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review

The Kershaw Injection 3820

The Kershaw Injection 3820

Kershaw’s Injection 3820 is a small frame knife that comes with an incredibly sane price-tag of around 10 dollars. It contains a three-inch, bead blasted, 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade that comes with a straight flat grind and razor-sharp scandi edge out of the box. It is the perfect length for an everyday carry folding knife in most states, but more importantly it comes in at such an affordable price, I’m not afraid to use and abuse the little blade. It is in my experience, the more I spend on a tool, the less likely I am to carry or really put it to use for fear of damaging or losing it and being out a particularly expensive item.

The Kershaw Injection 3820

8Cr13MoV is great steel for the money, it sharpens easily and maintains its edge for a reasonable amount of time. The actual blade has refined design with sleek angles, both suitable for stabs or slashes. The body of the frame is stainless steel as well and is flanked by 3-D machined G10 scales with slots cut into their sides for added grip in wet conditions. The liner lock is fitted great and it matches up to the blade extremely closely for solid retention during use. The liner lock also has a small bead bearing that lets the blade fold open with ease against its ever-present pressure. The stainless steel pocket clip is fully ambidextrous and is supported by two hex screws that keep it securely in place during carry. The frame is held together by two pillars and a polymer spacer to negate flex on the panels. The pillar screws are held in retention via the G10 scales so having them back out is not possible unless the scales do first.

The Kershaw Injection 3820

The Kershaw’s blade stud, the knob on the side for opening a knife with your thumb, is large and clean-looking. I was able to work the blade fairly easily with a push of the thumb and snap of the wrist straight out of the box. This is where the price-tag starts to show in the knife though. While the liner lock does have a small bearing, the blade itself is flanked by two washers where it rotates as opposed to the dual washers found on high-end folding knives. This however does not bother me because it is still fully functional and the blade retention screw/pin is sturdy with an appealing exterior at the ends.

The Kershaw Injection 3820

All in all, the Kershaw Injection 3820 is a great value for the cost. It fits well in the hand in either reverse or forward grips and I would feel more than comfortable with it should I be forced into a self-defense scenario and had to employ it. But realistically speaking, it will be used for opening packaging and other small miscellaneous tasks on the regular but it will perform just as well in that regard. If you need a small quality knife or can’t afford some of the more expensive options, look no further because the Injection 3820 can probably suit your needs just fine.


*Originally published on SOFREP and written by KURT T

The Inforce APL Gen3

The Inforce APL Gen3

A good flashlight is a nice thing to have and having one attached to your firearms can be of great benefit. When choosing a weapon-mounted flashlight that will hold up under hard use, you have to consider the conditions for which it will be employed. If you intend to utilize your weapon light in the harsh conditions of Afghanistan, you may want to carry something different from what you would choose for an everyday carry pistol. Inforce is certainly not on the same level as Surefire or Streamlight, but they are definitely giving them a run for their money and the Inforce APL is no different.

The Inforce APL Gen3

The Inforce APL has been around for a while and has gone through several changes over the years. The generation 3 is the latest in improvements to the APL line of weapon lights and is available for purchase in flat dark earth or matte black. The Gen3 APL features an improved rail clamp with a much beefier design as well as better texturing on the activation paddles and an overall sleeker design. Powered by a single CR123A battery, the Inforce APL produces a focused white light beam at 400 lumens with a run time of around one and a half hours. The housing and many of its parts are composed of high impact glass reinforced polymer, while all essential components such as the lens/bulb housing and mounting hardware are metallic.

The Inforce APL Gen3

All of the APL’s controls are ambidextrous and it can be utilized in a momentary-on if a paddle is held down or a constant-on if pressed and released quickly. This is both a nice feature and a possible detriment, depending on the end-user’s method of weapon carry; twice have I personally killed the battery by accidentally turning on the light. That being said, the APL functions great and offers a very affordable weapon light option at around $120.


Originally published on SOFREP and written by KURT T

Bradford Knives Guardian 3

Bradford Knives Guardian 3

Bradford Knives is a small business that makes high-end blades out of Kent, Washington. They offer a variety of quality every day carry and outdoors style designs at reasonable prices. I, being a big fan of small utilitarian type knives, recently acquired their Guardian 3. The Guardian 3 has a beefy design capable of immense leverage but also able to attack smaller tasks that require a nimble touch. So far I am impressed with the knife and I think it’s a great purchase for the money.

Bradford Knives Guardian 3

The average price of the 1st generation (like mine) Guardian3 is around $100. The steel is composed of N690, a high-end stainless steel produced in Austria that is capable of great edge retention; it is very hard with a polished surface. The Guardian3 comes from the factory sharp enough to shave with and stays that way for a good while depending on use. The blade is 3.5″ overall with a 0.15″ thickness and has a flat grind cutting edge of 3″. Within the overall blade length is a finger choil which is great for press cutting and getting a high purchase when performing rougher tasks like making feather sticks or other bushcraft-related tasks. The scales are made of compressed, rounded and textured G-10 for added grip and comfort. It features a lanyard hole in the butt end and aggressive jimping with a false edge on the spine. The hardware, two pins, used to re-enforce and secure the scales to the blade’s tang are strange proprietary pins that require a special tool to disassemble. Overall it’s a sleek-looking blade built for hard use.

Bradford Knives Guardian 3

The sheath is made of real leather and has a plastic insert to ensure it retains its shape and the end-user does not slice open the sheath over time. Set up for scout carry it caters well to the small of the back or offset from the abdomen. The sheath is only single stitched but its untreated edges can feature as an impromptu sharpening strop. I actually used this method to refine another knife’s edge using some Scratch Out (it’s composed of a fine grit compound so it works in a pinch).

Bradford Knives Guardian 3

The Bradford Knives Guardian3 is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a stout everyday carry fixed blade knife. It will easily accomplish small field and outdoors tasks plus it can handle those minuscule day-to-day needs. My only complaint is the horizontal carry method the sheath employs, since it does not accommodate light clothing well. Luckily Bradford offers a kydex sheath option that can meet the end-user’s desire for a bit more discretion if that’s the case. I also wish they included the required tool for the take-down caps on the pins so end-user care and maintenance would be possible. Either way, it’s an amazing piece of steel for the cost, so if you’re in the market for a toothpick, give the Guardian3 a once over.


Originally published on SOFREP and written by KURT T

Mean Gene Leather ‘Victory Aegis’ belt

Mean Gene Leather ‘Victory Aegis’ belt

A good belt is something that’s hard to settle on and with the vast array of options, styles and brands out there it’s hard to decide on what to get. Enter Mean Gene Leather, a small company that produces several high-quality leather products too include holsters and magazine pouches, but their flagship products are definitely their belts. They offer a few different models but I opted for the Victory Aegis because of its sleek but robust design and overall versatility as an everyday accessory.

Mean Gene Leather ‘Victory Aegis’ belt

If you’re like me, you don’t like to look tactical when it comes to everyday kit or attire; I generally stick to blue jeans and casual off brand shirts in darker tones. A good shooter’s belt is hard to find when it comes down to something that doesn’t scream tactical mall ninja but is also stylish. So when I saw Mean Gene Leather for the first time, I was immediately interested in what they were offering. I’ve been wearing the Victory Aegis belt for over a year now and I literally have nothing bad to say about it. It was shipped out and I received it within a week of ordering. The stitching color/style plus all the specifics like length, buckle and leather color were chosen and made to my requested specifications. It’s incredibly functional and works well with whatever I’m wearing most of the time, but is also impressively durable. The pictures here were taken today and as you can see the belt has held up and still looks excellent.

Mean Gene Leather ‘Victory Aegis’ belt

The Aegis Victory belt retails for between $115-$145, depending on the customization options you choose when you order one. That’s a hefty price tag for a leather belt, but I definitely got what I paid for and regret nothing. The belt features two layers of top quality leather pressed together using adhesive compounds for added rigidity and form. It is available in three different wax-treated stitching patterns, I chose double black stitching, and the stitching can be one of several different colors. There are also several finishes and colors of leather to choose from as well, I went with Crazy Horse brown. The edges of the leather are friction-treated to create a smooth exterior finish and it closes up the exposed seams to produce a cleaner look overall. The buckle comes in bead blasted satin or a Cerakote-ed [sic] black finish like the one pictured that holds up to scratches abrasions exceptionally well. With all the options, selecting a setup that works for the individual is an easy task.

I seriously don’t have anything bad to say, it’s a great quality belt that has worked out excellent for me and I would definitely recommend the belt for everyday and/or tactical use. I usually try to come up with some cons to rant about when I do a gear review but the MGL belt has me scratching my head and shrugging my shoulders. It’s a damn good belt.

 

*Originally published on SOFREP and written by KURT T

 

Danner Tachyon | First Impressions

Danner Tachyon | First Impressions

It turns out one of the most exciting clothing products I saw at this year’s SHOT show wasn’t even a new one for 2017.  The Danner Tachyon was one of the few items I had circled not two but three times in my notebook to review once I had returned to the ol’ homestead.  Imagine my surprise when I found a Quick Look article on this very site: from 2014.  After my  recent tour of the Danner factory, I was given the chance to test out a few pairs of boots.  First up, the Reckoning.  The next to come in the mail, the Tachyon in sage green.  Note: my camera had a color filter on so the green appears as a tan, but only in the photos.

The big deal about the Tachyon is the weight.  26 oz per pair might sound pretty light, but it feels even lighter when you put them on.  My brain is confused, but my feet are happy.  Is it a boot?  Too light.  A shoe?  Too tall!  I don’t what exactly what to call them, but I dig ’em anyways.

Danner Tachyon | First Impressions
The pentagonal lugs on the outsole provide excellent traction from many angles.

So here’s some tech specs for you.  The Tachyon is made from leather, fast-drying synthetics, EVA polymer midsole and a 100% rubber outsole.  A nylon shank provides arch support and a polyurethane footbed increases cushion and comfort.  There is no liner and no toe cup.  This is stripped-down, minimalist footwear at it’s best.

Every piece of this boot is either providing cushion or fast-wicking support.  I don’t prefer my boots to be overly stiff, I’d rather have the freedom of motion and bring my own ankle support from home.  The Tachyon is right at home in hot, humid areas, but adding a wool sock can keep you warm enough to make this a solid 3-season performer.  From the construction alone one can be sure this will dry out much faster than an old pair of jungle boots.  I’ve already found that these are much more comfortable to run in than my trail shoes, which are 4-5 oz heavier as well…

As with any good boot, you need a good amount of time to really wring them out and appreciate their strengths while uncovering their weaknesses.  I’ll be thrashing these all summer long and I’ll be posting a full review down the line.

Stay tuned..

Danner Tachyon | First Impressions


FOSTER IMPACT DEVICES COIN PURSE REVIEW

FOSTER IMPACT DEVICES COIN PURSE REVIEW

I first saw the Coin Purse from Foster Impact Devices at ECQC in 2015. Shivworks instructor Craig Douglas showed it to a few attendees. I was curious about it, but had so much other stuff going on in my mind that I didn’t remember where he got it from, or exactly what it was called.

Fast forward about nine months later, and a new training partner of mine posted a picture of his Foster coin purse. The lightbulb went on, and I contacted Todd Foster via email. I chose the leather that Todd had on-hand in order to get one as soon as possible. About a week later, my hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind coin purse arrived.

Here’s my initial review (I apologize for the longer lead-in and satirical nature of the review, I couldn’t help myself).

I’ve used the coin purse several times in public, and it never raised an eyebrow — except from a bunch of kids at a lemonade stand, who all said “coooooooooooooooooooooooooool!” when I took it out.

Sitting on the coin purse is somewhat comfortable depending on the chair I’m sitting in. I have a comfy office chair, so I don’t really feel it. After about four hours driving in our Jeep Commander I had to take it out, it was causing some discomfort in my lower back.


Continue reading on Short Barrel Shepherd

Image courtesy of Short Barrel Shepherd

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