The website Think Geek prides itself on selling “stuff for smart masses,” offering a wide array of gadgets, toys and nerdy sundries. Little did they suspect that one such brainy product would create mass hysteria at the Burlington Mall.

The Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella, a featured product in the site’s “Japan Fan” section, combines the functionality of a traditional umbrella with the flair of a realistic-looking samurai sword handle, all done an intimidating shade of matte black. Retailing for $20 (the shorter “Tanto” version) or $30 (the full-sized “Katana” version), this item is no stranger to controversy akin to the ‘gunman’ threat that forced the Burlington Mall to evacuate shoppers and call in the SWAT team.

In August of 2010, the item prompted a similar panic at an Atlanta college, resulting in a SWAT team visit and a ban of the umbrella from the school’s campus.  At the time, ThinkGeek joked that the product should carry a new warning: “May incite SWAT teams.” In each situation, it was the carrying of the umbrella – slung across the back like a traditional sword, with only the handle exposed – that provoked the weapon reports.

Both incidents have been roundly mocked on the Internet, held up as evidence of local authorities overreacting in our increasingly paranoid world. However, a cursory Google search reveals that, for roughly the same price, one can purchase a similar umbrella with a hidden blade inside – evidence that, perhaps, a little paranoia is healthy.

This is what we mean when we squeal “nerdgasm!”

The man-gods at ThinkGeek announced today they will be selling a Star Trek Pizza Cutter, shaped in the form of the original U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, glimmering in all-metal construction.

This is right up there with the Tetris ice cubes. Any method in which we can combine our two natural loves — science fiction and food/drink — adds a true sense of enjoyment to our lives.

“After years of staring at the iconic shape of the Star Trek Enterprise we finally realized in one ‘aha!’ moment what the saucer section of the ship was best used for… cutting pizza!," said Senior Merchandiser Ty Liotta. "After a bit of ergonomic adjustment we ended up with the best pizza wheel on this side of the galaxy.”

The ships saucer is replicated by a sharp 4" diameter steel blade and the 4.5" handle mimics the warp nacelles and generators.

The cutter is available for $24.99. It’s not dishwasher safe, so hand wash it if you use it to cut pizza like no man has cut pizza before.

In today’s gaming sphere, with so many incredible system-exclusive titles, it’s very difficult to just own one console or another.

But not everyone is an owner of the PSWii60, and only has one of the three, and so breeds contempt and fanboyism.

But with every radical movement, there’s a hippie crowd trying to bring it down…peacefully.

Enter ThinkGeek.com, a web marketplace of all things nerdy, and actually where I did a lot of Christmas shopping this year.

The Web site has a “Coexiist” T-shirt, and well, you take a look, and if you’re convinced, head over here to buy your very own.

Do want!

NEW YORK – Eli Szasz and Aaron Rasmussen created the perfect gamer invention in 2007 – an energy drink worth two Red Bulls packed in a potion-shaped bottle and titled “Mana.” It doesn’t get any better than that.

Now, a year after their initial release of the “Mana Energy Potion,” Szasz and Rasmussen introduced their new “Health Energy Potion,” a companion to “Mana,” at New York Comic-con.

The guys were nice enough to let me test a bottle of each of the energy drinks. Both are about a shot’s worth of liquid. “Mana” is blue and has a sour, berry flavor while “Health” is red and is flavored apple-cinnamon.

The “Mana” potion was probably the best thing that happened to me during the entire Con. Blast cohort Kellen Rice and I split a bottle after the “Up” screening and started talking about 100 miles per hour in less than five minutes. While the initial boost of energy eventually died down, we remained coherent and aware for the rest of the night after an exhausting day and little sleep the night before.

Because I cannot do justice to how the “Mana” and “Health” potions were described in their press release, I will just quote directly from it:

“While Mana Energy Potion gets you pumped up for a fight, quest or adventure, Health Energy Potion restores you after battle so you can get back into the heat of the action.”

Rasmussen described the new “Health” potion to me as a gradual boost of energy spread out over a five to eight hour period. “Mana” packs an initial burst of energy (that Zac Turgeon had to listen to while he, Kellen and I had dinner at a nearby pizza joint) and then levels out for the same length of time.

“Health” might work well for gamers, who need a continuous flow of energy to stay awake. But for a quick pick-me-up, “Health” didn’t make too much of a difference, and maybe it was just the exhausted state I was in, but I didn’t feel much more aware after the bottle of “Health” that I drank.

“Mana” combines a variety of vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B12 and Pantothenic Acid with their own special “energy potion” and enzyme blend to come up with their drink. “Health” uses Vitamin C, Vitamins B1, B6 and B12 and adds Elderberry, ginseng, biotin and folic acid to make a constant flow of energy.

Each potion is 25 calories and contains 1.69 ounces of liquid.

The potions are $3.45 a bottle and can be purchased at Hot Topic, ThinkGeek.com or at the ManaPotions.com webstore.