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Hill People Gear Launches Umlindi V2

By on June 10, 2020 in Outdoor Gear

Hill People Gear have rolled out the new Umlindi V2, an update to their popular Umlindi lumbar pack. The V2 boasts a number of new features over the original:

  • zipper flap removed for more convenient access
  • AHBC / Connor Style lumbar flap for increased comfort with shoulder only carry
  • dual 7075 aluminum stays in the removable HDPE framesheet
  • larger wand pockets with cinch system will lay flat but can expand large enough to hold 2 standard Nalgenes in each side
  • full height slot pocket on inside of the pack on back side with velcro closure that can also be accessed from the outside via #10 zipper
  • dual top compression straps
  • zippered pocket on top of top lid
  • full velcro field on the underside of top lid for the use of velcro backed accessories such as the Tool Roll or 58 Pouch

HillPeopleGear.com

The Knife Connection (TKC) Blurs the Line Between Custom and Production with the Architect Field Buddy 5.5

By on May 29, 2020 in Knives, Outdoor Gear, Preparedness, Survival

Have you ever wished you could have the type of control over knife features that you get when ordering a custom knife… but pay a production knife price? That is the promise of the TKC Architect series and the first offering in that series – the Field Buddy 5.5.

The Architect Field Buddy 5.5 is available 2 ways from TKC. You can purchase the bare blade with handle kit on its own or you can use their Knife Builder to customize with your choice of handle scales, sheath options, and more.

The Field Buddy 5.5 is ground from 5/32″ thick 1095 steel. The blade has a high saber ground drop point shape where the point is in line with the handle. The blades are produced by TOPS Knives who knows how to get a lot of performance out of 1095 steel.

The handle shape is shared with the ESEE 6 which allows TKC to offer their massive array of aftermarket ESEE handles to fit the Field Buddy 5.5. The amount of options available is staggering and these handles are very comfortable to use in my experience.

There are a lot more specs and features to see and customize on the TKC Knife Builder. You can also check out the bare blade (must be purchased with handle kit) and all available accessory options at TKC’s Architect product page.

Terävä Skrama 200

By on April 21, 2020 in Knives, Outdoor Gear

The original Terävä Skrama is a remarkable large knife in terms of its functionality and its affordable price. The Skrama chops, splits, carves, and generally just makes itself handy in the backcountry. It is a favorite of mine and I highly recommend it. But, maybe you’ve looked at the Skrama before and thought that you would prefer something just a bit smaller. The new Skrama 200 may be just the ticket.

The original Skrama 240, with its hand-and-a-half grip and impressive 240mm (about 9.4″) long blade, comes in at 17.93″ overall length. As you might guess from the name, the new Skrama 200 has a 200mm long (7.87″) blade, with a more traditional one-hand grip, has a 13.77″ overall length. It weighs 150 grams less than the original at 320 grams. Both are ground from super tough 80CrV2 steel, feature a 2″ portion of the blade near the handle with a finer 25-degree edge for finer work, and have an overmolded grip.

The Skrama 200 should be easier to pack while still offering a lot of capability and, like the original Skrama 240, it does it all without the high price. The Skrama 200 and the rest of the excellent Terävä line of knives is available at Varusteleka.com.

New from TOPS Knives: Baja 4.5 Reserve Edition

By on April 17, 2020 in Knives, Outdoor Gear

The TOPS Baja 3.0 and Baja 4.5 are my all-time favorite TOPS knives. To me, they stand out in TOPS’ line for their excellent full flat primary grinds, simple but comfortable handles, and they are relatively thin behind the edge making them great all-around cutters. Now there is a new addition to the Baja line – the Baja 4.5 Reserve Edition.

The Baja 4.5 Reserve Edition is very much like the original Baja 4.5 except executed with colors and finishes typical of TOPS’ other bushcraft knives for a classic and classy look. It has a new black traction coating, tan micarta handle slabs, and better-looking handle hardware. Other than that, everything that makes the original Baja 4.5 great is still there like 5/32″ 1095 steel with the excellent TOPS heat treat, a very nice leather dangler sheath, bow drill divet in the handle slabs, well-executed jimping, and more.

Pick up the Baja 4.5 Reserve Edition from an authorized dealer or from TOPS at https://www.topsknives.com/baja-4-5-reserve-edition

Specs:

  • Overall Length: 9.25”
  • Blade Length: 4.88”
  • Cutting Edge: 4.5”
  • Blade Thickness: 0.16”
  • Blade Steel: 1095 RC 56-58
  • Blade Finish: Black Traction
  • Handle Material: Tan Canvas Micarta
  • Knife Weight: 6.4oz
  • Weight w/ Sheath: 12.2oz
  • Sheath Material: Brown Leather
  • Sheath Clip: Belt LoopDesigner: TOPS Team

Sneak Peek: Ultralight Saw from Knife Point Gear

By on April 14, 2020 in Knives, Outdoor Gear

I’ve been following Alex Garland, OUTDOORS55, on Youtube for quite a while. He has some of the most practical knife sharpening information I have found which is what originally brought me to his channel. He’s also a knife maker and is going to be releasing a very interesting ultralight saw in the next week.

The saw consists of a carbon fiber tube handle with metal reinforcing ferrules at the ends. This handle can accept any standard reciprocating saw blade which is extremely clever considering how inexpensive and plentiful pruning/clean wood blades are. These blades are also made for use in power tools and tend to be very durable compared to some higher performance folding saws.

The saw comes with a 12″ carbide tipped pruning recip blade, a blade cover, and the handle itself. The whole package including the blade cover weighs in at 3.95 ounces. That is extremely impressive when you consider that most 7-8″ folding saws weigh almost twice that (6.6 ounces for something like a Bahco Laplander).

The stats on this saw are impressive but when you consider that it breaks down into two compact parts and doesn’t use expensive replacement blades, it looks like a real winner. Pricing and the exact release date are not available at this time. You can keep your eye on Alex’s Instagram feed and KnifePointGear.com for more information.

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