LED Lenser V2 Triplex - A Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

If you only ever buy one LED flashlight make it a LED Lenser V2 Triplex

LED Lenser V2 Triplex
With new light chip technology
Cloverleaf reflector system
3 high quality LED’s, in fact a high intensity LED light chip
Solid metal casing
Durable nylon pouch and lanyard included

Burn Time: Up to 10 hours from 1 AA alkaline battery.
Dimensions: 141mm x 37mm
Weight: 160gms
Power Supply: 1 x AA alkaline battery (Two sets of batteries included: 2 x AA)

The patented pure metal housing is ergonomic and extraordinarily smooth to the touch. The patented photon tube reflectors cause the high power diodes to shine with undreamed of brightness. Due to its low power consumption, 1 x AA alkaline battery will provide up to 10 hours of light.

Price: approx. GBP 24.99

Agents in the UK: Ledco Ltd. www.ledco.co.uk

Manufacturers: Zweibrüder Optoelectronics GmbH www.zweibrueder.com

Well, so much for the information from the manufacturer and UK distributor.

Yes, I have written the original review of this product some years ago for another, now defunct, publication. However, I thought, after the experience, a positive one, that I have just had with this flashlight, it needs to be rerun.

I said that I was impressed with the LED Lenser V2 Triplex flashlight when I wrote the original review on it and, as as I have mentioned before on occasions, I do not impress easily. And that was just as regards the design and especially the light output from this little light. I am even more impressed with it now, and the reason for that you will find out shortly.

The light is about the size of the so-called “Mini Maglite”, the one that uses 2xAA batteries as power source, but that is about where the comparison ends. The power source in this one that I have tested and am using is one single AA alkaline cell and considering that, the light output is awesome and then some more.

The light source is a three LED light chip in a cloverleaf pattern and the diodes produce an extremely bright and intense white light.

The only drawback that could be mentioned is that the beam cannot be focused but, then again, there are others of the same manufacturer where this is indeed possible and I do hope to be able to review – should the manufacturer/agents be prepared to furnish me with the samples for review – some of their tactical flashlights, including the new one that is aimed at the law enforcement market. I have seen it and handled it already but have not been able to put it thru its paces properly, not having a review sample to hand.

All I can say is that this surely is a lot of light in a small package and don't let the price deter you. This is a solid little flashlight made of solid stuff and I am sure it will give many, many years of reliable service.

I have just put one – in its holster – still in the pocket of a pair of pants – through a full washing cycle in the washing machine and the light still works perfect. I wonder how many others would have held up like that. And therefore my verdict on this flashlight would be a definite 20 out of 10 would that be possible.

© 2011

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Radius® 3-Piece Tool Set from Lakeland – Product Review

Radius® 3-Piece Tool Set
Lakeland Ref 51729
Price: £26.99
not available in store

The set comprises cultivator, weeder and transplanter (trowel).

Curvaceously comfortable, the patented handles are ergonomically designed to work with the natural position of your wrist, maximising power while minimising stress. With aluminium blades that are both lightweight and strong, this set includes everything you’ll need to make tending to your flowerbeds a pleasure rather than a chore.

While I must say that I am not the greatest of friends of aluminium for use with garden tools in this case I may just make and exception. The one problem I can see with aluminium, however, is that that metal wears down faster often in comparison to steel. The other side of the coin, however, is that you can wash the tools and don't have to worry about whether or not they are 100% dry when you hang them up – the best way to store any garden tool – or not, as aluminium does not rust nor in any other way corrode.

The tools perform and handle well, are well balanced, and the half-moon, sort of, shaped handle allows for a much more natural holding and handling of the tools than do the straight handles of ordinary garden hand tools, be they trowels, cultivators, or what have you.

The proof of the pudding as to the strain reduction certainly will be in a prolonged use of the tools, especially in a more-or-less professional setting, but from what I have seen so far using the trowel (transplanter), and the weeder, they handle very well indeed.

The weeder I have found to be a very useful tool for the removal of weeds from the crack in paving. It actually has a lip on the underside designed to get into the groves in the paving and cleanly cut off the weeds.

Oh, did I say that I like the tools? Well, I do and very much so.

© 2011

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Potato Grow Pot from Lakeland – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Potato Grow Pot

Manufactured by Alagra Products

Made in Britain

Lakeland Ref 51841

Not available in Lakeland stores, mail order only.

Price: £19.99

The Potato Grow Pot is a durable plastic multi-storey grow pot system for, well, spuds!

With a space-saving design so even the tiniest gardens, a patio or even balcony, can reap rewards. Just plant your tubers in the base pot and, as they grow, you can stack a second then third ‘collar’ and add more compost to increase the pot’s yield.

Providing the ideal growing conditions for a maximum crop of potatoes, the air circulates freely into the compost and, because each collar also has an external trough, watering and feeding each level can be accurate and precise. Made from what is said to be “durable” plastic.

The good thing is that you don't have to – and ideally shouldn't – leave the pots outside during the harshest parts of winter; some plastics certainly do not like too much on the frost front. When you have harvested your spuds you carefully dismantle the pot into its parts, clean everything and then store it all safely in your shed or garage, or wherever safe.

The Potato Grow Pot comes with full instructions and a PDF of them is also available to download from the website at www.alagraproducts.co.uk.

Each ‘collar’ has a diameter of 43cm, that is17 inches in old money, and is 23cm, that is to say 9 inches, tall. The total height is 61cm (24 inches) and the overall capacity 60 litres.

I have used a number of different types of containers in which to grow spuds – and other vegetables for that matter – and all require digging for the taters. The Potato Grow Pot does away with that in that, come harvest time, you simply take it down section by section and collect the potatoes from the soil. Simple.

Although maybe just a little early seeing it is just the first week of March I have started my first lot of potatoes now in the Potato Grow Pot and we shall see how things progress. If the grow or not will have little to do with the pot but everything to do with the elements, pests and diseases and my care of them, and pollinators also help.

The Potato Grow Pot, as said already, is great to have on the patio and at the price you might as well get two or three of them. The more spuds the merrier. But then again I love potatoes.

© 2011

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Radius® Pro Lite Garden Tools from Lakeland – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Radius® Pro Lite Garden Tools

Spade – 1.23m (48½") H.
Lakeland Ref 51727 – Price: £28.99

Fork – 1.22m (48") H.
Lakeland Ref 51728 – Price: £28.99

Ergonomically designed to fit perfectly into your palms with the patented ‘O’ grip handle having four times the gripping surface to comfortably accommodate both hands as you work. Combined with the extra-long, lightweight fiberglass shaft, these tools provide more leverage with less effort to take the toil out of tilling.

Kathryn from Lakeland's Buying Team tested these and loved them so much she didn’t want to return the samples so Lakeland had to request new samples. I must say, I don't blame her one bit. I too love them but also have a few comments on them. Lots of it is positive but also one or two misgivings.

The heads are carbon steel heads and judging by the singing sound of the blade of the spade it is hardened carbon steel.

The proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating and therefore it is difficult to say as to how well those tools may hold up over some years of work.

Personally I have two concerns. One is the rivet that holds the shaft to the tool. I have seen too many of those kinds of rivets in other tools fail, though the rivets on the Radius® tools here look much more substantial than those I have had problems with. The other is the fork. It is not made from a single piece of steel but the two center tines are a “U” shape that was welded in. I am not sure whether this is common or not – I would have to ask pother makers – but the fact is that the welds are visible and it is possible that there could rust be forming in time to come in the crevices of the welds.

When it comes to use, however, those tools are great requiring much less bending. It takes getting used to the big “O” handle and the length of the handle at first but then you can really feel the benefit of needing to bend all that way and thus keeping your back in a much better position; one where back strain while not totally being eliminated will be reduced.

Although my vegetable garden is all raised beds and containers, the latter of various kinds, including one ton builders bags, old bathtubs and shopping carts, the tools – both spade and fork – were great when used in the raised beds with virtually no bending whatsoever necessary.

I have also, for the test, dug over a piece of ground that once was an old lawn, which I tried to turn into a vegetable beg some years back, and which has reverted to very difficult ground. That was very easy work with the Radius® Pro-Lite Spade though the fork found it more difficult due to roots and such where the spade cut through and a fork, obviously, cannot. With any shorter-handled kind of spade it would have been hard going, I should very much think.

Radius® garden tools are designed and developed in the USA by Bruce Baker, who has been a gardener all his life, with a special interest in bonsais, and he says that he's always been interested in tools, sand that certainly shows. While being designed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, the tools are, however, made in the People's Republic of China rather than in the United States.

A little reminder: the heads of those tools are made of carbon steel and carbon steel, unlike stainless steel, will rust a lot easier. Therefore, as with all tools, including stainless steel ones, clean the well after use with warm water and then thoroughly dry them. Hang them up, don't stand them on the ground. That way they should last a very long time.

Once again, aside from the couple of misgivings of mine, I love those tools and wish that they had been around before I hurt my back some years ago, amongst other things while digging beds as a professional gardener.

If I would have to give a star ration we are looking at 4.5 out of 5 and the half a point that has been lost is simply due to the weld and the rivets in the shafts. Otherwise this would be full marks.

© 2011

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Fiskars Camping Axe X5 – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Fiskars Camping Axe X5 is an ideal small axe (hatchet) for hikers and outdoor people.

In years gone by – maybe still today – there were small axes (hatchets) about that were referred to as “Forester hand axe” and this one definitely falls under that category and usability. The X5 would be idea for a forester and forest manager to carry on his or her rounds, and also for countryside officers and Rangers.

The X5 is a small, light axe that can be easily carried in your bag or on your belt and comes with a canvas sheath with some ballistic nylon accoutrements, such as the flap and the belt loop.

The weight of the blade is 390 grams and the overall weight of the axe is 480 grams. The length of the hatchet is 228 mm, just a bit over 8 inches. The axe head is just under 5 inches from blade to poll. It is drop forged with a precision ground, double hardened blade for maximum durability, yet, so it is said, it is easy to sharpen. I say, so it is said, for I have, not as yet, tried to sharpen it, as there is no need.

The blade is extremely resilient, as I have found out when I dropped it onto tiles of sorts where a chunk was taken out of the tile but the blade suffered no damage whatsoever. Just glad I got my bare foot out of the way quick enough when the hatchet fell; the result otherwise would not have been pretty.

A PTFE coating on the blade reduces friction by 25%, making it easier to pull out of logs, and it also protects the blade against corrosion.

The handle is molded around the head to ensure it stays put, even in heavy use, and is made from ultralight and durable Fibercomp™ which minimises fatigue and makes the axe virtually unbreakable.

A real little all-rounder hatchet that is ideal for any outdoor activity and for foresters and rangers as a utility hatchet for trail marking, marking trees for felling, removing small trees, etc.

The UK recommended retail price for the Camping Axe X5 is £33.33 excl. VAT which, with VAT of currently 20%, should equate about £39.99. This is, I am well aware, not cheap by any standards but, on the other hand, you will get a quality tool that, even if not too well cared for, will last for a long time to come.

© 2011

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Fiskars Weed Puller – Product Review

Weeding - Reinvented with Fiskars Weed Puller

Grampa's Weeder on steroids

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Weeding is essential to keeping your lawn tidy and beautiful but it can be hard work to do it the ‘organic’ way without using chemicals.

Fiskars Weed Puller makes the task quick and fun: step-pull-and eject and the weed is extracted from the lawn by the root, while the gardener remains comfortably standing up. These innovative tools keep your hands and knees clean, and save your back from unnecessary strain whilst weeding with a ‘green’ conscience.

The Fiskars Weed Puller will be starring in a high profile TV advertising campaign – the first for a UK garden hand tools company. Running over the core gardening season from Easter until summer, the advertising campaign will reach 10 million consumers highlighting both innovation and the green aspects of the Weed Puller.

Andrew Smith, Managing Director of Fiskars UK Ltd, says: “Gardening is the UK’s number one hobby and we’ll be capitalising on this by undertaking an industry first with our TV campaign. As well as supporting retailers with increased brand awareness and improved merchandising, we continue to bring innovative and durable products to the market, making Fiskars the first name in garden hand tools.”

‘Green weeding’ - made easy

The Fiskars Weed Puller is a great invention for removing weeds, such as dandelions, from the garden. The tool is comfortable and easy to use: no digging or bending down is required and no chemicals are needed.

The Weed Puller is designed with a foot rest at the base of the shaft, allowing the tool to be easily driven into the ground by stepping on the ‘pedal’. Pulling the shaft towards you makes the deep-reaching stainless steel claws grab around the weed’s root from multiple directions, after which the tool is extracted from the ground. As such, unwanted plants are removed by the root and will not re-surface later. The special sliding mechanism ensures the weed to be safely ejected from the tool, eliminating the need to bend down and remove it manually.

I would not use the pedal as a stepping spur, as this would be unnecessary also, as the tool goes in easy enough with out this. But this is just a preference of mine and also, I assume, the long-handled version – the W82 – that I reviewed can be pushed into the ground easily.

The spur, or pedal, is the action which makes the Weed Puller work, in the same way as the good old Grandpa's Weeder – from the United States – with its wooden handle.

The difference to the old world tool of Grampa's Weeder Fiskars Weed Puller is basically the old tool on steroids and especially the ejector makes it faster to use.

The sleek design and high-functioning mechanisms of Fiskars Weed Puller enable users to easily tend a thoroughly “green” garden as no chemical or toxic weed-killers are required.

Personally I would not necessarily target dandelions though. Instead I harvest them as lettuce – no kidding – and dandelion is simply delicious and so versatile.

I have use the Fiskars Weed Puller W82 on some seriously large and deep rooted weeds in my garden and they came up a treat. Being that easy to use the Weed Puller would also be a great addition to the armory of any local authority gardener for caring for bowling greens and other formal lawns, without the need to go for toxic substances. Something that is very important in today's world, as with climate change, pollution, and dwindling oil supplies.

Fiskars Weed Puller W52: key characteristics

• Deep-reaching stainless steel claws grab the root from multiple directions

• Aluminium composite keeps the tool lightweight, yet sturdy

• Ejection system easily releases weed from tool when extracted from the ground

• Weight: 917 gr.

• Length: 99 cm

The innovative Fiskars Weed Puller has been awarded the Red Dot design award. The Fiskars Weed puller has an RRP of £39.99 including VAT and will be available in stores from early April at B&Q Focus, Homebase, independent garden centres and online at Amazon and Tesco.

The Weed Puller under test, however, was the W82, the one with the extendable handle, making it easier still on your back than the original model. I do not have a price for this one at the present moment and I suggest that readers might like to check the Fiskars website for their country as to availability and pricing of and for this product.

Garden Tools. Reinvented

Fiskars have always driven innovation of tools that reduce the effort, fatigue and strains often associated with gardening. Ergonomic, high performance cutting and landscaping tools are designed to do the hard work for the consumer, increasing the pleasure obtained from the gardening experinece. Fiskars Gardening Tools are designed with reinvention in mind-based around the power to make gardening easier.

With a long tradition and heritage for design, Fiskars is strongly committed to new product development and optimised manufacturing processes. Fiskars intends to reinvent the gardening experience, making it simple and pleasurable through tools that act like an extension of the body, boost power, improve control and reduce strain.

Please note that the the telescopic version of the product, the W82, is available exclusively at Homebase at RRP £55.00.

© 2011

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Bulldog Tools Forged Edging Knife – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Bulldog Tools Forged Edging Knife
Ref No. 5680083210
Price: just under £40 incl. VAT
Ash Handle with "T" Grip
Unique Forged Blade
Forged In Britain



This forged edging knife from Bulldog's Clarington Forge in Wigan, England is by far the strongest lawn edging iron I have so far seen and used. It is one that, even in professional use in Parks and Gardens should last for a generation or two rather than just for a couple of seasons.

Yes, the tool not cheap with just under 40 Pounds Sterling but then again the blade is forged exactly in the same way as a quality spade and from the same strength of steel. There is no weld point that can give way under the strain of use and abuse.

The handle is solid Ash with a “T” grip and is, once again, the same kind that would be found at a good strong spade and also, unless really misused, stand up to the rigors of whatever the job throws at it.

This Bulldog Edging Knife of the Premier Range – although the website seems to putting it into the Evergreen Range – is a true professional tool and is most definite the dog's proverbials of all edging irons. I do not think that, unless on purpose and with malice, or by being driven over, this tool can be broken even in the most arduous and most prolonged use.

Talking of use: When using this particular edging tool on curbs and such the back of the blade, the straight part, must be the one meeting the stone of the curb or the concrete slab. That way the turf is cut clean and no excessive amount of soil if pulled up.

Another great tool from Bulldog that I am most happy to endorse as a professional gardener and forester.

© 2010

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article other than being allowed to retain the tool.

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Carbon Gold Biochar

Product Review and other comments

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

At the Garden Press Event 2010 I ended up with a sample bag of biochar by the name of “Carbon Gold” and I must say that the ancient ones, who we have to thank for the original invention of biochar, definitely knew what they did when they used charcoal to enhance soil fertility.

I used the Carbon Gold biochar in a container where I sowed some cabbages and carrots and not, I have no idea as to whether the two work as companion plants and the cabbages for one, and for once, have turned out real well.

On the Internet someone recently was lecturing in a video as to making of biochar oneself and how it was a different production process to the making of “ordinary” charcoal in that it would be created at higher temperatures to that of your common garden varieties of lumpwood charcoal. Ordinary charcoal, so this person said, thus would not work as a soil improver like biochar.

I must beg to differ there in that being a gardener at a former stately home the plant beds here are full of bits of charcoal that was used as a soil improver. This charcoal simply came from the charcoal cooking ranges in the great house and the gardeners of old used it to improve the soil and to add carbon matter to it, and that for all beds, whether flowers or vegetables. And I am sure they knew what they were doing.

The black earth areas of the Amazon where charcoal had been used as a soil improver to create highly fertile food growing areas I am sure where made also by simply adding carbon matter from the fires rather than special charcoal. Let's get back to terra firma. All the old gardeners and farmers knew of the value of adding charred wood to the soil, and also wood ash.

Maybe the process of making biochar today is better as to carbon capture than normal charcoal burning but that does not mean that ordinary charcoal does not work; it does. The stuff that the gardeners of old used was just that, ordinary charcoal and wood ash. Both arr good for the soil, and slowly release the carbon remaining the remains of the wood into the soil, thus adding food for the plants.

The results using the little sample bag of Carbon Gold, I must say, are very good indeed and the plants have done extremely well.

The stuff definitely seems to be working.

© 2010

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Bulldog Mini Bypass Pruning Shears BD3150 – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith


The Bulldog BD3150 mini bypass pruning shears are a very nice and handy little pair of pruners for the cutting back of live or 'green' foliage and also capable of basically all small pruning tasks. In my opinion those pruners are also great for children who wish to help in the garden. Yes, I do know that they are cutting tools and sharp but they will never learn how to do things if they are not permitted to learn when young.

The cutting capacity is 6mm which is just under 1/2 inch in old money. However, it is probably possible to cut a little thicker pieces like that. It all depends on what material they are. While I would not suggest to cut a 3/4 inch apple twig or one of other hard wood with this pair of pruning shears it it, however, possible to cut bramble runners of that size and even bigger, especially if they are “green”.

While an ideal little pair of pruning shears for the home and also the allotment gardener they are also suitable for the professional when about generally in case there is something to be that needs dead heading, whether roses or flowering plants in general. In addition it is also an ideal small pair of secateurs for the Park and Countryside Ranger on patrol should the need arise to cut some bramble runners or such clear from a path to protect the public from injury. It is the small size here that comes in at the forefront, allowing it to just be slipped into a pocket or a notebook belt pouch or such.

Those mini bypass pruners are also brilliant for harvesting produce in your veggie garden or plot, whether those be beans or other vegetables, and do a much better job than garden scissors, for instance.

The grip is a soft elastomer kind of material than makes using them a pleasure.

Priced at an RRP of £8.44 they hardly break the bank and as with all Bulldog tools we are talking quality at an affordable price. I know that you can get secateurs for less than £3 or even for as low as 99pence but what are you getting there?

The only one thing that I am not too sure about, I must say, as to reliability and durability, is the yellow – in the case of the green handles version of the BD3150 mini bypass pruning shears that I was given for review – plastic sliding lock. I would have rather seen something like the lock on the BD3152 bypass pruning shears. In use I find that at times that lock slides forward and, in fact, locks the shears. This is, though, not the only kind of lock on secateurs that I have a problem with. The old style, as on the afore mentioned BD3152 – the clasp on the bottom of the handles – still takes a lot of beating. The spring too, maybe, just maybe, could do with, in my opinion, being just a little bit stronger.

However, this small pair of mini pruners is something that many people will have been waiting for, and also those gardeners that want to be able to allow their youngsters a go in the garden with dead heading and such but the secateurs on the market in general are too large to really be able to do that. These mini pruning shears will, certainly, bridge that gap.

© M Smith (Veshengro), September 2008
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Tap re-usable water bottle - Product Review

Your Nalgene replacement has arrived

Review by Michael Smith

For all those that like the Nalgene bottles but not the Bisphenol A (BPA) in the polycarbonate plastic used for those bottles help is at hand. A replacement has arrived in the form of the “Tap” re-usable water bottle from “We Want Tap”.

The Tap re-usable water bottle is made from a new generation of Tritan plastic which is 100% recyclable. It is also absolutely 100% free of Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, which is generally found in most other re-usable plastic bottles.

In its design it is to a great degree like the Nalgene bottle so much loved by outdoors people, in that it has a wide mouth – big enough even for this writer's big mouth (well, many folks tell me I have rather a big mouth) – and I certainly prefer those openings in a bottle over the sports spigots and such like.

The lid and the base both are made from recycled stainless steel and this makes this bottle a very good looking one as well.

One could think of them as flasks for water. They are certainly set to become the ‘must-have’ item of the summer, as the bottles are stylish and sustainable, and will be available in two sizes, making them the perfect fit for your handbag, gym bag or fridge.

The 400ml re-usable Tap water bottle, the fun, festive executive-size bottle is just the ticket for an on-the-go lifestyle - and this is the size that I was sent kindly by Mark of Consolidated for review. It fits in your bag or on your desk. The current retail price via the website is £6 (The price in is Pound Sterling for those readers in other parts of the world).

The 400ml size, it would appear from the website, is currently the only size available at present though a 1 liter one is due to come out soon. According to the information available this size will then be priced at £8.50 and the prices certainly are not steep for something that appears to be a well thought out and made product.

The bottles are guaranteed to last a lifetime and offer a practical alternative to unsustainable bottle water.

I must say that I definitely think that the Tap re-usable water flasks will become, in due course, the hip item to be seen with rather than with the unsustainable bottled water in its PET bottles.

While PET, being made from polyethylene and hence from a by-product of the petroleum and natural gas industry, and even from a by-product that otherwise might not be used (same as for the making of the plastic grocery bags) using those bottles is, nevertheless, and regardless, still not sustainable, as far as the water and the bottles are concerned. However, the alternative is at hand in the form of the bottle here review and it will very soon pay for itself.

Let's face it. With bottled water in a sandwich bar running at about $1 a throw it only will take the purchase of six 500ml bottles to have paid for the Tap re-usable 400ml version and you don't have to pay for the tap water that you are going to use in the Tap bottle, or at least not very much. It is pennies if that even.

Also, in addition, it should be noted that Tap will give 70% of profits from each Tap bottle sold to water and sanitation projects in the developing world. I am sure that this, aside from all the other benefits, already is a good enough reason to buy a bottle or two.

I find the design of the bottle most attractive, especially the contrast of the lid and the base being in recycled stainless steel. This, and the large mouth of the flask, rather than the silly openings in many other bottles, would be the major selling point to me. The stainless steel base gives the bottle a firm stand and that is a very important point as well. The lid is attached via a webbing strip and a plastic ring to the neck of the bottle and this should keep the lid always to hand; another important factor.

All in all this is certainly a little flask for the carrying of proper water, namely tap water, filtered if you so desire, and I can but recommend it to the world.

For more information and to purchase bottles go online to www.wewanttap.com.

© M Smith (Veshengro), September 2008
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The Littlecote Soap Co – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

A little while ago – to be honest, a couple of months back now - I received some soap samples for test and review from The Littlecote Soap Co in Buckinghamshire and I have been slowly “munching” my way through one of the bars, the “Tea Time” one.

The “Tea Time” soap is described as a mild soap and shampoo bar and contains organic tea tree oil and lemongrass.

I have a problem, generally, with soaps per se, as I seem to have rather sensitive skin, especially at the forehead and the hands. Store bought “ordinary” soaps just dry my skin out in such a way that it is nigh on flaking at the forehead and the hands get rather raw. No such problems, really, with this soap and, I have been told this many times by soap makers, it would not be a problem with handmade soaps. I was always a little skeptical here, I must admit.

Though the nice lady from The Littlecote Soap Co nearly flipped when I told her what I normally used to wash my hair with and what I also used as “shower gel”, namely “Fairy Liquid”, I must say that the said liquid never gave me any problems either. That is why I used it.

It is the same when doing the dishes, I must say. I used to use Ecover but, after having had the information as to the high levels of 1,4 dioxane that were found in samples of Ecover in the USA, I reverted back to using said dish-washing liquid and my hands are much better again. Ecover is very harsh to my hands, at least.

Back to the soap in question though, the “Tea Time” soap and shampoo bar. Having now used it regularly I found it working extremely well, even in cold water, as that is what I mostly shower with, and it is lasting a nice long time. In this period any “ordinary” soap (the stuff you'd buy for a couple of bucks in a store) would have gone all yucky and been no longer of any use this bar is going strong still. That is why I have had no time to test the other samples as yet.

As with all real soaps, do take care not to get the suds into the eyes – they will sting – and therefore when used on little ones, one must be especially careful if one wants to avoid tears. Having said that, I have got it into my eyes before and have not had much of a problem with it.

Can I recommend soaps from The Littlecote Soap Co? Well, I though I just did. This is to say, yes... a definite yes.

For the complete range of natural handmade soaps – handmade in the English countryside – and bath salts and other products, check out their website:

www.littlecotesoap.co.uk

© M Smith (Veshengro), June 2008

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Breakfast Cereals Grows Up

Dorset Cereals – Product Review

Breakfast cereals have definitely come along way and they have now grown up and the more adult ones have also come out of the niche that was reserved for Muesli alone, it seemed. There was little choice. It was either corn flakes, shredded wheat stuff, and other children's breakfast cereals or you had to go for rather bland and ordinary muesli. Finally we, the older ones, and we will have to guard those packets without lives, have our own proper breakfast cereals in the form of Dorset Cereals.

Oh, and did I mention they do a couple of great chewy bars as well? I didn't? Well, I have now. Those are called “chunky slices”. Three varieties that I had the pleasure, and a pleasure it sure was, of trying and they are all equally great, though my absolute favorite must be the “Cranberry & Almond” one. That is not to say that I did not equally enjoy the others as well; I am just a sucker for cranberry. The “Date & Pecan” is also worth mentioning and I may have had a little of a toss up between which of them are my favorites. As said, the all three are equally great, but I am just a sucker, and I said that already, for cranberry.

There are, 8 different muesli varieties in the Dorset Cereals range and I had the pleasure to try seven of them. As I have said already, cranberry will get my vote every but the berry ones definitely are great, no two ways about it.

In addition to that there are now a new range of porridges, so I understand, which I have not been able to try as yet.

There is just one problem with them all, I have noticed; they are way too moreish. One of them packs is never enough.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), March 2008

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The Storm Kettle – Product Review

Originally, the Storm Kettle was handmade in Ireland - often by travellers who produced them in copper - for fishermen, itinerant workers and tourists. John Grindlay, who with his wife owns and runs the Eydon Kettle Company, modified the design and implemented modern manufacturing techniques in the early 1960’s.

John Grindlay borrowed an original copper kettle and took it to England during the winter. Tooling was manufactured and the first 10 kettles eventually produced. These were very quickly sold for £10 each in 1979, the assembly work being carried out by Mr Grindlay’s children who were then 8 years and 10 years old. Popular demand meant that production had to increase. Since 1979 the numbers sold have substantially increased each year.

Mainly these Kettles, whether sold in the UK, Germany, or elsewhere, are used by sportsmen, holiday makers, expedition organisers and outdoor enthusiasts. They have even accompanied the explorer John Blashford-Snell, while he was searching for signs of early civilisations on a trip to Central America.

Nowadays they can be found in the Solomon Isles helping remote islanders boil water to purify it, in remote parts of Southern Africa, where dried cattle dung is used by the Zulus as fuel, or in the Sahara Desert on expeditions.

I am always amazed though that they never seem to have found a take up by the still travelling Romani in the UK and elsewhere. The Storm Kettle does away with the need for a fire for just the purpose of brewing a cup of tea or coffee or even for the making of some other hot beverage.

Using a Storm Kettle means you can boil water easily, in the wettest and windiest of weather, both rapidly and safely. They are also environmentally friendly as you only need a sheet of newspaper and a handful of twigs as fuel. So the simplicity of the Kettle ensures that boiling water is always available, without the need to use gas, petrol or any other artificial fuel.

Storm Kettles come in two sizes, the Original and the Popular. The Original will boil up to 2.5 pints (approx. 1.5 litres) the Popular up to 2 pints (approx. one litre) – that should ensure more than enough hot water is available for you within minutes - at any time.

The water boils rather quickly and can be kept going by just adding further small sticks into the fire that is going in the burner beneath the kettle via the “chimney”.

One word of warning even though it is mentioned more than once in the literature and also on a sticker on the kettle itself: NEVER EVER use it with the cork in place. While the cork is very handy for carrying the kettle with water in it when heating the water the cork must be taken out of the spout.

The Storm Kettle & the cook set that nowadays is available for it is the ideal kit for forestry workers, countryside conservators, and other such like, such as Parks & Countryside Ranger, especially those working on maintenance tasks away from the main base.

While the Storm Kettle and accessories do not come cheap I can but recommend them.

The Prices for the kettles are: £43.00 for the Popular and £44.50 for the Original. Prices include V.A.T. and carriage.

Reviewed by Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

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Eco Button for PC – Product Review

The idea of the Eco Button is that by using it, that is to say pressing it when you are leaving your PC for a while and putting your PC into “standby mode” or “sleep mode” by using the Eco Button by simply pressing said button rather than having to go though the PC's system of putting the PC into said mode(s) thereby reducing power consumption and your carbon footprint.

I had heard about the Eco Button and read write-ups on it and even raving reviews but never actually used one ever before.

My Eco Button came as a give-away from one of the stands at the recent EcoBuild Exhibition at Earls Court ad simply because it is here and I have used it for a while I thought that a review would be in order.

I shall be entirely honest in this review and some may not completely agree with me nor like what I say.

As said in the introduction, the Eco Button basically does nothing more than by pushing it it puts the PC to which it is attached into standby or hibernation by using the functions that are built in to WINDOWS 2000/XP/Vista. This same function works over most, if not indeed all, multimedia keyboards with the “sleep” button. So, therefore, the Eco Button is, in fact, nothing but a gimmick and yet another bit of plastic and electronics that will end up in the landfills, where it should, however, not end up in.

The software that you are forced to download – the button does not work without it – tells you every time when you “wake up” the PC again after it had been put to sleep by means of the Eco Button how much carbon you have supposedly saved, etc. However, it also slows down the opening process of the PC down quite a bit and I do not think that I need that kind of time wasting.

In addition to the time-wasting part, each and every time the PC get powered up again in this way the power surges in the system actually cause a much higher current draw – unless things have changed since I studied the subject – and thereby probably nullifying the effect of any savings made to the environment in the first place. Much better just to turn off the screen, the monitor, by hand. It is also the monitors, even the FST ones, that draw several times more power than the PCs themselves.

I have also noticed that having the device plugged into the USB hubs slows down the PC quite a bit and the Eco Button program also itself does not help here.

Summary:
The Eco Button, in my opinion, is nothing but a gimmick and I have uninstalled it again. Aside from the time wasting when I want to get back at the PC and I have to go through all the rigmarole that one has to when one does the same via the “sleep” button on a multimedia keyboard or via the “start” menu of a Windows PC, I can do without the loss of power while working.

Pros:
Are there any really? In my opinion not, with the exception that, aside from the supposed environmental benefits you can “lock down” the PC with the press of a single rather big button.

Cons:
Many, and first and foremost to anyone wanting to use it there is no Linux support which, with anything, in my view, already makes those that do not have such support less a good idea, as, in today's world, more and more people and business, etc. are migrating to Linux with its various distributions.

I rather turn the monitor, the greatest energy waster, off manually and then be able to get back to work on the PC as and when I need in a hurry without having to go through all the stages of bringing a PC back out of standby/sleep mode. I have no time to waste like that.

So, in the definite final conclusion: Even if you get an Eco Button free my advice is “do not even bother” as regards installing and using it. It is a waste of time and nothing but a gimmick.

As I said in the beginning, there will be people who will disagree with me as to the merits of the Eco Button but that is there prerogative.

To me, after now having had one for test, it is and remains a bit of a gimmick that may do absolutely nothing as to the carbon footprint.

© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

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The BoGo Light – Product Review

The BoGo Light is a concept that brings light into the darkness, and here especially in the developing world, but not only there, as the BoGo Light is also great as an emergency light source.

I received the review sample of the cute orange BoGo Light in the beginning of February 2008 and due to the lack of sunlight in our areas at this time of the year to fully charge the light is a slight problems as, theoretically, it requires a full day of sunlight to fully charge the replaceable rechargeable batteries (three at, what I would assume to be, 1.2VDC each). Otherwise, however, the light is brilliant, literally, and this pun was, also, by the way, intended.


The first thing that I was taken with was the fact that when opening the battery compartment to install the three supplied Ni-cads that there was a proper waterproof seal present that stayed in place and resealed the compartment once the cover was screwed on again. Having had some bad experience with a cycle light that took water during rain and then having pointed out that the instructions state that the light must not become exposed to rain and wet it is rather refreshing to see those seal in this flashlight. Then again, we must not forget that Mark Bent, the CEO of SunNight Solar is a former Marine and we military guys know how things need to be in such cases.

While the BoGo Light may, primarily, be intended for Third World countries, oops, sorry, countries of the Developing World, this light would equally be useful and helpful for the Romani People who live in similar situations to those poor in Africa and India, and other such places, e.g. with no means of light other than candles, kerosene lanterns, or battery powered flashlights and, maybe, just maybe, a gasoline-powered generator. The latter is, however, often only an option for those that have a little more money. Personally, as a Rom myself, I would love to have the BoGo Light available for Romani NGOs to distribute to those of the community that could make good use of them.

In addition to this the BoGo Light is the ideal for general preparedness and for survival situations, whether floods, hurricanes, ice storms, or what-have-you. Even in the event of a “normal” power outage such a light would come in extremely handy. The light can sit, until it is needed, quietly, on the windowsill soaking up daylight and is therefore always charged and ready to go as and when needed for a number of hours without, like with wind-up lights, having to crank a handle every thirty minutes or so for around a minute. By no means am I trying to diminish the idea and invention and concept of the wind-up/dynamo charged lights, far from it; I am just stating a fact while making an observation. They equally have their place in this world as does the BoGo Light.

The term BoGo stands for Buy one – Give one, and it is this principle upon which the light is being sold. You buy one for US$ 25 plus shipping from SunNight Solar in Texas – only via their website – and another one will be sent to the charity of your choice in Africa or to US troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Having now had the unit here for a couple of days, and, having allowed it to get charged on the windowsill in our dull winter daylight plus from electric light in the evening at home I have been able to give it a little try and am very favorably impressed. The six LEDs are extremely bright and the light, with even the low powered charge that the Bogo Light could obtain from this very dull daylight around here, lasts for a number of hours. It would, I assume, require the real amount of sun hours to obtain the six hours or so of light from the BoGo Light.

All in all I can but recommend this light to anyone, and I mean anyone, however, those that are preparing for the eventuality of an emergency of whatever kind and for homesteaders and such the BoGo Light is a light that should be on the shopping list as a stand-by for the as and when or even for general daily use.

The BoGo Light is a scientific, eco-friendly breakthrough that is making an impact worldwide. From Cairo to Cape Town, from the Caribbean to the Amazon, it is improving the lives of individuals, families, and entire villages by replacing costly kerosene, candles, and disposable battery flashlights with an affordable, long lasting, solar flashlight. BoGo means Buy one, Give one. Mark Bent and SunNight Solar Ltd want their lights to benefit the less fortunate; therefore, with each light purchased in the developed world, a second identical light will be donated to an organization that will distribute it in the developing world with the company's direct financial support. Give the Gift of Light, and Help Change the World!

So, go to the website and buy one and donate one to a worthy cause, whether this is for some of the poor in the developing world (and maybe we could even get a Romani NGO equipped some day with those) or for the US troops serving abroad in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Erm, and, erm yes, before anyone suggests it I must admit, I have fallen in love with the BoGo Light.

Some more information as to the history and such of the BoGo Light shall also follow soon.

Reviewed by Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008

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Pedalite Pedals – We are on Again

& so are new pedals...

Having reported to you in the pages of this journal the other day, that is to say on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the failure of one of the Pedalite Pedals of my review set and my assumption that water might have been the culprit I would like to update you on what it happening.

Firstly, it seems that it is some sort of mechanical problem rather than water and something in fact appears to have come adrift inside the pedal affected. More details on that as soon as I get the information back from the good folks ate Pedalite International who now have the set of old pedals to carry out investigations up them.

I now have a brand new set of pedals on my bike and, as before, I am thrilled with the powerful flashes of light from the LEDs in the pedals. I feel so much safer riding my bicycle in the dark, and often for me this is a must; the riding of it in the dark, that is.

The nice folks from Pedalite International in fact came personally, but then I do not live a million miles away from their offices, to change the pedals on the night of Wednesday, November 21, 2007, so that investigation into the failure of the pedal could begin the next day. Now that is what I call customer relation management.

There is a chance that the set that I was given on the Cycle 2007 Show was in fact a “Pre-Production Model” and now a proper production run of the pedals and the failure could be due to that fact. We shall find out in due course I hope and think.

I have to say that I am very happy that the last report and verdict on the Pedalite Pedals is not going to be the final one as I am, in general, very fond of those pedals. We all hope that this is but a freak incident and all will be well in the end. As Simon Theobald, the Managing Director of Pedalite International, said to me on the phone, Murphy and Sod are alive and well and their law often still has bearing on things.

I doubt that there is anything out there on the market that gives the same visible protection to the cyclist as do those pedals and they are an “always on” system, with no batteries to worry about and no chance of forgetting to turning them on.

I shall keep you updated as to the outcome of the investigation and as to the further riding experience of mine with the Pedalites.

© M Smith (Veshengro), November 2007

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Pedalite Pedals – The Final Verdict?

After having now used the Pedalite Pedals (see my previous entries here and here) for less a month I must say that my first impression of “Wow! I am bowled over” has rather changed.

This is due to the fact that one of the pedals, the right side one has, probably due to the amount of rain and associated mud we have had in the last couple of days, basically, ceased working, as regards to the lights. The white diode only now works – as a stationary light and non-flashing – when the pedals are actually in motion – and that only, it would appear, as and when it feels like it – and the other two diodes, the amber and the red are no longer working at all. The strobe effect is gone and there is no longer any energy left after the pedalling has stopped while the left side one, so far, is working still as well as before.

I must say that had this not been a review sample and had I actually paid good money in the form of £34.95 for it I would not only be rather disappointed but in actual fact would be demanding my money back

That these pedals, or at least one of them, should have ceased working after only such a short period of time is not a good omen.

Therefore I have to say, in all honesty now, that I have to withdraw all my previous good reviews of the Pedalite pedals, as I owe it to my integrity and especially to my readers to speak the truth.

I can therefore no longer recommend Pedalite pedals. Improvements certainly will have to be made by the manufacturer in that moisture, rain, etc. do not adversely affect the electronics and other workings of those pedals.

Considering, as said, that the pedals have only been in use with me for about a month – they were fitted on October 17, 2007 and it is November 20, 2007 at time of writing – I must now give this product a definite and absolute thumbs down.

At the retail price of £35 those pedals should be entirely moisture proof – for I can only explain the failure to the fact that I have had to cycle through water in the recent day or so – and should not be failing like the review set that I was supplied with did.

If it is a water-related failure of the pedals then I can only say that this is not a good sign and this product falls into the same category as the “Bikehut” three-LED front-lamp that failed on me in less that 5 months due to water having gotten into the workings and shortened out the LED chip and leaching out the acid of the batteries. I was told in that instance – that light I had actually purchased and it was no review sample – that the light must be kept out of direct rain by both the retailer and manufacturer's agents. Sorry? Pardon? Do they really expect anyone NOT to use the lights on the cycles in the rain? They cannot be serious, to paraphrase a certain tennis player.

© M V Smith, November 2007

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