Every time I set the table, I always put out a full set of silverware because you never know who’s gonna need a certain utensil. I mean, I wouldn’t think about using a knife to cut my spaghetti, but I have a friend who does it every time he comes over for Spaghetti Thursdays. Likewise, I opt to use the side of my fork instead of a knife to cut my pancakes, and my friend thinks that’s a bit loony as well.
With the Knork 4-pc Set (Amazon, $24.99), neither my friend nor myself will feel odd for not using a knife at mealtime. Plus, it’s one less utensil to put on the table (and to wash later). The Knork features a finger platform in its center that allows the user to press down on it and use a rocking motion to cut food. The outer prongs of the Knork aren’t really all that sharp, but curved instead, making the Knork safe as well as easy to use. Because both outer prongs utilize this technology, the Knock is ideal for everyone regardless if they’re a righty or a lefty. If you know someone who suffers from a disability or medical condition that makes it hard for them to use both hands while eating, this is the perfect solution.
While the Knork is perfect in just about any situation, don’t think that you’re gonna be able to cut cans or your shoe with it. It’s not some silly knife from a crazy infomercial or your first job as a door-to-door knife salesman. Seriously, why did you think you’d be able to make $18.00 an hour so easily? That’s just stupid.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Set of four
-Cuts like a dinner knife and spears like a fork
-No sharp knife edge
-Use finger platform and rocking motion to cut food
-Right or left handed
-Rust, stain, and corrosion resistant
-Matte finish
-Dishwasher safe
I’m not very strong. It doesn’t really bother me all that much because I’m usually around someone who can help me out when I need to lift something heavy or can’t get the lid off a pickle jar. There are times when I’d like to at least pretend I’m an adult and that I have the ability to function on my own. Specifically, when I can’t get the cap off a beer bottle, it almost seems like I shouldn’t even be allowed to drink it.
I could go to the gym and try to build up my muscles, but that sounds like a lot of work. Instead, I’d rather trick people into thinking that I’m stronger by using the EZ Botop Bottle Opener (Drinkstuff, £7.99). Not only does this baby allow you to easily open beer, soda, anything with a bottle cap, but you can do it one-handed! Along with its innovative design, this opener creates a fulcrum that allows you to open a bottle with little to no effort. The top part is also magnetic, so the cap sticks to it after you’ve opened the bottle. I’m a fan of this feature because I am well known for attempting to uncap a beverage, only to have either the cap or bottle go flying because of my underdeveloped biceps.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long week and I need to conduct some further testing on this bottle opener.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 40mm x 170mm x 45mm
-One handed bottle opener
-Remove cap and pour contents in one fluid motion
-Magnet retains bottle top
-Not available for delivery in Canada
As I mentioned yesterday, I have a couple of pets. Specifically, two cats (dogs aren’t really conducive to small living spaces). And while I’m pretty sure they’re not doing a whole lot in my absence, I know they’re not angels all of the time. I can’t do a whole lot about it when I’m at work though, so when I get home I have to make sure that I’m all about the discipline. While a stern word or two usually does the trick, sometimes I have to break out the big guns. Water guns, that is. The only downside to squirting a cat with water is that it doesn’t always deter them. I could squirt one of my cats repeatedly with a water gun, but all I’ll end up with is an oblivious animal and a wet floor.
So I guess you could say that I’m on the market for a new solution, hence the Pet Zoom Sonic Pet Trainer (Walter Drake, $14.99). Instead of yelling at my cats until my voice is hoarse, I could just use this device because at least one of them is actually effective. Can you guess which one? The device functions by emitting a high frequency tone when a button is pressed. This tone can only be heard by your dog or cat, kind of like a dog whistle, and it’s super annoying. Effective up to 20 feet away, you can use the device the next time your cat is walking all over your kitchen counter or your dog is chewing on the edge of the coffee table.
As with any training tool, if you abuse its power it ceases to be effective. So please don’t misuse this device because your animals will seek revenge. True story.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4.5″ x 2″ x 1″
-Discourages bad habits in pets
-Emits high frequency tone to reinforce verbal commands
-Effective up to 20 ft away
-Uses one 9V battery (not included)
-Lightweight
-Safe and effective
Last night I heard the melodic sounds of the ice cream truck passing through the neighborhood. I was torn, because ice cream seemed like a really good idea right about then, but it was 10pm and just a little bit creepy for the ice cream man to be out that late. So I didn’t rush out to get a fudge pop or a King cone, choosing to instead pine away for an ice cold treat within the confines of my own home. It seemed like the safer choice, given the circumstances, but I was still left unsatisfied.
If I’d had the Ice Cream Maker (Perpetual Kid, $24.99) in my kitchen, I wouldn’t have spent the rest of the evening salivating over the thought of popsicles and ice cream cones. Instead, ingredients permitting, I could have sauntered into my kitchen and whipped up a batch of my own ice cream. Unlike the ice cream makers of old, this one doesn’t require you to inflict carpal tunnel syndrome on yourself whilst constantly churning its contents. With just the push of a button, you can create two different ice cream flavors in this maker. All you have to do is mix your ingredients (recipe book included), pour them into the maker, push a little button, and put the whole thing in the freezer. That’s it. Seriously.
I’m really trying to cut back on my kitchen gadgets (they’re starting to take over the place), so I have to wonder if this one is really worth it. I mean, will I really eat enough ice cream to justify the purchase? Seeing as my beverage intake skyrocketed once I got Keurig, I’m thinking it’s a fair bet to say I’ll be living off an ice cream diet.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 9″ x 4″
-Includes ice cream maker and recipe book
-Recipe book includes sherbet, sorbet, and ice cream recipes
-Makes ice cream with the push of a button
-Make two different flavors at once
-Needs 4 AA batteries
-Made of plastic
Is your child always getting into your toolbox, trying to create an unstoppable machine that puts all her other toys to shame? Or maybe he just wants to give the Terminators and Transformers a run for their money in the technology department? Either way, it sounds like you’ve got a feisty little inventor on your hands and you better get started feeding their creative impulses, or they might turn against you. True story.
Your little genius would really benefit from the empowering feeling of creation associated with the DIY Three Working Robots (ThinkGeek, $39.99). Before all you parents out there start to worry, the construction skills needed for building these robots are super easy: none. No tools are required because all the parts snap into place. With three types of robot bodies to choose from and a separate circuit for each, you and your smarty-pants child can build three different robots. Each robot has a unique attribute, whether it’s object detection via infrared rays, an alarm bot with light sensitivity, or easy operation via TV remote. The real bummer here is that the kit only comes with one robot base, so you’re limited to building one robot at a time.
Sure, it kinda blows that you can’t build a unified robot army, but it’s probably a safety issue. I mean, if Skynet can become self-aware, it’s only a matter of time before your personal robot army rises up against you. And if you thought Terminators were scary, just imagine a mutiny consisting of miniature robotic insects. Absolutely frightening.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Build 3 types of robots
-Includes 3 different robot bodies and circuits with 1 root base
-Detects objects using infrared rays, light sensitive alarm bot, or operates with TV remote
-No soldering required as all parts snap together
-Only one robot can be built at a time
-For ages 8 and up
