So the Branespload interview was really interesting. Just on a lark I sent an email to Don McLeish, McGizmo (here is his clearinghouse of info thread on CPF). I had no real expectation that I would receive a response given how busy he is, but...why not try? It would be like emailing Picasso and asking him about where he buys his paints (yes, I know Picasso is dead and died before email was invented, but still...you get the point). But Don is a super nice guy, and so within 24 hours I had a response. There were a few questions that Don didn't answer, but that is totally cool. The ones he did were the important ones. He is also quite witty. Here is the interview:

Q: Current EDC Knife/Light Combo?

A: Sapphire:

Haiku High CRI:

(Mission Ti Folder in beach bag):

Editor's Note: the Mission Ti Folder is a folding knife produced specifically for diving use. Here is the product page. The blade is Titanium, making it light and impervious to rust. A special forging process exclusive to Mission makes it hard enough to use as a knife, getting the Ti's Rockwell Hardness up to around 47.

Q: What is your one grail item?

A: Sapphire

Editor's Note: Wonder if he meant MAKING the Sapphire, having one of his Sapphire's, or a REAL Sapphire. It has to be either the first or the last explanation because if you are the guy that makes everyone's grail lights how can any light really be a grail item? Right? Still, the Sapphire is really an awesome little light, so maybe it is the second explanation.

Q: Thumbhole, flipper, or thumbstud?

A: Thumbstud

Editor's Note: I wonder if thumbstuds work better under water? It seems, from the pictures, that McGizmo does a lot of diving, so maybe they just work better there. I still stand by the thumbhole, but different strokes for different folks.

Q: Infinite Variable Brightness: great feature or gilding the lilly?

A: Unnecessary

Editor's Note: I tend to agree. I like the Infinite Variable Brightness on the Surefire Titan T1A, but I am not sure how useful it is. A lot of lights, however, have tacky implementations of the feature. I guess the selector ring is okay, but really how many settings do you need? Moonlight, task, and blast are plenty. A well selected set of levels and a good UI eliminates most of the need for Infinite Variable Brightness.

Q: How do you care data with you? USB drive, cloud, some other method?

A: Don't.

Editor's Note: I am not sure how useful this is, unless you work in an office. If you don't I can't really see the need to carry data. If you are a scuba diver and flashlight craftsman, why bother right?

Q: What item do you carry/wear that has the most sentimental value?

A: Wedding ring.

Editor's Note: Me too. I got my wedding ring from my grandparents, who gave it to me on their 50th wedding anniversary, which was the same year I got married. It is really, really important to me.

Hope you enjoyed this one. It was really awesome of Don to return my email. Man's a genius when it comes to making lights. I couldn't be happier with my Haiku and I am even more pleased knowing it came from such a stand up guy.

Thanks Don.