Toolgasm » Sporting/Outdoors

Cast Iron Skillet

admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 21:10:22 +0000

You have one don’t you? If not, you have no idea what you are missing. They can be picked up pre-seasoned for prices that are lower than your ordinary cooking skillet. Some of the best meals I have made come out of mine (not that I’m much of a cook), and you don’t wash it! Not in the traditional sense anyway. Soap will remove the protective seasoned coating, and leaving it in water will make it rust. So just a good scrub with plain water and some scotch bright will do the job. Just make sure you dry it VERY good. They go in the oven no problem, and can get red hot (for searing steaks as an example) without causing any damage what so ever.

Now I wouldn’t suggest backpacking with one, but if you are planning on doing some car-camping, then it’s ideal. Stack up some some rocks over a fire and you’re good. You can’t beat steak over a fire, and the morning eggs……..yum. I’m doing just that this coming weekend too, so think about me when your stuck in your kitchen.

[tags]cast iron, skillet[/tags]

LED Headlamp

admin — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:21:16 +0000

I don’t care how stupid they look, LED headlamps are some of the most useful things you can have. Whether your camping, working on a computer, soldering, you name it. Having a bright light pointed exactly where you are looking at all times is indispensable. Now that LEDs are cheaper and brighter than they ever have been before, it makes it a lot more practical than having a huge battery strapped to your dome. 1 or 2 AAA’s are all you need with one of these.

Believe it or not, you can also hold one of these in your hand! So you can skip the whole “Im not putting that dorky thing on my head” excuse , and use it like a regular flashlight. While reserving the coal miner look for when nobody is looking. I completely understand the feeling too, I don’t even own one myself, but my roommate does, and I’m sure I use it as much or more than him. So this post is just as much a reminder to get my own, as it is a prod for you to get one.

[tags]LED, flashlight, headlamp[/tags]

JVC Pocket Mini Speakers

admin — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:16:14 +0000

Music pretty much runs my world, and gadgets, and bikes, well damn, you get the point. Having that music with me is very important, and being able to do it in a convenient way just takes the cake. These little JVC pocket speakers are great. With a plastic cover that folds back and turns into a stand, and a standard miniplug, they can be taken anywhere and work with almost anything. There is an active and passive mode. In passive mode, you don’t even need batteries, your players headphone amp will power them. When you need some more umph, then throw in a couple of AAA batteries and flip the switch.

I just got mine this last weekend, and could not wait to write about them. Your not gonna be blown away by the sound quality, but for the price and convenience your not gonna be picky either. We were on a beach in 20mph winds, and never had a problem hearing them in active mode. The sound is a little tinny, but I feel that could be solved with a little EQ’ing on the MP3 player side.

[tags]ipod, speakers[/tags]

LowePro Stealth AWII

admin — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:37:54 +0000

Have a camera, laptop and a handful of other cool things you like to bring with you when you travel? I do, and that’s why I got one of these bad boys. Lowepro is well known for making great bags for all types of situations, so once I saw they made one like this I jumped all over it. The AWII has 2 large compartments, one that holds another bag that your laptop goes into and then Velcros inside. Then a second one that has soft foam compartments for cameras and lenses. Not to mention several other little pockets on the front.

Cameras, Lenses, and Laptops are heavy, and being able to throw them on your back as you trek thru the airport is a huge bonus. You also get to keep all your valuables with you (no way I’m going to check this bag) . The separate laptop bag is nice in itself too, I find I use it constantly, nothing like killing 2 birds with one stone. I also have to say how comfortable it is, with cross straps to help take the load off of your shoulders.

Looks like there is a newer version, and I don’t have a bad word to say about the old one. So, take your pick.

[tags]backpack, camera bag, lowepro[/tags]

Gerber Back-Paxe

admin — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:41:02 +0000

I bought this several months ago before the camping season started, and it never leaves my trusty vehicle (Honda Element). It’s small and light and could certainly be the one tool you need for a hiking trip. The blade is very sharp, and the blunt end can be used for hammering in stakes or anything a hammer would do really. On my last camping trip I used it to cut everything from twigs, to logs up to 3 inches thick with no problem at all. If you don’t want to listen to me though, read it from a pro at

Kit Up

[tags]hatchet, camping, axe[/tags]