Based on the discontinued Yari II, the Combat Fixed Blade is an all around field knife. It features a 4.25″ 154CM High Carbon
Steel Tanto Blade with a serrated section. The Full Tang construction ends in a blunt pommel with a Rubberized Handle for sure grip. It comes with a molded plastic sheath that can be worn on the belt or MOLLE gear.
Made in USA! www.Gerbergear.com
The MP600ST (Sight Tool) seems as if the e-FECT (Field Expedient Cleaning Tool) had a baby with an MP600 multi-tool.
It features one-handed opening with slightly enlarged tool locks which keep your tools from closing on your hand. The MP600ST is manufactured from Stainless Steel with Black Oxide Finish and comes with a PALS compatible Tan 499 Sheath.
The biggest additions to the new design are the M4/M16 Front Sight Post Adjustment Tool, Carbon Scraper, and the Long Reach Philips Screwdriver to get at those hard to reach crosstip heads. Additionally, it also features:
• Needlenose Pliers with Crimper Jaws and Carbide Wire Cutters
• Serrated / Fine Edge Knife
• Lanyard Ring
• Can Opener / Bottle Opener
Made in USA! www.gerbergear.com
Designed in conjunction with Army Special Forces veterans, the new De Facto is a dagger design that favors fighting over camp chores. Intended to quickly get you out of a grapple and give you some breathing room so you can engage the enemy with your side arm, the De Facto features a four-inch spear-point blade of S30V, serrations on both edges of the blade, a Tan 499 rubberized grip and spiked pommel. The De Facto is retained in the PALS-compatible sheath via friction but there is also a back up lock to secure further the knife during infils, etc. Look for it next Spring.
The new Gerber Downrange Sharpener combines an unprecedented 4 sharpening tools into a single device. What’s more, it was designed specifically for tactical use. Manufactured from coated TAN499 Ceramic it incorporates a flat diamond coated plate on the reverse for fine edge finishing, rotatable carbide cutters, and 2 sizes of diamond coated rods for serrated blades. There is also a lanyard hole so it won’t walk off when your buddies see how awesome it is. Made in the USA.
Gerber has released 6 new products including their first ever weapon light. Look for more in-depth articles featuring each products over the next two days here on SSD
The one secret we kept during and after Modern Day Marine was the new series of Weapon Tools from Ontario Knife. We saw them sitting there in Ontario’s display case and asked what they were. They resembled breaker bars or entry tools more than traditional Ontario products. Over the years we’ve seen various armorer’s tools, but there are meant for use by the actual gunner and were designed specifically for the MK 19 Grenade Machine Gun, M2 .50 Heavy Machine Gun and M240 Machine Gun. They are parkarized and look to be very durable.
Ms Sue Green told us that the tools were, “Designed by Soldiers, for Soldiers, each tool serves to assist the operator in performing critical functions on the weapons.” She then discussed what each of the tools was designed to do. We agreed that we would present the new products here on SSD for AUSA so that they wouldn’t get lost in the crowd of MDM. As you can remember, there was a lot going on. Here is a run down of what each tool is capable of:
The MK 19 Grenade Machine Gun operator maintenance tool facilitates the daily operator functions of operating, maintaining and safely clearing the weapon. This tool provides an operator, armorer and weapons repairman an effective, time saving multi-tool that facilitates the rapid break down and clearing of the weapon. This tool’s effectiveness is compounded by the fact that use of this tool minimizes the wear and tear of the actual weapon and provides the Soldier a specifically designed multi-tool to complete the operator functions on the weapon.
The M2 tool is designed to assist the operator in setting the head space and timing and disassembling and assembling the weapon. It also significantly reduces the time it takes to set the head-space and timing and facilitates the rapid disassembly and assembly of the weapon for daily preventative maintenance and critical operator functions.
Finally, the M240 tool was designed at the request of Soldiers who’ve experience the frequent problem of hard to remove spring pins. This tool allows the operator to quickly remove a bent or defective spring pin from the weapon. It will also prevents spring pins from being bent by efficiently extracting the pin, thus eliminating undue wear and tear on the pin.
Look for our photos beginning later today. These tools will be available for your inspection at AUSA in booth #643, Ontario Knife Company.
SSD spoke on the phone this afternoon with SOG to discuss our article criticizing the “Faces of SOG” program. SOG spokesman Chris Cashbaugh explained their position and we suggested that they prepare a statement for our readers explaining their side of things. We understand that SOG didn’t intend to send a questionable message but rather were attempting to celebrate SGT Holubz’s service. We applaud SOG’s dialogue with us as well as with our readers and continue to support their products.
We received the story from Sergeant Holubz and immediately connected with his story as I am sure most people who have read it do. The story is harrowing and I thought we should share it with our fans and the world. Honestly, I appreciated everything that service men and women do for our country and think that they are not recognized enough. This was sort of my way to spread a little appreciation and thanks to him and the community.
A short time later we received the picture of him in in his Class A’s. We though that it would be a perfect candidate for our Faces of SOG program that we have been running through facebook for the past six months or so. Typically these have been a photo of a fan that was chosen by other fans to be our profile picture for a couple days. In his case we chose not to have a contest and just run his photo. Again we thought it was a great way honor his sacrifice and thank him. We were not intending this to be an endorsement of SOG just a way to thank one of our fans that happened to be military service member who had a harrowing experience and one of our
products played a key roll in his safety.
Not being a military person myself I was not aware of the Ethics regulations that Soldier Systems was quoting in their post. Now I know that ignorance is not a defense but had I known about the Ethics regulation we would have approached this differently. We do not want to alienate or put any of our fans in situations where they might have ethical issues, especially the ones that are key our nations success and safety. We will approach situations like this in a different manner in the future and are chalking this up to lessons learned.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention and letting SOG share our side of the story.
Thank you
Chris Cashbaugh
Marketing
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools
These US made lead-free pewter Beret Skull Bead will fit a double strand of 550 para-cord and most accessory cords. They are great for DIY projects. To get yours, visit www.spartanbladesusa.com.
