Note from JWR:

Today we present the first column from SurvivalBlog’s new Field Gear Editor, Pat Cascio. Many of you will recognize his name from the various gun and knife magazines where he has written for more than 18 years. He has written for monthly issues of American Survival Guide, Handguns, Gun World, American Handgunner, as well as for annuals produced by Guns, American Handgunner, and Guns & Ammo.

Pat has also tested thousands of knives, both for knife magazines (like Knives Illustrated) and for his own use. He has also designed several knives that are currently being produced. He spent more than 35 years actively in the martial arts, and holds Black Belt rank in five different martial arts, with a 6th Degree Black Belt in one art. He also spent three years working for the late, and legendary Colonel Rex Applegate, who taught him a lot about knife fighting and knife design.

Pat summarizes his product reviewing philosophy: “I don’t pull any punches in my Test and Evaluation, and if a gun or knife isn’t up to my expectations – you simply won’t be reading about it. I don’t waste my time writing about junk guns or knives or any tools, for that matter.   I plan to write gun and knife articles for SurvivalBlog on a fairly regular basis. If you have any questions, please e-mail me, and I’ll do my best to answer them for you, if I have an answer. Please don’t send questions about what is the best gun, or best caliber to use for self-defense, since there is no “best”. It all comes down to shot placement. People have been stopped dead in their tracks with a lowly .22 LR, and others have stood after taking several hits for a .44 Magnum. So, there is no magic bullet or perfect gun. Any gun or caliber is a compromise.”