I often get caught up in the mindset that a great knife can only be found in the $100+ price range. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up the Buck Knives 110 Folding Hunter® LT for less than $40 and discovered that it was worth more than the cost would indicate. It is light, […]
steel
Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
The Kel-Tec Sub 2000 is a great pistol caliber carbine that is inexpensive, fun, and reliable. Now in its second iteration, the Gen 2 has noticeable improvements over the Gen 1 models including molded Picatinny rails on the handguard, a new front sight, new receiver, improved stock, and overall better ergonomics. There are still many […]
Carbon fiber and steel: Cold Steel Lucky twin blade pocket knife
Sometimes the right knife for the right occasion requires a little elegance and style depending on the environment. After spending many years in an office environment, I came to learn that not everyone appreciates you breaking out your Emerson CQC-7 to open a box or letter. That is not to say I didn’t still carry […]
Defense Targets RST: 2 Years and 6000 Rounds Later…
Every so often here at the Loadout Room we like to take a look back at a product or piece of kit that has really stood the test of time. A little over two years ago I used my own hard earned cash to purchase a 3/8″ thick steel target from a company known as […]
ASP Edge utility tool with handcuff key is an EDC all-star
Common everyday carry items include a wallet, keys, light, pistol and spare magazine, folding or fixed blade knife, and a variety of other items depending on the situation and person. One item that is becoming more common is a handcuff key. Small enough to be hidden in a pocket, belt, or secret pouch, it could […]
ASP Ultra Cuffs: The safest restraint in the industry
Let me start by acknowledging the obvious question – why would you want or need a pair of handcuffs if you aren’t a law enforcement professional? For starters, it is good to have a pair to practice shimming and picking to increase your proficiency with them in case you are ever illegally held against your […]
Dress it up or beat it down: HELM Vanuatu dive watch
The HELM Vanuatu is a named after an island in the South Pacific famous for its coral reefs and a WWII shipwreck. HELM does not hold back from describing this piece as a beater watch. Other sites have referred to it as chunky. Turns out they are all correct. One thing is for sure, this […]
Blue Steel: A “Good” Rust?
One of the main ideas behind putting a finish on firearm steel is to protect it from corrosion, right? Ironically enough, one of the most common firearms finishes, bluing, results from a specific form of steel oxidation – that is, rust. Instead of the red-brown color associated with rust (Fe2O3), bluing forms the blue/black oxide […]
Watch: What exactly is heat treatment for knives?
The most important aspect about a knife is the quality of the heat treatment it went through. I explained heat treatment in my review of Esee Knives because I believe their heat treatment process is second to none, but thought it would be useful to give it its own article. Not exactly sure what heat treatment […]
Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker: the complete sharpening system
When I opened the package, I was initially a bit overwhelmed by the Spyderco Tri-Angle sharpening system – particularly by the detailed instructions – but I quickly learned it is really very simple to use. I think electric sharpeners and grinders are a great option but they can be a bit messy, while I found […]