I started this series with an article titled, “Why Bowhunting?” Now that you know why I started bowhunting, I thought we could starting going over some of the steps needed to get you actually harvesting game. So you decided to become a bow hunter. Now, it’s time to go over some gear. I am not a brand-name guy; […]
Gear Reviews
Spyderco Knives: Consistent Excellence
Spyderco knives are special. In a million-dollar testing facility, they check every detail and look for new manufacturing techniques and materials. They measure edge retention with a CATRA machine, rust development with Q-FOG, and check opening and closing forces. Each design is evaluated for stress, wear, and the optimal heat-treating of quality, performance-enhancing steels and […]
Tools Every Man Should Own
After being involved with various forms of engineering, maintaining, and repairing things for over 20 years, it dawned on me that some people might not have the first idea how to accomplish the same tasks that I do. This isn’t anyone’s fault, I mean some people are just skilled in other areas and never had […]
Outdoor Research Lodestar Jacket: First Impression
Outdoor Research, in combination with Polartec, has created a bombproof, fully featured softshell called the Outdoor Research Lodestar Jacket. The jacket has an array of features and specially mapped fabrics to create a thermo-regulating shelter for your upper body. Designed for the alpine adventurer, this jacket seems capable of holding its own in a wide variety […]
TACOPS Active Response Bag: First Impressions
TSSi has come out with a new TACOPS Active Response Bag designed for use by law enforcement responding to active shooters. The guys at TSSi did their homework and got quality input from police and training outfits all across America. The Active Response Bag is designed by pros to be configured by the user to meet […]
Why Bowhunting?
It all started two years ago during black-tailed deer season. At this point, I had never been bowhunting before. In Washington State, deer season for modern firearm is October 11-31, or as I like to call it, the non-stop-raining season. After years in the military, I wasn’t going to let a little rain spoil my […]
Massif Base Layer Collection: First Impressions
The folks at Massif have created a base layer collection that not only protects from heat and flame exposure, but keeps the wearer warm and comfortable. I have worn other products made using Dupont’s Nomex before, but none have been as comfortable as the Massif Base Layer Collection. All items in this collection are made from approximately 90 percent Nomex. This […]
Walking Dead Advisor to the Zombie Apocalypse: Weapons
Author’s note: The mid-season premiere of “The Walking Dead” is upon us. Like all right-thinking Americans and many others, I am a fan. As a Green Beret, I can’t help but analyze the situation and devise strategy and tactics. It is in my DNA. Having seen a couple of countries at war and the devastation […]
Sierra Designs Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2015
Sierra Designs have been working overtime in the last couple of seasons to flip what is known about product development on its ear by creating gear outside the norm. I had the opportunity to check out a number of their products at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2015, and I was very pleased with what they have to […]
Prepping 101: Manual Tools
Most of the civilized world has come to rely on a myriad of electric tools to complete most repair or construction projects, whether battery-powered or corded. We are so comfortable with the ease in which these tools operate and the power they generate using mechanical advantage, that we forget that some of the greatest achievements […]