Black Palm Syndicate has just released a MultiCam FlexFit softshell cap. Called the One Cap To Rule Them Allâ„¢, it’s unlike any other cap on the market. In addition to the Velcro patch on the front of the cap, it also features an embroidered BPS logo on the side. I mean what else can you say? Softshell, MultiCam, FlexFit, Black Palm Syndicate.
Available in Small/Medium and Large/XLarge from Tactical Distributors.
Recently, we told you that US PALM would be offering their Desert Tracker Plate Carrier in the Italian CB62 camo pattern. But, what we didn’t do is tell you about the Desert Tracker Plate Carrier.
It’s a very interesting concept that was driven 100% by BP Agent Terry’s incident last December in Arizona. The problem is that many federal agents haven’t been wearing enhanced armor due to weight and heat issues. US PALM interviewed a couple of dozen different sworn officers to get their ideas on the subject. Then, they created a poll that their sales guys ran past LE customers.
Based on the information they gathered, US PALM came up with a three component solution. The DT P/C is just one of these components. As you can see from the unique design it offers front and side ballistic coverage as well as ample space for pouches. Not saying that this hasn’t been done before, it’s just that no one else has developed the complimentary pieces to offer full coverage. When coupled with a ballistic blast belt, and a hardened backpack, the agents and officers have, what US PALM refers to as a “highly configurable, on-the-fly mission adaptable, weather neutral solution that actually allows them to perform the multitude of tasks they encounter during even the most rudimentary call outs.” It has been adopted by one Arizona Sheriff’s Office with other agencies evaluating the system this fall.
Designed by Mike “Vec” Gapp and manufactured by TOPS Knives, the EcoHawk is an innovative take on a hawk. Designed as a versatile combination of handheld knife and handle-bourne hawk, it is designed to allow you to affix the head to an appropriate handle when needed. This is a great tool for addition in a survival kit due to its versatility. In fact, it is offered as a kit that includes a Lansky sharpener, saw, whistle, magnesium fire starter, and paracord which can be used to lash it to a handle or for other survival needs.
The EcoHawk is a Tachackers dream. Not only can it be adapted to a variety of uses but the designer encourages users to modify the blade to suit their particular needs. Manufactured from 1075 steel, this can be difficult, but is possible, prior to deployment.
This is a follow up on our pre-OR post on the skis from H2O Gear (H2OG). Former Eagle Industries owner John Carver teamed up with renowned Ski Guide Dean Cummings to create H2OG. Most of their offerings are aimed at the recreational ski market, albeit, a small niche of more discerning customers. However, they’ve taken Dean’s vast guide experience and John’s passion for the military to produce of dedicated military skis based on a design for back country use.
Their H2O Gear ATG (access the goods) ski line is handmade in the USA with custom designs including details from Dean’s years of experience used to identify light lumber to construct the skis. Their tapered sidewalls are heat fused to wood cores to protect the skis from edge damage while also keeping the ski durable, damp, and impact resistant. Additionally, their skis are fully protected by oversized, 4001 thick edges that wrap 360 degrees around the ski.
The military model is a super damped “hybrid ski†made from Ash and Aspen and features a reverse side cut which may seem counter intuitive to most but makes it easier to feather. It’s a shorter ski and designed to traverse junk, or icy snow.
Here are a few photos:
These aren’t a stock item offered to the general public but can be had by those who need them. Contact www.h2ooutdoorgear.com
Kinesiology Tape is an elastic athletic tape used by many professional athletes. Unlike regular athletic tape, its elastic structure allows a degree of movement and doesn’t cut off blood flow. This is said to speed the healing of muscles. Naturally, based on its success, several companies have entered the market, each enhancing the concept in slight ways.
Kinesio
First gained notoriety during the Beijing Olympics but was actually first developed by Japanese Chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase in the 1970s. Since they were first to market, other offerings are referred to as Kinesiology Tape, despite being made by other manufacturers. It is offered in rolls and is very much an institutional rather than consumer product.
KT Tape
Offered by Utah-based Lumos, Inc, KT Tape. They have taken the technology mainstream and offered it in big box stores. Intended for use at the consumer level, they offer instructions with each roll and also offer how-to videos on their website. They claim a 14% elasticity which replicates that of human skin, allowing the KT Tape to move with you yet still provide support.
SpiderTech
SpiderTech takes the concept to the next level and provides pre-cut strips for different applications. They offer several different shapes and can provide training on how to best use them. SpiderTech is hypo-allergenic with no latex and can be applied for up to 5 days which may make it desirable for military applications.
Believe it or not, SSD is poised to share all of your online moments. Morning, Noon & Night is more than just a catch phrase. We publish multiple times per day. No one else comes close to offering the same amount of original, tactically oriented content as we do.
News
We put the “new” in news. If it’s worth knowing you are going to read it here first. And if you do happen to see it somewhere else first, we will tell you to go see it there, unless we have the rest of the story. Which, all too often seems to be the case. We will always endeavor to give you the best and most up-to-date coverage of the tactical industry, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No one else provides this level of coverage.
TacticalFanboy.com
Last Fall we realized that as our readership grew, so did their interests begin to vary and in response, our editorial content began to shift somewhat as well. Ever conscious of our core readership, consisting of Industry, Government, and Military, we became a bit concerned that we had lost some of our focus. And in that notion, the idea for Tactical Fanboy was born. Officially launched during SHOT Show, you can think of it as sort of an alter ego. Over the past few months TF’s fan base has grown and grown. In fact, some of our most popular stories have been from TF.
Now, we can have our cake and eat it too and so can you. SSD at work and TF at home. SSD has moved back to its roots concentrating on hardcore Government and Industry news while TF has picked up the more recreational and entertainment sides of this community, with a little bit of humor and risque content thrown in for good measure. While this may mean no more worries about running across content on SSD that may be questionable at work, don’t just write TF off as some milsim wannabe site. The name might be lighthearted but the content will always be on point. But don’t worry, you’ll see us share content and collaborate regularly.
www.TacticalFanBoy.com
Comments
Our readers kept asking to be able to comment on our stories and finally, we listened. You can now comment on our articles. We were a bit standoffish at first and maybe one or two commentors seem to forget that this is primarily a tactical gear site but overall we are very pleased to see how well behaved everyone is. Additionally, it is nice to see some of the added value our readers have offered.
Twitter
We have found Twitter to be one of the best means to reach out to our readers and our list of followers continues to grow. In addition to alerts of new stories we also release information through Twitter that might be of interest to our readers or is related to our core content but originates elsewhere.
twitter.com/soldiersystems
Facebook
We launched our Facebook page awhile back and recently started taking advantage of it. Tactical Fanboy has also got his up and running so check him out as well. Make sure you like us and tell your friends about us as well. We recently conducted a test of live Facebook/Twitter coverage of a recent PEO Soldier media roundtable. Overall, it was very well received.
iPhone
Our iPhone app has been extremely popular and delivers the latest updates directly to your iPhone each time you open it. If it seems to have died on you, delete it and reinstall. We want to do an Android app but we are not happy with the company we had chosen. Any suggestions?
iTunes
M4Carbine.net
M4Carbine.net has been most gracious in offering us a dedicated sub-forum to interact with our readers. Not only is it a great place to discuss our articles and current issues in the Soldier Systems industry but M4Carbine.net gives access to the best group of Subject Matter Experts we have run across. No over-inflated CVs, no BS, just good information. Military, Law Enforcement, or a fan of the Black Rifle? You should be a member of M4Carbine.net.
M4Carbine.net
Lightfighter
We have a presence on Lightfighter.net. Check it out.
www.lightfighter.net
Youtube
We post videos for our articles on our Youtube channel. Additionally, we make use of content posted by others. Always be on the look out for more content.
www.youtube.com
Kindle
Subscriptions to SSD’s content are available for the Kindle via Amazon. Don’t forget there is a Kindle reader for iPhone and iPad.
Scribd.com/solsys
Contests
We have been running some cool contests this year thanks to our sponsors. We regularly run giveaways both here and on Facebook so keep your eye out.
Contest.SoldierSystems.net
SWAG
Looking for some swag? If you don’t run into use at a trade show, our logo patches are available from Mil-Spec Monkey and our American Heritage T-shirt series is available from Tactical Distributors. Look for more soon.
Trade Shows
In the near-term look for us at New Breed of Warrior, Modern Day Marine and AUSA.
On-line Gaming
If you have an Xbox Live account, you can friend request ‘Tactical Fanboy’.
The Future
Here at SSD we continuously look at ways to increase interaction with our readers. For example, some of our writers have begun to develop specialized content for other sites. If you look hard enough, you will also see some of our stuff in print. Additionally, we have also posted guest content from the Mad Duo and others. Look for some additional SSD logo items becoming available VERY soon through well known vendors. We don’t run this site to sell you anything but people keep asking us for it so we’ll let them do what they do best and we’ll stick with the news. Also, we will have a cool announcement next month that will change the way you look at our content.
One final word. None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors. We have affiliated ourselves with reputable companies who provide solid products and services and we would not hesitate to recommend any of them. At SSD we look at our sponsorship program as a two-way street. We are endorsing them as much as they are us and we urge you to support them. They offer some great products. Use them and let them know you saw them on SSD.
One of the first things I learned in the Army was to constantly improve my fighting position, so if you have any additional ideas on ways SSD can do more for you, please feel free to share them with us.
“We all know the federal budget has to be cut,†Maier said. “But if you are cutting programs, you are cutting jobs.â€
Masslive.com published an article earlier today that illustrates the downside to cutting the military budget too much, too quickly. The quote above, from that article, boils it all down into one sentence. The man quoted is Larry A. Maier, president of Peerless Precision Inc. in Westfield and co-president of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association.
When the Federal Government is one of the only entities spending money, slowing that spending hurts. Essentially, the tactical industry exists in order to service Government requirements. Commercial sales are mostly a secondary market associated with Government needs. Micro purchases by agencies and individual military units or individuals in those organizations. The recreational tactical market is important, but just aren’t as big. While the article discusses increased industrial demand for aircraft parts, unfortunately, many in the tactical industry don’t build products that have direct commercial applications. This is all food for thought as we move into the next phase of the debt ceiling deal.
Triple Aught Design has just released their latest iteration of their Ranger Hoodie. First offered in 2002, the fit has evolved over the past few years with the latest version balancing freedom of movement with use in layering. In fact, it shares a fit with the Ranger LT but it is made with the heaviest weight Polartec®, WindPro® rather than the LT’s use of the lightest weight fabric.
It features 6 pockets with D-rings in the chest and arm pockets. Additionally, the half-mitt thumbholes in the cuff mean enhanced warmth and ease while adding and removing layers. Below, you can see details of the Aero Hood, designed to lay flat when not in use and the single arm panel from the cuff down to the torso to enable full range of motion.
The Ranger Hoodie is offered with Velcro patches or without to suit your application. Available in Black, Loden Green, and UE Grey in sizes XS-XXXL. They are one of the few companies manufactured tactical clothing in such a wide size range. But, TAD products are very popular and already, some size and color combinations are sold out.
www.tripleaughtdesign.com/Ranger-Hoodie
