as London (!!!) and Manhattan (!!!).

It would appear that the main reason behind this is that Rolex wants to protect their brand by limiting the number of outlets, dropping smaller stores (regardless of relationship longevity) so that they can control the whole “Rolex buying experience” and provide their customers with the proper treatment with fine ambience, better-trained staff and so on.  Also, these larger stores can carry the extensive Rolex range that a smaller store couldn’t.

It all sounds well and good, except that the actual reason, it seems to me, is that during the sales spike caused largely by the Great Covid Panic of 2020, the people who really made money weren’t Rolex themselves but the profiteers who bought their watches and resold them on the “grey” market — and Rolex, like Ferrari, wants to keep as much of the market to themselves.  (Same tactics, different product.)

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with what they’re doing. As long as there are people willing to pay the inflated prices of their products, then good luck to them.

My own personal take on the thing is that I’m indifferent because (regardless of any lottery winning) I would never be a Rolex  sucker  buyer in the same way as Ferrari would forever be outside my list of automotive choices (except maybe a Dino, although given the current price list of same… nah, never mind).  Sorry, I’m no longer impressed by brand names, especially when the brand’s “value” is artificially pumped up by fools and suckers with more money than sense.  And even more so when the brand operates in a commodity category like watches.

And finally, I happen to think that those big, blocky things like the Submariner are just… ugly.  I’m not a scuba diver so I’ll never need one, and anyway, there are other watches just as good for half the price and a tenth of the Rolex attitude (once again, see:  Ferrari dealers).

A pox on all their houses.

That One Thing

Guy Stuff, Tools

So you’re going to be marooned on a deserted island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.  You can only take ONE thing with you.

What is it?  Easy-peasy.

Swiss Army Champ XXL:

Hahaha.  Just kidding.  There’s way too much stuff on the XXL that you’ll never need, and all that makes it damn heavy and cumbersome.

The “ordinary” Champ will do just fine.


(As I recall, I have about three of the things scattered around the place:  bedside drawer, toolbox and SHTF grab-‘n-go bag.  Oh wait, there’s another one in the kitchen “junk” drawer too, so:  four)

My only “improvement” would be to exchange the red plastic grips for grooved aluminum (which they make for the Mini-Champ and others, but inexplicably do not offer with the larger Champ models).

Feel free to argue with my choice in Comments.

By the way, this post was inspired by:

Plan Vs. Reality

Corporate Fuckery, Tools

Via Insty, I saw this little snippet over the past weekend:

BMW Patent Reveals Branded Screw Design That Limits Access to Vehicle Repairs

BMW has filed a patent for a new fastener design that underscores the automaker’s long-standing willingness to chart its own path, even when that path complicates ownership. The newly revealed screw head is shaped like BMW’s roundel, creating a proprietary design that standard tools cannot engage.

Unlike familiar Torx or hex fasteners, the patented screw uses a circular head divided into four quadrants. Two of those quadrants are recessed to accept a matching driver, while the remaining sections remain flush. The BMW logo is embossed around the perimeter, leaving little doubt about the fastener’s origin or intended exclusivity.

Uh-huh. While I like Glenn’s thought (everyone needs a damaged-screw extractor), that’s not how this will play out.

Here’s a preview of the timeline, as I see it:

  • BMW gets patent for new screw design approved
  • 24 hours later, you’ll be able to buy the following BMW screw-design screwdrivers at Amazon.com, all made in China:

Regular handle ($4.99)

T-handle ($7.99)

Cordless ($24.99, with charger included)

As usual, the marketing- and engineering assholes at BMW (a.k.a. the Control Freak Division) will be handed their asses by the market.

You saw it here first.