Gear Reviews

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Knives

We took a look at (and a few photos of) the new MCP Archangel from Microtech at the 2009 NRA National Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. This Archangel design has been in development for more than a year secretly, so this was the first time the public was able to see them. The Microtech Archangel is a 9mm Double Action Only, Semi-Auto Pistol in all black or two-tone (black and stainless) pocket pistol. MCP Archangel from Microtech has finger grip on the magazine floor plate, and a mag release in the trigger guard. The Microtech Archangel weighs 7.1 ounces empty, and has a 2.32 inch long barrel, with a threaded barrel option a for a suppressor. The Microtech Archangel ships with two 5 round magazines that are constructed using the same material and waffle design they use on their MSAR 556 carbine magazines The Microtech Archangel we saw was the package that ships in a Pelican hard case with a matching Microtech Daytona OTF (out the front) automatic knife. The set also features matching serial numbers on knife and pistol. The Microtech Daytona 3.1 inch drop point blade is made from S30V. The Microtech Daytona is 7.5 inches overall, and weighs 3 ounces. The Microtech Daytona has Titanium hardware, pocket clip and polished carbon fiber inserts it retails for just under $400. The Microtech Archangel and Microtech Daytona combo retails for around $1000 or the Microtech Archangel retails for just under $600 without the knife.

Microtech Archangel 9mm Pocket Pistol

We were asked to review this Survival II Card pocket tool from Tool Logic. This version is in blue with a red LED light. Other models have a Compass / Magnifying Lens instead of the light, or a gray smoke color card. This handy little tool has enough useful features that it would be an excellent addition to any first aid or survival kit. We took these initial photos of the Tool Logic Survival II Card before we started testing it.

Tool Logic Survival II Card pocket tool

Not all inexpensive knives are poor quality.
This is a 20+ year old knife that cost less than $20 and was a Go To knife for many years

Another Cheap Knife.. but this one works

The KM87 is one of the rare AK47 bayonets for collectors to find. Here are some pics to help identify the real KM97 from it's look a likes

KM87 East German Special Forces AK47 Bayonet

We had a chance to photograph this interesting and well made pocket knife from SOG Specialty Knives. This folding knife uses the SOG Arc-Actuator lock and has S.A.T. (SOG Assisted Technology). While it is not an automatic (switchblade) it is very easy to open one handed. The grip has the SOG Digi-Grip texture pattern so it is easy to hold and use

SOG Trident TF-3 TigerStripe

Another favorite knife the Gerber BMF (Basic Multi-Function) Survival Knife

A very well made large knife made to hadle a variety of tasks.
The Gerber BMF has a sheath made with black, heavy duty Cordura nylon, reinforced for protection of the blade and user

The Gerber BMF was made from 1986 to1998.

Gerber BMF

Comparing scissors on a few EDC (Every Day Carry) pocket tools; the Gerber Shortcut, Leatherman Micra, Victorinox Huntsman, Victorinox Executive and the Victorinox Classic SD. These tools all offer scissors. If I were packing a first aid kit for a car or truck, I would include a pair of EMT scissors. But for everyday pocket carry or smaller first aid kits and survival kits these options might do well. Scissors in the Swiss Army Knives are very sharp and well made but will not cut through denim or other thick materials. The larger scissors on the Gerber Shortcut and Leatherman Micra is large enough to cut through many thicker materials

Comparing Scissors on EDC Pocket Tools

Packs, Pouch & Bags

This time we look at the Galati XT Rifle Case.
A padded carry case with magazine storage

Galati XT Rifle Case

Looking into the contents of a 3 Day Pack
A pack designed to be grabbed in an emergency with supplies for 3 days

This Sub Pack contains the signaling and communications gear. Contents include;

Outside Pocket;
Glow Sticks
550 cord
Duct Tape
Electricians Tape
Bio-Degradable Signal Tape
White LED light

Sub Pack (M-16 Mag Pouch)
TRC-232 Scanning C.B. Radio
w/ battery pack & 12 volt power cord
Antenna

Black Nylon Pouch
Garmin Rino 120 GPS / Radio
Motorola Walkabout
Shortwave Radio

3 Day Bag - Signal & Communications Sub Pack

A review of the County Comm Sat-Com Bag used as a Discreet Carry for an AR15 SBR (Registered Short Barrel Rifle)

SAT-COM Bag as Discreet Carry for an AR15 SBR

Quick look at the SkedCo Trauma Kit

SkedCo Trauma Kit

Here is a quick review of the Deluxe Pro Shooters Bag made by Eagle Industries amd the gear we have in it.

Eagle Industries Deluxe Pro Shooters Bag Review

We take a look at a sample of S.O. Tech Gear

Makers of good US made gear

S.O. Tech Gear

Eagle Chest Rig review.
We look at the gear used with this chest rig.

Eagle Chest Rig

Flashlights

Surefire L4 LumaMax has an output of 120 lumens with a runtime of 2 hours. The Surefire L4 LumaMax is 5.1 inches long and weighs 3.4 ounces. The Surefire L4 LumaMax uses Two 123A lithium batteries

Surefire L4 LumaMax

On the last day of SHOT Show 2009 we mostly took video reviews of products we were most interested in. Many of the videos were taken in HD and are still being edited. Some are already posted on the internet. Here are the still images we took while walking the floor for the fourth day at SHOT Show 2009

2009 SHOT Show Day Four

People keep asking what gear we Every Day Carry (EDC) so here is a video to show the typical setup

Glock 23
Bladetech IWB Holster - kydex
Spare glock magazine
Fobus single mag pouch -paddle
Surefire E2D LED
Benchmade Axis knife
Ruger LCP w/ Crimson Trace laser
Wallet
Keys
Spare Ruger LCR magazine

Now it's your turn..
Show us what you carry every day, post a video reply

What do you carry? EDC Gear 2

Surefire C2 Centurion has an output of 65 lumens with a runtime of 60 minutes. The Surefire C2 Centurion is 5.2 inches long and weighs 5.3 ounces. The Surefire C2 Centurion uses two lithium 123A batteries

Surefire C2 Centurion

Surefire T1A Titan
Has an infinite range of power settings1 lumen to 70 lumens
Weighs only 2 ounces with battery
3.25 inches long

Surefire T1A Titan

We saw these keys and took a few photos of the Streamlight Nanolight. This is a little over Three Months since we took the first photos of this light when it was new. After three months of daily carry the black finish is getting worn off, but the light still works and has not gone off on its own. We will keep checking on on this light to see how it holds up

Streamlight Nanolight (Three Months Later)

had a few colors of pistol and a few flashlights, so I tested what these colored pistols look like illuminated by various light sources. OD Green, Dark Earth, Black

Colored Pistols under Various Light Sources

First Aid

We take a first look at the e+LITE headlamp from Petzl.

This is feature packed, well made LED light that weighs in at just 28 grams, has a weatherproof storage case and even a signal whistle

e+LITE emergency headlamp from Petzl

Unparalleled Rapid Response Cut Ability
Durable Edge Quality and Versatile Design
Large Handle Area
Multiple Carry Options

Medical Hook / O2 Wrench / Syringe Popper

Available with Black Hard Sheath w/ Snap Lanyard

New Benchmade 8HOOK Medical Version

Quick look at the SkedCo Trauma Kit

SkedCo Trauma Kit

We open up an mergency pack that we put together a few years back. This pack is stored in a truck used to travel off road in the desert

Emergency Pack Review

A small first aid kit designed to be worn at the shooting range

Range FIrst Aid Kit

One of our favorite first aid resources, the Adventure Medical Kits: A Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine

Adventure Medical - Wilderness / Travel Aid Book

Here is some Backup Copies of ID I use for various situations.

What do you think?
What would you change or add?
Do you carry backup copies of your IDs

Backup Copies of ID

Tools

I have been testing a new Leatherman Surge this week, here are the results

Leatherman Serge Multi-Tool Review

We use the Aimpoint sight adjustment tool for the first time.
It works well, can be easily found in a shooting bag and is well made

We made one modification, by writing the adjustment instructions from the T1 on the side of the tool with a marker to make adjusting the T1 easier.

Aimpoint Optics Adjustment Tool

This is my third or fourth vac sealer. I decided this time to go with a professional version so it can do better stuff and will last a long time

Pro-2300 Vacuum Sealer Review

Gerber Clutch is a good EDC pocket or keychain tool. The Gerber Clutch tools include; plier head, screwdrivers, bottle opener, file and tweezers Overall Length is 4.13 inches open and 2.56 inches closed. The Gerber Clutch has a 1.77 inch blade and weighs 2.4 ounces

Gerber Clutch

A few times each year a local school in Tucson, Arizona auctions off their used equipment. There is typically a few hundred square feet of equipment, computers, tools, surplus supplies and even vehicles. These had been live auctions in the past, but are now silent auctions. Bidders offer their best price for each item they are interested in and the high bid is the winner.

Auction at a Tucson School

We take a first look at this Leatherman Squirt E4.

Tools include:
Spring-action Needlenose Pliers
Electrical Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers: 20GA, 18GA, 16GA, 14GA, and 12GA
Extra-small Screwdriver
Small Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Wood / Metal File
Bottle Opener
Tweezers

Leatherman Squirt E4

We saw these interesting LED Glowsticks at the store
Here is a quick video of how they work

LED Glowstick Preview

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