Wish-Lust: ITS Skeletonised Bottle Holder

A while back ITS Tactical (of which I am a subscribed "Crew Leader", always glad to support a forward thinking group like these folks) posted their trial launch of a new product that really caught my eye. In a recent newsletter and subsequent posts they have announced that their ITS skeletonized bottle holder is now on general sale! I'm hoping that my contacts at HorNest will get some in...

Here's what ITS have to say about it:

• Lightweight Skeletonized Construction Weighs 2.7 Ounces!
• Double Layered Webbing with Strategically Reinforced HDPE
• Slipnot Textured Pull-Tab for Non-Slip Grip
• Adjustable 1/8" Shock Cord for Multiple Bottle Neck Sizes
• Three Levels of Height Adjustment for Multiple Container Sizes
• True One-Handed Container Deployment
• MOLLE/PALS Attachment Also Adaptable to Various Belt Sizes
• Color Matched Webbing and Loop
• Available in MultiCam, Coyote Brown and Black
• Hand Made in the USA using American Materials and Labor

MOLLE and belt compatable, adjustable to fit a variety of bottle sizes and shapes, with three points of adjustable shock-cord attachment, the ability to sling your bottle upside-down and bombproof construction. Whats not to like?


So, another collaboration between ITS Tactical and Zulu Nylon Gear, much like their also very cool (and wish-lustful) ETA Trauma kit. I have already commented on how much I like and am pleased with the Zulu Nylon Gear CAOS Admin pouch and the really cool MOLLE car visor sock, but this bottle bolder really appeals as well. I've been very happy with my Platatac FUP pouch, to hold my 1L SIGG bottle, but this is a purpose built piece, and is totally wish-lustable.

Wish-lust: BioLite CampStove

In the lead up to the Hurricane Sandy landfall that hit the US East coast hard over Halloween 2012, I saw a great looking multi-function stove come past my friends feed, and it immediately took my interest. This is the BioLite Camp Stove and here's why I want one.

 The photo below shows a bunch of power-deprived NYC folks charging their phones at a  street-side kiosk running several of these stoves.

http://biolitestove.com/campstove/camp-stories/camp-stories-all/biolite-team-on-the-ground-after-hurricane-sandy.html

The stove itself is pretty simple.  With a packed height of 21cm (8.25") and 12cm (5") wide, weighing 935g  (2 lbs 1 oz) It is built to burn sticks, pine cones, pellets, wood chips, or other lightweight, small fuels and the frame will support a bot of up to 3.6kg  (8 lbs) or 3.6L (1 gallon) of liquid.
The real magic however, is that the orange module on the side is a thermoelectric generator.

As well as being fast to boil (a reported 4.5 minutes to boil 1 liter of water) the fire has a calculated 3.4 kw (lo) 5.5 kw (hi) peak output, which the thermoelectric generator can output via USB as Max continuous: 2W @5V, Peak: 4W @5V which apparently is sufficient power to charge and run most USB-chargeable devices including smartphones, GPS units, flashlights and the like.


Some reviewers have noted that these aren't especially efficient and I am looking forwards towards my first venture in this regard, with my tPOD1 Kickstarter on its way soon ... but the large scale BioLite, combining both power generation and cooking facility in one, sparks a distinct interest in my multifunction wish-lusting!

DENIED: Wish-Lust: Gerber Kick Axe

One of my readers brought to my attention a folding axe, purported to be a Gerber product on another blog, and it seemed right up my alley so I went on over and looked it up. Fun blog, I seem some cool parallels in our coverage and interests (well done you Undead Gear guys!)

I wanted to get my hands on this cool piece of kit, but checking Gerber's website I hadn't been able to find it, and the link included in that article defaults to the Gerber Gear homepage. SO I contacted their sales reps:

I asked if they had any publicity or product information on the Kick Axe, telling them I would be delighted to hear more about this product, it looks ideal for me, my blog and my readers.

Here's the reply....

***********

Thank you for contacting Gerber Blades and your interest in the Kick Axe.  The Kick Axe was announced for release in 2009 and due to a number of concerns was not released.  Production of this product has been cancelled indefinitely.

We appreciate your interest in our products and invite you to view our website at www.gerbergear.com to see our current product offerings.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Donda Burnett

Consumer Services Supervisor | Gerber





***********
So, a sad outcome, but it goes to show, always good to get good up-to-date intel, and for the best, go to the source!

Sneak Preview: Wish Lust gratification

Oh yes. Arrived this morning to guffaws and evil chuckles.

Tentstile 2: Update!

You may recall a while back I posted a Wish-Lust item, the rather amazing suspended Tentsile tents and they have put out a press relief, and posted on their Facebook, about a crowd-sourced version of their tents, to make them a little more accessible to the average buyer. The following is from their press release:

*********************************************************************************

Introduction:
Due to the phenomenal level of interest generated by the Tentsile brand since April 2012, we have developed this design for all those who have expressed their support, interest and enthusiasm over the past few months.
Tentsile 2 offers the same unique suspended outdoor experience as the original range but, due to some key adaptations, can also be set up on the ground and be offered at a more attractive price point.
100 units of the Beta version of Tentsile 2 will be released as part of our crowd funding program. Recipients will asked to participate in a user feedback session which will inform the final design, ready for general release in Spring 2013.

Brief Description:
If set up in the air, the tent is entered through the door in the bottom fly sheet. During ground based use, the entrance is through the large front window, giving access to the tensioned fabric floor which provides an incredibly comfortable living and sleeping space.
In suspended position, the tent has a storage area beneath the beds and each hammock benefits from its own window, insect mesh and clip loops. The central pole also boasts an adjustable table with cup holders.

Materials:
All sheet materials are fire retardant, UV resistant and rot proof. 2 Ounce silicon coated nylon fly sheet.
6 Ounce PU coated texturised nylon Hammocks.
50mm Webbing strap frame.
30mm Aluminum central pole.
1 x Aluminum sleeve and hub piece. 350mm/


Weight Capacity:
The Tentsile Range 2, is manufactured to carry the weight of 3 adults and their gear.

Recommended maximum load capacity:
400 kg 800 lbs

Set-up Time:
As with most things, practice will reduce the time it takes to set up a Tentsile. In a new and untried location, Tentsile 2 set up will take about 20-30 mins. This is reduced to 5-10 mins if you have used the site before and know the locations of your high level attachment points.

Prices:
BETA Version - $1049
Retail Version - $1499













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The IndiGoGo campaign can be found here: so that you too can get involved and see if you can afford one of these awesome tents yourself.

Re-posters, thank you!

Over the last little while, I've been reaching out to some of the supplier and distributors of the kit that I collect (and have been reviewing) and I wanted to take a moment to give a shout out to those folks, explicitly, as a thank you, and a heads-up to you my readers.

First up, I'll point you to my fellow blogger, and gear-fancier, Ninja Space Monkey who has a great eye for the shiney, pointy and awesome that breaks ground on the internet; More than once I've read one of his posts and said "cool, I want one!" and its been a pleasure to exchange some data-packets in that regard.  You can read up on what he has to say and woot about here:
http://ninjaspacemonkeys.blogspot.com/

Next up, my favourite patrons of pantsless-mens wear, the lads (and lasses) of Utilikilts, who produce Seattle finest export, the Utilikilt, in all it's many-splendid styles. I have several these days, and can't seem to have a day go by without someone complementing me in them, or at the very least, asking if my legs are cold, or what I wear UNDER  my kilt. (The answer is always, "boots" ).  A quarterly publication from Utilikilts came out recently with one of my reviews, and they may yet have some of my pictures too, so be on the look out, and revel in the FREEDOM that comes with a kilt, for pants are tyranny!
http://www.utilikilts.com/2012-spring-anti-catalogue/3/

I was fortunate enough to be in touch with someone from marketing at LEGear, following a review of some of their stock, and they posted my review on their Facebook page, which was ace. I look forwards to hearing more from these guys.
http://www.legear.com.au/
http://www.facebook.com/LEGEARAustralia

Lastly, the good folks at Platatac and I go way back. Back in the late 90's I was working just around the corner, and was a frequent window-shopper, and occasional crazy-cool item buyer (the retail guys probably still remember me as "the boar-spear guy"). Since I've been writing this blog they've been great about helping me out with advice, and kit suggestions,  hooking me up with some super deals and posting my reviews on their Facebook page as well.
http://www.platatac.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/PLATATAC/385059649151

 So, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's been following, re-posting and commenting. I really appreciate the support for my crazy little blog and my desire to share the joy of getting ready for whatever may come!

100th Post: Questions and Answers

Hi there!
Thanks for reading, and hopefully, thanks for continuing along thus far.

I'd like a moment to re-welcome you to Apocalypse Equipped, which I've been writing since the beginning of December 2011.

This is a place for me to write about one of my passions: acquiring, using and carrying hardy and rugged gear that I feel will keep me prepared for disaster, if and when it strikes. It's a testbed, a review of my collection and a lifestyle both talking about, and thinking about preparedness.

It's place for me to review the various rugged, nifty and needful kit that I've accumulated, for every-day preparedness in the event of accident, disaster or world-shifting end-times Apocalypse, be it zombies, triffids or Mayan divide-by-zero errors.

I've been thrilled to get some great comments along the way, people either pointing out alternatives, calling me on lapses of logic or using this as a guide for their own choices. Brilliant! Likewise, I've been astonished by the amount of traffic I've gotten; I repost to Twitter, Google+ and Facebook (please feel free to add me on any, if you haven't already) and feel very grateful for the reposts that either my readers have given, or that my review-ies have given me. Thanks one and all!

So, now over to you, faithful readers ....

Is there something else you'd like to see me review? Gear, goodies, tech and toys? More of my semi-ranting "Home Front" posts? More "Wish-Lusts"? Or even another video-review? Is there something I'm missing?

I'm taking requests, lay it on me, and I'll see what I can manage.

So, thanks for the presence thus far, and I hope you'll continue reading!

Wish Lust: knife - CardSharp 2

I have to give credit to fellow Blogger  Ninja Space Monkey  for reminding me of this really cool piece of kit. What we have here is the credit card sized folding knife by Iain Sinclair.

When folded up, this polypropylene card measures only 2.2mm thick,and weighs only an astounding 13g. Perhaps even more than the size of the thing, is the way it folds, origami-style, from credit-card to holdable blade, and back again, like some sort of ninja-Transformer.

The blade sports a 65mm edge, and is constructed from surgical blade steel, and is both rust-free and long wearing. When folded up, the polypropylene body covers and protects the blade and the user, with a built-in safety catch, keeping the blade fixed in its folded state. When unfolded, the geometry of the folds puts a guard in place and according to the manufacturer, locks the blade in tightly. The blade itself comes in either Teflon Black or Natural Brushed Stainless Steel and the surfaces can be etched and/or printed on.

Ninja Space Monkey has had some grievances with shipping from Iain Sinclair, and the manufacture quality of a couple of their other products, but was very pleased with this particular piece.

I want one! probably to keep in my CSI Folder, rather than my over-stuffed wallet, but might also find a place on my MAC armour carrier in a pouch, but it looks like a great piece.

Wish Lust - Unbreakable Umbrella

Here's something that crossed my screen today that really caught my eye. That's a horrible in-joke for those that know me, as I would rather be wet than use an umbrella in most instances. As a tall person I find that the most contact I tend to have with umbrellas is when less-than-me-sized people in the rain poke me in the face with them. I see them scurrying around in the weather, clutching their portable roofs whilst I stick it out in my long coats and hats or hoods. I see the discarded remnants after Melbourne's squally winds turn them inside out or bend them. I see their bent and broken discarded husks in bins, benches, left under tram train seats. More evidence of their blight on humanity. I mean, you couldn't even hit someone with them without it buckling into an embarrassing cartoonesque silhouette of their face.

That was, until I saw the webpage for the Unbreakable walking-stick umbrella by Real Self-Defense. These things are bad-ass! First up, in one of the test videos a large manly man balances one between two chairs and climbs up, has a bounce on it then opens it up again. That's some Cold Steel level of proof right there ...

Don't just take it from me though, have a look at at this video I found on their site. This is some pretty heavy treatment for something to keep the water off with. A nice steel tip would make for a good walking stick strut, as well as a mess in the face of anyone it were jabbed at I expect.
 




 The  umbrellas come in three variants, two "Premium" models in traditional crooked or wooden knobbed or the lighter, longer rubber handled "New" variant. For my money, I'd actually choose the straight  "New" version, as its closer to what I am used to wielding in a shinai for kendo. That is, if i were going to be waving it around, or any such crazyness.

Premium #1
Handle: crooked wide, made of ABS (composite). Steel ribs.
Length 35 in/889 mm, open diameter 43 in/1092 mm, weight 1 lb. 13 oz./822 g.

Premium #2
Handle: straight with knob, made of wood. Steel ribs.
Length 33.37 in/847 mm,open diameter 43 in/1092 mm, weight 1 lb. 8.8 oz./703 g.

"New"
Handle: straight, rubber-covered. Fiberglass ribs.
Length 38.5 in/978 mm, open diameter 47 in/1194 mm, weight 1 lb. 8.6 oz./700 g

 The website declares that bashing these umbrellas on things will likely damage the waterproof material that is the umbrellas ultimate purpose, which is sensible enough advice. If I were planning to engage in the regular beating of things with something, I would prefer to use something purpose built to do so, like a bokken or a mallet. That said, when it comes to including something around in my EDC that wont draw a spot of attention, a ruggedized, weaponsised umbrella migh be just the ticket.


Definitely on my wish-lust list, because in Melbourne, as the song says, you can get "four seasons in one day" and I like to be prepared!

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 ...

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!

Wish Lust: Sword- The Deuce

It's the festive season, and that brings up the topic of wish-lists in my family, which in turn gets me looking around for needfuls and lustfuls. There are things that I want that I know are big ticket items, which were I not already buying things for my friends, loved ones and family, I would have already snagged. This is one of those. The Deuce by Zombie Tools. I really like their attitude, marketing and the looks of their pieces. 

And here is why.