Steel Mouse Pads
March 31, 2010 10:21 PM Subscribe
The last mouse pad you will ever need. [via mefi projects]
Also be sure to read how to home-bake oxidize one of these lovely surfaces for that home-baked oxidized look.
Also be sure to read how to home-bake oxidize one of these lovely surfaces for that home-baked oxidized look.
It's unfortunate you posted this on April 1st.
posted by null terminated at 10:34 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by null terminated at 10:34 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I'm sold on the Ravenholm.
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:38 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by turgid dahlia at 10:38 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
Metal mousepads are nice. Mine's aluminum, not steel, but I still like it. It's not going anywhere anytime soon.
Note that I bet these fail miserably with ball mice, and probably even cheap opticals.
posted by Mitrovarr at 10:38 PM on March 31, 2010
Note that I bet these fail miserably with ball mice, and probably even cheap opticals.
posted by Mitrovarr at 10:38 PM on March 31, 2010
Thirding the Ravenholm.
posted by brundlefly at 10:42 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by brundlefly at 10:42 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I always find these "The last [X] you'll ever need!" statements to be rather ominous.
posted by dunkadunc at 10:45 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 10:45 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
Greensforged... it sounds like the name of a DF fortress. Greensforged the Fortification of Mice.
posted by daniel_charms at 10:48 PM on March 31, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by daniel_charms at 10:48 PM on March 31, 2010 [3 favorites]
Yeah. optical = fail on that reflective surface. Plus, all the grease on my fingers from the junk food I eat in front of the box absorbs better into the free spongy foam mousepads I get from work.
posted by Lukenlogs at 10:48 PM on March 31, 2010
posted by Lukenlogs at 10:48 PM on March 31, 2010
My 15 year old cloth pad is nearing the end of it's life and I've been considering a polished granite floor tile. I figure by the time I've worn it out mice will have been replaced with brain implants.
posted by Mitheral at 10:50 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Mitheral at 10:50 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
So awesome. I put these up on the site I write for (with credit to Mefi and projects, of course)
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:52 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:52 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I dunno about the reflective surface- the folks on MeFightClub were praising the pads, and gamers aren't generally huge ball mouse fans.
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:54 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Pope Guilty at 10:54 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
Actually, I rock a Razor laser mouse and have one of those, and it's amazing on the surface. It's not reflective, it's burnished and sandblasted, so it's actually really textured, like a top-notch plastic mouse surface. The Teflon feet slide over it very quickly, and it's got great responsiveness. Can't speak for cheap opticals, but a quality optical mouse is amazing on these.
posted by Punkey at 11:01 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Punkey at 11:01 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
dunkadunc: I always find these "The last [X] you'll ever need!" statements to be rather ominous.
In the case of the Ravenholm, this is more the case than usual?
posted by Arandia at 11:11 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
In the case of the Ravenholm, this is more the case than usual?
posted by Arandia at 11:11 PM on March 31, 2010 [2 favorites]
And, you can also slide it in your jacket in a quick hurry and hope to stop a bullet!
These look pretty awesome.
posted by yeloson at 11:14 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
These look pretty awesome.
posted by yeloson at 11:14 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I haven't had a mouse pad in years, I just use my desk. Am I doing it wrong?
posted by fshgrl at 11:15 PM on March 31, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 11:15 PM on March 31, 2010 [3 favorites]
I threw out the last mouse pad I'll ever need with my last mouse.
posted by FireballForever at 11:16 PM on March 31, 2010
posted by FireballForever at 11:16 PM on March 31, 2010
Props to Greens for a great product, but I'm afraid that my mouserug is still kicking it after 10 years so I'm not really in the market.
posted by breath at 11:21 PM on March 31, 2010
posted by breath at 11:21 PM on March 31, 2010
Yeah. optical = fail on that reflective surface.
True, optical works way better on surfaces that absorb all light.
posted by falconred at 11:44 PM on March 31, 2010 [11 favorites]
True, optical works way better on surfaces that absorb all light.
posted by falconred at 11:44 PM on March 31, 2010 [11 favorites]
Note that I bet these fail miserably with ball mice, and probably even cheap opticals.
I'd like to think I have a ridonkulously cheap ass optical, yeah, that's a mouse made by Gigabyte, renown maker of motherboards and neigh unknown maker of mice. I think I got mine for 10 bucks. Or it came with an AOL trial disk. Whatever. It's cheap. And it works fine with my greenspad.
posted by eurasian at 11:51 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd like to think I have a ridonkulously cheap ass optical, yeah, that's a mouse made by Gigabyte, renown maker of motherboards and neigh unknown maker of mice. I think I got mine for 10 bucks. Or it came with an AOL trial disk. Whatever. It's cheap. And it works fine with my greenspad.
posted by eurasian at 11:51 PM on March 31, 2010 [1 favorite]
I was actually having trouble with this semi-glossy plastic surface and an optical mouse, so I bought this nice wooden board 3'x3' board it actually looks really nice.
A regular shiny surface won't work well with an optical mouse, but it might be OK if there's enough texture.
Also, is it stainless steel, or will it rust if it gets wet?
posted by delmoi at 12:16 AM on April 1, 2010
A regular shiny surface won't work well with an optical mouse, but it might be OK if there's enough texture.
Also, is it stainless steel, or will it rust if it gets wet?
posted by delmoi at 12:16 AM on April 1, 2010
I will eat beans off this.
posted by srboisvert at 12:24 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 12:24 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
These will not fail under grease, work perfectly with optical mice, and won't rust. As far as I know. I'm sure greens will pop in to dispel any other myths with the power of SCIENCE!
posted by lazaruslong at 12:30 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by lazaruslong at 12:30 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Or even better, directly from the Projects link:
The final surface treatment enhances the function of optical and laser mice while reducing friction between the pad and mouse. The pad, over time, develops a patina that improves the feel and optical pick-up.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:32 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
The final surface treatment enhances the function of optical and laser mice while reducing friction between the pad and mouse. The pad, over time, develops a patina that improves the feel and optical pick-up.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:32 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Since I haven't used a mouse mat for years, I've already had the last mouse mat I'll ever need. It does look like it would make a nice hotplate though.
posted by salmacis at 1:10 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by salmacis at 1:10 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
One day we'll have gravity guns and the Ravenholm pad will be the perfect accessory to go with it.
posted by WalterMitty at 1:51 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by WalterMitty at 1:51 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've had one for several months now, and it is truly superb.
Also, is it stainless steel, or will it rust if it gets wet?
They're not stainless steel, or shiny, or reflective. Probably rust could potentially happen, I guess, if you left it out in the rain or something. What does happen, like lazaruslong mentions, is the surface develops a patina from contact with the oils on your skin and slowly transforms itself over time. Mine -- a simple circular version -- is mottled now in a way that reminds me of nothing so much as the full moon.
I'm biased, because greenskpr/greens is a buddy, and I put together the site for him because I'm so impressed with how cool the work he does is, so grain of salt, of course, but: I wouldn't lie to you. These things are great.
Since I haven't used a mouse mat for years
I'd been using my naked desktop for years, too but I'm a convert.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:23 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, is it stainless steel, or will it rust if it gets wet?
They're not stainless steel, or shiny, or reflective. Probably rust could potentially happen, I guess, if you left it out in the rain or something. What does happen, like lazaruslong mentions, is the surface develops a patina from contact with the oils on your skin and slowly transforms itself over time. Mine -- a simple circular version -- is mottled now in a way that reminds me of nothing so much as the full moon.
I'm biased, because greenskpr/greens is a buddy, and I put together the site for him because I'm so impressed with how cool the work he does is, so grain of salt, of course, but: I wouldn't lie to you. These things are great.
Since I haven't used a mouse mat for years
I'd been using my naked desktop for years, too but I'm a convert.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 2:23 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have a steelseries Xai laser mouse on a steelpad 5L. I'm thinking I should get a realsteelpad 1L from greenskpr :) And he now ships to the UK. Yay! (though ouchie at the shipping cost and no doubt customs)
I remember when these first came out on mefightclub. Congrats on it going mainstream greens!
posted by ArkhanJG at 2:26 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I remember when these first came out on mefightclub. Congrats on it going mainstream greens!
posted by ArkhanJG at 2:26 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
That's pretty cool looking, but if performance is any indicator, the promotional mouse pad my mom gave me 17 years ago seems to maintain the title of "last mousepad I'll ever need"
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 4:42 AM on April 1, 2010
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 4:42 AM on April 1, 2010
I have one for home and one for work, because I loved the first one I bought so much. They work fine with cheapo optical mice since the surface isn't reflective - it's sandblasted and textured. Yay for greens!
posted by gemmy at 4:59 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by gemmy at 4:59 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I was a pure mouse-on-desk purist. I've been converted to the Greens Way.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:12 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:12 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, they ain't reflective. As I recall, they're sandblasted with garnet dust and then buffed, leaving a nicely (microscopically) pockmarked service for the optical mice to pick up on, but that is absolutely smooth to the skin.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:14 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:14 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I thought I got the last mousepad I ever needed in 1997.
posted by Hiker at 5:15 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Hiker at 5:15 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, it may be that I'm just happy but the pad with the ROTATO stamp that is in the image rotation up top? That one's mine. The exactly same one.
LIVE LONG AND ROTATO.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:17 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
LIVE LONG AND ROTATO.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:17 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
It's worth it just for the name "Cirque du Pwnage"
posted by Mister_A at 5:26 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Mister_A at 5:26 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
I heat oxidized mine. I baked it in a 475F degree oven for 20 minutes and then put it in some water. It came out a beautiful bronze color. It did melt some of the plastic feet off of the bottom, so you have to watch that. You can buy new feet at Lowe's or Home Depot. I'm tempted to go hotter, I like the looks of the blues and purples you can get over 500F.
posted by jefeweiss at 6:25 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by jefeweiss at 6:25 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I think the best part of these is the personalization and make your own shape part.
Of course, having absolutely zero creativity, I went with the sawblade with "Grither" on top.
I think I will have to order one for work, that is properly clever. I sense an askme question in the works!
posted by Grither at 6:39 AM on April 1, 2010
Of course, having absolutely zero creativity, I went with the sawblade with "Grither" on top.
I think I will have to order one for work, that is properly clever. I sense an askme question in the works!
posted by Grither at 6:39 AM on April 1, 2010
FireballForever: "I threw out the last mouse pad I'll ever need with my last mouse."
Consider it a mouse throne, then!
posted by Grither at 7:00 AM on April 1, 2010
Consider it a mouse throne, then!
posted by Grither at 7:00 AM on April 1, 2010
ROTATO LIVES!
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:13 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 7:13 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
You can also use them to kill intruders. This thing is the fuckin' truth, man.
posted by absalom at 7:23 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by absalom at 7:23 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also: What the fuck is a "rotato?"
posted by absalom at 7:24 AM on April 1, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by absalom at 7:24 AM on April 1, 2010 [7 favorites]
Nice work jefeweiss, looks good!
posted by asok at 7:53 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by asok at 7:53 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
My only regret is that I already have a permanent, luxurious, high-quality surface at home in the form of a 12" square of ubba tubba granite, and a decent frosted glass Icemat(TM) at work.
posted by BeerFilter at 8:20 AM on April 1, 2010
posted by BeerFilter at 8:20 AM on April 1, 2010
stavros, I can't seem to order one right now. I can add to a cart, but hitting checkout says the cart is empty.
posted by mathowie at 10:19 AM on April 1, 2010
posted by mathowie at 10:19 AM on April 1, 2010
For those following along, the stavros signal has been lit, but it's really early in the morning where stav is. Stay tuned!
posted by mrnutty at 11:07 AM on April 1, 2010
posted by mrnutty at 11:07 AM on April 1, 2010
Sorry, all. Just getting off real work. Orders are being taken gladly, for the time being, the old-timey way -- through email.
Use the contact page and we'll do things caveman-style until stavros is done beating the website's ass. Thanks!
posted by greenskpr at 2:29 PM on April 1, 2010
Use the contact page and we'll do things caveman-style until stavros is done beating the website's ass. Thanks!
posted by greenskpr at 2:29 PM on April 1, 2010
I'm going to get either the Ravenholm or the L7... does anyone have experience using the Ravenholm? I'm worried it'll scratch up my wrist, or just make it sore.
posted by skintension at 3:22 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by skintension at 3:22 PM on April 1, 2010
Damn time zones! Just woke up. I think the caching was borked, but it should be OK now. If not, I'll fiddle with it soon.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:32 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:32 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've found that the sound of the first few metallic *clinks* as I get my mouse settled in for the first time of the day has become like a daily moment of Zen.
posted by Cyrano at 3:49 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Cyrano at 3:49 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I think the caching was borked, but it should be OK now.
Tested. Passed.
posted by greenskpr at 3:55 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Tested. Passed.
posted by greenskpr at 3:55 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm going to get either the Ravenholm or the L7... does anyone have experience using the Ravenholm? I'm worried it'll scratch up my wrist, or just make it sore.
Sorry for the wait, skintension. All pads get an exaggerated bevel ground into the half of the pad that your wrist rests on. The Sawblade design, on the whole, is designed to look nasty. In actuality, it's sanded and wire-wheeled down to being blunt and smooth to the touch. Beyond this, the pads are very thin (1/8"). The natural position of your wrist will likely not come into contact with the edge as you grip the mouse.
Making these by hand lets me feel each one. If something seems rough, or sharp, I can remedy it immediately. Being a user of them, I'm persnickety about whether or not they're feeling like they're supposed to be feeling.
posted by greenskpr at 5:38 AM on April 2, 2010 [2 favorites]
Sorry for the wait, skintension. All pads get an exaggerated bevel ground into the half of the pad that your wrist rests on. The Sawblade design, on the whole, is designed to look nasty. In actuality, it's sanded and wire-wheeled down to being blunt and smooth to the touch. Beyond this, the pads are very thin (1/8"). The natural position of your wrist will likely not come into contact with the edge as you grip the mouse.
Making these by hand lets me feel each one. If something seems rough, or sharp, I can remedy it immediately. Being a user of them, I'm persnickety about whether or not they're feeling like they're supposed to be feeling.
posted by greenskpr at 5:38 AM on April 2, 2010 [2 favorites]
Thanks! Sounds good to me, I just put my order in.
posted by skintension at 11:06 AM on April 2, 2010
posted by skintension at 11:06 AM on April 2, 2010
So I am totally planning on buying one of these but concerned about potential desk scratchability - how do the feet do protecting the steel from surfaces (greenskpr I just emailed you about this on your site)?
Very well timed b/c I was looking for a cool mousepad. Coolest evar. Now I have to think of something cool to inscribe.
posted by gnash at 5:15 PM on April 2, 2010
Very well timed b/c I was looking for a cool mousepad. Coolest evar. Now I have to think of something cool to inscribe.
posted by gnash at 5:15 PM on April 2, 2010
The soft rubbery feet make sure pad never touches desk. Furniture scratches are a non issue. I own 3 pads, the hugepade for gaming, the ravenholm for the lady, and the teardrop for work. really well done.
posted by hugecranium at 12:15 AM on April 3, 2010
posted by hugecranium at 12:15 AM on April 3, 2010
or, hugepad...
posted by hugecranium at 12:15 AM on April 3, 2010
posted by hugecranium at 12:15 AM on April 3, 2010
Feet are clear rubber pads 1/8 " thick. Very secure and stable feeling. After recent trial and error, they are all epoxied onto the pad. You'll have a 1/8" air gap between the desk and pad.
posted by greenskpr at 12:15 AM on April 3, 2010
posted by greenskpr at 12:15 AM on April 3, 2010
Interesting. I've had metal and plastic pads before, and I love the stiffness, but I've found cloth pads are a lot easier on the wrist, which is why I'm using a hybrid cloth/plastic pad.
Greens: I presume you can do the hugepad with the bezel designed for horizontal use (i.e. same orientation as the L7), but which side would the inscription be on then?
Perhaps stav could add a 'I'm and oddball and would like to make an outrageous demand please' box to the order form to add special request comments directly - I don't see one going as far as the checkout.
posted by ArkhanJG at 3:54 AM on April 3, 2010
Greens: I presume you can do the hugepad with the bezel designed for horizontal use (i.e. same orientation as the L7), but which side would the inscription be on then?
Perhaps stav could add a 'I'm and oddball and would like to make an outrageous demand please' box to the order form to add special request comments directly - I don't see one going as far as the checkout.
posted by ArkhanJG at 3:54 AM on April 3, 2010
(note, I'm a twitch spiderclaw mouse gripper, so my wrist and forearm rests on the desk and edge of the pad all the time)
posted by ArkhanJG at 3:56 AM on April 3, 2010
posted by ArkhanJG at 3:56 AM on April 3, 2010
I got the Hugepad and Greens sent me an email to ask me what side I wanted my inscription on after I placed my order. Since they are hand stamped, you can really put it anywhere that you want. As you get more orders, you might want to handle that via some sort of dialogue box.
posted by jefeweiss at 7:01 AM on April 3, 2010
posted by jefeweiss at 7:01 AM on April 3, 2010
We can make them anyway you'd like, Arkhan. Contact me through the site and we can discuss. Would love to make you something you like the feel and look of. I have the same technique of mouse gripping and, unsurprisingly, have tried all the models.
Jefe, I really like emailing everyone who orders. I get to double check the order and text, and thank them for the interest. It's taking up some time and might be a losing strategy, but it feels right for now.
posted by greenskpr at 11:27 AM on April 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Jefe, I really like emailing everyone who orders. I get to double check the order and text, and thank them for the interest. It's taking up some time and might be a losing strategy, but it feels right for now.
posted by greenskpr at 11:27 AM on April 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
I got the Hugepad and Greens sent me an email to ask me what side I wanted my inscription on after I placed my order.
This orientation options is also built in to the ordering process now.
Perhaps stav could add a 'I'm and oddball and would like to make an outrageous demand please' box to the order form to add special request comments directly - I don't see one going as far as the checkout.
Just hit up the contact page form and it'll send an email to greens for special stuff and inquiries -- as you know, he's friendly like that.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2010
This orientation options is also built in to the ordering process now.
Perhaps stav could add a 'I'm and oddball and would like to make an outrageous demand please' box to the order form to add special request comments directly - I don't see one going as far as the checkout.
Just hit up the contact page form and it'll send an email to greens for special stuff and inquiries -- as you know, he's friendly like that.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2010
Just got my ravenholm. It's PERFECT. I love it.
posted by skintension at 5:26 PM on April 19, 2010
posted by skintension at 5:26 PM on April 19, 2010
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