Kel-Tec P3AT Pistol Review

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Wilson

Kel-Tec P3AT extended magOne of my favorite concealed carry guns for traveling light in low threat environments is the Kel-Tec P3AT.  At a ghostly 8.3 ounces unloaded, and measuring 5.2 x 3.5 x 0.77 inches, the P3AT evaporates into your clothing.  With the proper holster, it is my go-to for dress dinners, road cycling, and jogging.

While some won’t venture forth without a full-sized pistol, Florida’s climate makes that challenging when the temp and humidity restrict attire options.  I carry a sub-compact 9 or 40 much of the time, but there are situations when a fistful of .380 ACP rounds will work for me.  Better to be armed than not.

While an Uncle Mike’s ankle holster suffices for shirt and tie affairs, I don a Pistol Wear PT-2 concealment holster that hides Continue reading →

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Outland Kryptos K2 Pre-Order

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Wilson

imageMont Vernon, New Hampshire’s Outland Equipment, Inc. designs and makes “tools for survival in hostile environments” in the USA.  The Kryptos K2 knife is named after a cipher, or coded message, seen in a statue at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.  Kryptos is Greek for “hidden,” so I can see the intent of a concealed knife with what, to me, is a covert name.

Anyway, here is the description of the knife from Outland:

“Outland’s Kryptos knife was developed in cooperation with America’s Special Operations Forces for optimum concealed carry, swift and natural draw, and reliable retention. The handle shape, sheath profile and strap system have been designed for discreet horizontal carry on 1.5” tactical belts. The sheath is ambidextrous for right or left-handed draw and can be positioned anywhere around the belt. The pinky hook locates your hand and gives a secure location for a quick draw, while the heel on the handle gives a solid base for assisted thrusting. The G10 handles are secure even when wet, and the handles have jimping for additional bite.

Continue reading →

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Smith & Bradley Springfield Classic Field Watch on Kickstarter

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Wilson

Ryan Bradley and Jerommie Smith are at it again.  The founders of Smith & Bradley Watches have a Kickstarter project underway right now with a goal to fund the Springfield Classic Field Watch.  This watch is their take on a storied design that dates back to World War I.  Says Ryan:

“Both of our fathers and grandfathers had classic American watches. Growing up we admired these pieces in hopes that one day they would be ours. That hope became a reality and served as the fundamental groundwork for our company Smith and Bradley.

“Since the end of 2012 we have been designing and building watches at our Sydney Illinois workshop in the hopes of outfitting a new generation of watch lovers with traditional quality time pieces that blend form and function. Along the way we noticed a somewhat disturbing trend. A handful of watch companies, most with a very good product and excessive marketing budgets, began selling the classic American field watch, for high prices often in excess of $1,000. Without a doubt the field watch of generations past, while not sacrificing quality, were far less expensive and therefore more attainable.

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Ruger Knives Made by CRKT

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Wilson

Ruger 2-StageSturm, Ruger & Co. have announced a new line of branded knives designed and made for them by Columbia River Knife and Tool.  There are eight models in the series.  In-house CRKT designers Ken Steigerwalt, RMJ Tactical, Matthew Lerch, Bill Harsey, and Robert Carter contributed to the new Ruger knives.

There are fixed blade and folding knives in the offerings.  MSRP’s fall below $100.00 for all of the knives.  Given gun-related names like Crack-Shot and Follow-Through, the latest blades are made to compliment Ruger’s firearms and accessories.

Not just in name, but several of the models have build features that are visually taken from the gun hobby.  A lanyard bead on the Cordite fixed blade is cleverly fashioned after a revolver cylinder.  This same wheelgun detail shows up Continue reading →

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Devon Works Star Wars Watch

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Wilson

imageDevon Works, a design studio on Coruscant (okay, L.A.), has come out with a timepiece worthy of a Grand Moff.  Their Star Wars watch is an impressive piece of technology that will be available to the select few who possess enough Imperial credits to buy one.

Devon Works’ watch uses clever analog belts to display the time.  The nylon time belts, used in the hyperspace industry, are driven by four electric motors and regulated by an on-board CPU.  This machine has 350 individual components, largely bound together by the Force. Continue reading →

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Seiko 5 Sports SNZF17 Sea Urchin Review

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Wilson

Seiko SNZF17 wrist largeThe Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner has a mystique all its own.  Since 1953, regardless of its reference number, the Submariner has commanded the attention of both professionals and poseurs.  I cannot afford one.  Fortunately, there are many solid homages to this classic divers’ watch.  I started hunting for an affordable replication, which I found in the Seiko 5 Sports SNZF17, or, informally, the Sea Urchin.

There were a few requisites to my search.  The budget would be less than $200.00.  While I would not actually be diving with the watch, I wanted it to be a decent quality timepiece with some water resistance.  Since I am drawn to the look of the Rolex, the new watch had to have a black dial, coin-edged bezel with the proper silver digits on a black background, and a rugged bracelet.

In trolling Internet sellers, I saw the Seiko Sea Urchin and immediately Continue reading →

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Colonial’s Automatic Knives State Checklist

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Wilson

ColonialBlackieCollins2Colonial Knife Corp. has distributed a list of states where it is legal to possess switchblade and automatic knives (sometimes with restrictions).  Colonial has thrown some of their model numbers into the list–well, they did provide it!  The photo above is the Blackie Collins-designed model 103.

Knife Rights Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 that lobbies in statehouses for your legal rights to possess and carry knives.  They are mentioned by Colonial in the guide, and I suspect that is from where the information came.

My caution here is that it is incumbent upon you to research your own state’s laws to determine the legality of any weapon you might carry.  Colonial’s guide, and my reprinting of it here, does not constitute legal advice.  Enjoy.

by Wilson

 

Colonial Knives Guide to States Legal for Automatic knives:

As of September 1, 2015:  Alphabetical Listings of States where civilian possession of Switchblade/Automatic knives is legal with any limitations noted.

States where Knife Rights has enacted Knife Law Preemption are in Bold with Date.

States where Knife Rights has enacted Repeal of Switchblade Bans are Italics with Date or (Enactment Date).

*=Concealed Carry also legal

Alabama*

Alaska* 2013

Arizona*2010 (First in Nation)

Arkansas*

California* (under 2 inches) perfect for the 102, 103, & 210

Connecticut* (with valid hunting or fishing license OR 1.5 inches and under)

Delaware* (possession requires CCW) weapons permit

Florida* (Concealed with CCW)

Continue reading →

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Tesla Watch from ThinkGeek

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Wilson

Tesla Watch vacuum tubesThinkGeek.com has imagined a perfect send up to the Steampunk movement with its Tesla Watch, inspired by turn-of-the-century Serbian American inventor/engineer/physicist Nikola Tesla (not the car company named for him).  This watch’s analog engine appearance is mesmerizing.

The Tesla’s main watch face, nestled in the distressed brass-looking case, is white with tasteful black numerals and indices.  Stylized hands mark the time.  A separate secondhand dial is placed at ten o’clock to the main dial.  The winding key, which rides in a slot of the leather band, adjusts the hour and minute hands.

Not including the two faux vacuum tubes or secondary dial, the Tesla Watch is large at about 41 mm in case diameter.  Overall height of this beast is 68.58 mm!  The width of the large leather band is 30.48 mm.  If you are willing to wear one, be Continue reading →

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DPx Gear’s Aculus Has a Sting

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Wilson

aculus_sandblasted_2_1DPx Gear has released a new folder whose handle is milled from a solid block of 6Al4V titanium.  Their new Aculus model is a handsome piece of machinery.  Aculus is derived from “aculeus,” the tip of a scorpion’s stinger.  The 3D texturing of the handle and the clip point blade are certainly reminiscent of that armored, stinging arthropod.

The Aculus is a collaboration between DPx Founder Robert Young Pelton and LionSTEEL owner Gianni Pauletta.   They conceived it as a gentleman’s folder with concealed carry potential.  The handle shape can be used for non-lethal pain compliance.  A deep carry clip and tungsten carbide glass breaker complete the Continue reading →

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BLADE Show Patrons Scared by Zombie Tools

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Wilson

Zombie Tools bowieZombie Tools had by far the most interesting display booth at BLADE Show 2015.  Their wares were as distinctive as they were lethal.  Heck, they even had a little lounge for resting between sprints from the angry undead!  These guys from Missoula, Montana were just a bit off center–in a good way.

Zombie Tools’ knives are Made in the USA with home-sourced materials, down to the grommets on the kydex sheaths.  Carbon steels such as 5160, 5150, and 6150 are used as the basis for the pieces.  The finished blades are given a proprietary acid-washed finish that looks impressive.

Actually the sheer size of some of the knives/swords/choppers/axes was impressive.  Continue reading →

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