A thin film magnetic head includes a recording pole layer that is divided into a tip portion, a wide rear portion, a flare portion, and a yoke portion as viewed from the air bearing surface. The optical transaction card is programmed at bit increments representing, in total, the stated value of the card; and, is then decremented by erasing the incremental bits during use. The exposed portion of the produce item is propelled into a cutting means which removes a desired portion of the produce item. The lock may be employed by wrapping the wire rope around a portion of a tree stand, hooking the hook of the rope to the hook of the ratchet buckle and threading the wire rope through the transaxial bore.