Gadget rabbit holes

[Hickory n steel]

Have you ever gone looking into a gadget or tool only to end up on a tangent that takes you down a rabbit hole which winds up with you buying one or more things you never intended to ?

Yesterday I was doing some indoor 10yd paper punching with one of my many airguns, normally to see the groupings of little .177 holes without getting up I had a cheap pair of 8×20 binoculars but they broke so lately I've been using these things that I got from a gift shop on a school field trip or something as a kid.

They're basically toy opera glasses and are barely adequate so I decided I wanted some kind of compact monocular for the task.

That's when I remembered these little finger buckle monoculars I had seen online and decided to try them out for the price.

For $15 for the pair I've got nothing to loose, but I tried to do some research on them because I'm skeptical about them being MADE IN RUSSIA.
I found nothing about them, but that did remind me of these little things that I've wanted since I was a kid.


Searching them I learned that most of these are ultra cheap junk, that's probably why I remembered them from a COLLECTIONS ETC catalog or something along with those pen fishing rods and hammer / plier multitools.
I went looking for the origin of these things and potentially sourcing a good quality / original version ,and that sent me down the rabbit hole of the Japanese made " Mikron style "porro prism miniature binoculars that were widely imported post war into the 70's which these little monoculars are clearly based off of.

I became fascinated with them and just had to acquire one of the little pair of the 6×15's, so I went on Ebay today and did just that.

I found this pair for $27 shipped, complete with the original leather case ( FYI Japan used to use pigskin for a lot of things )



From everything I learned these are a good quality pair, not an original Nikon Mikron but a good quality pair with everything you should be looking for.
They were imported by Sears under their TOWER brand in the early 60's.
If they have any issues with focusing due to hardened old grease, I have already learned how to repair them.

 

[bdmicarta]

That's barely a good start.
I did the same thing with watches, and ended up with a whole bunch of them.
I did the same thing with multitools and ended up with a whole bunch of them.
Then multitools lead me back into knives and that really went crazy.
I almost got crazy with mechanical pencils.
Oh and I did end up buying a good pair of binoculars too.
I hope there aren't any more traps out there waiting for me.

 

[drj211]

Not in any particular order, but seem to be tangential to each other, at least for me!

Knives
Automatic Watches
American made hand tools
Zippo lighters
More knives
Axes and hatchets
Knives I know I will never use, but just had to have anyway

 

[tiguy7]

Zeiss makes a nifty 5X10mm monocular that has a roof prism set up. The barrel is fiber glass to keep the weight down, and it has a pocket clip.

 

[Hickory n steel]

That's barely a good start.
I did the same thing with watches, and ended up with a whole bunch of them.
I did the same thing with multitools and ended up with a whole bunch of them.
Then multitools lead me back into knives and that really went crazy.
I almost got crazy with mechanical pencils.
Oh and I did end up buying a good pair of binoculars too.
I hope there aren't any more traps out there waiting for me.

I was thinking more inadvertently dipping your toes and not necessarily when you dive head first, but that is how it starts and I suppose is the definition of a rabbit hole.

I have lots of hobbies, and a number of them are lifelong.
Knives
New merican made hand tools,Vintage American hand tools, and every specific subcategory
Jackets, I will always need and always have an affinity for
Boots
Flashlights
Vintage American airguns
Guns

Vintage American & European spinning reels from the 60's, that may just prove to be a mere rabbit hole.
My standards are very high, and my field of interest so narrow that the list isn't very long.
Multitools, aside from just having users I got into off beat ( not leatherman or Gerber) American multitools, and the list isn't very long.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Zeiss makes a nifty 5X10mm monocular that has a roof prism set up. The barrel is fiber glass to keep the weight down, and it has a pocket clip.View attachment 2955909

Maybe I'll keep an eye out on Ebay, because I don't want to spend nearly $200.
I'm not really trying to get into the ocular device hobby.

 

[knarfeng]

Rabbit holes. Am currently down one.

It all started because I wanted to write a physical letter to an old friend, and discovered that my cursive was illegible. And I'm old enough that I got taught cursive rigorously and used it daily for a couple of decades from the late 50's through the mid 70's. So I decided that my cursive writing needed to be legible. I wanted to regain a skill that I had lost.

First I needed to figure out which version of cursive was I taught, because that was what I wanted to relearn, and the alphabet of each school of cursive is different. (They sell cursive tutorial books on Amazon, but they teach a flowery font and are actually harder to read than what I was taught.) Took a bit of historical searching, but I found it (Zaner Bloser). I took screen shots of the alphabet, to refresh my memory of how the letters were supposed to look, then set out to practice.

That lead to a dip into writing instruments. And I discovered that my 5th grade teacher was correct and that it was much easier to write correctly with a fountain pen. I tried several. Tried several nib grades. I found that a Pilot Kakuno children's learning pen with a FINE nib was perfect for me. I have not taken a dive into paper, I just use printer paper. But I did fuss with inks a tiny bit. And settled on Pilot-Namiki Blue-Black. It's easy to write with and it's inexpensive.

Legible writing is all about developing and maintaining fine motor skills. Daily practice is fairly important. So I needed text to copy.

That lead me to remember Two Years Before the Mast, a book I had read many years ago, written by a young law clerk who had gone to sea in the 1830's to recover his health. He spent two years as a crew member on a brigantine rigged sailing ship, living in the forecastle ("before the mast"). In the book he recounts life on a sailing ship from a common seaman's perspective. I remembered that his writing was luxurious with long winding sentences full of details. I figured it was just the thing, and it has worked well. I found a free copy online. So I've been copying it out sentence by sentence, trying to focus on my letters as I form them.

But all that seamanship lead me to an interest in ropes and knots and such. He mentions them, but does not go into them. But I decided I needed to learn more knots. So off to the store for rope. I decided I wanted to be able to knot it and splice it. ...You know splicing takes tools. YAY!

Like a knife with a marlin spike. (note of interest. the spike is named after a type of tared twine called "marline". The tool was named because the twine was hard to pull on, being so thin. So you put a loop around the spike, and that gave you a handle and leverage. There is a knot called a "marlin spike hitch".) I've picked several up. But there will be more. YAY! And I need...

...And so it goes.

 

[bdmicarta]

I was thinking more inadvertently dipping your toes and not necessarily when you dive head first, but that is how it starts and I suppose is the definition of a rabbit hole.

I have lots of hobbies, and a number of them are lifelong.
Knives
New merican made hand tools,Vintage American hand tools, and every specific subcategory
Jackets, I will always need and always have an affinity for
Boots
Flashlights
Vintage American airguns
Guns

I forgot about the flashlight phase, and the vintage american airgun phase.
Also forgot about photography although in that one I'm mostly just getting the things that I intend to use, and I used to be into road bicycles. Occasionally I have to jump into the computer rabbit holes.
I have some defense for the tool phase because I mostly buy just the tools that I use. I don't have money or space to buy them all and I already have most of what I use. But if I determine I need something whether it's a new tool or a replacement then I'm in that rabbit hole again.

Overall that's a lot of rabbit holes. I guess in most things I stick close to what I think I need or will someday use, but there is leeway to buy 2 or 3 things that I can test out and choose from, or buy spares, or buy one for one set of conditions and another for another set of conditions.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I did this with vintage military bags and rucksacks, then wool blankets.

Not really gadgety but definitely a rabbit hole.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I did this with vintage military bags and rucksacks, then wool blankets.

Not really gadgety but definitely a rabbit hole.

Not necessarily gadgets, but it's still man stuff.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Like a knife with a marlin spike. (note of interest. the spike is named after a type of tared twine called "marline". The tool was named because the twine was hard to pull on, being so thin. So you put a loop around the spike, and that gave you a handle and leverage. There is a knot called a "marlin spike hitch".) I've picked several up. But there will be more.

Thanks for the interesting background on the marlinespike! My 1940 copy of the Bluejacket's Manual has a couple of chapters on "Marlinespike Seamanship", one for line (hemp, sisal, cotton, etc.) and one for rope (wire). The spelling used there is "marlinespike" written as one word with the "e" in the middle, so I'm taking that for my "style guide"!

When I was a kid, any time I referred to something as "rope" my father would correct me, saying, "That's line. Rope is made from steel." (He went from Seaman Recruit to Aviation Machinist Mate to Lt. Commander and a Lighter Than Air pilot, so I figured he knew quite a bit about nautical lingo.)

 

[Shorttime]

I think most of my categories (so far) have been covered. I like to optimize, so when I identify a "need" (mostly first-world problems), there is a quest to be undertaken.

Most of the time, I find one of what I'm looking for and call it good, at least until it's time to replace it and the manufacturer has discontinued that model in favor of something with more features that I don't want, or gone out of business all together.

This has happened with insulated thermoses a couple times when I needed different sizes for different use-cases, a French Press travel mug, also insulated, and bags, packs and satchels, some of which may never actually get used since I don't like traveling.

Some things, I'm well accessorized but I get more anyway. I don't get rid of USB chargers when they come my way because I don't trust the quality of any of them and can never tell when they'll just give up.

I don't seem to be able to stop coming up with reasons to buy nifty little canvas pouches and carry bags for pencils, meds, chargers and cords, but I tell myself it's because it keeps the insides of my other bags neat and organized. The only bags I really use is my lunch bag, and small canvas tanker's tool bag as a man purse.

I've been able to avoid watches and other jewelry because my job involves electricity and rotating machinery. The pen acquiring habit is easy to manage. I've mostly got the flashlight problem under control. I changed jobs and that was an opportunity to buy and try, which has mostly gone away for now.

I started collecting electrician pattern knives after losing interest in most modern folders. I haven't added much to the knife accumulation in the last five years, and I don't want to think about how much money I spent on knives.

I wear one pair of boots to work, and one pair for casual. The problem is, I could always "use" a nicer pair, and a pair for if I'm doing something on my off-time that needs hard toes, and maybe some classy ones with canvas panels for really hot days.....

Coats and jackets? Don't ask. I worked outside for a long time, they're sorted by use, according to the expected temperature, amount of sun, wind speed, duration of exposure, and precipitation. Every time I try to cut down, I look at them and realize that I need all these layering options, and there's something I don't have.

I collect ball bearings. Couldn't tell you why except for what they're made of, and "Ooo! Shiny!" I'm going to make a billet of cannister damascus. Someday.

I collect interesting coins, which hasn't been anywhere near the money sink that other things have.

Finally, I collect gears. I have no explanation or justification for it.

 

[bdmicarta]

I think most of my categories (so far) have been covered. I like to optimize, so when I identify a "need" (mostly first-world problems), there is a quest to be undertaken.
Most of the time, I find one of what I'm looking for and call it good, at least until it's time to replace it and the manufacturer has discontinued that model in favor of something with more features that I don't want, or gone out of business all together.

Ah yes, a "need" sneaks up behind you and grabs you. I too go on the quests but with some indecision I may end up buying 2 or 3 just to be sure.

 

[Triton]

Rabbit holes. Am currently down one.

It all started because I wanted to write a physical letter to an old friend, and discovered that my cursive was illegible. And I'm old enough that I got taught cursive rigorously and used it daily for a couple of decades from the late 50's through the mid 70's. So I decided that my cursive writing needed to be legible. I wanted to regain a skill that I had lost.

First I needed to figure out which version of cursive was I taught, because that was what I wanted to relearn, and the alphabet of each school of cursive is different. (They sell cursive tutorial books on Amazon, but they teach a flowery font and are actually harder to read than what I was taught.) Took a bit of historical searching, but I found it (Zaner Bloser). I took screen shots of the alphabet, to refresh my memory of how the letters were supposed to look, then set out to practice.

That lead to a dip into writing instruments. And I discovered that my 5th grade teacher was correct and that it was much easier to write correctly with a fountain pen. I tried several. Tried several nib grades. I found that a Pilot Kakuno children's learning pen with a FINE nib was perfect for me. I have not taken a dive into paper, I just use printer paper. But I did fuss with inks a tiny bit. And settled on Pilot-Namiki Blue-Black. It's easy to write with and it's inexpensive.

Legible writing is all about developing and maintaining fine motor skills. Daily practice is fairly important. So I needed text to copy.

That lead me to remember Two Years Before the Mast, a book I had read many years ago, written by a young law clerk who had gone to sea in the 1830's to recover his health. He spent two years as a crew member on a brigantine rigged sailing ship, living in the forecastle ("before the mast"). In the book he recounts life on a sailing ship from a common seaman's perspective. I remembered that his writing was luxurious with long winding sentences full of details. I figured it was just the thing, and it has worked well. I found a free copy online. So I've been copying it out sentence by sentence, trying to focus on my letters as I form them.

But all that seamanship lead me to an interest in ropes and knots and such. He mentions them, but does not go into them. But I decided I needed to learn more knots. So off to the store for rope. I decided I wanted to be able to knot it and splice it. ...You know splicing takes tools. YAY!

Like a knife with a marlin spike. (note of interest. the spike is named after a type of tared twine called "marline". The tool was named because the twine was hard to pull on, being so thin. So you put a loop around the spike, and that gave you a handle and leverage. There is a knot called a "marlin spike hitch".) I've picked several up. But there will be more. YAY! And I need...

...And so it goes.

I thought I was the only person that remembered that book. Except my kids of course because I read it to them. It's an excellent book about a trip around Cape Horn although how that was healthy at the time is beyond me!

 

[Hickory n steel]

How about when you acquire a knife and love it so much that you decide you want to acquire every color/ version offered ?

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

Stay away from County Comm if you don't like gadget rabbit holes.

372 dollars later....

 

[Hickory n steel]

Stay away from County Comm if you don't like gadget rabbit holes.

372 dollars later....

I have bought a good deal from them, but have been able to avoid going too crazy because I have absolutely zero interest in Titanium or that fancy new yellow plastic they're really into lately.
If they did more brass stuff this would be a different conversation.

 

[Shorttime]

I have bought a good deal from them, but have been able to avoid going too crazy because I have absolutely zero interest in Titanium or that fancy new yellow plastic they're really into lately.
If they did more brass stuff this would be a different conversation.

Oh God, brass.

I've been looking at people's all-brass setups lately and telling myself that my hodgepodge of colors is okay. There's no need to be that organized, especially since what I already have is suited to task.

CountyComm saved me a lot of money by offering a pocket-sized LEP for just under $100. Now, I know that the beam pattern isn't practical for anything other than signaling ships or blinding your neighbor on the next mountain over, and I don't have to spend money on any more of them.

That, and Weltool's selection of absolute monsters is way too expensive for me.

 

[Murphy Slaw]

Man, I fit right in with you guys.

I have several $35.00 guitar picks.

 

[AriesTheCam]

Rabbit holes. Am currently down one.

It all started because I wanted to write a physical letter to an old friend, and discovered that my cursive was illegible. And I'm old enough that I got taught cursive rigorously and used it daily for a couple of decades from the late 50's through the mid 70's. So I decided that my cursive writing needed to be legible. I wanted to regain a skill that I had lost.

First I needed to figure out which version of cursive was I taught, because that was what I wanted to relearn, and the alphabet of each school of cursive is different. (They sell cursive tutorial books on Amazon, but they teach a flowery font and are actually harder to read than what I was taught.) Took a bit of historical searching, but I found it (Zaner Bloser). I took screen shots of the alphabet, to refresh my memory of how the letters were supposed to look, then set out to practice.

That lead to a dip into writing instruments. And I discovered that my 5th grade teacher was correct and that it was much easier to write correctly with a fountain pen. I tried several. Tried several nib grades. I found that a Pilot Kakuno children's learning pen with a FINE nib was perfect for me. I have not taken a dive into paper, I just use printer paper. But I did fuss with inks a tiny bit. And settled on Pilot-Namiki Blue-Black. It's easy to write with and it's inexpensive.

Legible writing is all about developing and maintaining fine motor skills. Daily practice is fairly important. So I needed text to copy.

That lead me to remember Two Years Before the Mast, a book I had read many years ago, written by a young law clerk who had gone to sea in the 1830's to recover his health. He spent two years as a crew member on a brigantine rigged sailing ship, living in the forecastle ("before the mast"). In the book he recounts life on a sailing ship from a common seaman's perspective. I remembered that his writing was luxurious with long winding sentences full of details. I figured it was just the thing, and it has worked well. I found a free copy online. So I've been copying it out sentence by sentence, trying to focus on my letters as I form them.

But all that seamanship lead me to an interest in ropes and knots and such. He mentions them, but does not go into them. But I decided I needed to learn more knots. So off to the store for rope. I decided I wanted to be able to knot it and splice it. ...You know splicing takes tools. YAY!

Like a knife with a marlin spike. (note of interest. the spike is named after a type of tared twine called "marline". The tool was named because the twine was hard to pull on, being so thin. So you put a loop around the spike, and that gave you a handle and leverage. There is a knot called a "marlin spike hitch".) I've picked several up. But there will be more. YAY! And I need...

...And so it goes.

I had a boatswain's mate buddy who taught me a whole lot about knots. It's fun, and until then I had no idea what a Marlin spike was for. I also bought all the stuff for calligraphy but never really got into it beyond making a quill from a hawk feather I found in the yard. Never actually used any of the real nibs and whatnot. I wrote my wife a cheesy letter she ended up framing on the sly with the feather. You romanticizing it is making me want to dig it out of the closet.