MANI NEUMEIER (GURU GURU)

CUTTING EDGE UPGRADES @ THE FIELD HOUSE

"I have always enjoyed tools. My whole life I was surrounded by them, starting very young while watching my dad work in his shop, or on the house, and waiting for him to call out the next tool he needed to get the job done.

Over the course of my life while working, I've come to learn that there is definitely a tool for every job. However, sometimes certain tools have the ability to rise above a single use, and then become part of a family of tools I would call, the essentials. I realized very early on that the knife was one of these such tools.

Also very early on, I've learned that it is important to take care of our tools, and in this case, sharpen them. Since then, I've been honing my skills for this practice, mainly because I get some measure of peace out of doing it. Working with my hands always does this for me. Of course, the result is rewarding as well.

So when a fella came in the other day and asked if I could sharpen an old scythe he found in a field, I was pretty jazzed about the challenge of something new like this. I think it turned out real fine."

~Ben

The Field House has been offering sharpening services since the beginning of the new year, for mainly kitchen, pocket, and hunting knives...but tools of all kinds are welcome, as long as they are manageable to work by hand. All sharpening is proudly done by hand, with wet stones and files. For estimates on any items, please contact Ben, at The Field House: 206 297 6093. Or come by the shop, where a much more proper estimate can be given for your tools and knives.

END OF SEASON SALE STARTS THIS FRIDAY!

It's happening! The first round of our semi-annual clearance markdowns will start this Friday, July 2nd. These markdowns will apply to nearly all items both in-store and on blackbirdballard.com. Now is your chance to grab some deals.

In addition to the items going through first markdowns, items included in our designer sale will also be included in another round of markdowns.

Stop by the shop on Friday to check it out!

Sale brands include..
Julius
Robert Geller
KZO
Odyn Vovk
Woolrich Woolen Mills
Woolrich John Rich & Bros.
N. Hoolywood
Creep
Gitman Vintage
A.P.C.
Our Legacy
RVCA
Obey
Riviera Club
Gant
Wings+Horns
Insight

... and more

5 DAYS OF FALIERO SARTI - DAY 3 TYLER J

With such a range of Faliero Sarti styles available, I asked five Blackbird employees to grab their top pick and show me how they would wear it. Simple.

DAY 3 - TYLER JOHNSON

I grabbed this one to do with the simple outfit I was wearing. Many of the other scarf styles we have are very basic in design, and rely on texture to pull in the eye. The scarf I choose has a pattern as well as a texture, and the color also popped nicely off of my muted grey sweatshirt. Because it was a plaid, I tried to style it in a very traditional British way, nothing fancy just simple and clean. - Tyler J

Faliero Sarti - Kira in purple
shop (this one is freshly marked down!)

or click here to see our entire selection from Faliero Sarti.

OBEY "HERRING" CHAMBRAY SHIRTS

Obey - Herring S/S Chambray Shirt
$77
shop



Obey - Herring L/S Chambray Shirt
$82
shop

JULIUS FW2010 GOTH_IK PREVIEW

It's getting close to that time. Within the next couple of months the majority of our fall/winter 2010 collections will be showing up and we will be blown away all over again. In the coming weeks we will work to get some preview posts up with photos and information of some of the new collections.

First up in the coverage is Julius, whose collection, titled goth_ik, acted as designer Tatsuro Horikawa's exploration in the true roots of "gothic" culture; before the music and other aspects we now consider so typical. As Horikawa stated in a recent interview with honeyeye.com, "People are continually saying there is something Gothic about our brand. But the word "Gothic" they've mentioned is different from the original meaning. So, [this time] I tried to express hard contemporary Gothic which is based on the real Gothic." As usual, Horikawa also incorporates his strong image of "streetwear" in a rather literal sense; that being the clothes are meant for survival out on the streets and in the world. Perhaps it can be considered "workwear" in the truest sense of the term.

Take a look at the below images from this post on the Julius Archive blog of Horikawa working on his art works a couple years back. It doesn't get much more "workwear" than this!

The items below are available for pre-orders. Customers who are on the hunt for Julius know how quickly things can sell out, so if you are definitely set on something, pre-orders are the way to go. Do not hesitate to send me an e-mail (tyler@blackbirdballard.com) with any inquiries regarding sizing, fabrications, or reservations.

Julius - 317BLM6 Leather Blouson
in bordeaux
DETAILS: sheep skin
sizes: 1, 2, 3


Julius - 317BLM6 Leather Blouson
in black
DETAILS: sheep skin
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317COM9 Cowl Neck Coat
in black
DETAILS: 100% nylon serge
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317CUM1 Shirring Cut & Sew
in khaki or plaster
DETAILS: 90% rayon/5% silk/5% silk knit jersey, curved cut through the torso
sizes/khaki: 1, 2, 3, 4
sizes/plaster: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317CUM13 V-Neck Cut & Sew
in black
DETAILS: 80% cotton/20% cashmere jersey
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317CUM14 U-Neck Cut & Sew
in black, bordeaux, or purple
DETAILS: 80% cotton/20% cashmere jersey
sizes/black: 1, 2, 3, 4
sizes/bordeaux: 1, 2, 3, 4
sizes/purple: 1, 2, 3



Julius - Attached Cross/Scarf Cut & Sew
in black/charcoal
DETAILS: 90% tencel/10% cashmere jersey. Attached scarf/wrap detail
sizes: 1, 2, 3


Julius - 317JAM1 Tailored Jacket
in black
DETAILS: 50% cotton/50% cupro woven kersey fabric. Matches with 317JAM Narrow trousers (shown below).
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317KNM13 Seamed High Neck Knit Jacket
in charcoal
DETAILS: 50% acrylic/35% wool/15% mohair yarn.
sizes: 1, 2, 3


Julius - 317PAM1 Narrow Trousers
in black
DETAILS: 50% cototn/50% cupro woven kersey fabric. Matches with 317JAM1 Tailored Jacket (see above).
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317PAM11 Bending Pants
in charcoal
DETAILS: 100% cotton denim with twister cut through the legs
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317PAM32 Bending Skinny Pants
in black
DETAILS: 92% cotton/8% polyurethane knit denim with super long inseam and twisted cut through the legs.
sizes: 1, 2, 3


Julius - 317FWM4 Engineer Boots
in black
DETAILS: Reversed steer leather
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4


Julius - 317FWM8 Skinny Boots
in gray
DETAILS: Soft lamb skin
sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4

GEARED UP FOR EXPLORATION WITH FROST RIVER SOFTGOODS @ THE FIELD HOUSE

Hearkening back to earlier days of exploration, rivers where the arteries of this country which would carry whoever ventured on their waters into the heart of adventure and discovery. Through harsh conditions that we can scarcely understand in this day and age, men and women made their way to places that must have been completely overwhelming to their eyes to behold for the first time.

One of my favorite stories from history, that of Lewis and Clark, so well documents such a journey, that it gives us a wonderful glimpse into how great of an accomplishment, and how tough such travels would have been. I would imagine, that canoe packs much like that of Frost Rivers, would have been present on such a journey.

"The Frost River can be found in over a million acres of wild woods and water along the Minnesota Canadian border known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With large and small lakes, beautiful falls, winding beaver streams and high beaver dams, tough, poorly maintained portages, canoe-able rapids and adventurous options the Frost River is our inspiration.

Our rugged backpacks and bags have enjoyed a rich history in the discovery and exploration of this unique area. Traditional canoe packs have been a part of this North Country wilderness for more than a century and our Frost River line of heavy duty backpacks, and canvas and leather bags have been designed and tested to perform in this rugged environment. Made of waxed cotton canvas, using a generations-old formula, our bags repel water yet 'breathe', something synthetic materials can't do. Bridle leather, solid brass hardware, and waxed cotton combine to provide a rich, warm, patina that actually improves with age and use.

All Frost River products are made in our workshop in northern Minnesota. We love our products and know that you will too. Whether you use them as carry on bags, tote bags, shoulder bags, or messenger bags they will stand the test of time, we guarantee it."

- Frost River

PRESENTING FROST RIVER SOFT GOODS: NOW AT THE FIELD HOUSE

OLD NO. 7 PACK

Waxed cotton canvas box style canoe camper backpack with triple brass buckle belt flap closure, padded adjustable leather back straps, heavy cotton weight-distributing tumpline, adjustable/ removable cotton and leather waist belt, rain flaps and open front pocket under top flap, leather side cinch straps, and a side axe pocket for good measure.
Measures W21" x H23" x D6". Made in the U.S.A.

$276

NESSMUK PACK

Part waxed canvas part leather backpack with large main compartment with buckle belt closure and small zippered pocket inside, additional compartment at front, three exterior buckle belt pouches, reinforced shoulder straps, and leather grab handle. Rain flaps buckle under top flap when needed. Measures W16"x H16"x D5". Made in the U.S.A.

$252

GLADSTONE BAG

Waxed canvas duffle bag with zip shut gate-mouth closure, leather trimmed exterior pockets, fixed length canvas handles with leather padding, and 48" adjustable/ removable heavy cotton shoulder strap.
Measures W17" x H12" x D9". Made in the U.S.A.

$192

CORRESPONDENT BRIEFCASE

Part waxed canvas part leather briefcase with zipper closure, internal organizational compartments and business card holder, two front pockets with brass buckle belt closures, open back pocket, fixed length leather handles, 48" adjustable/ removable heavy cotton shoulder strap, and reinforced leather bottom.
Measures W17" x H12" x D5.5". Made in the U.S.A.

$276

MEDIUM MANITOU SHOULDER BAG

Part waxed canvas part leather shoulder bag with padded leather shoulder strap, main compartment with snap closure, full width zippered compartments at front and back, three additional front pockets, and leather business card holder.
Measures W14" x H10" x D5". Made in the U.S.A.

$162

SHOP ENTIRE COLLECTION AT BLACKBIRDBALLARD.COM