Editor’s Note: As a collective, the Gear Patrol staff is a wealth of knowledge about products — everyone is an expert in his or her own right. Of course, every story we publish is a testament to that. In our personal lives, we pursue our product passion too. This series is our way of showcasing and sharing our insights on products we inpidually endorse and love and own. Our hope is that you enjoy it all – and perhaps discover something new as you meet our staff over the next few weeks.
I used to own a 2004 Volvo V70R wagon, a two-ton slab of Scandinavian metal with a bellowing five-cylinder turbo engine and four-piston Brembo brakes on all corners. It was uncommon to begin with, and even more rare with its three pedal arrangement. What does this say about me? It says I tend to gravitate towards things that are quirky, atypical, compelling and probably overpriced, but all rich with a kind of character that makes them special to me.
Kodak Portra 160 (120 Format)
Old faithful. Portra is readily available and is my choice for daylight film thanks to the magical way it renders skin tones, white balance and green hues. It’s very forgiving (it can easily be pushed or pulled) and it’s relatively cheap. Not that I’m shooting film to save money.
Pentax 67 Medium Format SLR
The Pentax 67 is an updated version of the 6×7, a medium format film camera designed in 1965. Weighing in at around five pounds, it’s a primitive, massive, yet reliable workhorse. Combined with the 105mm ƒ2.4 Takumar lens, it’s an unusual-looking contraption that somehow manages to capture breathtaking images.
Polo Ralph Lauren Black Watch Hunting Jacket
My go-to jacket — a tight fitting hunting jacket featuring a quilted Black Watch tartan. The best part is, I discovered this jacket on a discount rack in Georgia. Must have been too warm for the Georgian climate.
Machine Era Ti5 Slim Wallet
This lightweight titanium wallet is perfect for my daily carry. It never scuffs, and after a year of everyday use, it still looks brand new. My metro card slips in and out easily and, for when the occasion calls, there is a bottle opener built in.
Lofree Mechanical Keyboard
A minimal keyboard that’s inspired by old typewriters. It’s as cool looking as it is annoying to my coworkers, with its loud click-clack key action. (Sorry, guys.)
CRKT Ruger All-Cylinders
True, I mostly use it for opening Amazon Prime packages. This rugged Ruger knife was designed by CRKT and features a sharp serrated edge. It has a nice weight to it and I really enjoy the six-shooter cylinder inspiration for the pivot point.
Thursday Boots Captain (Natural)
My daily boots. They can take a beating, have developed a nice patina and are still going strong.
Other Half Brewing Teku
Other Half’s teku is my favorite glass to drink a brew out of. Some say the shape of the glass affects the flavor of the beer. All I know is that this glass is beautiful.
Rolex Submariner
My prized possession. This iconic Swiss diver was passed down to me from my father and rarely leaves my wrist. The 16610 Sub is the perfect size at 40mm and I’ve purposely dressed it down by ditching the metal bracelet for a black NATO. I hope to continue the legacy and pass it down one day, too.
The Grail
TVR Sagaris
A combination of famous British unreliability and poor build quality: the unmistakeable TVR Sagaris. Its fiberglass body weighs in at 2,376 pounds and is paired with a four-liter inline-six pushing over 400 horses to the rear wheels — and it’ll hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The Sagaris completely lacks driving aids and unimportant safety features like airbags — probably why this gorgeous deathtrap was never brought to America. What’s not to love?
All Our Staff Picks In One Place
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