Category: Review

Victorinox Swiss Army Trailfinder, by Thomas Christianson

Victorinox is the most prolific producer of pocket knives in the world. Although most of their knives are made for the international civilian market, it is the knives that they make for the Swiss Army that supply the inspiration and cachet that drives the sale of the company’s nonmilitary models. Since 1890, Victorinox has manufactured five different knife models for issue in the Swiss Army: the 1890, 1908, 1951, 1961, and 2008 models. Prior to 2008, the models that Victorinox produced for issue to the Swiss Army lacked the three essential features of a modern everyday carry (EDC) knife. Those …


Mossberg 590RM Pump Shotgun, by Thomas Christianson

Mossberg continues to innovate tactical shotgun design with their new 590RM Pump Shotgun. The “R” in the name refers to the ambidextrous rotary safety that gives the shotgun more AR-like ergonomics and handling features. The “M” refers to the 10-round detachable magazine that allows faster reloads. Other key features include a Magpul pistol grip with a storage compartment in the grip, a buttstock adjustable for LOP, a recoil pad, and a heat shield over the barrel. The model that I tested also features a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, adjustable Magpul MBUS3 two-piece pop-up sights, and a front M-Lok adapter …


FNIRSI GC-03 Radiation Detector: An Evaluation, by Mike in Alaska

Introduction This article is not a full review. It is just a cursory evaluation. Several weeks ago, I ordered a Multifunction Nuclear Radiation Detector from a eBay seller who imports these units from China. FNIRSI also sells several other electronic test equipment units, one of which I bought was the multi-function oscilloscope hoping that I could use it on the bench as well as for portable operations. Alas, I didn’t like the unit because the probe connections for the oscilloscope don’t fit well into the connector (BNC type) on the top of the case and because of that issue I …


Camel City Mill Ironside Merino Wool Work Socks, by Thomas Christianson

I recommend Merino wool socks rather than cotton or synthetic socks for field use. Merino wool provides better moisture control, better insulation when wet, and better odor-resistance than cotton or synthetics. I recently had the opportunity to test four pair of Camel City Mill Ironside Merino Wool Work Socks. They proved to be excellent. The socks were comfortable, durable, warm, they breathed-well, and were order-resistant. Camel City Mill is one of a half dozen or so American companies that sell outstanding Merino wool socks that are made in the U.S.A. When so much manufacturing has been moved overseas, it is …


Zastava ZPAP M70 Underfolder, by Thomas Christianson

AK platform firearms have a well-deserved reputation for rugged reliability. This is due (among other factors) to their simple design, sturdy construction, generally loose tolerances, and over-gassing. As a result, AK platform rifles have been a long-time favorite of mine for potential use in situations in which normal care and maintenance may be difficult. The Zastava ZPAP M70 Underfolder is a credit to its AK family lineage. It is compact (just 26.25 inches long when folded), reasonably accurate for an AK (those loose tolerances don’t make for an ideal sniper rifle), with above-average fit and finish for an AK, and …


Jase Medical Antibiotic Kit, by Thomas Christianson

Editor’s Introductory Note:  In January 2025, about a month after Tom sent in this article, Jase became a SurvivalBlog advertiser.  We do our best to keep advertising and editorial as separate spheres. – JWR Author’s Note: I am not a medical professional. The information included in this article is not intended as medical advice. It is just an account of my own personal experiences. Please seek competent medical advice as you formulate your own emergency medical plans. A number of years ago, the area where I was living was swept by a Category 5 blizzard. All of the roads in …


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 …


The Baofeng DM32-UV DMR Radio: A Review, by Mike in Alaska

This review is from my own personal experience with this radio. I bought and paid for this radio from a website that I subscribe to and in no way do I represent that individual(s) or the Baofeng company. Baofeng has been building and selling inexpensive radios for quite a while now. I have, in the past, bought at least 20+ of the Baofeng UV-5 radios and some of the variants of that basic radio. All of them have been proven to be reliable for their limited use. They were very inexpensive, and to some extent, they still are. For a …


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.