Tuff Possum Gear has launched their new Med Pouch. It is available today at an introductory price.
Designed with quick access and modular carry in mind, the Med Pouch is the result of our wish for a velcro backed “medical” or “first aid kit” pouch. It pairs perfectly with the Shackleton EDC Satchel, but works well with any pack or bag lined with a loop Velcro or the FirstSpear 6/12 material (PALS laser cut loop).
Sized to carry the basics of massive hemorrhage control (ie. gloves, a CAT tourniquet, a HALO chest seal, and wound packing materials), as well as the little boo-boo stuff you dispense in everyday life to those around you. (ie. band-aid, Advil, etc.)
The Med Pouch is 5″ x 5″ x 2.5″ in size. The first aid sign on the front is both reflect and glow-in-the-dark. It comes with beaded zipper pulls to aid in opening in less than ideal circumstances and a panel to cover the hook backing if it is not needed. Internally, it has two slot pockets to organize contents.
Not all button compasses are created equal. In fact, most of them are nearly worthless thanks to them being fragile or inaccurate. The dry (no liquid fill), metal body SERE compasses have always been one of the gold standards for “button” compasses. They are tough and they work… but they can be hard to find in genuine form.
Enter True North Concepts. They are working with an original military contract manufacturer to produce their own Mini SERE Compass. It features a solid brass housing with cord loop and OD green finish. The dry compass ensures quick readings and that the bubbles that plague most cheap button compasses won’t be an issue. The indicator markings are painted with lume for low light.
Each compass comes with a length of cord and a customer waterproof case. The back is etched with the True North Concepts logo which allows the brass to show through the OD green paint finish.
TOPS Knives just released two new cutting tools at two different ends of the size spectrum. Both are additions to two lines for which TOPS is becoming very well known. The Mini Tanimboca Puuko fits well into the bushcraft lineup and the Ucon Hawk is a great addition to their line of hatchets.
Mini Tanimboca Puukko
TOPS Tanimboca Puukko has been a big success since it was made available in 2017. So, it was only fitting that when Goran approached TOPS about making a mini version, we were interested. The Mini Tanimboca Puukko is a great tool for making bushcraft items (utensils, kuksa, baskets, blow guns, etc. are all things that Goran had in mind with this), whittling around the fire, and even accomplishing some EDC uses.
This knife is smaller than most and has no guard (so use caution). The knife can be held close to the cutting edge and in multiple grips. If you like making things with your hands especially in the woods, this knife is going to be a must-have. It has the classic Puukko look, but in a much, much smaller package. The spine is ground to 90 degrees for scraping tasks. Well-rounded Black Canvas Micarta handles make the handle comfortable despite its size. The brown leather sheath is set up for a tip-down neck carry, but also has a loop that will fit most belts.
The Mini Tanimboca Puukko was designed by Goran Mihajlovic, who also designed the original one made by TOPS. Goran is originally from Serbia but grew up in Germany. He has lived in Colombia now for many years. He owns a nature reserve called Tanimboca that houses hundreds if not thousands of species of plant, animal, and insect. Throughout his entire life, he has been a knife user and enthusiast. In recent years he has begun making knives at his forge in the Amazon jungle. He prefers Puukkos for their ability to perform well at large variety of cutting tasks.
Hatchets have proven their usefulness over the years, time and time again. They are great for splitting smaller pieces of wood, chopping branches, limbs, and even small trees when necessary. They’re helpful when you need to clear a country road of debris and you forgot your chainsaw again. Some people even prefer them to large chopping knives. That’s why the Ucon Hawk was made.
This tool is similar in dimension to the Hammer Hawk, but it is a little lighter and made with 1095 instead of 1075. TOPS famous differential heat treat gives a tool that will be strong and hold its edge very well. The handles are made from a new material that mixes layers of G10 and rubber to provide maximum grip. The portion of the tang between the handle and the bit is rounded allowing the user to choke up for detailed cuts. So this can do all of the jobs of a hatchet and some of the jobs of a knife. It comes with a 2-piece leather sheath so that it can be carried multiple ways with safety in mind. It’s sure to become the go-to hatchet in your collection.
Simple Theory Gear continues to develop The Pack Stove with the addition of several new products. You can view my review of The Pack Stove for background on what I consider to be an excellent and versatile twig stove.
The new products include an ash plate, a new storage sack option that fits The Pack Stove and Stanley Adventure Cook Set perfectly, a new burner plate, and more. Check out the video below for details and visit SimpleTheoryGear.com.
Ever wonder why the venerable ALICE Pack doesn’t have a carry handle? OV Innovations wondered and they are just the company to do something about it. Their ALICE Frame Carry Handle is now available.
The ALICE Frame Carry Handle attaches directly to the frame and provides a lift point that is strong enough for heavy packs without ripping shoulder straps. It is available in Camo Green.
