Archive for the ‘business’ Category

Buying American In the Mass Market, Part Two

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

Back in May when I posted Part One of this series, I didn’t imagine waiting until August to do Part Two. Truth is, though, that it’s hard to find good examples of everyday (mass market) goods made in the US. They’re out there, sure, but too often you’ve got to dig. All the more reason to keep these companies in the back of your mind and kick them a few bucks when buying time comes.

1. Maglite flashlights

These things are so ubiquitous, and so generally acknowledged as a quality item, that it’s easy to forget (or never have known) that they’re still made right here in the US. Indeed, the company has a strong commitment to US manufacturing, which you can read about here.

Anyone who’s ever owned a Maglite, as I have, can tell you that they offer a great mix of quality and value.

2. Weber Grills

Summer’s almost over, sure, but cookout weather will linger for at least a couple more months. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and get a Weber. Preferably the iconic kettle grill. Still made here, still awesome.

And remember: charcoal > gas.

3. KitchenAid Stand Mixer

This one was a surprise to me, but according to moneywatch.com the classic KitchenAid Stand Mixer is, indeed, US-made. I can’t vouch for this one personally but I do know that if/when I decide I need a mixer, this is now the one I’m going to get.

4. Filson outdoor clothing/gear

Like I said above, summer’s almost over. Enter Filson, an icon of rugged Americana since 1897. Not for everyone, surely, but a quintessential “glad it’s there when you need it” brand. Good for your next camping trip, autumn hike, or job interview at Woodberry Kitchen (I kid, I kid).

5. Wiffle Ball

God help us the day they stop making Wiffle in the US. Enough said.

Note: comments have been weird lately. If you leave one, it might not show up. I believe, however, that I’ll still see it.

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Dealing With Difficulty: Ten Valuable Words

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Monday, May 30th, 2011

A few nights ago I got to thinking about how I handle various kinds of bullshit that come up in the day-to-day course of conducting both business and life. Or, more accurately, how I should handle them and how I need to remind myself to handle them.

Because, let’s be real: it’s easy to slip into bad habits and let frustration, anger, and cynicism take over. That mentality creeps in with little resistance. It takes old-fashioned work to ward it off.

Such work becomes both easier and more effective with the right approach. I’ve got a post I’m working on that deals with the importance of having a “Way” and this is kind of a prelude to that. As part of the process of finding my own Way I worked up a ten-word summation of my ideal philosophy:

Deal with it when it comes up. Compartmentalize. Move on.

Deal with it when it comes up. Not before and not after. Forecasting is a waste of resources, but so is avoidance. Handle it either right now or as close to right now as feasible.

Compartmentalize. Put it in its proper place. Give it only as much weight as it truly deserves (which is often not very much at all).

Move on. You’re after something, aren’t you? Don’t give in to distractions and burdens.

I can’t say I always do this. I can’t even say I’m always capable of doing this. But it’s what I’m after. Eventually I want this approach to be my default setting and I’m constantly reminding myself to take steps to get there.

What about you? If you had only ten words to define your ideal approach to handling bullshit (however you choose to define it), what would they be?

(Ed. note: this is cross-posted with my blog at Slant Six Creative)

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Buying American In the Mass Market, Part One

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Whenever I find myself in position to purchase a product I want but don’t necessarily need, I check the label. Specifically I look to see where said product was made. If I see that it was made here — in America — I’m far more likely to make the discretionary buy than I would be if it’s just another “Made in China.”

Why? Because I live here. Simple. The American economy is my economy and I like to support it when I can. I’m aware of the complex economic arguments that circle around this issue and I’m certainly not advocating a withdrawal from the global economy. All I’m saying is that when I’m spending my “maybe” dollars I’m generally trying to spend them here.

I know I’m not alone in that, which means I’m also not alone in understanding how hard it is. Over the past few months, though, I’ve purchased a handful of very nice, American-made products that I think are worth a mention. Eventually I hope to expand this list and turn it into a kind of resource (thus the “Part One” in the title of this post). For now, here are four:

1. Case Knives

As I’ve stated before, everyone should carry a knife. It’s a basic matter of readiness.

I picked up a Case pocket knife on a whim at Lowe’s one day to replace my trustworthy Victorinox. The US-made pedigree was, at the time, the main reason why. Since then I’ve been more than pleased with the choice, so much so that I bought a second one. These knives are durable, sharp, well-constructed, and pleasant to hold.

2. Tramontina Cookware

The Tramontina website isn’t much and, as a result, I don’t know much about the company. What I do know is that I was at Costco one day and I saw a US-made frying pan I could use. I bought it and have no complaints.

From what I can gather, Tramontina doesn’t manufacture in the US exclusively. Regardless, I can vouch for that frying pan in a big way.

3. Anchor Hocking Glassware

I was at Target, thinking I could use a replacement for the old plastic measuring cup I had at home. Not that what I had wasn’t still functional, it was just heavily worn. So I picked up what looked like a damn nice piece from Anchor, and I saw it’s made in the US.

Sold.

4. Zippo Lighters

I realize, alas, that smoking is no longer in vogue. As a result, a lot of folks probably don’t see the need to own or carry a lighter. That’s a mistake.

A ready source of flame is, like a pocket knife, smart to have on hand. Maybe you don’t smoke — someone you know might. Maybe you need to light candles for a dinner party. Maybe you need to handle fireworks duties on July 4th. Maybe you’re camping and need to start a fire. Maybe you’re staring down a zombie invasion and need some torches. Whatever. Having a quality lighter is just good strategy.

No better option than Zippo. Classic, iconic, and made in PA. ‘Nuff said.

As I said above, I’d like to turn this preliminary list into a resource. Please pass along your recommendations for everyday, US-made goods that you use and enjoy.

One note on that: comments are moderated and don’t show up automatically. As long as it’s not spam, though, it will get posted.

Posted in americana, business, essentials, living well, made here | 1 Comment »

Defining an “American” Brand

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Monday, January 10th, 2011

There’s an interesting nugget buried in this recent article about a Baltimore architecture firm winning a job designing a Chinese shopping mall:

The project is part of a burgeoning trend. Chinese developers are building more retail centers as Chinese shoppers, who have more disposable income, clamor for goods from America and Europe, including clothing from retailers such as The Gap, said Malachy Kavanagh, a spokesman for the International Council of Shopping Centers, a trade organization for the shopping center industry. (bold emphasis mine)

Curious phrase there, “goods from America and Europe.”

The Gap is a quintessential middle-market American brand. No doubt about that. Yet they, like many American retailers, outsource most of their production to places like India and, yes, China. They’re clearly an American company, but are they really selling “American” goods?

When you open up an Apple product one of the first things you see is the phrase “Designed by Apple in California.” It is, as the linked post points out, a smart move. It’s Apple getting straight out in front of the question of origin and letting you know about the homegrown ingenuity that brought you your iPod, iPhone, or Mac. Yet the actual product was, of course, manufactured in China.

Is that a moot point? Is the design and engineering of a product its true heritage while the actual manufacturing simply a matter of efficiency and logistics?

If we’re being honest with ourselves the true answer is “yes…and no.”

If Gap started including “Designed by Gap in New York” on the tags of its Chinese-made or Indian-made shirts and jeans I’d bet a lot of folks would snicker. They’re pretty clearly “American” in name only. (Side note: Gap actually got in trouble recently for playing a little fast and loose with the notion of “Made in the USA.”)

Apple might be different — or perhaps just perceived differently — because their stuff boasts many of the qualities we’d like to associate with a true “American” brand: innovation, quality, durability, etc.

What we run into in both cases is that Apple and Gap are American companies but global brands. They are as “American” as we want — or don’t want — them to be.

I actually like that because it gives us a chance to appreciate truly American brands — companies that do both their design/development work and much or all of their manufacturing right here. American brands making American products.

It’s no slight to Apple or Gap or anybody else. Not unless you want it to be. It’s simply a necessary acknowledgment that the realities of the global economy dictate a nuanced consideration of the nature of what we buy. On the whole that’s a good thing. Ideally we’ll get to the point where folks — here or overseas — with a taste for “American goods” will start digging a little deeper. There’s no shortage of options and the list is growing.

In the meantime, though, it’s hard not to laugh at the idea of someone walking into a Gap in China and buying a pair of Made-in-India (or wherever) jeans to slake a thirst for “American” goods. They may be getting what they want, but they probably don’t know what they’re missing.

(Photo via Flickr user D. Bjorn)

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Holiday Buying for the Gentleman in Your Life: Part Three

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

With the holiday shopping season underway, the braintrust at Gentlemanly Means Pursued has been working hard to make it easier to buy for the man in your life. Your boyfriend, husband, lover, father, brother, son, uncle — most everybody’s got one or more of ‘em. And, yeah, they can be difficult creatures. Never fear. We’ve got you covered.

This is part three, wherein we offer gifts in the $150 and up range.

You can also read Part One, covering gifts $50 and under, and Part Two, covering gifts $50-$150.

Table Radio by Tivoli Audio
$150 and up, available from amazon.com

It sounds as good as it looks, looks as good as it sounds. The Model One (pictured) is a great, basic radio, and the company offers a slate of other products for applications like iPod integration and internet radio. If you’re buying for a music lover, this will stand out.

Shirt by Taylor Stitch
$120-$165, available from Taylor Stitch

Yet another company I’m unapologetically writing about for the second time. I can’t help it — while I don’t own one of these yet, I love the company’s story and approach (the fact that one of their founders participated in the comments last time I covered them should tell you all you need to know). Handmade in San Francisco and, frankly, fairly reasonably priced considering that nice shirts can easily go for much more.

A shirt, by itself, might not seem a terribly inspired gift. One of these would be.

Really Nice Denim
prices vary, look to denimdebate.com to learn more

Good jeans are something you make your own. By wearing them in, washing/rinsing them, breaking them down, and generally turning them into an evolving extension of your lifestyle. Less a pair of jeans than a wearable project. The sartorial equivalent of building a doghouse or renovating a room.

You have to start with denim that can live up to that weighty calling. I’m in the process of making this decision myself, and I’m eyeing up companies like Baldwin Denim, Raleigh Denim, and Imogene+Wille — all of which are made right here in the US.

Again, “jeans” wouldn’t be a great gift, but great jeans most definitely would be.

Wusthof Kitchen Knives
prices vary, available from amazon.com

Admittedly only relevant if the man in your life likes to cook. But if he does, he knows that the difference between a regular knife and a good knife is huge. Make him happy and splurge for a set of Wusthofs, then demand that he use them to make you something awesome.

Thus concludes the Holiday 2010 edition of the Gentlemanly Means Pursued gift guide. Here’s to plenty of love and your in your life this season — regardless of your particular holiday/faith — and, as always, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments.

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Holiday Buying for the Gentleman in Your Life: Part Two

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

With the holiday shopping season underway, the braintrust at Gentlemanly Means Pursued has been working hard to make it easier to buy for the man in your life. Your boyfriend, husband, lover, father, brother, son, uncle — most everybody’s got one or more of ‘em. And, yeah, they can be difficult creatures. Never fear. We’ve got you covered.

This is part two, wherein we offer gifts in the $50-$150 range.

You can also read Part One, covering gifts $50 and under.

Handmade Football by Leather Head (pictured)
$110, available from the manufacturer

These things are so damn cool that I ought to keep them to myself (and whoever I might get one for). But, that wouldn’t be fair. So here you go.

If there’s such a thing as an “artisanal football,” this is it. That’s a ridiculous phrase, though, so let’s not use it. Instead let’s just say that the man who pulls this thing out at a tailgate or at halftime on a Sunday afternoon earns instant credibility. At least in the eyes of those who know.

Utility Bifold Wallet by Tanner Goods
$70, available from tannergoods.com

Yes, I’ve written about Tanner Goods before. What of it?

Fact is, I’ve had one of these wallets for about seven months now and I can’t say enough good things. Everything about it — the stitching, the cut, the size, the way it’s wearing in — meets or exceeds my expectations. Given that it’s handmade in the USA, all the better.

Put it this way: if you think your man might need or want a wallet, this is the way to go.

Necktie by Pierrepont Hicks or Graham Withers
$68-$140 (most closer to the low end of that range), available from Pierrepont Hicks and Graham Withers

I used to hate wearing ties. I hated the idea of wearing ties. Why? Because I was naive. I didn’t understand that a tie could be more than some lame silk job with all the personality of a Dilbert cartoon.

Then, I found Pierrepont Hicks and Graham Withers. Looking at their (made in the USA) work I thought, “damn, I’ve been missing out.”

These are ties for a guy who’s wearing one because he wants to, not because he has to.

A Better Shave
options vary, generally $50-$100 or so

Shaving sucks. It just does. That’s part of the reason I wear a beard in the winter.

I’m thinking, though, that part of the reason it sucks is because I’m not trying hard enough. Most men don’t. So when the time to shave again arrives, I plan to mix things up. I’m going to hit up a site like Baxter of California (about whom I’ve heard good things) and get some grown-up, high-quality shaving supplies.

The man in your life is probably thinking something similar, even if he doesn’t realize it yet.

As always, fire away with suggestions of your own if you have ‘em. Next installment ($150 and up) coming soon.

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Holiday Buying for the Gentleman in Your Life: Part One

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

With the holiday shopping season underway, the braintrust at Gentlemanly Means Pursued has been working hard to make it easier to buy for the man in your life. Your boyfriend, husband, lover, father, brother, son, uncle — most everybody’s got one or more of ‘em. And, yeah, they can be difficult creatures. Never fear. We’ve got you covered.

For part one, we offer gifts in the $50 and under range:

Field Notes Notebooks
$9.95 for a 3-pack — available from fieldnotesbrand.com

Field Notes are the perfect everyday notebook. Small enough to fit easily in a pocket, durable enough to stand up to daily wear, but not so precious that you feel bad if you accidentally throw it in the wash or rip the cover. Equal parts stylish and functional.

Every man needs a notebook now and then and at 10 bucks for a pack of three you can’t go wrong. Plus, they’re designed and manufactured right here in the USA.

J.Crew Factory Button-Down Shirt
prices vary, most under $50 — available from jcrew.com

There’s a J.Crew factory store down at Arundel Mills and they consistently have a fine selection of button-down shirts at very reasonable prices. I have four of them myself and they’re great. Not too dressy, not too casual, and all kinds of comfortable. I’m sure the quality on the standard J.Crew models is somewhat better, but the value on these can’t be beat. They’d serve a solid function in any man’s wardrobe.

Size-wise, I wear a medium and have found them true to that.

One buying note: the online version of the factory store is theoretically only open from Friday at midnight to Sunday at midnight. I haven’t tested that, but to be safe you might want to order over the weekend.

Opinel Knife
prices vary, most under $50 — available from opiknife.com

As I noted in my pocket knife post back in June, there are two things at work here:

One, every man should carry a knife.

Two, Opinels are beautiful and highly functional.

The No. 3 works great in a pocket, while the larger sizes serve larger purposes. No matter which way you go, an Opinel will make a beautiful gift. Dig in and pick one you think your chosen man will like. He will.

CXXVI Sea Rope Bottle Opener
pictured above — $36, available from CXXVI.net

Made in the USA from steel forged by hand on a 130-year old anvil. How often do you get a chance to buy something with that pedigree? Not often enough.

Maybe it sounds crazy to spend $36 dollars on a bottle opener. It might even be crazy. But if you consider that what you’re really doing is buying a handmade tool that will literally last a lifetime and then some, it starts to look like a damn fine gift idea. At least to me, and quite possibly to the man in your life as well.

Dogfish Head Beer Soap
$5, available from dogfish.com

More of a stocking stuffer than an actual gift, sure, but worthy of inclusion regardless. A perfect way to wash off the detritus of a well-spent day or cleanse the night away in preparation for a new one.

Honorable Mentions:
Some beer to go with that soap, a bottle of Copper Fox rye, an Old Time Sling Shot, or a gift-that-keeps-on-giving subscription to Esquire, GQ, or Playboy.

Have ideas of your own? Let ‘em fly in the comments.

Coming Soon: parts two and three, covering gifts from $50-$150 and $150 and up.

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Why Service Always Matters

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

I met one of my best friends, illustrator Daniel Krall, when we both worked the café at the Borders book store in Towson. We served coffee and brainstormed together. We goofed off a bit, too, but we also made some mean cappuccinos. Along the way we planted the seeds for our first published work. Those were good times.

We’d often take our lunch break, or some time after a shift, and head up the street to Souris’ Saloon for food and beer. It’s a great spot, steeped in history — open since the 1930s and retaining many original details. The food is very decent and very affordable. The atmosphere is unflinchingly pleasant.

Alas, neither of us has worked in Towson for many years, which means we haven’t been Souris’ regulars for some time. I think the last time we were there was five or six years ago. Until Monday when, on a whim, we decided to drive up and grab lunch.

Walking in felt great — outside of the addition of a few nice TVs virtually nothing has changed. It’s still a window to the past, still a comfortable place. We took a booth and settled in. We ordered, we drank, we ate.

Time came for the check and our server, Stephanie, eyed us with a bit of curiosity before asking, “Didn’t you guys used to work down the street at the bookstore?”

What? How?

She was genuinely glad to see us. She asked what we’d been up to and we told her. We chatted for a minute and reminisced. She said she hoped she’d see us again soon. The whole experience was as authentic and pleasant as any I’ve ever had in a customer service setting. It kind of blew my mind.

I came of age working retail and restaurants. I was fairly damn good at it and I learned a lot — to this day part of me wants to go back to that world. But I have to be honest: I was never good enough to remember someone six years out. That’s just exceptional. Insane in every right sense of the word.

As Daniel and I left to head back to the grind we talked about how we should probably try to turn Monday lunch at Souris’ into a regular thing. It’s a little out of our way, sure, but Stephanie works Mondays. That counts.

I’m tempted to spill another two hundred words on exactly why it counts, but the truth is that if you don’t get it then, well, good luck. Service always wins.

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Why (and How) You Should Spend More Here

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Over the first few months of writing this blog I’ve revealed, among other things, an obvious interest in crafted, US-made goods. These things excite me. I value the work of craftspeople and domestic businesses and I believe their work is important. I figure maybe it’s time to explain.

I don’t like to draw hard lines but I’ll say this: if a choice exists between a handcrafted and/or US-made product vs. a foreign product, the former is nearly always a better option. Why? Because work is the economy. If people here aren’t working then they’re not spending, and bad things happen if they’re not spending. It affects livelihoods. Which means even less spending…which means even less work…and on and on. Obviously that’s an oversimplification but it’s true at the core. Buying things made here supports the people who work here, which supports the system that keeps this nation of ours churning forward. However flawed it may be.

It’s not a black-and-white issue and I’m not here to claim that there isn’t value in the work done by people in other countries. Of course there is. I’m not against the global economy — it’s a functional reality and it’s not automatically bad. It’s important to remember, though, that every purchase is an investment.

I believe in supporting the upstart, the entrepreneur, the independent. That’s not an argument against anything, it’s an argument for something.

There’s no getting around the fact that the kinds of goods I’m discussing usually (but not always) cost more. A lot more in some cases. I know that’s tough and I’m not suggesting that anyone other than the very rich could or should attempt to purchase only this one class of goods. It’s not realistic.

What I’m suggesting is consideration of the issue and an attempt to, where possible, prioritize. I buy plenty of foreign goods and will, like most people, continue to do so. But I’m moving the balance slowly. I’m looking for opportunities to buy local and/or US-made. When I’m faced with the choice of “now” vs. “better” I’m trying hard to wait a little while and go with the latter. Piece-by-piece I’m making decisions that help prop up artisans, craftspeople, and the US economy as a whole. I do what I can and that’s all I’d ever ask of anyone else.

Maybe there’s an argument against it. Actually, I’m sure there is — it’s a complex issue. Even when I hear that argument, though (and the comments are open), I doubt my priorities will change.

I side with the people who are making a go of it. And my hunch is that on some level, they side with me. That goes a long way.

(photo via Flickr user Markusram)

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They Get It, Vol. 3: Matix Clothing

Posted by Neal Shaffer on Thursday, August 26th, 2010

http://www.vimeo.com/14192092

Skate/surf wear label Matix is up for some serious props with the release of their Capital Collection, a new line of denim and basic pieces that’s both manufactured and sourced in the USA. The short video above has the details.

As I learned in the video, Matix is an interesting case. They started out US-made, grew to the point where economics dictated they either outsource or die, and are now coming back to US manufacturing on a small scale.

I make no secret of my love for US-made goods but I’m not an idiot about it. I realize that outsourcing is in many cases necessary. I think it means a lot, then, when a company does what they can.

Matix isn’t alone. Levi’s manufactures some of their high-end stuff in the US. So do L.L. Bean, Woolrich, and others. Every little bit helps and if the recent general trend toward traditional/artisanal is any indication I think we’ll start seeing more and more of it. Hopefully, anyway.

Below: some images from the Matix Fall/Winter 2010 catalog:

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