Swordcane : The Official Web Site of Burger Knives

Swordcane : The Official Web Site of Burger Knives

Why would anyone need a real sword cane? Because they are freakin' cool! That's why!
If you agree with me, or you are one of those sickos who just likes to drool over classy, well made blades, you owe it to yourself to check this site out.
They have four different models ranging from $380 to $780, and sound like the real deal, not some "wall-hanger" show off piece. Shown at left and described below is the Mark IV, their top-of-the-line model.


UNIQUE QUALITIES : Strong, lightweight, our canes contain a beautifully hand ground and polished steel blade snugly fitted into a tapered reinforced composite shaft available in matt black carbon or carbon weave. All models feature a positive locking mechanism with release button. All our sword canes are designed and hand built from the ground up to be functional every day weight bearing walking canes.
DIMENSIONS : The standard length of our canes is 920 mm (36") this can be altered to customer specifications at no extra cost. Weight approx. 300 grams (10oz). Blade length of all models 440 mm (17.5"). Shaft diameter, tapered 22 mm - 16 mm (7/8" - 5/8") all components are 303 stainless steel.

Happy Birthday, Boston Jon

Yesterday would have been my friend Jon's 25th birthday. You are missed, buddy.

Beautiful Handmade Books and Satchels

Beautiful Handmade Books

A while back I was searching for a really high quality sketchbook. After over twenty-five years of drawing and sketching on everything from butchers paper to $5 a sheet Japanese gampi, I felt I had reached a point where I deserved a quality sketchbook. In the past, the more expensive the sketchbook, the more intimidating it was to me. If the book itself was already a work of art, I was afraid I would ruin it, were I to make a mistake. Finally I have reached a point where, a really quality book is a challenge. It's a slap in the face, a dare to fill it with the kind of drawings it deserves. The trouble is, that kind of book is hard to find. There are a few bookmakers out there making gorgeous books, but frequently they are hard to find, and when you do, you must commission the book you want. More people will use an expensive handmade book as a journal, diary, or guest book, so most of them are lined. And when you find ones that are unlined, frequently the paper is not suitable for the variety of media, and working techniques, which I would be inclined to subject them to.
Another aspect of my finickiness on the subject, is that I have made books, I have known some amazing bookbinders in my time. My tastes in this realm are educated and sophisticated. The problem being that now that I can afford, and feel confident in my ability to use, the kind of book I'd always wanted, I was unable to find them... until I found this site.

Ummmm.... Yummy, yummy exposed stitch binding. Ok, maybe I can't afford them right now, but these are definitely worth saving up for. Or if you have the budget, and have a really hard to buy for individual on your gift list this year.

Also take a peek at these satchels. Again these are pricey, but they look worth it. I go through a book bag or messenger bag every year or two. At $30 to $100 a pop it would take too long for one of these babies to pay for itself. And that would be before I passed it onto my first grandchild to go to college. Now that's what I can a man-purse! Wear it with your Utili-kilt, and dare someone to call you a sissy.

Cyclope Single wheel trailer for two wheelers

Cyclope Single wheel trailer for two wheelers

Canadian manufacturer has these stylish looking single wheel motorcycle trailers for $1400 to $1600 CDN. Beware, their site is one of those wacky flash dependant numbers, though. Couldn't figure out how to order one, perhaps they are only available from dealers in Canada? Still they are really pretty and retro, and would look awesome painted to match your favorite vintage scoot.

Got Wood?

Tons of Wooden Computer Stuff

EcoGeek ran a story back in May on wooden computing. Some of the things mentioned, like the case mod pictured on the left, are custom one-up jobbies. And of course some are available commercially. The previously mentioned mahogany set, is featured. Another interesting set is one made of bamboo, which is of course a far more sustainable resource than hardwoods.
Many of the items mentioned are only available from overseas, but the pictures are certainly worth perusing if you are contemplating building your own wooden or steampunk system. The Russian cpu case is particularly gorgeous.

Less Expensive USB Keyboard and Mouse

Real Wood Keyboard and Optical Mouse Set (USB)


Amazon's got this set up for $28. It looks like the keys are plastic. But for that price, I think I could just pop them off, spray with some brass spray paint and remark them with some rub on letters. Jes's computer is starting to need a new keyboard and mouse anyway... maybe it's time to begin gathering the smaller, less expensive components for my Steampunk dream pc...

Hannspree's Wood 10" LCD Television

Hannspree's Wood 10" LCD Television

In the vein of ready-made steampunk PC components, or as is the case here, components that beg for just some minor tweaking to be integrated into your Neo-Victorian computational station, the dragon offers up this cute little number. It's a LCD TV, not a pc display proper, so it would take a little tweaking to plug into your system. but if you are like the Dragon, and insist on having a smaller secondary monitor for your photoshop palettes, so that your working image can dominate your primary display, this could be just the thing.
Plus it is just the cutest wittle thang...