This certainly isn’t the best paint job I have ever seen but it gets big time style points for the use of a Sharpie! I am simultaneously horrified by the results and impressed by the ingenuity and gumption of the creator of this camo scheme. In a way, I find myself drawn to it. I can’t help but love it.
If you are handy with paint thinner, you may want to try to make this Maadi AK your very own.
There is no shortage of pocket survival kits on the market but when Dark Mountain Research (DMR) makes a new one, I take notice. Kino Davis of DMR knows his stuff.
The new kit comes in a custom Dark Mountain Research tin. I like that it contains many simple, versatile, inexpensive components that are easily replaced. The kit contains:
2X2 Gauze Pad
1qt Water Bag
Signal Mirror
Whistle
Button Compass
Scalpel Blade
2 Water Purification Tabs
2 – 2X2 3M Reflective Tape
Cut Down “Space Blanket”
3″ Adhesive Bandage
10′ Braided Kevlar Line – 70lb Test
2 – Fire Tabs
Fresnel Type Lens
2 Butterfly Closures
Iodine Pad
Antibiotic Packet
Small Split Ring
5′ 3M Super 33+ Tape
Heavy Sewing Needle
Mini Ferro Rod
Large Safety Pin
Finish Nail
Cut Down Hacksaw Blade
If you are wondering what some of those items are good for, Kino explained it on the DMR Facebook Page:
2X2 Gauze Pad
The paper that it is wrapped in can be used for fire starting, or for leaving a small note. The gauze pad itself is of course a medical item, it can also be used for fire starting and water filtration.
1qt Water Bag
Collecting and purifying water, storage of items and medical wound cover.
Signal Mirror
Signaling…. and self evaluation of parts of you that can not see.
Whistle
Signaling.
Button Compass
Primarily Navigation.
Scalpel Blade
Cutting Tool.
2 Water Purification Tabs
Water Purification.
2 – 2X2 3M Reflective Tape
Signaling… placed on a signal panel, your shoulders, top of your hat….
Cut Down “Space Blanket”
Awesome item! Shelter, protection from Sun, Wind and Rain. Water collection. Signal Panel. Improvised Sun Shade (you can see through it).
3″ Adhesive Bandage
Paper wrapper is fire starting material, bandage is a bandage.
10′ Braided Kevlar Line – 70lb Test
Mostly shelter work… but good for lots of stuff.
2 – Fire Tabs
Fire starting.
Fresnel Type Lens
Primarily for examining wounds.
2 Butterfly Closures
Wound Closure.
Iodine Pad
Medical antiseptic, water purification, can be used as an ink with the nail to leave a note on the gauze wrapper.
Antibiotic Packet
Medical antiseptic, petroleum base aids in fire starting.
Small Split Ring
Came on the whistle… wont fit in the tin with it still on the whistle! Good for simple snare rigging, or keeping things organized.
5′ 3M Super 33+ Tape
Duct tape’s little, quiet brother!
Heavy Sewing Needle
Clothing repair, shelter building, splinter removal.
Mini Ferro Rod
Fire starting.
Large Safety Pin
Clothing repair, organization
Finish Nail
Digging, prying, poking and nailing!
Cut Down Hacksaw Blade
Used with fire rod to start fires, also doubles as a saw blade
There are 2 great giveaways going on right now that you should know about. The first is from Austere Provisions Company. They are giving away a FastFire Large SUMA Pro Survival Kit when they hit 3500 fans on Facebook. Visit the Austere Provisions Company Facebook Page for details.
The second giveaway is from Haley Strategic Partners. They are giving away one of their new D3 Chest Rigs in Kyptek Nomad along with a patch and t-shirt. This is a darn good looking chest rig. Check out the HSP Facebook Page for details.
If you break the blade of some knives, you don’t have many options other than to live with it or trash it. Zero Tolerance will replace the blades of their folding knives for just $30 if you break one during one of your “hold my beer and watch this” moments. If it breaks because of some sort of defect they will fix it on their dime. My experiences with Kershaw and ZT’s customer service have been incredibly positive. It is nice to know that there are companies out there who don’t see their gear as consumables that are worthless if they break.
Check out the broken knife policy at the Zero Tolerance website and good luck breaking a ZT blade!
The supply lines are really starting to open up lately but prices can still tend to be a bit high. Austere Provisions Company just received a new shipment of excellent D&H AR-15 Magazines with Magpul Followers and they are selling them at normal prices.
