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Fix slow skateboard wheels
The wheels on my skateboard aren’t spinning well anymore. Is there anything I can do to fix them or do I have to buy new wheels? Slow Joe, Tampa, Fla. We feel your pain, Slow. We have the same problem,...
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PowerBait or mealworms for fishing?
Q. My dad and I go fishing a lot. We used to use PowerBait but we just didn’t catch anything. So we started using mealworms and we caught much more. But the next time we went fishing and the other...
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Which boots do you recommend?
Q. Hey Gear Guy! I am moving to an 85-acre farm soon and I’m looking for a pair of boots for hiking, fishing, hunting and riding my dirt bike across the farm. What would you recommend? – Moving Xavier,...
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Good lightweight pot for backpacking
Q. I recently bought a backpacking stove. Now I need a pot for boiling water. What is a good lightweight option? – Camping Chris, Randolph, N.J. A. Hey Chris, congrats on the new backpacking stove. As...
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Is the Pentax Optio WG-1 a good camera?
Q. Hi Gear Guy, I’m into digital photography, but so far I’ve been using my cell phone or borrowing a camera. So, I want to get one of my own. I saw the Pentax Optio WG-1 in the May 2012 issue of Boys’...
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Small, lightweight first aid kit for backpacking
Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m going backpacking and need a first aid kit that’s small and lightweight because I don’t have a lot of room in my pack. What would you recommend? – Prepared Matthew, Collierville,...
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How to clean a dirty pocketknife
Q. Dear Gear Guy, I got a pocketknife from my grandfather, and it’s all dirty and rusty. Can you tell me how to clean it, please? – Rusty Jared, Philadelphia, Pa. A. Rusty, I love it when Scouts decide...
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How to store Dutch ovens
Q. What’s the best way to store Dutch ovens to keep them away from dirt and bugs and to stop rusting? – Rusty Pot Paul, Spotsylvania, Va. A. While I’m an expert at eating all sorts of tasty stuff baked...
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Skateboarding in the winter
Q. Dear Gear Guy. I love skateboarding but every winter it’s snowy and cold and icy where I live so skating outdoors isn’t an option. How do I make sure that I don’t lose all my skillz? —Frozen Freddy,...
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Good knife for an 8-year-old
Q. I want to buy a pocketknife for my 8-year-old nephew. He has just started a pocketknife collection and has about 8 knives. Can you recommend a good knife for a boy that age? – Aunt Debra, Houston,...
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How to buy a new fishing pole?
Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m looking to buy a new fishing pole, but don’t know what qualities to look for in a rod. What do you recommend? – Brad the Bass Hunter, Blackfoot, Idaho A. Hey Brad. If you’re just...
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How to minimize sleeping bag odor
Q. Whenever I go on a camping trip my sleeping bag gets all smelly from me sweating all day. How do I make it smell better — besides taking it into the cleaners? — Conrad Stank, Dellrose, Tenn. A. Ever...
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Good ball cap for hot days
Q. Last summer at Cub Scout day camp, the temperature hit 106 degrees. I like to wear a wide brim hat on days like that, but sometimes they just get in the way and a ball cap works better, especially...
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Best catfishing gear
Q. What’s the best gear for fishing in rivers for catfish? — Adam the Angler, Fox River Grove, Ill. A. Now that’s the perfect summertime question. To answer it, I called my buddy Jimbo Meador, a...
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Affordable camping hammock
Q. Dear Gear Guy, I have been looking for an affordable camping hammock that I can use in all seasons, preferably under $200. Any suggestions? – Hammock Harry, Merrimack, N.H. A. I love camping in a...
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Stuff We Like: Hari Mari Flip-Flops
Yes, Hari Mari flip-flops ($60, harimari.com) are the most comfortable we have ever worn. Yes, they come in a bunch of cool colors. Yes, they are made with recycled and sustainable materials and have...
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Keeping rain out of your tent
Q. I have a two-person tent that I really like, but when it rains, it leaks badly. I applied seam sealer as you had said in a previous answer, but now it’s like the rain is coming through the tent...
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Best and easiest fire-starter
Q. My son wants a fire-starter. Which is the best and easiest? —Mama Greta, Kentwood, Mich. A. Hey, Mama. The real question is: Are you sure you really want your son to have a fire-starter? Just...
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Should I buy a Gerber or Swiss Army knife?
Q. Hey Gear Guy, I’m debating on whether to buy a Gerber pocketknife or a Swiss Army knife. My friend says Gerber; but I’ve heard Swiss Army my whole life. Which one should I buy? – Sharp Jake,...
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Preventing and treating blisters
Q. I’m going to the 2013 National Scout Jamboree, and I’ve been told that there’s tons of hiking. That might be a problem because my feet sweat a lot and give me blisters. Any suggestions for...
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