The new Plataxe is designed as a impact/MOE/CQB tool and features an articulated handle to place more force of the swing onto the blade. The head features a full blade and on the reverse a reverse penetrating spike. Manufactured from D2 tool steel coated with black Teflon and topped off with a G10 contoured handle.
The sheath might just be overkill. It offers full coverage. Made from Cordura with Kydex insert it can be attached to equipment via PALS.
Available exclusively from Platatac in Coyote and Black.
The Punch and Pull entry tool may be the next evolutionary step in manual breaching kit. It may, in fact, relegate the hallagan (which a lot of folks incorrectly call a “hooligan”) to a much more secondary role.
“A lot of tactical guys are a little iffy at first,†says the Punch & Pull’s designer, “but once they try it and see how well it works they love it. A SWAT team should have more options on an entry than a hallagan, a ram and a damn big hammer.
Originally developed in 1996, the Punch & Pull was built by Rick Lopez, a 20+ year veteran of LAPD’s D Platoon (SWAT) and Narcotics Division for use on the fortified doors their narcotics officers were encountering on drug warrants and SWAT operations. Because it causes a lot less collateral damage (and doesn’t leave quite the same amount of wreckage) than other breaching equipment he describes it as more “brass friendlyâ€.
“Its actually pretty simple,†Lopez advises. “It’s usually a two man operation. The guy with the hammer spike sets the hole in the security door, the guy with the Punch & Pull, handling it like a weapon at port arms, comes in at 45 degrees and sets it. “BAM,” it comes open, opening up the inner door for the slam man [ram carrier].†The Punch & Pull remains hooked so it’s not in the way, lying underfoot or encumbering anyone during the immediate entry.
The spike is set by the doorknob to preset the Punch & Pull’s hold. It doesn’t break the deadbolt (most times you can barely bend a deadbolt), it tears the plate open. The plate is much more vulnerable than the rest of the mechanism. That’s what the Punch & Pull busts out. (Lopez prefers to do a door peal on the doorknob side at an angle to pop the door. It puts all the tension around the doorknob.
“You don’t want to hit the center of a door with it,†Lopez warns. “Some guys did that despite being trained not…that puts the torque on the hinges. They wound up with the door right on top of them when it came off.â€
Note: if the target door is more than moderately fortified (like if it’s strongly lagged), the Punch & Pull probably won’t work. “It’s popped some lagged doors before,†Lopez says, “however they were lightly lagged. That’s why proper surveillance and intel gathering is essential prior to ever making the approach. If it’s lagged heavily in the door frame or the floor using welded bolts, you’re going to need to do a vehicle pull.â€
The Punch & Pull is in use by a number of different agencies and units, including the LAPD, Ventura County SO, DEA, FBI and several municipal departments. Rick, who is a former grunt turned ANGLICO Marine, has also provided several to units at Camp Pendleton and taught them how to best employ it.
Ensign Bickford has developed a new Man Portable Line Charge for those times when you run across a danger area that looks a little iffy. In order to clear a path through a mine laden or booby trapped areas, you simple remove the pack, open it, align the rocket and let ‘er rip. The charge clears a path 84 feet long by 1 foot wide. Just enough to get you out of danger.
The MPLC comes in its own pack, weighs 27 lbs and best of all, produces no frag.
The Artillery Pry Bar System is modular, allowing the user to combine handles, fulcrums, and blades to increase reach and get at some tough problems. As you can see in the video below, it works great for destruction. However, it might work well for some tactical applications. It’s made from great materials: zinc-plated tempered steel blades (durability), steel handles (durability), fiberglass handles, vinyl foam handle grip (all-weather comfort). Artillery Tools offers multiple pre-assembled kits. Their Disaster Recovery set pictured above includes about every implement of destruction you could wish for.
The Wall Breaker from BCB is a non-explosive, compressed air cannon which fires standard plastic water cooler drums breach walls, gates and doors for rapid quick entry. It can be fired every 10 to 15 seconds. The water jugs can be filled with water, sand, or other materials. Material choices can be made to mitigate collateral damage offering an alternative to explosive entries.
Because the projectile contents are so variable, the exact range (3 to 90 meters/10 to 300 feet), kinetic energy, etc are all dependent upon the state of the projectile contents (i.e. solid, fluid, etc), weight and environment factors. However, BCB was kind enough to provide us with this graph that is based on their trials.
BCB also related to SSD, “The pressure is also a user definable factor and more is not always better, the nature of the projectile and the intended range. It’s process of collating your own data as the targets users attempt to breach are different the world over.”
The Wall Breaker’ uses dive tanks and its high pressure hosing and regulators are safety tested to far beyond the Safe Working Pressure (SWP) of the Wall Breaker. Additionally, a safety blow-off valve is fitted to ensure that the pressure vessel cannot be over pressurized. The Wall Breaker can be set up as a stand alone system or mounted on a vehicle and can also be fired remotely.
ATS Tactical doesn’t build a lot of gear but rather concentrates on special products not widely available. Recently, they have been offering a very specialized piece of kit developed for a small group of assaulters and breachers. Called the Special Forces Plate Carrier Back Panel, it integrates several features into one design that attaches directly to the back of an armor vest. The long pocket down the right side is for carrying charges, and has an elastic tensioning strap. You will notice a D ring which can be used to secure items like gloves. Next to the charge pocket is a small 3 channel by 3 channel PALS webbing field to add pouches for functional equipment. Below this is a carrier for the ATS Small Medical Pouch built right into the panel. Along the left edge are loops to secure entry tools. Finally, the panel features a pocket for a hydration reservoir.
It is manufactured from 500D Cordura in order to help save weight and available in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green and MultiCam. ATS Tactical products are Berry compliant and come with a lifetime guarantee. It is not listed for sale on their site. You will need to contact them to order. www.atstacticalgear.com
We first met Line of Fire at SHOT Show 2008 in Las Vegas. They were in an unassuming 10 x 10 booth out in one of the circus tents set in a parking lot across the street from the convention center. At the time they were working on a uniform designed specifically for contractors working in the Middle East which we found innovative. But it was an early TEGS prototype that really caught our eye. In fact, about a year ago we mentioned “Gecko Tape” in an article. We have kept in touch infrequently over the past few years and last year LOF sent us a pair of gloves to try out.
Technology Enhanced Grip System (TEGS) is a patented micro-replication technology developed by 3M. It provides superior grip in both wet and dry conditions. As you can see, it is optimized to be used in concert with itself (TEGS on TEGS) but enhances the grip even if used on conventional materials. The illustration below gives you an idea of how the technology works. The hooks are tiny and mesh with one another. Because they are so small there are more per square inch (300 to be exact) which translates to more surface area in contact. If you are familiar how strong the bond is when you interlace the pages of a phone book, you will get the concept of TEGS. Nothing locks, so you can release anything with TEGS immediately.
We received a pair of Stryker Extrication Gloves. They are also a good choice for Breachers. Made from 4-way stretch Kevlar, it’s over-the-wrist design protects the hands from cuts, abrasion and flame due to Kevlar’s inherent FR properties. All of the models feature impact-resistant polyurethane knuckle and finger guards. Additionally, the gloves are of an ergonomic cut that naturally fits the hand.
In addition to the Stryker, LOF also produces the Flashover, a gaunlet-style glove as well as the Pointman and Pointman LE which are shorter length models. The LE model differs from the Pointman in that it is a stretch nylon rather than Nomex.
It is important to note that LOF considers this a Grip System. In this system, the handwear is component A and the TEGS tape, component B. They are intended to work together. However, as you can see above, even if you use TEGS with standard surfaces, you still realize a 43% increase in grip. In addition to full Grip Systems they offer TEGS as individual adhesive backed sheets. This allows you to modify your existing equipment. Line of Fire has also mentioned to us working to license the technology to produce purpose built pistol grips, knife handles, and other similar items.
TEGS works. Wet or dry, regardless of material, TEGS improves the grip. It almost feels sticky. The grip is very solid and the item you are holding doesn’t move around in your hand. But, like we said before, there is no problem letting go. There really isn’t much else to say on that. There is a slight loss in tactility, but we see that same issue with virtually any gloves. We can’t pinpoint the cause to TEGS and feel it is more of a problem associated with handwear in general. Our only critique is that we would like to see TEGS available in additional colors than Black.
This isn’t a hatchet. It’s not an axe. It’s a very specialized breaching tool and it’s one of the hidden gems from SHOT Show. With prototypes spanning back over two years, the Breaching Tool is a collaboration between Strider Knives and a group of SMEs.
In the photo above you can see the first variant (CH) along with the as yet unnamed current version. With numerous prototypes in between, it gives you a good idea of how the design evolved over time through hands on user and feedback.
Starting at the bottom of the tool, the hooked toe helps keep it in the hand during chopping and raking. It also serves as an index during low light conditions so the Breacher can easily determine which in direction he has the tool oriented. The toe also has a lanyard hole. Next, the G10 handle is designed to maintain a firm grip even when wet. The lower portion of the front cutting surface is also sharpened. This feature was added at the request of Breachers who have to quickly access stucco wall spaces. These are often built using chicken wire as a base and more often than not contain various types of wires spanning between the studs. It allows the Breacher to chop into the wall and rake back toward himself to rapidly reduce the wall. Finally, there are two cutting edges. Once again referring to the photo, you can see both are much longer than the initial version. The front cutting surface is similar to an axe and the rear is more of a chisel blade. Finally, the top of the tool incorporates a prybar.
Additionally, don’t let the lack of finish on the final prototype fool you. The production model will come with a protective finish.
Some have asked about a means of carrying the Breaching Tool. Consultant Bill Stojack developed a simple means that can be adapted to many carrying styles. He came up with a kydex bikini that covers both blades. It can be tethered to equipment so that pulling on the Breaching Tool with the strong hand simultaneously removes the bikini and brings it to bear.
An interesting tidbit is that generally, Strider designs are named after someone or something involved in the development process. In this case, the name William Stojack has been thrown around. However, he is generally known to friends as Bill. While the Breaching Tool hasn’t been named yet, you can imagine what digraph has been thrown around.
