Half Face Blades

A Valentines Day List For the Savage Gentleman

Valentines Day is all about love and usually, it’s easier for guys to plan Valentines Day for their girl because let’s be real, we all know what our girl loves most of the time. My girlfriend had asked me what I wanted for Valentines Day and quite frankly I couldn’t come up with one particular item, so I made a list. All that led me to think, why not come up with the perfect list like I did with Christmas? Here’s my new and improved list for the gentleman (in no particular order).

Half Face Blades

Every dude loves a nice blade and if you don’t, you probably should. Blades can be used in the field, during everyday carry, and in basically every survival situation. Half Face Blades has a ton of great blades and tomahawks, but I want to feature the MK1 Cr0w Jr Blade. It’s the same quality of HFB’s other blades with a more modern look. Built for EDC and the field, The MK1 Crow Jr is an all-around favorite of HFB’s owner Andy Arrabito, it’s measurement’s come in at 8.5″ overall with a blade length of 4″. This blade is an all-around perfect size for any scenario ( the field, edc, or in a survival kit).

NFW Watches

This company is new to me as I just purchased one of their watches – the Valor. Overall after a week of owning this watch I’ve come to realize that 1) I’m definitely a watch guy and always appreciate a great watch and 2) I should’ve hopped on the NFW train a long time ago. A favorite of my editor Scott Witner and a lot of Loadout Room writers, I can say that the hype is real around NFW. They are quickly becoming known as one of the go-to watches of gentleman and operators (not the airsoft kind). NFW watches have an old school feel with badass build quality. This watch will survive it all.

Bonus – for every NFW watch sold, $50 goes to Honor Flight helping fly WWII Veterans to D.C. to visit the monuments and treat those heroes with the respect they deserve.

Coach Card Holder/Money Clip

Coach is one of those companies that I’m iffy about. I’m not a rapper, tv star, or anything crazy where I need to show off that I have expensive products, but I do appreciate a fine leather card holder and I’m known to carry a money clip. Coach’s leather is some of the best that I have ever owned. The Card Holder has not lost its toughness or its edge. It is slim for the essentials and what I like about it is that you can put your money clip in the cardholder or carry them separately. I usually carry them separately.

Burly Boy Beard Co

After about 2 months of using Burly Boy Beard Co Products, my facial hair is considerably smoother, my girlfriend loves me more (or at least she says she does haha) and my skin is definitely not as dry in this harsh and cold weather. I love the scents but better yet, my girlfriend loves it even more. Burly Boy Beard Co is definitely on my top list as they fail to disappoint me time and time again. It’s made right here in Virginia Beach, VA and it is all around an amazing product built for the warfighter and everyday gentleman. My personal favorite is the Castro.

The Crate Club Subscription

Have you ever wanted to receive hand-picked gear from retired SOF guys? F*ck yeah you do and I’ll tell ya why… SOF guys are the real deal and they know exactly what products work and don’t work in the field. The Crate Club is the perfect gift idea that keeps on giving for as many months as you choose. From blades to multitools, tactical pens to SERE Ankle Kits, and even ballistic inserts (with the premium subscription) The Crate Club is the perfect gift idea if you don’t know exactly what to get your significant other – The Crate Club will do the work for you!

Gatorz Eyewear

Last but not least, who doesn’t love shades, blades and watches? Well so far we have covered blades and watches and now its time for shades. As you know I am a huge fan of Gatorz Eyewear. With new designs dropping all the time, I’m consistently spending my money on shades. I love the good people over at Gatorz as well as knowing the exact quality that I’m getting in every pair of shades I purchase. My go to is the Gatorz Magnum’s in clear and shaded. You won’t ever be disappointed with Gatorz. I promise.

Truly Innovations Everyday Carry Shirt

Nothing says you’re a savage gentleman like being able to conceal your firearm in your dress shirt. No more pulling up your pants or having a firearm dig into your side. It’s now a day or night where you can go full savage gentleman. The Truly Innovations Shirt is comfortable, lose or tight fitting depending on how you like it, and overall a gentleman’s shirt with a tactical aspect on the inside.. but who is to know any better than you that it has a holster built in? You can check out the Everyday Carry Shirt here.

What kind of cool gift idea’s do you have? Share them in the comments below.

Photo of the day: Running a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) wide open

Pictured Above: Running a RHIB “wide open” in formation off the East Coast practicing launch and recovery from the “mothership” as well as chasing, evading and practicing small boat tactics for maneuvering against ships.

Running a RHIB wide open

RHIB’s are some of the greatest vessels to drive and honestly getting to ride/drive them every day was a blast. This photo was taken off of the East Coast after we launched from one of the “Mothership’s”. Driving a RHIB in east coast chop was honestly some of the hardest driving I’ve ever had to learn. I mean you name it – bike’s, sedans, SUV’s, truck’s, jeeps, mini bikes, jetskis; I can drive them all. But a 33m RHIB with 4-5 guys onboard hauling ass (40-60 knots) over 4-5 ft waves with close intervals between waves? It’s hard getting used to and you can definitely tell the great drivers from the mediocre drivers. I’ll be honest, I was a mediocre driver on my best day. Coming from the west coast, I’m used to long intervals between waves so driving is a bit easier for me on the west coast. The big problems I had on the east coast was finding that “groove” between speed and safety as having a rider fly out of your boat when you’re going after a ship is no Bueno. I had plenty of guys that can really drive help me out and I still was never able to find the groove after 8 months. Maybe I’ll find the groove another day, or then again maybe not haha.

Some of the gear that was always with me on the water

Altama Maritime Assault Boots
Gatorz Eyewear (Magnums)
First Spear AAC Frog Kit
Hurley Boardshorts (if it was warm)
Garmin Fenix5 plus Sapphire
Gerber LMF Survival II, Half Face Blades tomahawk, or CRKT fixed blade.

An interview with Andy Arrabito of Half Face Blades

Half Face Blades, man… Andy Arrabito. Owner of Half Face Blades, humbled, retired Frogman, actor/stuntman/military tech, badass, outdoorsman and visionary. Andy does it all. His vision behind Half Face Blades is revolutionary to say the least. I mean who doesn’t get intrigued by a guy who rode a horse with his face painted half black with an M4 by his side. Last of the Mohican’s meet’s present day is how I would describe the badass vision behind Andy and HFB. Ask yourself this… Would you rather buy a blade from a big name company who mass produces their blades? Or would you rather buy from a veteran owned company that inspects every detail in their blades and handles by producing everything by hand only a few feet away from Coronado? I’ll take the second option. I recently sat down for a phone interview with Andy after he gifted me one of his tomahawks and this is what he had to say.

Hey what’s going on Andy? How’s life, man? Thanks again for sitting down with the LoadoutRoom!

No problem, brother. How’s that tomahawk? Life’s good, just working like crazy, but we’re slowing down a little bit because the holiday’s just ended.

Awesome man and that tomahawk is badass. You really do put so much detail into the steel’s used and the craftsmanship behind your products. So let’s start off about where you’re from?

I was born in Northern California in a little town by the name of Angwin, in the North part of Napa Valley. I love the outdoors and spent every day outside. My older brothers were huge into Native American culture and primitive living. I spent summers making forts, tepees, making bow and arrows, catching snakes and lizards, I mean you name it. If it had to do with being outside, I was all about it. I love the outdoors and learning. I like the challenge.

What got you into building badass blades?

About a year after I got out of the teams I started making knives under the awning in my backyard. I have always been an end user so I knew ideally what a blade shape and thickness should be to serve a purpose. I started making blades for my SEAL buddies still active. As I made 10 I was asked to make more and more. I knew shortly after designing and making those blades that I could really get the right tools into the hands of people that can use them to their full potential. Then I started designing other blades… Blades for the outdoor industry and designing even more for tactical industry and even small conceal carry blades for low vis type missions.

Can you tell me a little about your career in the Navy?

I joined the Navy 2002 and checked into my team in 2004. I spent the next 10 years at SEAL Team 5 and SEAL Team 1. I also ran all the Maritime training for the Teams, Army Special Forces and some OGA.

I have deployed to combat zones all around the world. Spending time in Iraq in 2005, Southeast Asia 2007-2008 and Afghanistan 2009-2010. During my time I had been injured multiple times so as time drew on I had to do a few surgeries here and there. Worst one was my last injury breaking and crushing all of my fingers on my left hand doing a ship take over. So once that went down and I couldn’t use that hand very well, with sadness I made the decision as well as being medically reviewed to leave the Teams and move onto the next phase of my life.

How did you come up with the name Half Faced Blades and what are some ideologies behind Half Faced Blades culture?

We use to do operations using horses as a means of getting to and from our targets. Rode them as well as sometimes just brought horses to carry the mortar and rounds. I have a minor amount of native American and being in a savage land and fighting bad dudes I started giving myself war paint, and of course a Mohawk, haha. I was always about putting the fear into the enemy. Also along with the saying “speak softly and carry a big stick” and another one is “be polite and good to those you meet but have a plan to kill everyone”. These all go along with the half face ideology.

What makes your knives in your opinion different than other knife companies out there?

Well, I come from an end user having been an outdoorsman and then in the SEAL teams. I know what works and what doesn’t work. I know what types of steels I want and the thicknesses and sizes for different mission and jobs. I have always used blades to there max capability. I decided to use that in the process so I could give something back to the guys who truly use their gear and equipment. I noticed so many people/makers out there that make amazing blades but there usability was lacking and had little purpose driven capability. I wanted to create that quality, purpose and usability for those in all different walks of life so they can depend on their equipment and get the job done. As well as make them rugged and beautiful.

What is your favorite design that you have created?

That’s a hard one, but I really like the crow jr blade. The steel, the thickness and the size are just so purpose driven. It can also be used as a field knife or a weapon. The senator and the Gulo I like for EDC, conceal carry and self-defense. Again the nature of the size and design lends itself for the perfect combat blade.

What is the name of the tomahawk that you sent me and can you tell the readers a little about it?

That is the warbird hawk/hatchet. I wanted the point of impact when hitting something to be small to puncture with the force and momentum of the swing and then the two angled blade edges from that point to continue through and keep cutting into the object in which you are hitting.

Awesome, thanks man for taking the time to answer some questions. I’m looking forward to reviewing more of your blades!

Yeah brother for sure. Thanks for taking the time with me and thanks for the love you show to Half Faced Blades.

I just give credit where it’s due and you’re super humble about your beginning’s, your career as a Frog, and your knife making abilities. Thanks again man. Talk soon.

Have a good one, brother!

You can check out Half Face Blades on their website here

AJ’s Christmas List: Last minute gift idea’s

I’m sitting here on my girlfriend’s bed at 3:45 am, 2,000 miles away from Virginia trying to come up with last minute gift idea’s for my dad. A new gun? A knife? Shoes? Clothes? What do you get for the man who has it all? I decided to write this article to give you guys last minute gift idea’s and what’s on my Christmas list this year!

Half Face Blades

Andy over at Half Face Blades makes some of the best blades I’ve ever worked with. HFB makes something for anyone and everyone – from chef to mom to hunter to operator, they make a blade or hatchet for every job. Their blades are all built by hand, in-house, by a great group of people. It’s funny how big factories make a bunch of mediocre knives in a big industrial warehouse but a “hole in the wall” makes the BEST blades/hatchets I’ve ever worked with. Check out the Half Face Blades website for a last minute, but well worth it, Christmas gift! As Andy said in a text to me “How are you going to save Christmas this year? Lol”. Check out Half Face Blades here!

Altama Maritime Assault Shoes

Altama makes some badass and comfortable shoes. Want to be in with the newest trend and be an “operator”? Altama has you covered! I prefer the Mid’s and have them in tan, but the black Multicam is sweet! Check out Altama here on their website!

Gatorz Eyewear

Gatorz man. Say man, do you have a pair of Gatorz? No? Well it’d be a lot cooler if you did *Matthew McConaughey Voice*

Gatorz are hands down the best shades I’ve ever worn. Durable and comfortable, and they look cool as well. Not to mention you can pre order the black multicam and that can be your excuse as to why your special someone in your life doesn’t have them yet (they’re dropping in January I believe). Go ahead and get your significant other or children a pair of Gatorz here!

Vortex Optics UH-1 Huey

Vortex is amazing and the UH-1 lives up to the Vortex name. It’s a dead giveaway as to why this is on my Christmas list (even though I already have one, but one is better than none and 2 is better than one.) Vortex really changed the game with the UH-1 and it is hands down taken over the tactical game. From hog hunting to real world operations.. this is a badass holograph! You can check out the UH-1 here.

Breach Pen

What’s cooler than being able to break a chain with a pair of bolt cutters? Burning a chain at a couple thousand degree’s. Getting Breachpen certified and owning a Breachpen is an awesome gift for that special someone. Check out Breachpen’s website here.

Shotstop Ballistic’s LLC

Shotstop is an incredible company who really stands behind their product. From real world operations to being with the family, they make ballistic plates for every scenario. The backpack inserts really are next level and Shotstop can make custom plate sizes depending on whatever size backpack you have. Check out Shotstop Ballistics here!

Burly Boy Beard Co.

Burly Boy is my go-to choice in beard products. Used by those in active duty Mil/LEO, it is the go-to choice of many professionals. It is hands down my favorite brand of “Beard Butter”. I personally use the “Castro”. Made with Shea Butter, Palm Oil, Orange Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Cinnamon Oil, it keeps the beard looking good, feeling soft, and its made with 100% organic products right here in the good ol U.S. of A! Check out Burly Boy Beard Co. here!

Last but not least the Truly Innovations EDC shirt

A dress shirt with a built in holster? I’m sold. A great shirt for those men in your life who don’t want to go full operator but still want to feel full operator. A great way to conceal carry and a great way to look sharp! Check out Truly Innovations here!

That’s what is on my list this year! Share in the comments below of what’s on your list.

Photo of the Day: Half Face Blades Tomahawk

Cue the song Lowrider by War… and Mathew McConaughey’s voice

“Say man, you got a tomahawk?”…”Uhh no not on me, man”…”Well, it’d be a lot cooler if you diddddd”.

Tomahawks man, tomahawks… What is cooler than a tomahawk? Nothing. I don’t even want to hear about how cool your airsoft 50 cal is. I don’t want to hear how good your mom cooks while you’re sitting in the basement reading this and waiting for her to call you up for dinner. I want to hear about tomahawks, man. Half Face Blades is primitive and gets back to the roots of the native times. They say never take a knife into a gunfight… Well, I brought a tomahawk.

The tomahawk was created by Native American’s back in the day as a bushcraft tool and as a tool of war. The Tomahawk in recent times has been criticized because of “tomahawk kills” because liberals and officials think its “inhumane”. My opinion? A tomahawk was made for war. It was made to cause chaos and that to me is glorious. If a foreign country can drag our mutilated bodies through their streets, what’s wrong with causing chaos with a tomahawk? My opinion? Nothing.

Half Face Blades makes some pretty badass blades and I can tell you, mine is sitting on a stand next to my bed, on a mantle I built. It only leaves that mantle for work trips. The tomahawk means a lot to me and that’s why I chose a Half Face Blades over a Winkler. Nothing against Winkler, but I just prefer Half Face Blades and will continue to prefer Half Face Blades. Andy over at HFB is always making a badass product that looks like it’s straight from Native times. I have an interview set up with him in the next few weeks and I will get his insight into his vision behind the Half Face Blades brand.

Photo of the Day: Tools of the Trade

Sharp things are fun. Let’s face it, nothing is more badass than taking a sexy knife or tomahawk into a gunfight, even though that’s rule number one. I’ll be honest with you, Helle knives are now my favorite. I have tried to dull this thing out with continuous use and I just can’t get that edge out. I mean Wabakimi is a sexy name too. What’s better than having a knife made by the true experts of all things sharp – the Scandinavians.

My other tool of the trade, the tomahawk pictured above is made by badass knife/hatchet makers Half Face Blades. It is easily the most durable, dependable and comfortable tomahawk I’ve ever held in my hands. It’s perfect for breaching and bushcraft. If you haven’t heard of either of these companies, do yourself a favor and check them out. I will have reviews on both of these sharp objects coming in the next couple weeks. What are your sharp tools of the trade?