Just for Fun: “Banana Clips”

The term “banana clip” is an erroneous name for the curved magazines that are used in many different types of magazine fed rifles. The term has been co-opted by anti-2nd Amendment groups in order to spread fear and misinformation. In the end, it only shows their ignorance since banana clips aren’t clips at all. They are magazines. Yes, there is a difference.

Before I ruin your mood, let me change gears. This post isn’t really about anti-2nd Amendment groups or semantics. It is about something a whole lot more fun than that. This post is about the Banana Clip banana hangers made by “Kmanator” who obviously has a great sense of humor. He is a regular on several online forums and an eBay seller. He makes plasma cut metal items like signs and the Banana Clip banana hanger.

The banana hangers are made to look like famous rifles like an AR-15 or AK-47. Their is a hook located on the magazine area of the rifle that is used to hang your bananas. Hanging bananas helps them ripen evenly without all the soft spots and bruises that occur when they sit on the counter. But really, do you care that hanging is better for bananas than laying them on the counter? No. This banana hanger is just for fun.

Check out the banana hangers and all the other cool stuff in Kmanator’s eBay auctions.

PS – If you want further proof that Kmanator has an awesome sense of humor, check out his zombie-ready AK Battle Axe stocks. Sure, its impractical, but you still want one.

SAR Global Tool E&E Knife Prototypes

SAR Global Tool is always creating some innovative piece of gear that could save your tail in a bad situation. The latest design is a very small, compact, and simple knife that is designed to take up as little space as possible in your survival kit, BOB, or E&E kit.

These E&E kit prototypes are ground from .090″ thick CPM 154 steel, so they should hold an edge well and resist rust as they sit packed away in a kit. They have a 1.5″ cutting edge and are only 3″ in overall length. The blade has a sort of angular sheeps foot shape that should offer plenty of cutting power in a small package. The tip looks to be very fine which is a plus on a small knife that will likely be used for many detailed tasks.

The coolest thing about these little knives is the sheath. It lays very flat so that it fits anywhere and it features 3 grommets so you can carry it many different ways. What really sets the sheath apart is the orange kydex panel. This panel can be used as a close range signal panel or marker. I have found that having something that is highly visible like this can be a land nav aid in dense under brush. When the undergrowth is too thick to take an azimuth to a landmark farther than a few feet in front of you, it can be helpful to send someone ahead with something visible so that they can become your land mark. You direct them verbally or visually to your azimuth and then walk to them.

This knife is small and simple but it comes with the kind of innovations that you would expect from a rescue professional like Spencer at SAR Global Tool. You can purchase your own on the SAR Global Tool blog. While you are there, check out the incredibly slick, patent pending Eclipse Signal System.

Mystery Ranch Streetfighter

The new Streetfighter from Mystery Ranch is one of the smallest packs in their line. It is designed to excel as a jack-of-all-trades, general purpose pack. It would be at home on the hiking trail or a cross country flight.

Even though this pack is small, Mystery Ranch didn’t skimp on the suspension. The Streetfighter features their excellent Futura Yoke which mean you can pack the Streetfighter until the seams are bursting without fear of overloading it.

It features 2 exterior water bottle sleeves which I really like because it frees up the interior for cargo and protects the contents from spills. If you prefer to use a hydration bladder, there is an interior sleeve that will accommodate one. There is also an interior accessory pocket and external panel pocket with internal organizer that will help keep you keep your small items squared away.

The Streetfighter boasts 1150 CU-IN of capacity. That sounds small but that is kind of the point. I should also note that, in my experience, Mystery Ranch tends to underestimate their pack’s capacities.

Navy blue and yellow are the only colors available now but there will likely be some more subdued colors in the future. Black and OD green have been mentioned. Hopefully coyote brown and/or Multicam will make the cut as well.

You can check out the new Streetfighter on Mystery Ranch’s website.

Independence Day

235 years ago the brave men who founded this nation signed the Declaration of Independence and in doing so, they risked their reputations, livelihoods, and their lives. Today, that same bold spirit is shown by those who fight to maintain this country’s freedom. Take a moment today to remember those who have risked, and in some cases sacrificed, everything to secure our freedom.

Have a safe, happy, and thoughtful 4th of July.

BAD-T1 The Armorer

The M1A/M14 can be a tremendously reliable and accurate battle rifle but it comes with some unique maintenance requirements that require specific tools. You can buy all of these specific tools separately or you can buy The Armorer from Battle Arms Development.

The Armorer combines more than 30 M1A/M14 specific functions into one compact package that can be used on the workbench or in the field. It is so compact that it can be stored in the buttstock cleaning kit compartment of a USGI stock. As we have come to expect from Battle Arms Development, The Armorer is over built and precisely machined. It is machined from bar stock 41L40 Chrome-Moly Steel and then finished with Ion Bond.

Battle Arms Development typically only makes 1 run of the The Armorer a year and they sell out quickly. They are available now but the optional custom pouch is still a few weeks out. You can read more about The Armorer on the Battle Arms Development website or purchase your own in their web store.

UPDATE: The 4th of July will mark Battle Arms Development’s 2nd year of operation. To celebrate, they are offering $20 off the BAD T1. Just enter the code BADT120 at checkout. The offer will be good from 7.2.2011 to 7.5.2011.

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