Reviews
Honest reviews of products I bought and used myself — the downsides as plainly as the upsides.
45 posts
Owala FreeSip 24oz — My Switch From Stanley to a One-Touch Straw Bottle (Real-World Review)
Sip through the straw or tip back and gulp — the Owala FreeSip 24oz opens and locks with one touch. A real-world review after switching from Stanley and loving it
roughly $30-40 (based on the official US price of $27.99, worth double-checking)
CORSAIR Novablade Pro — A Half-Year with a Wireless Leverless Fight Stick (Tested on Tekken)
CORSAIR's leverless fighting game controller pairs Hall Effect magnetic switches with tri-mode wireless. A half-year hands-on review from actual Tekken play
around $250 (based on the official price of $249.99, needs confirmation)
Montblanc Meisterstück 145 — My First Fountain Pen, 10 Years Together
A hands-on review of the Montblanc Meisterstück 145 classic fountain pen, a college graduation gift I've used for 10 years
around $470–500 (varies by trim and retailer)
Rhodia dotPad No.16 - The Orange Notepad That's Perfect for Fountain Pens
A hands-on review of the Rhodia orange dot-grid notepad, featuring paper with no fountain pen bleed-through and the convenience of tear-off sheets
From about $6~ (varies by size)
Zippo 1941 Replica — Enjoying a Vintage Lighter for the Feel of It
A hands-on review of the Zippo 1941 Replica, a faithful recreation of the 1941 original, carried as an EDC piece for its classic charm
around $22
Branden Safe Cross Wallet Bag — Anti-Theft Passport Wallet for Travelers
The Branden Safe Cross Wallet Bag protects your belongings abroad with RFID blocking and a slash-resistant strap
$27.99
Toraysee Cleaning Cloth — The Hermès of Eyeglass Cloths
Ten times the price of a regular eyeglass cloth, but once you try Toraysee's ultra-microfiber cloth, there's no going back
₩7,800
Victorinox Dual-Knife Sharpener - Pen-Sized Portable Knife Sharpener
A pen-sized Victorinox portable sharpener that packs ceramic and stone dual sharpening into a compact body
$21
2 Years with the Sea to Summit Pocket Towel - Ultralight Microfiber Towel Review
A real 2-year review of the Sea to Summit Pocket Towel. An honest look at the absorbency, drying speed, and portability of this ultralight microfiber towel
$14
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Umbrella 2-Year Review — Honest Take on an Ultralight Travel Umbrella
A 2-year real-world review of the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Umbrella. An honest breakdown of the weight, water resistance, and durability of this ultralight travel umbrella
₩81,000
Secrid Cardprotector 5-Year Review — Minimalist RFID-Blocking Wallet
5 years of real-world use with the Secrid Cardprotector. An honest review of this Dutch RFID-blocking aluminum wallet's durability, capacity, and quirks
$71
Victorinox Huntsman 1-Year Review - 15-Function Swiss Multi-Tool
A 1-year hands-on review of the Victorinox Huntsman. An honest look at the tool quality, portability, and versatility of this 15-function Swiss multi-tool, pros and cons included
₩75,000
Borotalco Deodorant 4-Month Review - Italian Powder Scent
4-month hands-on review of Borotalco deodorant. An honest look at the longevity and effectiveness of this 100-year-old Italian powder scent, pros and cons
₩10,100
Cocoon Gridit 2-Year Review – Bag Organizer for Everyday Carry
A 2-year hands-on review of the Cocoon Gridit. An honest look at the size, durability, pros and cons of this organizer for cables and small items in your bag.
$18
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream — 3-Month Review, Honest Take on Moisture
A 3-month hands-on review of L'Occitane's Shea Butter Hand Cream. An honest look at the texture, staying power, and trade-offs of this Provence moisturizing staple
₩26,350
Mayday Emergency Blanket - One Year Review: Survival Thermal Blanket
One year of real-world use with the Mayday emergency blanket. An honest review of portability, warmth, and durability for this survival/camping thermal blanket
$27.99
Stanley 2-in-1 Folding Truck: 8-Month Review — Convertible Hand Cart
An 8-month hands-on review of the Stanley 2-in-1 Folding Truck. An honest look at the convertible hand cart's transform feature, durability, and hauling capacity — the good and the not-so-good.
$65
Birdwell 311 Board Shorts: 2-Year Review — A Classic Surf Shorts Review
A 2-year hands-on review of the Birdwell 311 board shorts. An honest look at the durability, fit, and pros and cons of this classic California surf short
$85.00
iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit 1-Year Review — Electronics Repair Tool Kit
A 1-year hands-on review of the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit. An honest look at the contents, quality, and usability of this electronics teardown/repair tool set.
$121
Kyobo Book Centre Room Spray 2-Month Review — Honest Take on the Book & Coffee Scent
A 2-month hands-on review of the Kyobo Book Centre room spray. An honest look at how well it recreates that book-and-coffee scent, its longevity, and how well it sets a mood in a space
₩35,900
AirPods Max 1-Year Review - An Honest Take on Apple's Premium Headphones
An honest review after 1 year and 3 months with the AirPods Max. The pros and cons of Apple's first over-ear wireless headphones - noise cancelling, sound quality, and comfort.
$599
DEWALT DCF850 Impact Driver — 2-Year Review of a Compact Power Tool
A 2-year hands-on review of the DEWALT DCF850 impact driver. An honest look at the torque, battery, and durability pros and cons of this compact power tool
$150
SOTO ST480C Torch Review After 10 Months - A Compact Japanese Torch
A 10-month hands-on review of the SOTO ST480C torch. An honest look at the flame power, ignition reliability, and portability of this compact Japanese torch.
₩26,000 (about $19)
Alpaka Zip Pouch 7-Month Review - Minimalist EDC Pouch Review
A 7-month hands-on review of the Alpaka Zip Pouch. An honest look at this minimalist EDC pouch's storage capacity, durability, and size pros and cons
$25.00
GearAid HeroClip 6-Month Review — Carabiner Hook + Clip Combo
A 6-month hands-on review of the GearAid HeroClip. An honest look at how versatile this hook-and-clip carabiner is, its durability, and its pros and cons.
$18
1.5-Year Review: Stanley GO Two Cup Cookset — Camping Cookware for 1-2 People
A hands-on review after 1.5 years with the Stanley GO Two Cup Cookset. An honest look at durability and versatility of this stainless camping cookware for 1-2 people.
$27.99
Helinox Chair Zero 8-Month Review — 512g Ultralight Camping Chair
8 months with the Helinox Chair Zero. An honest review of the 512g ultralight camping chair's durability, comfort, and portability — pros and cons
₩125,000
Victorinox NailClip 580 9-Month Review — Mini Multi-Tool
A 9-month hands-on review of the Victorinox NailClip 580. An honest look at the Swiss mini multi-tool's included tools, cutting performance, and portability, with pros and cons.
$41
Philips Norelco 2-Year Review — An Honest Take on This Rotary Electric Shaver
A 2-year hands-on review of the Philips Norelco. An honest look at the shave quality, battery life, and cleaning convenience of this rotary electric shaver, pros and cons included.
$46
Satechi Qi2 Trio Wireless Charger 4-Month Review — Testing the 3-in-1 Charger
A 4-month real-world review of the Satechi Qi2 Trio wireless charger. An honest look at how well it simultaneously charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods
₩129,000
SOTO G-Stove 1-Year Review — Compact Japanese Gas Burner
1 year and 2 months with the SOTO G-Stove. An honest review of a compact Japanese gas burner's power, portability, and durability — pros and cons
$56
Curaprox Travel Toothbrush Set 6-Month Review — Swiss Dental Kit Review
6-month hands-on review of the Curaprox travel toothbrush set. An honest look at what's in this Swiss dental brand's travel kit, plus its pros and cons
$12
Olight Arkfeld Ultra 5-Month Review — UV/Laser Flashlight
5 months of real-world use with the Olight Arkfeld Ultra. An honest review of this multi-tool flashlight's brightness and features, packing a UV LED and green laser
$65
K-WAY Charmel Travel Jacket 1-Year Review — Packable Rain Jacket Review
A real-world review after 1 year with the K-WAY Charmel Travel Jacket. An honest take on the waterproofing and fit of this French-flavored packable rain jacket
$210
Magforce Super Falcon 10-Month Review — Military Tactical Backpack Review
A 10-month real-use review of the Magforce Super Falcon. An honest look at the storage capacity, durability, and fit of this military tactical backpack, pros and cons included
$153
MOFT MagSafe Wallet 8-Month Review - Card Wallet and Stand in One
8 months of real-world use with the MOFT MagSafe wallet. A review of the pros and cons of this iPhone accessory that combines a card wallet with a stand
₩32,900
Audioengine A2+ 3-Year Review — An Honest Take on This Desk Setup Speaker
A 3-year hands-on review of the Audioengine A2+. An honest look at the sound quality and design pros and cons of this near-field speaker with a built-in USB DAC and Bluetooth support
$369,000 KRW
Elgato Stream Deck+ 8-Month Review — A Productivity Tool with a New Dial
An 8-month hands-on review of the Elgato Stream Deck+. Pros and cons of this macro controller's new dial and touch bar, plus real-world usage tips
$220
6 Months with the FrameBy PH Stand — Aluminum CNC-Milled Laptop Stand Review
A 6-month hands-on review of the FrameBy PH Stand. An honest look at the build quality, pros, and cons of this domestically made aluminum CNC-milled laptop stand
$40
Lofree Puller Set 4-Month Review — Cute Keycap/Switch Pullers
A 4-month hands-on review of the Lofree Puller Set. An honest look at the design and functionality of these essential mechanical keyboard tools — keycap puller and switch puller.
₩29,000
Anker Prime Power Bank: 6-Month Review — 100W High-Output Charging Station
A 6-month hands-on review of the Anker Prime power bank. 100W high output paired with a Pogo Pin charging station. Laptop charging, pros and cons, all in one place.
$95.99
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Shopping Bag Review After 1.5 Years - Ultra-Lightweight Foldable Grocery Bag
A review of the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil shopping bag after 1 year and 6 months of real-world use. This ultra-lightweight bag folds down to the size of an egg yet holds up to 130kg.
₩32,300
HHKB Studio 6-Month Review — Happy Hacking Keyboard with a TrackPoint
A 6-month hands-on review of the HHKB Studio. The first mechanical Happy Hacking keyboard, now with a TrackPoint and gesture sensor. An honest look at pros, cons, pricing, and whether it's worth buying
₩452,850
Leatherman Arc 8-Month Review — Premium Multi-Tool with MagnaCut Steel
8 months of real-world use with the Leatherman Arc. A flagship multi-tool with MagnaCut steel and the Free system. Full rundown on the 25-year warranty, pros and cons, and pricing.
$267
Sea to Summit Jungle Hammock 1-Year Review - All-in-One Hammock with Built-In Bug Net
A 1-year hands-on review of the Sea to Summit Jungle Hammock. A detailed look at the pros and cons of this ultralight backpacking hammock with a built-in bug net, plus setup tips
$150