Bear Edge Model 61125 Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

A pair of eyes glowed brightly in the darkness of the woods beyond the reach of my headlamp. I was not concerned. The woods surrounding our home are filled with a host of furry creatures, most of them benign. A stroll around our property can resemble the meadow scene from Disney’s Bambi. Birds flit through the branches, and rabbits and squirrels leisurely hop off into the undergrowth. So it is not at all unusual to see eyes glowing in the darkness when I take the dog for a walk on a winter’s evening. Then the eyes started moving toward me. …


Maglite Flashlights, by Thomas Christianson

I am a flashlight junkie. I love flashlights. I love big flashlights and small flashlights. I love bright flashlights, and flashlights that project a gentle glow. I love flashlights with AAA, AA, C, D, or rechargeable batteries. I love flashlights with polymer cases, rubberized cases, wooden cases, bamboo cases, and metal cases. I love flashlights with standard incandescent, halogen, krypton, xenon, or LED bulbs. I just love flashlights. Sometimes my addiction causes strains in my relationship with my wife, “Kari.” She says things like, “Do you really need another flashlight?” or “How many flashlights does one man need anyway?” I …


Patching Seahorse Protective Cases, by Thomas Christianson

A number of months ago, I purchased two Seahorse protective cases at a thrift store. Someone had drilled and cut holes into them before making the donation. I recently patched the holes in the cases using J-B Weld and fiberglass fiber tape. I am very pleased with the outcome. Based upon these good results, I would recommend all of the products involved for their usefulness: Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases, J-B Weld Original Formula, and fiberglass fiber tape. Buying the Cases I bought the two Seahorse Protective Equipment Cases at a bin sale at a thrift store outlet. At a bin …


Keen American-Built Boots, by Thomas Christianson

I recently bought a pair of Keen American Built Boots at a consignment store. They cost me $44.99. These Braddock Waterproof Mid Soft Toe Boots run $220 per pair, new. The Keen Braddock mid-cut boots are very sturdy, though the soles are somewhat stiffer than I prefer. They are also extremely warm, making them most suitable for cool weather use. All in all, they are decent boots, and American-made. But they somehow lack that measure of comfort that gives a pair of boots a place of affection in my heart. It may just be that my feet are a funny …


Silver Stag Lion, by Thomas Christianson

The Silver Stag Lion is an heirloom quality, primarily handmade, semi-custom knife. It has a razor-sharp three-inch blade made of D2 tool steel and a handle made from naturally-shed deer or elk antler. It is 100% made in these United States. It is by far the finest knife I have ever carried. At the time of this writing, it was available for $169 from www.silverstag.com. The major drawback of the knife is that it is such a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that I am almost afraid to use it. It seems to deserve a place of honor in a display …


Pietta M1858 .44 Remington Replica, by Thomas Christianson

Last summer, I tested a Pietta Blackpowder M1858 .44 Remington replica that I acquired from the Elk Creek Company. It was fun to shoot, interesting from a historical perspective, and is not classed as a “firearm” under Federal law. If there were a long-term technological setback, it would be easier to manufacture ammo for this replica than it would be for my more modern firearms. Although shooting cap and ball revolvers is fun, loading them is a somewhat time-consuming process. It is easy to understand why most people select cartridge handguns over cap and ball revolvers if they have the …


Thyrm Pyrovault Lighter Armor, by Thomas Christianson

Thyrm Pyrovault Lighter Armor encloses a Zippo lighter insert in a sturdy waterproof polymer case. In addition to making the insert waterproof, the case slows fuel evaporation from classic liquid-fuel inserts, so that the time between fillings can be measured in weeks rather than in days. The case can be opened and the insert operated with one hand. It greatly enhances the usefulness of the Zippo lighter insert. At the time of this writing, the Pyrovault Lighter Armor was available from Thyrm for $29.99. The Backstory On October 10, 2021, SurvivalBlog published my article about using a sleeve cut from …


Cold Steel Range Boss, by Thomas Christianson

The Cold Steel Range Boss is a light, sharp, thin, and tough knife for everyday carry (EDC). With a manufacturer-suggested retail price at the date of this writing of $51.99 and available online for as low as $37.05, it represents a great value for the cost-conscious knife buyer. It is also a good, solid knife for the buyer for whom money is no object. Background I recently asked Cold Steel if I could review their four-inch Range Boss knife in black. They were kind enough to agree, and a few days later a package arrived via FedEx from GSM, LLC., …


RedHead Ultimate Work Pants, by Tom Christianson

RedHead Ultimate Work Pants have an appropriate name: they are a good pair of pants to wear while working. They are comfortable, durable, stain resistant, and well-cut. The pants, which are manufactured in Bangladesh, are made of a lightweight cotton canvas. They retailed for $39.99 at Bass Pro Shops at the time of this writing. The Backstory I recently decided that two of my pairs of work jeans had reached the end of their useful life. The holes had gotten large enough that I had a hard time getting my feet through the legs of the pants rather than through …


Taurus GX4XL 9mm Pistol, by Tom Christianson

I was recently able to test the new Taurus GX4XL EDC variant pistol in 9mm. I was impressed by the way Taurus was able to squeeze a 13-round magazine and a 3.6 inch barrel into a micro-compact profile. The grip texturing was highly effective, and the gas nitride finish on the slide and the diamond-like-coating (DLC) on the stainless steel barrel enhance reliability and wear resistance. Practical accuracy was adequate for a micro-compact profile handgun. With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $429 for the basic model and widely available online for under $350 at the time of this writing, the …


Nikwax Wax Cotton Proof, by Thomas Christianson

Norwegians have a saying about weather and clothing: “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær” (There is no bad weather, just bad clothing). Appropriate clothing allows the wearer to function comfortably and effectively outdoors under a wide range of weather conditions. This makes selecting weather-appropriate clothing an important consideration for those who work and spend leisure time outdoors. I recently tested Nikwax Wax Cotton Proof. I found that it can significantly enhance the water resistance of certain garments while still allowing them to breathe. This makes those garments much more effective in wet and rainy conditions. A 10-ounce bottle …


Bear OPS Rancor II Pattern 400, by Thomas Christianson

I carry a knife every day. There are always boxes to open, ropes to cut, carpenter’s pencils to sharpen, and a host of similar tasks. Recently, I had the opportunity to test the Bear OPS Rancor II Pattern 400 as an everyday carry (EDC) knife. I found it sharp, light, easy to open, with a comfortable and nicely textured grip, and a secure locking mechanism. It is made in America by Bear & Son Cutlery of Jacksonville, Alabama. With a manufacturer suggested retail price of $104.99 and availability from various online vendors for around $70, it is an attractive and …


Crosman P1377 Air Pistol, by Thomas Christianson

In April of 2022, due to continued high ammo prices, I decided to try out the Crosman P1377 Air Pistol as a training tool. It has a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $72.30. The one I purchased online cost just $49.99, with free shipping. Pleasant Memories I have fond memories of the Crosman 760 air rifle that introduced me to shooting. I shot more BBs and pellets through that rifle than I can count. I enjoyed target shooting in the basement of my parent’s home with just two pumps, or hunting birds, squirrels, and even possum in the woods and fields …


Mass Casualty Trauma Kit, by Thomas Christianson

Recently, the Safety and Security Team of my church had the opportunity to evaluate the Mass Casualty Trauma Kit assembled by Mountain Man Medical, of Colorado. Overall, the Team found the kit to be a quality item. The kit was smaller than the team initially expected based upon the “mass casualty” label. Further research revealed that the kit is designed to be used in tandem with a number of other kits, based upon the peak occupancy of the facility being supplied. With excellent components and a price of $219.99 the Mass Casualty Trauma Kit offers good value for the money. …


Silver Fox Army Socks, by Thomas Christianson

I recently bought six pair of Silver Fox brand U.S. Army Men’s Cushion Sole Socks. In terms of comfort and durability, they leave a lot to be desired. In fact, I am so badly disappointed by the performance of the Silver Fox socks that I do not recommend them for field use. If you are desperate, Silver Fox socks are better than no socks at all. But if you have any way of getting Darn Tough Wool Socks, Smart Wool Socks, or another quality brand, then they would probably be a better investment. The Backstory For everyday tasks during the …