21/03/2020
A couple of years back I gave my wife two pairs of beautiful Heschung split-tie leather shoes and a pair of Gingko boots. The boots are burgundy leather with a lighter colour canvas shank, the shoes a rather spiffy if vivid, deep pink. Over time I noticed that the boots were seeing a lot of use, but the shoes were…
25/01/2020
Welcome to the anniversary 21st instalment of the “Garmsman Dozen” question and answer session. Did you miss earlier ones? There are links at the end of the page. This week we extend a warm welcome to John B from the UK/USA! Who are you, where do you live and what interests you? John B, Brooklyn, 50 Instagram: johnbbrooklyn I grew…
19/01/2020
In the world of tech fabrics, waxed cotton is the old curmudgeon sitting in the corner eyeing up the newcomers with a sceptical look of disdain. Waxed cotton has been around for ages, from the early use of improving the wind-retaining use as sails, to water-repellent outerwear. As these things go, it’s pretty environmentally friendly as well, there are no…
03/01/2020
I very often get quite amazingly great ideas, absolutely world-class, game-changing ideas. Especially when I’m out walking, or trying to fall asleep (these two seldom occur at the same time), and naturally after figuratively slapping my own back in exultation, I think that I’ll put this in my mental bank of great ideas that should be worked on more. This…
20/10/2019
If you’re a wearer of spectacles, you’ll relate to the problems of choosing eyewear that suit you. Apparently there is a science to this, as at least one of my local opticians offers the services of their qualified eyewear stylists. In my experience, it’s more a case of starting at one end of the always immense selection and then working…
20/10/2019
I don’t know how many of you are avid readers of crime fiction, or viewers of crime drama, but if I say JK Rowling I’m sure some of you will make the association with her alter ego “Robert Galbraith” and the currently three-part series about Cormoran Strike. The books are passable crime fiction about the private detective Cormoran Strike and…
01/09/2019
Welcome to the anniversary 20th instalment of the “Garmsman Dozen” question and answer session. Did you miss earlier ones? There are links at the end of the page. This week we extend a warm welcome to Garmsman Bryan Shettig (Aka The Rite Stuff) from the USA/Taiwan! Bio: My name is Bryan Shettig, I’m 34 years old, my Instagram handles…
20/07/2019
It’s getting on for 7 years, but in that time I’ve published close to 600 articles here on the blog. Some get a lot of reads, others not so many. As a service to my regular followers that may be stuck for something to while away the Summer days, I’ve assembled two lists of suggested reading material. One covers the…
14/07/2019
There is something about the simplicity and honesty of an old army tent that really gets my creative juices flowing. It’s a 3-pack really, a diamond-shaped shelter fabric, two short tent-poles and some pegs. Not that I’ve found an actual use for the wood poles and metal pegs yet, though at some point they’ll no doubt find some use. The…
12/07/2019
The topic of sustainability is constantly evolving, with both consumers and makers getting involved to a greater or lesser degree. Hence, I wanted to do a followup piece with some new ideas and information. It’s very easy to become confused or swayed when reading or listening to pundits or companies go on about the ethical and environmental aspects of the…