All posts in “Gear”

Wild Turkey’s Best Bourbon Isn’t Wild Turkey. Allow Me to Explain

Welcome to Shelf Sleepers, our semi-regular guide to the best booze nobody is buying. This time: Russell’s Reserve 10-Year, a bourbon that has managed to travel through time and space to land on shelves in 2021.

In theory, Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Eagle Rare is its closest competitor, matching its double-digit maturation and price point. In practice, Eagle Rare is a Buffalo Trace Distillery product and is much more difficult to track down because of that, which means it’s typically more expensive than its SRP would suggest. Before it earned the most prestigious award in whiskey, Heaven Hill’s Henry McKenna went blow-for-blow with it, but nowadays it goes for $60 or more. Russell’s Reserve 10-year is a relictual bourbon; whiskey that’s well-aged, well-priced, available and under 100 proof.

Though “good for the price” is a common and somewhat reductive phrase in bourbon communities, it has its place, and few bottles are better described this way than Russell’s Reserve.

It’s named after Jimmy Russell, longtime Wild Turkey master distiller and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee, and the company sells it for $40. Why? Who can know.

Where most Wild Turkey whiskey throws flavor haymakers, Russell’s 10 rolls more quietly, full of vanilla sweetness and soft oak. The combination of Wild Turkey’s low barrel entry proof, added years in the barrel and a lower bottle proof (90) create an unnatural smoothness. In short: I’d drink it with a straw. You can drink it how you like.

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5 New Tech Products to Have on Your Radar This Week

Sonos grabbed the headlines with the announcement of the Roam, its smallest and most portable speaker to date, but there were a lot of other cool gadgets announced this week. From new wireless earbuds to action cameras, Fitbit’s new fitness tracker and a $35 smart home camera, we’ve rounded up all the latest gadget news below.

Sonos Roam

tech roundup

Courtesy

The Sonos Roam is the company’s smallest and most portable speaker ever. It’s essentially a much smaller version — about 1/6th the size — of the Move, which Sonos released in late 2019. But while the Move costs an intimidating $399, which is more than most people are willing to spend on a portable speaker, the Roam comes in at a surprisingly affordable $169. It’s available for preorder now and ships April 20.

Price: $169

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Fitbit Ace 3

tech roundup

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Fitbit announced the Ace 3 this past week, which is the next-generation version of the Ace 2. It’s a fitness tracker that’s designed for kids (age 6 and up), able to track sleep and other general movement and activity, but the big upgrade with the new model is with battery life; it can last up to 8 days. It’s available for preorder right now and ships next week (3/15).

Price: $80

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Abode Cam 2

tech roundup

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The Abode Cam 2 is a tiny smart home camera that costs just $35, putting it in direct competition with the likes of the Blink Mini ($35) and the Wyze Cam v3 ($24). It has most of the standard features you’d want in a smart home camera, including 24-hour 1080p recording, two-way talk, motion detection and night vision. It also integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. (If you preorder the Abode Cam 2 right now, you can snag it for $30 — so you can save $5.)

Price: $35

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Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+

tech roundup

Courtesy

The Melomania 1+ is the company’s newest truly wireless earbuds. Like their predecessor, the Melomania 1, the Melomania 1+ promise excellent audio quality at a fairly affordable price. The two big upgrades with the Melomania 1+ is that they now work with a companion app, which allows you adjust EQ and other settings, but they also have a new “High Performance” mode that utilizes new amplification technology to make the audio sound even better. (This is the same “High Performance” mode found in Cambridge Audio’s Melomania Touch.)

Price: $140

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Insta360 Go 2

tech roundup

Courtesy

The Insta360 Go 2 is an absolutely tiny action camera — about the size of AirPods — that costs $299. It has a number of key upgrades over its predecessor, the original Insta360 Go, including an a larger sensor and improved photo-and-video capabilities (9MP stills and 1440p 50fps video), as well as an impressive case that adds extra battery and controls. Bottom line, this is a super small action camera designed for creators who want to capture that POV-look yet don’t want to spend big on a GoPro.

Price: $299

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Roger Federer’s New Tennis Shoe Is Literally One of a Kind

It was more than a little surprising when, a little more than a year after his multi-decade partnership with Nike ended, tennis icon Roger Federer teamed up with shoemaker On. After all, the company shares Federer’s Swiss heritage…but it didn’t make tennis shoes. With the recently revealed Roger Pro, though, that seems to be changing.

On is primarily a running shoe company, though it has recently expanded into hiking and trail footwear that employs its trademark feature, CloudTec — a sole design made up of springy pods. Shortly after Federer came on board, it revealed its first shoe that, at first glance, didn’t (the pods are still there, they’re simply covered up), The Roger, — which is “tennis-inspired” but really more of a lifestyle sneaker than a performance one.

Despite speculation about when the 39-year-old player will hang up his racquet, Federer is still swinging — so it was only a matter of time before On shod his feet for matches. Federer debuted the inevitable shoes at the Qatar Open, and On subsequently opened up the hood on its website.

roger federer and a pile of shoe prototypes

On Running

Dubbed the Roger Pro, the shoe is a first for the company in that it apparently doesn’t feature CloudTec. It does have a carbon fiber plate, though — a feature that’s become a staple in high-end marathon shoes. It also has an engineered mesh upper, a high-density midsole, a soft heel, and varied, squeak-limiting grip patterns.

On’s designers crafted every element of the shoe for Federer’s style of play. In fact, the design’s starting point was a 3D scan of his foot, according to On’s site.

a white tennis shoe
The Roger Pro by On Running

On Running

The catch is, that when On says it made a tennis shoe for Roger Federer, it means that literally. As in, only for Roger Federer. On isn’t selling the Roger Pro, and doesn’t have any apparent plans to. That said, it’s hard to imagine the company invested so heavily in a new category for one guy…even if he is one of the best tennis players to have lived.

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Porsche is expanding its zero-emission lineup with two eBike models

With Tesla still at the top, other EV startups are barely making any headway in their bid to gain a foothold in the highly competitive market for emission-free transportation. So far startups such as Lucid Motors, Fisker Automotive, Aptera Motors, are teasing revolutionary technologies. Porsche, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying a favorable transition into electrification. In fact, it now has an eBike lineup available.

The German marque has been steadily growing its EV offerings. Earlier in 2021 it finally introduced a more affordable trim for the Taycan. Porsche was also taking advantage of the momentum by following up with Taycan Cross Turismo. After looking at the images of the new machine, many were wondering what was on the bike rack in one of the shots from the rear.

It turns out that the rides were actually the two version of Porsche’s new mobility platforms. Eco-conscious consumers now have more options aside from its zero-emission vehicles. These are the eBike Sport and eBike Cross. Big props to the company’s engineers and designers for the modern and discreet profile.

Not unless you view them up close, these can pass off as just any other regular road bike. Little do onlookers know that these lightweight carbon frames hold cutting-edge technology. The blueprint was provided by Studio F.A. Porsche in partnership with renowned eBike manufacturer ROTWILD.

Other noteworthy features include the Shimano drive unit, high-performance brakes and upside-down suspension fork from Magura, FOX shocks, Dropper seat and wheels from Crankbrothers. The eBike Sport is great for urban environments and forgiving terrain, while the eBike Cross is ideal for off-road adventures.

Learn more: Porsche

Images courtesy of Porsche

6 Manly Things to Do When Pulled Over For a DUI

To begin with, driving while intoxicated is not the safest thing anyone can do. Without sugarcoating things, it is one of the top causes of traffic accidents, perhaps just second next to distracted driving. Apart from putting your life at risk, intoxicated driving also puts the innocent lives of other road users in danger. This is why it is considered a legal offense in most states in the US and other countries around the world.

When the traffic law enforcement officers suspect that you could be intoxicated from how you are driving, they can decide to pull you over for questioning and assessment. Perhaps you were speeding, driving recklessly, or you have a broken headlight. The police can pull you over based on the mere suspicion that you could be intoxicated.

Well, when this happens, how you act from the moment the siren blares and emergency lights flash will determine whether you successfully handle the issue or not. In this brief piece, we shall look at 6 manly things to do when pulled over for a DUI.

1. Find a Safe Place to Pull Over as Quickly as Possible

Whenever a traffic police officer flashes his/her lights at you, certainly know that you are being pulled over. Remember the police officer starts making observations regarding your driving under influence (DUI) as soon as you’re pulled over. These observations go into the police report to be used during your trials or hearings if any emerges. The officer might have stopped you after noticing something that suggests you are driving under influence such as alcohol intoxication.

When pulled over by a traffic officer, quickly find a safe place to pull over. Remember to stay calm, and if you’re wearing a cap or shades, consider taking them off. That will be a show of respect to the law enforcement officer while also suggesting that you have nothing to hide. Another important thing, don’t step out of the car unless asked by the officer.

2. Be Polite To the Law Enforcement Officer

Treating the officer with respect won’t cost you anything. Believe it or not, being respectful is one of the best manly things you can do. It will be an advantage to you, and you’re far much unlikely to get arrested if you show the officer that you’re sincerely and genuinely respectful.

Officers are also human beings like you and me. This means that, if you’re rude, insincere, or hostile to the law enforcement officer, you will just invoke their anger. They will definitely do everything possible to get you arrested and convicted by writing you a very incriminating police report.

So, if the officer asks you to step out of your car, just comply while being cooperative and friendly with them. Talk to the officer politely like you would do to any other respectable person. Politeness to the officers has saved a lot of people from hefty fines.

3. Be Calm When Getting Arrested

Remember, if the officer suspects you of drunken driving, they will be keen on anything you do. For instance, don’t try to hide any open alcoholic beverages or drugs while in front of an officer. Stay calm and put your hands on the steering wheel. Even after maintaining your cool with the law enforcement officer, chances are that you will still get arrested if it’s clear you are drunk. By all means, do not think of resisting arrest.

Stay calm during the arrest and remember that you have the right to respectfully request legal representation while speaking to the officer. Call or speak to an experienced DUI attorney as soon as you can. They will help you navigate the various complexities involved in DUI cases and ensure that your legal rights are observed. Also, remember to be careful as anything you say could be used against you in court.

4. Only Provide Minimal Information

Avoid providing law enforcement officers with a lot of unnecessary information. Some of it could end up incriminating you. Just keep it truthful, plain, and simple. Some details you are required to provide include the following:

  • Your name or ID
  • Your driver’s license.
  • Vehicle registration.
  • Proof of insurance.

Avoid giving the officer unnecessary information such as:

  • How much you have been drinking.
  • Where you have been drinking.
  • Whom you have been drinking with.

Instead, you may, for instance, tell the officer something like, “I am sorry officer, but I have been advised that it’s okay not to answer any further questions”

5. In Some Cases, Refuse Sobriety Tests

In many states, individuals are not obligated to perform field sobriety tests or even take a handheld breathalyzer. While refusing these requests may lead to your driver’s license getting suspended, if intoxicated, the police officer will only provide his/her subjective interpretation based on your state during the arrest.

Remember, it is not a guarantee that you will win the DUI case just by refusing to take the sobriety tests and the handheld breathalyzers. You might be having your own reasons to refuse, and that’s okay. However, you are likely to pass the test if you only had one or two drinks over an hour or two earlier.

Basically, refusing to take sobriety tests can help your case, so you can avoid it unless you are very sure you are not intoxicated in any way. Nonetheless, sobriety tests are heavily enforced in some states, so knowing the applicable laws in your state can prove helpful here.

6. Take the Tests at the Police Station

After getting arrested and taken to the police station, now you can take the breathalyzer test. In fact, in most states, you are obligated to take DUI tests only at the police station. Also, note! While at the police station, you can consider taking the breathalyzer test and perhaps refuse the blood tests. That way, your attorney could challenge the reliability of the breathalyzer as compared to DUI blood tests.

Intoxicated driving is among the common reasons drivers get pulled over and arrested. Remember, law enforcement officers have the duty to keep our roads safe and sane. Nonetheless, what you do after being pulled over and arrested will determine the repercussions of your offense (if you have any). If you are not driving while intoxicated, there is no reason to worry because the tests will tell it all.

ILOVEDUST Porsche 911 Turbo

British design studio ILOVEDUST commemorates its 17th year in business in high, dirty, automotive style with its own version of an art car. They took a 964 era 911, coated it in matte black paint…

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The Kettle Pro Coffee Makers Love Is on Sale Today

Looking for even more great savings? Head over to Today’s Best Deals page to see all our top deals from today.


Spend more than five minutes flipping through your favorite coffee shop, roaster or personality’s Instagram and you will have undoubtedly seen Fellow’s ubiquitous Stagg EKG kettles (EKG just means electric).

Originally only available in all-black, the kettles were designed with pour-over coffee brewing in mind. Hyper-accurate water temperature control, fast heating, a built-in timer (pivotal to those serious about their pour-over recipes) and a gooseneck spout that keeps water flow slow and consistent. The only real problem with the Stagg EKG is the price — it retails at $149.

Through this weekend on Sur La Table, that’s less of a problem, as the highly-coveted kettle is 20 percent off with the code GROW — along with a whole host of other great products. That brings the price down to a more manageable $119.

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Samsung The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV 2021 Edition

Ever since Samsung unveiled their first Frame TV a handful of years ago, they’ve been making waves with every iteration because of their gallery design and ability to blend into any picture wall. Now, Samsung…

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This New(ish) Whiskey Brand Is Already a Top-Selling Spirit

In 2017, Fawn Weaver founded Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, marking the first time a spirit was named in honor of a Black person — in this case, the man who taught Jack Daniel to make whiskey. Now, less than four years later, Uncle Nearest has vaulted up the sales charts to become the top-selling Black-owned spirit brand in history.

“The spirits industry has never seen anything like this in all the years that data has been tracked through the three major data collection agencies for the industry,” Donn Bichsel, founder of spirits data analyst 3 Tier Beverages, told The Spirits Business.

Since its founding, Uncle Nearest has sold 1.5 million bottles of whiskey — a feat that Bichesel said so greatly outpaced other Black-owned or Black-founded spirits brands that the others “barely registered” in the top 10.

Uncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest 1884 Premium Small Batch Whiskey

Uncle Nearest flaviar.com

$46.99

Currently, Uncle Nearest offers three expressions: a small-batch whiskey, an aged whiskey and a single-barrel edition. The whiskies have nationwide distribution, and are currently stocked in 21,000 locations, according to The Spirits Business.

The story of Uncle Nearest is as important as the brand’s latest achievement. In 2016, The New York Times brought attention to an adjustment in Jack Daniel’s history, which sparked Weaver’s desire to start Uncle Nearest. In Jack Daniel’s 150-year history, many gave credit to Dan Call for having taught Daniel how to distill whiskey — when it was actually one of Call’s slaves, Nathan “Nearest” Green, who actually taught Daniel. In 2017, Brown-Forman — the company that owns Jack Daniel’s, among other brands — recognized Green as its first master distiller, making him the first Black master distiller on record.

fawn weaver next to whiskey barrels
Fawn Weaver, founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, is redefining what an American whiskey brand looks like.

Flaviar

What Weaver is doing to uplift the Black community and diversity in the spirits industry is commendable. Uncle Nearest features an all-female leadership team in a business that is largely made up of white men. The distillery’s master blender, Victoria Eady Butler, also happens to be a descendant of Nearest Green. (And, of course, the whiskey is delicious, too.)

In 2020, the distillery and Jack Daniel’s pledged $5 million to the Nearest and Jack Advancement Initiative to boost diversity in the spirits business. With an excellent start to 2021, the future of Uncle Nearest and the whiskey world looks bright.

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Forget the Tesla Cybertruck. This New Electric Pickup Is Even More Wild

Just last December, California-based EV startup Canoo revealed its boxy commercial delivery van. Now, they’ve just announced another vehicle on their multi-purpose platform — and much to our delight, it’s an awesome overlanding-ready pickup truck.

canoo truck

Jeff@jeffludes.com

Canoo is calling it “the most cab forward and space-efficient” truck on the market, and the preliminary specs impress. Canoo’s truck will come in both single- and dual-motor versions; the most capable will pack 600 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. The truck will be able to accommodate a 1,800-pound payload; the target range is north of 200 miles. It will be the same approximate height and width of a Ford F-150, but more than two feet shorter than the smallest version — and with a longer bed, to boot.

Whether you’re looking for a work truck or an adventure truck, this Canoo should be one versatile craft. A pull-out extension can extend the bed to eight feet long, and the frunk features a fold-down work table and electrical outlets for tools. The bed has fold-down tables on either side, modular space dividers and a multi-accessory charge port. Buyers can fit the Canoo truck with a roof rack and a camper shell to hold a rooftop tent.

canoo truck frunk

Canoo

canoo truck with camper shell

Canoo

There’s no word yet on pricing for the new truck, but Canoo says it will begin taking pre-orders in the second quarter of 2021. Deliveries for the Canoo truck could begin “as early as 2023,” which suggests the truck is some way off from being finished.

Rivian went more traditional with the R1T, which looks more or less like an electric Tacoma and GM is building the Hummer EV into a genuine super-truck, but Tesla went avant-garde with the Cybertruck design. Canoo’s truck could be a compelling middle ground that’s novel and quirky and takes maximum advantage of the added functionality an EV offers…without going too over the top.

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How to Add Extra HDMI Ports to Your TV

Here’s the problem: You have a lot of different devices that you need to connect to your TV — from your cable box to your streaming device (like an Apple TV), your numerous gaming consoles (such as an Xbox and Nintendo Switch) to your Blu-ray or DVD player, as well as your soundbar — but your TV doesn’t have enough HDMI ports for each. What do you do?

One option is to buy an AV receiver, but that’s an expensive choice you shouldn’t make unless you were already considering building out a home theater system. The easier and more affordable option is just to buy some extra ports in the form of an HDMI switch.

An HDMI switch is essentially a hub that connects to one of your TV’s HDMI ports, and allows you to use that single HDMI port for multiple channels. For example, you can connect two, three or four of your gaming consoles to an HDMI switch so that they all only take up one port. From there, the switch will let you decide which device is routed through to the TV so you can swap between gadgets without pulling out any wires.

Just make sure you get a switch and not a splitter. A switch lets you connect multiple gadgets to one port, but a splitter just lets you connect the same device to multiple screens.

ccc

This is an excellent HDMI switch that adds three additional ports. It supports auto-switching, meaning it will automatically default to the last active port. It supports 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz, which will be good enough for most people — but not for people with the latest-generation consoles.

Techole HDMI Switcher 3 in 1 Out

Techole

HDMI Switch 4K – Techole HDMI Switcher 3 in 1 Out HDMI Splitter, or 3 x 1, USB External Power Supported, Supports 4K 3D HD 1080P for Xbox PS4 Roku Blu-Ray Player HDTV (HDMI Switch)

Techole amazon.com

$10.99

If you’re looking for some extra ports on a budget, here’s a great option. With only three additional ports, no remote, and the need for external power, this option doesn’t come with any bells and whistles. But if you’re prepared to go press a physical button if you need to swap input, this is one of the most cost-effective options to make your number of ports multiply.

UGreen HDMI Switch

UGreen

UGreen HDMI Switch

UGREEN amazon.com

$18.99

This switch also adds three additional ports. In addition, it supports auto-switching, meaning it will automatically default to the last active port. It supports 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz, which will be good enough for most people, but if you’ve got a latest-gen console you’ll probably want to plug directly into the TV. And yes, it has a remote.

EZCOOTECH Matrix HDMI Switch

EZCOOTECH

HDMI Matrix 4 In 2 Out 4K 60Hz

EZCOOTECH amazon.com

$130.99

If you have a really nice 4K TV and a lot of gadgets that support all the best video and technologies, this is the HDMI switcher you want to get. It supports 4K and HDR (including Dolby Vision and HDR10), as well as immersive sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. If you have one of the latest-generation consoles, this supports 4K gaming at 60Hz, too. Finally, it has two HDMI outputs, which allows you to connect to another display, such as another TV or a projector.

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Get Comfortable with the iSwift Pi Laptop Desk

For being so small & light, the iSwift Pi does a lot. It’s a super-thin laptop desk designed for use in bed, on a sofa and even at a desk if you use one. It offers 2-level height adjustment as a lap desk & also works as a stand in 4 different configurations to suit all environments. It’s durable, unfolds in seconds, and stores flat. A funded Kickstarter.

This Wool Kit Is Used by America’s Cup Sailors

Get your hands on the wool t-shirt worn by the Luna Rossa America’s Cup team. The t-shirt is part of an innovative wool-based kit created by Prada and Woolmark and is the first of its kind. The entire kit utilizes merino wool to enhance performance while reducing environmental impact. Wool is a key solution to reducing environmental damage from microplastics, as it’s 100-percent biodegradable. Made with the world’s oceans in mind, this gear is a purchase you can feel good about. Each piece in the collection offers superb breathability, the ability to wick away moisture and superior thermoregulation, making it ideal for a day on the seas or whatever wet weather adventure you have planned.

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2022 Honda CRF450R Motocross Motorcycle

For the better part of the past two decades, the Honda CRF450R has been one of our favorite racing motocross motorcycles because of its combination of power and accessibility. Honda has pulled out all the…

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The Essential Gear You Need for an Overland Adventure

As the age-old maxim says, “it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey.” If that’s true, and if you’re a gearhead, there’s no more satisfying way to journey than via expedition-ready overland rig. And as manufacturers continue to offer up more and more off-road-ready vehicles straight from the factory, the call of the overland trip grows louder, and adventure arrives more easily.

If you’re ready to answer the call, there are a few things you should put on your shopping list. Aside from your basic camping gear, essential survival tools and standard vehicle maintenance essentials, you’ll also want to make sure you have an array of gear that will keep you high and dry (in a good way) and your truck or SUV from getting stranded. The list quickly becomes expensive, but it’s better to invest now than be stuck later.

This basic guide to overlanding gear isn’t comprehensive, of course. Part of the fun of the hobby is the continuous refinement of one’s kit: adding new gadgets and piece of equipment; swapping out entry-level gear for items designed for more experienced users as you gain confidence; finding better, higher-quality versions of supplies than you started out with. Still, the products here and the categories below should serve as an excellent starting point, giving you a chance to dip your toe (or heck, even your whole foot) into the overlanding pool.

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Can Antimicrobial Clothing Fight COVID?

Are you familiar with antimicrobial clothing? Over the last year, microbe-fighting fabric finishes have been incorporated into everyday wardrobe-essentials. Initially, these antimicrobial treatments — like Viroblock from Swiss chemical company HeiQ — were designed to help clothing prevent both odor and viral growth, but brands have shown increased interest in them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, Viroblock is used to treat products from notable brands like Kenneth Cole and Outdoor Research. HeiQ created the fabric treatment in 2013 to enhance mask protection against Ebola. Its patent-pending formula is made up of silver and vesicle booster technologies which are added to textiles during the final stage of the manufacturing process.

According to ViroMasks, silver particles act as potent antibacterial and antiviral agents, and eliminate viruses upon exposure. The vesicle booster properties deplete viral membranes of cholesterol, neutralizing the virus (making it more vulnerable to silver ions).

“This technology was shelved because the need for antiviral textiles was non-existent,” says HeiQ’s CMO, Hoi Kwan Lam. “But in January 2020, our CEO saw signs of a pandemic and reactivated the product; re-testing it and then re-launching it on March 16th.” Since then, numerous brands have partnered with HeiQ to use Viroblock technology.

carlo centonze and daughter wearing viroblock face masks
HeiQ Group’s Co-founder and CEO, Carlo Centonze, and his daughter wear HeiQ Viroblock face masks.

HeiQ

“In 2020, we onboarded more than 500 brands for HeiQ V-Block alone. Most are clothing brands using the tech on clothing, face coverings and accessories,” Kwan says. “About 150 styles of Viroblock infused products are already on the market.” The invisible coating has also proven effective on home textiles for furniture and even bedding or mattresses.

HeiQ has shown this additive eliminates SARS-CoV-2 upon contact and prevents it from spreading, and numerous brands have touted this angle over the past year. But, according to Dr. Ramon Sanchez, a Harvard Research Associate and Environmental Health expert, this isn’t a significant discovery.

“Antimicrobial properties such as Viroblock are very effective,” Dr. Sanchez, says. “However, antimicrobials are not going to add protection against SARS-CoV-2 when applied to clothing because once the virus touches those fibers it is likely to stick there which prevents an infected particle from entering the body. This trapped virus would eventually die when exposed to an antimicrobial material or eventually die itself because it can’t reproduce outside the body. Antimicrobials will primarily prevent other bacterial growth within clothing fibers — it’s much more performative against bacterial airborne diseases (like tuberculosis) that linger in the air.”

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease spread through aerosols — like respiratory droplets — and it loses concentration the longer it’s in the air. While Viroblock isn’t designed as a main tool to fight COVID, it can be effective in certain scenarios. According to Dr. Sanchez, “an antimicrobial might kill or inactivate large virus-infected droplets in contact with coated fabrics, but that is only effective when the source of infection is less than six feet away (like an unmasked infected individual talking nearby).”

heiq vblock

HeiQ

New research shows COVID-19 can survive on clothing (not treated with Viroblock) for up to 72 hours and can extend to other surfaces. The highest risk fabric is polyester, while items made of 100-percent cotton can harbor the virus for 24 hours and products made of poly-cotton can hold the virus for up to six hours. For those in the medical field or other high-risk industries, antimicrobial clothing can be practical. “Viroblock technology is likely to reduce viral survival times if your clothing is coated with it, but don’t solely rely on this technology to prevent COVID-19 as infections are more likely to come from SARS-CoV-2 infected aerosols instead of contaminated surfaces,” explains Dr. Sanchez.

Viroblock does eliminate airborne diseases like influenza and the common cold and even COVID-19, but in the case of COVID, people are most likely to catch it through unmasked interactions with infected individuals or by touching a contaminated surface and then directly touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

If you work in the medical field, are an essential worker or are in close contact with a range of other people, you may want to check out what garments are offered with Viroblock. Offerings aren’t limited to masks, and even include staples like denim offered by family-run brands like Warp + Weft. “As safety is at the forefront of our consumer concerns, we want to be there to help,” says Warp + Weft founder Sarah Ahmed.

Along with providing an added layer of protection for people working high-risk jobs, Viroblock also has the potential to extend the life of clothing. “When you factor in antimicrobial coding, people can wear sustainably sourced clothing longer without odors and the garments will take care of lingering bacteria on its own,” says Dr. Sanchez. That means microbes will be less likely to break down fibers, and you won’t need to wash clothing as frequently.

So while Viroblock gear is worth the money for some individuals, don’t expect these items alone to keep you from getting sick. Keep wearing a mask, washing your hands and practicing social distancing.

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Best 35 Hunting Knives

BEST HUNTING KNIVES

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Could we have started our list anything more lethal looking? This knife looks like it could have come out of any action movie and could take the head off a T-Rex! Sporting a tanto style steel blade, this knife performs equally as well as a survival/combat knife as it does a hunter knife which makes it extremely versatile.

The stainless steel blade measures 5.5” which makes it suitable for a wide range of tasks and with an accompanying nylon sheath, carrying it around can be done safely and efficiently. As for the handle, this is contoured to fit your fingers so that even in the wet, you’re not going to lose your grip.

Pros

  • checkAggressive design
  • checkUnrivaled grip
  • checkVersatile

Cons

  • cross-altThe sheath could be better quality

Specs

  • Blade Length 5.5”
  • Overall Length 11”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Tanto
  • Materials Stainless Steel
2

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Gerber is one of the best known and most reputable names when it comes to hunting knives so who are we to not include at least a few of them on our list? Stylish in design but just as impressive when performing all kinds of hunting tasks, this is certainly a great allrounder to have on you when you’re out in the wilderness.

Constructed of High Carbon stainless steel, the fine edge blade measures just under 5-inches long and has been given a ceramic blade coating. We found the handle to be particularly attractive and this has a diamond texture grip that is both comfortable and durable.

Combine all of that with the functional sheaf and belt that is shipped with this knife and you have everything that you need for your hunting trip. Well, apart from your other hunting gear that is!

Pros

  • checkCorrosion resistant
  • checkGood for multiple tasks
  • checkSheath and belt included

Cons

  • cross-altThe handle might be small for some

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.8”
  • Overall Length 9.8”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials High Carbon Stainless Steel
3

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Versatility is the name of the game with the SOG Fixed Blade as they themselves say that it can be any kind of knife that you want it to be whether that’s tactical, hunting, military, or steak knife. This thing just oozes quality due to its stainless steel construction, its black titanium nitride-coated blade, and a handle that has been designed impressively to give you the best possible grip.

In terms of hunting, with a blade approaching 5”, you’re getting a fixed blade that should have no trouble performing most skinning or butchering tasks once you’ve got your prey. Just be sure to keep it sheafed in the attractive and durable sheaf that comes with it.

Pros

  • checkVersatile knife
  • checkBuilt to last
  • checkSlip-free handle

Cons

  • cross-altThe blade isn’t waterproof

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.75”
  • Overall Length 9”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
4

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Everybody knows that Victorinox Swiss Army is known for its excellent pen knives but don’t expect to be able to pull out a toothpick or pair of scissors out of this one. There is just a single small drop point blade that can be pulled out one-handed but that blade is of the quality that you’d expect.

Made from a high carbon stainless steel, this blade will be ideal for skinning smaller game or just as a general purpose knife while out hunting. Lightweight but incredibly sturdy, this knife is also available in three different colors. Carrying it can be done via the included attractive sheath or you could just pop it into any pocket on your body.

Pros

  • checkImpressive build-quality
  • checkLightweight but durable
  • checkLifetime guarantee

Cons

  • cross-altGrip feels a little small

Specs

  • Blade Length 4”
  • Overall Length 5.12”

  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
5

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Why take one blade into the shower when you can take…six? That’s right, the Outdoor Edge RazorLite Folding Pocket Knife gives you six blades for the same price that many give you just for the one. Now, these blades are not all on the knife, they are there as replacements. The default blade is a 3.5” stainless steel drop point but you’re also given five gut hook blades as well.

If that’s not enough you can purchase additional blades from Outdoor Edge which can be easily swapped out on your knife. Those blades are all of high quality and the handle with its non-slip grip and pocket clip is also something to admire.

Pros

  • check6-Replaceable blades
  • checkEasy to open
  • checkGood for field dressing

Cons

  • cross-altNot suitable for large tasks

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.5”
  • Overall Length 4.4”
  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
6

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Another fantastic looking folding knife is this little masterpiece by KATSU. Here you get an oriental take on what the best folding knife should look like and we have to say that it functions just as good as it looks. It has a small but effective 3.9” steel blade, a titanium and carbon fiber handle, and comes packed with a leather sheath and pocket clip.

The above ensures that you can carry it around safely and securely and the frame lock implemented will also ensure that it will stay open safely as well. An additional feature that will appeal is the ability to open and close the knife with one hand so that both can be done quickly and efficiently.

Pros

  • checkOpen/Close with one hand
  • checkGenuine leather sheath
  • checkComfortable grip

Cons

  • cross-altBlade is not spring assisted

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.9”

  • Overall Length 9”
  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials SteeL
7

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

So, we’ve had knives from Switzerland, Japan, and the USA thus far but we bet you didn’t expect to see one from Sweden? Well actually, Morakniv has been manufacturing high-quality knives for more than 100 years now and this fixed blade hunting knife is a good example of what they’re about.

Made from a 12C27 stainless steel, this fine edge knife is razor sharp and perfect for all kinds of tasks when outdoors. What we particularly liked other than how well made this knife is, is the fact that it comes with a multi-mount system that enables you vehicles, walls, backpacks, or to your body.

Pros

  • checkErgonomic design
  • checkInnovative multi-mount system
  • checkSharp out of box

Cons

  • cross-altBlade is quite thin

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.3”
  • Overall Length 8.9”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Stainless Steel
8

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

CRKT is another popular manufacturer of hunting & survival knives and having tried them out for ourselves, we can see why. Instantly it’s noticeable that they take pride int heir workmanship and the design is one that we found to be quite unique. It has a black stonewashed clip point blade made of steel, and eye-catching rubber over-mold handle.

This knife is medium sized, so this means that it can be used as a good foil for most tasks other than for skinning larger prey. It could still do that but you’d find it easier work with a larger blade. A limited lifetime warranty and a stylish leather sheaf are the other factors that might convince you to buy.

Pros

  • checkReputable brand
  • checkLimited lifetime warranty
  • checkHolds edge well

Cons

  • cross-altHandle might feel small

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.6”
  • Overall Length 9.44”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Steel
9

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Whether you’re a recreational or professional hunter, you’re going to want a knife that you can rely on. Well, the ESEE Knives 5P Fixed Blade Knife is certainly that! Constructed of a high carbon 1095 steel that’s been given a textured powder coat finish, you’re first blown away by how stylish it looks.

However, its when you start to use it that you know you’ve made the right purchase. This thing has a thick and sharp drop point fine edge blade that is razor sharp straight out of the box. It’s will provide you with the ability to handle most hunting tasks, carving tasks, and all kinds of general tasks and when it does eventually need sharpening, this is done easier than most other knives.

Pros

  • checkEasily sharpened
  • checkMade in the USA
  • checkIdeal for multiple uses

Cons

  • cross-altOn the expensive side

Specs

  • Blade Length 5.25”
  • Overall Length 11”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Steel
10

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Now we all know that you can’t go wrong with a Smith & Wesson when it comes to firearms but not all of you will know that they make some pretty tasty knives as well. Their SWMP4LBS Clip Point Folding Knife is one of those and one that we feel is one of their better ones.

The blade is the most important part of any knife and this one is made of 4034 high carbon, is clip point in style, and is a fine edge with a partially serrated blade at the base. This allows it to perform a multitude of functions and is therefore ideal as either a survival or hunting knife.

The biggest selling point, however, is that it makes use of M.A.G.I.Cm knows not actual magic but multi-purpose assisted generational innovative cutlery. A mouthful we know but that’s the technology that allows the blade to open at the push of a button.

Pros

  • checkMAGIC mechanism
  • checkRobust design
  • checkLethal appearance

Cons

  • cross-altRequires frequent sharpening

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.6”

  • Overall Length 8.6”

  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Clip Point
  • Materials Carbon Stainless Steel
11

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

One of our favorites in terms of value for money is definitely this CIMA High Hardness Fixed Blade Hunting Knife. For a small blade, it has been beautifully designed, is made of good steel, and it has micarta textured handle which is both comfortable and full of grip.

This will do you well for small tasks and is a great little knife to have on you whether that’s inside its sheath or in your pocket. That ABS sheath also comes a handy belt clip and lock. Lightweight but very durable, for the listed price, you’re getting yourself some real quality with this hunting knife.

Pros

  • checkGreat value
  • checkLovely micarta handle
  • checkNon-slip

Cons

  • cross-altGreat for hunting or carving

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.34”

  • Overall Length 8.46”

  • Type Fixed 

  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Steel
12

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Size doesn’t count for everything apparently, well that’s what some colleagues at the office here are told by their partners that is. Well, when it comes to the Schrade SCHF57 Fixed Blade Drop Point Knife, that really does seem to be the case. This might be a little knife with a little blade but you’d be surprised at just how great this thing is.

Ideal as an EDC but useful even as a knife for hunting, this knife has a high-quality build, is lightweight and multifunctional, and will not cost you the earth. In fact, its price point is one its best aspects as you’re getting great bang for the buck with this little beauty. The thermoplastic belt sheath is well made too although we found it a little uncomfortable.

Pros

  • checkMade from high carbon steel
  • checkReputable brand
  • checkFantastic grip

Cons

  • cross-altSheath is a little uncomfortable

Specs

  • Blade Length 2.6” 

  • Overall Length 6.3”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials High Carbon Stainless Steel
13

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Another knife that is equally good as an everyday carry or for a companion on hunting, hiking, or fishing trips is the Kershaw Clash Black 1605CKTST Pocket Knife. Featuring a drop point blade style with a fine edge/serrated edge combo, there’s not much that this little thing cannot help you with.

What we particularly like is the obvious pride that has gone into the manufacture of this knife. Its comprised of high-quality stainless steel for the blade and glass filled nylon for the handle with the latter fitting comfortably in your hand. Furthermore, this has SpeedSafe assisted opening, a secure locking mechanism, and has a reversible pocket clip.

Pros

  • checkEasy to open
  • checkEfficient locking mechanism
  • checkSmall & lightweight

Cons

  • cross-altNo sheath included

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.1”

  • Overall Length NA
  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
14

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

If you’re looking for something of good quality that is not priced above its station, then the Morakniv Robust Craftline could be the knife you’ve been looking for. They’ve certainly given it the right name in Robust as with a thick carbon steel drop point blade, you’re going to struggle to break it no matter what you’re using it for.

As well as a sturdy blade, you’re going to enjoy a handle that is a comfortable fit for most sized hands, and a sheath that includes a quick-connect feature that allows you to connect a second sheathed knife.

Pros

  • checkThick & durable blade
  • checkBudget price
  • checkLimited lifetime warranty

Cons

  • cross-altToo small for big hands

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.6”
  • Overall Length 8.25”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Carbon Steel
15

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Big, bold and strong is the first impressions you’ll get from the Elk Ridge ER-052 Hunting Knife but its when you discover how much it costs that you’ll realize what a good deal you’re getting. This mid-sized knife has all of the attributes that you’d want from a hunting knife at a price that can be as much as ten times lower than other models.

This knife really is beautifully crafted as well, particularly the full tang handle that has a pakkawood finish. The blade is also made of easy-to-clean stainless steel and is as durable as it is versatile with the tasks that it can handle.

Pros

  • checkSuperb value
  • checkAttractive pakkawood handle
  • checkEasy to sharpen

Cons

  • cross-altHard to clean grooves

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.5”

  • Overall Length 9.5”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Clip Point
  • Materials Stainless Steel
16

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Gerber is back with yet another entry on our list and why wouldn’t they be as one of the leading brands of all types of hunting knives, tactical knives and survival knives? Once you clap eyes on it for the first time you’ll notice its unique skeletal handle design which we feel you’ll either love or hate. We actually quite liked it but we can understand those that prefer a conventional handle.

That handle certainly doesn’t lack grip however due to a diamond textured rubber and you just have to love the minimalistic sheath that can be concealed or carried openly. As for the blade itself, it might be small but you just know the quality that you’re going to get from a name like Gerber.

Pros

  • checkLightweight but robust
  • checkFull life warranty
  • checkHorizontal or vertical sheath

Cons

  • cross-altNot ideal for large tasks

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.3”

  • Overall Length 6.9”

  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Steel
17

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Whiles it great to have a medium-sized to large knife by your side when out hunting, sometimes we forget just how handy and versatile a little blade like the Ganzo Firebird F7601 Folding Knife can be. Easily carried and concealed, this well-designed and attractive folding knife can save the day in certain situations.

Affordably priced, this knife has a strong G-lock mechanism that keeps the blade locked safely away. Carrying it is done easily due to its small and lightweight nature and can either be put deep into your pockets or hung over a belt using its belt clip. Now, you’re not going to be skinning any dear with this quickly but as an EDC and light duty tasks, it’s more than able.

Pros

  • checkStays sharp for long
  • checkEasy to maintain
  • checkGood ergonomics

Cons

  • cross-altNo sheath included

Specs

  • Blade Length 3”

  • Overall Length 7″
  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
18

Editors Rating

  • star
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  • star
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On the hunt for something that’s great at piercing and butchering? Then we think we have what you might need with the Bubba Blade 7-Inch Hunting Knife. This will allow you to make the most precise cuts in as safe a manner as possible. The latter is down to a sturdy non-slip handle with a trigger grip, safety guards, and a blade with an extra sharp tip.

A tough but thin clip point blade is where you’re going to get the real performance and it’s made of a strong 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, you’ll not have to worry about it breaking. It has beveled edge on the main side of the blade and a partially serrated edge on the top that will give you the ability to saw through those tough to cut places.

Pros

  • checkSturdy handle
  • checkSharp tip

Cons

  • cross-altSheath a little low quality

Specs

  • Blade Length 7”

  • Overall Length 13”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
19

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Capable of numerous hunting tasks out in the wilderness, the Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter is another of our personal favorites on this list. Small in stature but powerful in hand, this little hunting knife will be there to give you a helping hand whenever needed.

Ideal for hunting, fishing, camping, or just to have on you just in case, you’re not to go wrong with this quality little number. Its made from CPM-S30V stainless steel which is renowned for its robustness and we found ourselves very impressed with the sharpness of the blade right out of the box.

One disappointment is the sheath which while nice in design, it lacks any kind of clip for the belt or pocket.

Pros

  • checkGreat for skinning
  • checkMade in America
  • checkComfortable handle

Cons

  • cross-altNo belt clips on the sheath

Specs

  • Blade Length 2.67”

  • Overall Length 6.32”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Steel
20

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

We know what you’re thinking, enough of the small to medium sized blades, bring us some larger knives! Fine, if that’s what you want, then how about this impressive length of steel from MTech? The MT-086 has a 7-inch black stainless steel straight edge clip point blade and an ABS handle that delivers excellent grip even in the wettest of conditions.

This will be able to handle medium to large skinning and butchering tasks as well as any other smaller task on your hunting trip. Furthermore, being made in the USA by a trusted and reputable American company means that you can rely on the homegrown quality of the build. All in all, this is a knife that we know you’ll love, especially at its current price point.

Pros

  • checkAffordable price
  • checkAttractive design
  • checkExcellent grip

Cons

  • cross-altNeeds initial sharpening

Specs

  • Blade Length 7”

  • Overall Length 12.25”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Steel
21

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

While it’s great to buy the many ready-made hunting knives on the market that are good to go straight out of the box, we know that some of you love nothing more than building your own custom knives. Well, if you fall into that category and are looking for a high-quality blank hunting blade, this one is going to be right up your street. 

Made from 440C steel which is widely regarded as the most popular knife steel used today, you’ll be getting a blade that holds its edge extremely well, is not too difficult to sharpen, and offers a good level of corrosion resistance. All you’ll need now is the handle of your choosing, a bit of spare time, and you’ll be able to impress your hunt buddies with a knife that’s not available to buy anywhere else.

Pros

  • checkHolds a good edge
  • checkEasily sharpened
  • checkGood resistance to corrosion

Cons

  • cross-altSmall for the average hand

Specs

  • Blade Length 7.875”
  • Overall Length 12.875”
  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Steel
22

Editors Rating

  • star
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  • star
  • star

We know that you’ll agree but don’t American made knives just feel and last so much better than those from anywhere else? Sure, there’s some great foreign brands but if you wanted a guarantee of reliability and quality, its from American brands such as Rangers Knives that you’re going to find it.

This particular knife is far from being the best hunting knife in the world but it’s certainly up there. It has a delightfully attractive and durable carbon alloy steel grip point blade, a gorgeous micarta finished handle, and comes with a nylon sheath that can hold it when you’re not using it.

Pros

  • checkMicarta handle slabs
  • checkNon-slip grip
  • checkNice design

Cons

  • cross-altSheath not that great

Specs

  • Blade Length 6.625”
  • Overall Length 11.625”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Grip Point

  • Materials Carbon Alloy Steel
23

Editors Rating

  • star
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The competition has been fierce, almost as fierce as many of these hunting lives look but our Editor’s Pick is this one from Buck Knives. We chose this basically because it scores consistently highly in practically every area.

Its constructed of 420HC steel which is known for having excellent edge resistance, durability, and corrosion resistance. That blade is also a good length which means it can complete a multitude of tasks whether piercing, skinning, or detailed work. It also looks fantastic having been given a traditional American design.

As for the handle, this is well-sized, offers plenty of protection, is comfortable, offers supreme grip, and is anti-slip as well. Just to top everything off, its made by a leading American brand that is so confident in their product that they offer a lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • checkQuality steel
  • checkLifetime warranty
  • checkAesthetically beautiful

Cons

  • cross-altNeeds regular maintenance

Specs

  • Blade Length 6”
  • Overall Length 10.5”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Steel
24

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Reviews we’ve read and through our own experience suggest that this is one of the sharpest knives straight out of the box and even sharper after an initial sharpening. It works great no matter the task so whether you want something that performs well at skinning, quartering, field dressing, or even butchering, the Helle Gaupe will not let you down.

We really like the design and grip of the handle. The curly birch finish alone makes it a knife to own in our opinion as it really gives it somewhat of a unique look. A genuine leather sheath is also included with this product and while it’s quite simple in design, it certainly does the job.

Pros

  • checkExtremely sharp
  • checkVery versatile
  • checkStylish design

Cons

  • cross-altA little expensive

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.75”

  • Overall Length 9.375”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Steel
25

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

One of the largest knives we have reviewed so far, this 10-inch fixed blade hunting knife from Mossy Oak is one lethal looking blade. With a razor sharp clip point 440C stainless steel blade, this knife is going to the perfect companion no matter purpose you plan to use it for when hunting.

The handle has been given a traditional full tang design and this alongside its superior non-slip rubber grip means that you’re always going to be able to perform the most accurate of cuts.  We have to say that we also love the black anodize coloring given to this knife as well as the stylish sheath. Another nice touch is that they’ve also thrown in a sharpener and fire starter to really add to the value.

Pros

  • checkLightweight but sharp
  • checkRust-resistant
  • checkSharpener and fire starter included

Cons

  • cross-altNeeds sharpening more than others

Specs

  • Blade Length 10”
  • Overall Length 15”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Clip Point
  • Materials Steel
26

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Another knife that’s on the larger size on this list of our recommendations is that of the Ontario Spec Plus Marine Raider Bowie. Now size is only important depending on the task at hand but generally, a blade this big is going to be able to handle pretty much anything that you can throw at it.

That blade has a clip point style, is full tang, and is constructed of a very popular 1095 carbon steel. Combined, that means that this blade is tough, sharp, easy to sharpen, and will have a decent amount of resistance against corrosion.

As for the other benefits that you can expect from this hunting knife is Cordura sheath which looks and feels durable, a Kraton handle that provides good levels of grip, and a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer which should give you some peace of mind.

Pros

  • checkEasy to sharpen
  • checkVersatile
  • checkDurable blade

Cons

  • cross-altRequires sharpening out of box

Specs

  • Blade Length 9.75”

  • Overall Length 15.125”
  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Steel
27

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

When it comes to portability and concealability, there are not many knives that can compete with the Boker Plus )1BO035 Folding Knife. This knife weighs just 2.5oz and is just 3.25 inches when folded away. This means that it can be hidden away in your pocket, or clipped to your belt using its clip when you want to carry it.

The blade on this folding knife is where it really starts to differ, however. It ‘s ceramic instead of steel and this brings its own sets of benefits over the latter. It is lighter, has good edge retention, offers good resistance to corrosion, and is non-magnetic. We do still prefer steel blades but we were quite impressed at how sharp and effective this blade actually was.

Pros

  • checkVery light
  • checkGood edge retention
  • checkNon-magnetic

Cons

  • cross-altNot ideal for heavy tasks

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.1”
  • Overall Length 7.75”

  • Type Folding

  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Ceramic
28

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Designed with skinning in mind, the Case Medium Hunter Knife is one that we’d have no problems recommending at all if that’s what you wanted your knife for. It’s made from surgical stainless steel which requires little to no maintenance, it has a very attractive designed topped off by a polished leather handle, and is priced very competitively.

We found the handle to be a little small for us but not majorly but apart from that, everything about this knife is spot on. Even the leather sheath is of better quality than those given with more expensive knives. This is certainly worthy of a place on a list of the best hunting and survival knives and we recommend that you check it out.

Pros

  • checkAffordably priced
  • checkGreat for skinning
  • checkLifetime warranty

Cons

  • cross-altNot easy to sharpen

Specs

  • Blade Length 5”
  • Overall Length 9.5”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Clip Point
  • Materials Steel
29

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

The first thing that struck us about the Puma SGB Bighorn Hunting Knife was just how fantastic it looks. Really, this is without a doubt one of the best looking fixed blade huntings knives on our list. A lot of that is down to the micarta finish on the handle but the design of the blade and handle also contribute a lot in that regard.

The performance and quality of the blade are also quite impressive as this knife will be suitable for pulling off numerous tasks such as skinning and butchering although we’d suggest a larger knife for either if the game is of a large size itself. A nylon sheath is also shipped with this knife and that will allow you to carry it safely.

Pros

  • checkGreat to look at
  • checkPlenty of grip
  • checkStrong steel

Cons

  • cross-altNot fans of the sheath

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.9”

  • Overall Length 8.5”

  • Type Fixed

  • Blade Style Drop Point

  • Materials Steel
30

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
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The Buck Knives Famous 110 Folding Hunter Knife has been around for more than 50-years but it’s still going strong as one of the leading brands best sellers. This is a classic in its own right but how does it hold up against some of its modern competitors? Very well actually as it has superb build quality, and is strong, sharp, and durable.

It’s also safe to use due to a safe and secure lock back mechanism and while it requires a bit of work and a strong fingernail to open, once it is, it will not close until you want it to. Shipped with an attractive leather sheath and the promise of a lifetime warranty, this is a folding hunting knife that has stood the test of time and will likely stand yours as well.

Pros

  • checkMade in the USA
  • checkHugely popular knife
  • checkComes with a sheath

Cons

  • cross-altCould be easier to open

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.75”
  • Overall Length 4.875” Closed

  • Type Folding
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
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When Bear Grylls isn’t drinking his own urine, eating bugs, and jumping out of airplanes, he often finds himself with the need for a good quality hunting knife. Well, through partnering up with Gerber he has ensured that he’ll always have one and we have to say it’s one of the best fixed-blade hunting knives around.

The drop point blade is made from carbon stainless steel, is just under 5-inches long, and will be a great companion for a number of tasks whether, cutting, piercing, skinning, or sharpening pencils. As for the handle, this is made from rubber and is ergonomically textured so that it fits your hands perfectly.

Additional features include a mildew resistant sheath that has both a diamond knife sharpener and fire starter integrated while the knife has an emergency whistle hanging from the base. All in all, a great hunting knife at a great value.

Pros

  • checkDurable and versatile
  • checkSharpener & fire starter included
  • checkLifetime warranty

Cons

  • cross-altSheath could be more durable

Specs

  • Blade Length 4.8”
  • Overall Length 10.8”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials High Carbon Stainless Steel
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Two knives are always going to be better than one so what about this two-piece set from Mossy Oak? This is a brand that has been bringing us top quality hunting knives for more than 30-years and in terms of value for money, you’re not going to get a much better deal than what they’re offering here.

One blade is four inches while the other is six inches and between the two clip point blades, you’ll be more than able to perform a multitude of hunting and survival tasks when out in the wilderness. They are made from a strong and durable stainless steel with each coming with an impact nylon sheath that will increase safety and portability.

Pros

  • checkLifetime warranty
  • checkSuperb value
  • checkStrong & durable

Cons

  • cross-altNot easy to sharpen

Specs

  • Blade Length 4” & 6”

  • Overall Length 7.75” & 10”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Clip Point

  • Materials Stainless Steel
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If money is no object or you’re some kind of collector of the very best fixed blade hunting knives, then this desirable, strong, aesthetically beautiful MAGNUM-26 from Muela is going to be enough for you to moisten your pants. Not only does it look fantastic due to its Crown Deer horn handle and long blade but it’s actually a lot more than just looks.

The blade itself is 10-inches in length and is made from a strong and thick stainless steel. You’re also treated to a handcrafted sheath which matches the quality of the knife itself. All in all, this is what we’d class as a premium hunting knife rather than one you’d want to actually use too much. Did we also mention that this knife is so cool that it’s been featured in numerous movies?

Pros

  • checkLifetime warranty
  • checkStunningly beautiful
  • checkStrong and durable blade

Cons

  • cross-altExpensive

Specs

  • Blade Length 10.25”

  • Overall Length 16.75”
  • Type Fixed
  • Blade Style Drop Point
  • Materials Stainless Steel
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How about this for something a little unique and innovative? This Outdoor Edge is essentially two blades in one using a rotating mechanism. On one side you have a 3.6” skinning blade and on the other a 3.2” gutting blade. Both are made from a good quality AUS8 stainless steel and they are supported and encased (when not in use) by a rubberized non-slip TRP handle.

While this may seem a little gimmicky, we were actually very impressed with both blades and the quality of construction. Reading reviews it would seem that many do in fact share the same opinion as us. Throw in a decent sheath with a belt attachment and you’re getting a good two for one deal here.

Pros

  • checkQuality construction
  • checkTwo blades in one
  • checkRubberized handles

Cons

  • cross-altUninspiring sheath

Specs

  • Blade Length 3.6” & 3.2”
  • Overall Length 8.3”

  • Type Rotating

  • Blade Style Skinning & Gutting
  • Materials Stainless Steel
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Of course, while it can be fun to be a bit of a collector and to try out different brands for our knife collection, sometimes it can be easier to just go and buy a high-quality set from a reputable manufacturer. There are plenty of these sets available but we just had to go for the Mossy Oak Hunting Field Dressing kit.

Why? Because it has everything that a hunter will ever need out in the wilderness. This set has a boning knife, gut hook skinner, caping knife, wood & bone saw, brisket spreader, and a sharpener all in one place. All of the above are constructed of 3CR13 steel and are kept in a sturdy and durable carry case.

You’re literally not going to need anything else on your next hunting trip – not in terms of knives that is.

Pros

  • checkAll you need
  • checkQuality blades
  • checkReputable brand

Cons

  • cross-altNo butter knife included

BUYING GUIDE & FAQ’S

Choosing a Hunting Knife

If all knives were equal you could just go hunting with a butter knife but we all know that this is hardly going to be practical. Hunting knives have different blade lengths and styles, use different materials, and are designed for different purposes. You’ll need to understand and consider all of the following in our buying guide before parting with any cash for a hunting knife.

Knife Steel

The debate on which knife steel for a hunting knife is one that we’re sure will go on as many years as it already has been, which is decades upon decades. There are so many steels out there that are used for the manufacture of knife blades and each of them will have their abilities in terms of edge retention and edge holding. This means that one type might be easier to sharpen while another will stay sharp for longer – It really is something that we’re not going to go into much depth about here.

Keeping it as simple as possible, most hunting knives will be built of decent steel and will do the job. A good way to break it all down is to essentially think of knife steel as a part of one of the two different categories; carbon or stainless.

If you were to opt for a carbon-steeled knife, you’ll have a blade that’s easier to sharpen but will rust quicker. On the other hand, a stainless steel blade will be more difficult to sharpen and while they can and will rust, this will take longer if at all.

Below are the most commonly used steels for the construction of knife blades:

  • High Carbon
  • Spring Steel
  • Tool Steels
  • CMP Steels
  • Stainless Steels
  • Steels

Blade Length

While funny, Crocodile Dundee infamous “Call that a knife? That’s not a knife” saying really does not correlate when it comes to hunting knives. The bigger the blade of a knife does not necessarily mean it will be better. Small and medium-sized blades will, in fact, be better than larger blades for certain tasks and vice versa.

Here is a short breakdown of blade lengths and what tasks they’re suitable for:

Short blades which we consider to be 4-inches or less are really only going to any use when it comes to skinning and butchering game. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best at that purpose but they can certainly come in handy. If you plan on hunting larger game, you might want to get a larger blade as well.

We class medium-sized blades to be that of between four and six inches in length and these are good all-rounders. Generally, these are not specialists in any particular task but will be a good go-to for everything. Essentially they’re a jack of all trades but a master of none. Whether you want to skin, butcher, or perform tasks around the camp, these will be able to help you.

Long blades are anything over six inches in length and these are generally used for butchering larger game rather than anything else. They can also be useful at skinning but if you’re skinning smaller game, they might be a little too big and not ideal for the task at hand. It can also be easier to cut yourself if you’re trying to skin smaller game.

Blade Style

As well as the blade material and length, you’ll also want to consider the blade style of the hunting knife before purchasing it. Again, this will all depend on the purpose that you’re planning to use the hunting knife for.

Below are some of the more common blade styles that can be found on hunting knives:

  • Drop Point

Easily the most common blade style that is used on modern hunting knives is that of the drop point blade. These are popular because they’re easy to use, easy to maintain, and are a good all-rounder.

  • Clip Point

Another popular blade style is that of the clip point which has a very narrow and sharp point that comes after an upward curve that starts about a 1/3rd of the way from the tip. 

These look quite similar to drop point blades but with one telling difference. The unsharpened back of the blade is also angled so as to give off a harpoon look. This makes them ideal for piercing tasks.

  • Skinning/Trailing Point

Trailing point knives are what you’ll want if you’re primarily going to be using them for skinning. They have an unsharpened back that curves upwards and a large curved cutting area on the sharpened side.

Mainly used for field dressing wild game, the gut hook style blade is probably the most unique of all the blades above. It has a can opener style hook on the back of the blade at the top which is designed so that once inserted into a cut, can be pulled much like a zipper.

Those are just some of the many types of blade styles available but they are the easily the most common and popular. Other styles include leaf blades, straight blades, sheepsfoot blades, spear point blades, talon blades, and tanton blades.

FAQ

Q. Should I choose a hunting knife with a fixed or folding blade?

Well, fixed knives are easily the most popular types of hunting knives and this is basically because they perform better at most tasks due to being more robust and unlikely to break. These will be ideal for most tasks and let’s be honest, they look badass too!

Folding knives give you the benefit of being able to carry them around more safely as they can be kept in the pocket rather than in a sheath. They will still be able to perform many tasks such as skinning and even butchering but it will take more work from your end.

Q. What else should I consider when choosing a hunting knife?

Other than what we’ve already discussed in our buying guide above, the only other things to consider when buying a knife is the cost and the handle materials used. The former is obvious, you’ll go for something that you feel is worth the asking price.

As for the latter, bone, antler, wood, and synthetic are the materials you’ll usually see used for the handles of hunting knives. Your choice here will come down to aesthetics and durability as this is where these materials will differ. Wood is generally the cheapest, bone and antler are the toughest, and synthetic handles will give you a better grip.

Q. How to sharpen a hunting knife?

The actual process behind sharpening a hunting knife is actually quite easy. However, there are a few things you need to think about beforehand. Different blades and blade grinds mean you’ll have to use the right grits, honing angles, whetstones, and sharpeners depending on the hunting knife that you want to sharpen up.

This is why it’s important to read the documentation that comes with your hunting knife or to have a look through the many guides and videos online that you will take you through this process in more depth.

Conclusion

We have to admit that it must be difficult to pick out a favorite from that extensive list but we’re sure that you would have seen a few that you prefer over the others. You’ll also know what you’re going to need your knife for, so you’re going to be able to whittle your list down to those that are suitable for what you need.

Right then, so there is nothing more to do except our lame attempt to keep you on our website by luring you into some other cool hunting stuff! Well, here it is, if knives are not enough for you on your outdoor activities, why not check out the best 15 hatchets and axes for camping that we’ve listed?

Best 45 Laptop Bags For Men

BEST LAPTOP BAGS FOR MEN

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Businessmen and office workers gather around. This laptop bag for men will become your device’s new best friend. The padded sleeve will keep any device at 15.6 inches or less safe and secure. The black leather gives it a classy and professional aesthetic that will certainly turn head for all the right reasons. It also boasts some external zippered pockets for your other documents and files.

One of the most unique features of this model is that it comes with two carrying options. Choose to hold it like a briefcase or opt for the adjustable strap to carry the bag over your shoulder. For a timeless design, choose this laptop bag for men!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16 x 2 x 12in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.6in
  • Material: Leather
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On the other hand, you may have heard of The North Face and their impressive range of quality outdoor jackets and alike. Well, these guys also make impeccable luggage items including some of the best laptop bags for men. This polyester model we’re featuring here comes in five different colors and is made in the USA.

The last laptop bag was perfect for the busy professional. This one gives a slightly different impression and is more suitable for casual students. It would also be ideal for when you need to take your devices into nature, such as photographers, nature scientists and even storm chasers. It even has an adjustable strap to help you get the perfect fitting. Should we say no more?

Specs

  • Dimensions: 3.5 x 13 x 9.4in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 12in
  • Material: Polyester
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Back to the business section now and a look at Ted Baker’s edition of a laptop bag for men. They sure know how to create style mixed with convenience as this bag comes complete with a faux navy blue leather exterior and an eye-catching cotton red interior. An interior that also boasts a highly-protective laptop sleeve we might add.

This laptop bag may be slightly pricier than the average laptop bag, but the quality on offer certainly justifies it. It’s not just about quality materials and laptop protection either. It also houses five internal pockets – some with zippers – and has an adjustable strap to make it sit just right. Learn more by clicking the button below.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 17.2 x 14.2 x 3.4in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 16in
  • Material: Faux leather
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For premium quality and a USA-made laptop bag that looks like something out of an action movie then consider this Mission Worktop bag. It’s made with a waxed canvas that provides a durable shell to the inner padded compartments, which are perfect for most sized laptops and tablets.

However, it’s not just what it has got going on inside that made the Men’s Gear team sit up and take notice. The external parts of the laptop bag feature many compartments and pockets to keep your most frequented items close to hand. It even has attachment points that can be fitted to a bike and comes with a lifetime warranty for added reassurance.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 18 x 12.5 x 2.25in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Waxed Canvas and nylon
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Many of the laptop bags you will find on our buyer guide are equipped with padded device sleeves that make them more than resilient against everyday bumps on the subway. Yet, this Tomtoc model includes the manufacturer’s patented armor design which protects against bigger collisions and guards against drops. It’s certainly a modern looking laptop bag for the modern inner-city guy. It even has two external pockets which have been specifically designed to hold items such as device chargers, meaning you don’t have to pack your charger with your laptop and risk scrapes and scratches. It even comes in nine color options to suit the tastes and preferences of most, if not all, men.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 15.9 x 11.4 x 1.3in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.6in
  • Material: N/A
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If you thought the nine color options above gave you enough to match your style preferences then the 12 different designs of this Timbuk2 Command Laptop Bag certainly will. It is made with polyester and designed in a certain way that you do not need to remove devices when going through airport security, saving you time on business trips.

The bag is lined with durable materials and the external shell is weatherproof to guard against adverse weather as well as bumps. Like some of the other designs, this model also includes a small gadget pocket on the outside shell for your convenience when needing to grab a cord or a charger. Discover more about this laptop bag for men by taking a closer look!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 5.1 x 17.2 x 14.4in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Polyester
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We all know how good and popular the best Herschel backpacks are – but how do their laptop bags fair up? The answer is just as awesome, and this model proves it. Available in four different awesome colors and designs, this bag isn’t just offering one laptop sleeve to keep your devices protected. Herschel even includes a second device sleeve specifically for tablets. If you’re a businessman with two devices to carry, you may just be a businessman missing a Hershel laptop bag.

Other features of this bag that you need to know about include durable neoprene lining and a convenient key clip and key chain. Oh, and it comes with the option of choosing between a handle and an adjustable strap. Sold on it? We are!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 6.25 x 7 x 12in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Polyester
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One special feature that can be found on laptop bags does not get seen often, but when it does it can sway the decision for guys who need to carry a lot of papers and files to the office – as well as their laptop of course. We are referring to expandable laptop bags like this Briggs and Riley model. It expands slightly just like some of the best suitcases do. This gives you that little bit more room than the average laptop bag while not making it overly bulky on days you travel light.

Along with this key USP and a padded laptop sleeve, it also includes multiple other compartments and pockets, inside and out. Some of them are equipped with reliable zippers and placed in easy-to-reach positions. The only question left to ask is do you want it in a timeless black or a sleek gray?

Specs

  • Dimensions: 12.5 x 16.5 x 5.5in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Polyethylene
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For Mr. Convenience, we wanted to highlight the awesome features and aesthetics of the Bric’s Moleskin Laptop Bag. The padded laptop sleeve is accompanied by multiple internal and external pockets for all of your other daily gear. These compartments are encased in a waterproof reinforced fabric which you can rely on to keep your valuables dry.

It also has some little extras that you don’t normally find on such useful bags. It has a reflective element to help you stay seen in low-light conditions and late evenings and an adjustable strap that can even be removed if needed. This is on top of being supplied with a notebook. So, take note of the quality and consider this laptop bag for men.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 14.5 x 3.5 x 11.5
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Waterproof fabric
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Next up we will take a look at the Filson Laptop Bag which was also one of our editor’s favorites. No man would look out of place on Wall Street or at any high-end business lunch with this bag by their side. The bag is made with premium materials that will keep you looking stylish and keep your laptop in pristine condition. It even has YKK brass zips that will be smooth and last many years.

One of the biggest positives of this bag, aside from its aesthetic appeal, is that it offers an abundance of storage and compartments. Specifically, it provides the lucky owner with four stow pockets, four interior pockets of different sizes and various functions, as well as an interior divider to keep you organized.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16 x 4 x 12.5in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Leather
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For men who won a laptop of 13 inches or smaller, they should consider one of the most modern-looking laptop bags we found. This model made by Peak Design certainly raised our interest with its unorthodox shape and specific use.

What specific use are we talking about? Even though this bag is perfect for laptop owners, it is even more ideal for photographers because it has been designed with compartments to cater to different cameras and photography accessories. You never need to be worried about these valuable items because they are encased in a reliable and water-resistant shell with added DWR coatings.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 4.72 x 5 x 10.6in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13in
  • Material: Waterproof fabric
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Men who like to be stylish but like to go about it subtly will appreciate the aesthetics of the SOLO Laptop Bag. This bag comes in a timeless black color and adopts an orthodox design that never goes out of fashion. It will keep laptops safe and secure up to a size of 15.6 inches. This is because it is made with thick padding to protect it against knocks, bumps and even some drops.

However, it’s not just the laptop sleeve which gets the padded treatments. This bag is padded in lots of places to enhance its protective qualities. Even the carrying handle has been added with extra padding to make carrying this bag even more comfortable. Want to know more? Simply hit that button below to get more details.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 13 x 18 x 5.75in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.6in
  • Material: N/A
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The difference between the three color options of the TUMI Expandable Laptop Bag may not get you too excited, but it’s design on the whole as well as its features are certainly noteworthy. As the name suggests, this is another design which boasts an expandable aspect to cater to those working days when you have more to carry.

Another cool feature of this bag is found on its adjustable shoulder strap. Forget the fact it’s adjustable and caters to any man – well don’t forget it entirely. Just remember that it has been designed in a special way to prevent the strap from sliding down your shoulder, making your journey to work much more enjoyable.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 12.5 x 16 x 5.5in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: FXT Ballistic Nylon
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You might know Oakley for protecting your eyes and keeping you looking awesome. Well, they’re still making you awesome but now they’re protecting your laptop instead. The Oakley Office Laptop Bag is a popular choice among men because it looks modern, stylish and it works like a charm.

Not only does it include a protective laptop sleeve that will cater to most men’s devices. It also has extra protection stuck on the outside of the shell to guard against heavy impacts that could potentially damage your laptop.  Another noteworthy feature that is quite unique is the bag’s water bottle holder. Stay protected and hydrated with this exceptional laptop bag.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.1 x 11.8 x 5.9in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Other fibers
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Timbuk2 makes it onto our feature list more than once and that’s because they really know how to make the best laptop bags for men. This San Francisco company have aced it again with this model that can be picked up in up to three colors.

It has everything you would expect including a durable exterior and multiple compartments to accompany the 15-inch laptop sleeve. However, it can also be effortlessly added to the handle of a suitcase to make gliding through the airport even easier. If you wish to know more, we recommend checking out this laptop in more detail by clicking the button below. Thank us later!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 14.25 x 17.25 x 2.75in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: N/A
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Ben Sherman is another household name that has made it onto our laptop bag guide. They provide value to the party with this bag which is made of durable and stylish faux leather. The exterior houses two compartments and a pen holder for when numbers need to be crunched or contracts need to be signed.

There is even a second compartment next to the padded laptop sleeve to keep your other daily essentials. All can be carried effortlessly with the comfortable bag handle or by choosing the adjustable strap to carry the bag over your shoulder. What is even more impressive about Ben Sherman’s creation is that they’re selling it with a staggering ten-year warranty.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 4.5in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Faux leather
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If these leather laptop bags are not doing it for you then how about a unique and innovative combination of oil-waxed canvas and crazy-horse leather instead? We call this an innovative laptop bag because it can easily change in the way it is used. You can use the handle to carry it just like you would carry a briefcase. Or, you can use the two straps to use it as a laptop-protecting backpack.

One of the other cool features is that it comes with a port to easily set up smartphone charging while on the move. You can get this innovative design in four different colors from a classy brown to a less-subtle khaki color.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 15.3 x 11.4 x 2.8in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 14in
  • Material: Genuine leather
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Fossil won one of our main prizes and to shrug off the quality on this longer guide it must have been something special – and it is! Made by one of the most celebrated and trusted brands in the world, this laptop bag oozes sophistication.

The bag is made with premium brown leather that adds a touch of authentication and rustic charm. Inside you can discover plenty of room for your working gear and a sleeve specifically designed to keep your laptop and devices safe. Two buckles on the outside of the bag add to the security of it even more, giving it the perfect balance between gentlemanly aesthetics and practicality.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 13.4 x 3.94 x 10.25in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13in
  • Material: Cowhide leather
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The Carhartt laptop bag for men may not be as stylish as some of the others that came before, but it has a rugged and bulkier aesthetic that will be more than appealing to many guys. It’s made with a durable and water-repellent material that you can count on to protect your valuables.

Your valuables will be stored in the multiple utility pockets which offer plenty of room for you to keep smaller items and larger books and documents. One of the most appealing features of this design is the size of its laptop sleeve. It will accommodate even bigger devices up to 17 inches, making it a great fit for even more men.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.5 x 17.8 x 13in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17in
  • Material: Polyester
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The two-toned colors of authentic leather accents and durable canvas provide an awesome aesthetic balance that is hard to find. However, if that’s what you’re looking for then take a look at the Vaschy laptop bag for men.

The leather is soft to the touch, as well as providing an additional layer of protection for your valuables. Your laptop will sit in the main compartment and is secured with two reliable buckles. If the aesthetics and the features have perked your interest, the inclusive one-year warranty may just make it worthwhile to check it out further. Do just that by clicking the button below.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 13.8 x 5.1 x 11.8in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13in
  • Material: Cowhide leather and canvas
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One of the cheapest laptop bags for men currently on the market is this awesome model from Kenox. If you’re a guy with a 14-inch laptop or smaller, you’re going to want to know about this laptop bag. It leads a double life as a briefcase and a shoulder bag thanks to a comfortable leather handle and an adjustable leather strap. The laptop closes with magnetic buttons and buckles to give you optimum security. The black leather combined with brown leather accents provides a head-turning aesthetic that will get you noticed from home to the office.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 15.8 x 11 x 3.5in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 14in
  • Material: Leather
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A modern take on the conventional briefcase is this laptop bag from Targus. These guys have made a formidable bag that will keep your laptop safe and secure. Moreover, they have made the same quality in four different designs from the bag to the backpack to the rolling case and more. You can keep your laptop protected in a way that suits you.

The main compartment is weather resistant and padded so your laptop remains unscathed through the rush hour traffic. Yet, it’s accompanied by a second compartment to keep your documents and accessories close to hand. To learn more about this affordable laptop bag why not check out the seller or yourself?

Specs

  • Dimensions: 15.5 x 13.5 x 5in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: N/A
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The good news is that if you like one of the six color options of the BRINCH laptop bag you can also get them in different sizes to fit different sized laptops. Whether it’s the 14-inch, 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch model, you can rely on this bag to keep your valuables safe. This is because it not only includes a padded laptop sleeve, it’s also enhanced with a shock-absorption bump that surrounds your device.

Despite these extra safety features, this laptop bag for men is one of the sleekest and lightest on the market. It even has extra storage options to keep your smaller and larger daily necessities close to hand. Oh, and did we forget to say that this is one of the cheapest options?

Specs

  • Dimensions: 17.7 x 13.8 x 5.9in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17in
  • Material: Nylon
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Is it a shoulder bag? Is it a laptop bag? Or is it your next business accessory? The Nomatic Travel Laptop Bag has been designed to ensure your laptop or tablet does not get damaged. It is made with a combination of waterproof materials so your laptop stays dry when the heavens open.

Yet, it’s not just device protection that made our Men’s Gear researchers take note of this laptop bag for men. It also boasts a range of must-have and innovative features. On this bag you will find reflective aspects for night-time visibility, a notebook pocket, a retractable key leash, and the shoulder strap is removable if you wish to use it as a briefcase alone. Great work Nomatic!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 17.6 x 14.1 x 4.1in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17in
  • Material: N/A
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A timeless brown leather has become part of the modern business man’s attire. This popular and fashionable look can be achieved with the Hardgraft Laptop Bag for men. It’s one of the slimmest bags we’re featuring here and a perfect match for any iPad or MacBook, leaving you with ample space for chargers and other daily items.

The interior of the bag is made with fine cotton that is soft to the touch and you won’t find any zips that could potentially scratch your device. Instead, the bag’s compartments are made secure with magnetic buttons that you can rely on. See this laptop bag from even more angles by clicking on the button below.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 14.3 x 10 x 1.4in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Italian leather
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Over the halfway mark of our buyer guide looking at the best laptop bag for men and we wanted you to know about the work of Incase. These guys and gals are storage specialist and know how to make a laptop bag like no other.

The robust nylon shell is the first protective layer and is made to last a lifetime. Inside the bag you can find a number of different compartments, one of which is your laptop sleeve. To make sure your laptop is protected and not likely to be on the receiving end of significant damage, the manufacturer has lined this sleeve with a faux fur. The soft fur is the second layer of defense and ensures your valuable possessions are well and truly protected.

Specs

  • Dimensions: N/A
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: 840D Nylon
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This Kensington Laptop Bag may be a convenient option with lots to offer, but it also wouldn’t be out of place in high-end establishments or in its namesake London borough. The olive tone of the bag is enough to catch the eye while not brass enough to cause a stir and divide opinion. Everyone will appreciate this laptop bag due to its minimalist and sleek aesthetics.

Just what’s it got going on inside then? Good question. When you unzip this bag you’ll be pleasantly surprised by a laptop sleeve that will keep your device exceptionally protected. This is done with thanks to shock-absorbing technology which reduces the impact to your laptop f dropped or knocked by inconsiderate commuters. Another noteworthy feature is that the bag has two handles so you can carry it in two different ways!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.4 x 2.7 x 3in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.4in
  • Material: Nylon
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We already mentioned the quality on offer with most Herschel bags and discussed how their laptop bags are just as good. Here is another option for men looking for a quality laptop bag made by a reputable brand.

Herschel is making this bag in two very different but equally-impressive designs. For the under-the-radar type, you can grab this bag in a simple black color with fine crosshatch details. Other men may prefer the brushstroke camouflage color that looks just as awesome. Either model you choose will be made with their trademark lining, include internal zipper pockets along with a laptop sleeve – and it will make use of some waterproof materials in all the right areas. See this model in more detail by clicking or link below.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 7.5 x 15 x 12in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 14in
  • Material: Fabric and polyester
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Pelican may not have designed the sleek and stylish laptop bags we’re getting familiar with on this guide, but they have designed one of the toughest and most reliable laptop bags on our list. This tan case boasts a hard exterior that will be more than a match for commuters’ elbows or accidental drops.

This case is fitted with a valve that ensures no water can enter the case, meaning your laptop stays dry even in a downpour. This laptop case will even be more suitable for businessmen who are carrying important contracts or doctors carrying confidential information. We say this because the case is equipped with two locks that come with keys. Such features mean this isn’t just a case to guard your laptop, but a case to guard all your items and valuables.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 17.75 x 11.37 x 4.12in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17.3in
  • Material: N/A
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They’re called Case Logic and their laptop bag design is beyond logical, offering a number of convenient must-have features. Inside the bag you will find separate compartments to keep your laptop away from other possessions that may scratch or damage it. The laptop sleeve is impeccably padded to give it even more protection than the resilient nylon shell does alone.

However, the protective laptop sleeve isn’t the only aspect of this bag that adds convenience and appeal. It also houses a cord depot, so you can charge your smartphone or other devices inside the case. It even comes with two carrying options; a handle or a strap that goes over your shoulder. You can even attach these straps and handles to rolling suitcases to make those business trips that little bit more seamless.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.1 x 2.4 x 11.8in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.2in
  • Material: Nylon
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Next up is another bag by Oakley; this stylish laptop bag comes in three different colors giving you choice to match your favorite suit. It’s also one of the cheapest on our buyer guide, so consider this laptop bag for men if you want to stick to your budget but still keep your laptop safe.

Designed for more compact devices and laptops, it maxes out at a 14-inch sized laptop. However, it makes up for its size by including a second front compartment with plenty of space for your charger and everyday accessories. It comes with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap, so it will suit any man’s body size and appropriately accessorizes for meetings or the everyday commute. If you would like to know more about this men’s laptop bag… you know what to do by now!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 14 x 10.4 x 2.2in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13in
  • Material: Fabric
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If you’re trying to dig out outstanding value for money, then you might want to consider the Jack Spade Laptop Bag. This model is made from a blend of cotton and polyester to combine durability with a soft feel that will also keep your laptop protected in secondary ways.

The primary way that this bag will keep your laptop free from damage is that it houses a specific laptop compartment wrapped in padding to prevent those accidents from significant damage. You’ll also notice that this laptop bag is a shade of dark green. Did you know that green is supposed to make you look more intelligent? This laptop bag may just help you win the trust of your business partners and get deals over the line.

It even has two carrying options. For the men who like the look and feel of carrying a briefcase, you get that here – but men who like a shoulder bag also get to make use of adjustable shoulder straps. Learn more by hitting the button below and visiting a trusted seller!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.1 x 13.9 x 6.7in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.4in
  • Material: Cotton and polyester
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Masculine elegance and gentlemanly sophistication spring to mind when glancing at the KNOMO London Laptop Bag. The black nylon body of the bag contrasts impeccably against the gold-colored zipper stretching across the front of the design. When you do pull on the smooth zipper it will reveal a soft and luxurious large compartment with a red lining interior.

However, this isn’t where your laptop is going to stay safe and secure. The laptop bag boasts another compartment which has been specifically designed to keep your tablets and larger devices protected. Incorporated into the back of the bag is a tailored backing that makes way for the handles of suitcases, letting it attach easily and make traveling on business trips even more effortless.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 3.5 x 16 x 11.3in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Nylon
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The business boys and students will be happy with the quality on offer with this Kenneth Cole laptop bag. Available in three classic office colors – black, brown or tan – this bag will fit right into your professional life and make daily activities much easier.

Its best feature is the number of storage options you get when you own this bag. Not only does it offer owners the chance to keep their laptop safe in a padded sleeve specifically designed for devices. It also offers you multiple compartments in a range of sizes. Therefore, it keeps your everyday essentials close by and keeping your documents or study books stored safely as well.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 5 x 16.5 x 12in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.6in
  • Material: Columbian cowhide leather
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You’d be a fool to not consider the quality on offer by Thule. It may be a subtler look but the convenience and features certainly made it stand out from the crowd in the eyes of the Men’s Gear team. This model is made with nylon of the highest quality to make sure this laptop bag is an investment rather than one of a line of purchases.

The laptop sleeve doesn’t just safely store your laptop, but it can also store a smaller tablet device at the same time. That’s not all either; the bag has a smartphone pocket which has been lined with soft fabric to protect that as well. Other awesome features include an internal cord depot to charge your devices and an external pocket that will keep the everyday essentials organized and safe.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.9 x 11.8in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.6in
  • Material: 800D Nylon
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We know that Dell makes great devices, but did you know that they also make exceptional accessories to pair with them. The good news is that you don’t have to own a Dell laptop to make the most of the safety sleeve in this model, and everyone can enjoy the features on offer.

There are four different designs to this laptop bag ranging from a backpack to a gaming suitcase. We’re taking a look at the briefcase model that can also be purchased in different sizes to match the size of your laptop. The bag’s flagship space is found in the laptop sleeve. You’ll never have to worry about accidental damage due to a plush-lined sleeve wrapped in durable nylon. Alongside this area is a second compartment which enables you to stay organized and keep all your frequented possessions close to hand.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.8 x 3.2 x 12.8in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15in
  • Material: Ballistic nylon
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Yes – it’s another Timbuk2 model and another laptop bag that oozes supreme quality. This bag in six different esthetic design, all of them combine three colors to make it a unique and eye-catching product. The shell of the laptop bag is made from the highest quality of nylon to resist water and withstand daily wear.

The internal aspects of the bag let you keep your laptops and devices safe and secure. This security is maximized by an overhanging flap that is fastened with buckles and straps. Speaking of straps, an adjustable shoulder strap helps you wear the bag in the way you wish and to the perfect fitting. Consider this bag if you want a different aesthetic and convenience but the same level of quality.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 11.75 x 18 x 6.25in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17in
  • Material: Polyester
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A contender for the laptop bag which was the best value for money was this model by Arvok. Keeping you ahead of the fashion game with its timeless look and sleek aesthetics, any man will be proud to own this bag.

It comes in three size options to match the type of device you need protecting in its padded sleeve. The external aspect of the laptop bag adds even more protection to it. This is because its shell is made with a PU leather that is both waterproof and highly resistant to the wear and tear of daily life. For a laptop bag that lasts, consider choosing this sophisticated Arvok creation.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.1 x 1.2 x 12.4in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.6in
  • Material: PU leather
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Another affordable laptop bag for men and the second outstanding product we’ve featured from Samsonite is here. Although it only accommodates devices up to 13.3 inches in length, it does the job well!

The body of the bag is made from prime quality polyester that will not falter easily. The front of the bag includes a compartment to keep those items you need frequently at an arm’s length while the interior is where you find the main act of the product. We’re referring to the laptop sleeve which is not only padded for protection but surrounded by a shock-absorption design for another layer of defense against costly accidents. Another noteworthy design feature is a padded vinyl handle to make carrying this laptop bag even more comfortable.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 13.75 x 10.5 x 2in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13.3in
  • Material: 1680D ballistic polyester
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If color options and size options are what you want – and add to the fact this laptop bag looks awesome – you have now found the best laptop bag for you. This bag hasn’t just got options; it has next-level protection like no other. Yes, you can enjoy padded laptop sleeve, but you also get the peace of mind that your laptop is wrapped in a technology that isn’t so dissimilar to a vehicle airbag. Yes, you heard that right. This USA patent-protected design optimizes protection by offering sophisticated impact resistance, as well as sophisticated eye appeal. Check it out further by clicking below!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 14 x 11.5 x 2.1in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13.5in
  • Material: N/A
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Outdoor adventuring guys may already own a Timberland product, but that product is more likely to be a pair of quality shoes. Well, they’re not bad at protecting your laptop as well as your toes – and this bag proves it.

The outside of this laptop bag is made of durable polyester to guard against daily wear and tear. However, this external material is also enhanced with a DWR finish. What this means is the polyester becomes more resilient to water and you don’t have to worry if you get caught out by a heavy storm. Inside the bag you will also find a laptop sleeve with polyester lining, but this polyester is 100% recycled, making it great for the planet as well as your devices.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 12 x 15 x 4in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 13.5in
  • Material: Polyester

The Best Rolling Laptop Bags

We promised you rolling laptop bags as well – and have we ever let you down?

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This rolling laptop bag looks just like a stylish briefcase you expect to be around the boardroom table of a big meeting. However, it is packing a secret telescoping handle that transforms it into a rolling suitcase-type design. You can see by the much larger dimensions that this laptop bag has a lot more room to offer. You can easily pack your business things, organize your personal possessions for overnight trips and keep your laptop secure in its specific sleeve.  If Einstein had an equation for style plus convenience, we think he may have come up with the Wenger Rolling Laptop Bag.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 16.5 x 11 x 14in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 15.4in
  • Material: N/A
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Alpine Swiss won’t be a foreign name to many of the stylish guys reading our guide – and for good reason! This brand has been sitting at the summit of stylish items that are exceptionally convenient. The PU leather exterior wraps around a sturdy frame, both of which guard all your valuable possessions including your laptop and other devices.

It’s not just laptop protection on offer here though. The durable construction on wheels also houses multiple compartments that will help even the most disorganized of guys stay immaculately prepared. The case has even been approved as hand luggage and comes with an assuring one-year warranty!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 19 x 14 x 9in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17in
  • Material: PU leather
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The penultimate rolling laptop bag and the penultimate item on our guide as a whole is the Targus model. It was an easy decision to include this laptop bag on our list because it’s the tank of rolling bags. The durable nylon shell wraps around a strong frame, providing unparalleled protection to all of your belongings. It also includes a telescoping handle much like the best suitcases, so you can transform the bag from a suitcase to a briefcase in seconds. Protect your laptop in quality with this multifunctional design created by the top guys at Targus.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 10 x 18 x 15in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17in
  • Material: Nylon
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Espresso or black may sound like your options in a downtown sun-drenched café, but it’s actually your options when choosing to buy this outstanding SOLO laptop bag with wheels. Excellence shines through on this model with a large laptop sleeve that will cater to many, if not all, guys.

Along with this oversized laptop sleeve, you get the luxury of file divider compartment to store your business documents and an external pocket with zipper fastening for everyday items. The telescoping handle on this design is hidden for security and the handles are also padded for comfort. To round off an amazing laptop bag for men, it comes with a whopping five-year warranty!

Specs

  • Dimensions: 17.8 x 6.2 x 14in
  • Maximum Laptop Size: 17.3in
  • Material: Leather

Which One Will You Bag?

That was one of the most packed buyer guides we’ve ever featured – pun genuinely unintended. We hope you managed to stick around until the end of our list to see all your options, but we wouldn’t blame you if you got sidetracked by some of our earlier laptop bags.

If you did manage to make it through all our features, you would have encountered some of the most celebrated and well-known brands on the planet. From Fossil to Timberland, Herschel and many more, you can be assured of quality when you buy from the manufacturers above. To check out the products in more details we have provided you with useful links. Use these to discover more or to compare your favorite laptop bags.

Thanks for joining another one of our discussions looking at top gear that men want to own. If you came looking for a way to protect your laptop bag but found these usual designs not for you, consider some of the best backpacks as well because many of them come equipped with a protective laptop sleeve too. Whether you bag one of the models above or a laptop-protecting backpack, you can be sure of a well-maintained laptop to continue visiting us at Men’s Gear. Cheers to that!

It’s Time for a New Watch with These Spring Deals

Nothing marks a noteworthy occasion quite like a new luxury watch. Maybe you’ve just started a new job, got engaged or maybe you simply need a little pick-me-up. Whatever the case, eBay has an incredible selection of luxury watches with something for everyone. Each watch $2,000 and above comes with eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, so you can be sure you’re getting a real luxury timepiece. Plus, right now eBay is offering ten percent off watches more than $2,000. From Breitling to Omega, there is no shortage of high-end brands included in this epic deal. If you need guidance on where to start, look at the Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Steel Auto 46mm, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch or the Breitling Superocean Heritage II. With such a great deal, these are just the tip of the iceberg.

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See the full details of eBay’s deal here.

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How a Young Artist Is Building Giant Wooden Clocks in Michigan

“You feel like the void itself is breathing, and that you’re a part of it.”

31-year-old Rick Hale is comparing the sensation of wind in a forest to that of finishing one of his creations and sitting back to observe it in action.

Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he makes giant mechanical pendulum clocks out of wood under the name Clockwright, and his description of the contemplative serenity elicited isn’t too hard to imagine: One look at his stunning kinetic sculptures, as his work might also be described, lets you know that they’re something special.

Self-taught, Hale’s work is a brilliant combination of challenging disciplines. He’s a craftsman, designer, engineer and artist as much as he’s a serious horologist (and his background is even more impressively varied). Mechanically, his work is heavily influenced by the 18th century British watchmaker John Harrison.

clockwright kl1

Clockwright

Harrison is most famous for the H4 Marine Chronometer which revolutionized navigation, but he also made clocks out of wood. If wood sounds like a less durable material than metal for clockmaking, consider a wooden Harrison clock kept by the National Trust in the UK which “has been ticking steadily for 300 years.” (Though, “sometimes now it stops.”) That’s pretty good for a clock made of any material.

Hale incorporates Harrison and other watchmakers’ ideas into his own — from the type of wood he uses to techniques and technical inventions — but with a strikingly original interpretation. He’s exploring and building upon horological concepts and history otherwise largely forgotten.

Rick Hale’s work is fascinating on multiple levels — but it’s best explained in his own words.

LEARN MORE

Interview with Rick Hale

Q. How did you come to the idea of making wooden clocks? How did you acquire the skills?

Well, that story is a pretty strange one, but I attribute a lot of it to my parents. I was raised just outside of Detroit, Michigan. My mom raised me to believe I could do anything I set my mind to, and my dad was very skilled as a longtime Ford mechanic. I always had a bit of an obsessive, perfectionist streak when it came to reading, school and playing piano. So I think the right ingredients were there from the beginning.

My dad taught me a lot about cars when I was younger, though I can’t say I enjoyed it much at the time. He showed me how to get covered in coolant while changing out a radiator, how to stay in a good mood when a 4-hour job turned into a 2-day ordeal, and made me an absolute expert in pointing a flashlight precisely where it needed to be pointed. One particularly vivid memory involved driving his little white Ranger down the street at the age of 13 while he lay in the bed of the truck with his head under the rear bumper, trying to isolate a rattling noise in the rear suspension. My mom didn’t like that one very much.

rick hale working

Clockwright

I caught my first glimpses of the world of mechanics through my dad, but it was my mom who really helped develop my mind and my love of learning. She encouraged me to read as much as I wanted to as a kid, and brought me to the local library all the time. She always made me feel that although school was important, it was learning itself that was the most important, and that libraries held all the knowledge I could ever want to gain. I spent a ton of time on a beanbag in my room reading anything and everything that interested me.

I didn’t have much of an interest in woodworking until my early 20s, when I came to it via an unlikely avenue — I developed an interest in making drums. I had been a drummer since high school, and would tour the country with my best friends throughout most of my 20s. But I got interested in making drums soon after college. I really enjoyed the idea of making musical instruments for my friends, and over the years I was glad to make several drum sets and snare drums.

clock detail shot

Clockwright

A formative experience for me was a visit home when I was about 21. I had brought along a snare drum shell I was working on for a friend, and my dad must have seen me drilling the lug holes by hand, because he went to a local pawn shop and got me a cheap little drill press for $15. That was my first machine, and it amazed me how much it improved the results I was getting.

The first thing I ever made from wood was a Pinewood Derby car. It was not pretty.

Soon after that, when I was 22, my dad died from an infection following a vascular bypass. He had had many, many procedures of this kind later in life. I thought I was okay, but looking back I can see that I was devastated. His sudden decline hit my family pretty hard. But I found an unlikely way to start to work through my grief in woodworking, which was then just a hobby. It was soon after that that I first started reading about clocks. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was sublimating my grief. In combining my love of reading with a desire to learn more about my dad’s work, I think I was searching for a way forward.

Q. Tell me about the first thing you ever made from wood. What about the first clock you made?

The first thing I ever made from wood was a Pinewood Derby car. It was not pretty, and it did not win any prizes. But I remember being proud of it. I believe I made it in the shape of a convertible and painted “WWF” on the side of it. I made that first car completely on my own, but my dad helped me the next year and we made it to the state championships, which was pretty wild. I remember there were a lot of people there who cared about winning a lot more than we did.

clockwright k1 sketch and detail

Clockwright

Around 2012, I was working in Lansing as a forklift driver, trying to work through my grief and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I moved to Kalamazoo that year, and that was when I connected with a great woodworker and friend named Gerren Young who made drums, furniture, and all manner of other things in a rented space on the north side of Kalamazoo. He was very patient and generous with his time, and taught me a lot about how to run the machines and be safe doing it. Not long after that, I started on my first clock. I can still remember the look on Gerren’s face when he first saw me cutting out each gear tooth by hand on a scroll saw. Today I’m grateful he let me do it the hard way. Gerren and I have now shared a shop for about 6 years, and he does a lot of great work for me when it comes to wood sculpture and finishing.

That first clock was a design from Clayton Boyer, a clockmaker based in Hawaii. It taught me a lot about friction. The movement of that clock now hangs in the study of one of my best friends, another great woodworker named Aaron Stinson. Soon after I finished that first clock, I read a book about John Harrison called “Longitude,” and that was what set me on fire. I started reading everything I could about horology, especially the work of John Harrison, Phillip Woodward, George Daniels and Martin Burgess, and felt a burning desire to forge a path of my own in the world of horology.

Q. Of all the brilliant watchmakers in history, why does John Harrison’s work stand out to you in particular?

Harrison’s work resonates with me for many reasons, but as with most people, the first thing that drew me toward him was the brilliant ingenuity of his grasshopper escapement. I first came upon it as a description and series of diagrams in Philip Woodward’s book, “My Own Right Time.” I still remember the feeling of “stretching” in my mind as I first understood the mechanics of what was happening there. After that, I read everything I could about Harrison and his work, from “Longitude” by Dava Sobel to a copy of a rare book by W.S. Laycock that a clockmaker in Australia was kind enough to mail to me. I still owe him a beer for that, actually.

In the years following my first introduction to Harrison, I’d find many reasons to love his approach to horology beyond the kinematics of his escapement. His ability to hone in and find novel solutions to mechanical problems over and over is absolutely astounding, and it wasn’t until after I’d started working to replicate his unique approach to gearing (slender teeth meshing with oversized rollers made from a rare, self-lubricating exotic wood called Lignum Vitae) that I learned these elements all formed part of a hidden system.

rick hale gear shop

Clockwright

As Martin Burgess wrote in his paper found in “The Quest for Longitude,” Harrison moved toward solving the longitude problem not by suppressing error in his clock’s timekeeping, but by using various kinds of error to counterbalance one another and cancel each other out. Rather than fight circular deviation of the pendulum by making the arc as small as possible, as many clockmakers did, Harrison used and controlled the amount of circular deviation to counter the effects of environmental influences like temperature and pressure changes.

Reading that was a revelation for me, and it drove me to find a way to pursue my work full- time. Although I have not yet done Harrison’s system justice to date, I’m slowly working toward that in my sculptural timepieces. I hope one day to be able to create a piece that showcases the best aspects of Harrison’s work, and I hope to do it predominantly in wood.

Q. Working with wood surely entails special considerations. What kinds of woods, treatments or techniques are involved? Does wood have particular benefits for clockmaking?

I use wood for much of my work for a few reasons, but as much as I’m enthralled by mechanical detail, my original reason for using wood still remains most important to me: Most of all, I just love the warmth and beauty that it brings to sculpture. Sitting in front of a large, gently ticking piece with exposed wooden mechanical elements and a slow pendulum is a very enjoyable, peaceful experience.

clockwright wind and water

Clockwright

The first time I made a clock with a 4-second pendulum (inspired by modern clockmaker James Borden), I think I just sat in front of it for an hour, slowly sinking in deeper and absorbing its quiet energy. That sort of pulse can temporarily change the way you experience the passage of time. The nearest thing I can compare that feeling to is the one you get listening to the breeze pick up and die down over and over again in an oak forest, rustling millions of leaves. If you can slow down to that pace, you feel like the void itself is breathing, and that you’re a part of it.

That sort of pulse can temporarily change the way you experience the passage of time.

Aside from that effect, I enjoy using wood because of the challenges it presents. Wood itself “breathes” with changes in humidity, and that can cause big problems for mechanical work unless careful precautions are taken with the design and the material. At the design level, I lay out my gear spokes and felloes so that they are almost completely free to breathe across the grain, and so that changes in humidity and temperature cause the wheel to change in a radially symmetrical pattern.

At the material level, all my lumber is kiln-dried and often seasoned a second time in an oven to a specific moisture level. That ensures that the dimensional change is as small as possible in finished wheels, pulleys, and levers. In recent years, I’ve also moved toward inserting every tooth of my wheels individually for maximum strength and uniformity. This goes a long way toward reducing friction throughout the piece, because it allows for very slender teeth and very large pinion rollers.

Q. What are some woodworking tools you use that are specific to clockmaking?

I use a full, modern woodworking shop, and that means a variety of the usual machines and hand tools. The tools that are specific to clockmaking are more in the metalworking/machining realm, though I use them for woodworking quite often. (This necessitates a lot of dust collection and cleaning.)

In the past several years, I’ve taught myself a lot about machining, and that has improved the precision of my work by an order of magnitude. My current setup includes a very old Dalton Lathe made in New York in 1918, a Deckel KF2 pantograph milling machine and precision Rambold turret lathe both made in Germany in the 1960s, a Bridgeport milling machine, and a Hardinge HC lathe, which has recently proven a great help for shorter work. I think it’s the synergy of that sort of tooling with the more traditional elements of woodworking that bring a balance of precision and warmth to my work.

rick hale clock pieces

Clockwright

Q. Your clocks typically don’t feature dials. How important is it that they’re accurate and can be used to read the time?

It’s very important to me that they’re accurate, but anyone who has read a horological periodical on pendulum science will understand that attempting perfection in that regard would completely change what I do. My smaller scale clocks are accurate to within a few seconds a day, thanks to the use of a remontoire mechanism. Working on my large scale, I am happy to get my pieces accurate to within 10 or so seconds a day. Much further than that, and I would need to start to sacrifice the artistic elements that make my work unique. As I mentioned before, I do hope to go further in that realm one day by exploring Harrison’s system, but for the moment, I am a bit too busy with commissioned work for private collectors.

Q. How does the scale of your works and the space they will occupy affect the fabrication techniques, creative process and final product?

The scale actually does not change much about how my clocks are fabricated. The frames are all hand-shaped in the end, large or small, and all the precision work is done in much the same way on my old manual machines. The creative process remains more or less the same, but the choices made regarding mechanical design, aesthetic form, and materials are what make each one different.

Q. Besides John Harrison, what other clockmakers, artists or other figures inspire you?

There are many, and for many reasons. George Daniels is my other favorite horologist, though his work is obviously completely different from mine. There is a phrase he used sometimes in interviews — “tranquility of mind” — that first drew me toward him, and I’ve since read all his books and wished for more. Most recently I’ve been studying his calendar work for a current project of mine. Aside from clock and watchmakers, I really enjoy the sculptural work of Wendell Castle, first introduced to me by a client and friend of mine who lives in Rochester. His lamination work is incredible, and I hope to be able to adopt some of the methods that contributed to his prolific output.

Q. Do other interests (hobbies, products, etc.) influence your clockmaking?

Reading and researching mechanical design is probably the biggest influence on my actual clockmaking, but I also try to keep my eye open to inspiration while I’m out in nature. I love camping, hiking, kayaking, and pretty much anything that gets me away from the day-to-day and into my self. I find I’m most balanced as a human when I’m making time for things like that. I also enjoy shooting my longbow, fishing for trout on small creeks, and cooking.

rick hale l1 future design

Clockwright

Q. Is there an ambitious project or challenge you are working toward or dreaming of for the future?

Yes. I’m presently at work on a project called L1 that has been years in the making. It is a limited-run timepiece that will feature a remontoire, lunar phase complication, and the smallest “Harrisonian” gearing I’ve attempted yet. This has been a monumental effort so far, and I’ve felt very grateful that my clients have been as patient as they have. I’m also working on several extremely large pieces that are a different sort of challenge. The largest gears in those pieces are 34″ in diameter and have 240 individually inserted teeth. Two of those pieces will feature calendar complications. I hope to release almost all of this commissioned work this year, and then make some time to decide which direction I’d like to go next.