The 2021 holiday is coming soon, and compared to 2020, it may provide something closer to "normal". But with the entanglement of the global supply chain, once the Black Friday food delivery frenzy begins, people cannot predict what gift purchases will look like. There is no news in Washington about the FAA’s special permit for the happy fat man in a red suit to carry out the annual route-if his cholesterol does not drop, he may need to issue a special medical certificate. In other words, compared to 2020, choosing and getting the right gift may be more challenging.
We don’t want you to use carefully packaged toilet paper rolls again (although I admit to thanking them last year), that’s why we brought back the TWZ holiday gift guide!
This year, our approach is slightly different. We brought in experts, polled our employees, and even asked readers for suggestions. Thanks for all the input! More than 200 messages and counts!
Our suggestions below range from simple and inexpensive to more complex and expensive, so you should be able to meet the needs of any military, aviation, or history enthusiast in your life, and then some. In fact, here are some products that we really like-there is no prerequisite to be bored with F-16 loading in your free time to enjoy them.
No matter what your needs are, our goal is to help you find things that at least satisfy some of the people on your list-maybe we can help special people find something special for you, regardless of your price range. We have provided as convenient links as possible. I need to point out that some links may bring a small commission for the company, but the only people who will receive anything in person for recommending the following items are readers whose suggestions we have included. They will get a gift code for TWZ equipment from our merchandise store. The rest are products that we have direct hands-on experience.
So, this gift guide really comes from the heart!
Speaking of holiday trophies, TWZ hats, shirts and hoodies are now on sale! Even better, starting today, until Monday, November 29, all products can enjoy a 20% discount. No code needed-the discount will be applied to your shopping cart!
When the airshow season arrives again, be sure to pose for a selfie in front of a cool airplane, wear TWZ gear, and post it in our comment section. If selfies are not your style, you can always sip victory from a TWZ coffee cup after posting the perfect gif in response to other people’s comments, or put stickers on your laptop case so people will know Start typing when you are dealing with someone. The prices of these two items are very suitable for storing stuffing and office gift exchange.
Now leave it to Taylor to choose.
The story of two (well, four) knives
I am a city person and cannot carry a full-size knife with me every day, but at the same time, I find that it is good to have the option of carrying some kind of blade. Like anything else, I found myself inclined to choose the lightest option possible, while realizing that one knife (or five knives!) could not do all of this at all.
So no, I would not call myself a tool expert, but I think this industry is very interesting. It's interesting to see what is new and how different manufacturers innovate in a space that dates back almost to the beginning of civilization.
This year, these are two knives I would definitely recommend, but the reasons are completely different. In fact, they represent two completely different ways to do something very similar-give their owner a three-inch blade to deal with any situation that may arise.
When it comes to daily carrying, the smallest weight for me is everything. I really do. I am willing to pay more for any significant reduction in weight and volume. And since I don’t like to carry normal-sized folders, because it is more in my pocket and there are too many knives to meet my needs, I found a solution that can provide everything I want, and at the same time Disappeared completely in my pocket. This is not a lightweight knife-I think it is a lightweight knife, only a few competitors are close.
SOG Ultra XR has the highest possible speed and low resistance. This innovative knife weighs just over an ounce, but it is equipped with a nearly three-inch S35VN steel blade. It has no metal backing. On the contrary, its extremely strong carbon fiber grip serves a dual purpose. It also has XR locking systems on many of the larger SOG tools, so you don't need to be stingy when it comes to what really matters. Basically, this thing-a mixture of steel, carbon fiber and titanium-has absolutely no weight where it is not needed.
Another thing I like is that it has no rivets, and it closes very tightly, so if you turn it around in your pocket, it won’t open accidentally. This is a huge advantage for me who is not a ninja, but some people really like the ease of one-handed opening provided by the stud. If I really need to open it with one hand, I can open it relatively easily, so this is not entirely impossible.
What you end up with is a lot of practicality. In fact, it feels stronger than it actually is, and there is no weight or volume loss. In fact, you may even forget that you are carrying it. And, honestly, you will not use your knife against dozens of mercenaries in Nakatomi Plaza. For almost all city applications, this thing is powerful enough.
The disadvantage is that this lightweight package is not cheap, the shipping cost is about $125, and it is not made in the United States, which is unfortunate. Nevertheless, it is indeed the best of its kind that I have found. For those who want the lightest, thinnest, and right-sized blade, this is it.
When I say thin, I mean thin!
Having said that, I will also take a look at Benchmade Mini Bugout, which is slightly heavier and larger. My Benchmade Nakamura Axis 484-1 is an incredible knife, but its weight is different from what we are talking about here, although it is still very light. Made in Oregon City, Oregon, all Benchmade items are of very high quality and are usually great. The cost of Mini Bugout is about the same as Ultra XR, about $120. Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.
Another runner-up is Spyderco Dragonfly 2, which weighs roughly the same as SOG Ultra XR, but has a smaller blade and uses a rear lock. I am not a fan of this knife. Nevertheless, the price-only about half of the cost of the above-mentioned alternatives-is indeed very attractive.
Bottom line: You can't go wrong with ultra-light EDC folders. But for the absolute lightest and thinnest product, while packing nearly 3 inches of blades, SOG Ultra XR won. It is available in gray or gold coating.
Starting from the cutting-edge technology of EDC tableware, I want to talk about the absolute classic gift, which is also a gift for relatives or myself. This is something you only need to buy once, because it will last longer than its owner, the Buck 112 Ranger from the company's custom store.
The standard Buck 112 Ranger is a good choice. Its cost is about half of the Custom Shop full treatment, but you only live once: be kind to yourself!
I just thought it would be fun to own a beautiful Buck Knife, so I learned what they offer, beyond my knowledge of their iconic brand. I quickly realized that they offer fully customizable options on some banner products, namely Buck 110 and its smaller cousin, Buck 112. Options include blade tip and material type, finish, handle material, grip material, finger groove or fingerless groove, etc. Then there is the engraving option, which is essential for heirloom products like this one. Another advantage of this route is that the knife was assembled by hand by one of the company's main knife manufacturers.
The most amazing thing in the whole process is how easy it is to configure the Buck Knife of my dreams, and-dare I say-how cheap it is.
The standard Buck 112 Ranger sells for about $60. With it, you will get classic wooden and brass handles and an absolutely tank-like construction quality, as well as its thick rear lock mechanism. This is an incredible value. Although most people may only want the original version, which is completely fine, as long as the price doubles, you can get Buck 112 in your own way, just as you dreamed.
This is exactly what I did. I like a little sparkle, so I chose blue wood inlays with polished nickel handles and rivets, polished blades, and some carved blue wood inlays. I also chose a tan leather sheath.
What happened a few weeks later far exceeded my expectations. The knife is absolutely beautiful. The fit and finish couldn't be better. Considering that the cost of this knife is lower than that of many production folding knives, this is a remarkable feat. It carries information from the person who assembled it, and it feels like an occasion when I open the box.
I really don't know what else to say. Buck Knives used the Custom Shop online configuration tool to hit it out of the damn park, and they did it at an inexplicably affordable price. It's not cheap, but it makes it a choice for almost everyone, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, backed by a company that religiously supports its products.
Man, does this look incredible? Not in the way of "I can never use this", but more in the way of "I can't wait to knock this thing up and give it some personality".
So, do yourself a favor and buy a classic Buck folder for someone you care about or treat yourself well. At the very least, everyone needs a good knife to complete the basic tasks around the house. Why not enjoy an icon?
You can't go wrong with the basic Buck 112 Ranger.
The custom store option is an upgrade for those who want to do it their way.
Final thoughts: Interestingly, Buck 112 and Ultra XR both offer approximately 3 inches of blades in the folding knife format, but the approach is completely different. Ultra XR is as thin and light as possible, while 112 Range has undergone a lot of over-engineering and weighs about five times that of Ultra XR.
With this in mind, it may be best to buy the best of both worlds at the same time!
When it comes to daily abuse that can last for years and years, while functioning and looking incredibly high-quality products, I can't recommend Persol sunglasses.
In short, I have never had a tone that is better structured or lasts for such a long time-both in terms of structure or simply not getting lost. Yes, my friends, I have overcome all difficulties, and I am happy to say that I have the same pair of PO2747s for 17 years!
Whether you are attending an air show, flying to an air show, or just going to drive on the weekend, these are the shades you have been looking for.
My Persol is everywhere with me. I have given up on them. Sit on them. Bump them into things. Throw them off my face. They have been in my pocket and center console for many years. A British WAH-64 Apache even bathed them with pebbles! But the most striking thing is that their appearance and fit are exactly the same as when I tried them on for the first time 20 years ago! Especially their polarized crystal lenses look brand new, which is almost a supernatural thing.
Unless you don't like their awesome classic look or their weight-these are not ultra-light plastic Oakleys-there are no better sunglasses to buy. I continue to put the PO3048S in my spin. It is lighter and not as polarized as the Po2747s, but they are equally good and may be more in line with most people's preferences.
Persol also offers some cool patterns and colors, but the brown tortoiseshell color is darker than shown in the photo and looks really good. You can't go wrong with classic black.
This is not cheap sunglasses. They are all handmade in Italy, but the money you get is a class in itself. As long as you are not a person who loses tone easily, they are a must. My absolute highest recommendation.
James Goodall has published another large-format book, and wow, this is an achievement. The 75 years of Lockheed Skunk Factory will take you through the entire history of the legendary "frontier" aerospace design team. Incredible selection of images and details are discussed for each major project.
For anyone's coffee table or aerospace book collection, this is really a great piece. It does show off the amazing achievements of the Skunk Works for most of a century. It is not cheap, but it is a real souvenir book with amazing elements.
This is a home run gift for any aerospace or military enthusiast.
You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to enjoy the rich collection of watches. Example: Xeric's Trappist-1 NASA edition.
I saw this great timepiece product from a small blog on a space website about the ongoing Kickstarter campaign. Themed watches are really hard to make-usually, they end up looking really tacky. But not in this case. The design is really eye-catching, not the way "I went to the Kennedy Space Center and I got this cheap gift shop watch to prove it".
I ordered the ISS version because it has an excellent retro aviation appearance and is completely different from any other product, but it was a difficult choice. After getting it, I was really amazed by its quality. As part of the Kickstarter campaign, I paid approximately $235 for this.
In fact, it has received a lot of great attention. People generally like space flight, so when they learn that it is a NASA brand watch, they want to know where to buy it. This especially happens in dark places, because the star field and the "orbit" pointer are really bright.
Brass Tax: This is a great gift that any space or aviation enthusiast will absolutely love, and it's really different.
They are available in multiple color configurations, but sports are the key price difference. Automatic (automatic winding) or quartz (battery-powered) is your choice. I chose quartz and I did not encounter any problems at all.
But yes, this thing brings a huge smile when the wrapping paper is torn off. In fact, this is not just an afterthought of some generic brands in department stores, it makes it even more special. It is indeed a talk film, but also a high-quality timepiece.
Now back to Brian to rank our remaining choices!
What kind of hot sauce you like or dislike will cause painful disagreements between your closest friends. When people are trying to grow the hottest peppers, just browsing today’s situation is akin to trying to track the development of the capsaicin arms race.
Although only a small company, Crum's and its Damn Good Sauces series provide a one-stop service for any calorie level your palette may require, from the cold sauce made with Carolina Reaper to extremely mild but delicious Cool Cucumber Jalapeno. Our executive editor Joe Trevithick is a personal fan of Hot Ta Molly sauce, it is more like a flavor enhancer, very mild, and you can definitely soak your favorite food in it.
Oh, and you might notice that the artwork on Crum's sauce bottles feature chili peppers with green berets, which is completely intentional. The owner, Chris Crum, is a veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces, and every time you buy a damn good sauce, the company will donate to the Green Beret Foundation.
If you have never read "So I Buy an Air Force" by WW Martin, now is the best time. This book is an absolutely unique autobiographical story about the author’s real effort to purchase various World War II aircraft from the Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza government in the 1960s, including P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts.
At the time, Somoza wanted to bring the Nicaraguan Air Force into the jet age, so it tried to unload its old aircraft, many of which could barely fly at best. Martin was unlucky at the time. A 34-year-old Chicago native decided to buy these aircraft and bring them back to the United States to resell them on the civilian market as fighters.
Needless to say, this is not easy. Martin expected the whole process to take six months, but it eventually kept him busy for two years. His book provides a very rich and colorful first-hand information on how he achieved all this.
This is Thomas’ best book recommendation of the year. Although this Vietnam War novel has been published for a while, it’s still worth reviewing — or reading it for the first time, if it’s over. This year we are back to our work on "Operation Wandering Souls," where the US military broadcasts weird sounds in the jungle to evoke the ghosts of local folklore and frighten the enemy.
These battlefield spirits became the soundtrack of "The Sorrow of War: North Vietnam Novels". Once the Americans leave the country, the protagonist Kien will help retrieve the remains of the fallen soldiers. In this process, he reflected on the cruelty of the conflict and the horror that followed, and the horror caused to Vietnam and a generation.
The author Bao Ninh draws on his own experience as a young soldier, and it is clear why this book has become a favorite among Vietnamese and American veterans. With its unwavering realism-drunkenness, depression, psychological harm-runs counter to the traditional narrative, this book also troubles the Hanoi regime. You may have seen Ning accepted an interview with Ken Burns's "Vietnam War" TV series, but he apparently never published a novel again.
This is certainly a shame, but if you just want to write a novel, then "Sorrow of War" is a great way.
Contributor Chris "Ox" Harmer is a former US Navy SH/MH-60 Seahawk pilot, somehow he spent most of his long career in flight. So when he talks about aviation, we listen.
The "whiz Wheel" E6B flight computer is a compact slide rule, and its role is far more than telling you how to calculate the yaw angle (although it can also do this). As a purely analog device, today's digital natives need some learning, but it does not require a battery, and it will not fail because someone cheats the GPS or you forget to charge it. Learning to master slide rules is not as difficult as you think. If you take the time to learn to fly, what you will learn is amazing.
However, if you really cannot meet the requirements of analog tools for your display of works, then the digital version also exists, just like this one from Sporty.
That's it for the mathematics of flight. No matter what software people want you to believe, flying an airplane is an emotional experience from the heart. It will affect your soul. Few authors can capture this like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Chris recommended Night Flight, and I had to enthusiastically agree. This 1931 book is a semi-autobiographical novel about the author’s experience flying a mail plane in South America in the 1920s. Even if it is translated from French, you can't help being moved by the works of Saint Exupéry.
Ernest K. Gann's "The Fate of the Hunter" is Gann's autobiography about his flying career, which is the same span as Saint Exupéry's flying career. (Although avoid watching this movie-the producer paid Gann for the title, but wrote a very different story.) Gann tells of his flying career, starting with a biplane in Long Island and ending with a jungle pilot in Alaska . It's full of incredible things-but it's true! — Adventure along the way, in the early days of passenger and mail services, including time as an air transport service pilot in World War II. The story of the lost and sometimes discovered comrades-in-arms will have a profound impact on you (if not as poetic as possible) like the night flight.
Finally, if you just want to find something for gift recipients obsessed with aviation, you should consider one of the corkscrews recommended by CODdude-there are many designs to choose from. SR-71 even uses titanium! In addition, they can be customized through engraving and so on.
The reviewer SilentH recommended this beauty product-KA-BAR Pizza Cutter. If the US Marine Corps trusts KA-BAR's combat knife, you can absolutely believe it can handle delicious cheese pie. Let us take a moment to thank KA-BAR, because I can only assume that it is the world's first tactical fork.
I added the pizza wheel to my personal wish list, but it also made me think. If you don't have pizza to cut, what's the point of a pizza cutter? Okay, okay, you can also cut pastry dough, pie crusts and other similar things, but work with me! Half of Americans appeared to be engaged in some form of bread making during the quarantine period, and at least half of them had tried pizza. My personal favorite style (which I started researching in 2019) is Detroit-style pizza.
To make the absolute best Detroit pizza, you need the best tools and ingredients. The Lloyd Pan made the best pan for it-this is one of my pizzas in the Lloyd Pan. Before you go, "There is no unit inquirer!" For me, the Alton Brown style 10" x 14" pan also makes great lasagna (the noodles are better than the standard 9" x 13" pan More suitable) and the Yorkshire pudding outside is very crispy. Lloyd Pans is made in the United States, in addition to pizza, it also offers a range of other high-quality products.
Brian's pizza, Lloyd's pan.
If you want authentic Detroit-style pizza, be sure to use Wisconsin brick cheese. I ordered mine from Shisler's Cheese House in Ohio. Don't worry about the "weight may vary" warning-they will cut your cheese according to your order.
And, yes, I know I said "cut your cheese". grow up.
It is rich and buttery, perfectly blended with super dark, super crisp, but surprisingly no burnt cheese crust, which is the hallmark of great Detroit pizza. (By the way, I like Kenji's recipe.)
Finally, if you are making or eating pizza, you need a drink. You don't want your beer or soda bottle to warm up before you finish drinking it. Commenter Tommygun1918 recommends this tactical koozie to help your drink "keep it cold".
In addition to those listed above, the reader has some other ideas.
For a good place to store stocking stuffing, readers Truthworldwide suggest that you might as well start with "tactical" stockings.
Edub52 is a fan of watches, and we know many of you are too. His budget is larger than mine, but it may not be yours! He wrote:
Navigation relies on accurate timing, as do "trivial" things like goal elimination (that's why I never get to anything sooner or later/- 2.5 minutes). Bremont and Martin-Baker have collaborated to provide pilots who use one of the Martin-Baker products (and talk about it on the spot) with a unique timepiece, the Bremont MBI. [If you are not a member of the Martin-Baker Tie Club, but you have cash,] You can get the commercial version of the Bremont MBI-the Bremont MBII pilot watch.
For more affordable military watches, there are Hamilton Field Watches and their 75-year history in the US military.
Then there is the watch that I issued during the navigation school-Casio G-SHOCK. It is worth noting that my G-SHOCK still runs on original batteries after 30 years!
Reader 1127fctwosw thinks that FixIt Sticks may just be something for your bike and gun lovers-and we are just guessing here, maybe even cross-country skiing, for that particular biathlon athlete in your life.
Finally, if you are one of the many people who can use more submarine warfare decorations in the office, then Graeme Rymill has satisfied you, this incredible little resin three-dimensional model depicting an explosion of a submarine.
The past two years have been stranger than most of the time. Some readers have asked our gift guide to take some time to encourage you not only to think about who you usually buy gifts for, but also those who really need it-this is a good suggestion. There is no doubt that you have local groups and organizations that you know and support, but we would like to recommend two (one of which is from a reader). Both organizations received 4 out of 4 stars from Charity Navigator.
In our comments, RCMS and Vipes recommended the establishment of the Fisher House Foundation, which supports a network of 91 facilities that can house veterans and their families while relatives are in hospitals and VA medical centers receive treatment.
We hope you consider supporting the Gary Sinise Foundation. The founder and actor of the same name, Gary Sinise, played the role of Lieutenant Dan, the commander of Lieutenant Forrest in the 1994 Oscar-winning film of the same name, which is unforgettable. In 2009, Sinise’s "Lieutenant Dan Band" held a charity concert to raise money for a seriously injured veteran. According to the organization’s website, a foundation to support veterans and the families of the wounded was born soon, according to the organization’s website. . Fast forward to today, and it is doing better than we can quantify.
Gary Sinise and Lt. Dan perform at a concert at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
You will help many valuable people.
At this point, our 2021 holiday gift guide is coming to an end. We wish you and your family a safe, healthy and happy season, and all the best in 2022.
Contact the compiler: Brian@thedrive.com.
Sign up for our newsletter
Send technology, performance and design to your inbox.
© Brookline Media Inc. All rights reserved.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that aims to provide us with a way to earn money by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.