When flying you can never be sure if your aircraft will be equipped with in-seat power, especially in economy. My laptop's battery only lasts a couple hours when playing movies, but most external extended batteries have been bulky and require another external charger - until now. The recently released Universal Notebook Batteries by APC finally solve the problem well.

The UPB70 model I purchased for my last trip to Europe is very light and very thin using lithium polymer batteries and it requires no extra charger. To charge up it just plugs in-line: wall plug --> laptop power supply --> APC battery --> laptop. Both the laptop and battery get charged simultaneously. It works with both of my current laptops, as well as my wife's, so we can share it (also defraying the cost). The battery also has a separate USB-charging port for your phone, iPod or any other USB-charging accessory, like my GPS, which is handy. Most importantly, it kept my laptop playing movies all the way from London to San Francisco!

They are a bit expensive at around $150, but considering those "air power" adapters are often $120 and you can almost never use it, I think this is a deal. The batteries also come with tips for several hundred specific laptop models so you can figure out how to allow the battery to be charged in-line with your laptop cord. The one thing the APC battery doesn't have is the Apple MagSafe connector yet (although they do have the G4 connector), but there are seemingly options for making an adapter for yourself.

One note: I learned quickly is that if you are taking it through airline security, it's best to take it out of your bag along with your laptop, as they will always want to see it once it goes through the X-ray.

-- Alexander Rose

APC Universal Notebook Battery
$145
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by APC

The Bosch has the power of earlier, more cumbersome cordless screw guns at half the weight (under two pounds), meaning its capabilities really surpass its diminutive appearance. As an old guy in trades for thirty some years, I'm on a continuing quest for the smallest, lightest tool that can still accomplish a tough job. The Skil iXO Palm Screwdriver is great for household chores, but the Bosch -- a step up in power, capability and price -- can drive one hundred 3" screws on one charge. It can really be used for all but the heaviest job site uses, and still fit into the tight spots. Typical screw guns require their own holster, separate carry bag, or just hand carry. The Bosch fits easily in my tool belt bag. It takes lithium-ion batteries and features a variable-speed trigger, 10 setting clutch, 1/4 quick change chuck, and LED light.

-- Jerry Garner

Bosch 10.8V Pocket Driver
$120
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Bosch

[ This may be a worthy product, but we have removed the review for this product because we belatedly learned the reviewer is married to the inventor. The reviewer wrote to us later that he didn't think it would look good if he mentioned that his wife made the product so he misled us on where he got the product. We now find it hard to trust him on the rest of the review. An impartial review (negative or positive) is wanted. -- KK]

SmudgeGuard
(sizes xxs - l)
$5
Available from and manufactured by SmudgeGuard

The Viewtainer is an inexpensive, flexible plastic tube with a rubbery cap at both ends. Originally, they were intended to hold small parts (screws, nuts, bolts, etc.). On one end the rubber cap has a slash in it, so when you squeeze the tube, you can dump the parts out. Although these Viewtainers may work well for storing parts, I've found that one of the larger Viewtainers, which is about 8" x 3", is an awesome mini-toolkit container that's easy to access and stash. It's amazing how many different useful (and in some cases, full-size) tools, you can fit into such a tiny container: screwdrivers, sockets, specialty bits, pliers, mini-saws, tire irons, flashlights, and on. I keep one in my car, one in my bike bag, and one in my study on the second floor so I don't have to run out to the garage every time I need a screwdriver.

-- Sam Mapadatha

Viewtainer
$4 (8" x 2.75")
Available from and manufactured by Viewtainer

Unlike conventional stepladders, the top step of this nifty aluminum stepladder is the most stable because of its extra size (100 square inches, the biggest of all the steps). It also makes tasks lickity-split efficient, especially with its thoughtful storage bin 11.5"W x 4.25"L x 1.25", meaning no more lost nuts, etc. And if you're changing light bulbs, for instance, you can leave the top open and place tons of stuff inside.

There are three, four, five and eight-step models. I bought the four-step version ($99) which weighs 9lbs, so it's easy to lift with one hand and much lighter than my rickety old wooden ladder. It folds to 4.5" wide, so storing it is easy. Nicely engineered, the ladder opens and closes smoothly -- meaning no pinched fingers - and very little force is required to open it (they are lightweight). I highly recommend these ladders for older folks who're getting on and may not feel as stable, but insist on taking care of stuff around the house nonetheless. The ladder I have has a flat, undivided storage compartment designed to hold tools. If dusting or cleaning is more what you need the stepladder for, Frontgate also makes a version with a built-in towel rack and a bin with sections intended to hold spray bottles.

-- Joseph Stirt

Deep-Step Safety Ladder
$40-200
Available from SkyMall

Manufactured by Frontgate

I no longer apologize for using this "shock collar." Not only has it potentially saved our dog Jolie's life on at least two occasions, but it has given us a measure of security and Jolie a degree of freedom that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

The system works like this: the collar has a receiver on it with two stimulation-delivering prongs that fit snugly against the dog's neck or throat, depending on how the collar is positioned. The human carries a transmitter (about the size/weight of a deck of cards), which will deliver stimulation at a range of up to 300 yards.

The dog must first know the command you want. It won't work if the dog does not know what you are asking of her. Once you are sure the dog knows what you want (we found that Jolie would "come" indoors but not outside), give the "Come!" command. When the dog doesn't come, immediately say (shout!) "No!" while simultaneously pressing the "tone warning" on the transmitter. This will cause the collar to make a quiet beep the dog can hear. Again, try the "Come!" command. If the dog doesn't come, immediately say "No!" while simultaneously pressing one of the stimulation buttons on the transmitter to deliver the shock. You can choose "momentary" to deliver a brief, pre-measured tap or "continuous" which delivers stimulation for up to 10 seconds. Call "Come!" one last time -- either after the tap or during the continuous stimulation -- and this should get the dog on her way. As soon as the dog starts to come, stop the stimulation and immediately begin to praise her. If she gets distracted on her way, she gets another "No!" accompanied with more stimulation. As soon as she complies, the stimulation stops and she gets lavish praise.

This sequence of commands and activations is fast. At the start, you will have more difficulty fumbling with the buttons and timing than your dog will have responding to the collar. The stimulation level (controlled by the transmitter) ranges from 1 - 7. It usually takes a 3 to reinforce the "Come!" command with Jolie. Only on two occasions did I have to go higher and that was when she was in hot pursuit of a cat. Imagine the relief I felt as she was heading full speed, headlong toward the street and was stopped in mid-flight by a jolt from her collar.

We adopted Jolie as a young adult and while she quickly learned "sit", "stay", "down", etc., she would not respond to "Come!" in the park amid the distraction of scents and dogs. We tried everything: two series of training classes, a personal trainer, and an armload of dog training books. To no avail Jolie would NOT come. Her rescue group suggested an electric collar and loaned us the Innotek collar (one of its volunteers met with us for a training session). Within one afternoon, Jolie was coming when called - and it took only a couple of weeks until we no longer had to activate the stimulation on the collar to reinforce the command.

We've now been using the collar for 8 months. Only very rarely do we need to deliver stimulation as reinforcement. Almost every time, she comes on command. For those rare times she doesn't come right away, usually a tone or "No!" will get her moving in the right direction. I'm not exactly sure how the dog knows to come when she receives stimulation, but I'm guessing it's the quick, consistent, and proximal combination of negative stimulation and positive praise.

I have tested the collar on my wrist (not neck) on all levels (I also taste new dog food and treats). The collar goes up to Level 7. It's hard to describe the differences in the shock experienced as I have no experiential gauge. I touched an electric fence once at the zoo when I was 10, but that's about it. Level's 3-5 give me an involuntary jump reaction. They are uncomfortable. But the discomfort or pain of an electrical shock is different from other types of pain. As soon as the shock stops, so does the pain. Level's 6&7 are very uncomfortable, in a startling, well, shocking way. As I said, we've only gone to that level couple of times. It made her leap into the air. I'm sure it was painful, shocking. But when I compare it to the pain and trauma of getting run over (remember, she was in hot pursuit of a cat), or getting away from us and fighting with another dog (she's a pit bull, she'd win) I'd do it again.

The loaner collar from the rescue agency was not working properly (it had been submerged in the ocean and would not consistently deliver a simulation - even though the collars are supposed to be waterproof). We decided to purchase the same brand and model due to its good reputation in the dog training industry and its low price compared to its main competitors (we bought ours on eBay for $100). Our collar has gotten fully wet and continues to work perfectly.

-- Michele McGinnis

Innotek Dog Training Collar
$120
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Innotek, Inc.

Nothing will ruin your guitar worse than drying out: it will warp your neck and crack your soundboard. I have used this humidifier, which rests between the strings, for my classical guitar for the last six years. It is way superior to any other system like the Damp-It, which is just a regular sponge. Before getting this humidifier I had something called the Humitar for a while. You filled it up with water and the material on the surface was always damp through osmosis. It was a pain, rusted the strings and even developed mold. I replaced it with the Planet Waves almost as soon as it was introduced. The Planet Waves model holds more water than a regular sponge, so I only have to refill it every two weeks, and it doesn't leak (note: when I travel, I remove it from between the strings and keep it in the case to make sure it doesn't fall between the strings into the soundhole).

You will also need a hygrometer to go along with this humidifier. As soon as the humidity hits around 45%, I take the humidifier out of the case to avoid over humidifying the guitar, which can weaken the glue that holds the neck to the body and the bridge to the soundboard. I live in Toronto (a dry climate in the winter and humid in the summer), so I already had a room hygrometer and cigar case hygrometer for the room where I store my instruments. Otherwise I would have purchased the sensor made by Planet Waves (see below).

I have long had what guitarists refer to as GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). But even if you have just one guitar and aren't a gearhead, this humidifier will help maintain the quality of your instrument's sound, so it's a cheap and worthy investment. And if you're not a guitarist, Planet Waves (a division of the string makers D'Addario) also makes large and small models for other acoustic instruments.

-- Mark Chow-Young

Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Humidifier
$11
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Planet Waves

I've over-watered my share of temperamental plants into oblivion. This pot uses a simple method of providing the right amount of water and nutrients to a plant so you don't forget and let it go dry or over-water the plant. There is a water reservoir below the plant pot that supplies water to the pot through a wick that is in the bottom of the pot and extends into the reservoir. Just add nutrient to the water (about a teaspoon of something like Miracle Grow in a gallon of water) and the plant takes care of the rest. Now I just have to remember to refill the reservoir every month or so, and our African violets grow and bloom with only rare attention from us.

We tried raising African violets with limited success, until one of our friends gave us this Wick Pot. The violets come with a long list of care and feeding instructions regarding watering schedules, humidity, temperature, and the like. This planter is a godsend to those of us with brown thumbs looking to grow non-native plants (we live in Houston). The pot obviously will not change ambient light or humidity levels, but using one means the plant requires almost no care and feeding whatsoever. The Wick Pot also lets you be much less precise about the amount of water you refill because you're filling the reservoir as opposed to putting it directly into the pot.

There are other self-watering planters out there, but Volkmann's provides a cheap option and they also have full kits available (includes feed fertilizer, wick pot and soil) that are very reasonably priced. Of course this method is so simple, if you wanted to you could also fabricate a pot for yourself by using a recycled plastic container, a potted plant and a short piece of wick placed between the pot and reservoir.

-- Durwin Sharp

Volkmann Reservoir Wick Pot
$3 (white or green)
Available from and Manufactured by Volkmann Brothers Greenhouses

When it comes to cutting into thick, rigid plastic packages, it's tough to rely on scissors. Knives slip on the plastic and can be more dangerous. The clever feature of OpenX is that there are two blades in one. The razor-like, pop out blade is perfect for starting an initial cut, and then the main protected blade works great to slice the whole thing open. I've used this on every kind of thick plastic packaging imaginable and it hasn't dulled yet.

-- Boris Feldman

OpenX Dual-Blade Package Opener
$5
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Ranchmark, Inc.

[I remembered hearing about this one a while back and was skeptical -- until the company sent me one to try out. It's been such a time saver (I get a lot of packages) that it now lives in the top drawer of my desk. - sl]

[Note: Just wanted to drop a note about the Open X -- left handers need not apply. As a leftie myself, I was pretty disappointed when I realized that due to the locations of the button to extend the hidden blade, this tool can't really be used left handed. Once the initial cut has been made, it can be used, but the switch does get in the way a bit. Just thought lefties might want to know before they buy!
-- Ari Brown]

I've used this face mask for two winters to go running and biking in temperatures from single digits to the low thirties (ºF). It sure does make it seem so much warmer outside, and it's especially great for preventing my lungs from taking a beating from the cold air.

When you put on the face mask, there is a heat exchange device right in front of your mouth. It looks like a miniature fan-folded filter and has a desiccant coated plastic that uses the heat from your exhalation to warm the air you inhale. Even if you're just standing out in the cold (not exercising), it will keep you much warmer since you lose a lot of body heat through respiration.

The air you breathe in is also humidified a little, keeping you from drying out in the cold, and I've found it's even been a preventive aid for my bronchitis. Every winter I used to come down with bronchitis (usually shortly after a good run when it was frigid outside). I'd always feel warm enough from layers of clothes and the exertion, but afterward my throat would feel raw from having breathed hard in the cold dry air. The throat irritation would always seem to develop into bronchitis. My doctor recommended the use of a scarf, but I tried scarves, neck gaiters and a neoprene face mask and could never keep them on and maintain a good level of exertion. I'd always feel the need to pull them down so that I could get enough air while running hard. Or even if I decided to just lay back and not work as hard, I'd find they would get soggy and unpleasant after a short time. With the Psolar, I can get out there and run as hard as I want (it is surprisingly easy to breathe through), my throat feels fine afterward, and the mask stays dry.

I find I don't need it once the temperature clears freezing, especially later in the season once I've acclimated. The only drawbacks I've found are that you have to breathe through your mouth because your nose is covered (I trained to be a nose breather during exercise, so this took some adjustment). Sometimes during a run I find it can get a bit warm, but you can always pull down the mask if need be. Also, it does smoosh my nose a bit and before I broke it in, it seemed to slide down from time to time (another reviewer's advice helped: wear a hat on top of it), but it's still a really great mask.

I haven't gone skiing since I got it, but I think it would be an awesome ski mask too, provided it doesn't fog your goggles. I don't wear glasses, so I haven't tried this solution, but they also sell an add-on piece that is supposed to take care of fogging.

-- Alfred H. Raschdorf, Jr.

PSolar.Ex Cold Weather Face Mask
$37
Available from CozyWinters

Previously available from Amazon (S/M, L/XL; black)

Manufactured by PSOLARX Outdoor Performance Gear

This nifty, lightweight (33 lbs.) garden cart will fit into any spare cranny in the garden shed or garage. It folds into a long, slender package about six inches wide at the wheel hubs, and three or four feet long. While I wouldn't go dropping jagged boulders into it, it's proven a tough, sturdy and useful hauling tool for gardening or otherwise over the couple years I've had it. I've mounded it high with bark, manure, compost and brush (the load limit is 330 lbs.), and it's performed like a champ.

Because of its smooth aluminum surface, it hoses clean for transporting non-dirty items. The gate on the front of the cart is basically a reinforced flat sheet of metal with a folded U-shaped channel that interlocks with a similar folded U-shaped channel on the cart. I feel obliged to mention that one time I was hauling a composted sawdust/manure mixture and some of it got caught in the channels of the lift gate. Since then I haven't been able to get the gate all the way down, but it's really a minor issue. The gap is only about an inch and stuff doesn't seem to leak out the front.

Overall, this cart is just a marvelous, very maneuverable device for the storage challenged person. There is a slightly cheaper folding cart by Bully that can haul up to 400lbs. However, with the Tipke Fold-it, you can also buy a trailer or bike hitch, and front gates in a couple of heights. I haven't used either of the hitches, so I don't know how well they work, but if you're a gardening biker looking to kill two birds with one stone, this could fit the bill nicely.

-- Amy Thomson

Tipke Fold-it Utility Cart
$180
Available from Amazon

Tipke Fold-it Bike Hitch
$45
Available from Amazon

Tipke Fold-it Tractor/Trailer Hitch
$33
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Tipke

This device works with any FM radio to turn your PC or laptop into a small, localized stereo FM radio station. We use it to broadcast music to stereos and radios around our house (it has a range of about 10 meters). Rather than opt for a Squeezebox or another steaming media appliance like the LinkSys WMA11B (which we tried), we found the Rocket FM to be a much simpler, cheaper solution that still has superb sound quality.

It works with PC or Mac and it's USB-based so it doesn't need batteries like a lot of the other devices out there. The Belkin TuneCaster and TuneCaster II aren't too bad - and they are platform independent -- but the sound quality is not as good and they do require batteries. The Griffin iTrip is a version specifically for the iPod, but it's just for the iPod, so it isn't useful around the house. The Rocket FM really is the best no-frills home tunecasting device I've found.

-- Robbie Gibbon

Griffin Rocket FM
$30
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Griffin Technology

This cheap, no-name, pump-action drain unblocker is a great alternative to professional models that can cost more than $50. This pump is also really fun to use. Rather than poking a hole in blockages, it really dislodges them: I put one end of the unblocker on the edge of a chair, pump down up to 35 times, place one of the item's four gaskets over the business end, position that end in the drain, put most of my weight behind the handle and pull the trigger -- Ka-POW! Very satisfying.

It takes less than five minutes, not counting the prep: open a tap until a couple of inches of water are in the basin and pound rubber stoppers into the two circular overflow-drain outlets. Important: in bathroom sinks and tubs, the overflow drains have to be plugged first to ensure the blast doesn't spray backed-up water all over the bathroom. An extra pair of hands and/or lots of Gorilla Tape over the wadding are needed for non-circular overflow drains.

Unlike an auger, which I've had trouble getting to follow a 90-degree pipe-turn, there's no yucky clean-up of the tool afterwards or any need to get your hands into the backed-up water. The Zip-It drain cleaner is no doubt a cool tool in some situations, such as a clogged trap beneath a low-height sink, or perhaps a clogged bathtub or toilet trap. But it doesn't do as thorough a job in cleaning the trap, and it wouldn't clear a pipe that's up behind the wall. It's too short (less than 18 inches below the handle) to reach to the bottom of my unusually tall bathroom sink's trap. It's also too wide -- it barely fits through the four slots in the drain-guard of my kitchen sink. When I withdraw it, every barb catches on the slots' edges, which means that much of the gunk it snags falls back down the drain. I'm glad to have the Zip-It, and it does cost very little, but it's only a partial solution. When you have a stopped-up drain that seemingly only a pro could unclog, you need a Pressure Pump (or Air Pressure Drain Opener, more info below) - and again, its cost is modest in comparison to a pro model.

I have also tested the Drain King, a pulsing expanding-rubber-gasket drain unblocker. Its main defect is that the guard-fence beneath the drain inlet must be removed to thread it through, which is usually impossible, or a plug in the basement must be unscrewed, which dumps a pail full of nasty water into the pail you've thoughtfully placed beneath it (or not). You can get around this if the trap, etc. beneath the sink is removed -- but that's still a messy hassle -- and it doesn't always work. Further, if you have a larger pipe, an additional, wider-diameter Drain King must be bought to cope with it. Another drawback to the Drain King is that few apartment dwellers will have the garden hose and faucet fittings that are necessary to drive it. And even for those persons who live in a house, it's a pain running a hose in through a propped-open door--and it can be a bit messy.

That's why the blaster is so cool -- even though it's not a do-all product, it fills a crucial niche where other products work poorly or with difficulty.

The Kleer Drain is a better-publicized, award-winning home-style drain blaster sold at Home Depot, but it costs $30 (more than twice the Pressure Pump and a few bucks more than the Air Pressure Drain Opener). The Kleer Drain also requires carbon dioxide cartridges to power it, which might be impossible to obtain in a dire emergency situation (i.e. social collapse) and obviously it costs money to buy refills. The Kleer Drain does come with a "splash guard" -- a piece of plastic wrap with a hole in it - but with the Pressure Pump or Air Pressure Drain Opener one could easily make one, or just wrap a towel around the barrel. More important in reducing blowback is to put a lot of straight-down weight on the barrel before pulling the trigger.

There is no lettering on the Pressure Pump itself. There is an 8.5 x 11 sheet folded into a booklet format with humorously inept-English instructions. It says the manufacturer is "Yidatong Pumps." The title or brand name is "Dongsheng Drain Unblocker." No address or other info is provided. The only lettering on the plain white box is "Country of origin: China."

I recently learned that the stock is limited for the Pressure Pump, but I found a similar manual pump being sold as the Air Pressure Drain Opener that also comes with four gaskets.

-- Roger Knights

Pressure Pump
aka Air Pressure Drain Opener
$25
Available from Things You Never Knew Existed

[note: previously available from American Science & Surplus - sl]

I have been doing a lot of exploring and surveying in the desert recently, and have been trying to find the right GPS mapping solution. The solution I found incorporated stuff I already had (laptop and GPS) with the help of some excellent, nearly free software. The best part is that it works even better than the $900 in-car GPS solutions as it uses always up-to-date satellite data, and is easily sharable.

Basically you run Google Earth and use some great donation-ware to link it in real time to a GPS. This means that your mapping software and maps worldwide are not only free, but you also get hi-res satellite views and in some cases 3D buildings (in downtown areas). Only a year or so ago this would have cost tens of thousands of dollars in proprietary GPS mapping gear; it would be difficult to share it once done; each map and satellite shot would cost extra; and it would have been an ordeal to get it all loaded up and working properly for each area you wanted to go.

What you need... (my set up is listed below). To get started you need a computer that can run Google Earth and you need a GPS. If you want this setup to be mobile, it's of course best to use a laptop, and if you plan on using it as a primary navigation solution, I would suggest a tablet PC or UMPC with a daylight-readable screen. I use a hand-me-down Fujitsu Stylistic 5000 tablet PC that I keep in a "ruggedized," water-resistant case with drop protection by Otterbox. Tablet PCs and UMPCs are great for in car use as they have daylight readable screens, and their touch screen interface and form factor are easier to use in a vehicle. The Fujitsu ST 4000 and 5000 also happen to fit the Otterbox case for a very rugged combo.

To connect the GPS to Google Earth on a PC I recommend Goops (there are a couple other options out there like Earth Bridge, but I have not tested them yet). For Mac you will need GPS2geX).

The GPS I use is the tiny Globalsat BT 359, which has a very long battery life and works wirelessly by Bluetooth to my Mac, PC and even my Treo (there are also some GPS's that have data logging memory built in like the DG-100 and TrackStick, though I have not used these yet). This style of GPS is only meant to be used in conjunction with another device as it has no screen or memory.

So once you have a GPS and your laptop has the right software, you will need to pair your GPS to the laptop via Bluetooth and make sure it's recognized by Goops (or whichever linking software you are using). You are now able to track your real time position and history in Google Earth. Goops can even color code your track history based on your speed (red for fast; blue for slow), and give you speed and altitude data on the fly. You can also track multiple networked units as well. Below, the red, levitated track is a plane.

The trick here is that Google Earth DOES work even when disconnected from the Internet. You just need to be sure the cache is updated in the area you are going to (you can set your cache to 2 gigabytes in the preferences to maximize this). So before I go somewhere I just zoom in pretty close and "fly" over the area or route, and this loads all the hi-res satellite imagery into the cache for off-line viewing. This solution is WAY easier than buying map CD's and downloading them into a GPS, and satellite imagery is way more useful for navigation.

My favorite part of this is that you can save your track and share it with others via Google Earth. They can replay your track and even download it to their GPS (with the $20 Google Earth Pro upgrade) and follow your footsteps. The following is my set up, but as I mentioned above, you can mix and match based on what gear you may already have or prefer.

-- Alexander Rose

Goops
Free!
Available here

(note: for Mac you will need GPS2geX -- also free)

Google Earth
Free!
Available here

Here is the hardware:

Globalsat BT 359 Bluetooth GPS
$75
Available from Amazon

Or $160 from Semsons & Co., Inc.

Manufactured by Globalsat

OtterBox Tablet Case
$225
Available from PC Mall

Manufactured by OtterBox

Fujitsu Stylistic 5000 Tablet PC
$1600+ (depending on model/specs)
Manufactured by and available from Fujitsu

This tool came into my life years ago when preparing a campsite. While the rest of us were clearing the area with loppers and bow saws, one fellow was blazing past all of us with one of these -- and actually enjoying it! I borrowed his funny-looking axe and was impressed enough to get my own from Gemplers. It's sturdy (a hickory handle) and has a good feel when you swing it.

With loppers, you have to grab the branch and squeeze two handles. Using a saw takes even longer. Swinging an axe handle is much quicker, but a small axe doesn't extend your reach like the brush axe does. The handle is 20" long and the head is lightweight (it really feels as if you're swinging just an axe handle), so it's easier to swing and less awkward than a typical axe.

I also feel safer wielding the brush axe instead of a machete, because the area of the exposed blade is smaller. I haven't had to sharpen my blade yet, but I have removed it from the head to see how much trouble it would be. Once I figured to clamp the head in a vise and lever the handle to "pinch" the ends of the head closer to each other, the blade came right out. Assembly is just as easy, and I imagine the blade will be much easier to sharpen when it's free from the axe!

Whenever an ice storm fills my backyard full of tree limbs, I now reach for the clearing axe. Chainsawing through the big stuff isn't a problem, but getting to it can be tedious -- usually you have to chainsaw away the smaller stuff so you'll have enough room to work on the big stuff safely and easily. With this axe, that clearing work is now safer, often quicker, and certainly more enjoyable than maneuvering a chainsaw the whole time.

-- John Bodoni

Bahco Swedish Clearing Axe
$48
Available from Amazon

Also from B&T Grower Supply

Manufactured by Bahco

This soy-based, biodegradable stripper is not the cheapest stuff around, but it's easy to use and can be used indoors because it doesn't have the harsh fumes of typical strippers. When I first used it about five years ago, I was shocked. I used two gallons to strip an entire room: it went on like honey and smelled almost as good. Three hours later, almost all the paint came right off in one fell swoop. I've since used it on several pieces of wood furniture and a metal gate.

There are several citrus-based strippers out there that are cheaper, but they're just not very strong. SoyGel really is the most impressive eco-friendly stripper I've run across. I've been restoring and renovating old homes and furniture for over 25 years, and always used those harsh chemical paint strippers that are environmentally unsound. I'll NEVER go back.

One recommendation: if you use SoyGel outside, watch for breezes that dry the stripper out too quickly. If this occurs, just brush on some more. You need the moisture for it to work. That said, it takes ages for this stuff to dry out - and frequently you can also cover whatever piece of furniture you are working on with thick plastic sheeting to keep the stripper moist longer.

Franmar also makes a Mastic Remover that works like a champ, and a great Marine Paint Remover that I used to strip my boat (ever try to remove anti-foulingpaint?!).

-- Justin Anthony

SoyGel Paint & Urethane Remover/Stripper
$21
Available from Amazon (1 quart)

$65
Also available from Amazon (1 gallon)

Manufactured by Franmar Chemical

I found this incredibly loud whistle while putting together a disaster preparedness kit for my car. I did some non-scientific testing against my Fox 40 (rated 115 decibels) by having my son blow into each of them across a soccer field. The Storm (rated 118-120db) definitely sounded louder (decibels are based on a logarithmic scale with a base of 10, so the Storm's decibel intensity is almost 3 times the Fox 40). It is also advertised as working underwater (the chambers clear as you blow). I haven't tried it underwater yet, but regardless, this is the loudest whistle I have ever heard.

-- Mark Chow-Young

Storm Whistle
$6
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by All-Weather Safety Whistle Co.

I recently discovered a better-designed variation of the Thera-Cane that's perfect for loosening up tight back, neck and shoulder muscles. The Body Back Buddy has a total of 11 knobs (the Thera-Cane has just six), so you have more options for how to put it to good use. For instance, the two small knobs that are fairly close together are great for massaging both sides of the neck, essentially straddling the spinal cord.

I had never come across anything like this until my physical therapist showed me a picture of the Thera-cane. When I went to the store, I tried out both products and discovered that the Body Back really is an improved version. While it may look a bit unwieldy, I can attest to its effectiveness and ease of use. It has proven perfect for reaching my muscles without forcing me to become a contortionist (and maybe pulling some other muscles in the process). It's also good for massaging around the cervical spine, an area that tightens up on me regularly due to some mild spinal scoliosis.

-- Jojo

Body Back Buddy
$29
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Body Back Company

These bottles are a great solution for anyone looking to get away from plastic. In the last few years, studies have suggested that using plastic bottles may be harmful to your health. For instance, plastic bottles made of polycarbonate (#7 recycle code) contain a substance called bisphenol-A (BPA), which acts as an endocrine disrupter that mimics estrogen and has been linked to aneuploidy, adipogenesis, and other scary problems with funny names. Found in plastics with recycle codes 1-5, phthalates (the chemical that softens plastic) can be carcinogenic and act as endocrine disrupters, too. Even water standing at room temperature in a plastic bottle can leach phthalates from a bottle, not to mention a bottle that goes through temperature changes throughout a day.

Granted there's been great debate over all these studies and whether the levels of leached phthalates in the average plastic bottle are really high enough to merit health concerns. Either way, just think about the toxic byproducts of plastic production: dioxin (a carcinogen) and plastic waste. Enormous amounts of plastic waste from all those bottles that aren't recycled create equally enormous vortexes of plastic garbage in various oceans, where they wreak havoc on marine life. Moving away from plastic is healthier for the planet.

The Sigg bottles are just a tad heavier than their plastic counterparts. The water-based, polymer coating is taste-neutral and acid-resistant (think fruit juices), and guaranteed for the life of the bottle (5 years according to the manufacturer). They come in a variety of eye-catching designs and sizes. You can also purchase a variety of caps (i.e. the sport top) that increase the utility of the bottle for your specific needs.

-- Ari Cohn

Sigg Aluminum Water Bottles
$20+
(1.0 liter)
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Sigg

These ski boot clip-ons are much easier to walk in than your average solid, rigid plastic ski boot base. Each one weighs a pound, and they have a thick, semi-flexible layer of rubber that gives you traction much like a pair of hiking boots (they actually grip on snow and ice much better than my Sorrels). The sole also cushions your foot as you step down, and another bonus is that they protect your ski boots from wear.


They are a bit tricky to put on. You flip a lever to attach and remove them to your ski boots. I find the lever works fine for removal, but when it comes to attaching I can't always get it right. It's not a huge deal, but something to know. I considered wearing sneakers and stashing them somewhere or putting them in a pack, but the Walk-EZ are a better solution: they come with a neat wire combination lock. When I get to the slopes, I just fold 'em up, lock 'em to the ski racks at the resort and pick 'em up at the end of the day. Now that I've used these, I wouldn't walk up to the ski lift without them. I looked high and low for something I could use to walk the half mile from my house to the ski run and struck out until my local outdoor shop gave these to me to try out. They make it a much more comfortable journey, and I will absolutely buy a pair of my own when I give them back to my local store.

-- Carl Myhill

Walk-EZ Revolutions
$50
Available from 720 Sports (xx small only)*

Designed by RKS Design

*It's been brough to our attention that this product is no longer being manufactured and is, therefore, in limited supply. If you have used or know of any product that is similar, please let us know in the comments below or via the submit page -- Steven Leckart

I replaced my D battery Mag-Light with this small LED light that only needs AA batteries. I get whiter light, longer life, and more intensity. Tripod lights have always been great tools (I work at Amazon, so I see a lot of gear). The problem with the traditional ones is they get very hot, use lot of battery power, and burn out fast. Stanley's tripod light - the first LED version - takes all the advantages of LED and combines it with the convenience of a fold up stand.

I have already used it for a variety of household projects since I bought it last year. The best use has been to install dimmers. Usually I'd have to do this during the day or ask my wife to hold the flashlight. With the tripod light, I can now do it by myself at any time.

-- Jason Goldberger

Stanley Tripod Flashlight
$25
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Stanley

Tired of lint balls breeding on your clothes making you look like you have some fiber disease? This small pumice stone works much better than the electric fiber shavers I've used in the past. It's also about 2x3 inches, so it works quicker than any lint comb for covering larger surface areas. Lightly brush the stone over any problem areas and the stone's rough edges trim off the excess pilling and lint.

For me, after a couple months of use, the stone started crumbling around the edges leaving some small bits to clean up afterward. However, the amount of crumble is determined by how aggressive you are at de-linting -- and actually, the soft, porous nature of the stone helps you avoid damaging your clothing. If you snag the fabric, the part of the stone that's caught can give, instead of just continuing to tug on the garment. If you brush really fast you may also start to detect a sulfur-like smell, but it's very subtle and you may never even notice it -- especially if you aren't too aggressive. This is great for people who want to keep their sweaters, scarves or any clothing with pilling looking nice longer, but also those who want to cut back on dry cleaning.

-- Adrienne Rodriguez

Sweater Stone
$7
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Sweater Stone, Inc.

[Sweater Stone, Inc. offers "free" samples, meaning you pay $5 for shipping and handling to the U.S. ($7 non-U.S.). - sl]