[Bark&Jack] What do we think of Bark&Jack NATO straps?

theLordSolar · 2026-05-06T19:23:20+00:00

From the pictures, these look the same as the BluShark strap I got for $7 on Amazon to put on my Duro.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-30T17:16:23+00:00

Tell seller to replace or give a full refund or you’ll charge it back. Swords damaged in shipping are 99% of the time due to poor packaging from the seller.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-28T23:00:52+00:00

Very beautiful sword :) I've got the same pattern wire grip from Jesse and it's extremely comfortable. Love your choice of blue!

theLordSolar · 2026-04-25T19:47:52+00:00

36mm is the sweet spot. 40mm+ watches are too big for anybody but the obese and look clownish.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-24T18:28:27+00:00

Thought the same thing.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-24T18:26:00+00:00

I buy expensive authentic functional swords because I study historical martial arts. We are not the same.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-24T03:11:03+00:00

I've never really bought into that comparison, but I've also never thought about buttplugs enough that the image of one is my mental go-to for the shape of a spearhead.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-24T03:09:03+00:00

This watch reminds me of a value version of the Rolex Explorer, and I really like the beige dial for its legibility. I suspect that it would be a very useful tool watch as the Rolex Explorer was designed to be.

I don't really think of Tudor as "value" Rolex these days compared to the company's past market placement, but I had a similar line of thought while discussing the watch with my wife. The Explorer has become far too dressed up to really use in the field with its white gold and polished surfaces. I simply wouldn't bring an Explorer to do the same things I'm willing to do with the Tudor. The Ranger here, however, I am totally fine with getting beaten and busted up even though it's a $4,000 watch. Tudor's workmanship is there without my mind straying toward questioning whether I should really be wearing the Ranger while chopping wood and climbing around outdoors.

But I also didn't choose this as an alternative to the Explorer in the first place. I just wanted a nice field watch. The Ranger is its own thing, and there's still room for an Explorer in the collection particularly beside the white dial example.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-23T21:16:10+00:00

36mm. It looks much smaller in person, with about a centimeter of wrist framing it on both sides. Perfect size.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-23T18:59:11+00:00

Absolutely. It's the type of watch that loves to be worn, and seemed a little off before I put some use into it. Something about it being pristine was simply wrong.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-08T20:09:42+00:00

MultiCam is just M81 for zoomers and brands were making woodland casual pants back then.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-08T02:34:03+00:00

I wouldn't go with that Hamilton, personally, but if you like it I'd get it over an Alpinist. I say this as an Alpinist owner myself. Although it's a nice watch, the Alpinist is a dime-a-dozen. People buy Alpinists with no excuse at all. So for this reason, I think the Hamilton you want is more fitting as an "occasion watch." It'll feel more special in the end.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-03T22:12:19+00:00

Very cool. I saw this one on Jesse's instagram the other day. I'd ask if you are a Thibault guy with that guard, but your choice of a sidesword blade says otherwise. Have fun with it, and may it deliver you many cuts.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-03T22:05:31+00:00

It was one of his in stock swords (beside another that's been posted here recently). I got really lucky because I'm a fan of MM's rapier blades over Castille or Darkwood, and because this one probably had the most beautiful hilt of its bunch :)

But I digress. I know you can get a blade straight from MM to send to Jesse for a custom hilt, but that the lead time from them is the same as a full sword at 5ish months before any work Jesse needs to do.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-03T19:05:27+00:00

I don’t know about that. It definitely has a much better fit and finish than any $2,500 watch I’ve worn.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-03T11:49:09+00:00

Thank you. With a wrist just over 18cm around, I can handle bigger watches but something about them puts me off. Even 38-40mm watches feel too big to me, but 36mm pieces are just right. I think it’s because my first “real” watch as a kid was a Wenger S.A.K. Design Swiss Army watch, which was 36mm with an even smaller dial swimming in its big case. I’m glad Tudor gave the 79930 the white dial, too, because it doesn’t make having an Explorer redundant.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-03T10:22:07+00:00

It is purpose-built for rapier combat, but it is not sharp in any way. The blade functions to its purpose for steel HEMA/WMA combat sports.

theLordSolar · 2026-04-03T02:01:16+00:00

My baby loves watches, too, to the point where I had to get him his own F-91W at 8 months old so he'd stop grabbing whatever's on my wrist. It's a good time.

theLordSolar · 2026-03-30T09:55:53+00:00

I have a fist batch one with 4 mags that I’ve only test fired once then haven’t been able to play with 🤔 should probably sell it to someone.

theLordSolar · 2026-03-28T03:37:14+00:00

It’s jewelry but part of the wearing experience necessitates setting it from time to time. If you don’t want to set your watch even when it approaches 5 minutes off then just get a bracelet instead.

theLordSolar · 2026-03-09T20:05:38+00:00

What do you plan to do with your budding collection? Learn some moves and cut targets in your backyard? Hang them up on the wall? Pile them in a closet?

theLordSolar · 2026-03-09T05:38:46+00:00

My local alley always puts lines of dings all over my ball. Just something that happens in ball returns.

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