Purefire Fire Starters, by Thomas Christianson

Purefire Fire Starters use an integrated magnesium rod to provide a durable, compact, long-lasting, waterproof source of shavings for highly effective tinder for the ferrocerium rod with which it is mated. The Survival Model has a hollow handle in which the striker, additional tinder, or other survival essentials can be stored. The Folding Model, as its name indicates, can be folded into the handle, making it more compact and thus easier to store and carry. Both models are handmade in the USA and have a lifetime warranty. When the magnesium and ferrocerium are both fully exhausted, they are eligible for …


Armasight Thermal Optics, by Thomas Christianson

I stepped out my door with the dog on a leash, ready to go for a walk. A glance toward the woods on the other side of the driveway did not reveal any signs of life. I was carrying an Armasight Thermal Monocular in my right hand. I turned it on, put it to my right eye, and glanced at the same patch of woods across the driveway just to make sure that the monocular was on. Much to my surprise, I saw a herd of a half dozen or so deer looking back at me. What was easy to …


Stihl MS261C Chainsaw, by Thomas Christianson

With a magnesium-alloy crankcase, captive bar-nuts, a decompression valve, and a host of other premium features, the Stihl MS261 is its various forms represents a well-designed and well-constructed professional chainsaw. But it is the light weight and the outstanding power-to-weight-ratio of the saw that secures its place as one of the most popular chainsaws in the world. With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $709.99 at the time of this writing for the C-M version with a 16 inch bar, the saw represents a great value for high-volume wood cutting. If you only cut a few cord or less of firewood …


Gerber US1 Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

Designed for watch pocket carry, the Gerber US1 Folding Knife offers a 2.5 inch locking blade made of 420HC steel and a handle made of glass-filled nylon (gfn) with rubber over-mold. Since it lacks a pocket clip or provision for one-handed opening, it does not qualify as a modern everyday carry (EDC) knife. But with the addition of an aftermarket deep carry pocket clip, I found the knife to be quite useful as a daily companion. The US1 is made in the USA as its name suggests, and it cost just $23.95 at www.bladehq.com at the time of this writing. …


Heritage 92 in .44 Magnum, by Thomas Christianson

Inspired by John Moses Browning’s iconic Winchester Model 1892, the Heritage 92 comes in a number of different models with various barrel lengths, finishes, and chamberings. The version that I tested has a 20 inch barrel, is chambered in .44 Magnum, holds 10 rounds in the tubular magazine, has semi-buckhorn sights, and walnut-colored tropical hardwood furniture. The Heritage 92 is light, attractive, and well-machined, operates reliably, and puts the shooter in touch with his inner movie cowboy. The .44 Magnum chambering has enough energy and a flat enough trajectory from a rifle length barrel to make the Heritage 92 useful …


Smartwool Run Mid Crew Pattern Socks, by Thomas Christianson

Smartwool Run Mid Crew Pattern Socks are outstanding for everyday use and for field wear. They are comfortable, durable, attractive, resist odor, wick moisture away from the skin, and remain pleasant to wear even under extended use. They are also good for running in. At the time of this writing a pair of these USA-made socks cost $22 . This pair of socks has become one of my favorites, along with the other Smartwool socks in my drawer. I highly recommend them.


Big Idea Design Ti Field Watch, by Thomas Christianson

Big Idea Design makes some high-quality pieces of gear out of titanium. The strength and light weight of that metal make it well suited to items for everyday carry (EDC). The Big Idea EDC item that I like the most is their Ti Field Watch. It is rugged, light-weight, and accurate. With a price at the time of this writing of $499.99 at BigIDesign.com , it is definitely not inexpensive. But it is by far the best watch that I have ever owned. If you can afford a watch in the mid-price range, this one would be an excellent choice.


Liberty Gold Water Test Kit, by Thomas Christianson

Testing for lead, free chlorine, total alkalinity, MPS, iron, nitrite, pH, bromine, fluoride, total chlorine, hardness, cyanuric acid, copper, nitrate, QUAT/QAC, carbonate and coliform/e. Coli bacteria, the Liberty Gold Standard Complete Water Test Kit gives a pretty good overview of the quality of a water source using a simple testing process. Costing $27.99 at the time of this writing at the Liberty Gold Standard website, the kit contains 140 test strips and three bacteria culture kits.


Coolfab Flaretop Rocket Stove, by Thomas Christianson

Coolfab is a custom metal-fabrication shop in Zeeland, Michigan. They are putting out some of the most innovative rocket stove designs that I have seen anywhere, at quite reasonable prices. I recently had a chance to test one of Coolfab’s Flaretop stoves. It is a real beast of a rocket stove, with its cooking surface standing 27.5 inches above the ground and weighing in at 52 pounds. The flaring at the top of the stove allows for a respectable 12 by 12-inch cooking surface. This larger surface area enabled me to simultaneously roast hot dogs and boil a half gallon …


KA-BAR Dozier KA4065, by Thomas Christianson

With a price of only $20 at the time of this writing at the Dozier Knives website, the KA-BAR Dozier KA4065 Folding Knife is the best value for an everyday carry (EDC) knife that I know about today. The knife has a three-inch hollow ground blade made of AUS 8A stainless steel that is 0.11 inches thick. The blade can be deployed with one hand ambidextrously by using a thumb notch. A lockback latches the open blade securely in place. The unlined Zytel handle provides an excellent grip surface. It is light and thin and easy to carry. The knife …


ALPS Evolution Merino 150 Long Sleeve Shirt, by Thomas Christianson

Made of 100% superfine Merino wool, the ALPS Evolution 150 long-sleeve shirt is the most comfortable woolen garment in my wardrobe. It is also one of the most versatile garments that I own. The fabric is thin and breathable enough to be worn in summer, when it can provide 50+ UPF of protection from the sun. When used with a number of other layers in cooler weather, the shirt helps to hold body heat in while allowing moisture to escape. The fabric from which the shirt is made is naturally odor resistant and dries quickly after washing. Its “riverstone” color …


Demko Knives Shark-Cub AUS10A Clip Point, by Thomas Christianson

The Demko Knives Shark-Cub AUS10A Clip Point is a handy folding knife with an innovative locking mechanism. That mechanism makes it easy to deploy the shaving-sharp, 2.75 inch, stone-washed, clip-point, AUS10A blade with a flick of the wrist. The black, glass-reinforced-nylon, steel-lined handle is ergonomically shaped and nicely textured for a secure grip. The ambidextrous deep pocket clip carries the knife securely and discreetly while keeping it easily accessible. This Taiwanese-made knife cost $89.99 at the time of this writing at DemkoKnives.com.  It is a well-designed and well-made knife for everyday carry. If you are looking for a sturdy, practical …


American Hat Company Range Hat, by Thomas Christianson

A range hat is designed to allow over-the-head, earmuff-style hearing-protection to be worn comfortably over the hat. It accomplishes this by forgoing two features that are common to most baseball caps. Those features are a fabric-covered button (squatchee) on the crown of the hat and the hatmaker’s buckram reinforcement of the front two panels of the hat. Without the squatchee and the buckram, a ranger hat is better able to conform to the shape of the wearer’s head under the muffs. The American Hat Company version of the range hat is made of lightweight, ripstop cotton with a comfortable sweatband …


Buck 0722 Spitfire Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

The Buck 0722 Spitfire Folding Knife is a rugged, well-conceived, American-made design that is hampered somewhat by stiff blade deployment. The Spitfire has a shaving-sharp, 3.25 inch blade made of 440HC stainless steel; a nicely-machined, anodized aluminum handle; a robust locking back; and a thumb-hole deployment notch. The knife weighs 3.2 ounces. At the time of this writing, the knife had a manufacturer suggested retail price of $49.99 at www.buckknives.com. That is an excellent price for a good, American-made knife. If they can figure out a way to smooth out blade deployment, this will be an outstanding knife. With the …


Silver Stag WTS2.5C Trapper, by Thomas Christianson

Good things come in small packages: A fine watch, a Faberge egg, or a new baby are all precious gifts. The Silver Stag WTS2.5C Trapper is another good thing that comes in a small package. With a 2.5 inch, full-tang, hollow-ground D2 blade, and a cocobolo handle, the knife is an ideal size and shape for skinning, caping and game processing. With the textured mill scale which is left on the flat of the blade, the mirror polish of the bevel, the rich glow of the cocobolo handle, and the accent of the brass pins, the knife is also a …