Wish Lusts: Shovel- Crovel

I thought I would add another item to my wish-lusts, especially after one of my readers comments, so here it is, Gear Up Center's very hard-core Crovel Extreme .

This would be a serious upgrade of the old "folding entrenching tool" that I have had for year, and take camping and Lasertag LRPing. Serious in that "the world has ended, good thing I brought my Crovel" way. Which I approve of. 

The website tells us that the Crovel has a 10 gauge shovel head, which is axe/knife sharpened on one edge, and saw-toothed on the other. The handle is 20" long and is hollow, affording 14" of storage with a milled aluminium threaded plug to seal it. At the far end a S45C steel hammerhead sits, with a chisel/adze sharpened crowbar end, hosting a nail puller to boot. The shovel head and fittings are available in OD, black or Desert Tan. The handle is paracord wrapped, for grip and as an emergency source of cord. With a couple of extra features like a bottle opener and lanyard holes, this looks like an ideal tool for some serious breaking, bashing and generally being useful in a variety of ways. Presumably it digs a mean hole as well.

From the sounds of it, this is an extremely hardy tool, with high durability components very well put together.  The last you you want is a shovel, or crowbar, that comes apart in your hands at the wrong time, leaving you stranded, stuck or without a well maintained latrine! This is 28" of digging/hacking/hammering/prying hardcore tool.

I want one! 

Here's a clip of it doing some of the things the text claims.

I double want one :D 

In tan.

I've been good ....

oh, PS, there is a Kydex sheath for the head, and a steel spike to replace the aluminium plug, in case more pointy parts are desired ...

Review: CountyComm Micro Grappling hook

Here is part of my EDC that pushes me into the realms geekery, in that I have my very own pocket grappling hook. Ever since seeing Luke swinging over a Death Star chasm, I knew I needed one. This is the best and closest thing I've come up with so far. The CountyComm Microhook . Now, I've used a full sized grapple to scale trees, and even to cross a fast moving creek, so I know what it takes to support and carry a human in full pack, armour and weapons. (in my case bow and LRP sword, but hey ...). Let me be the first to re-iterate CountyComm's disclaimer, that -this- grapple is NOT for doing that. 

This is a tool, first and foremost, not a piece of climbing equipment (mores the pity). It was designed to clear tripwires safely.  I affixed mine to a long length of paracord, which I shortened with what I think is a series of "quick release" or "jerk knots" (please, anyone, tell me what it's called, I use it a lot to shorten up cord). [it looks a lot like a very tightened up Chain Sinnet] In addition, I have a steel bottle opener on a split ring at the "pull-away" end, making an impromptu Kusari-fundo , you know, just in case, as well as being generally awesome at parties. Six little cylindrical rare-earth magnets have found a home on the cord as well, rounding out this as an EDC item. 

However, on to the grapple.... It is machined from solid steel, and has a good weighty feel to it. The end-cap unscrews to reveal the internal cavity, where the three steel prongs live. I have added some felt padding to stop them rattling and protect the tips somewhat. The prongs screw into the recessed holes in the tip of the body and the body then screws back onto the base piece. CountyComm suggest the body can be fulled with sand or shot to give it extra mass for a further cast, which is a clever idea. Sand being in abundance in a variety of theaters where clearing IED's safely is a day-to-day job.

I have, in my day-to-day, no need to clear tripwires or mines, but i do on occasion have to snag cables and wires in ceiling cavities, and on more than one occasion, have been called on to retrieve things caught in trees, or in fact, cast a line in order to get some rigging started. My only concern is that the prongs don't seem to seat all the way into the recessed holes, and about 1mm of the threaded area pokes out, perhaps the holes need deeper drilling? That said, this tool has been of great use, is very cool, and I'm only to pleased to have it dangling off my belt. Perhaps I'll never swing over a chasm with it, Princess in tow, but I'm glad I have it, and I've won the admiration of my geeky-peers with it.

Wish Lust: Axe - BFT01

I received an email from the good folks at Platatac, which included a deal from one of their suppliers, a local company called Hardcore Hardware Australia and immediately my interest was pique. I love supporting local organizations, especially when they make awesome things. From a quick look at their catalog listing I saw that they only stock five items currently, but the ones they do are -gorgeous-.

I'm a big fan of little knives and big swords, and they certainly didn't disappoint on the knives, but when it comes right down to it, when you want to do some real work, you want an axe. There I something deeply satisfying about chopping wood, be it for a campfire, felling trees for timber or just wood for the fireplace on a cold winter night. I love it, (often to the detriment of my kendo partners) and having a dependable and comfortable axe makes all the difference.

The problem with a full size axe is they are big and heavy, and I've often made do with my little hatchet when space and weight has been an issue. The BFT01 would fit that gap -beautifully- I suspect. Made of differentially heat treated D2 tool steel, and paracord wrapped, I was impressed with the smooth lines, and the elegant simplicity of a well machined tool. I also really like the multifunction design, with a penetrating end at the back of the head (useful for applying drainage holes, acquiring purchase and generally breaking things) as well as the pry-bar end at the base of the handle. The MOLLE compatible sheath is reported to be Kydex lined, which makes it appealing for someone like me who is often tossing, dropping and falling on or with my gear. No self-stabbings. (I have scars from my little hatchet doing just this, tearing through a patent-leather sheath.)

 The big question for me then is, following seeing the BFT01 I saw a promotional picture of their LFT01 which -also- looks great, which one to I wish for under my festive tree? I like the looks of the furniture on the soon-to-be-released LFT01, but the pry-bar tip and size of the BFT01 is very appealing.

Hard to say, too hard without having a chance to hold them. Looks like its time for another trip to my local Hardcore Hardware stockist and see if I can contain my gear-lust!

Review: Multi-hammer

As i mentioned in a previous post the festive season is upon us, and I like to give "useful" gifts. My expanding family has meant I've needed to consider getting the most value for money, whilst not wanting to compromise on functionality or the coolness. I was lucky enough to come across such a source in Zazz who put together several hampers of gadgets and thingies, catering for Dads, Mums, Kids, Geeks and the like. In those hampers, were some inexpensive beauties like this: a hammer multi-tool.

It may not be immediately obvious what good a multi-hammer would be, until you are out camping, or picnicking and have to pound something with a rock, because "who packs a hammer?". Well, I do, but its something I hear commonly around campsites. I wanted to be able to give something to my in-laws who camp a lot, that would be "value-added" and not just a gimmick. This seemed to fit the bill. A solid an weighty piece, the striking head and claw is split and held together by the grip, and a latch, opening up to form the jaws of a pretty meaty set of pliers. The handle is wood strip, and the latch is curved to fit the hand quite nicely. 

Within the handle are a set of multi-tool blades, including a drop point blade, a set of wrench sockets, Phillips head, saw blade, flathead and a serrated blade. The tools are all sharp, and the steel looks good. I was pleased with the action and stability of the tools. It came in a nylon case (which I thought was a bit flimsy) but overall, i think it would make a very good glove-box addition. Certainly good enough for the occasional "we need to cut/hammer/pry something". 

I feel very comfortable giving these as "around the table" presents, where the price is low, but the thought that counts.

Review: Platatac FUP pouch

I have a metal water bottle that I carry around wherever I go, but often just want a mouthful here or there and having to rummage in my fairly voluminous courier bag to pull it out, then stuff it back in. I am fortunate that I have a very good relationship with the good folks at Platatac who are very patient with me and my wacky requests. I walked in, waved my bottle at them, and after just a moments came up with a match. The pouch they came back with was their FUP 5.56mm Universal Pouch.

I tested the fit, and was pleased with both the snugness, but also the depth of the pouch. It held the bottle well past the center of gravity, which meant I wouldn't have to worry about it swiveling around to jam me in the ribs in my adventures. The pouch is made of the same rugged Cordura as all of Platatac's gear, and my favourite feature of this pouch is the range of methods supplied to secure it. As well as hook-and-loop, there is a length of shock-cord and two very sturdy press studs. Whilst the flap of the pouch wasn't long enough to stretch over my 1L bottle, I found that by wrapping it sideways, and affixing with the press stud. It gave a very good grip, added to the coverage of the bottle, and kept the flap secure.

I chose the khaki colour, which fits nicely with my colour scheme these days, having moved beyond uni-student Goth solid black. It fits nicely on my messenger bag strap thanks to Platatac's very own PLMRS (Platypus Light Modular Recovery System) PALS MOLLE attachment system, which I love. Having the clip built into the webbing of the pouch means each unit is good to go without a MALICE clip. Each strip had its own press stud closure, and is reinforced with a nylon stiffener. The pouch itself has a drainage grommet in the bottom, always a bonus when you get rained on as often as I seem to manage.

Now, the original use of this pouch is to hold ammunition, and the product page will go into that fully enough. As I've said before, I don't have access to firearms that would necessitate is kind of pouch, but I have every faith that if I did, this pouch would accommodate my needs for carrying clips.

It's rugged, fills my need and fits my aesthetic. I couldn't be happier.

Review: 8 Screwdrivers In One

Another little item I picked up from Zazz as a part of my Festive Giftmassing hamper is this "8 In One Screwdriver". Not something I would have purchased on its own, but came as a welcome addition to one of the hampers I purchased. I have a pretty ready and varied set of screwdrivers, both in my tool-box, a set in my car, and a combination of multi-tools and keychain-tools on my person. However. not everyone is as much of a walking tool-magnet as I am, and I like to provide for my friends.

This tools wide body fills the hand, and to get to the tools, the arms need to be pulled out, much like the Medical Droid in Empire Strikes Back and each of these rotates upwards to the central position to lock into place. There are three Phillips head and three flatheads, each of various size. The seventh arm contains a "hidden" tool, which unscrews to reveal a tiny flathead/Phillips head for delicate work. Each arm can be withdrawn independently, although obviously only one can be fitted to the central position at once.

One neat thing I noted was that with a tool fitted, the whole unit could be stopped from rolling by deploying two more of the arms to act like a bipod. It didn't affect my ability to use the mounted screwdriver, as they folded neatly into place but meant I could place the tool down after driving one screw, to fit another, without the rather round body rolling away. One final nifty feature is that the base red nubs at the base of the tool house LED's, which would shine to illuminate the work-area (but I didn't manage to fit it with batteries before it was time to wrap it!

It's reasonably put together, the plastic seems sturdy, but I have my doubts about the steel used. I have had too many issues with cheep steel in tools, and have come to recognize it by feel, and this gave me pause enough to put it in the "gifting pile" rather than put it in my just-in-case stash. As I say, its not the kind of tool I have much use for these days, but would certainly find a place in the desk or kitchen drawer, or glove box of most suburbanites I know.

Review: Ironclad Landscaper

I do a fair amount of rough-and-tumble things. Salvaging firewood and lumber from skips, gardening, home repairs, clambering up roofs, crawling under cars and running about in the bush.I've sliced them up doing high-wind kite flying. I'll be the first to admit I don't have blacksmith or cow-poke hands, but neither do I have flimsy and dainty paws. I value my skin, and so I wear gloves. In the lab, i wear latex or nitrile. In the kitchen I wear oven-mitts. In the dojo i wear kote and when doing "outdoor" work, I wear work-gloves. My current set are these Landscapers by Ironclad. I've had them for a few months now, they work well.

During the 90's when I was big into cyberpunk, i had a collection of leather fingerless gloves, which I destroyed, either with the spread of my span, or just by jamming my hands into rough spots.  I noticed that I was tearing out the stitching in the gusset (the between-the-finger part) and getting nicks on my bottom-three fingertips. Solution? Get tough gloves. I've had a succession of such gloves, of different materials. Kevlar pads, pig-skin, dear skin, Mylar thread, what-have-you. 

I opted out of fingerless gloves a while ago, but in this age of capacitance iThings, I have found it very handy to snip the tips of my index and thumbs. It got tiresome to strip a glove to answer a call, snap a picture or fire off a zinging tweet. The stitching pattern allowed for me to do this without greatly affecting the structural integrity of the gloves, whilst maintaining good cover for the rest of my monkey-paws. They are hard wearing, not taking a mark or scuff from my last few outings or adventures. They dry quickly and don't smell.

I like the leather palm, stretch fabric upper, which lets my hands breathe, keeps them safe from incidental scrapes and keeps them fitted well. The hook-and-loop straps are subtle and unobtrusive, just doing their part in keeping them snug, or connected to me and my gear when I'm not wearing them. Which I'm glad of, as I'm not a big fan. The knuckle padding is good, for when my over-long arms are dragging below me and I wear them out LRP Lasertagging, where I waggle my trigger finger saying "here's my safety, Sar-Major..." I picked these up at my local hardware mega-warehouse, and whilst they had a wide range, these are the ones that suited my need, fit my hand and so far I've not been wrong.