Simple Little Life

Bob Rankin is a very talented knife maker and maker of damascus steel. While he doesn't really consider himself a blacksmith, his curiousity for forge welding led him to build his own forge and forging press. I first met Bob via one of my viewer's knives segments on YouTube and since that time it has been amazing to see his skill progress as a knife maker and one who makes amazing damacus steel.

You can check out Bob's recommendations here:

Rob's Wild Wood https://www.instagram.com/robswildwood/

Mad Scientist Knife Scales: https://www.instagram.com/mad_scientist_knife_scales/

Hawkness Customs

Rockin Blocks https://www.instagram.com/rockinblocks/

Forrester Woods https://www.instagram.com/forrester_woods/

Casting Kings https://www.instagram.com/castingkings/

BlackFox Grinders https://www.instagram.com/black_fox_knife_works/

In this episode I'm just chatting about things going on lately and some new gear I've picked up recently.

In this episode I get a chance to talk with a long time customer of mine who just happens to be a former USAF aircraft mechanic. We'll talk about his carreer in the airforce, his transition to law, how to prevent getting arrested and how making has been a part of all of it. This is a great episode that I think you will enjoy.

You can check out Todd on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/toddfuss/ and his YouTube channel that will hopefully have more of his projects here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1PJtSw2WQzoBOqG25OPuEg

Check out Steve Summers youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrGHSAkAN0ac8aVejwPBvA

Check out SixtyFive Ford's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/sixtyfiveford

When some makers start out, they worry more about how what they're making looks and less about how it actually functions. Some do the complete opposite. As we progress in our skills, the goal would be to bring those two ideas closer to each other. Any maybe, there is a point when they almost become the same thing.

This week's recommendation is a YouTube channel called Steve Wallis. Steve takes you along on his unusual camping adventures whether it be stealth camping in a city park or car camping (stealth mode) in the long term parking lot at the Edmonton International Airport. Always fun, super laid back and enjoyable. https://www.youtube.com/user/thestevewallis

In this episode, I'll share with you what I believe to be the most important thing to think about when you are trying to up your ability to take amazing photos. Obviously there is a lot that goes into a great photo. Whether you are talking about nature photography, fashion, wedding, portrait and even product photography; they all have this done well in the ones that stand out.

You can check out my website simplelittlelife.ca where I've uploaded a few examples of my own work along with the technical descriptors to how you how the technical settings affect the image. Please note: at the time this is published, my website is currently not available and undergoing contruction.

My recommendation this week is a YouTube channel called Foresty Forest. It's an adventure channel where Foresty shares his hiking, biking and paddling trips, as well as a recipe in almost every episode, many of which are done in his crock pot powered by solar, so he has a hot satisfying meal ready for him after a day of adventuring. You can check that channel out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCofJu853kJKpkg4y5a-9YXg

The lens I recommend can be found via these affiliate links;

For Canon: https://amzn.to/2UOXaBj

For Nikon: https://amzn.to/2UMeGGe

For Sony: https://amzn.to/2UOAHnN

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to all the tools that I own, have owned, and would like to own. To all the tools I've loved before..... It's an interesting idea and one that gets more complexed for me the more I think about it. Without just saying, "I want ALL THE TOOLS", how many do I really need. With maintenance, storage, and upkeep; the adage "you don't own anything, it owns you" has really started to impact how I think about my tools.

Check out Leo Babauto at zen habits (his minimlst website has been removed) here: https://zenhabits.net/

The book I mentioned is The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson. You can find it on amazon here: https://amzn.to/2Y7eySo

Jeremy introduces himself and his aims for this new show. He also tells us the origin story of Simple Little Life and a great story about a scooter he made as a child.