I don’t even need to say much about this. Look at the picture below… let it wash over you. I’ll wait. Now visit the website of the Kydex bending wizard who made it happen – PHLster.com. The force is strong with this one.
Archive | August, 2013
EGL VOCR and D3CR Add Ons
Extreme Gear Labs is working on an entire suite of add-ons that will expand the functionality of the EGL VOCR and Haley Strategic Partners D3CR chest rigs. We have already shown you the wedges that can be affixed to the rear of the panel to accept additional primary magazines, a medical kit, or a handgun.
The newly announced optional add-ons include:
- The Porker which is an admin panel that will allow the VOCR or D3CR to interface with the SKD PIG PC or Shellback Tactical Banshee
- The Modular UTILITY / chemlight panel which hangs below the chest rig to allow storage of chemlights in elastic loops and additional items in a large front access pouch
- The Dropsacks which also hang down below the chest rig and come in various configurations for 40MM ammo or a fast access handgun pouch
EGL tells me that there are still more products in the pipeline! When they are done, the VOCR and D3CR will likely be the most modular chest rigs available. The best way to keep track of EGL is to check out their Facebook Page.
RE Factor Tactical Pelican Case Inserts Now Available for the 1750
We recently mentioned the RE Factor Tactical Pelican Case Inserts that were available for the popular Pelican 1700 case. RE Factor Tactical tells us that they are now available for the 1750 as well.
Check out RE Factor Tactical.
Review: OSOE Deployable TQ Pouch and TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch
Original Special Operations Equipment (OSOE) has one of the most extensive lines of medic pouches on the market. In this review, I’ll be taking a look at 2 of their tourniquet (TQ) pouches – the Deployable TQ Pouch and the TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch.
Overview
Both pouches, like all OSOE gear, made from 1000D Cordura Nylon. They feature red webbing that visually indicates them as pouches that are carrying medical components and to visually indicate where to pull on the pouch to access the contents. Both pouches are designed to fully cover the TQ while also allowing it to be deployed quickly. These pouches are designed to mount via MALICE clips or similar.
The Deployable TQ Pouch is a vertical pouch that is suitable for carrying full size TQs like the CAT and SOF-T. It takes up only a single vertical column of PALS webbing and can be mounted on as few as 2 rows or as many as 3 rows of PALS webbing. It closed via hook and loop along its entire height and reinforced with a snap. You simply pull the webbing tab to deploy the TQ.
The TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch also mounts vertically to a single column of PALS webbing. It needs only 2 rows of webbing to mount. It is closed via a hook and loop secured flap with a webbing tab. When the tab is pulled, it lifts the flap and raises the TK-4 tourniquet out of the pouch. It is a clever design.
Observations from Use
Both pouches performed well which is to say that they held their cargo without drama. You can’t ask much of a TQ pouch other than it holds the TQ securely and allows quick access which both pouches did.
I like the slim profile of the Deployable TQ Pouch. It is the kind of pouch that you can always find room for on your gear. I use it on my belt or mounted high on the front of a plate carrier. One the belt, it is slim enough to fit between other gear, out of the way but accessible. On the plate carrier, it is slim enough to ride next an admin pouch or unobtrusively up on the high, front of the plate where it can be reached easily with either hand.
The TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch is a versatile and compact pouch which is fitting because the TK-4 itself is very compact. The TK-4 is not as fool proof as a full size TQ, but I own a ton of them because they are effective with some training, very affordable, and extremely compact. This pouch is a great compliment to the TK-4.
The TK-4 Self Deploy Pouch’s compact footprint makes it right at home in the same places as the Deployable TQ Pouch but also offers some additional functionality like the ability to be strung onto a sling. I like to keep mine on the static portion of my Blue Force Gear VCAS sling so that I always have a TQ on my rifle. This is a very handy pouch.
Wrap Up
These OSOE TQ pouches secure and protect the tourniquet well and still allow fast, easy access. They are compact enough to be mounted in a number of different ways. Like all OSOE gear, they are overbuilt and should serve you well for a lifetime. Check out the OSOE line of medical pouches.
Helm Enterprises, Grinding Division Tomahawks
You might know Helm Forge already for their line of hand forged knives. James Helm, the mastermind behind Helm Forge, is expanding operations beyond just forging with the introduction of his stock removal division: Helm Enterprises, Grinding Division.
The first offering that the Grinding Division is rolling out is a line of tomahawks. These hawks are water-jet cut from 1/4″ thick 4140 steel and then hand ground to final shape. They feature thick micarta slab handles. They come in 2 lengths, 12″ and 18″, and you can choose a spike or hammer poll.
The coolest thing about the spike ‘hawks is that they offer two different spike profiles: a combat spike and a pry spike. The combat spike is thinned out and features more aggressive cutting edges. The pry spike is more angular and can be use to puncture and pry your way into or out of sticky situations.
All steel tomahawks with full tang construction and micarta handles typical cost quite a bit of money. These tomahawks from Helm Enterprises are some of the most reasonably priced that I have seen (they start at $200 and don’t really go up much from there). These aren’t machine made, budget hawks either. These are packed with a lot of really well thought out features and made right here in the USA. They even offer heavy plastic training versions.
Check out Helm Enterprises, Grinding Division.
