Light up your life

Every semi-sophisticated man should have a flashlight.  Yeah, I know your phone has a light.  Good for you.  Try holding your phone in your mouth to light things up while you use both hands. Not so easy, huh?  A flashlight doesn't take up much space in the pocket, but will come in handy more often than you might realize.  If you are like me, your eyes get a little worse every day, and eventually you will end up using the flashlight just to find your shoes.

This is my favorite flashlight.  The Nitecore Sens AA.  It works on a single AA battery, which is important to me because I don't want to have to look for special batteries when the time comes.  It's a twist-activated "on" switch, so it doesn't accidentally turn on in your pocket.

Here's the best part... If you turn the flashlight on while it's pointing down, it assumes you're reading a map, and provides a light dim enough to not wreck your eyes.  If you turn the light on while it points out at 45 degrees, you get a medium light that will show you if you are about to step on a LEGO block.  If you point the flashlight straight out and turn it on, as if to light up something far away,  the beam is extra bright.  It's magnificent in its ease of use.

You could try dressing it up with some glitter and ribbons, or paint some cute dots on it with pink nail polish!  Mine's been finely detailed through countless hours of artisinal rubbing with a finely-curated set of metallic instruments, which also serve to unlock my house and truck.

Multi-Tool

The pocket multi-tool: Pretty much every semi-sophisticated man has an opinion.  This is the only one that counts.  I carry a Kershaw knife everywhere I go, unless there's a metal detector.  Do you need a screwdriver?  Use a screwdriver.  Pliers? Be a man and use proper tools.  The only thing you really need to carry is a knife.

Of these three, I usually prefer the top one.  It's a Kershaw Chive.  It's small and feisty, so I put a strip of stair grip tape on the side for added friction.  I did the same for the Kershaw Ember, but did not feel the need to do it to my Kershaw Leek.  (That one was confiscated by the TSA, then sold to me, which is why it's named "Larry.")

Permanent Marker

Do you need a cute way to leave your mark on every surface?  Try this out!  Sanford Sharpies are assembled in the USA, so you know they're expensive!  They permanently mark wood, metals, plastics, toddlers, and even fabric!  If you ever get any where it doesn't belong, you can sometimes dissolve the ink with denatured alcohol.  Stock up today!

Pencils? Try a Lead Holder.

From top to bottom:

• Koh-I-Noor Technigraph 5611

• Rotring 800 Black

• Rotring 800 Silver

• Rotring 600 Black

• Koh-I-Noor 5616 with salvaged Pentech pocket clip.

My pencils are tools by which I earn a living, so I want the best.  While some people might be scared off by the heft of a high-end Rotring lead holder, I am comforted by it.  If you use a lead holder as an occupational tool, treat yourself to a new one every year or so.  You're worth it!