I’m noticing more local businesses relying solely on Meta products like Facebook and WhatsApp for all their communications.

One sounded quite put out when I asked if I could email or phone instead.

If they ask why I don’t use those platforms, I’ll explain, but I rarely have the time or energy to lecture every company simply trying to save a little time or money.

When people use WhatsApp, it’s usually for the convenience. Some may even believe the promise of encryption. The encryption itself may be sound and Meta probably isn’t reading messages. But it doesn’t need to. It harvests what it needs from the surrounding metadata.

Meta knows who you talk to, when, how often and from where. Combined with what you share on Facebook and Instagram, this builds a vast ecosystem of profiling and behavioural insight that fuels its advertising empire.

WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption protects message content, but that privacy is far from absolute. Contact uploads, cross-app tracking and unencrypted cloud backups expose much more of our digital lives.

And it’s simply not in the interests of a data-mining, ad-driven giant to champion true user privacy.

Alternatives like Signal, Wire, and Element prove that secure communication doesn’t require monetising our attention. They’re no harder to use. The challenge lies in convincing your social circle to move with you. The real choice sits between convenience and conscience, between what’s easy and what’s ethical.

Thankfully I can chat with all of my close network between Wire, Signal, Messages, Element, Email or on the phone. Yes I still make phone calls. It’s perfectly convenient for me as all the apps as accessible with a click and I can answer all incoming with the tap of a notification.

When personal data and social connections become commodities, civil liberties begin to erode in ways that are hard to reverse. Privacy, the foundation beneath our freedoms, turns into a product rather than a protected right.

Every search, purchase and friendship becomes part of a tradable profile, giving corporations and governments an unprecedented window into our movements and affiliations. This constant visibility doesn’t just expose us. It changes how we behave. When we know we’re being watched, we start to monitor our thoughts and speech.

Data brokers sell information used for predictive policing, credit scoring, screening and embedding bias. These subtle forms of surveillance and coercion are already visible in the US. Though both the US and UK have long histories of using data in ways that compromise our freedoms.

It doesn’t really matter which side of the political fence you’re on. Surveillance can point outward, toward borders and policing. Or inward, for information control and social regulation. The real dividing line isn’t left vs right, but democratic accountability versus concentrated power.

If you could lock this down, would you? Could you convince your friends and family to come with you?

For more context check these links…

What is communications meta data and why do we care about it?

Why WhatsApp should not be used in business.

What’s hiding in your WhatsApp data?

WhatsApp Vs Signal.

WhatsApp encryption isn’t the problem, metadata-is

Thanks for reading.

I’m certainly not a technophobe. I just think the tools we use should serve us and not the other way around. Every small act of digitally savvy independence matters. Privacy is not about hiding something wrong. It’s about protecting something precious.

This post was pulled from an issue of the Documentally.net Dispatch

This post appear first on the weekly dispatch at Documentally.net

Back in 2016 I had a dream about a childhood hero. The eccentric inventor and artist Wilf Lunn. It took me down a rabbit hole and I discovered that he was alive and well somewhere in the north of England. 

So I emailed his and asked him if we could record a chat. He finally agreed and this audio documents two hours of my five hour visit to his home.

Wilf and his wife Liz made me very welcome and I very much enjoyed this chat. There is a chance that this is the last interview Wilf recorded.

You can find out more about Wilf here. If you have any recollections of Wilf, his art, shows and escapades, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

I write and share content regularly on a ‘best selling’ newsletter at Documentally.net It’s free to subscribe. See you there!

[A version of this post first appeared in my weekly email at Documentally.net]

That thing we are all doing.

Using an app that injects hundreds of tracking, motion, identity and device monitoring cookies onto your mobile device poses significant ethical risks. 

But you already knew that.

This is especially true for charities, activists, NGO’s and journalists. Anyone who works with vulnerable people, or in dangerous places with questionable regimes.

Why is it so risky? 

Let’s start with invasion of privacy. Tracking cookies collect sensitive personal information, like precise location. With the addition of accelerometer data, identity, browsing habits, connected networks etc, you’ve most likely shared data explaining what you’re doing and where. Also remember that this data does not go away. It’s too valuable for those who want to know you better. Better than you know yourself perhaps. It’s more than just wanting to sell you stuff.

Why should you be concerned?

This invasion of privacy should concern you. It exposes you to surveillance by third parties. Including government entities and or other malicious actors.

On top of this are security risks. The injection of cookies increases the attack surface as well as any vulnerabilities of your device. And if one app can exploit you in all these ways, so can others.

If you work with vulnerable individuals, such as refugees, whistleblowers, victims of abuse or human rights activists, the tracking and monitoring facilitated by such cookies also puts them at risk. Exposing their whereabouts, actions and connections. 

Of course you still might feel this doesn’t concern or affect you. 

But how might this affect you on other levels?

Many of us know our activities are being tracked. We might sterilise our interactions. Swapping true feelings for missives and data. Hesitating to express opinions, share sensitive information, or even seek help when needed. 

Thankfully, if you live in the UK we are still able to broach many topics (at time of writing anyway), even if knowledge of this level of monitoring may have us fine-tune the way we express ourselves. Or sometimes, have us move our phone, or place it in a different room.

How bad can this really be?

While working in dangerous places that have questionable regimes, using an app with extensive tracking cookies, raises serious concerns. About the app’s ownership, it’s data sharing practices and potential collaboration with oppressive or authoritarian governments. 

I have experienced this first hand. This can lead to compromising the safety and security of both yourself and the people you’re working with.

What can you do?

For many of us who chose these advertising models over paying for content, it probably feels too late to do anything. But ask yourself if the pros of having yet another place to chat is worth supporting these questionable practices. 

Could we start to push back and demand safer online interactions for the generations to come?

Nothing connected to the internet is risk free. But some spaces are better than others. Choose the places and spaces that try to do better. 

Especially if you work with vulnerable or targeted people. Consult with security experts or human rights organisations. Anyone who can provide valuable guidance to navigate these ethical considerations. At the very least assess privacy policies, security measures, and the reputation of apps before downloading.

Still not interested?

You may not think that participating in these ethically questionable spaces is an issue. But there are broader implications and consequences.

Like a ripple effect. Participating in these spaces normalises them. Every sign up is a vote of confidence. You are saying you’re cool with this. Perpetuating these practices. There may not be an immediate impact on your own life. But participation helps create demand for such technologies, encouraging their widespread use. 

On top of this, our privacy norms have already been eroded. By accepting invasive behaviour you indirectly contribute to this increased erosion.

This widespread normalisation of tracking and monitoring also has broader societal implications. Such as the suppression of dissenting voices. Or the potential for increased social control and discrimination. 

Moving forwards

We must consider the unforeseen consequences. How might the data collected be used in the future? It might seem like just invasive marketing at the moment. But if anyone can buy this data, what kind of future risks are we not anticipating?

A small shift in the law could be very lucrative. Especially should we want to fine those with a history of minor traffic violations. Or copyright infringement, crypto trading, illegal downloads, trespass or non-compliance with local regulations.

Also, as we continue to feed into our individual psychographic profiles, we enable those with access to this data to understand our personality traits. Along with our values, attitudes, and motivations. Tailored messages have already been used to create a sense of social influence or conformity. 

Perhaps you can’t stop downloading these apps. Your allegiance to this or that brand, this or that party, this or that platform is already too strong.

It’s our ethical responsibility to do better. Participating in spaces with this kind of extensive monitoring raises serious questions. Especially around our responsibilities towards ourselves and others. 

We have a moral obligation to protect privacy. To uphold individual rights and consider the potential harm resulting from our complacency.

OK. How can we fix this?

Discuss this more. Raise awareness and question those who are a part of the problem. 

We don’t need more apps focused on the invasive mining of our data. Not everything belongs to everyone. We need to foster a collective understanding of the importance of privacy. To advocate for responsible and ethical practices in the digital realm.

Push back and reclaim some small space where we can be our true selfs with one another. Without fear of reprisal. 

Somewhere we can be human.

“Who are you? Why do you hide in the darkness and listen to my private thoughts?”

~ William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

---

Resources

• Worth a listen in regards to what could happen if the data you have freely given suddenly turns dangerous.
• The Open Rights Group fight for your rights in the digital age
• The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation
• Privacy International helps to to protect democracy, defend people’s dignity, and demand accountability from institutions who breach public trust
• The Center for Democracy and Technology is a leading nonpartisan, nonprofit organization fighting to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age
• Signal for secure messaging
• Cover Your Tracks lets you see how browsers view your browser
• Restore Privacy is a digital privacy advocacy group committed to helping people stay safe and secure online
• Privacy Badger is a browser extension that automatically learns to block invisible trackers.
• Tactical Tech’s Data Detox kit.
• Lots more Privacy Tools

Thank you for reading. Please consider subscribing to my free weekly email at Documentally.net.

Please feel free to comment if you have any other resources you think might help. 

Christian.

As you may have noticed, posts here have been scarce as I live mostly in my weekly dispatch/newsletter on Documentally.net. If you subscribe there (it’s free) you would have seen a version of the flowing info already.

For those yet to subscribe I’ve been helping my Dad and his wife Lesley out in Wales. Just shooting some phone video to assist them with their small company selling wool duvets.

At the risk of leaving gaping holes in this page when Twitter crashes and burns here is a link to one of those videos that Twitter hosts…

And this…

And this…

There is more to come so please do follow @Baavet should you want to either see them or sleep better

I packed pretty light when it came to equipping myself to grab those moments. I was only there to shoot a couple of casual pieces to camera on my phone so kept things simple.

Obviously the kit changes depending on what I have been asked to shoot but here are the items I used on this occasion with some Amazon affiliate links embedded just in case.

The compact tripod is the MeFoto Backpacker Air which was £80 when I bought it. About the size of a 1lt pop bottle and cheaper in the linked orange. My iPhone 13 Pro was attached to the QuadLock tripod adapter. When handheld I use the Rode Tripod 1 and the two mics and a receiver is the Rode Wireless Go II kit.
It all fits in a small Tom Bihn shoulder bag and weighs very little.

In regards to an audio only kit, today I was asked to help out record a school choir who won’t be around to sing on Easter Sunday. They requested a recording to play to the congregation later.

It might be a little overkill but I recorded the choir in 32 bit float with the Rode NT4 stereo condenser mic into the Zoom F6 recorder. The mic was stood on the now hard to find Manfrotto 682B self standing monopod (here is one on eBay) and I monitored with the Rode NTH100 Pro headphones. (So comfy)

As a backup I used the OM System LS-P5 which has of course plummeted in price since I bought it and is almost in focus on the left in the image below. It’s the same recorder I carry in a pocket for impromptu field recordings, interviews or podcasts.

I could have got away just using his little recorder and not bothered setting up over £1000 of other gear. The audio was only intended to go in a newsletter and to be played in church later. But where would the fun be in that. The Rode NT4 delivers far superior audio and recording in 32bit float is stress free with no levels to adjust. Plus the kids had some great questions after they finished singing. Things like:

Q: How much is that recorder?

A: About £600

[Gasps]

Q: Have you ever recorded a hamster?

N: No

[Look of disappointment]

Q: What’s the best recording you ever captured?

A: Probably the first sound my son made after he was born.

[Ahhhh]

Q: Have you ever met David Attenborough

A: Yes. I had dinner with him. He was lovely.

[Many high eyebrow looks of respect]

Q: Do we have to go back to school now?

A: Yes

[Sad sighs]

I’ll post an update should I get any new gear to play with. If you would like to learn how to use any of this stuff I do training.

Thanks for reading.

I have many more words and pictures on Documentally.net. As I said before it’s free to sign up but the cool and the curious pay a little every month to get full access to the newsletter.

[This is a version of a post from my weekly dispatch at Documentally.net. You can sign up for free. There are Amazon affiliate links in this post and on the off chance you click to buy, I might get some pennies in Amazon credit.]

The paperwork in the box had this behemoth lithium iron phosphate battery down as a 96000mAh/297.6Wh LiFePO₄ battery pack that supplies 12 to 24V DC output. Take a look around online and you will see this is one of the bigger ‘portable’ power packs out there. But I was interested in this as it was not one of the most expensive.

I have had experience with tech from this brand before as I once reviewed the smaller battery pack featured in this video. In fact that power pack has since had a lot of use. It’s also lighter than this one. The main downside though is the old model is not LiFePO₄.

LiFePO₄ or “LFP” for short has a much more stable chemical composition and is often touted as being much safer. Especially if you need power in hot climates or if the cases are likely to get bashed about. The better electrochemical performance and low resistance not only aid in this powerpack’s stability, it also means more charge cycles. i.e. the battery will last you much longer.

It can be charged by the AC wall plug supplied, solar if you have it, as well as via the PD 60W USB-C port. I also saw a mention that it can be charged via a ‘car charger port’ but not sure what that is. Both 12V/15A cigarette lighter ports say ‘out’ on them.

The plastic flaps that covered the ports gave me confidence that when they are closed, the power pack would live happily in the tent. Even with condensation dripping from the sides.

Alongside those 2 cigarette lighter ports there is a DC input port, a DC output port, 1 USB-C with input/output and 2 USB-A ports. A quick charge 3.0 and a standard USB1. The top also has a 10W Wireless charging pad and although convenient if other ports are taken by far the most efficient way to charge a phone is via a cable.

When this first arrived I mocked the large LED light on the end but it turned out to be quite handy in the tent. It gives a warm glow and illuminates quite a large area. It appears to be on to off with no adjustment.

Over three nights of camping this battery felt like overkill as I had used less than 20% of its capacity. I charged my phone, watch, laptop, head torch, headphones and my Kindle, only losing one bar on the LED screen. Once home I kept on using it and powered my laptop and phone continuously for another day before I decided to top it up with the wall plug.

I also jury-rigged a folding solar panel into a charge input and have run my office without issue. My lights are on larger solar panels and a car battery but I’m thinking to swap that out for this LiFePO4 pack and see how it fares over the winter months.

This battery is aimed mostly at CPAP machine users which might explain the capacity. Should you be willing to carry 3kg of powerpack then this should suit someone away on a week of camping with friends. Add a solar panel and you might be good indefinitely. Or at least for the 3000 charge cycles that the pack is rated for. 

I was happy to pack this on the motorbike but it would be even more suited for a car or camper van. My next test and possible video will have me powering my amateur radio gear while ‘working portable’.

Here is that Amazon affiliate link again should you be in need of portable power and don’t mind giving Jeff your cash.

___________

I will most likely be mothballing this blog for an undetermined time while I have a go at writing a book.

If you would like to join me on that particular journey then you can subscribe here for free or there is an option to choose support my work. Savings are dwindling so I’m obviously keen on the support option

Either way, thank you for reading. I’m @Documentally on Twitter.

[This video was first sent to the inboxes of supporting subscribers of Documentally.net That’s where I post most of my content. Click the link and subscribe for more words, pictures, video and a podcast.]

I’d like to say it was obvious that the company that brought you top studio microphones, booms and recording gear would of course be bringing out some headphones. But I didn’t see it coming.

On reflection it’s a no brainer. 

Imagine all those happy new users of the Rodecaster Pro, and soon the Rodecaster Pro II who’d love to have Rode bundle them both four mics AND headphones for their new portable studio. And why not?

The RØDE NTH 100 are one hell of a ‘first go’ at headphones and the build quality and features make them very hard to beat at this price point.

As mentioned in the video, RØDE kindly sent me these headphones to review. I have never taken their money but I’m more than happy to put their tech through their paces. I trust them. None of the RØDE gear I have ever bought, borrowed or been given has let me down or stopped working. I’m hoping to see the same quality in these headphones.

I’ve listed my thoughts plus pros and cons in the video above but here are some features in more detail:

• Contoured earcups that follow the shape of the ear with memory foam cushions for noise isolation
• Removable cable with locking connector that can be connected to either ear cup
• Custom-matched drivers deliver an accurate flat frequency response, perfect for monitoring and mixing
• Precision-engineered acoustic construction
• Comfortable, replaceable Alcantara earcup and headband cushions
• CoolTech gel keeps the headphones cooler and comfortable for longer.
• Fully adjustable headband with a neat locking system

I can’t overstate the comfort. I know headphone fit is a personal thing but when sat at my desk I’ve hardly taken them off. Other headphones might create a pressure point or make my ears hot. Not these. Let’s see if that’s still the case when summer really kicks in.

It’s this and other features that has me wishing they’d made these headphones more portable. I tend to travel quite light and will often choose a lesser spec’d piece of tech if it’s smaller and more portable. That’s not to say that people won’t travel with them. The first time I saw these headphones in the wild was Heathrow airport. Mine had been delivered as I left for the plane and felt too big for me to take on my motorbike adventures. Besides I wasn’t planning on doing any studio work or editing. But thankfully the guy who was sporting them let me compare them to other headphones on sale in duty free. Despite the not very scientific environment, that was quite an eye opener. The NTH 100’s sounded better than more expensive headphones.

But remember they are designed for the studio. If you like to travel super light and enjoy your adaptive noise cancelling then perhaps stick with your AirPods etc.

In regards to spec:

Transducer Size – 40mm | Operating Principle – Dynamic | Frequency Response – 5Hz – 35Khz | Impedance – 32Ω | Sensitivity – 110dB/V | Maximum Input Power – 1700mW, 1% THD @ 1kHz | Ear Coupling – Circumaural | Ambient Noise Attenuation – 20dBA | Connection Type – Dual TRRS Cable Attachments | Weight – 350g | Cable Length – 2.4m

And here they are alongside the Apple AirPods Pro.

As you can tell from the video up top, there is not much I don’t like. I do wish it had shipped with a shorter cable. It comes with the 2.4m but I think the 1.2m would be the most used length for the average user. Of course if they sent out the short cable on its own everyone would complain. So sending both in the box would be best for the customer, if not for the bottom line.

I’ll let you know how they work out long term and if you’re keen to try them out let me know. If we are likely to be in the same physical space I’ll bring them along. I often share where I’m going to be in the weekly email dispatch. As I said above, headphone fit is quite personal and it’s great to get the chance to try before you buy.

So there you have it. It’s the little things, the side swappable cable, the click-to-adjust headband, the weird magical gel… the features.

RØDE are continuously shaking up the world of sound production. Back in the early 2000’s our bedroom recording studios cost a damn sight more than what’s available now. We would attempt to cobble whatever second hand gear we could get together, or just say sod-it and hire a studio.

They are rapidly becoming the one brand that does it all. And it’s pro quality gear.

Now we are all happier to hang out in the same physical space I’d be keen to also try their new Roadcaster Pro II. Especially as it can now be powered by USB PD out of the box. Version one needed an adapter. Perhaps we can get together for some group podcasts or if you ever attend one of my audio focused workshops we can take a look at it there.

Till then, thanks for watching/reading.

The video above was first shared with supporting subscribers of my email. Thank you so much for your support. 

If you would like to see more reviews let me know in the comments. If there is anything from RØDE you would like to know more about, it might be I’ve already tested and reviewed it on my YouTube channel.

You can find more info on the headphones on RØDE’s official site.

Cheers,

Christian

aka @Documentally

In the embedded video I try out a Windcamp Gipsy full size portable dipole and a 72000mAh portable powerpack into my Icom 705 amateur radio.

Here is an amazon link to the EASYLONGER Lithium powerpack. And here is a link to the Antenna on the ML&S site.

The video was recorded about a week into what I think was the Omicron variant of COVID-19. I’m over it now but at time of recording I can now see I was mispronouncing things and when I called the power pack LiPo4 I actually should have said it’s a lithium power station.

Since making this video I have continued to have some great results from the antenna and the Powerpack has come in really handy. Looking forward to sharing some more amateur radio experiments on G5DOC.net my weekly ham radio themed newsletter.

Are you ready to disengage from your frenzied day with 45 minutes of audio actuality?

The audio below is recorded with the Zoom F2 field recorder. 

Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, I turned on the mic, jumped in the car and went shopping. 

At the end of the trip I had two files (you will know why there’s two when you listen). One 646.2 MB 56min WAV file, plus a 14.3 MB 1min WAV file. Both were recorded as 32 bit float audio files and I pieced them together in GarageBand. 

Finally to minimise your pain and frustration I have uploaded to Audioboom to embed here. No idea of the final size but I imagine it will be an MP3.

No prizes for listening to the end, just my respect.

So what’s so special about this recorder?

Well although it’s not the first audio recorder to offer 32bit float, I do believe it’s the smallest. Zoom were the first to market with a recorder that captured 32bit floating point audio when they released the Zoom F6. 32bit float audio has greater dynamic range than both 24 or 16-bit audio files.

Before I explain why that is so cool, there are a few things that can get in the way of you capturing high quality audio.

• The wrong mic for the environment
• Bad quality or faulty gear
• Incorrect mic placement
• Uncontrollable or unwanted ambient noise or echo

The main concern that I find the hardest to get right, or that will most often catch me out, is recording audio at a level that is either too high or too low.

Quite often this can be fixed in post production but when you increase the audio volume you also introduce unwanted noise. 

Trying to recover audio that has distorted due to a sudden increase in volume is really hard and most times impossible to fix. On some recorders or set-ups you can protect against this by recording a ‘safety channel’ that records an extra track at a lower recording gain. But this complicates your workflow and gives you double the file size for everything you record.

Enter 32-bit float.

The more dynamic range you have in your recorded audio, the more final adjustment you’ll have without losing audio quality.

Right now a high quality audio recording might be captured as a 24-bit, 48 kHz WAV file. This has a dynamic range of 144.5 dB.

The dynamic range you can get from a 32-bit floating point audio file is a whopping 1,528 dB.

Although you can make some adjustments on the Zoom F2 when it’s connected to a computer, this recorder has no gain controls on the unit itself. But fear not, you are covered.

If you consider that the quietest sound in the world is the sound of a particle moving through air at -23 dB, and the loudest sound ever recorded was the Krakatoa eruption at 310dB, recording with a dynamic range of just 287dB should have you covered. (Although as dB is a logarithmic scale I may have these numbers wrong. Please feel free to correct me in the comments.)

So with the Zoom F2 you can hit record and faced with sudden laughs, slamming doors, screams, gunfire, exploding cars, cracks of lightning or even an erupting volcano, everything can be captured at the correct sound level.

There is also a bluetooth enabled version of the Zoom F2 for remote control recording and adjustment. But I was using the standard Zoom F2. 

Here are some specs from the standard F2:

• A compact size at only 57x47x20mm
• Equipped Wirth 32-Bit Float for clip-free recording
• No need to adjust gain
• Records 44.1kHz/32-bit float or 48kHz/32-bit float audio files
• Lock the record button with Rec Hold function
• 1/8″ Mic In mini phone jack with plug-in power (2.5V) 
• Stereo ⅛” Phone/Line Output jack with volume control
• 80 Hz low cut filter selected with computer app
• Records to micro SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards up to 512 GB
• Edit settings with USB-C connection and the F2 Editor app
• Runs on only 2 AAA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or via an AC adapter (AD-17)
• Up to 15 hours of recording with two AAA alkaline batteries

I have tried this recorder with a variety of microphones and the only downside I can find is that it does not record in stereo. I’d love a unit this size to use with my binaural microphones. I would not be surprised to see a 32 Bit float update to the Zoom F1 around the corner. Perhaps the Zoom H1n will evolve into the Zoom H1f. Now that I would love to see.

I must thank Zoom UK for the loan of this device. This is not a paid endorsement. I’m a longtime fan of Zoom recorders (since 2007) and as soon as this is returned I’ll be ordering the BT version. If only so I can remotely control the recorder. File transfer will still have to be via USBC or a card reader but that’s not an issue.

I see this body-pack style recorder much more than just a back up audio capture device. It’s high quality audio recorder for podcasters, videographers, bloggers and journalists wanting hassle free one touch recording in a compact unit you really can carry anywhere. 

Or anyone who never wants to clip their audio again.

Thanks for reading and listening. This post originally appeared in me weekly dispatch which you can find on Documentally.net Please head there to subscribe to that and my podcast.

Christian

@Documentally

The idea is to build a never ending bottle of blended whisky, composed with the last drams from bottles in your collection. When you get to the last drop in the bottle, add it to your ‘living’ bottle. When the bottle gets full, pour a glass and make some space.

So far this is the contents of my infinity bottle with the date each whisk(e)y was added:

• 14/9/17 – Elijah Craig 12 years & Dunnville’s Old Irish Whiskey 10 Years & Tin Cup American Whiskey & Writers Tears Red Head & Glen Orchy 5 yrs
• 31/10/17 – Redbreast 12 yrs & Redbreast Lustau Edition & Glen Goyne 12 years
• 19/2/18 – anCnoc 12 Yrs
• 27/2/18 – Skapa Skiren
• 14/5/18 – Green Spot
• 07/8/18 – Benromach 10yrs
• 18/11/18 – Elijah Craig Small Batch
• 29/12/18 – Rittenhouse Rye BIB & Eagle Rare 10yr old
• 08/4/19 – Balcones True Blue & Aberfeldy 12yrs
• 12/12/19 – Method and Madness Single Pot Still French chestnut 
• 17/01/20 – Glencadam 18yrs & Glendronach 12yrs
• 05/6/20 – Glen Scotia Victoriana
• 14/6/21 – The Glenlivet  12 years old (1970s bottling)
• 14/11/21 – Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition
• 30/11/21 – Old Pulteney Huddart
• 30/11/21 – Balblair 15yr old
• 01/12/21 – Arranach D’issan Margaux 3rd July 21 58%
• 20/12/21 – Cotswolds Single Malt 2017 Odyssey Barley 46%
• 11/01/22 – Kilchoman Sanaig cask strength 58.9%
• 29/03/22 – Glentauchers 6 year old 54%
• 09/06/22 – Bimber – Ex-Bourbon Cask Batch No. 3 51.6%

I’ve added bourbons to the Scottish and Irish malts but have kept the peat rich varieties out of my bottle as I think the peat will dominate more subtle flavours. It might be I create a peat focused infinity bottle in the future.

Occasionally I have decanted to a small bottle and shared this unique tipple with close friends.

This is a great way of savouring those precious last drops. To create something greater than the sum of its parts. A unique one of a kind blend.

If you are a supporting subscriber to my weekly email dispatch then you automatically qualify for a taste. Just let me know when we are likely to cross paths and I will bring a measure with me.

I hope you get the chance to create your own Infinity bottle and perhaps we might someday exchange a tipple.

This careful curation, this considered approach, is my favourite way to enjoy whisky.

I’ll finish with this quote from Mark Twain… “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.”  …And add the caveat, please drink responsibly.

Thanks for reading. I’m @Documentally on Twitter and write and podcast at Documentally.net

But can there be a perfect multitool? Surely the perfect multitool is the one you have to hand at the right time? Plus, as its usefulness is dependent on ever changing needs, you need as many features as you are happy to carry.

Your needs will be different to mine but I recommend monitoring how you use your multitool on a daily basis. Then come up with rating system.

I had a think and figured I’d need my tool to be able to:

Cut and bend wire – As an amateur radio operator stripping coax and bending thick copper wire to make aerials is a regular occurrence.

Remove a decking screw – I find that if I have a screwdriver that can rotate and extract a long neglected decking screw, it can remove any screw.

Not get me arrested – We have quite strict knife carry rules here in the UK. Obviously flick, butterfly, gravity and push knives etc are straight up illegal. As a rough rule you can carry any non-locking pocket knife with a blade length up to 3 inches (7.62 cm) without any reason for having it. Anything outside this (like a locking multitool) can be carried in certain places providing you have a reason for use.

After asking a few police officers what they look out for they told me that excessive knife length, single handed opening and general styling are all noticed. This is one of the reasons that I stopped carrying the Leatherman Skeletool. It’s a damn useful tool but with it’s carbon styling, pocket clip and single handed opening It just looks too aggressive. Plus it doesn’t do enough.

Cut Toenails – This is a good test for any small pair of scissors.

Wear on a belt and not look like a roadie – I was a roadie for a few years and got to wear a utility belt both back, above and below stage for the likes of Pink Floyd. But a bulky pouch hanging off the hip is not practical or pretty on a day to day basis.

Tighten a hinge on a pair of glasses – I find if have a driver bit that can do this there are all kinds of other small more electrical items I can fix.

Saw a prison bar – It’s unlikely that I will still have a multitool on me when thrown into a foreign cell, (I didn’t last time) but a hacksaw is a must for me. Even it it’s just to cut down a screw, bolt or spoke.

Saw firewood – If I can saw a gnarly log I can also cut the leg off a chair. Should I need to.

Outlive me – This feature is getting easier the older I get and with some tools having a lifetime guarantee it’s an easy win. A decent, well built multitool is something I can hand down for generations.

So if I use this rating system for the tools I have and mark out of five it looks something like this.

I rated the Skeletool CX, the Juice CS4, the Juice XE6, the Gerber Dime, the My original SAK Climber/Traveller, the SAK Cyber Tool Lite, and the Swiss Tool X.

These are all great tools in their own right. I have two Cybertools as I thought I lost one and bought another in 2013 as I could not live without it. I also have two Gerber Dimes as I wore the first one out. At £20 it’s a bargain. You can’t buy the original SAK traveller now without digital features so look for the Climber which is almost the same. [The SAK Climber/Traveller was rated above with the little screwdriver in the corkscrew and the Skeletool was rated with a couple of accessory bits.]

But the clear winner here was my trusty SwissTool X. The shiny silver finish is not for everyone but it makes the metalwork much easier to rinse, clean and oil and therefore less susceptible to corrosion. I’ve had this one over 5 years and it’s as good as new after regular use. Even after multiple dumps in the sea.

So what (in my opinion) can comes close to this?

I have tried out the Leatherman Wave+ in the past, but I much prefer the easier access of the tools on the SwissTool that can be got at without opening the pliers. Leatherman also pride themselves on single handed opening which I now tend to avoid. Also even though the SwissTool is cheaper than the Wave+, it has more features and a lifetime guarantee. Although the 25 year guarantee of a Leatherman will be enough for many.

A version of this post was shared to my weekly email that you can subscribe to here. Documentally.net and this is pretty much where it ended.

But…

I speculated that if I really wanted to improve on my Swiss Tool X, one good option would be to buy the updated Swiss Tool Spirit with the additional ratchet kit and attachable corkscrew.

Then, later that night, after a couple of glasses of wine I ordered this…

Yes. It’s the Swiss Tool Spirit XC Plus. The one with the insanely sharp serrated blade.

Slightly lighter, slightly smaller, 36+ functions including… Combi needle-nosed pliers / wire cutters for thin and soft wires / hard wire cutter / large (but legal) wavy edged blade / Phillips screwdriver: 1/2 / reamer, punch / multi-purpose hook / can opener / 2,4 & 6mm screwdriver: 6 mm / bottle opener / crate opener / wire bender / scissors / wood saw / metal saw / metal file / 7mm chisel / wire stripper / wire scraper / cable cover longitudinal & crossways cutter / plus in the pouch / ratchet (30 Nm) / bit holder / bit Hex 3 / bit Hex 4 / bit Phillips 0 / bit Phillips 3 / bit Torx 10 / bit Torx 15 / mini screwdriver / corkscrew / bit extension.

Now with all this in the pouch it would fail the ‘not look like a roadie test’ but thankfully the smallest inbuilt screwdriver can still adjust tiny screws. So the large leather pouch is not really needed for ‘every day carry’. In fact the Swiss Tool is small and light enough to fit in my pocket.

I would still prefer it on my belt though so until I make something custom I’ve borrowed the thin nylon pouch that came with the Skeletool. Fits perfectly.

This updated Swiss Tool feels much better in the hand and the little ergonomic curve in the handles means no more trapped skin and a much more comfortable grip.

But how does it do in the ratings? With it’s new rounded pocketable size and weight it’s and easy a 40. Perhaps even a 41. The larger pouch and beautiful little ratchet kit will always be close to hand and I’ve already used the bonus tools to remove a number of motorbike panels and small parts. The corkscrew is another lovely bonus and I’ll have fun filling the spaces in the bit holder with additional tools I feel I might need when working round the house, on the road, in the radio shack or out camping.

On its own, or in the kit, this is my new favourite multitool and for the time being, the one tool to rule them all.

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Thanks for reading.