Awesome Living

In this video from metalworker Koss, he shows how he created a sleek, modern dagger. He meticulously machined its tapered blade from W1-7 high-carbon steel and crafted its handle and matching sheath from hollow copper tubing. Its shape reminds us of a letter opener, but this is a serious knife. We love the bevel detailing on the ends.

Coppertist.Wu’s brass bottle opener gives you the rare opportunity to hold a scorpion in your hand without the risk of getting stung. The design is based on the deadly Brazilian yellow scorpion and is incredibly detailed, down to the critter’s leg joints, pincers, and terrifying tail stinger.

Keep your small tools, knives, and other everyday items in this mid-sized gear pouch from Superior Threadworks. It’s handmade from hard-wearing Cordura nylon and has straps and pockets for organization, a heavy-duty zipper, and a large Velcro area for displaying patches. Available in a variety of flat colors, woodland camo, and brilliant blaze orange.

You only need to overtighten and break one object in a vise, and you’ll realize there’s value in a vise that can automatically adjust its grip to hold items at a set intensity level. The MakaGiC VS01 motorized vise grips items with the push of a button and holds items up to 125 mm (4.92″) wide. An add-on work light includes a magnifier for working on small parts.

This expansive reference guide from Chronicle Books provides detailed information on hundreds of tools. The 288-page book catalogs their uses and the differences between similar tools, arranged by function: measuring, cutting, fastening, and shaping.

G-SHOCK watches are known for their durability. The Rangeman GPRH1000 sits at the top of the heap. This rugged watch packs all kinds of features for outdoor living, including a digital compass, altimeter, GPS tracking, temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, step tracker, and more. It’s built to withstand water, mud, dust, and shocks on all of life’s adventures.

This keychain-friendly magnifying tool from TEC Accessories makes it easy to read the small print on labels and can also help start fires on sunny days. Its crisp glass lens offers 5X magnification and can be easily replaced if damaged. Its body is made from Cerakote-finished aluminum that protects its lens when not in use. It’s also available in titanium.

Most fire pits are made from metal or stone. HomeMadeModern wanted to see if building a fire pit entirely from glass bricks was possible. The hollow glass blocks you can buy at the hardware store look dated and might crack from heat, so he experimented with some solid glass bricks. The larger fire pit he built looks amazing as its flames dance behind the blocks.

Get your campfire started quickly and reliably every time with this unique tool from The Atomic Bear. The anodized aluminum wand holds a length of paraffin-infused rope, which stays lighted while you hold it in the fire – and without burning your fingers. Includes three 13″ lengths of wax rope.

Grim Workshop’ makes a number of useful tools and survival kits in credit card form. Among their expansive collection is this card packed with tools to help you escape trouble if you’re ever held captive or restrained. It includes two kinds of saws, a file, lock bypass tools, a gate latch hook, shims, a handcuff key, and more.

This compact screwdriver from Oknife features both front- and side-facing bit holders. The tip-mounted driver works in tight spaces, while the horizontal driver maximizes torque. It includes four double-headed precision bits, which are stored inside its titanium alloy body. Available in natural titanium or anodized blue finishes.

Designed by tool and knife expert Jesper Voxnaes for CRKT, the Pryma combines a pry bar, bottle opener, wrench, glass breaker, and multi-wrench on a single, ultra-compact gadget. It’s made from stainless steel with a black stonewashed finish and has a spring-loaded carabiner clip for carrying.

Craighill’s curvy catch-all tray is just the right size for holding screws or other hardware while working on repair projects. It’ll also hold jewelry, paperclips, or pocket change. It measures 4.25″ across and comes in stamped brass or stainless steel. Custom engraving is available for $15.

This tasty knife from Boker looks like a hot dog. Its wiener-shaped red blade has a squiggle of mustard, while its aluminum handle cradles the dog like a golden-brown bun. It features Kalashnikov’s push-button automatic mechanism, a button lock, and a ketchup-colored pocket clip – a BladeHQ exclusive and part of the unique Warrior Buffet collection.

This handy fishing gadget from Gerber keeps your gear from getting lost in the water. The Defender tether has a 48-inch-long retractable cable made from high-strength Dyneema. It attaches easily to your pack, belt, or a mounting point on deck, and has a locking feature with an override for snagged gear. Comes in compact and large sizes.

Instead of telling time, Digital Horology’s LunaKron 2.1 clock displays the current moon phase. It uses GPS data to calculate the date and which phase to show. It’s made from acrylic and fiberboard, and the photographic moon is backlit by 256 LEDs. They also make the LunaKron 1, which has backlit cutouts representing each of the moon’s eight phases.

1up your drinks and warp your thirst to another level with this Super Mario Bros.-inspired can koozie from Toynk. The insulated foam cooler holds cans or bottles in style and is guaranteed not to contain any dangerous piranha plants. Its base is stable enough to use it as a pencil caddy or a small planter, too.

Cookware company Le Creuset makes bread-making consistent and beautiful with the innovative Le Creuset Bread Oven. Crafted from enameled cast iron for better heat distribution, the purpose-built domed lid circulates steam, while the low-profile base produces a crispy crust branded with Le Creuset’s three hallmark rings for bakery-quality results at home.

Coffee mugs serve their purpose pretty well, but ordinary handles mean the cup tends to tilt unless you grip hard. The Moment Mug from Artisan Tide features a patent-pending handle design with a curve that nestles between your middle and ring fingers, ensuring the mug never slips. Available in Cloud White or Sea Foam Green in 1-, 2-, or 4-packs.

This special edition of Gerber’s Fastball knife features a Dark Urban Blue aluminum handle, laser engraved with a winter scene. It has a 3″ plain-edge Wharncliffe blade made from stonewashed S30V steel. Opens easily with a finger flipper and a smooth ball-bearing mechanism. Available in limited quantities exclusively from the Gerber online shop.

Bring the flavors of Tokyo home with Maori Murota’s wonderful cookbook, Tokyo Cult Recipes. It’s packed with more than 100 recipes for Japanese dishes inspired by local restaurants and home cooking. You’ll learn to cook gyoza, ramen, tonkatsu, miso soup, and more. It’s even got sweet treats like mochi and yuzu sorbet.

Measuring just over 2″ long, this tiny flashlight outputs up to 450 lumens and has a beautiful solid brass body. It’s IPX8 waterproof and dustproof, and knurling provides visual interest and grip. A red/green light on its tail provides a quick indication of charging status. It’s also available in black anodized aluminum.

CitySheep handmakes these organizer pouches for carrying cables and other accessories. They’re crafted from natural wool felt and leather and have two pockets for headphones, chargers, mice, and more. There’s also a leather pen/pencil loop and twin magnetic closures. They also make matching laptop and iPad cases.