Foxelli MX500L USB Rechargeable Headlamp Reviewed
I typically EDC multiple lights wherever I go… But the older I get, the lighter I like to keep my pack. To lighten my load, I attempt to narrowly target my gear around what I will be doing. For example, if I’m out hiking, I don’t really need a blindingly bright high-lumen flashlight when a lightweight low-lumen headlamp is much better suited for the task at hand. And the better your gear is, the fewer backups that you need to carry. Today, I’ll be checking out the budget-friendly MX500L USB Rechargeable Headlamp from Foxelli Outdoor Gear to see how well it fills my need for an ultra-reliable lightweight headlamp…
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Enhancing the Volcano Grill
Anyone who has gotten their hands on a Volcano 3 Collapsible Grill likely has been happy with its performance with charcoal or a wood fire, but using the grill with propane usually leaves a lot to be desired. In this article, I will be discussing some simple modifications that I made to the Volcano Grill in an attempt to improve its performance, and how I modified it to operate with natural gas. But aside from a brief summary of the Volcano Grill, I am not going to cover the grill itself as an alternative cooking system in this body of text. I’ll leave that for some other time…
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Justin Burke – The Knifemakers Series
For the fourth installment of Knifemakers From Around the World we had a wonderful Q&A session with an amazing traditional artisan and avid outdoorsman from the beautiful mountains in northeastern Tennessee. His name is Justin Burke. Some of you might be familiar with his work, but for those that aren’t, it is my pleasure to introduce Justin and his work to you…
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Jetboil Joule Cooking System Reviewed
When it comes to prepping for survival scenarios, I usually opt for gear that can be used over and over again relying on renewable resources whenever possible. For this reason, I typically choose biomass stoves over stoves that utilize gas, liquid or solid fuels. However, biomass stoves are certainly not the best option for every scenario. There are times when you just can’t beat a compressed gas stove. Today, I’ll be looking at the Joule Cooking System from Jetboil to see how well it fits into my preparedness plan. So let’s get on with it and see what this thing can do…
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Schrade SCHF55 Frontier Fixed Blade Knife Reviewed
I’ve been a fan of Schrade and Brian Griffin-designed blades ever since the SCHF9 that I reviewed a couple years ago. Then again with the SCHF42 that I reviewed just last year. This time around, I’ll be putting Schrade’s latest Griffen-designed blade, the SCHF55 to the test…
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Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo Hat Reviewed
There are many reasons why people wear hats… Especially in the outdoors. They can help to keep you warm when it is cold and cool when it’s hot, and most of all, protect your head from the sun. Hats come in all shapes and sizes, and vary greatly in terms of quality. Today, I’ll be looking at the LTM6 MultiCam Airflo Hat from Tilley Endurables. It is a higher-end head covering with a guarantee to match, so let’s see what it’s all about…
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Direct Action Foxtrot Waist Bag Reviewed
By now, everyone should be carrying some sort of EDC with whatever they need to deal with everyday and emergency situations… But they don’t always need a huge backpack. Sometimes a smaller pack is better suited for the job. Today we’ll be taking a look at the Tactical Foxtrot Waist Bag from Direct Action…
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Expedition Research Tac-Bar Reviewed
Emergency rations play a very important part of any well-rounded emergency preparedness plan. They are ready-to-eat high-calorie bars that come in many forms from those that loosely resemble bricks to tiny loafs of bread, and even dense fruit bars. Most importantly, they can be stored without much regard for temperature and can be eaten on the go without any preparation so they are perfect for many short-term survival situations. Today we’ll be digging in to the Tac-Bar, a tactical food ration from Expedition Research to see how they stack up…
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Grid Down: Power tools in a powerless world!
A grid-down situation is easily one of the most likely scenarios that preppers consider in their preparedness plan. Whether it be caused by a natural disaster or a man-made one, the power grid will likely be one of the initial points of failure. As a result, I’ve been thinking long and hard about life without the luxury of power on demand. What would happen if the power grid collapsed and looters started running wild in the streets… How would you barricade your home or business without any power?
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Valley Food Storage Pasta Primavera Reviewed
As a prepper, I’ve heard a lot about many different food storage companies over the years. But one that I have been hearing many good things about with regards to healthy ingredients is Valley Food Storage so I thought that I should reach out to them and demonstrate their product here. The first recipe that I will be covering is their Pasta Primavera…
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Survivor Filter Pro Reviewed
Hydration is one of the most important considerations when it comes to emergency preparedness. Clean potable water is vital to our survival, but it is often not readily available in most outdoor and urban environments. In an emergency situation, there may be a need to look at unsafe sources for water that only boiling or a quality filter can render safe to drink. Today, I’ll be looking at the Survivor Filter Pro water filter to see how well it meets the need…
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Tough Tepko Whetstone Reviewed
All knives need sharpening at some point. One method for sharpening them that has been gaining popularity lately with collectors and enthusiasts alike is the whetstone. I was recently contacted by Tough Tepko to review their new two-sided #2000/#5000-grit whetstone and report my findings…
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DayOne Response 10L Waterbag Reviewed
When the water stops flowing, most people will have to travel to get it. However, bottles, buckets and bags are not the most convenient methods of carrying water beyond a short distance. Today, I’ll be having a look at the 10L Waterbag from DayOne Response to see how well it can meet that need in addition to its ability to treat water…
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RZ Emergency Filtration Mask Reviewed
Filtration is not just for water… Harmful airborne pollutants and particulates are sent into the air during a fire, building collapse or natural disaster. Today, I’ll be looking at the M5 Emergency Filtration Mask from RZ Industries to see just how well they work…
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The goTenna Reviewed
Communications are one of the most undervalued, and often overlooked aspects of a good emergency preparedness plan. Cell phones, Internet and landlines are simply not reliable, especially in a grid-down situation. While, there are many options, there isn’t any magic solution that can cover all situations. Today, I’ll be taking a hard look at the goTenna. Is it is all media hype, or can it augment your current emergency communications solution…
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ALTAI MFH100-S Hiking Boot Reviewed
I received a pair of ALTAI’s waterproof MFH100-S 6″ Hiking Boots along with a pair of MFM100-S 6″ Military Boots quite some time ago, and I have had the opportunity to wear them for some time now. While these boots are very similar, I felt they deserved more than a notable mention. As a result, much of the article will be nearly identical…
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4 Direction Bushcraft Fire Kits Reviewed
There are dozens of tinder materials that work well for starting fires outdoors. While some work better than others, one of the more popular in bushcraft circles has got to be fatwood, the resin-impregnated heartwood of pine trees. Today, we’ll be looking at a few fire starting products including their Fatwood Firesteel, 1lb. Premium Fatwood and One Time Fire bundles from 4 Direction Bushcraft…
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