The 2nd knife to be designed through TOPS’ employee design contest is also TOPS’ first official kitchen knife. The 8” chef’s knife was designed by TOPS’ photographer and graphics manager Jesus Arellano. It has more belly than you might normally expect from a chef’s knife, which makes a unique and functional kitchen tool. Of course, since you can’t have only one knife in the kitchen, the Dicer will eventually be offered with many different knives to make it a complete set. Right now, the 2 most essential knives are available, the Dicer 8 Chef and the Dicer 3 Paring. Premium steel – CPM S35VN – and handles – blue and black G10 – provide a kitchen tool that will be passed down from generation to generation much like hunting knives are passed from father to son.
Pick up the Dicers from a TOPS authorized dealer or from TOPS at TOPSKnives.com
This prototype sling bag from ATS Tactical is designed to hold an SBR, AR Pistol, or similar. The exterior of the bag is devoid of any markings, patch panels, or PALS webbing. The interior is accessed via a full clamshell opened and features some organization for items such as magazines, first aid, and more.
The bag is designed to fit SBRs/pistols with side folding stocks up and barrels up to 11.5″ in length. It will also fit SBRs/pistols with sliding stocks and barrels up to 7.5″ in length.
Stay tuned for details on this bag will be available.
I’ll spoil this review right up front. I really, really like my Streamlight Microstream USB.
Overview
The Microstream USB is an extremely compact LED light. It features a tail switch, a two way pocket clip (that is removable and replaceable), and two output settings (250 lumens for 1.5 hours and 50 lumens for 3.5 hours). This light is USB rechargable via a USB-C cord (included). It is less than 4″ long, barely wider than a AAA battery, and weighs a little more than 1 ounce.
The Microstream USB is available in a number of anodized colors but I recommend the FDE version because it is the only one that gives you the high output mode on the first click. The other colors (Black, Blue, Red) activate the 50 lumen mode on the first click.
Observations from Use
I normally prefer single output lights for EDC but the Microstream USB gets a pass. Streamlight designed it so that you could only access the 50 lumen low mode with a very fast double click. You can execute typical low light techniques without ever dropping into the 50 lumen mode. The user interface is dead simple and well designed.
The power to weight ratio on this light is incredible. It is so small and so lightweight that you will never leave it at home. It still has large light features like 250 lumen output and a tail switch in spite of that small size.
I typically carry a USB backup battery both at the office and on the trail. That makes it easy to keep this light up and running no matter where I am.
The light is recharged by sliding the bezel up to reveal the USB-C port and a small charge indicating LED (red for charging, green for charged). This sliding collar is o-ring sealed and it seams to do a good job given that my light has been through the wash with no ill effects. Still, this is the source of my major criticism of the light. I wish that this was sliding collar was threaded so that it had to be screwed down over the o-ring. This would make it even less likely to have water ingress. As it stands now, the user will have to keep a sharp eye on the o-ring to ensure that it is in good shape.
Wrap Up
This light is a tiny power house. I have larger lights with more output that I can can carry but this light is so small, lightweight, useful, and cheap to operate that I often carry it as a backup or even my primary light. It’s affordable too (less than $30)!
Have I said that I really, really like this light?
I had trouble finding the FDE anodized version when I bought mine last year. Now they are much easier to find. I purchased mine at Amazon who happened to be one the only places that had them in stock at the time: Streamlight Microstream USB on Amazon
Happy Resurrection Sunday from the JTT family to your family.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Arbor Arms is now offering a line of NIJ 0101.06 level IIIA soft armor. The line includes plate backers in 4 sizes (S – XL) and 3 sizes of side armor (6×6″, 6×8″, 7×8″).
The plate backers match SAPI plates in terms of cut. The edges for both the backers and side armor are heat sealed. The backers are sold individually and the side armor is sold in pairs.
