Pat’s Product Review – Infidel Pepper Gel

The nice folks at Infidel Body Armor are always coming out with new products— products that can save your life, too. I happen to have a little bit of insight of the behind-the-scenes, and I know where their roots came from. They have continued to grow and grow. Back when I was in 5th or 6th grade, I remember the very first pepper spray that came out. I had an uncle who was with the Chicago Police Department, and he was selling pepper spray on the side. I also remember getting in on the business, even at that young age. …




Pat’s Product Review – Zero Tolerance Knives, Hinderer 0560BW Folder

Zero Tolerance knives Model 0560BW is the latest in the line up, at their plant in Wilsonville, OR from the mind of custom knife maker Rick Hinderer. I’ve reviewed several other Hinderer designed folders, all along the same line as this current folder under review for SurvivalBlog readers. Rick Hinderer is probably best known for the “Hinderer Lockbar Stabilizer” that is incorporated into the Titanium frame-lock style on his folding knives, which others are starting to copy (with or without license from Hinderer). What we have with the lockbar stabilizer is a simple two-piece special bolt/screw (for lack of a …




Pat’s Product Review – DIVVY 250 Water Purification System

The DIVVY 250 emergency water filtration station, designed in conjunction with Clearly Filtered and www.aquamira.com and manufactured in Logan, Utah, is one of the best water purification/filtration systems to come along for large group use in a long, long time. As SurvivalBlog readers know, from my previous articles on safe drinking water, my family and I are obsessed with having different methods available to provide us with affordable and safe drinking water, on a daily basis or in an emergency. You can have all the guns, ammo, and food stored away for a SHTF scenario that you can afford. However, …




Pat’s Product Review – Blackhawk’s MOD SFK Folding Knife

The Blackhawk Products MOD SFK folding knife has a very “tactical” look to it. It appears, at first glance, to be a double-edge folding knife, but the top edge isn’t sharpened. Made in Italy from N690Co stainless steel, it’s quite the folder for backup to your main self-defense weapon. I understand that this is a very popular folder with law enforcement and military personnel. I’ve reviewed several knives over the years that were manufactured out of N690Co stainless steel, and I don’t know exactly the chemical formula for this steel, but it holds an edge a long, long time and …




Letter: Sarasota Jacks Thermal Cooker

This is a review of the most amazing product I have purchased. It is called the Saratoga Jacks Thermal Cooker. It is truly amazing. I wanted another form of cooking with very little energy usage. I have in my provisions a solar oven that is fantastic in the summer. I also have butane cook stoves and I have ways to cook by fire and a wonder oven, but I needed a winter time way to cook. I found this product by chance. It comes in three sizes with many different cook pots and accessories.The one I chose was the medium. …




Pat’s Product Review – Solar Flare Solar Cooker

I must say that, in all my years of testing products, the Solar Flare Parabolic Solar Cooker has been one of my most challenging products to test. Made in the U.S., in Bountiful, Utah, this cooker proved a handful. No, not the product itself, rather the weather in my part of Oregon. For the better part of almost a month, we had very heavy, low-hanging fog. It’s been totally frustrating, to say the least! Anyone who is a prepper, survivalist, camper, or hunter, should understand the “Rule Of Three”, and that is you should always have three ways of accomplishing …




Pat’s Product Review – Buck Knives 110 Folder 50th Anniversary Edition

Buck Knives, www.buckknives.com , has been around for about 100 years, depending on who you talk to. Their most popular folding knife is still their Model 110 lock-back folding knife that is made in their plant in Post Falls, Idaho. Many people say that imitation is the sincerest form or flattery. If that’s the case, then the Buck Model 110 lock-back folding knife is probably one of the most copied folding knives in the world, if not “the” most copied folding lock-back knife. The Model 110 is now celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014, and every model will have “50” …




Letter Re: Magnum Research

Pat Cascio product review on the Magnum Research 1911C generated an interesting conversation with a SurvivalBlog reader: There are a plethora of 1911s on the market, many of them suitable for combat. If I am going to own a gun from Magnum Research, it would have to be a Desert Eagle. – B.P. o o o Ben, I have owned a Desert Eagle in .50AE. It wasn’t one of the plated weapons but just a plain parkerized version. I will have to admit that the “fun” factor was second to none on that handgun. However, the reality is that it …




Pat’s Product Review: CMMG Mk4LE AR-Style Rifle

Today, we’re taking a close look at the CMMG Mk4LE M4-style carbine rifle. It is made in the U.S.A. Over the past 30 years or longer, I’ve had the opportunity to test a lot of AR-15-style rifles; some were excellent, some good, and some were just so-so, not eliciting any real surprises. I know a lot of folks love the Colt line of ARs, and I don’t have a problem with that at all, but I work hard for my money, and I look to get the most for my money. I’ve only owned a few Colt ARs over the …




Pat’s Product Review – Cold Steel’s Espada

I like big knives, especially for camping and survival purposes. They can handle most chores with ease, whereas, smaller knives usually require more work. The Cold Steel Espada line-up for folding knives are awesome, to say the least. While they are made in Taiwan, you get as good as you want from that country. We live in a global economy, and we’d all better get used to products from other countries. We’re taking a close look at the G10 Espada, large size folder. They also have a medium and an extra-large, as well as the polished G10 series. However, I’m …




Mike Williamson’s Product Review: MTM Case Gard Pistol Case

This is a pretty basic review. Containers are a necessary accessory for firearms, and hard cases are required for flying. MTM’s cases are reasonably priced, sturdy, have two locking points for airline travel, and come in several sizes. My daughter received the model 805-40, which fits most standard frame autos and 4″ revolvers. New, and just coming available now, this one is in shocking pink. It doesn’t make it a better case, but it does make it stand out. We tried several drop tests, and it worked fine with several guns. There was no damage to the case being dropped …




Pat’s Product Review: Maxxeon Hunter’s Floodlight

Some months ago, I tested and reviewed the portable WorkStar 2000 floodlight from Maxxeon for SurvivalBlog readers, and it was a huge hit. I heard from a number of readers about how pleased they were with the product. Today, we’re looking at the new and improved Hunter’s http://www.maxxeon.com/led_hunters_worklight_workstar_2030.html floodlight from Maxxeon. Some SurvivalBlog readers have requested that I list the country of origin– where the products are manufactured– in all of my articles. Maxxeon products are made in China. Like it or not, we now live in a global economy, and in order for many companies to compete or even …




Pat’s Product Review – Benchamde’s Rift, Automatic Folder

Today, we’re looking at the Rift, automatic folder from Benchmade knives. The Rift is proudly made in the United States of America and is from the black box line– a working line of knives for professionals. I remember when I first started writing about knives. I was a freelance field editor for Knives Illustrated magazine. I contacted Les d’Asis at Benchmade and requested a sample to do an article on. This was more than 22 years ago, and Benchmade has continued to keep me supplied with samples for articles. Benchmade knives are always in demand. A good number of our …




Pat’s Product Review: Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911C

I’m asked, all the time by readers, and students who take some of my handgun training, what is my “favorite gun.” Well, I think most of the time, they mean “handgun” and not just “gun.” Well, I honestly can’t give a pat answer to that question…usually, whatever I have strapped on my hip is my “favorite” gun – at the moment. And, what’s right for me, may not be right for you. I can’t pick a gun for you, it’s a pretty subjective issue as far as I’m concerned. Folks also ask me what kind of handgun they should get …




Pat’s Product Review: 750 & 550 Parachute Cord From 5 Col Survival Supply

I get contacted by SurvivalBlog readers daily, and I take the time to answer each e-mail, and I have to keep my replies short, because my time is limited. I’m often asked, “what should I carry in my BOB?” and I can’t really give a definitive answer to that. It depends on where you live, you age, your own personal requirements, when do you plan to bug out to, and other factors. Many readers send me a list of all the things they have packed in their BOB, and most are pretty well equipped for many different emergencies. One item …