Navigation

Archive | Preparedness

Mossy Forge Tomahawks

By on April 5, 2018 in Knives, Preparedness, Survival

Mossy Forge is a blacksmith that hand forges a variety of different tomahawks with some interesting shared features. Their tomahawks are often forged from reclaimed materials like 5160 leaf springs or quality vintage metal tools. Their designs also tend to have deep relief cutout behind the beard of the tomahawk (the lower part of the cutting edge) that lightens the tomahawk and allows the user to choke up for controlled cuts or carving.

They are probably best known for their Viking Axe (previously known as the Goshawk). This is a hammer poll tomahawk with a curved cutting bit. It is has a distinctive, deep beard that allows the user to grip high on the haft, behind the cutting edge. The Viking Axe features a lugged head that gives it more surface area to engage the haft. It available with a number of different haft lengths, wraps, and sheath options as are many of Mossy Forge’s tomahawks.

You can check out Mossy Forge on Etsy.

Izula Sheath Upgrades from Sagewood Gear

By on March 17, 2018 in EDC, Knives, Preparedness, Survival

Sagewood Gear just rolled out two new sheath upgrades for the popular ESEE Izula. The Izula comes with a molded plastic sheath that is functional and durable but has limited options for attaching it to your belt. The new Vertical Carry Belt Loop and Scout Straps work with this original sheath so you don’t have to replace it altogether.

The Izula Vertical Carry Belt Loop is designed to attach to the hard plastic Izula sheath and provide a more comfortable ride on your belt by dropping the sheath below the belt line. It is constructed from 9oz Wickett & Craig leather. It attaches to the sheath via included Chicago screws and features a fold-over, dropped belt loop with 24 DOT Mil Spec Button Fasteners.

The Izula Scout Straps attach to the Izula’s original plastic sheath and allow it to be carried horizontally on the belt – AKA Scout Carry. Scout carry often places the knife’s handle very close to the belt so Sagewood Gear has thoughtfully included spacers in the design that make the handle easier to grasp. These straps is also constructed from 9oz Wickett & Craig leather and features the same 24 DOT Mil Spec Button Fasteners.

Kit Badger: To Build A Fire

By on March 16, 2018 in EDC, Preparedness, Survival

Ivan at Kit Badger just wrapped up his To Build A Fire series in which he pockets a firestarting tool and then jumps into freezing cold water before trying to start a fire. I was present for the filming of one of these videos and it was as miserable as it looks on camera.

I suggest you watch all of the videos in this series, but if you can only watch one, watch the wrap up:

The series graphically shows several lessons learned with the main one being that just because you can light a fire in ideal conditions, doesn’t mean you can light one when you actually NEED one. It also highlighted the attributes you should look for in a firestarting tool – something that requires as little dexterity as possible and buys you time.

Crowdfunding – MerkWares LLC Pocket Super Shelter

By on March 1, 2018 in EDC, Preparedness, Survival

If you are at least mildly familiar with the term “bushcraft”, you are likely also familiar with Mors Kochanski – one of the great figures in the bushcraft world. He developed the Super Shelter concept which was a compact shelter that could be built in the woods with tools and know-how for surviving cold weather. What if a similar shelter could be built with no tools and very little know-how?

Merkwares LLC, makers of the excellent Emberlit Stove, have developed a new shelter called the Pocket Super Shelter. It is designed, when coupled with a small fire in front of the shelter, to actively heat the occupant. It accomplishes this feat with a clear plastic front (towards the fire) and a reflective liner. The clear plastic front acts like glass in a greenhouse while the reflective material, which is more durable than mylar, reflects the heat of the fire onto the occupant.

The shelter comes vacuum packed into a very compact package and can be compressed effectively after it’s first use for continued use. The material used in construction, Heatsheets proprietary Silver Lining™ Technology, is more durable than the typical mylar space blanket or tube shelter.. It sets up with 4 stakes and a single ridge line tied to anchor points.

Check out the Pocket Super Shelter on Kickstarter.

ITS Tactical TourniQuick

By on February 24, 2018 in EDC, Preparedness, Survival, Tactical Gear

ITS Tactical’s new TourniQuck is a pouch designed to carry, fully cover, and even deploy CAT and SOF-T tourniquets. It makes use of a similar one-handed pull-to-deploy design found on ITS Tactical’s ETA Trauma Kit Pouch. When the user pulls the red marked (included red Velcro ONE-WRAP) loop, the outer surface of the pouch breaks away and unfurls the tourniquet fully so that it is immediately ready to place around a limb.

The TourniQuck can be mounted a number of ways including vertically or horizontally on a belt, vertically on a backpack strap, or vertically on PALS webbing. It is made in the USA.

TourniQuick on ITSTactical.com

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes