Bravado Living

The San Mai Gurkha Kukri: No, it’s not a gypsy curse, it’s a great big old pitbull of a knife.  The Kukri blade, easily distinguishable by it’s unique blade shape, is an iconic symbol of the Gurkha Warriors from Nepal, fearless mercenaries who employed this knife in the service of the British empire for over 150 years and were known to jump into trenches armed only with their blades and still send the enemy troops packing. That is quite the reputation and the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri does that reputation justice. Inspired by Cold Steel president Lynn Thompson’s close association with a Dr. Maung Gyi, who was chief instructor for the American Bando Association. Bando is a Burmese martial art and it’s from this standpoint that Thompson was able to really harness the potential of this singular blade. The Kukri is pretty much a cross between an axe and a knife, with all the chopping and stabbing power that implies. It’s still used on a daily basis in South Asia for a whole plethora of tasks, from building furrows, cutting meat and vegetables, cutting down trees, to plain old self defense from wild animals and hostile humans.

Currently employed by the U.S. Navy Seals, this particular kukri retains all that versatility, from chop and stab to slash and smash. It’s multipurpose magic stems from some minor tweaks Cold Steel have added. The point is longer and narrower and has a distal tapering to the spine, giving it more piercing power. Cold Steel boasts that the San Mai is the heaviest kukri on the market. The San Mai apparently makes an efficient bludgeon using the back of the blade .The blade is almost an inch wider near the tip than at the handle. This pushes the balance of the blade forward, the same concept behind a leather sap, so you can land a substantial blow with minimal effort. A blow from this baby can break bones or even become fatal if you land one on your assailants skull. This is a great all-purpose knife for any outdoor activity and if you’re an avid hunter this should definitely become part of your arsenal. I love knives and would add this to my collection in a heart beat.

Watch the Gurkha Kukri in action as it cuts through meat, bone, metal, concrete, and even a coin like butter. Even more impressive is the lack of damage to the blade. I haven’t seen cutting power like this in swords twice the size of this powerful knife.

BUY IT San Mai Gurkha Kukri $649.99

We’re not talking about how to tip your waitress, or your mait’r'e d.  If you don’t know how to do that, you need a lot more help than this site can give you. We’re talking about how to tip in situations where tipping isn’t customary, where the small incentive of paper currency can help get what you want.

This technique involves slipping a $20, $50, or $100 dollar bill  in the hands of a patron with the hopes of getting something in return. I have personally used this technique in three situations that have all worked phenomenally:

1.) Getting into a club where I didn’t know the doorman.

2.) Getting an upgraded hotel room from the concierge.

3.) Ensuring my luggage gets on a plane when I arrived 20 minutes before takeoff

There is a great thread talking about the success of slipping a $20 here.

A smile and a Jackson can soften anyone up

The trick with tipping in this manner is understanding the needs and wishes of the people you tip. You can’t just go around waving a Franklin and expecting better service. Often times they have a supervisor nearby, the establishment’s policy discourages tips, they may not feel comfortable accepting a tip in front of their coworkers. Understanding this you will need to be discrete. You need to help them help you.

How To Tip Properly

We discourage blatantly saying you will tip the patron, flashing money, or dropping a $20 on a counter- this is rude, shocking, and crass. Instead state your request, and ask for their help. Then repeat these magic words:

“If you take care of me, I will take care of you.”

Pulling out your wallet or casually placing your wallet on the counter will help reinforce what “take care of” truly means to you. If they accept:

1.) Grab the bill or bills and fold it in your hand

Fold the bill in your hand and tip discretely

2.) Shake their hand

3.) Exchange the money

Here are a few conversations I have had in the past, the patrons objections, and what I have done to overcome them.

At a club:

Dealing with Bouncers

Bouncer: Are you on the list?

Me: No, I am not.

Bouncer: ::Looking at me and my party of 6:: Ok it’s going to be $20 each.

Me: Is there anyway you could hook us up?

Bouncer: Sorry, you’re all going to have to pay.

Me: Are you sure? If you take care of me, I will take care of you. ::Pulls out wallet::

Bouncer: ::Softening up:: No.. you still have to pay

Me: I’d much rather pay you, then her ::referring to cashier- while opening wallet::

Bouncer: ::Thinks for a second:: Ok, go ahead. ::Opens velvet rope, tells cashier that we’re all ok to go in::

Me: ::Slips the bouncer a $20, escort my group in, enjoy the rest of the night with a smirk on my face::

This was an actual conversation at a Miami club. It was as simple as that. My whole party was escorted in like we owned the place, we saved $100 between the 6 of us, I solidified my reputation amongst my friends for being able to get in anywhere, and we all had a great time.

At a Hotel:

Bellagio Front Desk

What a lot of people don’t realize is that concierges and booking agents have unbelievable power when it comes to giving away goodies- from room upgrades, meal comps, drink tickets, and club passes. Because of this power, this technique works even better at hotels.

First

Research the hotel you are staying at. Familiarize yourself with the different suite upgrades they have available. Then call the front desk ahead of time, ask a few questions, find out if the person you are speaking with will be working when you check in. If they will not be working, call back until you find someone who will. Then ask for their name.

Next

When you arrive for check in, go directly to the guy (keyword- guy) you spoke with on the phone. Remind him of the conversation you had on the phone. When he remembers you, make sure you keep using his name throughout the conversation (this develops a good repoire).

Ask him “Busy Day?”

Service industry people love this question, because it’s a refreshing change of pace to see someone care about their feelings rather than worrying about everyone else’s.

After you soften him up a little bit ask directly which suite upgrade you would like by name.

They will usually quote the standard upgrade price. This is what you will do next.

Here is an actual conversation I had with a concierge in Vegas.

At a Hotel:

Concierge: “Ok sir, if you would like to upgrade your room that will be an extra $165/night”

Me: Please, call me (my name). (Insert his name here) Is there anything else we can do to make this upgrade happen. “If you take care of me, I will take care of you.” ::places wallet on counter::

Concierge: ::looks at the wallet, then pretends to crunch a few numbers in his computer:: Ok (my name), you have just been upgraded to (Inset fancy name here) suite, complimentarily.

Me: Why thank you (insert name here). Do you mind helping me up to my room with my bags?

They always oblige (customer service is always number one in any decent hotel). I then use this time to further increase my relationship with the concierge, pick his brain for any great shows, clubs, attractions, that I must see. He tells me to come back down and he will get me some free passes to everything he can.

I never let him actually carry my luggage, I tell him “don’t worry about it, I just didn’t want to tip you in front of your boss, I know how it works- I used to work the front desk in (insert Miami hotel here).” I then slip him some decent bank roll.

Because of this I was able to stay in a penthouse suite for an entire weekend which would have cost me over a grand for less than $200 a night, including the tip.

You can skimp and get away with slipping a bouncer a $20, or even a $10 if you’re really bold, because by the time he accepts the cash, you and your crew are already half-way through the entrance. But, with a concierge, I would tip generously. They will remember you throughout the weekend and continue to give you great advice, comps, and service.

Last Minute Tips:

-Black guys tend to hook it up the most

-Asian ladies tend to hook it up the least

-Generally guys will hook it up more than women will

And that’s it. Feel free to use this technique at any number of places:

1.) Ticket collectors at sporting events

2.) Baggage handlers

3.) A host at your favorite restaurant

4.) Yacht rental clubs

5.) Rent-A-Car locations

The sky is the limit. You never know what you can get away. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Good luck, and happy hunting.

There are three things I demand when searching a watch suited for formal affairs.

1.) It must be black and silver.

2.) It must have a leather band (leave the Rolex at home).

3.) It must be subtle.

I saw this beautiful Audemars Piguet Millenary Piano Forte, I was willing to break the third rule. This watch is anything but subtle. Like other Millenary Watches, the Piano Forte has an offset watch face adorned with a mother of pearl piano embellishment. This automatic masterpiece features an oval case modeled after the ancient Roman Colosseum, and a case size (40x45mm) that is much more modern.

Audemars Piguet Millenary Piano Forte

Unforunately, this white gold masterpiece was only released once in 2007, and limited to 500 models. Fortunately, one is going up for auction here. They come with a matching burl wood model piano case to help show off this work of art.

Piano Forte and Case

But after seeing how good this watch looks on the wrist, and how perfect it works for Black Tie affairs, I’m almost considering pulling the trigger and getting one.

The Perfect Dress Watch

Almost. [Hat Tip]

BUY IT Audemars Piguet Millenary Paino Forte $3,000-$5,000 Estimated

Take a look at these shiny little wrist adornments, clean and classy. I know I’ve already talked about cuff links, and yes those mentioned were also made by Ralph Lauren, but these are just such an eye-catching pair, I felt I had to share. I would personally pair these up with a slim-cut navy suit, a white shirt, and striped red power tie, and you will command any room. The Deauville Crest lends to the mystere, a  real gentleman’s piece. These cuff links are “exquisitely crafted” from sterling silver and are polished until they shine with a grade-A sheen. This is the type of piece that easily becomes an heirloom, something you pass down to the offspring (hell you can even pretend the crest is your family’s- even if it was probably mass produced in China). These are great  for weddings gifts, and leaving on someone special’s night stand you devil.

Relax. We’re pumped for wedding season too.

BUY IT Deauville Crest Cuff Links By Ralph Lauren $195.00

Highland Park Single Malt Whisky

Highland Park 21 Year Old Single Malt Whisky. 2009′s Best Whisky in the World (whisky for Scottish, Japanese, and Canadian- Whiskey for Irish and American). At least according to the World Whiskies Awards. Described with a fruitful nose, mouth-cooling palate, crystalline sugar taste, waxy mouthfeel, and underlying elements of mint, leather and vanilla- our mouth is watering just thinking about it. But don’t take our word for it- here are the experts:

An irresistible mix of dark grungey smoke and light sweet fruit. If you could barbecue a tin of Del Monte exotic fruits this is what it would taste like. Stunning
Dominic Roskrow

Cedar, forest floor. French toast accompanied by very tannic black tea. Reminds me of amber resin
Liza Weisstuch

The mouth bathes in a rich, chocolaty sweetness, then puckers up with the very drying tannic oak. A drop of water turns it into something delightful – juicy and nicely tingling with a long finish
Robin Laing

Big, fruity nose, dried fruits, dried herbs; waxy mouthfeel, sweet taste, crystalline sugar; mouth-cooling. A cracker!
Charles MacLean

Most whisky snobs would tell you to sip this from a brandy snifter at slightly above room temperature, but we’re big fans of refreshment. Pour it from your decanter, use a tumbler if you’d like, and I know it’s a crime, but throw in some ice and sip it slightly chilled. You’ll drink the next glass properly (right?).

It’s a little pricey at $256, but you can get it duty free for around $100. Just pull a favor from Your Travel Insider- he might give you one of his liquor exemptions next time he’s in the Caribbean.

And we wouldn’t mind a bottle thrown our way as well

BUY IT Highland Park 1984 Vintage Single Malt Whisky $256