I'm No Expert

Also called stress tests, torture tests have provided EDC enthusiasts (and makers) thousands of hours of fun (and just as many tears) dropping, smashing, and submerging all in the name of science. And cred. And YouTube views.

In this episode Jason and Ben explore the many ways a person can torture test a product, and Jason recounts some of the creative ways he has stress tested Prometheus products, including the infamous 2011 CandlePower Forums Alpha Drop Test gathering.

Maker Minute: Elzetta Tactical Flashlights

Process. Journey. Failure. Open pit cooking?

Stay with us on this one.

In this highly-anticipated follow up to the Art vs Craft episode, Jason and Ben go rabbit-holing on Craft, which is "art that is meant to be used." Or is it?

Grab those knitting needles and settle in.

Maker Minute: Ryan Nagata

It's coming. Will you survive?

Jason and Ben confront the sobering reality that is the impending Apocalypse and the unlikelihood of survival due to a myriad of factors, not least of which being Ben's myopia and Jason's urban setting. Cities will fall first...

Join them and evaluate your own level of preparedness.

Maker Minute: Patriots by James Wesley Rawles

The Lumen Wars drag on, with 20K lumen flashlights eligible for 3-day shipping on Amazon Prime and the maker of a 90K lumen flashlight admitting "This device isn't very practical for most uses because it just blinds you if you're shining it at anything closer than about 100 feet."

Charge your batteries and walk with us through across the battlefield, where falsely-advertised run times are the norm, unbalanced batteries catch fire, and a clutch of makers ask "What if there's a better way?"

Open your mind, then press play.

Maker Minute: Don "McGizmo" McLeish

Much has been made of the impact new tariffs are having on big industry and our country's economy. In some respect it's a "wait and see" scenario – we don't know how things may shake out over the next few years. But for a small business like Prometheus Lights the tariffs have had an immediate impact. Jason weighs in, and doesn't hold back.

We did NOT highlight a Maker in our Maker Minute this episode but rather reserve the space for YOU to reach out and tell us how the tariffs have impacted your small business, for better or for worse.

Embrace your imperfect self! Jason and Ben break down Wabi Sabi, the traditional Japanese aesthetic based on the acceptance of imperfection and transience. Guarantee you start to see it everywhere...

Maker Minute: Serge Panchenko

There are Things You Need to Know. And many folks out there don't. Part of it comes down to survival. Part of it comes down to pride. You still don't know how to change a tire? Come on, man. Get it together.

In this entirely non-aggressive and not-ranty episode of I'm No Expert, Jason and Ben bemoan the loss of basic knowledge and learning in our society but find hope within the pages of a book for kids.

Maker Minute: The Dangerous Book for Boys

Jason dropped bombs on this episode. One was the first official tease of the NEW Prometheus Lights Delta Flashlight, which is currently up on the darksucks.com site. Alpha, Beta, Delta – get it?

THEN he hit us with a ridiculously effective stain removal product that he and his stumbled upon and we have to share.

No, this is not a sponsored episode. It's just two guys sharing some tips on making life more bearable. You got stains, we got your solution.

Maker Minute: Zout

When we asked our audience to suggest some topics, @bertocaster requested "Working with Titanium, from raw material to fit and finish."

We didn't stick solely with Titanium because Jason has a lot to say about a few different materials, but Ti is definitely the star of this episode.

Maker Minute: La Costena

That famous burrito we mention. (Yes, that's a burrito).

How would you rate this podcast?

Just kidding, we know it's a five out of five.

Just kidding again, we don't have a review option.

If we did, would you leave one? Are you the kind of person who leaves reviews? Do you read others' reviews?

We (non)expertly dive into the topic of reviews in this episode of I'm No Expert and explore the trustworthiness of any review left of the internet, the power of a personal recommendation, and one of the greatest review scams ever pulled.

The Fake Restaurant Scam -VICE Story