Archive | Survival

Nick Allen of NWA Knives Goes Full Time

Nick Allen is the man behind NWA knives. His knives are known for their extremely unique and recognizable organic lines, functional designs, extreme durability, and bullet proof sheaths. Until recently, knife making was his part time job but now Nick is hanging out his shingle as a full time knife maker.

The NWA Sierra Scout is purpose built to thrive in the wilderness.

Not only does Nick make phenomenal knives, he backs those knives with great customer service.

One of the missions of Jerking the Trigger is to shine a spotlight on real American entrepreneurs, small business people, and craftsman. Nick certainly fits all three of those categories. Next time you are ready to buy a knife, consider supporting a skilled craftsman like Nick at NWA knives.

You can see NWA’s full line of knives on the NWA Knives website. You can also communicate directly with Nick and NWA Knives users at the NWA Knives Forum on BladeForums.com.

ESEE Navigation Cards

ESEE had two new navigation products that very slick. One is sold under the ESEE brand and the other will be part of their Izula Gear line.

This single card replaces 3 commonly used map tools.

The first is a Map Card for 24K scale maps. This is part of the ESEE brand. 24K is the most common scale for topographic maps in the USA. The Map Card features a 1 mile map scale in 1/4 mile increments, a compass rose in 2.5 degree increments, acre squares in 1, 2.5, 10, and 40 acre sizes, and a UTM grid (which can also be used to take point to point measurements in meters). The card comes in a Tyvek sleeve to protect it from getting too scratched up as it bounces around in your kit. This single card replaces at least 3 commonly used map tools. It is everything you need to do your map work with a military lensatic compass and it would also be a great companion to a baseplate compass. This card is available on the ESEE website right now.

The Izula Gear Navigation Card Set provides multiple cards to work with just about any topo map. Click to enlarge.

The second product is a Navigation Card set that will be sold under the Izula Gear brand. The set will include 3 clear cards that are for use with 24K, 25K, 50K, 100K, and 250K maps and 2 opaque white information cards. These Izula Gear Navigation Cards are much like the Map Card above with a slightly different layout. The information cards are printed front and back with survival information, topographic map information, and UTM information. This set will be available from the ESEE dealer network soon.

Just like the ESEE Survival/Navigation Card, part of what makes these so attractive is the form factor. They are essentially credit cards sized which makes them easy to store and carry. They would easily slip into your map case, compass case, wallet, survival tin, or just about anywhere else.

These are some of the simplest, most well thought out map tools that I have ever seen.

Orange Izula

Image courtesy of Knifeworks.com

Knifeworks has an exclusive new orange Izula. Orange makes perfect sense for a survival tool like the Izula because it makes the knife more difficult to lose. Whether it is dropped into a shallow creek, on to the forest floor, into a crevice in boulder field, or behind the couch, you stand a much better chance of being able to visually locate an orange knife. Aside from that, it just looks cool.

The orange Izula is available with just a sheath or with the complete Izula kit which includes a sheath, fire starter, whistle, and other useful items. The previously review optional Izula scales will also complement this knife nicely.

You can find out more about the orange Izula at Knifeworks.

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Lost Mountain Iron Works

Lost Mountain Iron Works (LMIW) makes some of the most feature rich knife sheaths that you will have see. It really isn’t fair to call them sheaths because that doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of their functionality. They are really more like packs that also happen to hold a knife.

LMIW offers some very full featured sheaths.

They have three models that serve various sizes of knives. The Works Pack is essentially an organizer style pack that accepts a kydex knife sheath. It allows to build a compact, knife-based survival kit. The interior features mesh pockets that let you stash your gear but still be able to see it. The Works Pack also features an external pocket. There are also elastic loops on the exterior for lashing additional gear. A tool hanger allows you to attach a small tool like a fire steel. The entire pouch can be attached to a larger pack, chest rig, or any thing else with MOLLE webbing. This pouch might be the ultimate E&E kit.

The Works Pack from LMIW

The interior of The Works Pack allows the user to organize their survival gear.

LMIW also makes two longer sheaths for larger fixed blades – the Footlong and the J. Holmes. These sheath feature a kydex insert for holding the knife and two large external pouches. The pouches are sized to hold Altoid sized tins or several small items. They are also MOLLE compatible.

All the LMIW sheaths are MOLLE compatible.

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Review: NukoTools Punch Ring

The NukoTools Punch Ring actually looks relatively innocuous.

The NukoTools motto is “Leave an Impression” and the Punch Ring certainly lives up to that motto.

The Punch Ring is a discreet, last-chance impact tool that is designed to make punching more efficient and devastating. To use it, you simply place your index or middle finger through the large hole and make a fist. It features a sharp chisel edge on the front that comes to a slightly rounded point. This sharp edge extends forward of the user’s fist when the tool is gripped properly. This edge will cause deep bruising and lacerations when it contacts flesh. It serves to concentrate the force of the punch over a much smaller area which causes more damage. This edge also makes the Punch Ring useful for raking the face rather than just punching.

The back of the Punch Ring is wide (about 1.25″) to spread the force of the impact over a larger area of the user’s palm. The Punch Ring is thinner (.214″ thick) than some knuckle type impact tools but that may be a price you pay for such a compact and discreet tool. This rear edge can also be used when to inflict pain when trapping , squeezing, or raking your opponent’s arms, face, and ears.

One side of the tool is left smooth which helps you to index the tool, even when you can't see it.

The NukoTools logo is just as clever as the tool.

To fit with its discreet mission, the Punch Ring is made from G10. G10 is a laminate material that is extremely durable and non-metallic. One of the sides of the Punch Ring is textured which can help you index the Punch Ring without actually being able to see it if you are carrying it in your pocket. Every corner of the tool that will come in contact with the user’s hand has been carefully beveled to reduce discomfort. The Punch Ring also has a small hole that allows you to attach it to your keys or add a lanyard.

I used the punch ring on various materials that I could get my hands on. The edge is sharp enough that it can be used to cut paper and packing tape. It is surprisingly sharp. It sinks easily and deeply into several layers of corrugated card board. Dry wall gives way readily. Even soft wood is no match for the punch ring. The thin material that the Punch Ring does cause some discomfort to the palm when really getting behind a punch but it did not injure me in any way and it serves to keep the tool concealable and discreet. It is important to remember that this is a last-ditch option. There was absolutely zero damage to the edge from any of the materials that I used the Punch Ring on.

The corners that will contact the user are nicely beveled for comfort.

The leading edge is beveled to cause maximum discomfort for the person on the receiving end.

If you are looking for a compact, light weight, discreet, tool that will give you an edge in a sticky situation then the NukoTools Punch Ring may just be for you. Check them out on the NukoTools blog. These would make perfect stocking stuffers!

If you want to learn more about the effective use of tools like this, I highly recommend reading and attending training from Modern Combative Systems.

Familiarize yourself with the legality of such tools in your area before purchasing.

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