Archive | Survival

Tactical Distributors Down Range Jacket 2.1

The new Down Range Jacket 2.1 is now available from Tactical Distributors. Available in hooded or non-hooded versions, this 600 fill power down insulated jacket packs a ton of features for the price (and weight).

From Tactical Distributors:

This is the latest upgraded version of the TD Down Range Jacket with all the bells & whistles…including a hood and 3 colorways. Last year when we introduced the Down Range 2.1 it sold out in a few weeks. You requested more colors and a hooded variant. We listened. Our coveted down fabric technology: Heat Sealed Baffling. This Technology eliminates shedding of down feathers. Featuring an array of innovative features. This newest version of the down jacket offers deep side pockets, additional breast pocket with com/music ports, and hidden dump pouches inside. Tactical Distributor’s set out to create a piece of perfection for the mid layer/outerwear world when designing our all new Down Range Jacket. We hope that you will enjoy making this piece part of your mid layer essentials that’ll keep you warm every time.

Features and Specs:

  • Hidden Side Pockets
  • Heat Sealed Baffling Technology
  • Lightweight (11oz in pouch)
  • Inside Stash Pockets
  • Zippered breast pocket w/ Sound Port
  • Packable pouch for easy storage
  • 600 Fill Down

Check out both versions TacticalDistributors.com:

TD Down Range Jacket 2.1

TD Down Range Hooded Jacket 2.1

Tom Brown Tracker #3 20th Anniversary Edition – TOPS Knives

TOPS Knives will celebrate their 20th year of operation in October of this year. It is only fitting that they release a special version of what is perhaps their most recognizable design…

The Tom Brown Tracker is one of the most iconic survival knife designs on the planet. It has also been one of the highest selling TOPS models in the 20 years that we’ve been in business. So it only makes sense that one of the TOPS’ 20th anniversary limited edition knives be a Tom Brown Tracker. We decided to use the Tracker #3 specifically. It has been upgraded from 154cm to S35Vn steel, Black Linen to Brown Burlap Micarta, and standard Kydex to custom quality burgundy leather. This is one that will definitely become a collector’s piece for many.

Pick up the Tracker #3 20th Anniversary Edition from a TOPS authorized dealer or directly from TOPS at www.topsknives.com/20th-anniversary-tracker

 

Specs:

Overall Length: 10.75”

Blade Length: 5.75”

Cutting Edge: 5.5”

Blade Thickness: 0.19”

Blade Steel: CPM S35VN

Blade Finish: Tumble Finish

Handle Material: Burlap Micarta

Knife Weight: 14.4oz

Weight w/ Sheath: 22.3oz

Sheath Material: Burgundy Leather

Sheath Clip: Belt Loops

MSRP: $400

Sneak Peek: Emergent Rescue Systems MED Pack by Zulu Nylon Gear

Emergent Rescue Systems is now accepting pre-orders for their new MED Pack. The new pack is their design and it is produced by Zulu Nylon Gear. The single strap sling bag design features a double zippered, clam shell opening with internal organization features for medical gear. The strap can be released quickly via a Cobra buckle. The exterior of the pack features a bungee lashing grid for securing bulky, lightweight items and a loop field for ID.

Pre-orders are open for this pack but you will need to contact Emergent Rescue Systems directly. Stay tuned for additional details.

EMRescueSystems.com

How to Add Retention to Your Mora Sheath

Mora knives are great. I think we all know that by now. Most of them cost between $9 and $15 but they offer performance and quality well beyond their price point. I like them… a lot. I like them enough that, while I own several expensive knives (even customs of my own design), I carry and use Mora knives most of the time. They are so lightweight, so inexpensive, and so capable that it is hard to justify the pack weight of other knives.

But… There is always a catch. The sheaths that come with Mora knives are actually mostly functional but don’t always offer enough retention for use during very vigorous activity or for carrying lose in your pack. This problem can result in a lost knife, ruined gear from a loose knife flopping around in your pack, or even injury. I highly recommend addressing the issue somehow, especially if you are going to carry a knife in your pack. Fortunately, it can be fixed easily and inexpensively.

In my experience, there are two easy ways to fix the retention issue. One is VERY inexpensive and one generally costs more than the Mora itself but still offers a good value. I’ll start with the more expensive way.

The Expensive Way – Replace the Sheath

There are a ton of kydex benders out there who would be more than happy to fold a sheath for you. The benefits of buying a kydex sheath are numerous. The most important benefit is that, if the sheath maker is worth their salt, the retention should be improved enough that you can carry the Mora without fear that it will come out of the sheath on its own. Additionally, you can choose your own belt attachment method (or no belt hardware at all), features, and color.

If you can, consider supporting a kydex bender that is local to you. If not…

You can spend a lot on a sheath but you don’t have to. Armory Plastics makes a great sheath for the Mora Companion (one of my favorite and most common Moras in the line right now) for around $20. It is made in the USA – the great state of Idaho to be specific. It comes with a very stout rotating belt clip that I like a lot, offers great retention, drains well thanks to a molded drain hole, and is available in orange or black (mine is orange): Armory Plastics Mora Companion Sheath on Amazon (affiliate link).

The Cheap Way – Ranger Bands

If you don’t want to drop the coin on an aftermarket sheath, you’re in luck. Most Mora sheaths can be rigged with a ranger band in order to retain the knife. The sheaths with a drop hook belt attachment can generally except a thin band near the top of the belt hook to create a retention strap (see image below). This includes models like the Pro (C, S, Robust), Craftline, and Companion series. You simply pull the band up and over the butt of the knife to release it and the band stays attached to the sheath.

I like to use Gearward Ranger Bands for this because they are the perfect size for this task and are very robust. You can make your own too.

The sheaths with more of a bucket-like design, like the venerable 510, require a wider band. Simply cut a band that is around 1.5 – 2″ wide and fit it around the top of the sheath so that it extends above the top of the opening. It will grip the Mora’s handle and add just a bit more retention. You will eventually cut it when inserting the knife back into the sheath, but it should continue gripping the knife even when cut.

As a bonus, ranger bands make a great firestarter in a pinch. They can be lit with a lighter and will burn long enough to buy you some time to ignite less than ideal tinder. You can probably cut a 2″ wide band into 4 smaller fire starters or just use the whole band to light especially poor tinder.

Hill People Gear V2 Original Kit Bag SAR Version

Search and Rescue professionals have been using chest harnesses and Hill People Gear Kit Bags to keep their vital gear close at hand for years. Now they can rely on a new SAR specific version of the Kit Bag – the V2 Original Kit Bag SAR Version.

The SAR Kit Bag was designed with input from instructors at Randall’s Adventure and Training. It features 500D nylon construction in the internationally recognized red. It is based on the V2 Original Kit Bag and retains all of the features. It also adds a loop field on the front for patches, ID, or organizing small gear and a diagonal PALS webbing field (2 rows, 3 columns) for mounting knives, radios, or other tools.

HillPeopleGear.com

Note: The new V2 Original Kit Bag SAR Version is sold out at Hill People Gear but it is currently in stock at 5col Survival Supply.

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