Damage Industries Stainless Steel AK-47 Magazine Spring

   A while back, I purchased some Romanian AK-47 magazines from Classic Firearms (www.classicfirearms.com). At the time, AK magazines were scarce and these were selling for around $11. I had never purchased Military Surplus magazines before. I wasn't really sure what to expect.

   I was pleasantly surprised when the magazines arrived. They were used and came in a variety of different phases of abuse. Some of the magazines were well worn with bent floor plates. Everything looked better than I expected to be honest. After a closer inspection, out of the ten I purchased, only three had problems with the follower. I immediately thought this to be an issue with the packaging lubricant or magazine spring and set those particular magazines aside for a future project. Let me say that this isn't anything against Classic Firearms. They are a fine company. I have read where they will replace any item you purchase from them, if it does not meet your expectations. However, I was busy and didn't have time to contact the company. I was anticipating on replacing the springs later anyway. But this is not a review about this fine company. The review is about the replacement magazine springs from Damage Industries, LLC.

   Damage Industries (http://damageindustriesllc.com) is not a well known company to my knowledge. I ran across the company while searching for a front rail system for an AK-47. On occasion, I ran across articles featuring other items they manufacture. I had no experience with the company myself but quickly learned that they sell a wide variety of products for the AR and AK platform. After a quick search I discovered that there isn't a lot of reviews on their products. But since their products are manufactured in the US and not sub-contracted, I wanted to give them a shot.

   For $36 (plus shipping) you get 12 magazine springs for the AK. These springs are made from 302 stainless steel. From personal inspection, I can honestly say that they seem thicker than the Romanian springs. Upon removal of the two springs from the magazines I was having problems with, I was under the impression that the replacements were longer. After disassembly of the other magazines, I learned that they are the same length as the standard springs. All followers, floor plates, and springs were easily removed. The new springs were installed without a hitch. Though, I haven't fired rounds from the magazines, rounds feed into the magazines as expected. This leads me to believe that there will be no problems when cycled in the firearm.

   So, give Damage Industries a call or look them up. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what they offer. This will not be my last purchase from them. I'll go a step further and say look for a future post featuring their Full Length Enhanced Buffer Spring for the AR-15 platform (good for approximately 750,000 cycles). This company may in fact be a dark horse!

   

ESEE Izula ii

   I cannot remember a time when my grand father or uncle didn't carry a folding knife. They used their knives at work, trimming finger nails, and general cutting jobs. Their personal favorites were Case, Old Timer, or a variety of other brands. These styles fit their EDC and were used often. Personally, this style of knife has never fit well in my EDC. Over the years, I've mainly carried Lockback knives and Liner locks. They have served me well and in certain situations, I still carry them.

   I have recently shifted to carrying a Fixed blade. For me, the choice just made sense. The main reasons for my decision was based on realistic confrontations. When people are overtaken by an aggressor, there is little time (if any) to remove a folding knife, deploy it, and begin defending oneself. This was my major reason for the transition.

   This transition, however, was not as simple as I first thought. I didn't want to carry a knife that would only serve one purpose. So I laid down some ground rules. I wanted a knife that was stout and versatile. It needed to fit in my hand well (to limit disarming). It must be small enough for concealment and I didn't want it to break the bank. After searching, debating, and comparing I chose the ESEE Izula ii.

   I realize that many people will question this choice as an EDC/self defense choice. The Izula ii I felt would do well in every role. Being made of 1095 Carbon Steel, there was very little worry of it breaking or dulling. (This fit my utility/defense role well.) The Textured powder coat finish looked amazing and seems very durable. (This would make the knife fashionable and protect it from the elements.) The Micarta scales were really my only concern (since Micarta is porous). The only other real question was how would I carry the knife? I was really looking to carry it on the front of my belt in more of an appendix style carry. Was the knife going to be too long? I wasn't sure.

   As first impressions go, I was surprised by the quality of the knife. Everything was perfectly ground, shaped molded, and right where it should be. The tan coating is a little bright for my personal tastes (I'm more of a coyote tan or FDE kinda guy) but I wanted to give this color a try. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the color. I chose it even though I knew how light it would be. It matches my hunting and new EDC bag better than the other choices. I just wish they had a darker tan (but you can't go around pleasing everyone.)

 When people who review this knife say that it is sharp out of the box, they are not joking. The Izula ii is scary sharp and precisely ground right down to the tip. The scale handles fit the full tang grip perfectly. The craftsmanship for this production knife is quite amazing. There is a good reason these knives have quite the cult following.

   The sheath is nothing special but locks up nicely. I have been carrying mine via a Large Tek-Lock made by  Benchmade. The Tek-Lock fit well on a 2" belt. I had to remove one spacer on the lock and add one O-ring to the sheath to make it fit securely where I wanted it. The knife can be drawn without the sheath sliding down the belt. With the additional O-ring placed at the bottom left hand corner, the handle of the knife rides closer to my belt buckle for a quick right handed draw. This also limits profiling. No one knows I carry it until I lift my shirt for deployment. In a dangerous situation I could unsheath the knife with one handle without lifting the shirt (but I don't want to risk cutting my shirts to ribbons).

All in all the Izual ii is fantastic choice for EDC. But the possibilities do not end there. It could easily double as a companion to a camping knife or a variety of other chores. Mine will get years of use and I am sure if you purchase one, yours will too. By far, one of the stoutest little knives on the market for its size. Well worth the asking price! 

The Cold Steel Trail Hawk

The Cold Steel Trail Hawk is made by the America Tomahawk Company. It has a head that is 6 1/2” and weighs just 1.34 lbs. The head itself is made in Taiwan but comes with a 22” American Hickory handle. These hickory handles can easily be replaced. After removing the set screw, a new handle is simply dropped into place. The handle is held into place using centrifugal force.

Many people are no stranger when it comes to Cold Steel and their products. If you are not familiar with their product their product catalog comes with a DVD that expresses just how confident the CEO of Cold Steel is of his products. They brutally abuse each product line to make sure that consumers know that they can trust anything Cold Steel makes. Their tomahawks are no exception. If it bears the Cold Steel name, it was meant to be used!

Tomahawks are increasing in popularity. They can be thrown for hours of fun. They are durable enough for normal camping requirements (Chopping, splitting wood and finishing work). They are also traditionally lighter than many camping axes/hatchets so they make a good choice for hiking and Bug Out Bags. Some tomahawks, like the trail hawk, come with a “hammer head” that is sturdy enough for driving tent stakes and other “bashing/hammering” needs.

If you are looking for tomahawk and need something useful, different, and made of good quality, the Trail Hawk indeed should be on your list of options. Small, versatile, and tremendously useful, the Trail Hawk is an outdoor enthusiasts best friend.

Ka-Bar Zombie War Sword

   As I mentioned in a previous post, I am not too caught up in the whole "Zombie Apocalypse" theory. That isn't to say that I am totally against the whole marketing scheme that manufacturers are currently using. Whether it be movies, books, games, guns or gear; zombies are popular!
   I was in the market for a good camping knife. I didn't want to completely drain my bank account on a knife that I was going to just beat up in the woods. After a decent amount of searching I ran across a reputable company with a stylish looking blade. This was the Ka-Bar Zombie War Sword.

 
   For around $50 to $60 this knife is a steal! Every review I have been able to find on youtube or otherwise has had nothing but good to say about this knife. Even when put under severe stress while batoning wood, the knife has always come back to center. It's big, its tough, what more would you want whether it be surviving the zombie invasion......or camping in the wilderness.

 
   The Zombie War Sword comes packaged with a heavy duty Polyester Nylon sheath, two sets of scales (one set black (pictured) / one set bright green (not pictured), and the "Acheron" skeleton knife. The "Acheron" can also be purchased separately for around $10. The War Sword weighs 11lbs with a blade thickness of .205. (All the items included and a size comparison can be seen above.)

   Both the War Sword and the Acheron beat my expectations. Their blade thickness is quite substantial for this price point. Edge retention is quite exceptional, even after using these blades for various tasks (chopping down small branches, batoning, opening package, etc). I have yet to feel the need to sharpen these blades after multiple uses. I personally use the War Sword for larger tasks while camping. The Acheron I use for food preparation and menial tasks.

   The biggest turn off for some will be that though Ka-Bar is an American company and has a legacy for manufacturing knives in the USA, these two blades are not. Though they are not made in the US, the blades still deliver the quality that Ka-Bar owners have come to expect. Though I failed to research where the steel was coming from, I still am happy to support an American based company that out sourced for matierals.

   The sheath involves a two snap retention system, similar to other Ka-Bar sheaths. The two nylon straps also have a small piece of hook and loop (Velcro) that keep the straps out of the way when unsheathing the blade. This is a great design feature! This keeps one from cutting the straps when the blade is being removed.    Also please note that the Acheron is sheathed just above and below the War Sword. (You can see the handle just sticking out of the inner sheath.) I attempted to snap the button of the sheath between the skeletonized handle but the handle was too thick (and I kept chipping the coating). The blade position ,as picture above, gives enough traction so that the blade is not in danger of slipping out of the sheath when snapped.
   Whether you are in the market for a "zombie defense weapon", a camping knife or possibly even a combat knife, I would encourage you to consider the War Sword. It's fun, it's quality, and it will be a useful tool for years to come!

Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

   Before I add an item to my camping gear (Bug out Bag) or EDC, I first consider its usefulness. How often will I use the item? How easy is the item to use? How long will the item last? If I'm going to spend money on something, I want it to last. I am also a firm believer in quality products. Every tool is meant to improve my situation, if the item in question is a hindrance, then what have I profited in using it?
   I wanted to add a tool to sharpen my knives. I carry a small assortment of files to sharpen my axes but it really wasn't practical for fine sharpening work. I considered purchasing a diamond coated rod but after shopping around I ran across something that fitted my needs much better. An item manufactured by Smith's called the Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener I discovered was perfect.

   Smith's item PP1 is a small hand held knife sharpener. It comes with a tapered diamond coated rod that is 400 grit and folds underneath the tool. It also comes with carbide blades to set an edge to most knives and a ceramic set of stones to hone an edge. The ceramic stones are 600 grit. Both the stones and the blades are reversible and replaceable. There is a depression made on both sides of the tool (for holding the device) and a lanyard hole. It can easily fit inside a pocket, purse, backpack, glove box or Altoids's tin.

   I use this device more sharpening knives (obviously) but the type of knives was really surprising. I am able to sharpen my pocket knives, camping knives, kitchen knives, and hunting/skinning knives with no problem. To date, I have not found a knife that I own that I have not been able to sharpen. It has become one of my prized possession and the best thing is, it can be purchased for around $10. If you are looking for a great quality product but don't want to break the budget, look no further than Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener.

EDC and Future Preparation.

   Many people are seriously worried about the future. Whether it be a zombie apocalypse, national invasion, terrorism, or some natural disaster, people are hoarding materials to endure the tribulation of what "may be." A perfect example of this is the increasing number of manufacturers who have some type of "zombie" fighting equipment. There is also the increasing sales of anything labeled "survival." As with the great "Anthrax" scare of Saddam (people purchasing bottled water, drop cloths, duct tape, and gas masks) or the total technological shutdown of the year 2000, the media has whipped people into a frenzy. Is this scare warranted? Only the future will reveal this to us.
   I am not against preparation. In fact, I encourage everyone to prepare for the unexpected. What is meant by such a statement? We need to be smart and consider every item that we purchase. Don't be led into buying an item just because the next biggest disaster may raise its ugly head. Decide whether the item(s) you are about to purchase are going to truly be helpful in the long term.
   My eyes were forced open during Hurricane Rita and Katrina. Living in Texas, I was without power for quite sometime when the hurricanes hit. I was nowhere inconvenienced like the people in Louisiana. I watched as they were dispersed from their homes. I watched when order was restored. I watched as some returned to the devastation that was left. It changed my life forever.
   If it could happen in Louisiana, it could happen anywhere. What would you do if you were left without power for days? What would you do if you were left without power for weeks? How about longer? Refrigeration is great, but when there is no electricity (at home or at the local grocery store) food will spoil rather quickly. We have become a spoiled people! We complain when someone doesn't prepare our food properly but we ourselves may not even be able to cook for ourselves. Do we know how to can food? Can we care for a garden? How would we survive without the luxuries of the American lifestyle.
   Once I realized how helpless I had let myself become, I sought to retrieve the one item that could change my situation. That one item was "KNOWLEDGE." Since that time I have put together a "Bug Out Bag." I also have a "Every day Carry" (E.D.C) bag that goes with me everywhere. These items have helped me put the responsibility in my own hands. It is up to me to care for my needs and the needs of my family if disaster should arise. I cannot, however, use items that I have not put together. I do not consider myself paranoid or worried, you could say that I am concerned about my needs and the needs of my family. For this reason I have begun to prepare. What have you done to secure the safety of yourself?