Archive | Preparedness

Lights Out Saga – You Can Help!

By Matt on March 18, 2013 in Preparedness, Survival

Many of you are familiar with the book Lights Out by David Crawford (Halffast). It is the story of regular people who are thrust into a fight to simply provide for themselves in the face of disaster. Civilization crumbles around the characters and they are left to pick up the pieces of their once comfortable lives. The book was downloaded more than 3 million times and was later printed independently. Now that book is being made into a film, or a series of films, called the Lights Out Saga and you can get involved.

In order to make a film that deals with themes like this, it was important that the film be made independently. This ensures that David Crawford’s vision can remain intact and undiluted. Several well known manufacturers from around the industry are already involved in making this film a reality including Mystery Ranch, 5.11 Tactical, AR15.com, the Noveske Shooting Team, and more.

You too have the chance to get involved in making this film happen. The Lights Out Saga crowd funding effort is now live at Indiegogo. This film may not be made without you!

Here is a statement from the Lights Out Saga Facebook Page:

What most people don’t realize is that in spite of our announcement (just yesterday) – we’ve been working on this project for 3 months! This week we’re actually gearing up for a movie shoot in Georgia this weekend, which we’ll use to create a theatrical trailer in the next few weeks. We’ll try to get some stills online this weekend, and look forward to seeing many of our fans on set.

We’re overwhelmed by the support from all of you on our IndieGoGo campaign. Our supporters at 5.11 Tactical, Noveske Shooting Team and others have similarly overwhelmed us with support, and we’re very excited to have all of their help this weekend. Keep it up, and think positive thoughts for dry weather on Saturday in particular! – Travis

ESEE Map and Compass Basics Course – Free Resource

By Matt on March 15, 2013 in Preparedness, Survival, Tactics and Training

Map and compass skills are somewhat perishable. If you don’t use them from time to time, you can start to lose them. Everyone needs a refresher course once in a while. Thankfully, the good folks at ESEE Knives/Randall’s Adventure Training were kind enough to put the presentation that they use to teach basic map and compass skills online for the benefit of humanity. If you are a seasoned pro or a just a beginner when it comes to land nav, it will be well worth your time to read through these slides.

Check out the Randall’s Adventure Training Map and Compass Basics Course.

Review: Multicam MPIL from Battle Systems LLC

By Matt on March 14, 2013 in EDC, Preparedness, Survival, Tactical Gear

At JTT, we love the Marker Panel, Individual, Lightweight (MPIL) from Battle Systems LLC. They are just so simple to use, so compact and lightweight, and so functional that you can’t help but love them.

Background

Battle Systems told me a few months ago that they were working on a new version of the MPIL that would have only one high visibility side while the other side would be camouflaged. This new version was being made specifically for the needs of some military users who may need to signal within visual range of the enemy. I don’t really have to worry about such things so, at the time, I wondered if the Multicam MPIL would be as useful to me as a non-military user. After actually having one in hand for a while, I think I might actually like it better than the original – at least for some uses.

In Use

The original MPIL stays true to its bulkier, heavier predecessor, the VS-17 signal panel, in that it has an orange side and a pink side. The Multicam MPIL replaces the pink side with Multicam. For the military user, this means that they can flash the orange side quickly and then lower their visual signature immediately with the Multicam side. Its uses for the civilian user were less apparent to me until I actually had one in hand. Once I was able to use one, I found one use that I liked it for so much, that I might like it even more than the standard MPIL…

Now you see me…

I knew from past experience with the MPIL that it could be lashed to just about any pack easily with the Poli Binas that can be purchased with the MPIL. However, with the original MPIL, you could only choose to cover your pack with a high visibility color. Now, with the Multicam MPIL, you can cover your pack with either a high visibility color or camouflage. This ability has application for the hiker and hunter alike.

The hunter can camouflage just about any civilian pack no matter how loud the color of the pack is. This means you can turn your favorite hiking pack into your favorite camouflaged hunting pack in seconds. Basically, every pack is a hunting pack with the Multicam MPIL.

If you are like me, you don’t like to stand out in the woods, even when you are just hiking or camping. The Multicam MPIL lets me start at the trail head with a normal looking backpack and then attach the MPIL as a camo cover once I am in the woods. I just keep the Poli Binas positioned on my pack so I can quickly clip the MPIL in place.

If you get into trouble and need to be seen or if you need some additional blaze orange coverage while you are hunting, you can simply flip the MPIL over to expose the orange side. It turns your pack into a passive signalling system. You will be visible even if you can’t move. You could do this same thing with the original MPIL but you couldn’t “turn it off” without stowing the panel. The Multicam MPIL lets you keep the MPIL staged on your pack either actively concealing you or actively raising your visual signature.

Now you don’t…

Wrap Up

The new Multicam MPIL might be the best MPIL yet. A tweak as simple as replacing a high visibility color with a camo pattern has really added some great functionality. I still prefer the original MPIL for some uses like in a vehicle emergency kit or a cold weather kit but if I am headed into the woods, I reach for the Multicam MPIL.

Check out the Multicam and standard MPIL on BattleSystemsLLC.com.

Ontario RAT Model 2 Folding Knife

By Matt on March 12, 2013 in EDC, Knives, Preparedness, Survival

The Ontario RAT Model 1 Folding Knife is one of the absolute best deals on the market when it comes to folding knives. These knives offer extremely versatile design, quality construction, and a surprisingly low price. Now Ontario is offering a smaller version called the Model 2.

The Model 2 has an AUS8 steel blade like its bigger brother, the Model 1. However, the Model 2’s blade is only 3″ long which makes it legal to carry in more places. AUS8 may not be sexy these days but, unlike many stainless steels, it is easy to sharpen at home or in the field and was purposely chosen because of that by the Model 1’s designer, Randall Adventure Training (the group that would later become ESEE).

The Model 2 features a large easy to use double thumb stud. It has textured FRN scales that are pre-drilled for a 4 position pocket clip. The Model 2 will be have a liner locking mechanism and hardened steel liners like the Model 1.

The best news is that they will cost even less than the Model 1. This may be the best sub-$30 folding knife on the market. Check out the Ontario RAT Model 2 Folding Knife at our affiliate KnifeCenter.com.

GATCO Scepter 2.0

By Matt on March 8, 2013 in EDC, Knives, Preparedness, Survival

If you are going to carry a knife in the field, you should probably carry a knife sharpener too. The GATCO Scepter 2.0 Serration and Knife Sharpener has a few features that might make it ideal as a field sharpener.

The Scepter 2.0 has a pull-through style tungsten carbide style sharpener at one end that can help keep a working edge on your knife. The other end is threaded with a removable insert. The insert has a tapered diamond sharpening rod that can be used to sharpen serrations and be removed to reveal a ferro rod type fire starter. The addition of the fire starter allows the Scepter 2.0 to replace 2 pieces of gear.

Check out the GATCO Scepter 2.0 at Knife Center.

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