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When I started writing for SurvivalBlog, I told readers that I wouldn’t review junk. I don’t want to waste my time, or yours, reviewing junk. When you buy junk, you have to buy it again and again. When you buy quality, you are buying the best. Jim Rawles asked me to write about some junk – to help readers avoid it.   I’m like everyone else, I like a good deal, especially on guns and knives. I also like a good deal on military and survival gear, and like everyone else, I occasionally fall for something that is too good to be true. I’m not gonna reveal the names of some of the mail-order companies out there, that are ripping folks off, but you’ve probably heard of them or dealt with them in the past. One company is located in Minnesota and the other in California.   My most recent purchase, was from the surplus outfit in California. I used to do a lot of business with them, but rarely do these days. I received an e-mail flyer, with an Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) parka, with a fleece lining. They were advertising that this set-up usually sold for $170 – and was on sale for $79.95. The photos of the product looked good – so I placed an order. A week later, UPS showed up with the package. Right off the bat, I knew something was wrong – the box the parka and fleece liner were in was light, extremely light. I opened the package and pulled out my prize. While the parka looked good – closer examination proved it was junk – the stitching was crooked, and the adjustable cuffs on the sleeves were a poor set-up. The fleece liner – it was super light-weight. I don’t think this set-up could have kept me warm on a breezy fall day. Advertised as being water-proof – well, it probably was – but the material itself was waterproof. Quality waterproof clothing usually consists of a waterproof barrier sandwiched between the material like Gore-Tex, and allows your body to breath – the perspiration can escape. This ECWCS parka and fleece liner were packaged-upped and returned to the the company. If they were getting $170 for this at their original price – there truly are “one born every minutes ” (suckers) that is. I’m still awaiting a refund…  

I’m old (military) school, in that, when I took Basic Combat Training, and my Infantry School way back in 1969, we were issued the old web gear – that consisted of a Nylon pistol belt, H-suspenders, and our canteens, ammo pouches, compass pouch and butt pack were all attached to the pistol belt, and held up with the H-suspenders. Once properly adjusted and fitted, the set-up was pretty darn secure, and everything was where it was supposed to be. Today’s military is a different critter, in that, most of your gear is carried on some type of combat vest. I owned both types of set-ups, and to be honest, the old web gear wins in my book for military ops.  

There’s an outfit in Minnesota that sells all sorts of “military surplus” – and some of the foreign-made surplus is really pretty good – however, it’s not as good as US military surplus – not even close. Without reading closely, to the description of some of the US military surplus, led to some really bad purchases. First of all, if the description of the merchandise reads military “style” gear – as my friends in New Jersey would say “fuggedaboutit.” This junk is pure junk! It only appears to be like genuine US military surplus. The Nylon used in making ammo pouches, compass pouches, etc., is very thin. The ALICE keepers are extremely thin – and they rust easily, and more often than not, the ALICE keepers will open-up on you when you least expect it – and you could possibly lose your gear. If you compare it to genuine US military issued web gear you will readily see the difference between quality and imitation junk.  

This same outfit in Minnesota is selling “M14 US military surplus” magazines. However, the way the magazines are packaged, are not in accordance with US mil-spec standards. The magazines are really made in China. The magazines do function, however, they are made out of a steel that is thinner than genuine mil-spec M14 mags are made out of. The feed lips will easily bend if you happen to drop this look-a-like magazine on a hard surface. Basically, what this company is doing is flat out falsely advertising these M14 magazines as being genuine USA made mil-spec surplus – they are not.  

“Tactical Vests” are all the rage these days – even in the military. Most SWAT teams and even a lot of cops routinely wear some sort of “tactical vest.” These vests usually are made out of Nylon – and not all Nylon is of the same quality or strength. These vests have all sorts of pouches (usually attached) that hold magazines for M4 style magazines, pouches for spare pistol magazines, pouches for shotgun shells, etc. Well, once again, I fell for an ad for a tactical assault vest for $50. When it arrived, it appeared to be quality merchandise – that is, until I compared it to my Blackhawk! products vests – when compared side-by-side, there was no comparison. The Blackhawk! Products vests were easily 3 or 4 times as good. Yeah, the Blackhawk! Products vest cost about $150.00 each, but they will last me a lifetime. I’d hate for someone to try and drag me using the drag handle on the $50 vest – it would rip right off the vest. If I were a cop again, and working SWAT, I’d go for some type of tactical vest. If I were back in the military, I’d opt for the web gear set-up for my military missions. Those new in the military don’t know what they are missing with the good ol’ web gear set-up in my humble opinion – and it’s my opinion and I’m entitled to it.  

How many different types of multi-tools have you see out there? My guess is, there are literally hundreds of various types of multi-tools. However, there is only one originator, and that is the Leatherman multi-tool, made in Portland, Oregon. Tim Leatherman came up with the idea for the multi-tool after his Swiss Army Knife couldn’t get the job done. I can’t tell you how many no name brand, or well-known name brands of multi-tools I have tried over the years, but there have been at least half a dozen different types. All fell short of my expectations in one way or another. You can buy some good-looking multi-tools from Wally World or any of the big box stores for under $10 – and they look good. However, they will fail you, when you need ’em the most – like in survival or combat. To my way of thinking, there are two makers of multi-tools that rate highest on my list. The original multi-tool my Leatherman – and they makes quite a few styles. And, those made by SOG Knives – again, they make several different styles.  

I carry a Leatherman Blast multi-tool on my pants belt each and everyday. And, there’s hardly a day that I don’t use one of the tools on the Blast for some chore at hand. I’d be lost without my Blast. I chose the Blast because it’s not too big, and it’s not to small – it’s just right for all the things I need it for. My youngest daughter, who is a Combat Medic in the US Army has a Leatherman multi-tool that I gave her – she has a slightly larger tool than I have. She told me that most Combat Medics carry some kind of multi-too. Those who have a Leatherman or SOG don’t have any problems – those who have no-name multi-tools, always have problems – screw drivers break, knives aren’t sharp and the pliers don’t grip properly. Again, it pays to buy quality, especially if you think you are gonna get caught in some sort of survival or combat situation.   I can’t begin to even write about junk knives – there are just too many of ’em out there. However, if you buy from a well-known, name brand knife company, like Kershaw Knives, Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), Buck, Cold Steel, etc., you are buying quality. Don’t be afraid to do some research on the knife you intend to purchase. If its made of some kind of “magical” steel – avoid it – if the maker doesn’t want you to know what kind of steel is in the blade – there’s a good reason for it – it’s probably junk steel that won’t take an edge or hold an edge. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get a lot of knife – same goes for good multi-tools. Shop around and look to get the most for your hard-earned money, especially in these hard economic times.  

There’s one outfit I’d like to give a plug to, and that is Charley’s Surplus back in my old home town of Chicago, Illinois. I haven’t done a lot of business with them, however, I’ve been very pleased with their service and products. Now, that’s not to say that Charley doesn’t sell some imitation “surplus” – he does. However, if you order his free catalog, you will see where he has placed “government issue” next to products that are genuine US Government military issue products. He sells some look-a-like products – and you can tell they aren’t genuine because he doesn’t advertise them as being government issue. I like honesty. I don’t get anything free from Charley’s Surplus, but I’d sure like to direct them to SurvivalBlog readers – get the free catalog – and get genuine mil-spec merchandise.