Becker Micarta Knife Scales
I love my KA-BAR / Becker knives. They look good, they feel good, but most importantly they work good (OK, I know it’s technically “work well,” but that would have thrown off the pattern). But if I have any complaint at all about these excellent knives, it’s the black plastic […]

Review: KA-BAR Becker Micarta Scales / Handles for BK Series ...

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Last year, when the ecobee3 smart thermostat was announced, I published a preview, then a “first look” and unboxing video, followed soon after by the very first review of the ecobee3. I followed those up with an ecobee3 installation guide for new users, along with an ecobee Smart to ecobee3 upgrade guide for owners migrating […]

Review: ecobee3 HomeKit-enabled Thermostat

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“Smart” home devices don’t only make your life easier, but in many cases can also save you money. Readers of my blog already know I’m a big fan of ecobee’s smart thermostat products. They’re WiFi enabled controllers that use weather data available via the Internet to predicatively (and reactively) minimize HVAC system […]

WiFi Sprinker Controller Review: Rachio Iro vs. RainMachine vs. IrrigationCaddy

GunVault SpeedVault SV500 1
The first responsibility of gun ownership is safety. Providing a good balance between quickly accessing your firearm when needed vs. keeping it out of the hands of those who shouldn’t touch it what GunVault Inc, makers of “personal sized” gun safes, are offering with their SpeedVault SV500 and SpeedVault SVB500. The SpeedVault’s design […]

GunVault SpeedVault SV500 Review

Side view of the Sig MPX's charging handle. 5
As I mentioned in my previous thread about the Sig Sauer MPX’s trigger, I’ve been loving my Sig Sauer MPX. But as time goes on, a few nagging little issues have reared their heads. First, it was the aforementioned trigger issue, and the “confusion” over whether an aftermarket AR-15 trigger group […]

Sig Sauer MPX Charging Handle Problems Can Be “Fixed” – ...

Sig Sauer MPX 13
UPDATE: When this article was first published in June 2015, SIG Sauer’s official position was that installing an aftermarket trigger in a SIG MPX would void the warranty. They have since changed that position. Aftermarket triggers no longer void the warranty, though SIG won’t be responsible for any damage to aftermarket […]

Will Upgrading the Sig Sauer MPX to an AR-15 Trigger ...

My buddy's CZ 75 B 9mm semi-auto pistol 3
Recently, a very good friend of mine named “MJ” purchased his very first firearm: a 9mm semi-automatic CZ 75 B Omega. I think he made an excellent choice. And like any proud new papa, he couldn’t contain his excitement. In fact, here’s the Facebook photo he messaged me within seconds of […]

What Products Should a New Gun Owner Buy? (Semi-Auto Pistol ...

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I write lots of product reviews for “geeky” tech stuff (like smart thermostats, automatic toilet flushers, surge protectors, etc.). But when I get a chance to review some tech that also involves one of my other interests (karate in this case), I’m all over it. As a part-time karate instructor at Fairwood Martial Arts, one […]

Product Review: StrikeMeter by Martial Arts Instruments

My GMC logo is black! 3
I keep a 2007 GMC Yukon Denali parked at the Utah house to drive when we’re there. It’s perfect for “Inter-mountain West weather.” It’s comfortable, holds plenty of passengers and cargo, has great four wheel drive, heated seats, and a has a handy windshield washer fluid heater system that can help […]

Rant & Rave: GMC Dealer Recalled a Little Too Much

I’ve already posted a field-strip video for an old-school Ruger “Standard” (or Mark I), but wanted to do this separate video showing some of the nuances of field stripping and re-assembling a Ruger Mark III 22/34 Lite.

Video: Ruger Mark III 22/45 Lite – Field Strip and ...

Cisco/Linksys E4200 overclocked to 532 MHz 20
For the past few years, I’ve maintained an article on this blog offers my recommendation for the best DD-WRT build and settings to get max speed from a Linksys E4200 router. One of my recommendations in that article is to use the Administration: Commands tab in the DD-WRT GUI interface to […]

DD-WRT Speed Tweaks: Do they Really Work?

Fill Valve with Ball Float 8
I’ll admit it — I titled this post to attract homeowners who are searching for how to fix a leaky toilet. But wouldn’t it be even better if you could prevent your toilet from leaking in the first place? This article will help you do both! During this year’s Spring Break, our […]

Leaking Toilet? Try the $25 Toilet Tune-Up

I’ll walk you through installing a Short Reset Trigger Kit (SRT) in a Sig Sauer P220, and show the “before and after” difference using a P226 with the SRT kit already installed. However, at 17:24, I promised to “come back later” and discuss the sear pin re-assembly position… and forgot. […]

Sig Sauer Short Reset Trigger Kit Install

In this video, I’ll walk you through “maintenance cleaning” of a Sig Sauer 1911 TacOps, but the same principles can be applied to cleaning any 1911.

Sig Sauer 1911 TacOps Cleaning

It’s easier than you think. I’ll walk you through removing EVERYTHING from your Glock, marking potential wear locations with a magic marker for future reference, and putting everything back together. Start with a field strip, and continue to a detail strip.

Glock FULL Detail Strip and Re-assembly

This unique knife from Benchmade is designed for rapid deployment and “creating” space” in a self-defense situation. It’s small, light, and very easy to conceal.

Benchmade SOCP Skeletonized Dagger