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Archive | Survival
MPIL/CAT Trap from Battle Systems LLC and OC Tactical
Battle Systems LLC is now offering a special version of the OC Tactical CAT Trap that is designed to hold the MPIL signal panel. The MPIL/CAT Trap has a minimalist design that allows the user to stow an MPIL directly on the surface of any MOLLE compatible webbing. This is an extremely compact and easy to deploy way to carry your MPIL.
Like the original CAT Trap, the MPIL/CAT Trap will hold a tourniquet and it has a patch of grip material on its underside to increase retention. The MPIL/CAT Trap has the addition of a small loop Velcro field on its exterior to hold IR or visible light reflective patches that are often used in conjunction with the MPIL.
Check out the MPIL/CAT Trap at Battle Systems LLC.
Fire Steel 101
Fire steels/Ferro Rods can be an invaluable addition to your kit… if you know how to use them. It isn’t always as simple as just showering something with sparks and hoping for the best.
Mikhail Merkurieff, inventor of the Emberlit Stove, recently released a series of videos that show the best practices for igniting a wide variety of items with a fire steel. The video series is full of useful information and techniques for getting the most out of this versatile fire starting tool.
The video below is a playlist of all of the tips and tricks that have been released so far. You can also get your own Ferro Rod at Emberlit.com.
Tahoma Field Knife Leather Sheath
InnerBark Outdoors head honcho, Andy Tran, is the designer of the TOPS Knives Tahoma Field Knife – a large survival/field knife that has been vetted in a variety of environments from the Pacific Northwest to the jungles of South America.
InnerBark has not only designed the knife but also a previously mentioned kydex sheath and a new leather sheath that is the subject of this post. This handmade leather sheath shows solid craftsmanship and is surprisingly affordable for sheaths of this type. The sheath is made in Texas by Big Bend Saddlery. It features thick leather construction with double stitching throughout. It can be ordered with or without a utility pouch on the front.
Check out the new Tahoma Field Knife Leather Sheath at InnerBark Outdoors.
Crowdfund This: SPARtool
SPARtool is an “outdoor survival multitool” that is currently on Kickstarter in an attempt to crowdfund its production. There have been a number of these types of tools over the years but this one caught my eye because of its light(ish) weight and quality materials. Usually these sort of “survival” multitools are poorly designed and poorly made from junk steel. On top of all that, they are usually heavy.
The SPARtool is made from 1075 carbon steel – a steel that actually stands a chance of holding an edge for chopping and sawing tasks and that will be easy to resharpen in the field with a file or stone like you would an axe. It is relatively compact already so there is no need to add collapsible mechanisms or detachable parts that can fail under hard use. The Zytel handle should be basically shock-proof while also keep weight and cost down.
In many backpacking situations you are likely already carrying at least a shovel to deal with waste. You probably also carry some sort of cutting tool whether it is a hatchet, knife, or both. The SPARtool may be able to handle all of that for you with the addition of its other functionality though you may still want to carry a small knife. This tool certainly isn’t for the ultra-light crowd but if you don’t mind being at least a little bit geared up while you are the trail, it could be handy.
This could also be a great addition to a car kit. If you live in a colder, somewhat remote locations like I do, you are likely already carrying a shovel and some basic survival tools in your car.