Category: Review

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 …


Tyrant Designs TDC 001 Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

The Tyrant Designs TDC 001 Folding Knife is a rugged everyday carry (EDC) knife with outstanding fit and finish. The durability of the materials and the quality of the craftsmanship make it superior to the average EDC knife. The 3-inch, saber-ground, tanto blade is made of D2 steel and is 0.33 inches thick. The black nitride finish on the blade is unusually resilient. The blade opens easily by rotating around a ball-bearing pivot. The dual thumb studs are more robust than those on any other knife I have used. The aluminum handle is a convenient shape, and the textured durameter …


Winchester Model 190, by Thomas Christianson

A very popular firearm of half a century ago, the Winchester Model 190 is a tube-fed, semiautomatic, .22 rimfire rifle that is no longer in production. It was manufactured from 1967 to 1980 in New Haven, Connecticut. Altogether 2,171,263 of the rifles were made, including the 290 version which had a Monte Carlo stock. I am not sure if this number includes the models that were sold by Sears as the Ted Williams Model 3T. The Model 190 has a 20-inch barrel, a cross-bolt safety at the front of the trigger guard, and a two-part beech stock. The barrel of …


MyTopo Waterproof Topographical Maps, by Thomas Christianson

Have you ever tried to read a map in the rain? Or a map that got wet when a canoe tipped over? Or a map that accidentally got dropped in creek that you were crossing? If you have, you know that water and maps are not on very friendly terms with each other. MyTopo Waterproof Topographical Maps offer outdoorsmen a more weather-resistant navigational aid than traditional paper maps. MyTopo maps are waterproof, frostproof, and stand up to repeated folding better than traditional paper maps. They are available in the newest post-2009 USGS quads, the classic pre-2009 USGS quads, game management …


Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed in 6.5 Creedmoor, by Thomas Christianson

Light. Accurate. Well-balanced. Excellent trigger. Versatile adjustable stock. Attractive appearance. Outstanding fit and finish. Butter-smooth bolt. Weather resistant. There are a lot of excellent features to commend the new Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed rifle. With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $1,469.99 at the time of this writing, the X-Bolt 2 Speed falls into the medium price range for full-power rifles. A wide range of premium features justify the elevation of the X-Bolt 2 out of the sub-$1,000-price-range. The rifle is manufactured for Browning in Japan by Miroku. If you would like to invest in a better-than-budget-class rifle, the X-Bolt 2 …


Sagan Life AquaBrick Spigot, by Thomas Christianson

Sometimes small things can have a big impact. A little salt and pepper can really enhance the flavor of a boiled egg. The tiny cruise control can make driving a large vehicle much more pleasant. And a relatively tiny rudder can guide the mightiest ship across the trackless deep. The Sagan Life AquaBrick Spigot is a small object that greatly enhances the ease of use of the Sagan Life AquaBrick Water Storage Container. Without the spigot, it can be somewhat awkward to pour water from the AquaBrick into a smaller container like a water bottle. With the spigot, the task …


Ontario RAT 2 Folding Knife, by Thomas Christianson

With a 3-inch, satin-finish, flat-ground, drop-point blade made out of AUS-8 stainless steel, an OD green nylon handle, and a cost of just $38.95 at Blade HQ at the time of this writing, the Ontario RAT 2 folding knife represents an excellent value for a solid, well-designed everyday carry (EDC) knife. This knife is one of my favorites in the under $50 price range. If you need a good EDC knife and don’t have a lot of the green stuff, this one is worth a second look. Background Back in 2021, I reviewed the Ontario RAT 1 model for SurvivalBlog. …