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Col. Littleton No. 120 Leather Valet Tray Review – $190.00

I’ll always remember my dad coming home from work as a kid. I’d hear the sputter of his pick up, the clank of him slamming the door. He’d always come in and empty his pockets on the entryway table. His keys, wallet, loose change and a few mysterious nuts and bolts would be haphazardly thrown on the table. Day after day, year after year – the table had a veritable crater from the constant barrage. Fast forward twenty something years and I found myself replicating the carnage on my nightstand. It was at this point I decided to delve into the wonderful and mysterious world of Valets, or Catch-Alls for the uninitiated. Little did I know I would stumble on the granddaddy of them all, Colonel Littleton’s No. 120 Leather Valet.

Colonel Littleton considers every aspect of their products, down to the handsome shipping box.

Construction 

The leather quality is superb, the oils used in the tanning process give the valet a soft glow.

Most valets are composed of leather and thread for stitching. And like any Colonel worth his salt, Littleon’s No. 120 Valet has his own secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices…well, 3 in this case. The meat of the valet is composed of Italian Bridle Leather that has undergone vegetable tanning. This thick full grain leather is really what you want in a valet, prized in equestrian circles for its tough, resilient properties – Bridle leather will stand up to the constant contact with your keys/wallet/etc. The valet is crafted in Littleton’s own shop in Lynnville, Tennessee.

We see one large leather panel composing the body of the valet, which is joined at the corners with solid brass rivets. American Cherry wood forms a reinforced rim around the valet, adding structural integrity to the piece.  The edges of the leather are burnished over as well. Dimensions for the valet are reported at 10.75″ W x 8.5” H x 2.5″ D

  Function 

It’s hard to critique the function of a valet, as it’s pretty simple in nature. The size hits that sweet spot of getting all of your essentials in without taking up too much counter top real estate. 

If I could add anything to the functionality of the piece it would be a plastic insert with a 3 section divider for keeping my phone away from my coins/keys. Handles on the sides would be pretty cool for converting the No. 120 into a swank serving tray. Because I know I’m not the only one who wouldn’t mind being served buttered biscuits out of this puppy!

Aesthetic 

There isn’t an angle on this puppy that looks bad. Flip it over and you have a footstool fit for a king.

Colonel Littleton’s designs all just look oh so good. This valet is no exception. It has the ruggedness of John Wayne with the class of Paul Newman. A hot shot banker could throw his Porsche keys into this caddy just as easily as the foreman on a road crew. 

Col Littleton also offers the option of initialing the brass plate with up to 3 letters. I chose “EDC” – short for Every Day Carry, as I’ve always been a gearhead and love having a safe depository for all of my pocket contents.

The stitching is clean and tight, the leather smooth. This is one where I just let the pictures do the talking.

Conclusion 

You don’t just get a Valet when you order, oh no. A leather coaster arrived, as well as some pamphlets and a delicious Moon Pie treat!

I like to buy American whenever I can. Companies like American Giant, Triple Aught Design and Redwing have all earned spots in my daily arsenal. Colonel Littelton has definitely earned a spot as well. The price is pretty steep, there are a lot of quality valets out there for a third of the price – but for an item that will likely last decades, I think putting an empty wallet in Col. Littleton’s No. 120 Leather Vallet Tray for a little while is a moot point. The build quality, finish and craftsmanship are all on point. The use of choice materials really produces a product that personifies an almost lost era of American quality. 

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Ultimate Sack Ultimate Lounger Bag Chair Review – $294

Ah, the ol’ bean bag chair. Fond childhood memories arise as I think about swan diving from the top of the steps onto the dilapidated spleen made of polyvinyl chloride. Or even using it as an impromptu safety mat when emulating signature wrestling moves on my brother. As many uses as us kids had for the bean bag though, I can’t remember sitting in them as one of them. They were flat, soggy and spewed Styrofoam beans the minute your keister made contact. I was at WalMart last year and bought one for old times sake, and sure enough a week later it was useless.  It was in this moment of deepest despair I chanced upon the world of high end bag chairs…I speak of the Ultimate Sack.

Now you’re typical bean bag chair you bought at Moe’s Furniture and Plumbing Supply cost about $35 bucks, weighed 7 pounds and lasted 65 hours. Enter Ultimate Sack Bag Chairs, their bags weigh anywhere from 60 to over a 100 pounds! I pulled the trigger on the Ultimate Lounger Model, it’s more of an oval since I didn’t have the space for the more traditional round model. It came in a large box (Turnaround time was kind of slow at almost 2 weeks) and was compressed, similar to mail order mattresses. Once you remove it from the box, you kind of beat it up a little to break up the foam blocks and disperse the bag. Once you throw on the soft suede like cover, you’re in business.

The zippers are pretty beefy, and since the cover slip is generously sized, there’s not really any fear of it coming unstitched when you’re laying on it. And speaking of laying on it…it’s very comfortable. So much in fact that I’ve been sleeping on it at night over my bed. I really like the nestled in feeling, kind of like being a giant man-child baby back in the womb again. My feet and head are elevated and the sides sort of squeeze me, and it’s actually quite supportive. You may need a pillow when watching movies to prop your head up on. 

Overall I’m very pleased with the Ultimate Sack Ultimate Lounger Bag Chair, I’ve had it a few months and the foam is still very much as it was the day I got it. They have sales pretty often, as the retail price can be steep (However you can get 15% off clicking any of the links in this post) and without any real guarantee you’re kind of stuck with it unless you want to pay $70 bucks or so to ship it back. All in all though, I think it’s great.

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White’s Boots MP Service Boot Review – $579.95

Up until recently, I wasn’t aware of White’s Boots. As someone who handles and reviews leather products on a regular basis, I was frankly embarrassed I somehow glossed over them. It wasn’t until a collaboration project between White’s and Triple Aught Design that I discovered a boot company that quite possibly makes the finest boots available. After some heavy research, I needed to see what the company was made of. Enter White’s Boots MP Service Boot.

About

White’s Boots has been around a long time, they actually predate the Civil War. Originally started by a father son team, White’s specialized in logging boots. Originating in West Virginia and finally settling in Spokane Washington, the company has been constantly producing high quality boots since 1853.

Construction 

This boot is made almost entirely by hand. From the sewing to the welt, a skilled craftsman built these piece by piece. The leather is sourced from the famous Horween leather tannery. The Chromexcel is a you guessed it, chrome tanned leather. I definitely prefer chrome tanning as I feel it handles the elements a little better than vegetable tanning. This is a 6” boot, and while the model reviewed is the brown version, White’s produces this in a handful of other finishes and colors. The soles are Dainite lugged and the boot features a toe cap. 

 Function 

For me, the largest roadblock with new boots is the break in process. Chances are if it’s a high quality boot (i.e Red Wing, Wolverine 1,000 Mile, etc) you’re going to have some discomfort initially. Yes, the MP Service Boots are no exception. Thankfully the leather is very supple and forgiving, so they mold to your feet a little quicker.

If you’re having trouble deciding what size you are, White’s has a brilliant foot sizing system in place. They will mail you a template, simply trace your foot wearing your boot socks and take a few quick measurements with the provided tape and mail it back. White’s will then recommend you a size, or if you’re a mutant – they can make a boot to fit you!

The Dainite Sole was new to me, usually I have Vibram soles. The Dainite is a softer sole with a large lug pattern. I definitely think they’re more comfortable and offer a sleeker profile than the half lug Vibrams, however if you’re the type who is off the trail, you’d probably want to consider these soles a little more closely.  Paired with a thick wool sock, these boots work nicely in moderately colder climates, the gusseted tongue keeps out excess moisture and debris.

The fact that I can resole these later on is an added bonus. Arch support is great, and I found prolonged periods of standing to be unexpectedly tolerable. Think of these boots as an around town footwear option that can handle the occasional contingency.  

Aesthetic 

I would argue that you’d be hard pressed to find a better looking boot that can handle a multitude of scenarios with as much adaptability that the MP Service Boots offer. Jeans, Chinos, etc – You’ll be solid. Horween leather is superb and I suspect these boots will take on a brilliant patina with time.

  The waxed laces mesh well with the boot and definitely hold a knot better than traditional leather laces, although I would have liked to have seen metal aglets on the end that matched the lace keepers. The problem with White’s Boots – they make practically every other boot look flimsy and cheap. Now that I’ve experienced true American craftsmanship, I can’t simply pick up a pair of boots at DSW. 

Conclusion 

There is no question these are one of, if not the finest boots you can buy. The only real question remaining is if you can justify the cost. For the work boots made by Whites, I’d say it’s  no brainer. For a casual/lifestyle boot, it begs serious consideration. Just be careful, because once you try a pair on and handle them, almost everything else will feel subpar. White’s Boots MP Service Boot looks just about perfect, and once you get past the first few painful of weeks of breaking them in, you’ll have companions for life. 

 

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Tuff Writer Operator & Mini Click Pen Review – $95.00 & $115.00

We all know the adage, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” While this saying alludes to the power of the written word over the literal power and durability of a steel blade, I definitely wouldn’t mind possessing a writing instrument that could draft poetry as well as survive an earthquake. In my search for such a writing utensil, I came across the Tuff Writer Operator and Mini Click Pens.

                                                                                  Roll that beautiful bean footage

Construction

Let’s start with the guts of the Tuff Writer Operator (Shown in Blue) 6061-T6 Aerospace Grade Aluminum houses the Fisher SPR4 Pen. The 6061-T6 metal is extremely corrosion resistant, as well as very hard. This a great metal that performs will in areas where rust can be a hindrance. The exterior also employs a proprietary non marking/non reflective finish as well as being anodized for further durability. We see a cold pressed spring steel clip fastened by 2 hex bolts. The cap unscrews from the tip and pressure snaps onto the back for writing. The pen weighs 1.6 ounces and measures 6 inches.

All pens are personally crafted by Jack Roman, head of Tuff Writer. He describes them as “Living Designs” in that he never stops looking for ways to improve the pens, going so far as to rework already good mechanisms for even smoother operation.

The Mini Click is composed of brass, the model reviewed features a highly polished finish. We enjoy the same cold pressed steel clip. The Mini Click is you guessed it, a clicky pen. The cam mechanism is a Tuff Writer designed exclusive. The Mini Click measures in at 5.13 inches and weighs a robust 2.5 ounces. A Fisher SPR4 cartridge is housed as well.

The machining on these pens is superb. Notice how the line just disappears when the cap is screwed on.

Function

Since both of these pens utilize an after market ink cartridge, I won’t focus too much on the actual ink. Although I will say we enjoy all the benefits of a pressurized Fisher cartridge including writing underwater, upside down in 400 degree temperatures. If, although you find yourself in those conditions with a pen, I suggest you stop reading this at once and consult a life coach.

As for the pens in hand, well I find both have their strengths. The Operator’s light weight is really nice, especially considering it’s built like a tank – although the constant need to unscrew the cap makes it better suited for a desk pen in my situation. Both of these pens are built tough, not just for durability in the field but for last ditch self defense applications, I’ll leave it to the reader’s imagination though. The knurling provides decent grip without discomfort.

The tension on the mini clip is great, a very secure clip even on thin fabrics. The upward flare on the end means you can usually clip it one handed depending on the rigidity of the material. I’m digging the O Ring grips but am worried about their overall lifespan and replacements. This pen feels good in the hand, a very substantial feel. I’ve been using it to collect signatures at work and it almost never fails to solicit a, “Wow, nice pen!” remark.

Aesthetic

The thing I enjoy most about these pens, is they’re a different sort of breed. They’re sleek without being gaudy and stylish without pretension. While forms follows function, these pens still retain a quality aesthetic. Tuff Writer offers both of these models in a wide array of finishes too, so finding one that suits your personal style shouldn’t be difficult.

Not sure if I want to write a limerick with this baby or load it into a Howitzer!

The Operator works great on any PALS system, and stays put as well. It perfectly compliments my EDC

Conclusion

I had a good time working with these pens. Tuff Writer did a great job transmuting the concept of a pen as merely a writing device into an essential tool. The machining is flawless as much as I can tell and the price points are fair. Again I stress you consider your end use as the screw cap on the Operator can be a hindrance if you’re using the pen constantly in the field or require one hand operation. All said, if you’re in the market for a non disposable writing instrument that might just outlast you, I’d consider a Tuff Writer.

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Choice Cuts Industries Dog Collar and Leash – $75

I’m so proud of my son. He’s 3 years old, healthy and strong and is finally ready for a big boy collar. Of course, you’ll realize my ‘son’ is handsome pup. My love of dogs and affinity for fine leather goods has always kept me on the hunt for that perfect leather collar and leash for him to be able to say bye bye to the ratty nylon one he’s had since he was a young pup. Choice Cuts Industries leather dog collars and leashes are simple yet elegant, well made and just a charm to look at and hold (and cuddle). Ok,ok..I promise to make this review about the leather goods and my pup!

About Choice Cuts Industries

Joel and Kerri Mills started Choice Cuts Industries in 2012. They create one of a kind, carefully crafted leather goods using traditional methods and the the finest American-tanned leather. From watch bands, Apple Watch bands, dog collars, and leashes to bags and everyday carry accessories, they design, make, and ship everything from their North Carolina workshop. They believe in creating beautiful functional items, made to last and improve with time.

Construction

The leather collar and leash is handmade using a single strip of bridal leather, copper rivets and sturdy antique brass hardware. The clasp on the leash is what most refer to as a ‘trigger hook swivel clasp’. Both pieces are 3/4 inches wide and the leash is 4 feet long. The color of this particular set is what they refer to as ‘chestnut’ and other colors are available as well.

Function

The collar and leash function extremely well and are a joy to use. Since we remove our guy’s collar every night before bed and when he goes in the water, I must say it is very easy to buckle on and off, an issue I sometimes have with leather collars and other buckles. The leash clasp is both functional and stylish with the antique finish and I feel very good knowing that it is extra secure should my boy see a squirrel or a mail carrier.

Aesthetic

I really like the minimalistic design of this set. There are some leather collars and leashes I’ve seen out there with more detail, stitches, rivets and other embellishes. But, honestly, I really like that the leather stands out and the design is simple yet beautiful. The leather is rich and gorgeous! I can’t wait to see how it ages on the boy and get’s that rough yet handsome patina and wear.

Conclusion

Both Jasper (the pup) and I are very pleased with this leather leash and collar set. They are available for purchase separately. For $35 for the collar and $45 for the leash, I really feel this is a great value for something that is very stylish, functional and built to last. Perhaps the money saved can go towards some new chew toys or bones.. Check out both the collar and leash -Here-.

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Red Wing Heritage Weekender Chukka Shoe Style 3322 Review – $229.99

I’m a pretty laid back guy in terms of style, but when I found myself in the dairy isle sporting sweats and sliders while shopping, I figured it was time to upgrade a bit. I did the usual; substituting v-necks for tees, chinos over jeans, etc. Where I really struggled was over footwear. I  just really like the comfort and ease of gym shoes and didn’t want to go down the casual Oxford route. After some research I happened upon Chukkas, a kind of boot/shoe hybrid that was lightweight, casual and most importantly didn’t have neon blue mesh logos. I’m a fan of American made products and with their legendary boots, I decided to try the Red Wing Heritage Weekender Chukka.

Construction

The Weekender Chukkas upper is made from Red Wing’s Copper Rough & Tough Leather. This leather is oil tanned. This gives it desirable properties such as being water, stain and perspiration resistant. It also showcases a more natural look and feel because less finishing materials have been applied. The stitchdown construction means these can be resoled as well. Metal rivets reinforce the shoelace holes, but are hidden from view on the shoe interior. A Texan board is used in the shoe’s interior. The cushioned insole features Redwing’s proprietary Comfort Force impact absorption system and a polyurethane crepe outsole. Shoes weigh one pound each.

Function

The Weekender Chukkas are advertised as ready to go with no break in needed. For the most part this is true, the leather is very supple and flexible. The outsole is also pliable. I almost would have preferred a more stiff leather as I find the initial discomfort of breaking in stiff leather is worth the custom mold to your feet. I followed Red Wing’s suggestion and ordered a half size down, and the fit was pretty accurate with medium thick socks.  Interestingly enough, while the shoe needed no break in, the laces definitely need some coaxing. They were stiff and didn’t hold a knot well. This issue slowly mended itself though as the laces relaxed.

These shoes are definitely more comfortable than a pair of boots. I can walk several miles no problem, and prolonged standing is a breeze. These are definitely becoming my stand ins when I would normally reach for boots.

Aesthetic

The Chukka design is pretty universal among shoe manufacturers. With a lot of companies producing a visually similar product, the big differences lay in the small details. Red Wing’s craftsmanship sets a bar that most companies can’t come near. There is triple stitched panels where others use one or two. The shoelace eyelets run on the interior of the shoe for a cleaner look.

These can pretty much go with any jeans/chinos/khakis you can throw at them. Unless you have your hem above the ankle, they’ll look like full fledged boots. I love boots, but I’d definitely prefer the comfort and ease of the Chukkas almost any day, so wearing these is a great way to get best of both worlds. They have that timeless look and just exude quality.

Conclusion

For $230 dollars, you could probably buy 3 pairs of Chukkas from your local mall. However, the motto “Buy the best, only cry once” comes to mind with the Red Wing Heritage Weekender Chukka. Top notch construction means no surprises and the fact that they can be resoled, might make them the more economical choice long term as well. Great looks and comfortable, you can’t really go wrong with them so long as you get the proper size.

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Ridgemont Heritage Boot Review – $169.00

I was browsing the hiking boot selection at the mall recently and just couldn’t find a single boot that looked good. Some had too much going on. Foam sidewalls, mesh panels, confusing acronyms along the heel, does it mean anything? I’m a traditionalist and like a classic, well done design. That’s how I found out about the Ridgemont Heritage Boots, a new take on a vintage style.

Construction

The uppers on the Ridgemont Heritage are a combination of waxed and oiled leathers. The collar is a waxed canvas. A hydroguard membrane provides water proof properties. The tongue is gusseted to keep out debris and liquids and the real rubber outsole features a mild lugged platform. Metal hardware secures the laces and we see double stitching along some of the high stress areas. Boots weigh about 1lb 5oz each. The midsole features an EVA cushioned footbed.

Function

My main problem with boots is accessibility. Sometimes just the premeditated thought of getting them on has me reaching for my shoes. I was relieved when the Heritage boots didn’t put up a fight in this regard. The tongue is flexible and the speed hooks allow for a quick and easy off and on experience. These boots are more comfortable than a pair of dedicated hiking boots, but less comfy than a pair of shoes.

This aspect kind of challenges you on when to wear them. If you’re going on a light hike with some friends, and going to lunch after – these are perfect. Your feet w