Being able to build something or repair the things that surround you every day is one of the greatest skills a guy can have. It’s a skill that is not only helpful but will also save you money. Instead of calling the repair guy, you can grab your toolbox and get to work. But you…
Most self-improvement stuff sucks. But, as men, we should focus on bettering ourselves, especially as we age (that’s what we’re all about here at The Graying Area). While we’re all awesome in our own way, instead of sitting around an playing video games, there’s always room for new badass skills to learn to help broaden…
This is super nerdy, but I’ve always loved door locks. I installed hundreds of them when I was in industrial maintenance, and I even considered starting a side hustle as a locksmith (I still do sometimes). And, as someone who’s been around a lot of locks, I got pretty good at figuring out how to…
Let’s face it, guy: We don’t wear suits as often as we used to. I don’t mean how you wore suits as a little boy but not prefer to wear your favorite team t-shirt. I mean how men in generations before us wore suits frequently. They had style and knew how to dress. In fact,…
Let’s set the scene. You’re in a dimly lit bar surrounded by your oldest friends and their spouses. Everyone’s laughing, but then, someone proposes a toast. The crowd quiets. Everyone leans in admiration and awe. They want a toast, and they’re expecting a good one. And then it happens. Your buddy smiles sheepishly, fixes his…
The first time I wrote with a fountain pen, I felt like an idiot. The ink wouldn’t flow and the tip felt like it was just scratching away at the paper. But, once I learned how to use a fountain pen, I fell in love with it. I started buying them and giving them away…
Ever since I was an older kid, I cut, split, and stacked wood. There was never a shortage of axes, mauls, or camp hatchets around, and they always fascinated me. When I was alone, I’d take one of those axes or hatchets in hand, take careful aim at a nearby oak, and let it fly….
I recognize that changing a tire might not be the most badass skill in the world for most of us to handle. Especially if you’re home and have access to the tools in your shop. But, if you don’t know how to change a flat tire, the job might seem intimidating—especially on the side of…
If you’re like me, you love the taste of grilled meats and veggies hot from a charcoal grill. The problem is that lighting a charcoal grill is an absolute pain in the ass. And if you’re not good at it, your food will taste like lighter fluid. This brief guide will show you how to…
I’m going to let you in on a bit of a secret. Growing up, I had two pipe dreams: play second base for the NY Yankees, or become a professional race car driver. I wanted to play ball until I realized it would never happen (right around 15 years old). But it was at that…