Skills Archives

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Illustration split in two: the left side shows a bathroom sink with a running faucet and soap, while the right highlights hidden water sources by filling a bucket from a laundry sink—useful for your home water supply in emergencies.

6 Hidden Emergency Water Sources in Your Home

Imagine a significant manmade or natural disaster knocks out power and water where you live. The grid ...

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An illustration of a man in the water wearing pants.

Skill of the Week: Turn Your Pants Into a Flotation Device

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the ...

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An illustration of a fish being caught by a hand.

Skill of the Week: Catch a Fish With Your Bare Hands

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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How to Do a Brush Pass Like a Cold War Spy

Your contact is somewhere in this sea of faces, but you can't be seen talking to him — can't even ...

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Illustration of the American Flag folded into a paper boat shape with arrows indicating folding directions, showcasing the Skill of the Week.

Skill of the Week: Properly Fold the American Flag

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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Illustrated scene of a hand holding a match to skillfully start a fire among sticks or logs, capturing this week's special focus: mastering the art of fire-making.

Skill of the Week: Start a Fire With a Cell Phone Battery

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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A hand demonstrates how to open a locked door by sliding a credit card between the door and the frame near the lock.

How to Open a Locked Door With a Credit Card

A few years ago, we were cat-sitting for some friends. They gave me keys to the exterior door leading into ...

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Learn the basics of bike maintenance, including patching an inner tube.

Bike Maintenance 101: How to Clean and Lube Your Bike’s Drivetrain

We’re back with another class of Bike Maintenance 101. Last time, we discussed how to patch an ...

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An illustration of a man standing at a great height and staring out over water.

Skill of the Week: Jump From a Height Into Water

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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A digital multimeter displaying a voltage reading, with attached red and black probes lying next to the device on a beige background—ideal for anyone seeking a clear visual in a multimeter tutorial or learning how to use a multimeter.

How to Use a Multimeter

A multimeter is invaluable for the DIY troubleshooting of electrical problems around the house. You can use ...

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A drawing of a person wearing a harness with a rope tied around their waist, demonstrating how to tie a bowline knot. A red arrow points to the rope, highlighting the secure knot.

Skill of the Week: Tie a One-Handed Bowline Knot

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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Illustration of a man washing himself, covered in soap lather and water, wearing a dog tag necklace—demonstrating military shower steps for efficient water use.

How to Take a Military Shower

The military shower, also known as the “Navy” or “combat” shower, is a method of showering that ...

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A drawing of a man eating an edible plant.

Skill of the Week: Test If a Plant Is Edible

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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Illustration of Ted Williams in a gray uniform labeled

How to Swing a Baseball Bat Like Ted Williams

In the world of baseball, few skills are more foundational than a proper bat swing. Whether you're playing ...

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Skill of the Week: Make a Fishing Hook Out of a Can Tab

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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A cartoon man kicking a dirt pile in an attempt to escape.

Skill of the Week: Escape From Killer Bees

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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Learn how to make a fire pit with a diagram, including the Dakota Fire Hole method.

Skill of the Week: Make a Dakota Fire Hole

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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Illustration of a hand performing a card spinning trick with a playing card. Multiple arrows indicate movement, showing how to gracefully rotate the card around the fingers.

How to Throw a Playing Card

Whether you're stuck indoors on a rainy day or looking to entertain friends at your next poker night, ...

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An illustration of a man sitting in the cockpit of a plane.

Skill of the Week: Land a Plane in an Emergency

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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An illustration of a man climbing a cliff using tubular webbing.

Skill of the Week: Make a Ladder From Tubular Webbing

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — ...

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6 Hidden Emergency Water Sources in Your Home

Skill of the Week: Turn Your Pants Into a Flotation Device

Skill of the Week: Catch a Fish With Your Bare Hands

Books, Routines, and Habits — The Founders’ Guide to Self-Improvement

Ancient Buddhist Principles for Modern Life’s Dilemmas

How to Turn Vices Into Career-Advancing Virtues

Men Don’t Run in the Rain — And 7 Other Essential Lessons for Being a Man

The Latest///

6 Hidden Emergency Water Sources in Your Home

Skill of the Week: Turn Your Pants Into a Flotation Device

Skill of the Week: Catch a Fish With Your Bare Hands

How to Do a Brush Pass Like a Cold War Spy

Skill of the Week: Properly Fold the American Flag

Skill of the Week: Start a Fire With a Cell Phone Battery

How to Open a Locked Door With a Credit Card

Bike Maintenance 101: How to Clean and Lube Your Bike’s Drivetrain

Skill of the Week: Jump From a Height Into Water

How to Use a Multimeter

Skill of the Week: Tie a One-Handed Bowline Knot

How to Take a Military Shower

Skill of the Week: Test If a Plant Is Edible

How to Swing a Baseball Bat Like Ted Williams

Skill of the Week: Make a Fishing Hook Out of a Can Tab

Skill of the Week: Escape From Killer Bees

Skill of the Week: Make a Dakota Fire Hole

How to Throw a Playing Card

Skill of the Week: Land a Plane in an Emergency

Skill of the Week: Make a Ladder From Tubular Webbing