So I totally bought one of these. Simply couldn’t resist. I love toys, puzzles especially, so now I’ve got one. Imagine those wooden labyrinth toys. You know, the ones where the steel ball rolls around the maze and you’ve got to maneuver it to the end without falling into any of the holes? So the 360 Puzzle Sphere is like that, only in 3D and in color!
It’s about the size of one of those little basketballs (we used to call them dunking balls, not that any of us could dunk). You flip it, turn it, and rotate so the little ball will travel the entire length of the course without falling off. Sounds easy; it’s not. There are 100 markers to get past. Luckily, there are three starting points. So you don’t have to start from the very beginning every time.
So anyway, super fun little toy for your guy who needs somethign to keep him busy.
So, I’m not a hairy guy. I don’t have thick back hair or anything like that. My problem is that I wait a long time between hair cuts. I mean, a really long time. I don’t keep a schedule, I just wait until I can’t stand it anymore. So needless to say the back of my neck gets, shall we say, unkempt.
The guys from Swerve sent me a sample of their neck razor hair trimmer to try out. It’s this little disposable razor that is meant to fit between your fingers so you can get those pesky back and neck hairs all by yourself. They are disposable, but you only have to use them like once a week (I hope for you anyway), so they last awhile. Check one out and see what you think.
I love to play video games, always have. I’m partial to adventure type games rather than sports or shooters. I like the games where your character has to search something out and go somewhere, solving puzzles and such along the way. ” Super-Mario-esque” if you will.
Now I’m not a video game expert, so I certainly won’t attempt to give a full review. However I will say that these games are a ton of fun. They follow the familiar movies pretty closely, but all the characters and landscapes are LEGOs. You get the build LEGO things, drive LEGO cars, and fly LEGO planes. There are lots of characters to play, puzzles to solve, and missions to complete.
They are available for just about any video game set that he might have. So if he likes adventure games, he might REALLY enjoy one of the available LEGO Video Games.
This isn’t so much of a product review as it’s a company review. I received a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses as a gift at a corporate meeting a year or so ago. $100+ sunglasses for free, just for coming to the meeting? Sweet!
So a few months ago I broke them. Snapped one of the arms right in half. I checked their website, and got information to send them in to be repaired. Of course, you had to send in proof of purchase to show that they were still under warranty. You also had to send in a check for $8 or so to cover return shipping. The website stated that if you didn’t have a receipt, you could still send them in and they’d contact you with how much the repair would cost. Of course, I got them free, so I knew I’d have to pay for the repair, but I really like the glasses. So I mailed in my glasses and the check for shipping and waited to see what happened.
A week or so later, I got a box in the mail. Confused, I opened it up and there were my glasses, good as new. Inside was a very apologetic letter explaining how the frames on my original glasses had been discontinued and they were unable to fix them as they were. They had upgraded the frames for the new models, and they put a new set of frames on my glasses instead. It is important to note that these are the EXACT same frames except there is a little gold dot on them where the dot wasn’t before. So the frames are BETTER than my old ones. They even sent me back my $8 check to show how sorry they were! I was floored, not only did they fix the glasses for free when I didn’t have proof of purchase, they made them better than they were. Plus they threw in a brand new hard case and cleaning cloth that I didn’t have before! WOW!
Is that the end of the story? Oh no. Last month, I lost one of the rubber nose pads. Again I went to the website and read that they will fix glasses but didn’t send out parts. I was disappointed as all I needed was one nose pad and I could certainly slide a new one on myself. So I sent customer service an email to ask if there was anywhere that I could just purchase a set of nose pads. I got an email back from a customer service manager who explained that they didn’t sell parts due to the delicate nature of sunglasses, but if I would just give her my address, she’d mail me a set for free. I sent her my address and noted how impressed I’ve been with the Maui Jim company. She responded with a final note that said “enjoy your Jimmies”. I got the nose pads about a week later.
Keep in mind that these people had no idea who I was or that I would blog about the experience. I hadn’t intended to either, I just wanted my glasses fixed! I certainly would have paid for the repairs both times as each was my fault.
Not every guy can use a nice pair of sunglasses. If he constantly looses or breaks his glasses, keep on getting him cheap pairs from the drug store. But, if a good pair of sunglasses is the right gift for him, Maui Jim definitely deserves your consideration; a company that makes great glasses, and provides fabulous customer service.
As this blog is read by more and more folks, I’m beginning to get requests to review products. Some people want me to mention their site or talk about their products. Many want to send me free stuff to try out or use and talk about it on the site. Understand that I’m being very careful not to abuse this privilege; I don’t just want free stuff. In fact, I’ve turned down more than I’ve accepted because I want to give them the time they deserve, and want to stay true to the readers. I don’t want to talk about something that doesn’t have anything to do with men’s gifts.
So, when I was contacted by the makers of Skin MD Natural shielding lotion, I politely declined. Come on, lotion? On a men’s gift blog? Well they insisted, saying that many guys that work with their hands really use the stuff for it’s protective qualities. Guys like mechanics, fishermen, chemical worker people. All right, send some over, but no promises.
Over the last like month I’ve used it here and there. You know, it’s lotion. In fact, I had planned not to mention it on the blog, because you know, it’s lotion.
Well last night my wife had me out on the back porch putting up Christmas lights. This is central Virginia. Certainly there are much colder areas, but still it’s cold enough here. So it took me forever. All the lights were still in the box, so I had to pry each light out of that hard plastic carrier. I’m working around the porch with the staple gun. Had to back up once because I cut part of the cord with a staple. Well I got all the way around and on my last staple, I sliced right through the cord and blew the fuses in the whole line. Screw it, I’m going inside.
My hands hurt. The cold, the little cuts from the plastic, the cold. All right lotion, let’s see what you can do.
Well I’ve finally gotten on the video bandwagon. Never thought I’d do it, but there are just some things that need to be shown, rather than written about. Jonathan Boos, the creator of the Wurkin Stiffs magnetic collar stays sent me a sample to try out. Well I’ve been working on this post for weeks, not only using the product, but learning how to record and make a video. Well it’s not good, but maybe no too bad. Take a look:
So overall, I really like Wurkin Stiffs as a gift for the professional guy. I hope Jonathan will let us revisit his product when the new product is out.
A few months back, I told you about an article in Details Magazine that was what I considered one of the best shaving articles I’ve read. Here is the original post. Well, Details also has a shaving trouble shooting slide show on that same page. The slide show suggested that many of the most difficult shaving problems can be solved by using a single bladed razor. It got me thinking. What is a single bladed razor? If it’s good for the tough areas, wouldn’t it be good for the whole thing? I guess there’s only one way to find out. Time for my own research.
I started out with some online research. After searching around, I found a series of instructional videos on You Tube. Here is a great overview video on single blade shaving.
So I decided to give it a go, and have been using the Merkur "Heavy Classic" Double-Edged Safety Razor for a few weeks now. Now, it does take some getting used to as it’s very different from other store bought razors you’ve probably used. However, after getting some practice, and giving my face time to adjust, I’m really enjoying it. I would highly recommend watching more of this guy’s shaving videos. All are very well done and informative. His collection is here.
Finally, this is the razor I’ve been using. It’s classy looking, heavy, and does a great job. Now it’ll set you back $49, but it is made to last a lifetime. So it absolutely can be the last razor you ever buy. However, it’ll pay for itself very quickly when you consider that the blades are only $.50 each! I was really getting tired of spending a small fortune on those multi-blade cartridges that other razors use.
So give it a try and let me know what you think. But remember to be patient. You face always needs time to adjust to a new shaving method or tool. Give it a few weeks, practice often, and I think you’ll like the results.
So, you know how it’s a cardinal rule not to get a woman something for the house for a gift? Blender, Vacuum, shower curtain, all no-nos. Actually, there is a whole session on this during new husband training. It’s a long grueling course, but you can do it, I promise.
Luckily, because of this rule, most woman never get us anything for the house either. Which is perfect, as house gifts don’t follow any of the men’s gift guidelines we try to stress. However, here is a bowl that actually is a great gift for him. An actual deflated basketball was used as the mold for this ceramic bowl. Perfect for him to throw his keys, change, and whatever else is in his pocket. Sure, he may choose to keep fruit in his bowl, but I doubt it. Available in basketball and soccer. Click here for more information.
Here is a pretty unique item that piqued my curiosity and would be a perfect gift for men. I sit at a desk all day, papers everywhere; wife complains all the time. So naturally, I like desk stuff, plus I’m a sucker for anything Redskins. So anyway I found this paperweight from The Sports Jewelry Superstore. It is designed to look like the top of a signet ring. Kind of neat, so for $20 I was in.
The item shipped quickly and I had it in hand in just a few days. It arrived in a padded envelope with some bubble wrap. The packaging did the job, but it was a little less than I expected.
This item is beautiful and well detailed. Much more so than the picture shows. This is the sort of thing that a picture can only show so much. The Redskins probably have one of the more complex logos, but the cuts within are sharp and clean. The paperweight actually takes up more of a footprint than you would think from the measurements on the site (W=2.63″ H=1.25″ L=3″). What they don’t tell you, and you can’t see from the picture, is that it is angled toward you. The front edge is only only 1/8″ thick, while the back is more than 1″ tall. It gives it the illusion that it is coming out of the table at you. A felt lined bottom completes the package.
Overall, this is a well done piece. Although the red paint is shiny and complete, my only complaint would be the lack of filling within the logo. Upon closer look, however, this is totally my mistake, as the picture clearly shows this feature.
These particular paperweights only seem to be available for specific NFL teams (Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington). So, if he is a fan of one of these teams, and has a desk job, The NFL Ring Top Paperweight could be a really unique gift for him.
Of course, there are many other options for him at The Sports Jewelery Super Store. Officially liscensed rings and watches from all major sports and colleges. As well as items for military and law enforcement.
Make no mistake about it, shaving is not fun. Almost any man would rather skip it today than deal with it. For years, I’ve used an electric razor. I just wanted to get it done quick so I could get on with the rest of my day. Sure, the job was done quick, but I always was uncomfortable. Especially under my neck. I always had red bumps that burned. No amount of “non-alcoholic soothing after shave” could help.
Enter the products from The Grooming Lounge. I met these folks at a product show. They explained how much research was done at their barber shop (years!) to develop the perfect shave. These products helped with everything that every man has problems with.
Anyway, they gave me some of the products to try, and I have to tell you, they are wonderful. The box comes with an instruction sheet that explains how to use all four products. These are a face wash (to get all the junk off before shaving), a shave oil (which may be the secret to it all), a shave cream, and aftershave. I’ve used all four together, as suggested, every time and my face feels AWESOME!! Smooth, no burning or red bumps, and my wife lets me get near her now.
Also in their research, they have determined that the Mach 3 razor is the best. They have a perfectly balanced razor available that provides the ultimate in luxury. And it takes Mach 3 refills.
This kit would be perfect for any man that shaves. Now some guys may not have the time or desire to shave manually every morning. It still is a great gift for the special occasion. He can still use his electric for mornings, but save this stuff for the special night on the town when he wants to look his best.
So I totally bought one of these. Simply couldn’t resist. I love toys, puzzles especially, so now I’ve got one. Imagine those wooden labyrinth toys. You know, the ones where the steel ball rolls around the maze and you’ve got to maneuver it to the end without falling into any of the holes? So the 360 Puzzle Sphere is like that, only in 3D and in color!
to try out. It’s this little disposable razor that is meant to fit between your fingers so you can get those pesky back and neck hairs all by yourself. They are disposable, but you only have to use them like once a week (I hope for you anyway), so they last awhile. Check one out and see what you think.
. They started with 
