Best Chef Knife in the World. Best Chef Knives

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Just like the brush in a painter’s hand that works like a magic wand wherefrom flows a masterpiece, a chef’s knife is what forms the foundation of the many a delicacy that can wow those who are fortunate enough to sample it! Amazon Image

The best chef knife in the world will perhaps be amongst the the ones designed and developed by one of the highest selling chef knife brands in the world, the Global Knives. Global is one of the most respected companies that manufacture world’s best chef knives, Global Knives have wowed many a chef for generations.

You will be surprised to know that each of the Global chef knives is hand crafted by supremely skilled craftsmen in Yoshikin’s factory in Niigata, Japan, maintaining standards that can’t be duplicated in places like China! Global promises and delivers to you the best chef knife in the world! Amazon Image

You just can’t go wrong if you opt for Global Chef Knives while making your selection for professional kitchen knives.  Over the past several years, Global Knives have been showered with much acclaim for the supreme quality of their chef knives and received a number of accolades and awards apart from heartiest appreciation from some of the finest chefs from around the globe for delivering to them the best chef knives in the world.

Global Knives are precise and thin and are made using better and harder steel that is also light in weight, ensuring minimum exhaustion even if used for a prolonged period of time. The best chef knife is the one that allows for thinner and much better cutting experience to the user and that’s what makes it eligible to be included amongst the best chef knives in the world!

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USB Flash Drive Lighter: Here’s an idea…

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The perfect gift for a burgeoning arsonist who likes to keep their data storage handy.

Oh great. Another USB combo device. Like the world needs more of those. Except this one is actually pretty cool. Some of our favorite products on this site are the combo items. Samurai sword mates with umbrella? Excellent! Jane Austen’s gentry class coupled with zombies? Sold! Brass knuckles on my coffee cup? Yes please!

And now you can add another one to the list — an 8GB USB flash drive hidden in a very fashionable lighter. The lighter features an embossed cow skull in a bronze finish and has an electric sparker for the lighter. The USB is retractable and can be slid out by thumbing a switch on the side. Light up or download, it’s your choice for $35. Here’s what Chinavasion has to say about it:

The CVSC-210 USB Flash Drive Lighter is built with a cast metal body having an embossed cowboy style longhorn skull and an antique bronze finish to give it that special look and feel. The embossing is quite impressive and the feel of the lighter is more impressive than anything you might get from Zippo. This looks like a classic lighter in every way, and makes a striking statement without giving away its secret USB inside!

A portable storage drive is as important as having keys these days, because you simply don’t know when you might need to take some documents with you from the office to home or take some extra large files like architectural plans from your home studio to your clients office. Now, you never have to worry about email attachments being too big, or how to get an FTP to work, because whenever you need to transfer large files you will have a huge 8 gigabytes of storage space to do it with!

Jolicloud Netbook OS: Here’s an idea…

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Make a netbook OS that’s not only cool to look at, but is much simpler to use.

Netbooks are no-nonsense internet surfing devices with limited storage and power. So why do they keep coming reinstalled with Windows? Wouldn’t it make sense to create a simple, gorgeous operating system that uses the concept of SaaS (software as a service) cloud computing?

That’s what the makers of Jolicloud thought. And that’s what the makers of Jolicloud created.

Jolicloud is an OS that uses SaaS cloud computing. The programs you use don’t actually exist on your netbook’s hard drive. They don’t take up space (or use limited space to save smaller pieces of code to connect to the “cloud”) and don’t clog up your system’s resources. It allows what small resources your computer has to do what it does best — upload and download from the internet using the Jolicloud OS.

How do I get Jolicloud?

Jolicloud is currently in a closed testing stage. You can’t simply download and install it — you have to sign up for a testing account and get approved. I had signed up a few weeks ago and was itching to get going. Thankfully my approval email came in first thing this morning.

How long does it take to install?

After I downloaded the 600MB ISO file it took me just about 45 minutes to create an USB key and install the OS on my Acer Aspire One netbook. Most of that time was the OS loading itself onto my netbook. There is very minimal setup required. All in all it was probably 15 minutes that I actually had to be involved in the process.

The Jolicloud application menu

Jolicloud impressions

First off Jolicloud is just plain pretty. It would be Homecoming Queen in OS High. It’s simple, clean and laid out intuitively. The home screen has all of your program groups on the left and all of your computer and network files on the right. In the middle is your selected program group (Favorites is the default). At the top left is your update indicator, WiFi indicator, CPU performance, Volume control and time (similar to how Windows has theirs in the bottom right).

When you sign in to Jolicloud you have a list of applications and programs that you can choose to install. They are grouped into accessories, development, education, games, graphics, internet, office and sound & video. Some stand out programs that are listed are Gmail, Skype, Twitter, Boxee, Facebook, Spotify, Pandora, Hulu and Open Office. All you have to do is click the install button below the program icon. To find out more info just click the icon and get a description. Also, don’t want a program anymore? Just click remove. These programs are then placed in your home screen directories.
Jolicloud’s integrated social notification screen

Jolicloud also integrates a social notifications into your OS. You’re able to friend and follow fellow Jolicloud users and see what they’re installing or updating. You can also join groups.

Everything about Jolicloud is bright, clean and simple. It’s an excellent system for people who want an easier netbook experience. You need no existing knowledge of OS systems to use it. I’ll finish off by saying this, which I think is the largest testiment to the Jolicloud OS — it made me dust off my Acer One and actually look forward to using it again.

Logictec iPhone Mic Recorder: Here’s an idea…

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Use your iPhone to launch your professional music career.

In a perfect storm guaranteed to get you your major record deal Logitec (note the absence of the “h”)has released the LIC-iREC03P just as the “I Am T-Pain” application (which autotunes your voice — boat not included) was released for the iPhone. If this isn’t a sign that you should redub all those songs you posted to your YouTube using these two things I don’t know what is.

Here’s what Red Ferret said about the device:

Logitec (not the mouse and keyboard people) make this Logitec LIC-iREC03P microphone recorder module that will turn your iPod Touch or iPhone into a music recording dream machine. Your iThingie must be running OS3.0 but it will records PCM WAV files so there’s no compression. The XY microphones aren’t adjustable however they do have adjustable automatic gain control and attenuation for any recordings you want to make in really, really loud places, wink wink.

Slip Grips: Here’s an idea…

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Help the weak handed get a grip.

About a year ago I started getting numbness in my dominant hand. After a few months the numbness became a noticeable weakness and I was having trouble using a pencil (which for a graphic designer isn’t the best think), mouse or even trying my shoelaces. After visiting the neurologist I was diagnosed with Ulnar Neurosis. My ulnar nerve was being pinched near my elbow and it delayed nerve impulses in my wrist and hand. With no nerve communication telling my muscles to move they had begun to atrophy at an alarming rate.

Now I’m not asking you to play a sad violin for me (because my hand is to weak to hold to bow. Thanks for reminding me Mister or Missus Cruel-Face), I just want to give you a real world example of why this Slip Grip is a darned good idea.

The grip, designed by Stanton Burns, may look like some odd cookie cutter found in your Grandmother’s kitchen drawer, but it can be a great help for those with little hand mobility. By slipping the grip over your thumb and first finger you can use the leverage between your hand and the grip to control pens, spatulas, tooth brushes and more. My case is far from the most severe, but it took me months of physical rehab just to be able to draw again. This Slip Grip can be a great tool for those with nerve damage or disabilities where recovery is not an option.

And by the look of it it couldn’t cost that much to produce. It’s a simple idea for a tool that could help a lot of people. Hopefully we’ll see it in production soon.

Recycled Beer Glasses: Here’s an idea…

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A new way to recycle… and charge a 1700% markup.

Companies are finding ways to recycle products every day. They turn old aircraft pieces into awesome looking furniture. People turn beds into flying devices that take them to underwater cartoon lands (wait, Bedknobs & Broomsticks isn’t real?! Curse your lies Angela Lansbury!).

However, few seem to be taking advantage of the “turn an old product into a new product” way of recycling like the people who run Green Glass Company (I would link to their site, but it seems to be down). They have a pretty genius concept — get glass beer bottles back from the people who drain it for them, slice off the bottle neck and then resell the glass cups to them at a higher price than when they actually had liquid in them. So far beer brands like Rolling Rock, Corona and Red Stripe seem to be the top sellers.

If you’re in marketing you probably just wet yourself.

This simple concept results in some great looking glass sets, but you’re going to pay a heavy price for all that world saving. They’re available for $34.00 per set of four or $9 a piece (tip: buying the set of four is cheaper). Taking a bottle that costs under fifty cents to make and selling it at 17 times the original cost? Priceless. Making that tired joke? An $800 fine.

Nature’s Chemistry Sink by Kohler: Here’s an idea…

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Design a sink so beautiful you won’t even want to brush your teeth over it.

We don’t talk about appliances or household fixtures very much, but occassionally one comes along and wows us. That’s what Kohler did with their new Lilies Lore Nature’s Chemistry bronze sink. Kohler is known for making some of the nicest bath and kitchen products on the market. However their new line of Nature’s Chemistry sinks have gone above and beyond expectations. The sinks range from bronze to glass to marble and come in a variety of styles and designs. Still, our favorite is the Victorian cast bronze lavatory with its nice balance of lily pattern and beautiful bronze finish and integrated drain.

Kohler describes the Lilies Lore sink:

Close up of Lilies Lore

The design and inspiration of the Lilies Lore cast bronze lavatory is derived from the rich and highly stylized motifs of Art Nouveau. Breathing new life into an old world material, this cast bronze lavatory takes on a modern shape through an organic and intricate pattern. The grid drain is integral to the lavatory surface, offering a seamless bowl and continuous pattern. Over time, the Lilies Lore lavatory will develop a slight patina

and transform into a warm brown finish.

* 17″L x 14″W
* Cast Bronze
* Without overflow
* Undercounter installation
* Living surface will develop a slight patina overtime

Beauty like this will set you back $1,700. It’s times like this we wish we ran a more successful blog site so we could afford such luxuries.

Steampunk Wacom Tablet: Here’s an idea…

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Design a steampunk graphics tablet fit for the queen herself.

Steampunk designers have brass balls. They also have brass gears, frames, dials, handles, knobs and all other manner of parts. Steampunk revolves around the concept of slapping brass on something, paint it up a bit and glue some gears on the outside. Well, at least bad steampunk does.

This steampunk tablet, however, not only looks phenomenal (biggest word I could think of), but it works too. It’s a double threat! Plus, it would go nicely with the steampunk keyboard — currently being used in Warehouse 13 on the Sci-Fi channel (and yes, I know they rebranded but I refuse to use their new, dumb name).

BestTabletReview.com had this to say about the Victorian era looking tablet:

The Steampunk Workshop has some wonderful pictures and description of a Wacom Graphire 3 tablet that’s been reverted to its original 1800’s specs. The tablet, put together by Dan (mysterious!), looks marvelous and is fully functional.

It all started as most great inventions do, by accident. After dropping the tablet and cracking the case, Dan decided to dress it up a bit in a steampunk motif. The result is draw-droppingly gorgeous.

Normally I would quote the source blog that has the full recap here, but I found the “draw-droppingly” pun unable to resist. A tip of the hat to BestTabletReview.com from one punnist to another. They also have a lot of great pictures that shows off the tablet’s beauty and functionality.

[Steampunk Workshop via BestTabletReview.com]

Kodak Zi8: Here’s an idea…

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Come out with what could potentially be the Flip Video slayer.

Kodak and I have a hate-hate relationship going back a few years. My first digital camera was a Kodak and boy did it suck hard. Nearly everything about it screamed “let’s get this P.O.S. out in the market to dupe new adopters into buying our crap!” Needless to say I’ve been suspicious of Kodak products ever since and I’ve found few reasons to ever revise my opinion.

That may all change in September. Kodak announced today that they’re coming out with a new HD pocket video camera that will pack one hell of a punch. It will shoot 1080p, have electronic image stabilization, capture to SD/SDHC cards, have an external mic jack and even a USB flip out arm similar to its competitor — the Flip series. And in what may be the K.O. blow to Flip, it will retail for $180.

Here’s the full spec sheet from Kodak’s press release:

The slim and stylish KODAK Zi8 Pocket Video Camera is designed to meet these needs at the touch of a button — no lens cap, dials to turn or settings to adjust. The new camera’s range of advanced features includes:
• Full HD 1080p video capture wherever you go;
• Built-in electronic image stabilization for sharper videos and reduced blurring;
• Vivid 2.5″ color LCD;
• Flexible swing-out USB arm for fast uploading, sharing, and charging;
• 5 MP 16:9 widescreen HD still pictures;
• Easy upload to Facebook and YouTube;
• Compatible with PC and Mac operating systems;
• Record up to 10 hours of HD video* with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot that can hold up to 32 GB;
• Capture family and friends in their best light with smart face tracking technology;
• See more details and accurate colors in low light;
• External microphone jack;
• In-box HDMI cable;
• Record from a distance or playback on your TV conveniently with optional KODAK Pocket Video remote control;
• Grab attention and define your style with the ultra compact design, stunning looks, and a range of colors.

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Flip brand. I have two Flip Mino HDs and use them constantly. However, there are two things I dislike about them. The first is the biggie — no image stabilization. This downgrades the Flip from something I could shoot and edit great web videos with to something I can only use for home and personal videos. I’ve tried many times to sync footage shot with my Flip with footage shot from a Sony 1080i HDV DVCAM and there’s just no way to ignore the extreme shakiness inherent in the Flip’s footage. Secondly, I have a minor quibble with the storage ability. While I recognize it was a conscious decision by Flip to only allow an hour of recording, sometimes it becomes a large boon. I have to take my laptop along on multi-day shoots or vacations just due to the necessity of exporting footage. I love the Flip Mino for being compact and no-nonsense and that works for a tons of people. It’s just that

sometimes that doesn’t work for me.

In addition I see Flip taking steps backwards when they should be moving forwards. Why aren’t they the next to announce an affordable 1080p pocket cam instead of Kodak? Why did they spend time and effort to update their already outdated Ultra series to make it marginally better than their Mino line? It’s like Ford spending time and energy to revive their Pinto model as a new luxury sedan.

So now I await September with eager apprehension. Will Kodak deliver with their Zi8 and usurp Flip as the king of the pocket camcorder hill or will it disappoint once again leaving the field wide for new challengers? Personally, I just hope to get a great new pocket cam out of the deal.

Door Hand-le: Here’s an idea…

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Open this door with a friendly shake instead of a simple twist or pull.

If there’s one thing that door handles need it’s more manners. Most are just so full of themselves and sit there waiting to be used. Or they’re so rigid and stiff that they’re uninviting. Well it’s time to meet the friendliest door knob of them all — the Door Hand-le designed by Naomi Thellier de Poncheville.

Handshakes were all the rage back when people used to be civil. Now they’re either to rude to shake your hand or are worried about germs. In fact, the common greeting seems to be followed by an immediate dousing of Purell now-a-days. Still, there’s no excuse for good manners and this door knob certainly has it… if you’re a righty. If you’re a lefty I imagine you feel this knob is discriminating against you. Well just hush it lefty! You’re going to die an average of eight years earlier anyway so if you’re angry at anyone it should be life.

This excellent knob was designed for the London Design Festival and, according to the designer, is being produced by Polls Potten into a solid aluminum handle. No word on price or availability at this time.