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I carry a roll of the Velcro Plant Ties (see right) in my tool bag, but also keep One-Wrap Velcro strips in the shop. While they’re much more expensive, I’ve found the larger kind to be substantially bulkier and stronger. Here in Toronto, we have alternating weekly garbage, recycling, and green waste pickup. We also have rapacious raccoons. I found if I add a simple loop of One-Wrap, screw it into the side of the green bin and loop it over the locking bail of the bin, the raccoons cannot open it. I first tried Plant Ties. They just wouldn’t hold. For my purposes, a One-Wrap is good for about a year, after which it is easily replaced. It’s available in various colors and sizes. The lower-end of the One-Wrap line is a similar size to the Plant Ties, which are 13 mm wide; however, the One-Wrap also come as large as 22mm. It has deeper loop Velcro (thicker and fuzzier), and as the width of the tape increases, the size of the loops and their grip strength increases. Plant Ties really are great for handling all kinds of tasks, but One-Wrap is strong enough to bundle thicker rope, heavier hoses, and most importantly for me, they keep raccoons out of the recycling. – David Keldsen
To me, as a commuter, one of the most impressive parts of the EZ Pass toll-paying system is the hardcore industrial “velcro” tape they give you to attach your transponder to your windshield. It’s not really velcro, though – instead of hooks and loops, both surfaces have these tiny hard plastic mushroom-shaped things that grab each other by the hundreds and don’t let go. Both sides are the same, so there is only one tape (called selfmating). And unlike the loosy-fabricky velcro connection, the Dual Lock surfaces don’t join until you’ve positioned them exactly, and then pressed them together with a satisfying “chunk.” They’re primarily used in industrial applications as a replacement for mechanical fasteners, but I use mine to attach my iPod to my dashboard, and tools to the wall in my workshop. – S.S. Flanders
Parachute cord isn’t only light and strong (550lb. rating) for its size (5/32” diameter), it’s also more versatile than other types of rope because it can be dissected and parted out, cut and used for its braided nylon sleeve and/or seven separate core strands.
You can get an enhanced grip and a little added padding by using paracord to wrap tool handles. It’s also used for making lanyards. I recently inserted a length of ball chain into a parachute cord sleeve to make a hands-free flashlight for late-night dog walks. The nylon is a lot more comfortable around my neck than a ball chain, and the fit is perfect. – Spencer Starr
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A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful. We post things we like and ignore the rest. Suggestions for tools much better than what is recommended here are always wanted.
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I'm an Art Director and Stylist with a special penchant for seeking out the greater things in life. In my spare time I love seeing art, traveling, eating and spending time with my toddler in San Francisco. My Substack, Sam's Seven, is where I list the 7 things that I’m eyeing, buying, reading and watching. — Sam Kidd Shelton
PHYSICAL
Heath Bud Vase. Dahlias are some of my favorite flowers and since they’re now in season I’ve been utilizing various Heath vases to display them around my house. I’m partial to their bud vases - they come in a myriad of colors, not outrageously expensive, the perfect little vessel for 1-2 buds. They make for special gifts and brighten up any space.
Flatiron Pepper Co. These red pepper flakes from Flatiron Pepper Co are exponentially better than anything I’ve ever bought from a specialty store and jazz up pizza, fish (love it on salmon), you name it. The standard Four Pepper Blend and Kimsa Q’uni have been personal favorites.
Ossa iPhone Case + Wristlet. After accidentally flinging my phone outside of a safari jeep in the middle of the Masaai Mara, I broke down and bought one of these Ossa wristlet cases in an attempt to keep a better hold on my belongings and it's been a game changer. I have a propensity for getting my phone lost in-between car and airplane seats, and this strap has helped tremendously - it also makes it easier to fish out of an oversized handbag.
DIGITAL
Chimp Crazy on HBO Max is utterly nuts. For fans of “Tiger King” or “The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia”, there’s a new only in America docuseries that’ll blow your mind. “Chimp Crazy” dives into the wild, salacious and dangerous world of people who have chimpanzees as pets. The main figure describes herself as “the Dolly Parton of the chimps” and is quite the character…let’s just say I was rapt and wished I didn’t have to wait another week to watch more.
Art But Make It Sports. I discovered the social media account, ArtButMakeItSports, thanks to the NYTimes and it absolutely cracks me up. LJ Rader has been running it since 2015 cleverly pairing photos from professional sporting events with art historical works. If you don't already follow, it’s brilliant!
INVISIBLE
Having a toddler the expression "everything is a phase" gets thrown around a lot and I think it applies to more than just parenthood. As I get older, I realize there are phases or chapters of life — careers, friends, homes, child rearing, you name it. Instead of being overwhelmed by what's next, I put blinders on and lean into the now. The toddler tantrums may be exhausting, but they'll eventually run their course and it'll be onto the next challenge. Your career may feel stagnant or not enough, but it doesn't mean what you're doing now is what you'll be doing forever. It's all a phase, so try your best to enjoy the good bits.
