Your contact is somewhere in this sea of faces, but you can’t be seen talking to him — can’t even acknowledge his existence. One wrong move, one glance from the wrong person, and years of careful work — not to mention your life — could be over in an instant.

This is where the brush pass comes in. A technique perfected during the Cold War, it allowed spies to exchange documents, money, or other small items without ever appearing to interact. Two operatives would simply walk past each other, and in that brief, choreographed moment, critical intelligence would change hands.

You may not be running clandestine ops behind the Iron Curtain, but the brush pass remains one of the most elegant and discreet ways to transfer something unnoticed. Requiring subtle technique and magician-like sleight of hand, it’s a master art of secret-agent subterfuge. 

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week

When it comes to holidays that don’t get a lot of hype, Flag Day must be at or near the top of the list. You may not have known it was this Saturday, that it’s celebrated every June 14th, and that it commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. 

Though Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it’s observed with patriotic flag-raising ceremonies, and citizens are encouraged to display the American flag outside their homes and businesses. The day also serves to educate people on proper flag etiquette.

One of those points of flag etiquette is how to properly fold the American flag.

The American flag is folded into a triangular shape as a show of respect and dignity during various situations. This practice is performed after lowering the flag, particularly at sunset, to prepare it for proper storage. The triangle fold is also used in military and patriotic ceremonies, such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, and is a key tradition at military funerals, where the flag is presented to the family of a fallen service member. The folding process is designed to honor the flag’s significance, with the triangular shape representing a tricorn hat, a nod to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

A few years ago, we were cat-sitting for some friends. They gave me keys to the exterior door leading into their garage. Once inside, I was able to access the unlocked door that went from the garage into the house. Easy peasy.

Well, one day, I took my kids with me to feed the cats, and one of them decided to lock the spring-loaded latch as we exited the house into the garage. As I was about to leave through the garage door, I started to hear the click-click-click of the gas stove ignitor.

Since there was no one else in the house, that was definitely weird.

“Holy crap!” I thought. “The cats must be turning on the gas stove! They’re going to blow up the house! I got to get in there to turn it off . . . but I don’t have keys to unlock this door!”

Thankfully, I had my wallet with me. I pulled out a rewards card and shimmied open the spring-latched door — just like MacGyver would.

When the door popped open, the cats were staring at me. I rushed to the stove. The gas wasn’t turned on. I called my friend to ask about the clicking noise.

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “The ignitor does that sometimes. The gas isn’t on, but the ignitor will make that clicking noise. Don’t sweat it.”

Non-crisis averted.

If you’re ever in an actual emergency where you need to open a door you don’t have keys for, it’s good to have the know-how illustrated above in your back pocket. While this method won’t work on every type of lock (like deadbolts or high-security locks), it can work on spring-latch locks, which are typically found on interior doors.

By doing nothing more than sliding a flexible plastic card (preferably one you don’t mind potentially damaging) between the door frame and the locking mechanism, you can often gain entry in under a minute without harming the door or the lock.

The next time you think a cat has figured out how to turn the knobs on a stove, you’ll be prepared.

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

We’re back with another class of Bike Maintenance 101.

Last time, we discussed how to patch an innertube.

In today’s session, we’re going to show you how to clean and maintain the workhorse of your bike: the drivetrain.

Whether you ride trails, city streets, or weekend loops through the suburbs, your bike’s drivetrain takes the biggest beating. It’s constantly exposed to dirt, water, and grime, and if you don’t clean it regularly, that grit starts acting like sandpaper, wearing down your drivetrain prematurely.

Fortunately, cleaning the drivetrain doesn’t take much time and can extend the life of your bike.

Here’s how to do it.

What Is the Drivetrain?

The drivetrain includes:

• The front chainrings
• Rear derailleur
• Cassette (the gears on the back wheel)
• The chain itself

What You’ll Need

Before you start, gather the following supplies:

• A few old rags
• A firm brush (an old toothbrush works fine)
• Bio-degreaser
• Chain lubricant
• Optional: A chain-cleaning device

How to Clean and Lube Your Bike’s Drivetrain

1. Set Up Your Bike

If you have a bike stand, now’s the time to use it. Elevating your bike makes cleaning more comfortable and gives you full access to the drivetrain. If you don’t have a bike stand, you can just flip the bike upside down and rest it on its seat and handlebars.

2. Clean the Chain

If your chain isn’t too gunked up, a simple rag and bio-degreaser will do the trick.

Just dampen the rag with degreaser, grip the chain with the rag, and pedal backward to run the chain through the cloth.

For a chain that’s heavily coated with crud, use a chain-cleaning device. These clamp around the chain and scrub it as you pedal, offering a deeper clean with less mess. They’re pretty nifty.

3. Scrub the Chainrings and Cassette

Use your brush and some bio-degreaser to scrub the chainrings (the front gears) and the cassette (the cluster of gears on your rear wheel).

While turning the pedals, work the brush into the teeth to dislodge dirt and buildup.

If there’s stubborn gunk between the cassette cogs, use a rag to “floss” between the gears.

4. Let Everything Dry

Give the drivetrain a few minutes to dry completely before applying lube. You don’t want moisture diluting or displacing the lubricant.

5. Lubricate the Chain

Apply a drop of lubricant to each link of the chain as you slowly rotate the pedals backward. Once you’ve gone all the way around, wipe off any excess lube with a clean rag. Too much lubricant will attract dirt and defeat the purpose of your cleaning.

There you go. How to clean your bike’s drivetrain.

If you’re a casual rider, a once-a-month cleaning and lubing should be enough. If you’re putting in serious miles, every other week would be better. Add it to your home maintenance checklist on Todoist. And if you took your bike through a wet and muddy ride, give it clean and lubing when you get home.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

The bowline is one of the most useful knots you can know. Simple to tie, and easy to undo, the beauty of the bowline is that it creates a quick loop secured by a knot that tightens when under load. Sailors use the bowline to fasten halyards and other rigging, which require a super-secure connection.  

The one-handed bowline is a technique that allows you to tie the knot using only one hand. Why is that useful? Imagine you’ve slipped and fallen into a rushing river. At the last second, you grab the branch of a tree, but you can’t pull yourself up. A friend tosses you a rope to tie around yourself, but the only knots you can tie would require the use of both hands. With a one-handed bowline, you can secure a loop around your body while still holding onto the branch.

In most scenarios, this is a survival knot tied around your waist, but it can be adapted to a number of circumstances.  

Like this illustrated guide? Then you’re going to love our book The Illustrated Art of Manliness! Pick up a copy on Amazon.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

In the world of baseball, few skills are more foundational than a proper bat swing. Whether you’re playing in a competitive league or just enjoying weekend softball with friends, mastering the mechanics of your swing can transform you from an easy out to a feared power hitter.

In this illustrated guide, we look to Ted Williams — arguably the greatest hitter who ever lived — for some pointers. Williams approached batting with scientific precision, breaking down every element of the swing in his classic book The Science of Hitting. We’ve distilled his wisdom on the science of slugging into practical steps anyone can follow. Put them into practice, and maybe one day you’ll be able to say the same thing about yourself that Ted Williams said about himself: “If there was ever a man born to be a hitter it was me.”

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

There are many ways to make an improvised fishing hook, from crafting one from organic materials like shards of bone or splinters of wood, to fashioning one from household materials like safety pins and paper clips. But perhaps none is as readily available, effective, and satisfyingly clever as jerry-rigging a hook from the pull tab of an aluminum can. Whether you’ve settled into a fishing spot only to realize you forgot to put hooks in your otherwise well-stocked tackle box, or find yourself in a survival situation where there are no manufactured hooks to be had, knowing this transformational trick can come in handy.

The most difficult part of this otherwise simple process is actually just removing the tab from the can without breaking off its “eyelet.” If yours does come off, all is not lost; you can still make a less elegant version of the hook this way. Do take care when twisting and folding the eyelet back as well; the aluminum is brittle and can break, and you also don’t want to cut your fingers on the sharp bits.

Illustrated by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Whether you’re stuck indoors on a rainy day or looking to entertain friends at your next poker night, launching cards across the room with quick, pinpoint accuracy offers a simple yet satisfying diversion to those moments of boredom. With the right grip, proper wrist action, and a bit of practice to hone your technique, you’ll soon be sending cards sailing through the air with surprising speed and control . . . and feeling a bit like Gambit to boot. 

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

When packing a suitcase for a trip, proper folding will go a long way in ensuring that your clothing arrives as wrinkle-free as possible. For everyday items like t-shirts, underwear, and shorts, the Ranger roll is an effective method for packing as much as possible in as small a space as possible. But while the Ranger roll does a decent job in minimizing wrinkles, for garments like dress shirts that you want to unpack at your destination in as smooth and pristine condition as possible, you’ll need to take a different folding approach.

In this illustrated guide, we highlight one way to fold a dress shirt for packing. It’s easy and does a good job of reducing wrinkles. If your shirt does have a few wrinkles when you pull it out of your suitcase, hang it up in the bathroom while you’re taking a hot shower; the steam will help release the creases and crinkles.

Like this illustrated guide? Then you’re going to love our book The Illustrated Art of Manliness! Pick up a copy on Amazon.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

Every winter brings the chance to participate in the miraculous — walking on water! As lakes, ponds, and rivers freeze over, and liquid becomes solid, the landscape transforms, as does the opportunity to use these frozen bodies of water in new ways. You may want to try your hand at ice fishing or skating, or would like to walk directly across something that you normally have to circumambulate. But is it safe to do so?

Falling through the ice can pose a lethal danger, so it’s crucial to know if the ice is thick enough to support your weight. Follow the instructions above to do so. Note that the Army Corps of Engineers says that a person on foot will only need 2 inches of strong ice to be safe (and even a little less than that if you’re on skis), but other experts recommend erring on the side of 4 inches. The ice will of course need to be thicker still to support the weight of a snowmobile or other vehicle. 

Ice can be influenced by a variety of factors, including water flow and level, air temperature, and snow cover, so that even when you’re careful, it can still be unpredictable and unexpected accidents can still occur. If you do ever fall through ice, follow these instructions to escape with your life.

Illustrated by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.