From the Elizabeth Day McCormick Collection

This woman's jacket was possibly worn by Grizell Wodehouse (d. 1635), the wife of Sir Philip Wodehouse. According to family legend, the jacket belonged to Queen Elizabeth and was given as a gift when ...she visited the Kimberly estate in 1578 for the knighting of Roger Wodehouse (d. 1588), Phillip's father. There is no evidence, however, that this provenance is true, particularly since the garment probably dates to after the queen's death.

According to a December 14th, 1941 letter from Elizabeth Day McCormick to Gertrude Townsend, the garment was said to be part of the "Kimberly Collection."

Molami? Please? Yes, it is M-o-l-a-m-i, a Swedish brand that merges fashion and electronics through an extreme subtile and organic approach. Seldomly we receive material to review of this superb quality - outstanding packaging experience, exceptionally crafted gadget and oh yes, what a sound!

The current collection of Molami features three models—Bight, Twine and Pleat. The tailored geometry of each model, along with braided textile-wrapped cords and discreet accents plated in 18k gold show the true craftsmanship of the brand. Each model comes with a soft carrying pouch for safe storage.

The model Pleat,  is an over-ear headphone encased in napa leather and designed to accentuate the lines of the face. It folds and rotates allowing for maximum wearability and safe storage. Pleat is available in black napa leather and suede or white napa leather.

The entire Molami collection features a microphone and remote, allowing you to pick up calls and communicate while listening to your music. The microphone and remote are compatible with most mobile phones featuring a 3.5mm socket.

Arcademi is permanently evolving. This time teaming up with New York based illustrator Katrin Wiens. Who says the days of scarves where over and done with? No, scarves remain a necessary accessory and the Creative Director behind Arcademi Affaires and Katrin Wiens collaborated together to commemorate the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. "People for pelicans" wants to help struggling water birds by supporting the not-for-profit organisation International Bird Rescue through dedicating parts of its profit to the cause: "A scarf / A statement / An activist." Qompendium truly admires independent productions and urges you to buy a scarf and support creative entrepreneurship, today.

Throughout epic literature, fictional films and mythology, swords – especially those with names – were the marks of great heroes. King Arthur’s Excalibur; the image of Star Wars’ Darth Vader crossing saber beams with Luke Skywalker; Beowulf’s Hrunting; Ulysses’ Aor in the Iliad; Charlemagne’s Flamberge (“The Flame Cutter”); Japanese legend, Ama No Murakumo Tsurugi (“Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven”); and Siegried’s Nothung from the Niebulungenlied – in each instance, the swords possess a form of mystical or superstitious undertow. The coltello d’amore is a real life example of this custom. In certain areas of central and southern Italy there was a widespread tradition of giving knives as tokens of engagement or marriage gifts. The blades were inscribed with hearts, doves, flowering branches or the initials of the lovers. It was also embellished with the “occhi di dado” a true amulet meant to ward off the evil eye.

The latest in our line-up of Qompendium editions, we introduce to you the sleek but not too techy Victorinox Tomo, the ineluctable binary of Japanese design and Swiss craftsmanship. Backed with 150+ years of Swiss Army precision, Designer Kazuma Yamaguchi of Abitax created a series of elegant companions in an eye-popping color palette of bright red, mint green, capri blue and exceptionally beautiful are the white versions. Take it with you wherever you go; though with the holiday travel season right around the corner, just remember not to forget it in your pocket during airport check-ins else you’ve just gifted the cheery security attendant you love so much with your coveted new gadget.

All Tomos are bundled away in ecological packaging made of 100% reusable pulp and a protective pouch made of genuine leather.

We have two handfuls to give away, so tell us why you’re cut out for this formidable piece of equipment, and win win win!

How to win? Easy and fast ... Read here.

Whether out in the wilderness, in the office or at home in the kitchen, any knife you own should be looked after to ensure its longevity – especially if you’ve paid a small fortune for it.  If you’re a culinary professional or even an amateur chef who uses knives on a daily basis to cut, prep, chop, fillet and carve anything from meats to vegetables – try the Victorinox Santoku model on for size – keeping up the maintenance will come in handy. Emil Bolli, Switzerland’s national football team’s cook, has been using Victorinox professional knives since his apprenticeship.

Check out some of these tips to maintain a keen edge on your blades and make sure they don’t go dull.

Hearkening back to our forbears, weaponry in pre-historic times was a direct product of our environment: spears made of flint or bone, ligneous bows and arrows and stone slings reinforced with vine or hide. From the time of the Assyrians and Babylonians to the Trojan War upheaval, it was ca. 3300-1200 BC when the copper and bronze age came into prominence with all its advanced implements as copper stabbing swords and protective battle armour.

Read full article here.

Now what is the difference between a Schweizer Dolch and a Japanese Tanto?

The dagger, mainly used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon, was also used for many ceremonial and ritualistic events often decorated with iconic regalia and ornate designs. The Scottish dirk believed to be a derivation from the Germanic Dolch was especially worn during formal occasions.

In Japan, Samurai were expected to commit suicide (seppuku) if they performed a disloyal act, if their master was killed in battle or even if they were defeated in the face of an enemy. The weapon of choice was the Japanese dagger (tanto) and the sacrificial act entailed an elaborate cut to the stomach, which was believed to be the seat of the soul.