Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

Now your see it, now you don't

The BE Light by QisDesign may not boast the ridiculous lifespan of the CSYS LED task lamp, but it does represent an ideal combination between form and function. Inspired by the art of origami, its articulating design allows users to extend the arm to a variety of positions, providing fully dimmable, warm white LED light [...]

Stuff in a box

A practical way to store not just knives but also spices, keys, power-outlets, iPods or even a small TV, the S-Box (costs vary) can be installed into any surface with cabinet space beneath. Think: end of a kitchen island, breakfast bar or near the primary workspace you like to do your best Mario Batali. With [...]

Screw Your Best

Kobalt’s new Double-Drive Screwdriver ($20) features a unique all-metal gear system that channels both clockwise and counterclockwise ratcheting motions toward turning the screw. This increased motion harnessing efficiency makes the screwdriver twice as fast as the traditional ratcheting variety (or so Kobalt claims). To engage the double drive, users must grip the front blue collar [...]

Double Kitchen Agent

Spoons, forks and knives, have admirably served western eaters well for centuries — but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for innovation. Following in the prestigious footsteps of the spork, the product think tank at Quirky has devised a new eating utensil that combines the shoveling benefits of a spoon with the spreading skills of [...]

There's an artisan for that

We have a hefty amount of respect for good writing instruments here at Gear Patrol. The No. 2 pencil holds a place near and dear to our hearts (nod to the Dixon Ticonderoga) both for its functional excellence and standardized testing nostalgia — fact: there are now three sections to the SAT’s. So, when we [...]

Whole latte love

Yes, it’s adorned with enough chromed steel to outshine a Kansas City bound Freightliner. Yes, it’s breathtakingly expensive. But for the truly dedicated, the Rocket Espresso Giotto Evoluzione ($2,100) is the closest thing to espresso nirvana we’ve ever had the chance to pull a shot from. Less white-gloved show pony and more workhorse, the Evoluzione [...]

Stop and stare, a while

Buck the digital onslaught by adding some retro flair, Ektachrome style, to your walls with the Slide Light. The backlight fixture can be mounted vertically or horizontally and is available in a variety of different sizes ranges from 13 slide showcases all the way up to 36 slides. Tip: it works best with 2mm width [...]

Im-press-ive

Compared to standard drip methods, the French Press (or cafetiére as it’s known in the rest of the world) does an excellent job of brewing a great tasting cup of coffee. But it isn’t perfect. In fact, many java-elitest feel the process results in overextraction and dislike that used grounds often wind up thwarting the [...]

Brightening homes, one lamp at a time

Crafting, scouring and sourcing the best in Americana decor and appointments, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. will have you rethinking every room in your home. With roots fimly planted in sublime lighting, Schoolhouse has recently expanded its inventory and footprint with a new factory in Portland — a perfect time to roundup five products we’re [...]

Inspected By...

Business cards? Good. Letterpress? Better. Custom inspector stamps? Awesome. Put your 3/4″ mark on the world, or anywhere you can tromp your seal onto with a custom Cranky Pressman Inspector Stamp ($23). Small enough to tag along with your keys use the stamp to place your signature, artwork, or any other custom demarcation (we like: [...]

Distinctive task master

In the age of cloud syncing, location aware reminders, and über productivity apps, it’s easy to dismiss physical calendars as vestiges of the stone age. We embrace the convenience of a digital life as much as the next person, but that will never overshadow our fondness for finely crafted accessories like the Postalco Pressed Cotton [...]

A lamp for a lifetime

Any stylish LED desk lamp will dwarf their standard incandescent compadres in terms of energy efficiency. Jake Dyson’s CSYS LED task light (~$850) nearly triples the average life time of other LED bulbs though by reducing the wear and tear that normally comes from overheating. Using heat pipe technology originally developed for satellites and computing, [...]

Homewrecker

There are sledge hammers, then there are sledge hammers backed with a guarantee to pay you a cool grand if you can muster up the muscle to break one. Yes, that’d be the Wilton Bad Ass Sledge Hammer ($38) we’re referring to. B.A.S.H. for short. Why so much confidence? Well if you’ve done a fair [...]

Idiot Insurance

You scrimped and saved to buy that perfect kayak and the exact rack to mount it on your ride’s roof. You planned your first paddle with it for months and had the time of your life once you finally got out on the water. In fact, the trip was so epic that you couldn’t stop [...]

Perfect Pup Protection

Just because your four-legged friend sports a coat year round, doesn’t mean they’re invincible to the cold. Knowing when your dog requires added protection depends on a variety of factors including, age, weight, fur-type, and height. Generally speaking, though, unless you own an Alaskan Malamute or a breed with “Mountain Dog” in the title — [...]