Category: Review

Makers and Riders Pants, by Thomas Christianson

Two friends and I each recently had the opportunity to test several pair of Makers and Riders Pants. We each tested their “Traveler” softshell jeans and their 3 season “Dispatch Rider” jeans. We found the Traveler jeans to be extremely comfortable for everyday wear during cool weather. They cost $109 at the time of this writing at www.makersandriders.com . The Dispatch Rider jeans were outstanding for everyday and field wear during cold weather. They are water resistant and fleece lined. They cost $118 at the time of this writing. The owner of Makers and Riders got caught up in supply …


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 …


Charter Arms Double Dog in .357Mag/9mm, by Thomas Christianson

The Charter Arms Double Dog is a sturdy, weather-resistant, and reliable revolver that can alternately utilize two different cylinders: one chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, and the other chambered in 9mm. This gives the user a great deal of versatility in ammo selection. That could be a real advantage during an ammo shortage. The most remarkable feature of the Double Dog is the extraction system on the 9mm cylinder. Rounds can be loaded directly into each chamber in the cylinder without the use of moon clips. Then when it is time to unload the revolver, the cylinder can be swung …


Vala Alta Irish Linen Handkerchiefs, by Thomas Christianson

Other than using cotton balls for starting fires, it is generally best to avoid cotton for field use. Cotton fabric tends to attract and retain moisture, at which point it becomes uncomfortable and loses its insulating value. As a result, “cotton kills” has become a common saying regarding wearing cotton in the field. Although there are not too many situations in which one’s life might depend on the insulating value of their handkerchief, there are many times when one’s comfort is dependent upon that article being dry. Linen handkerchiefs provide a stronger and faster drying alternative to cotton handkerchiefs. As …


DA Targets, by Thomas Christianson

Recently I read about an attempt by a couple of politicians to try to convince gun owners in their district that they were “gun guys”. They invited the media to a range event in which they were shooting handguns and AR-15s. But there was a problem. They were shooting steel targets with those AR-15s from only about 10 to 15 yards away. Predictably, shrapnel became an issue. One of the reporters at the event was wounded. The politicians were lucky to get away with just one relatively minor injury. In addition to shooting steel targets with rifles from inappropriately close …


Motor City Axe Splitting Maul, by Thomas Christianson

The Motor City Axe Splitting Maul is a highly effective tool for firewood processing. It is also a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. It has a forged, tool-steel, hand-sharpened, tapered bit that is coated with boiled lindseed oil over the forged finish. It also has a beautifully-finished, 36-inch, curved, American-hickory handle. The handle has a Motor City Axe logo branded into the wood near the bit, engraved pine trees near the middle, and a hand-dipped “Up-North-Pattern” paint job in red, blue and green with a yellow stripe on the end. In my testing, I found the maul to be among the …


Lightning Strike Fire Starter, by Thomas Christianson

The ability to start fires is foundational to survival. Fire provides warmth, light, hot food, the ability to signal, and a host of other practical and psychological benefits in the field. As a result, I recommend that an individual carry at least three fire-starting tools in their bugout bag, survival kit, or on their person while out in the field. These fire-starting tools may consist of things like matches in a waterproof case, a lighter (butane, liquid fuel, or plasma), a permanent metal match, a magnifying glass, or a ferrocerium rod. Because of its durability, stability under storage, and reliability …


Granberg G-1012XT 12-Volt Chain Grinder, by Thomas Christianson

The ability to effectively sharpen a chain is one of the most basic foundations for productive chainsaw use. Cutting with a well-sharpened chain is a joy. Trying to cut with a dull chain is a frustrating and soul-rending ordeal. In Greek mythology, a man named Sisyphus was punished in the afterlife for his wickedness. He was eternally compelled to roll a large bolder up a steep hill. Every time he neared the top of the hill, the bolder would slip away and roll back down to the bottom of the hill. His punishment was the frustration of being forever engaged …


OffGrid Faraday Bags, by Thomas Christianson

Faraday bags offer both privacy and protection. They protect sensitive electronic equipment from damage that might arise from EMP or Carrington-like events. They also provide privacy for equipment that can be traced or surveilled electronically. The bags block electromagnetic signals, rendering the equipment untraceable and unreadable as long as it remains encased in the bags. OffGrid Faraday Bags is a cybersecurity company that makes Faraday bags for a wide range of electronic equipment including mobile phones, tablets, notebook computers, key fobs, passports with RFID chips, and similar items. Their bags are designed for the military, law enforcement, intelligence, and personal …


Otis FG-750 Tactical Cleaning System, by Thomas Christianson

The Otis FG-750 Tactical Cleaning System is lightweight, compact and versatile. It is suitable for cleaning something with a barrel as small as a .177 caliber pellet gun, a barrel as large as a 12 gauge shotgun, and pretty much anything in between. A clever system of proprietary patches greatly contributes to the system’s versatility and ease of use. But the slotted tips of the system could easily be pressed into service if necessary with standard gun cleaning patches or even with homemade patches made of cut-up rags. A small zippered nylon pouch carries the entire system, keeping it neat, …


Right Rope 3/8 Inch Polyester Double Braid Rope, by Thomas Christianson

One of my heroes is the late American humorist and outdoorsman Patrick F. McManus. Among Mr. McManus’ vast treasury of reflections about the human condition is a comment about rope. He wrote, “Give a man enough rope and it still will come out 6 inches too short. That is the nature of rope, if not the nature of man.” (“At Loose Ends”, in The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw.) I am happy to report that in one instance at least, the great Mr. McManus is not entirely correct. I recently tested a 3/8 inch polyester double braid rope from Right …


Innovyx Scales for Swiss Army Knives, by Thomas Christianson

By adding a pocket clip to my venerable Victorinox Mechanic Swiss Army Knife, Innovyx Carbon Hex 91mm Plus scales greatly improve the utility of that knife. The improved scales also provide a more secure grip surface than traditional Swiss Army Knife scales. Innovyx offers other Swiss Army Knive scales in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and materials as well at a variety of different price points. They are made in the USA. The carbon hex 91mm plus scales with a pocket clip cost $34.98 at the time of this writing at Goinnovyx.com. I am very happy with mine, and …


AGI Survival Gunsmithing Course, by Thomas Christianson

American Gunsmithing Institute’s (AGI’s) Survival Gunsmithing course consists of more than 10 hours of instruction on three DVDs. The course covers a total of 36 topics that are useful in a survival context such as “Repairing a Crown in the Field”, “Repairing a Broken Stock”, “Caching Firearms and Supplies”, and “Using a Lee Loader”. The instruction is engaging, relevant, well-illustrated, and reflects a wealth of real-life experience. It begins at a basic level, and provides helpful, practical advice. This course costs $397. If you would like a thorough introduction to the gunsmithing skills that might enhance your ability to survive …


Anevay Frontier Stove, by Thomas Christianson

Originally designed for use in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, the Anevay Frontier Stove provides a simple, rugged, and reliable wood-fueled cooking and heating solution that is safer and more energy efficient than an open fire (Anevay indicates that the Frontier Stove is 8 to 10 times more efficient than an open fire). The stove is easy to assemble, easy to ignite, and easy to operate. Suitable for use in tents, huts, yurts, and the open air, the stove can be quickly and easily disassembled into a compact package suitable for transport by vehicle or pack animal. The stove …


Maven S.2 12-27x56mm Spotting Scope, by Thomas Christianson

With a bright, crisp, and crystal-clear field-of-view; lightweight; highly intuitive zoom and focus rings; an unbeatable warranty; and easily packable contours; the Maven S.2 12-27X56mm Spotting Scope is an outstanding optic for field, range, or home use. It has an Abbe-Koenig prism, fluorite glass, and it is waterproof and fog-proof. It is made from Japanese components that are assembled in San Diego, California,. The scopes then undergo quality control in Lander, Wyoming. The S.2 was priced at $1,050 at the time of this writing. (Full Disclosure: Maven is an affiliate advertiser of SurvivalBlog.com. SurvivalBlog earns a modest commission on the …