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Review: Gearward Compact Survival Cord

By on January 17, 2014 in EDC, Preparedness, Reviews, Survival, Tactical Handyman

It was kind of hard to take the paracord out of my EDC bag and set it aside. I have been carrying it for years and it has come in handy numerous times. I suppose that, like most guys who like to be at least a little prepared, I was used to having paracord with me and it was going to take something pretty exceptional to displace it. In my case, that something exceptional was Compact Survival Cord from Gearward.

Gearward Compact Survival Cordage

Overview

Compact Survival Cord comes in 3 different configurations each wound on a special spool that is part of the success of this cordage. They are listed below from largest to smallest:

  • Small – 50 feet of 600lb break strength Technora line
  • Mini – 50 feet of 200lb break strength Kevlar line
  • Micro – 25 feet of 200lb break strength Kevlar line (sold in pack of 2)

The cord comes pre-wound on a plastic spool that has one hard plastic side and one flexible plastic side. The flexible part can be folded to open or close the spool. I’ll expand on this later in the review.

Observations from Use

All three sizes are FAR more compact than a comparable amount of paracord. This alone could have bumped paracord out of my EDC bag but there are even more advantages to explore.

The spool that this cordage comes on is part of the magic of this package. It makes it so easy to carry and work with this cord. As I mentioned above, it can be opened and closed via its flexible plastic side. This ensures that you have full access to the cord when you need it and that it doesn’t unravel in your bag when you aren’t using it. It can also be used to keep the working end accessible by closing the flexible side on the end of the cord. I really appreciate that when my hands are cold.

Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Closed Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Open Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Retained Working End

The “Small” size, which is the largest of the bunch, has the highest break strength of any of the cords that Gearward sells. The Technora line is half the diameter of paracord but stronger, more resistant to heat and other environmental factors, and lighter in weight. In spite of all that, it was the least useful to me in part due to its larger size. I don’t use the cord for many applications that really push its break strength so more cord in a smaller package is probably more useful to me. I would love to see Gearward offer a Kevlar cord option on this large spool size.

The Mini and Micro sizes are most useful to me. They are both extremely compact and both packed with 200lb break strength Kevlar cord. The Kevlar cord is extremely versatile. It can be unraveled readily into three separate strands, each with a break strength of around 60lb. These single strands are more than strong enough to serve as lashings in a survival shelter and well suited to be used in gear repairs if you also have a sewing needle in your kit. The Micro in particular is small enough to fit an Altoids tin style survival kit with plenty of room to spare for other items.

Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Scale

Wrap Up

This is a fine example of something that is greater than the sum of its parts. The spools are good. The cordage is good. Together, they are great. These are lightweight, compact, and extremely functional. It may be sacrilege to the cult of EDC but these might just stand a chance of bumping paracord from your bag.

Check out all 3 sizes of Compact Survival Cord at Gearward. Now available at Edge/Equipped.

Review: Sons Trauma Kit from Phokus Research Group

By on December 30, 2013 in EDC, Reviews, Survival, Tactical Gear

The Sons Trauma Kit from Phokus Research Group is a trauma kit that is designed to be carried behind your plates in your plate carrier (PC). This is a massive departure from the way that trauma kits are typically carried which has understandably drawn some skepticism. Certainly, the Sons Trauma Kit may not be for everyone but, in my time with it, I think the audience for this kit may be wider than most people think.

Phokus Research Group Sons Trauma Kit

Overview

The Sons Trauma Kit is a simple and well executed concept. It is a trauma kit that is made to be carried behind the plates in your plate carrier and its entire form factor is built around that end goal. A kit intended to be carried in this manner must be extremely thin to fit the plate pocket with the plate and extremely water resistant to protect against sweat and rain. To accomplish this, Phokus Research Group created a durable medical-grade vinyl case that is shaped like a ballistic plate or soft armor insert.

Phokus Research Group Sons Trauma Kit Back

The kit’s contents vary based on which version is chosen. I received the Deployment Configuration which contains the following:

  • QuikClot Combat Gauze x1
  • 4″ Z-Fold Gauze Bandage x2
  • 14G Needle x1
  • Occlusive Dressing x2
  • NPA w/ 550 x1
  • 3″ Elastic Bandage x1
  • 2″ Safety Pins x2
  • Nitrile Gloves x1
  • Casualty Card x1

All of the above items are packed in such a way that the entire kit is never thicker than about ¾” which is pretty darn amazing. It is also notable that the items are packed in such a way that when the kit is opened, nearly everything in the kit is available without digging. Items are placed in an order the represents the order that they will likely be used.

Observations from Use

Much of the skepticism of this kit is surrounding its placement. People will wonder if it will be accessible enough and how someone else will know where it is located should they need to render aid. Those are all good questions and, while I will try to tackle some of them from my experience with the kit, the simplest and best answer is probably… It depends.

The question of whether it will be easily accessible will rely completely on how your plate carrier’s plate pockets are accessed and whether or not you train to access the kit. I placed the Sons Trauma Kit in a number of plate carriers that I had on hand and the only ones that I consider to be unusable with the kit were those with top loading plate pockets or those with complex closure systems. The plate carriers tested include the Mayflower R&C APC, Velocity Systems Light Weight Plate Carrier, Diamondback Tactical FAPC, Shellback Tactical Banshee, SO Tech Viper, and a few others. It really just doesn’t take long to peel open the hook and loop flap found at the bottom of the plate pocket on most PCs. There is an element of common sense at play here. If your PC makes it difficult to remove the plates while you are wearing it, it will be difficult to access the Sons Trauma Kit as well.

Phokus Research Group Sons Trauma Kit Removed

It should be noted that placing a surface mount IFAK comes with its own accessibility issues. The front of a PC is usually dedicated to carrying magazines and is probably the last place that you want to add more bulk. Mounting an IFAK on the side of a PC can reduce accessibility, mobility, and impede the draw stroke. Mounting an IFAK on the rear of the PC is common but it will be difficult or impossible for the wearer to access. When viewed through this context, the Sons Trauma Kit may actually solve accessibility problems rather than create them.

The question of how someone else will know where to find your IFAK is a little more involved. I do not have any military or LE experience but I suspect that in those settings it would be typical to set up some sort of SOP that detailed the location of the trauma kit so that all parties knew to check the plate pocket. For those who are using these kits outside of military and LE circles, I would suggest informing those that you shoot with where your Sons Trauma Kit is located and if you have regular shooting partners you may even want to rehearse accessing the kit. This issue is probably the most important factor for you to weigh when deciding whether the Sons Trauma Kit is right for you.

While I certainly wouldn’t blame anyone for reading the above and determining that a traditional surface mounted trauma kit is right for them, there are situations in which the Sons Trauma Kit really solves a problem. The most glaring of which is where do you place a trauma kit on a completely slick concealment plate carrier? The answer used to be “you don’t” but the Sons Trauma Kit can easily be carried inside a concealment carrier while adding minimal additional bulk.

The Sons Trauma Kit’s thin form factor also makes it ideal for applications other than plate pocket carry. For instance, it will easily fit the hydration pouch or laptop sleeve found in many backpacks or brief cases. While most IFAKs are tightly packed cubes that end up at the bottom of your pack, the Sons Trauma Kit can stand vertically in a pack, ready to be accessed, and taking up almost no space at all. It even fit in a laptop sleeve along with the laptop.

Phokus Research Group Sons Trauma Kit in Pack

I also found several other useful applications. It fits the tight slip pockets found on the back of many car seats. It can be tucked easily between seats in your vehicle. Its slim form makes it easy to tuck into soft or hard carbine cases. Basically, this kit is thin enough to go a lot of places that a typical IFAK can’t go.

It seems to me that the Sons Trauma Kit could be a key piece in a layered approach to load carriage. For instance, I use my belt as my baseline for load carriage. It is set up to be self-contained and its suits me well as a regular guy who doesn’t need to carry much. The belt is the location of my fastest reloads, a few key pieces of range admin gear, and a basic trauma kit. The next piece to the layered approach would be a chest rig or plate carrier. They are only used when necessary and I generally don’t carry much on them. The Sons Trauma Kit could be placed in my PC so that should I need a second trauma kit or I find myself without my belt for some reason; I am not without a trauma kit.

Phokus Research Group Sons Trauma Kit Tear Tab

Wrap Up

The Sons Trauma Kit is just about ideal for me for use in a backpack or as a backup to a more traditional, surface mounted kit located on my belt. It has become irreplaceable for me in those roles. Every style of IFAK and every possible mounting location comes with potential issues. The Sons Trauma Kit is no different in that regard.  As with any piece of gear, all factors must be weighed to determine if it is right for you.

Check out the Sons Trauma Kit at Phokus Research Group.

Review: Gearward Field Lighter

By on December 23, 2013 in EDC, Preparedness, Reviews, Survival

When it comes to lighters, will a cheap Bic lighter work? Yes, very well in fact. Will $20 Zippo work? Yup, they are an American classic for a reason. Sometimes you just want something classy, something you can be proud to own, something truly fine.  There are certainly less expensive lighters but sometimes you want something  like the Field Lighter from Gearward. It is the classiest item in my EDC/survival kit.

The Field Lighter comes in very nice box. This image also shows the protective collar in the locked position.

The Field Lighter comes in very nice box. This image also shows the protective collar in the locked position.

Overview

The Field Lighter from Gearward is imported. It is made in Japan and available overseas. Gearward is the only importer to the USA that I know of.

This lighter is very finely machined from solid brass and has a polished chrome finish. It has a reassuring heft to it but a subtle, watch-like, fine quality to it at the same time. This lighter is crafted, not made but don’t think it is all show and no go. This lighter is actually fairly unique among lighter fluid fueled lighters in that it seals.

Gearward Field Lighter

It has a threaded, o-ring sealed collar that makes the flint water-resistant and locks the cap in place. The extinguisher bell seals over the wick when it is in the closed position, making it water-resistant. When everything is locked down, the Field Lighter is water resistant enough to sit at the bottom of a sink full of water for 5 minutes and then be sparked on the first try after a quick shake. I know because I did just that.

The fill cap on the bottom of the Field Light is like a tiny little doctoral thesis in fine machining. It is screwed into the body of the light and is o-ring sealed. The fill cap has its own tiny o-ring sealed, threaded cap that contains a small emergency reservoir of lighter fluid. That small cap has an even smaller o-ring sealed, threaded cap that holds a spare flint (included). You should probably be dumbfounded right now because that is ridiculous in the best way something can be ridiculous.

The fill cap contains two more threaded caps that contain spare fuel and a spare flint.

The fill cap contains two more threaded caps that contain spare fuel and a spare flint.

This is a closer look at the caps.

This is a closer look at the caps.

Observations from Use

I think the best way to talk about how well this lighter performs is probably to compare it directly to something you all know well – the venerable Zippo.

The Zippo has several things going for it over the Field Lighter. In my testing I noted that the Field Lighter is very wind resistant but it still falls short of the Zippo in this regard but most lighters do. The Field lighter handled windy days well enough but the Zippo really excels.

The Zippo also has more commonly available spare parts. You can find flints and wicks in just about any drug store. The Zippo wicks should work fine for the Field Lighter but I don’t know of a widely available replacement for its oversized flints. It does come with a spare flint and Gearward will be selling them in the near future so stock up. That is where the Zippo’s advantages (other than price) end.

The grooved collar is shown in the unlocked position which allows the Field Lighter to operate.

The grooved collar is shown in the unlocked position which allows the Field Lighter to operate. When this collar is closed, it is air tight.

The Field Lighter is more durable, more compact, easier to light (even with gloves), easier to fill, can be maintained without tools, has a more stable and usable flame, and most importantly for survival kit use, is far more water-resistant and more reliable. The water-resistance comment should make sense in light of what I have already said above. You can actually submerge this lighter and then use it immediately.

The reliability comment will take some explaining because right now you are probably saying, “How could it be more reliable than a Zippo?” It is far more reliable thanks to the fact that its sealed design actually retains lighter fluid. Fluid will evaporate out of a Zippo in as little as a few days and as long as about 2 weeks.

The Field Lighter is completely sealed and can hold its fluid for a year or more. In fact, even if you do forget to seal it up, it still takes several weeks for the fluid to evaporate thanks to the better seals. If you do find that the fluid has evaporated, you still have an onboard emergency reservoir that is sealed in behind two o-ring sealed caps.

So, while the Field Lighter looks amazing and feels like functional art, you should not forget that it is functional. It would be a tremendous addition to a fire starting kit or EDC thanks to its ability to retain lighter fluid. I have never found the butane torch style lighters to be all that reliable while naphtha fueled lighters like the Field Lighter, Zippo, IMCO, and others are rock steady as long as they have fluid.

Pressing down on the tab at the top of the Field Lighter flips the cover open and ignites the flame. Closing it snuffs the flame.

Pressing down on the tab at the top of the Field Lighter flips the cover open and ignites the flame. Closing it snuffs the flame.

Wrap Up

It is true that the Field Lighter is expensive. It is also true that spare flints are not available currently but they will be soon. In spite of all that, I greatly prefer this to any lighter that I have tried. It is so robust, reliable, well-engineered, and finely made that it is not only extremely useful but also something to be desired. It is just plain cool.

Check out the Field Lighter at Gearward.

Review: LAG Tactical Warrior Holster and Single Pistol Mag Carrier

By on December 19, 2013 in EDC, Guns, Reviews

Many of the Kydex holsters that are available today are fairly similar so it takes something unique to stand out from the crowd. In an industry where you wait for 8 weeks or more to receive a holster from the hottest Kydex benders, LAG Tactical’s business model certainly helped them stand out to me.

LAG Tactical Warrior and Mag Carrier

About LAG Tactical

LAG Tactical does business a bit differently than other Kydex benders I have dealt with in that they keep a large inventory on hand. This is possible in part due to the fact that they keep two lines of Kydex moving at all times. One is a production line that is extremely functional but without some of the hand finished touches. These are available through various retail outlets. The other line, available directly from LAG Tactical via their website, is a custom line. This line picks up where the production line leaves off, providing a truly hand finished holster.

The result of having both lines side by side is that they aren’t waiting for your order to make a holster. Chances are, they already have what you want made up, ready to hand finish, and send to you in as little as 1-2 business days (guaranteed in less than 2 weeks). As someone who has dealt with the extremely long wait times that are typical in the Kydex holster industry, this is what initially sparked my interest in LAG Tactical.

LAG Tactical Warrior LAG Tactical Warrior Back

About the Gear

I have been using LAG Tactical’s Warrior Light Bearing Holster and Single Pistol Mag Carrier extensively now for several months and I am very pleased. The positive experience started when I had my holster and mag pouch in hand in about 1 week. I am not special. Most of their orders ship in as little 1-2 days.

Warrior Light Bearing Holster

The Warrior Light Bearing Holster is a typical 2-piece pancake design. The two pieces of .060” Kydex (a .093″ thick version is available too) are joined with eyelets with a spacing pattern that allows you to mount various types of belt hardware and adjust for cant and ride height. LAG Tactical carries hardware to allow you to use this holster inside or outside the waistband.

The fit and finish on this holster is excellent. The edges have the closest to flawless hand finishing that I have seen on a Kydex holster. The eyelets are well set without any flattening or breakage. There are no shiny spots to indicate over-heating during the molding process and no lightened spots to indicate the Kydex wasn’t hot enough when pressed. My Glock 19 with Surefire X300 can be installed and removed easily with very good retention, no rattle, and a solid “click” when it nestles into place.

LAG Tactical Warrior Flare

I like holsters that retain the handgun in one place only – on the trigger guard or on the light as is case here. I can see that LAG Tactical went to great pains to block off the their mold so that this would be the case. The result is a perfect click in and click out without all the drag associated with a holster that is trying to grab every little ripple, ridge, and depression on the gun it was molded too. This holster is SMOOTH. The only issue is that whatever they used to block off the mold doesn’t leave the neatest appearance in the mold lines on the holster. This is purely aesthetic but worth mentioning in a market where tightly defined mold lines are often seen as a sign of quality. LAG Tactical does everything right in regards to molding, it just doesn’t look as clean as it could with a dedicated mold tool being used to block off the light. Let me repeat that this holster is perfect functionally so I am really picking nits here.

The hardware that LAG Tactical offers for both their IWB and OWB attachments is thick, bent Kydex. While it has held up fine for the last several months, I have not had the best luck with this type of hardware in the past. It can start to become brittle at the bends. I would like to see them go to a molded hardware solution for some extra peace of mind. Again, the hardware that came with the holster is still going strong and performing well. This is just a suggestion based on past experience.

One thing that I have really come to like quite a bit is the flared edge on the holster’s opening. LAG Tactical does this with all their Kydex gear including the single mag carrier that I will mention later and it serves as a sort of funnel to make reholstering or retaining a magazine easy. I was initially concerned that it would make hooking the rear sight on the edge of the holster more difficult but that isn’t the case and in fact it may actually be a bit easier. This funnel is a signature of LAG Tactical. It sets them apart and it is very functional.

LAG Tactical Mag Carrier LAG Tactical Back

Single Pistol Mag Carrier

I don’t have a lot to say about the Single Pistol Mag Carrier other than it works and it has become my go to magazine pouch in large part because of the previously mentioned flared opening that makes inserting a magazine so easy. That is handy when you are reaching under your covering garment blind to try to retain a partially depleted magazine.

It rides very close to the body and provides very good retention of the magazine. It also displays the excellent attention to fit and finish seen in the Warrior Holster and uses the same OWB hardware. I ordered the carrier for a G17 magazine and it is a great height to accommodate G19 magazines as well.

Many of these mag carriers are pretty much the same. The flared opening is just enough of a functional improvement to make this one the best of those that I have tried.

LAG Tactical Mag Carrier Flare

Wrap Up

Between the short lead times, the excellent hand finishing, the clever flared openings, and the effort spent on ensuring proper retention, it is easy to recommend LAG Tactical’s holsters and gear. If you don’t have 2 months to wait for your Kydex gear, look up LAG Tactical.

The LifeProof frē Turns Your iPad into a Range Worthy Companion

By on December 4, 2013 in EDC, Reviews, Tactical Gear

That’s right. This is a iOS accessory review on a “tactical” blog. I assure you that this is here for good reason. Today’s smart phones and tablets are ridiculously useful on the shooting range but they are often not built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. A quality case is a must. LifeProof fre back

I have been in the habit of taking my iPad Mini to the range with me so I can create packing lists, document review items, use ballistic software, and take notes right there on the spot. It has become indispensable for this blogger. I have had a few cases in the last year, all of which were fairly expensive and claimed to offer protection against the elements. All of them were too bulky, not water-resistant enough to be useful, and the worst of them actually started to crumble after less than 30 days of use. I was pretty much ready to be rid cases all together. I basically tried the LifeProof frē as a last resort.

I have now had the LifeProof frē longer than all the other cases combined. It has seen rain, mud, dust, the inside of range bags, the inside of ammo cans, daily time in my EDC bag, car dash boards, and even some use by toddlers. It still looks new. I have no complaints about the protection that it offers. It has proven itself to be head and shoulders above the other cases that I tried in terms of durability.

LifeProof fre with cover LifeProof fre open

What I find most amazing about the frē is that it is able to offer a tremendous level of protection (water resistant to 6 feet, dust proof, drop resistant to 4 feet) without adding much bulk. An iPad Mini still feels like an iPad Mini when it is wearing the frē. The case weighs very little (4.64 ounces) and actually feels kind of flimsy until you lock both halves of the case together. Once it is put together, it has a reassuringly solid feel and is actually difficult to take apart.

The back of the frē actually has a hard, clear plastic panel that has a sound chamber (for lack of a better term) built in. It actually seems to slightly improve the sound of the Mini’s speakers or at least does a good job of redirecting more of the sound to you.

The headphone and Lightning ports are both covered. The headphone port is covered with a rubber plug that, mercifully, is anchored to the frē so I don’t lose it. The Lightning port is covered with a small hinged cover that has a soft membrane on it that seals against the case when closed. It works well enough to keep rain out and I was able to submerge it in a sink full of water (with iPad removed). The speaker ports are also covered with a water resistant membrane.

LifeProof fre jack LifeProof fre power

The frē comes with a shoulder strap that seems to be reasonably well made and is easy to attach but I never use it. A wrist lanyard would be more useful for me. It also has attachment points for various accessories like a smart cover which I purchased. The smart cover isn’t great but it protects the screen from scuffing and makes a decent stand for when I am typing. The cover that I purchased seems like it should be about 1/8” longer so it would close properly and it doesn’t stay closed like other smart covers. The frē is great but if you don’t need the stand functionality of the smart cover, I would just skip it.

I found that the frē actually improves how the iPad Mini feels in my hands. It adds some additional thickness and over-molded rubber grip makes me feel less like I am going to drop the thing all the time.

There are always trade-offs with a case like this. The integral screen protector is very clear and the screen still looks pretty good but it glares a bit. The buttons are all accessible but the top button is a pain to hold in for longer than a split second which makes powering down or resetting a little more difficult. These things just come with the territory on this style of case and are worthwhile trade-offs in return for the protection that is offered.

LifeProof fre buttons

Bottom Line

The frē has turned my iPad Mini into the range companion that I always hoped it could be. It shrugs off rain and dust and it protects from impacts, all without adding a ton of extra bulk. Tablets and smart phones are becoming increasingly useful tools on the range but you need a case that is up the task if you really want to get the most out of them. LifeProof’s cases have proven that they are at least up to whatever I can throw at them.

Check out the LifeProof frē for the iPad Mini and other devices.

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