SHOT Show 2015

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Wilson

imageAfter a day at the range and a day on the SHOT Show floor, I am feeling a little sore.  Today, I walked nearly half the show, which totals seven miles in the Sands Convention Center.  Since I am on the economy plan, I only have tomorrow to finish up here in Vegas.

For all the trudging, I have been to as many of the knife manufacturers as I can and I have some good info coming.  I will give you a few teaser photos here.  My travel day Thursday will last almost 12 hours.  After that, I can begin writing and photo processing.

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Stay tuned in…

by Wilson

 

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SOG Knives Instinct G-10 and Instinct Mini

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Wilson

SOG Instinct with G-10 handlesI always seem to stop by SOG Knives’ SHOT Show Media Day (now Industry Day) at the Range booth in the open air of the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club.  SOG is the only knife manufacturer that shows up to this range gathering.  SOG brings an instructor who lets you throw knives and tomahawks a target, soooo I guess this would be a more logical venue for this than the Sands’ show floor.

In any event, SOG displays its new knives here before the actual show.  Two of them I liked this year were their Instinct fixed blades.  These are belt/neck knives made from 5Cr15MoV, hardened to 53-57 RHC.  Both the standard sized Instinct and the Instinct Mini are available with plain Continue reading →

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Leatherman Style PS Beats TSA

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Wilson

imageTSA vanquished!  My Leatherman Style PS sailed through the security scan without producing warning alarms or raised Threatcon levels while on my way to SHOT Show 2015 in Las Vegas.  In my previous article we discussed the Style’s TSA-compliant reputation.

Considering this multi-tool’s diminutive footprint, it is little wonder it attracted no undue attention.  I used the Style’s carabiner-type clip to hang it on from some paracord that held my car keys inside my backpack.

When the Style PS arrived, it was smaller than I had expected, but once I began plaing with it, I found it to be quite useful.  The entire tool is sturdy. The pliers, which are the main function, work well indeed.  They are spring loaded and have a solid feel.  The Style has a small set of scissors, a nail file that doubles as a screwdriver bit, and metal tweezers.

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If a modest multi-tool like this is something you may need when traveling by air, try the Leatherman Style PS.

by Wilson

 

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SHOT Show 2015 Starts Monday!

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Wilson

SHOT Show 2015I will be returning to SHOT Show to troll about, looking for new knives, watches, and other cool toys.  Since my freelance writing duties are spread across a few different venues, bear with me as I try to sift through a mountain of info and walk the seemingly endless miles of show floor in search of interesting stories.

Oh yeah, I bought a Leatherman Style PS.  We shall see if it survives the trip through TSA tomorrow.

by Wilson

 

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Benchmade AmericanSnipers.org Knife

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Wilson

Benchmade Sniper

Pre-SHOT Show 2015 press release:

(Oregon City, OR) Benchmade Knife Company, manufacturer of premium sports cutlery for the last 26 years, is pleased to announce its partnership with AmericanSnipers.org to assist in their support of American Law Enforcement and Military snipers.

AmericanSnipers.org is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of active and retired Law Enforcement and Military snipers who volunteer their time to raise equipment and monetary donations at firearms industry and military events/functions. All funds donated to AmericanSnipers.org go towards the procurement of requested supplies that will deploy with snipers to help them in their missions around the globe.

As part of this effort, Benchmade introduces the special edition 551BKSN-AS Griptilian that will feature a black 154CM steel blade, sand handle scales and custom AmericanSnipers.org laser markings. Portions of the sales from this special edition Griptilian will go directly to the AmericanSnipers.org to aid them in their initiatives.

“AmericanSnipers.org is very grateful to have Benchmade approach us and want to work with us on a project like this.” says an official from AmericanSnipers.org. “Many of us on the cadre have carried and relied on Benchmade knives on and off duty for years, and we know the quality and reputation of the products. We are very excited about the program and know the supporters will get a great product with our legacy logo.”

Visit Benchmade Knife Company and AmericanSnipers.org this year at the 2015 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT) January 20th through the 23rd at Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas. Benchmade Knife Company will be located at booth #10357 and AmericanSnipers.org will be located in the non-profit organizations hall at booth #L-338.

by Wilson

 

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Leatherman Style PS–Mostly TSA Compliant

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Wilson

Leatherman Style PS frontA friend of mine borrowed my GunVault NanoVault safe for continental U.S. airline travel over the weekend.  We sat for a few minutes as I gave him the ground school on flying with a firearm in his checked luggage.  Ever curious, the discussion prompted me to take a look into TSA compliant tools for carry-on.  The only one I found with a set of pliers was the Leatherman Style PS.

I like packing a few useful items in my backpack while traveling.  The loadout usually includes pens and notepads, 550 paracord, Mini-Maglite, spaceblanket, and a small glow stick.  Because of the TSA prohibition on knives and similar sharp items, I feel a bit unprepared when I land at a different locale. Continue reading →

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IWI TAVOR Tactical Folding Knife

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Wilson

IWI Tavor Folding KnifeIWI, Israeli Weapons Industries, Inc, is the firearms branch of the Israeli Military Industries.  IWI is responsible for such iconic guns as the UZI, GALIL, and now the TAVOR.  IWI has joined with Guardian Tactical, Inc. to produce a knife that goes along with their bullpup military and police rifle, the TAVOR.  The knife is called the IWI TAVOR Tactical Combat folding knife.

The TAVOR knife’s G-10 handle is similar in design to Guardian’s Helix line, but the blade definitely different.  This knife has a tanto-style grind, where the Helix is a mix of flat and hollow grinds.  If you’ll remember from my previous article on the Helix, Guardian Tactical uses CNC mill technology to not only shape the blade’s profile, but the grinds, too. Continue reading →

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Mil-Spec Monkey/KA-BAR Fixed Blade Knife

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Wilson

MSM KA-BAR Knife 001Mil-Spec Monkey, aka the Monkey, aka DJ Monkeyboy, is a guy, not a troop of primates.  He brachiates through the tactical jungle to bring us his own brand of military-inspired gear:  morale patches, clothing, backpacks, and now a blade.

How does a young man formally trained to design video games and art become, of all things, a DOD contractor?  Of course, he joins the U.S. Army Game Project team, who made “America’s Army” and virtual reality simulators for soldiers.

The Monkey has ideas that branch out.  He created a tanto-styled fixed blade knife and then went looking for a company to build it.  After much consideration, Monkey engaged KA-BAR Knives, Inc., makers of Continue reading →

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Victorinox I.N.O.X. Watch Debut

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Wilson

victorinox inoxFor its 130th anniversary, Victorinox took an innovative marketing step in August during which “the Original Swiss Army Knife company,” the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), and 250 Internet bloggers gathered to publicly unveil and test the new Victorinox I.N.O.X. watch.  And by test, I mean torture.

Victorinox’ new sport watch is designed to withstand extremes in heat, cold, pressure, chemicals, and shock.  The I.N.O.X., abbreviated for Impact Neutralizing Object for the X-tremes, was subjected to 130 different tests back at its home in Ibach, Switzerland.  It was even run over multiple times by a Swiss Army Leopard 87 main battle tank.  No, the tank was not damaged.

The I.N.O.X. has a 43mm stainless steel case and a Ronda 715 quartz movement.  Its water resistance dives to 200m.  From their testing, Victorinox states the watch will operate in temperatures of -60 to +160 degrees Fahrenheit.  Though a watch wearer would suffer G-LOC, the I.N.O.X. can withstand an acceleration of 12 G’s.  It has also been subjected to contact with gasoline, solvents, oils, acids, and cleaning products. Continue reading →

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Szanto 4100 Series Watch Review

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Wilson

Szanto 4102 darkSteampunk.  It evokes images of an alternate reality, where the use of 19th century technology dominates a timeline in which the retro is modern.  Picture in your mind’s eye wood and brass replacing carbon fiber and stainless steel.  Analog verses digital.  That’s what I see in Szanto’s new 4100 series.

As I have previously related, Barry Cohen, Szanto’s owner/mastermind, has sought to bring turn-of-the-century design to the marketplace.  When I saw the 4102, I was immediately reminded of an old style gauge from a creaky merchant marine ship or even a ’60’s sci-fi spacecraft.  Antique distressed “brass” housing, ivory dial, and stitched brown leather band–perfectly Steampunk.

I could not help but order a 4102 because of its interesting appearance.  When the timepiece arrived in Szanto’s unique traveling trunk box, I was not disappointed.  The watch has classic looks and the modern machinery to back it up. Continue reading →

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