How to Build Sturdy Basement Shelves
June 30, 2009
Welcome back! Enjoy your stay, and don't forget to man up!
Editor’s Note: Every now and then, we feature an excellent blog post that was originally posted in The Art of Manliness Community by a community member. Today we’re featuring an article from one of our most prolific community members, Will. Thanks for the great write up, Will!
If you’re thinking about learning a handy skill, making bookshelves as one of the most practical and satisfying to tackle. Every man has a desire to make some furniture that will be used in his home day after day. And bookshelves are a great introduction to this craft.
I recently undertook a project to build cheap, sturdy bookshelves that would not fall over, and decided to write-up the results. I am not an expert; don’t sue me if yours do fall over. But I’m not worried about mine. (I did take the precaution of putting very heavy stuff on the bottom shelf. Nothing will save a top-heavy structure from falling over — nothing but an L-bracket, anyway, and I don’t think I need one.)
These instructions show you how to make a 5-shelf set, 8 feet wide and 2 feet deep.
7 Basic Knots Every Man Should Know
June 24, 2009
For centuries, knotsmanship has been passed from down generation to generation. It’s an essential skill whether a man desires to hit the high seas or a scale a high mountain. Heck, knots come in handy when you’re just working around the house. Unfortunately, many men don’t know how to tie a proper knot. When they do have to tie something, they make random loops and passes until they have something that sort of looks like a knot, but isn’t as secure as one. So today we’re going to look at the art of knot tying.
Below we’ve made a series of videos on seven basic knots every man should know. Enjoy.
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An Introduction to the Art of Gambling
June 19, 2009
Editor’s note: Christatos Aristad is a recently retired professional gambler. He has most graciously volunteered to write a series of posts for AoM on the ins and out of gambling in general and the basics of various games for the education and enjoyment of those AoM readers who are interested in this subject.
Gambling is probably a different thing to everyone who takes the time to form an opinion on the matter. Job, diversion, hobby, glamorous lifestyle, addiction, sin, vampyric drain on the economy and the body politic, half hearted restitution to the indigenous population of a wealthy country, mob business, diversion of royalty and the wealthy, social occasion, or legitimate business. What you, the reader thinks, I do not know. What I do know is this. As a man, gambling, the skill, the art, the technique, the manners and the etiquette, are not just a way of making money, but an effective tool for building your social, political and business circle, as well as mingling with the highest echelons of society in a manner that will display your class and dignity. But how can you learn this lost art when every book on the subject today is written to teach you how to make money, or in such a way that no one who isn’t already in these circles could possibly ascend to them? There is no simple answer, and in truth, there is no guide. To rise up through gambling is one part training, and five parts nature, but that one part can be possessed by the soul of brevity, so without further ado, allow me to present the first part of a series of articles on the heart of gambling, the purpose of which is to separate the wheat from the chaff, and the shark from the gentleman.
Gear Up: A Man’s Guide to Camping
June 2, 2009
Editor’s Note: On Tuesdays, we’ll be featuring an excellent article or video that was originally posted in the Art of Manliness Community by a community member. Today we’ve selected a post from Michael Halbrook.
Summer is finally upon us, and that means a few solid months of baseball, BBQ, swimming, and camping trips. Nothing says “summer” quite like sitting around a campfire with friends, heading back to the tent and finishing a good book, and cooking your own meals over a camp stove.
This year, I plan to take my oldest son camping for his first time, and I knew that my usual suitcase of rations for my business travel wasn’t going to cut it. So I pulled out the old Boy Scout Handbook and jotted notes from the “What to take Camping” page. Luckily, some friends had made me proud with wedding gifts from the “camping and outdoor” section of our wedding registry, so I didn’t have to look far to load up the bags.
Before you head out for the summer nights under the stars, consider the gear and be certain to “Be Prepared.” What should you ensure is in the trunk?
No list is going to be perfect or complete for every situation. Your needs will vary, depending on how many days you’ll be away, who’s going with you, or where you’re heading. Assuming that it’s just you and one or two other people heading out for a night or two, here’s a primer to help you gear up for the excursion.
5 Classic Cocktails Every Man Should Know
June 1, 2009
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Mike Hagan, a bartender and a recent feature in our So You Want My Job Series.
There’s been a trend lately to get back to the old way of doing things, especially when it comes to things we ingest. People are eating organic produce, for example, and some are going as far as planting their own gardens. Many chefs are serving old-world comfort food right next to their innovative dishes. This trend has also entered the world of libations. Drink menus around the country are starting to have more of the old classics included on them. Many mixologists are using these cocktails as starting points for newer versions that take advantage of the plethora of products out there today. Recipe books from classic bars such as the Old Waldorf-Astoria, The Savoy, and the Stork Club are available in reprint editions for the new generation to use. And who can forget Old Mr. Boston? They’ve been printings those books since 1935 and still do to this day.
But you don’t need a recipe book to get started mixing up some of the classic cocktails men have been drinking for decades (and in some cases, more than a century). Here’s how to create the 5 classic cocktails every man should know.
Let’s make some drinks!
Make Your Yard Look Like Wrigley Field
May 25, 2009
Image by Rusty Z3
One of the prettiest sites to behold is the lush, green, manicured grass of a professional baseball field. It’s amazing to see how everyday grass can be turned into a canvas of geometrical lines and shapes. Many a man has lusted after creating the same “striped” look in their own yard. In today’s post, we’ll show you how to turn the dream of making your yard into a Wrigley Field look-a-like a reality.
The Art of Summer Grilling
May 18, 2009
Editor’s Note: On Tuesdays, we’ll be featuring an excellent article or video that was originally posted in the Art of Manliness Community by a community member. Today we’ve selected a post from Jared Padgett. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, many a man will be firing up his grill and cooking all manner of meaty deliciousness. Here Jared shares some tips on to grill with the trusty briquette.
When it comes to grilling, you will probably hear different recommendations from each person you talk to. Some will tell you to use a gas grill only; others will tell you that the briquette is the only way to go. Some grill with wood chips; others use smokers. One thing we tend to agree on though, is that fire makes a piece of meat taste so much better than an oven or microwave can.
Grilling takes a lot of finesse. You usually won’t get it right the first time you try. It is a process, one you will always be trying to perfect. Two main types comprise the “right way” of grilling. Charcoal (bricks or briquettes) and wood (hickory or other choice wood). I am not covering gas grilling, as I am of the school of thought that frowns upon gas grills. I am most experienced with briquettes, so this will be the method discussed here. Below are some tips on how to use briquettes and on grilling artistry in general.
10 Basics Every Man Should Have in His Fishing Tackle Box
May 14, 2009
Summer is almost here and that means it’s fishing time. Fishing is a fantastic, manly pastime. It’s a great way to relax and catch up with old buds or quiet your mind after a rough week of work. But before you head out to the old fishing hole, you need to have a well stocked fishing tackle box. Like the contents of a man’s tool box , the contents of a man’s tackle box often comes down to personal preference. The contents will also change depending on the type of fish you’re angling to catch. But every fishing tackle box should have a few basic items. I went to the Bass Pro Shop in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to ask a few old timers for their opinion on what they thought should be in every man’s tackle box.
The following are the 10 things we came up with that every man’s fishing tackle box should contain:
Let’s Make a Deal: Haggling Abroad
May 13, 2009
With summer traveling season just around the corner, the fortunate among us will be setting off for faraway lands in search of adventures of every sort. If your travel plans for the near future include stops in cities or towns known for their street markets, or if you plan on doing any souvenir shopping while abroad, you need to know how to get the most bang for your buck. Learning how to properly negotiate prices, especially in a street market setting, will save you some of those precious funds and provide an interesting cultural experience at the same time.
Here are some tips for making the most out of your street market experience:
How to Make the Perfect Martini
May 4, 2009
Editor’s Note: On Tuesdays, we’;l be featuring an excellent article or video that was originally posted in the Art of Manliness Community by a community member. Today we’ve selected a post from Mr. Cook about how to make the perfect martini. Put on something from the Rat Pack and follow his instructions.
Twas a woman who drove me to drink, and I never had the courtesy to thank her for it.
– W.C. Fields
It’s an argument that has plagued modern man since the dawn of time. Well, since the early fifties, at least. Just how does one make the “perfect martini?” If you ask ten different martini drinkers, my bet is you’ll get ten different answers. Most will be crap. Gentle readers, I intend to put this query to bed, once and for all. The following is the only way to make the perfect martini. Read it. Memorize it. Become one with it. For this, indeed, is the ultimate guide to the good life.
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How to Make a Moleskine PDA
April 27, 2009
Image by Starbuck Guy
Editor’s Note: On Tuesdays, we’ll be featuring an excellent article or video that was originally posted in the Art of Manliness Community by a community member. Today we’ve selected a post from Stephen Young about pocket notebooks that makes a great companion to the “What’s in Your Pocket Giveaway” we have going on right now. I’ve tried a couple of different PDA’s but nothing has worked as well for me as the pen and paper model. I carry a moleksine around with me wherever I go, and you should too. You never know when you’re going to get an idea or remember something you need to do, and you can write down these insights as soon as they burst upon your brain.
Of all the tools in your arsenal, without a doubt the most important is your pocket notebook. Notebooks are the obvious precursor to PDA’s and computers, and still have the upper hand on these gadgets in that they are quickly accessible, absolutely customizable and completely unique. No other technology will allow you to easily compile lists, sketches, calendars, notes, plans, links – exactly the way you want them.
How to Break in a Baseball Glove
April 19, 2009
Baseball season is starting up, and it’s time to get your gear ready for the beer league softball team. One of my fondest memories growing up was getting a new baseball glove and breaking it in. I remember my dad letting me in on all his tips and tricks on how to get a nice, broken in glove that would make Willie Mayes jealous. There are nearly as many ways to break in a glove as there are men who have played the game. Every player has their own ritual, one they’ll staunchly defend as the best and only way to break in a mitt.
With that in mind, I’ve included several tips and suggestions on how to break in a baseball glove that I’ve seen and heard throughout my baseball playing years. Try them out and find the one that makes your glove feel just right on your hand, with a pocket that seems to magnetically attract the ball.
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The Art of Letter Writing
April 16, 2009
In the days of cell phones, email, and text messages, letter writing can seem hopelessly outdated. But it’s an art worth bringing back, and not because of some misplaced sense of nostalgia either. The writing and reception of letters will always offer an experience that modern technology cannot touch. Twitter is effective for broadcasting what you’re eating for lunch, and email is fantastic for quick exchanges on the most pertinent pieces of information. But when it comes to sharing one’s true thoughts, sincere sympathies, ardent love, and deepest gratitude, words traveling along an invisible superhighway will never suffice. Why?
Because sending a letter is the next best thing to showing up personally at someone’s door. Ink from your pen touches the stationary, your fingers touch the paper, your saliva seals the envelope. Something tangible from your world travels through machines and hands, and deposits itself in another’s mailbox. Your letter is then carried inside as an invited guest. The paper that was sitting on your desk, now sits on another’s. The recipient handles the paper that you handled. Letters create a connection that modern, impersonal forms of communication will never approach.
The Art of Manliness Guide to Scotch Whisky
April 5, 2009
“The proper drinking of Scotch whisky is more than indulgence: it is a toast to civilization, a tribute to the continuity of culture, a manifesto of man’s determination to use the resources of nature to refresh mind and body and enjoy to the full the senses with which he has been endowed.” – David Daiches
No other spirit has been associated with manhood like scotch whisky. Whether it’s the hooking punch in the mouth or just the raw and earthy process by which it is brought forth from barley and water, scotch has held a prominent place in the lives of men from kings to authors to titans of industry. What separates scotch from its alcoholic counterparts is not just its unique background (to be labeled scotch, a whisky must be distilled and initially matured in Scotland), but the commonalities shared by the men who partake in its liquid mysteries.
The man who drinks scotch is one who lives life to the hilt, savoring new challenges and discoveries on a daily basis. He doesn’t settle and he doesn’t drink something just because it’s there. Few men drink scotch to get drunk. First off, it’s too expensive, the cheapest bottles of single malt costing around $40. But secondly, and much more importantly, each bottle of scotch contains so much history, tradition and attention to detail that the men who drink it are not just downing a beverage, but participating in a celebration of artisanship and the deep pleasures of life.
Becoming a scotch drinker takes a little work and a bit of tongue maturity. The young man that saddles up for his first bout with the historic elixir is often taken back by its overt potency. But upon returning a second and third time, he slowly begins to get a sense of what makes scotch so alluring and enjoyable. In developing a taste for scotch, a man is embarking on a lifelong journey that will take him along the clear waters of the River Spey, the rugged Highlands, the Isle of Jura which George Orwell described as “an extremely unget-at-able place,” and various other parts of Scotland where distillers like to say “it’s as good as life used to be.”
Therefore, to truly appreciate a good scotch, a man must have an understanding of its rich history and the process that transforms ordinary barley into an extraordinary drink.
With this idea in mind the Art of Manliness ventures into the world of scotch, not because we believe you must drink alcohol in order to be a man, but because if you choose to do so, it should be in the tradition of gentlemen, with a clear conscious and a full heart.
How to Buy Your First Motorcycle
March 29, 2009
This is a guest post from Chris Hunter. Mr. Hunter is the Editor of www.bikeexif.com: A daily dose of the coolest motorcycles: new and classic cafe racers, customs, production motorbikes, racing motorbikes, and design icons. Subscribe to his site to get your daily dose of two-wheeled manliness.
Motorcycles are one of the pinnacles of manliness. They’re up there with Islay single malt, grass-fed sirloin, and Creed’s Green Irish Tweed aftershave.
Why? Because unlike automobiles, they offer a visceral experience: one that requires skill, mental engagement and risk management. On a motorcycle, you can’t sip coffee, fiddle with your phone, or daydream the minutes away. Your senses are on red alert, and your life depends on two tiny patches of rubber connecting you to the road.
Many guys we look up to are intrinsically associated with two wheels. Steve McQueen was renowned for his love of bikes: he was a successful off-road racer, and by the late 70s, his motorcycle collection included well over 100 machines. Marlon Brando rode his own Triumph in The Wild Ones. Even “Che” Guevara de la Serna was known for his Norton.
Maybe these guys suspected what we’ve just found out: riding a motorcycle makes you smarter, because it taxes your brain. (This has been proved by a scientific study from Tohoku University in Japan.) Or maybe they just rode for the balls-out fun of it.
So let’s assume that you’ve passed your test without too much trouble, and you’ve got the co-ordination, balance and presence of mind to ride a two-wheeler.
The cash is now burning a hole in the pocket of your leathers, and you’re doing the rounds of the dealerships on a Saturday morning, looking for a road bike. This is what you need to know.
