Boundary Supply Tech Roll

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I’ve often thought it would be a cold day in hell before I would part with my GoRuck tech pouch and then Boundary Supply dropped this tech roll. I haven’t used it yet, but it looks like this thing just might challenge the GoRuck.

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Savage Industries

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Adam Savage is a bag nerd. So much so, that he has made his own line of bags… and even pouches… No idea if they are worth a shit, but I bet they are.

Details here.

The Best Coffee Maker Ever Made

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I am not a coffee sommelier by any stretch. I don’t care how my coffee is made and I don’t care where the beans come from. All I care about is a consistent taste that is easy to make when I’m tired as hell in the mornings.

Given that, you’d think a generic drip machine would be fine for my needs… and frankly, it is. However, I grew tired of buying a new one every few years because something stopped working and spare parts weren’t available. So, I bought a Technivorm Moccamaster.

The Moccamaster has been in continuous production since 1968. Most coffee experts agree that it is the best drip machine on the market in regards to the quality of its output. But I don’t give a shit about that really… What I care about is that it’s a very simple machine made up of entirely replaceable parts and no computers. Put coffee grinds and water in it and it consistently makes coffee that tastes good enough for me.

Also, it looks dope… And at $350, you will call it a cheap coffee maker after you’ve used it a lifetime.

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The Wingback

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Here’s a fountain pen that deserves to be funded. Mixing traditional with modern simplicity will always win…

Details here.

Pitaka MagEZ: A Game Changer

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I reached out to Pitaka and asked if I could review their MagEZ Case Pro and Stand for my new iPad Pro and they responded with a UPS tracking number. To be frank, I didn’t know what to expect. Reviews on YouTube are glowing while the real world reviews on Reddit are mixed – with the most common complaint being that the case itself suffers from thin and brittle plastic that is prone to snapping.

I’ve now been using the combo for a couple of weeks and as a whole, it’s been a very positive experience. The first thing I’ve noticed is that my iPad battery is now almost always over 80% charged. The MagEZ stand acts like a dock and a dedicated spot for my iPad (and iPhone) when not in use. So, every time I put my iPad away, it’s charging without going through the hassle of finding the cable, plugging it in, etc…

On top of this, the dock scenario actually ads functionality to my desktop through screen mirroring and sidecar. Typically, I use it in “sidecar” mode and the iPad becomes a third monitor in my setup – a perfect place to keep my media player for distraction free work.

So this has been my day-to-day setup for the most part and like I’ve said, it’s been almost entirely positive. I am aware of the “brittle plastic” complaints and can see how it might be a problem if you are entirely careless with your iPad. But for me, it just hasn’t been an issue as of yet. The case itself is thin, light, out of my way, and just fine for my use case.

But there’s also another benefit that the MagEZ Case Pro offers. When paired with your iPad, you can still use the Apple Magic Keyboard. The case does not disturb the functionality of Apple’s overpriced unit at all AND it protects the side of the iPad that is otherwise left unprotected when mounted in the keyboard. Oh, and the Apple Pencil still mounts through the case securely and charges just fine. It’s a win/win from all sides.

So, all-in-all, what do I think? I think the Pitaka setup has added a lot of convenience to my setup. It streamlines my use in a way that I didn’t really imagine – keeping my iPad charged, protecting it, and actually adding functionality to my desktop setup. If you are an iPad power user, I highly recommend you give it a shot.

You can get the stand here and the case here.

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Future Improvements: This setup runs just under $200 and I think the price point is just fine given the benefits. I’m hoping Pitaka has enough demand to continuously improve the idea however, and feel the next generation could benefit from further durability. For example, a 100% carbon fiber case would solve the “brittle plastic problem” and take the aesthetic up a level. The stand itself? Man… I don’t know that I would touch it at all…

CRKT Redemption

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A $225 knife designed by Ken Onion and inspired by Cowboys and Desperados of the old west… Love the aesthetic.

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AER Dopp Kit 3

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I’ve used AER pouches and more specifically, their dopp kit, for years… In fact, I used them for more than just my toiletries. The construction and organization is second to none really… Great stuff.

In any case, they just released a new version – the Dopp Kit 3. Looks as though it features a few more pockets within and a more sturdy loop…

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Alpaka Vertex Pouch

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A sling that also doubles as a massive tech pouch. Made by Alpaka, so I am sure it’s built like a brick shit house… Still, man it’s big to market as a tech pouch and as a sling, it’s limited because it’s so divided up. Might be great for specific use cases though…

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