Straight Razor, How Shaving Was Meant To Be.

A straight razor is a fixed blade razor, the most common men's razor until the 1950s when safety razors became widely available. Once you master the art of straight razor shaving, you will be able to get a far smoother shave than you can get from any modern method. However, shaving with a straight razor is dangerous and has a long learning curve. Even honing and stropping the straight razor require time and patience to learn; you need to acquire a certain touch to do it correctly. While you are climbing up the learning curve, the quality of your shaves may be significantly worse than you can do with a disposable. You will also probably cut yourself at least once, despite repeated warnings to go slowly and carefully. Most of the men on the straight razor forums have. But once you have mastered the straight (which typically takes around 100 shaves), you will be able to consistently give yourself a shave that's far better than any shave you've ever had before.

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The Art Of Shaving

The Art of Shaving is a unique concept guided by the expertise and hands-on attention of our founders. We are passionately devoted to the very best in men’s skin care, and have created an innovative path to optimal shaving performance. We call this The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave. —Prepare… LatherUp!... Shave… and Moisturize.

Our dedication to the science of aromatherapy is the foundation of our product philosophy. We formulate our products using high quality botanical ingredients and 100% pure essential oils. These
ingredients provide therapeutic properties to the skin and mean that razor burn and ingrown hairs are avoided, while nicks and cuts are prevented and healed. We are committed to eliminating even a trace of alcohol, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances or other ingredients that can be harmful when absorbed into the skin.

To achieve the perfect shave The Art of Shaving re-introduces you to an essential shaving tool, the shaving brush—the only tool designed to absorb water and deliver a rich, warm and protective lather to the skin. To complete
the experience The Art of Shaving creates beautifully handcrafted shaving razors. These shaving instruments are carefully designed to offer proper weight, balance and grip to ensure the best results.

Once men begin using The Art of Shaving products, they tell us they experience, day after day, far more comfort than ever before along with healthier, smoother skin.

The Art of Shaving brings art and passion to a daily routine.

Virtual Reality Cycling

The aim of this project was to explore the development of an interactive guided imagery display to be used initially by both the staff and residents of Milford Care Centre Limerick. Now completed, it can potentially be used by anyone for exercise and recreation.On the 3rd of December 2009, the Interaction Design Centre at the University of Limerick 
received an email from the head of the art department in Milford hospice asking about the possibility of a student or a number of students to collaborate on an idea for a project to enable residents and visiting patients of Milford Hospice with a sense of escapism in the physiotherapy room, as the room itself has no ground level windows leaving the current palliative and elderly users feeling trapped in their environment as well as their illness. For the purposes of demonstration, the completed project itself features an interactive display, linked to a stationary bike allowing users to cycle through Google Streetview, with 360º navigation using a Nintendo Wii Remote. The set up may also be used to display pre recorded video landscapes and virtual environments.This project has shown how accessible and inexpensive virtual reality rehabilitative environments can be as it was built and programmed using all off the shelf, freely available, open source software and the device itself can be attached to any stationary or assistive bike.

el:Dudy, All Around Hand-Held Exercise System!

The el:Dudy is an all around hand-held exercise system for “older” people. Each has a bevy of motion sensors and accelerometers to accurately track progress. All the information is sync’d and stored on your computer or phone via bluetooth Real Snazzy eh? This looks so cool. I can handle wrist twists and I love anything that helps stretches me out. And since when did massage become exercise? I’m not “old” but sign me up. Preventative measures people

Light and Warm

Patagonia makes great stuff hands down, I have had a kayaking jacket I used for sailing and they have replace the color several times. about 20 years ago they had a jacket similar to the Men's Down Sweater and of course it was stolen at college. So to see a similar product like this just makes me want to stay out in the cold.

There's much to see 14,000 feet up at the Chasm View bivy: a vertigo-inducing panorama of the Diamond and alpenglow over the Rockies. There's also chilly air in any season, and that's where our Down Sweater comes in. It delivers minimal weight, superb compressibility and high-loft warmth. The ripstop shell with a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish does more than look sharp: it's tear-resistant and windproof and made from 100% recycled polyester. Details include top-quality 800-fill-power goose down, a quilted-through construction, two exterior zippered pockets, a stretch-mesh interior chest pocket that doubles as a zippered stuff sack and a carabiner clip-in loop. Drawcord hem.

Details

• Superlight, windproof and water-resistant shell has high-tear strength
• Quilted construction stabilizes 800-fill-power premium European goose down
• Pockets: two zippered handwarmers, one zippered stretch-mesh that doubles as a stuff sack with carabiner clip-in loop
• Nylon-bound elastic cuffs and drawcord hem seal warmth in and drafts out
• Shell and lining: 1.4-oz 22-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop with a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Insulation: 800-fill-power premium European goose down
• 368 g (13 oz)
• Made in China.

Material

• Recycled Polyester
• We recycle used soda bottles, unusable second quality fabrics and worn out garments into polyester fibers to produce many of our clothes.

Technology

• Deluge® DWR
• Patagonia’s proprietary durable water repellent fabric finish, Deluge DWR, lasts substantially longer than standard DWRs. Garments with the Deluge DWR finish have like-new repellency after years of extensive use.

Shark Running Jacket

We are always looking for the next best thing, cycling get new stuff left and right, running shoes has Newton Running, so why shouldn't your upper body get some cool digs as well.
X-BIONIC Running Shark Jacket High-Functional Running Jacket was made with very high-tech features that provide the athlete an optimal performance climate. For example, fresh air can be let into the interior of the jacket via AirIntakes so as to be distributed through a complex system of channels and bars around the body. This was moisture and stale air is carried out of the jacket keeping you you dry and feeling good. In addition, the symbionic membrane is wind and waterproof but doesn't constrict breathability in the process. It transports not only vapour but also sweat drops through the membrane to the outside.

Seeing the Patient in the Future!

All need to start to see the world in a different light or in most cases iPad (google tablet). Changes on all fronts are happening quicker than most can keep up with, exciting and challenging. With though process and designers pushing the way who knows what is next, just need to be functional.

form Yanko Design

his firm goes by the name “Worrell” and this solution session aims at a situation based in a technological world, but a world that intimately connects doctors with their patients. This presentation shows an epic talk between design professionals working with Worrell and one doctor and one patient. They of course represent the greater whole, expressing the wants and needs of the entire community.

This talk represents the past few years of Worrell talking with patients in their homes and at the medical office and hospitals about their needs, the needs of what Worrell knows are stakeholders in the medical world. Worrell is an industrial design firm that works in interactive and medical technologies and has been for the past 35 years – they’ve been working on this particular project for the past four or five.

The images you see below in the gallery and later in the movie are of a set of technologies called “Pathway.” These web powered devices will not only store and keep current your medical records, they’ll aid in providing you, the patient, with helpful information like articles on your condition sent directly from your doctor.

Take a look at this video “Design We Can All Live With” and be completely inspired and excited for not the future of medical care, but the soon-to-be present!

Topeak, Air BackPack

Not sure what has taken so long, we have had sneakers that had an air bladder, why not backpack until now. Topeak has bridged that gap.
A revolutionary cycling specific backpack which uses pressurized air to fine-tune personal comfort and fit. Multi-channel air chambers located in the hip belt and back contact area inflate with an integrated micro pump and release valve providing infinite adjustability.

Constructed from lightweight and durable 210 denier nylon, the form fitting and aerodynamic Air BackPack features multiple storage compartments including: full length center zipper providing main access; separate top loading Hydra Core compartment; zip side panel; side water bottle pocket; built-in, fold-out helmet holder and hidden pull-out rain cover. A clip-in Gear Core keeps gear like mini pumps, tools, tubes and more in separate pockets and can be removed when more storage is needed

Six Ways to Bring Out the Athlete in Every Kid!

Everywhere you look, there's information about the importance of getting your kids to exercise. According to Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, as little as 60 active minutes throughout the day can have a huge impact on a child's obesity risk. Because sports can feel like play, not exercise, finding one your little one likes is a great starting point.

But what if your child just doesn't want to try one? We asked top-ranked sport psychologist Dr. Robert Weinberg of Miami University-Ohio (and the author of nine books in the field) for his must-have list of easy and effective ideas for how to get children on their feet -- and having fun.

1. Give them choices: Research is clear that if children participate in a physical activity or sport just because their parents want them to, then the result will usually be short-term involvement in exercise. This in mind, think about what's unique about your child. Does he tend to like working or playing in groups or alone? Does she need structure or a lot of autonomy? In addition, what kinds of athletes (or even celebrities) does he admire? Use these things (not your ideas of skills she should be learning) to put together a working list of ideas to go over with your child. The opportunity to give input, help with the process and even learn about the role models associated with each sport can turn getting off the couch into something to get excited about.

2. Involve their friends: Peer influence and acceptance is extremely important for adolescents. Talk to parents of your child's close friends to find out what their kids are up to. Or, if you're all in the same boat, come up with an activity the kids can all do together.

3. Play to their strengths: When narrowing your list of options, think about where your child's talents lie. If he doesn't have great hand-eye coordination, don't make something that requires it the first sport you try. Research has shown that if a child starts to feel success or competence in an activity, it increases the chances she will like it and continue.

4. Don't shun their love of video games: If you have a TV or video game lover on your hands, use it to your advantage. A number of studies have shown that kids burn a lot of calories playing Wii games -- generally equivalent to energetic, moderate-intensity walking.

5. It's (sometimes) okay to give them rewards: It's true that rewards can enhance motivation. But the key is to try to use the reward not just for time logged but also to reflect some level of competence or achievement. Healthy rewards should have meaning to the child, and be used mostly early on. Ideally, they're there to kick-start the discovery the natural "reward" of getting better and better at something.

6. Giving them a little push can help a lot: If you've tried all of the above and getting going still feels tough, it's all right to be a little pushy. Interviews with young athletes reveal that in some cases, their parents' pushing them was what they needed to get involved in a sport or some type of physical activity. They said they didn't realize it at the time, but in looking back, they were glad their parents urged them into the activity when they were younger.

Ready to burn some calories as a family? These fun outdoor games are guaranteed to bring out the kid in you.

LED Escape Light, Brilliant!

The Future Of Escaping

Keeping your wits during an emergency evacuation of a building is easier said than done. If it’s a hotel or an unfamiliar mall, following the leads can be difficult and even confusing at times. The LED Escape Light is a portable LED electric torch meant to tackle this issue of unfamiliarity. It comes with a built-in projector that projects a map to guide you out accurately. I like the handy stand that it is housed in, with an easy grab-and-run vibe.

The LED Escape Light won a Liteon Award as well.

Designers: Li-Yu Chiao, Cheng-Cheng Chun, Ming-DaYang, Kung-Yi Kuang, Huai-Yi Hsieh, Ching-Chang Chuang, Yu-Hung Chien, Shaio-Chung Cha & Yu-Hung Chien

Flank Legs, Wow finally better leg protection.

Protection from the elements, meaning pedal bit back, rocks, falling down. Anything to help protect one of the most valuable body parts.

A bold combination of lightweight fabrics and impact protection, the Flank Leg is the evolution in Race Face protection. Tapping the industry shift towards lower profile, innovative protection, driven by DH racers and free riders.

The construction of the knees ensures they stay put throughout the entire range of pedaling motion but lock on impact to protect critical areas. Behind the heat debossed Durable
Nylon cover lies d3o™ Intelligent Shock Absorption™ technology. A PU based cellular polymer - flexible in its relaxed state, engaged on impact. Award-winning Race Face armour design, unsurpassed freedom of movement and lightweight construction; the evolution
of protection.

Patagonia Nano Puff® Scarf

Nano Puff® Scarf is better than a stout Amish quilt for sealing out persistent cold. It has a smooth, skin-pampering feel along with the technical benefits of wind-and-water resistance, and features a slick all-recycled polyester shell and a highly stuffable layer of 100-g PrimaLoft® One quilted on the inside to warm up a damp evening or a day on the slopes. A pass-through slit creates oodles of fit possibilities; it's reinforced for durability. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program.

Details

• Shell fabric is from the Nano Puff® series from Alpine
• 100-g PrimaLoft® One insulation ensures warmth around neck and chest
• Pass-through slit allows a great fit and is reinforced for durability
• Adjustable fit
• Shell: 1-oz 100% recycled polyester. Insulation: 100-g PrimaLoft® One. Recyclable through the Common Threads Recycling Program
• 68 g (2.4 oz)
• Made in Vietnam.

Material

Recycled Polyester 

We recycle used soda bottles, unusable second quality fabrics and worn out garments into polyester fibers to produce many of our clothes.

Technology

At Patagonia we seek to build the best product and cause no unnecessary harm. That's our mission statement, and it takes many forms. As it applies to making products, we work hard to source materials and use processes that are less harmful to the Earth without compromising quality. Because to us, quality is not only how well a product performs and holds up, but also how it's made.

Fix it Fast!

If something breaks when you are out and about, yes you could call for help or you could reach into your pouch and pull out Sugru. break the seal and patch your problem. Now this is a quick fix but it will get you home. Extremely clever scientists have been working on sugru for over 5 years to give it as many great physical properties as possible, so it can be as versatile and useful as possible for you. Sugru can help you dramatically prolong the life of your stuff. By applying in some cases even a teeny tiny bit to your things, you get to keep them for much longer and decrease your impact on our wee world. Repair with gusto!

Now the downfall is that you have to use it within 6 months, now if you have kids I am sure this will be used up in a sec.

Cassette Tool Updated

Call this Bike Parts 2.0, this tools makes things a bit easier and less bulky to the alternative.
Normally you’d need a three-pronged attack to remove the cassette: a cassette locking tool, a spanner and a chainwhip. The Shimano-compatible Next Best Thing 2 does away with the need for these heavy tools by using the derailleur hanger as a leverage point.
Once anchored in place, which can be a little fiddly, it’s a matter of turning the pedals to loosen the lockring. As long as the lockring hasn’t been overtightened initially – best to check before setting off on tour – it’s a clever solution to every tourer’s nightmare.

Cold Activated Zoot Thermal Compression

Hey here in the Northeast it is getting code, Labor day has past, leaves are starting to fall and Cross Country, Cyclocross is upon us. Well break out the Thermal Compression from ZOOT, best used when cold to keep your core warm.


CompressRx Thermal provides all of the advanced benefits of CompressRx while keeping you warm during those cold training days. CompressRx reduces muscle fatigue and increases blood flow, so you can train harder and recover faster!