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Review: Bogota Titan-Flats Entry Toolset

By on May 25, 2012 in EDC, Reviews, Survival

People have been requesting a full size Bogota Rake for years. SEREPICK heard their pleas and created the Bogota Titan-Flats Entry Toolsets.

Top to Bottom: Bogota single, Bogota triple, a shallow hook, and a basic tensioner

Overview

The Bogota Titan-Flats Entry Toolsets are made from titanium which makes them very light weight, corrosion resistant, and non-magnetic. The kit contains a Bogota triple, a Bogota single, a shallow hook, and a basic tensioner.

Rather than the familiar compact, quarter bend format of the typical Bogota Entry Toolsets, the Titan Flats are more like traditional picks in form. They are larger overall than the other Bogota Entry Toolsets but they are flatter. This makes them ideal for use as a very flat stand-alone kit or as an addition to a full kit.

A little heat shrink tubing keeps the tools together in one compact kit.

In Use

I have already covered why Bogota Rakes are so effective in some depth in previous reviews. They work and they work well. I know of no other pick that gives even the first time user such a good chance of success.

I thought that I would find these Bogota Titan-Flats had better “feel” and were even more effective than their smaller counterparts due to their larger handles, but that wasn’t really the case. That isn’t a knock on the Titan Flats but rather a compliment to the smaller Bogota Entry Toolsets because these Titan Flats are still quite good.

They do have excellent feel. If you are used to picking, you would likely prefer this set. The shallow hook is quite good as is the Bogota single. In fact, the Bogota single is quite versatile. It can be used to rake or as a pick when inverted. Both provide very good feel and feedback when picking.

The Bogota triple works very well but I found myself actually preferring the form factor of the compact Bogota rakes. It may be that I would feel differently if my first experience with Bogota Rakes was with the Titan Flats, but I have become so used to the hooked handles of the Entry Toolsets for raking. This is purely preference.

The tensioner is very basic but it works. I prefer a tensioner that has a little more flex than this but that is only because I lack skill and the flex makes up a bit for my heavy handedness. Skilled users will likely find this tensioner to be completely sufficient.

Titan-Flats shown with Titan-Minis and a quarter for scale

Conclusion

I think the biggest upside to this kit is its versatility. It is just as comfortable as a stand-alone kit as it is as an addition to someone’s full pick set. Until now, it has been somewhat difficult to find a Bogota triple with a full handle. It will also serve as a great gateway to raking for those who are used to bypassing locks with full sized tools. Every tool in this kit works and offers performance that will satisfy everyone from beginners to pros.

Check out the “Titan-Flats” on SEREPICK.com.

Jogging and Personal Protection

By on May 19, 2012 in Survival, Tactics and Training

One of the all time best ways to get some great exercise is to go for a run. However, while you’re out there pounding pavement and sucking wind you must understand your vulnerability and take steps to protect yourself.

A small frame revolver can be a great jogging gun with the right holster.

I’ve been a distance jogger for over ten years and fortunately my worst stories of danger on the road include only some unfriendly aggressive dogs and rude drivers. Unfortunately, others have experienced much worse such as abduction, rape, and murder and even death by wild animals or packs of vicious dogs. We haven’t even discussed the threat from all the inattentive drivers on the roadway.

I found this recent news story to be particularly disturbing reference a 60 year old jogger being gunned down apparently at random while standing on a street corner in a Kansas City suburb. Police have reason to believe that a gang initiation maybe a possible motive. There is probably little or nothing that this poor man could have done differently to protect himself from such a senseless, savage attack. The rest of us should reflect on this chilling tragedy and make a renewed effort to to sharpen one of our best weapons, situational awareness.

Avoidance is often the best protection and it’s easiest to accomplish if you can see the trouble coming from a long ways away. How about head phones? Many people probably can’t imagine going on a run without listening to music, but I think most would agree that by “tuning in” to your grooves you greatly diminish your awareness.

Everybody is going to approach this unique aspect of personal protection differently and while carrying a pistol while jogging maybe a great option for some it is not going to be realistic for all. This is one of the few legitimate times to use that fanny pack for concealed carry! A can of OC/CS spray might also be another great option for dealing with pesky dogs. Regardless of whether or not you choose to carry any type of a weapon while out for a run, think through your route and consider any way possible to be more alert and mitigate threats.

Look for a review of the some running holster options coming soon on JTT.

Fight and Flight Tactical Defilade

By on May 18, 2012 in EDC, Survival, Tactical Gear

There are tons of backpacks on the market that are designed to conceal handguns. There aren’t many that can conceal and handgun and protect you from ballistic threats. The Defilade from Fight and Flight Tactical can do both.

The Defilade is a compact backpack that can be used to organize and carry all sort of standard everyday items. However, it can also carry a ballistic plate (and/or a soft armor plate backer) and a handgun. The plate and soft armor are carried in a slip pocket that is inside the main compartment of the bag. The handgun is carried in a pouch that is accessible from three different locations (right, left, and top) so that the bag is completely ambidextrous. The back of the bag has two loops that allow you to slip the bag on like a centurion’s shield. With practice, transferring the pack from your back to your arm and drawing your handgun can be relatively quickly. I suspect that the pack could also be worn on your front using the backpack straps if you needed to free up use of your support hand.

There are two version of the Defilade available – Tactical and EDC. The Tactical model features external MOLLE webbing for adding additional pouches and a detachable “tail gate” which is like a beaver tail storage area that can be used to secure a rifle or other bulky items. The EDC model has no external MOLLE or tail gate which gives it a more innocuous appearance.

Both models have airmesh on the harness for comfort, hydration ports, external sleeves for clipping items like knives and flashlights, and internal Velcro for adding organization. The exterior dimensions of the bag at 17x12x5″ so there is a fair amount of space for gear even with a handgun and rifle plate on board.

Check out the Defilade at Fight and Flight Tactical.

TAREINCO SOB-Pouch

By on May 15, 2012 in EDC, Survival

The new Survival Options Belt-Pouch (SOB-Pouch) from TAREINCO is a compact, concealable, belt pouch that is designed to carry small survival items. The SOB-Pouch also has a trick up its sleeve. It can be removed from the wearer’s belt just by pulling a webbing tab.

This pouch looks like a very unobtrusive way to carry small survival or EDC items. Most belt pouches on the market are far too noticeable and they look a bit, well, silly. The SOB-Pouch hugs the belt and is hardly noticeable, especially when covered by a shirt.

If you need to access the contents or remove the pouch for any other reason, you can simply pull the tab to remove the entire pouch from your belt. This gives you easy access to the contents of the pouch. This easy-off, quick access functionality would make the SOB-Pouch great for a small first aid kit.

The SOB-Pouch isn’t available yet, but you can check out TAREINCO.com or TAREINCO’s Facebook page to stay in the know.

More Info on the Marker Panel, Individual, Lightweight from Battle Systems

By on May 14, 2012 in EDC, Survival, Tactical Gear

Battle Systems gave us some additional information on their improved VS-17 based marker panel. It is tentatively named the Marker Panel, Individual, Lightweight. In the previous post, we noted the Velcro field for IR patches, light weight material, and compact size. Battle Systems has also clued us in on some additional functionality.

The panels will feature loops at all 4 corners. These loops will allow the panel to be lashed to gear like your pack. These loops will also allow the panels to be connected in order to increase the visual signature of the panels.

Battle Systems will be offering the Marker Panel, Individual, Lightweight in “fire team packs.” These packs will include 4 panels, 4 carabiners, and 4 IR patches. The carabiners can be used to attach the panels together.

Keep an eye on the Battle Systems website and Facebook page for more details.

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