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Surviving Post-Grad Life

Now that it’s almost June, many seniors have graduated from college and are heading out into the world on their own for the first time. While living on your own without mom or dad may seem a bit daunting, we here at Battery Junction can help you out!

Cooking

Possibly the biggest challenge you will face is having to cook on your own.  It’s Monday afternoon, you have run out of food in your apartment, and you realize that you need to take a trip to the store or risk starvation. After you’ve mentally psyched yourself up to go grocery shopping, you go to take your bike out when you realize just how dark it’s gotten. It’s not safe to ride your bike now, you don’t have reflective clothing! If only you could light up your bike so cars would see you. Good thing you have your SpokeLit LED attachable bike lights! Cars can now easily spot you down the road. You can now take that much needed trip to the store and successfully line your shelves with the proper amount of snacks, pasta, chicken, and TV dinners.

Going Out

It’s Friday night and you’re ready to explore your new city. After checking out the latest yelp reviews on a restaurant down the block that you’ve been eyeing, you decide to call a friend to grab a nice dinner. You deserve it from all of the cooking you did this week. Putting together your best outfit, you are about to walk out the door when you steal one last glance at yourself in the mirror. “I look fantastic,” you say, grinning, as you give yourself one last look over. Your eyes come to a rest on your ears. The smile slides off your face as you realize just how dull your jewelry looks in the light. You’re already running late so you quickly remove your earrings and head out, upset that your perfectly composed outfit didn’t work out. Don’t let your night get ruined again. Always look your best and get the GemOro Sparkle Spa Pro! With the cleanest and shiniest jewelry, you’ll be the talk of the city!

Staying In

One of life’s greatest tests is having to make the tough decision about whether or not to go out every night. On those evenings where you decide to stay in and save your money, your goal is to achieve maximum comfort. As you are lounging on the sofa, you try not to think about all of the meetings you have at work tomorrow. You put on a nice movie to distract yourself when all of a sudden the power goes out! Immediately you try to locate a light source. Phone light? Battery is dead.  (How could you let your phone die. Grab a charger.) Candles? Your apartment complex bans them. Flashlight? Perfect! I must have one of those! You fruitlessly hunt around your apartment only to have a dark thought crosses your mind: You don’t have a flashlight.  After sitting on the floor for several minutes reflecting on how you managed to survive this long on your own, the power miraculously returns. Immediately, you hop onto google to search our website for our vast selection of flashlights and settle on the Nitecore MH20 Rechargeable Flashlight. Lightweight and portable, you will never get caught in the dark again!

 

Black Cat Snarling

Make It Through the 13th: A Guide to Surviving This Frightening Friday

Broken Glass

It’s the end of the week, and while Fridays usually bring relief and joy, we find ourselves avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk and steering clear of dark colored felines. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen; we’ve Friday the 13th. While you haven’t necessarily succumbed to bad luck in previous years (knock on wood), it can’t hurt to plan around the possible jinxes that seem to be particularly present on this most unlucky of days, and Battery Junction is here to help you with your preparations.

Avoiding Black Cats:

black-catThese pesky hex machines are a prominent symbol for misfortune on any given day of the year, so encountering one on this particular date can only amplify the chances of receiving 13 years of bad luck. While you’re able to put your house on black cat lock-down, you won’t have the same environmental control once you step out into the outside world, so you’ll need something more mobile than walls to keep them from crossing your path. What better repellent is there to keep the cats at bay than their seemingly sworn enemy, man’s best friend. Keep a dog close to your side, which can be easily done with the help of a proper leash, and your path will stay clear of any unlucky felines.

 

Umbrellas Aren’t Worth The Risk:

Open-Umbrella-in-House-grey2001-300x233If it’s raining on your Friday the 13th, then you may already feel like bad luck has found you, but don’t let it trick you! All the rain is doing is prompting you to use one of most potentially unlucky objects out there; an umbrella. This seemingly innocent device may keep your head dry, but has the potential to cause a severe depletion in luck when opened inside and is just not worth the risk on this unluckiest of days. Sure, you may tell yourself that you’ll remember not to open it until you walk out the door, but all it takes is one distraction while you’re leaving and BOOM, you earn yourself an unhealthy dose of hexes. Keep yourself dry with a nice waterproof poncho, or better yet, just say inside; there could be black cats out there anyway.

Steer Clear of Hazardous Mirrors:

broken-mirrorSure, you’ve had that mirror in your bathroom since you’ve moved in and you’ve never come close to breaking it before. Well unfortunately, bad luck doesn’t check your track record of maintaining your reflective surfaces. It’s Friday the 13th, should checking to see if your hair looks good really your top priority? Be confident in your own appearance, or at least accept that approaching something so fragile on a day like today isn’t worth the potential 7 years of bad luck. If you truly find yourself in need of gazing upon your own beauty, at least use a nearly unbreakable mirror to lower your risk of jinxing yourself.

Be Ready For The Unexpected:

friday-the-13th-jason-voorheesFor 363 days of the year, we can all be fairly confident that a masked man wielding some form of bloody cutlery won’t be a major concern. However, from what horror cinema has taught us, today (along with Halloween) is the day where that sense of safety and doubt of the supernatural may cost us our lives. Don’t let your common sense lure you into a false sense of security; anybody wearing a hockey mask isn’t worth approaching. Just because you don’t live near Camp Crystal Lake doesn’t mean you’re safe (Jason somehow made into a spaceship, he can certainly make it to your front door). If you do unluckily stumble across a masked man wielding a long knife, make sure you’re evenly matched by carrying a machete of your own. With the proper equipment, you may just survive this Friday the 13th in one extremely paranoid piece.

Gearing Up For Spring – A Guide to Your First Day of Warm Weather

Well, it’s that time of year again. The snow has melted, the grass is growing, and it’s beginning to stay consistently warm enough to venture outside without a winter coat and gloves. Now that it is finally becoming bearable to stay outside longer than the walk from your car to your doorstep, preparations need to made for the inevitable outdoor activities. We’ve saved you some trouble by compiling a list of recreational essentials to ensure you are ready for a full day of play, from sunrise to sunset.

Dawn:

Dawn_-_swifts_creek02Rise and shine! It’s been a while since you’ve been outside at this time of day, or at least outside voluntarily for longer than 90 seconds.  The sun is shining and you realize you forgot just how bright the sun is at this hour. You’d planned to go for an early morning bike ride or hike, but you won’t get far doing either if you can’t keep your eyes open wider than a squint.  Instead of remaining stationary until your eyes can adjust to this Spring Sun, pick yourself up a pair of Wiley X Guard Sunglasses. Designed for high velocity protection, this stylish eyewear can ensure the wear and tear of any outdoor activity. These glasses are even available with changeable lenses to better fit your need to dull the Sun’s rays.

 

SUNGLASSES-1

Mid Day:

 

You did it! You completed your first attempt at outdoor exercise of the calendar year. Now that you’ve reached the top of your mountain or the end of your trail, its time for a well earned meal under the warm sun to refuel for the venture back. Unless you wore a pair of cargo pants with pockets fully stocked, you’ll probably need a backpack  like the Maxpedition Pygmy Falcon-II Backpack to help you transport your sustenance.  Compact and lightweight, this comfortable pack comes with a number of secure and breathable straps that make it easy to carry, no matter what the activity. But don’t let it’s pygmy size fool you; this pack features over 10 sizable pouches and pockets to hold all the food and fixings you’ll need for your victory meal. You won’t have trouble staying hydrating either, as the backpack even features 2 water bottle pouches that can each hold a 1L Nalgene bottle!

Sunset:

Finally! You made it back just in time to see the sun fading over the horizon. While the trek home was less strenuous than the initial expedition, your legs are certainly tired from the constant exertion. But the day (or night at this point) is still young; you have of time to squeeze in a few more activities before this beautiful first day of Spring is over. With the sun nearly gone, it seems like it would be difficult to fit in another outdoor activity, but not with Nite Ize’s FlashFlight Flying Discs and LED Disc Golf Discs. These durable discs use sophisticated LEDs to give off a luminous glow that make them clearly visible in the dead of night, so you’ll never lose track of them. Tossing a Frisbee with some friends or playing a few leisurely holes of Disc Golf will be the perfect way to unwind after such a full day of recreation, and with these discs you can play as late as you wish!

You’ve finally wrapped up your first day of Spring and it has been a smashing success! While your body may be sore, your heart feels content with the numerous outdoor activities you were finally able to do after months confined to your house. But don’t let soreness keep you inside longer than it has to; you have a bunch of new gear to use and a few seasons of warm weather to take advantage of!

Tactical LED Shoutout: Klarus XT11S

Klarus XT11S LED Flashlight
Klarus XT11S

We’ve had our eyes on the Klarus XT11S and the XT series for a while, and the latest edition is making a big splash with its massive LED output and tactical style operation. An all around improvement from previous XT11 models, the XT11S combines the best features of the previous generation with some fresh new ideas that take tactical lighting to the next level! So take a look with us at the newest iteration of a classic tactical LED flashlight. Read More

Knife Edges

Knives come in three basic cutting edges: serrated, straight, and partially serrated. I personally like a straight edge because it has a more precise cut, almost like a surgical blade in its sharpness, and it’s the edge I have the most experience with. But there are definitely serrated and partially serrated enthusiasts out there who would probably argue that these types of edges are the best. Me, I can’t say — I don’t think I’ve ever used those kinds of blades.

 

machete                   Serrated

For jagged, but deep cuts that will penetrate the material you’re cutting. Has a saw-like surface that might in some cases be more effective than a straight edge. This type of edge is used a lot in kitchen cutlery because it cuts food up beautifully, everything from meat to bread.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-mc0-sogfari-machete-opt.html   (Serrated edge is on top of blade)

 

 

sogflashStraight

If you want a scalpel-like cut, then this is your edge. No grooves or ridges in the material once you’ve bit into it with the blade. The straight edge is known to sharpen very efficiently.

 

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-fsa-7-flash-str-sat.html

 

 

sogtwitch             Partially Serrated

 

This type of edge is getting more popular with knife manufacturers, since it combines both the straight edge and serrated edge into one blade. This makes it extremely versatile, and able to take on a wide range of projects and tasks.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-twi98-cp.html

Knife Finishes

stonewash knife

 

 

 

In this post, I’m going to talk about what style finishes and coatings are used on knives, from the popular, high quality types to the lesser quality kinds that perhaps you should avoid if you truly want a long-lasting, durable blade.

 

 

+ Bead Blasting —

A rather drab finish on knife blades that is achieved through striking the metal/steel of the blade with rough material, such as anything from beads to sand to even crushed walnut shells. While I don’t have a bead blasted knife, I do think its muted appearance is sort of attractive. Be forewarned, however, that it has a habit of rusting and being uneven in texture. If you like a duller look without the bumpy surface, you might want to try out a stonewash polish for your knife.

 

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-ff-salute-folding-opt.html

 

 

+ Satin —

Very popular finish that is common on knife blades sold today; it gives a shiny surface that is reflective and stands up well to rust and corrosion, and general wear and tear. Hides dents and scratches pretty well.

 

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-fsa8-cp.html

 

 

+ Titanium nitride —

This finish is being used more and more often to coat blades, because it is the ideal coating for steel, as it is one of the strongest coating materials; it makes the blade very tough, and has a great-looking appearance that will not scratch nor peel.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-tf-21.html

 

 

+ Mirror —

Extremely shiny finish, like its namesake. Not too common, because it can potentially cost a lot of money for the user/buyer, but there are some advantages to choosing this kind of finish, such as it being anti-corrosive and also very smooth. Unfortunately, the mirror polish is a magnet for fingerprints and scratches; so this fact should be taken into consideration as well when you select your finish or coating.

 

 

 
+ Powder coating/Black oxide–

A powder coating has the potential to wear off from the blade; it’s often used for cheaper knives that are not of great quality. Powder coating consists of black paint, which can be prone to flaking and accumulating nicks. Black oxide, on the other hand, can be applied to obtain a slight rust-resistant quality on the blade. I say slight because there are other finishes and coatings out there, including several listed in this article, that offer much better protection against rust and corrosion than black oxide does.

 

http://www.batteryjunction.com/sog-s37-seal-team-fix-opt.html

 

 

+ Stonewash —

This is a finish that is produced from jostling the blade with small stones or pebbles. Sometimes people will attempt this method for themselves at home, with mixed results. Stonewashing a blade produces a darker, weather-beaten look that is smooth and will withstand corrosion, scratches, dents, and other possible damage nicely.

Be My (Flashoholic) Valentine

We’re just two days until February 14th, in the eleventh hour before Valentine’s Day, and we’re all making our last minute preparations. While some people are searching for the last dozen roses in the county or dialing every restaurant that isn’t McDonald’s or Wendy’s looking for a dinner reservation, you seem to have everything together. You go down your checklist just to double check you have all your bases covered for this romantic holiday.

  • Flowers: Check
  • Chocolates: Check
  • Dinner Reservations: Check
  • Valentine’s Day Card: …

YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE VALENTINE’S DAY CARD! The cherry to top your sundae of sentimental expression! With no time to sneak out to the store, you are running low on options to complete your perfect Valentine’s package. No need to worry though, we have you covered.  Take yourself back to those middle school days handing out trading card-sized valentines to everyone you liked in your class and boost them with a few friendly flashlight and battery puns that we all (well some of us) can enjoy. If either you or your significant other are a flashlight enthusiast, we have a selection of “flasholohic” themed valentines that will definitely put a 1000 Lumen smile on their face.

VALENTINE-SUREFIRE

SureFire E2D Defender Ultra LED Flashlight

VALENTINE-ALKALINE

Duracell Duralock AA Alkaline Battery

VALENTINE-CHARGE-ME-UP

Efest LUC Blu6 Intelligent 6-Bay Bluetooth MultiCharger

 

VALENTINE-AAAWESOME

Energizer Industrial AAA Alkaline Batteries

 

VALENTINE-OLIGHT-ME-UP

Olight R20 Javelot Flashlight

 

VALENTINE-PRIMARY-CELL

Titanium Innovations CR123A

If you can’t decide on a single card, save a copy of all 6 for 6 times the adoration! Print out this perfectly-sized 8.5″ x 11″ complete sheet of punny flashlight valentines to give to everyone who “lights up your life”.

VALENTINE-CUTOUT

 

Vaporizer Buying Guide

In this post I will go over the new craze that is vaping and the essential products & accessories that you need to get the most out of your vaporizer.

How does it work?Vaporizer

The vaporizing first starts when the battery component heats up the atomizer, which in turn heats the e-liquid creating the vapor that comes out of the pen. Vaping came about as a means for smokers to help quit their addiction and then developed into the popular phenomena that it is today. “Vape pens” are filled with e-liquid, which is a flavored water based liquid that is frequently combined with varying amounts of nicotine and other additives. E-liquids come in hundreds of flavors and multiple nicotine levels with cartridges becoming more readily available for purchase.

What do I need with my vaporizer?

One of the first things you will want to purchase for your vaporizer is an extra set of batteries, and luckily we have a few of those at battery junction. Different batteries are neededdownload for different pens, but the most commonly used are either 2 rcr123s or 1 18650 depending on desired charge hold and heating level. The battery is an important part of your vaping preferences as the voltage that the atomizer allows through to heat itself is what determines the intensity or “throat hit” that you will get from your vape. Atomizer impedance, or resistance, is measured in ohms with lower resistance leading to hotter vaping of the liquid and higher resistance producing a less harsh cloud. So as you can see, the battery and atomizer combo is arguably the most important part of your vaporizer. Keeping this in mind, it is best for the vape and its user to purchase the best batteries available. Higher quality batteries will hold their charge longer and will take months to deteriorate where as a poor quality battery will begin to decline after a few recharges. Seeing as we only carry the best here at battery junction you are in luck, browse our large selection of batteries from quality manufacturers.

 

Keeping your vape in top shape

Now that you have your vape pen, battery, and favorite e-liquid, it’s time to look into carrying cases that will protect your investment. It is important to protect yourtheshorelinemarket_2397_258216320 Vaporizer from damage as dropstheshorelinemarket_2400_990239129 and everyday wear and tear can greatly reduce the lifespan your e-cig. You can choose anything from hardcore damage proof pelican cases to easier everyday carrying accessories such as Maxpedition sheathes or pouches depending on your needs. Looking for a charging station to recharge your batteries? We have that
too with a selection of charging stations from trusted brands like Nitecore, Olight, and Xtar to name a few. A good charging station is essential to getting the most out of your battery, and we have gathered some the of the top chargers available in our knowledge center.

 

As always we have a large selection of products for your vaping needs, we even have a section with our best vaping accessories  to make your shopping experience easier. Hopefully this post has been informative and will help you to make informed future purchases.

Knife Handles

Wood-Handle-Knives

 

I want to talk now about the various components that make up knife handles. There are a lot of different kinds of knife handles, and you’re sure to find the perfect one for you out of this list. The types of knife handle compositions are: glass-reinforced nylon/GRN, aluminum, Micarta, Kraton, G-10, carbon fiber, and natural materials, like leather, bone, and wood. For myself, I like the sturdiness of a classic wood handle; I inherited a couple of beautiful knives from my late father, one of which is a Bowie knife from the 1960s/1970s that has a thick wooden handle. The other is a smaller utility knife/work knife with a shorter, thinner blade that has a leather-wrapped handle. Regarding that one, I really like the feeling of the smoothness of the leather in my hand. I will go into each one briefly for you, so you can understand the differences among them and why each is valuable to the knife enthusiast.

Read More

” ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas “

‘Twas the week before Christmas and while most shopping was done

Some more gifts were required in order to cover everyone

With no time to spare the consumer gathered their thoughts

Of what presents would be cherished, what items should be bought.

 

“Dad needs a headlamp,” thought the consumer, “and a bike light for Mom.”

“Batteries for the kids’ gadgets and a good backpack for Tom”

But instead of braving the malls and stores that were packed

The consumer chose to shop online, “Battery Junction” to be exact.

 

With amazing deals on flashlights, batteries, chargers and gear,

The consumer could cover everything they needed for Christmas this year!

Just minutes into perusing the website’s collection of deals

What they found was more than a deal; it was a downright steal!

 

It was a Fenix Headlamp, its body durable and light

Its CREE LED produced  a beam that was far-reaching and bright.

“Dad will love this,” said the consumer, “for his camping trips and hikes.”

“But enough about Dad; time for Mom and her bike.”

Fenix-HL05-XMAS-BLOG

Moving onto the Bike Lighting section, our consumer was able to find

A bike light for seeing what’s in front, and one for signalling those behind

“With both lights, Mom could ride her bike safely after the sun had set”

“But no time to gloat about these purchases; there are more presents to get!”

BIKE-LIGHTS-XMAS-BLOG

The consumer progressed to the Batteries section, and much to their joy,

The website carried every battery size needed to power the children’s new toys

They grabbed the batteries required, threw in a charger most proper,

And prepared to wrap up their time as an online shopper.

BATTERIES-XMAS-BLOG

Last on the list was Tom, who needed a backpack that would last

On Dad’s crazy camping trips, like they’d gone on in the past.

So our consumer added a Pelican backpack to their order, and checked out with glee

Holiday shopping was over, they were finally free!

BACKPACK-XMAS-BLOG

The consumer’s present puzzle was solved, thanks to Battery Junction’s holiday steals,

But they aren’t the only one who can still take advantage of these deals.

Take 15% off all orders starting midnight tonight,

Happy Holiday Deals to all, and to all a good Light!