Check out this sneak peak of the new Viper Pack from S.O. Tech! The Viper pack is similar to the ESP but larger and without the front pouch. It is a lightweight 3 day size pack that folds into a pouch that can be mounted on the back of a plate carrier. If you don’t need the pack, you can keep it folded and attached to your PC. If you do need it, you just unzip the single zipper to deploy the pack.
The Viper Pack will be debuting at CANSEC in Ottawa this week, Wednesday and Thursday.
The Battle Systems MPIL continues to evolve into one of the most full featured and complete visual signaling systems available anywhere. The latest addition to the system is the APALS from Brite-Strike. The APALS is is a compact (.25″ thick), lightweight (less than 1 ounce), LED light that is the perfect size for securing to the 2″x2″ loop field on an MPIL. The APALS gives MPIL users a visible light signalling option that can be seen from up to a half mile away or that can serve as an emergency light source. With its 80+ hour runtime, the APALS will last you several nights of continuous signalling.
Battle Systems adds adhesive Velcro to the back of each APALS. They are available in a variety of light colors including IR for LE and MIL buyers. Check out the APALS at Battle Systems.
If you duct taped tablet computer, a GPS, a handheld radio, a solar panel and a short wave radio receiver to a weather man you might have something pretty close to Earl the Back Country Tablet… but the Earl would be a lot easier to carry.
Earl is an Android based tablet that the designers claim is rugged enough to handle outdoor pursuits. It can be charged via an integrated solar panel and features an E-Ink display. The E-Ink display is genius for this application because it should be very readable in direct sunlight, able to display great detail in maps, and it helps extend the battery life.
Earl has the potential to replace several pieces of gear that you may already be carrying. It has a GPS chip set and a variety of sensors to get a fix on your location. The on board weather sensors (thermometer, hygrometer, barometer, and anemometer) can clue you in on changing weather conditions. The integrated 2-way radio can broadcast and receive on FRS, GRMS, and even MURS frequencies. You can also send secure information via the 2-way radio including text messages, route info, and weather. Earl also received AM, FM, NOAA weather radio, and Short Wave radio communications.
This is obviously geared toward hikers and campers but there are obvious applications here for the prepared citizen. I can barely imagine what it would be like to have this much information at your finger tips in the woods.
You can pre-order an Earl now.
I started JTT in part to shine a light on small businesses that are making really, really cool stuff – stuff like the ReVolt. Hardened Power Systems makes ridiculously rugged, portable battery back up systems in various sizes for a variety of applications. They are all pretty slick but I find myself drawn to the ReVolt. It represents a good compromise between size/weight and capacity.
The ReVolt is a NiMH battery bank that is contained in a case made from 1/8″ thick extruded aluminum with 1/2″ thick high density polyethylene end caps. The internal components are potted in epoxy which turns the entire ReVolt into a single solid mass and makes it completely waterproof. If water enters any of the outlets in the ReVolt, it cannot progress into the internal components.
You can charge the ReVolt via a normal electrical outlet with the included AC adapter in less than 3 hours. It can also be charged via your car’s cigarette lighter with an optional adapter or via a solar panel with an optional, custom built solar controller. You can check the charge at any time with the integrated voltmeter.
The battery bank provides 5 amp-hours (at 12 volts) of power, 12 amp-hours at 5 volts (USB), and 15 amp-hours at 4 volts (typical cell phone). To put that in perspective, it means you can charge your smart phone anywhere from 10-25 times depending on the phone. People have jump started lawn tractors and even cars (though there are potential issues with this) with the ReVolt.
All that power is delivered via a cigarette outlet. The ReVolt also comes with an adapter that lets you recharge your electronics via USB. This is a very versatile configuration since most rechargeable smart devices can be recharged via USB and you can even find items like fans and battery chargers that can be powered from USB.
Each ReVolt comes with a MOLLE compatible pouch, an AC charger, and a USB adapter. Check out the ReVolt and other rugged battery backup devices on PortableUniversalPower.com.
More information on the ReVolt from its creator:
Obligatory run-it-over-with-a-truck video:
I like to carry a stout fixed blade knife on my range gear at all times. I do this for a number of reasons not the least of which is that you never know when a knife will come in handy when you are outdoors. It is also useful for clearing a bolt over malfunction in an AR-15. Some trainers, like Pat Rogers, consider a compact knife to be essential support gear for the carbine.
When choosing a knife for this role, I usually shop for something that is a tool first (not an over the top “tactical” knife) because nearly anything with a sharp edge can be pressed into the role of a weapon. I also look for something that is fairly compact so I am not lugging around extra weight and so it can be carried in a number of different ways like attached to a “battle belt” or secured with hook and loop in the kangaroo pouch of my plate carrier. A compact knife is also easier to exert control over when trying to pry back the bolt during a malfunction. If you were to picture such a knife in your minds eye, it would probably look a lot like the BHK-T1 from Blind Horse Knives.
The BHK-T1 is ground from 1/8″ thick D2 steel. The drop point blade is 2 7/8″ from the tip to the scale and the knife is 6 3/4″ overall. The blade is saber ground (more on this later) with a polished convex edge. It has a small false edge at the spine that gives this knife a great working point.
The handle is large enough for my medium sized hands to have a full 4 finger grip with room to spare. The handle scales are made from nicely contoured and rounded black micarta that has been bead blasted. The scales are fixed to the blade with good looking fish eye bolts and an oversize brass lanyard hole.
The included fold-over style kydex sheath has adjustable tension and rivet spacing that makes it compatible with a number of accessories like Tek-Loks, MOLLE-Loks, Spyderco G-Clips, and similar items. The sheath came with a small Tek-Lok configured for horizontal belt carry.
The knife and sheath weigh just under 7 ounces total.
I used the BHK-T1 in a number of different ways because a knife of this size and shape is useful for a number of different tasks. I used it for EDC which it excelled at thanks to its compact size and capable sheath. I used it on my range gear and, just to get an idea of how it cuts, I used it in the woods a bit, too.
I have been carrying the BHK-T1 as an EDC for much of the time that I have had it and I really like it in this role. Its dimensions lend themselves very well to a variety of carry methods from horizontal belt carry, to vertical belt carry, and even pocket carry. I like my EDC knives to have usable points and the BHK-T1 has a very usable point thanks to the swedge (false edge). The swedge really thins the point down nicely while still leaving a lot of material on the center line of the blade so the point isn’t fragile.
The BHK-T1 carries very well on my beloved BFG Micro Pack’s shoulder strap.
I also took this knife into the woods because I find that processing wood is a great test of how a knife cuts. The BHK-T1 bites into wood well for tasks like notching and making feather sticks. This is probably partially due to the edge type (convex) and partially due to the great geometry. BHK went with 1/8″ steel for this knife but by choosing a saber grind (a flat grind that only comes about halfway up the height of the blade) they leave behind plenty of material to keep the blade strong. The result is a knife that should be very durable to lateral pressure but is still thin enough to cut well. Kudos to BHK for this subtle, but important design element.
The BHK-T1 is right at home as an EDC or a compact companion in the woods but I think it really shines as a tool for your range gear. It is compact enough to carry very well in a number of different ways. I mostly carried it on my battle belt using a MOLLE-Lok. I also stuck some adhesive Velcro to the exterior of the sheath so that I could tuck it into the kangaroo pouch of a plate carrier or into the panel on the back of some chest rigs like those from Mayflower R&C. If you happen to have a bolt over malfunction (empty brass lodged between the top of the bolt and the charging handle) with your AR-15, the spine of a stout knife like the BHK-T1 can be used to pull the bolt carrier to the rear and hold it so that the charging handle can be pushed forward to release the brass. The BHK-T1 is works well for this technique but beware, the edge of any knife can suffer some edge damage if it contacts the sides of the ejection port. I didn’t notice any edge damage to the BHK-T1 when I tested pulling the bolt back with it.
The handle is grippy without causing hot spots over prolonged use. It isn’t what I would call hand filling since this is a very compact knife, but it is nicely rounded and well contoured which makes the grip comfortable and secure. The BHK-T1’s handle is neutral enough that can be held comfortably with the blade up or down and with the edge in or out. However it is also contoured enough that it gives tactile feedback as to how the blade is oriented even if you can’t see it. There is no guard but the edge is slightly offset from the handle to prevent your hand from sliding up onto the edge.
The BHK-T1 is compact enough to carry well in a pocket or the organization panel of a backpack.
The sheath is very secure, fairly compact, and very functional. Many knives come with some sort of afterthought for a sheath. The BHK-T1 comes with a sheath that is actually well suited to its intended use. You would think more knife makers would figure that out but, sadly, they haven’t. BHK nailed the sheath on this one.
Those of you who like ferro rods will be happy to know that the spine of the BHK-T1 is square and throws sparks very well.
D2 steel offers excellent edge holding capability but it can be a bit of a pain to sharpen. Thankfully, BHK really refines the edge to a high polish. I was always able to bring the knife back to shaving sharp with just a loaded strop even after cutting up a ton of cardboard after a move and time in the woods to test the knife. BHK’s D2 does seem to be a bit easier to sharpen than some that I have tried so perhaps they aren’t taking the steel as high on the Rockwell hardness scale as they could be (that is fine with me, I hate sharpening knives).
Functionally, this is a great knife but some users might find some fit and finish nits to pick. The grinds are a touch uneven, there are still grind marks on the non-cutting surfaces of the knife, and the secondary grind curves a bit where it should be straight. Absolutely none of that effects the function of the knife. The fit and finish is good where it counts. The edge is highly polished and hair popping sharp (the factory edge cut paper nearly silently), the handle is perfectly fit to the blade stock, and the surfaces that contact the hand are nicely rounded. So basically, this is made like a tool. It might be a little rough in spots but it is functional and refined where it counts.
Apart from the small fit and finish issues, there are a few things I would change. I would taper the handle just a little bit near the blade. As it is, the scales are basically just squared off which can make pinch grips a little tricky. A little bit of jimping on the spine might also be nice on a knife of this type. I find some jimping to be helpful for when you are using your thumb to apply leverage for a cut. BHK offers several custom sheathing options and, even though the included sheath is very nice, a pancake style sheath with eyelets on each side would offer a bit more versatility for mounting the knife to PALS webbing (MOLLE) even if it would add just a bit of bulk.
I added some adhesive Velcro to the sheath so that it could be secure to the back of this Velocity Systems chest rig or the kangaroo pouch of a plate carrier.
The BHK-T1 is a great knife. Its dimensions make it great for EDC or for use on your tactical gear. BHK’s good understanding of blade geometry make it very stout without sacrificing too much cutting performance. It is comfortable to use, easy to carry, and it cuts like a laser. I am really impressed with this little knife.
Check out the BHK-T1 at BlindHorseKnives.com.
