Got a note from our friends at SOLKOA:
We are excited to announce that SOLKOA Inc was awarded a $47M, 5-year contract to provide instruction and support services to the U.S. Army’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE-Level C) Program at Fort Rucker, AL. New job opportunities for full-spectrum, Level-C (High Risk) SERE instructors and support personnel will be posted in the coming days with preferences for experienced military veterans.
Precision Milled 6AL-4V Titanium, Essential EDC
This August 2018, Prometheus Design Werx debuts its titanium survival capsule lighter the TiFS. Precision milled from 6AL-4V titanium, this compact, refillable fire starter is well suited in any backpack, survival kit or key chain. In addition to the upgraded titanium billet casing, this capsule lighter stands apart with the knurled finish for better grip when wet, weather resistance, extra spare parts, and comes packed in a reusable survival tin. With an overall size of 1.875” X 0.625”, this rugged, small yet capable fire starter can easily be a part of any user’s essential EDC, especially for those who spend time in the wilderness and back country.
The PDW TiFS Survival Capsule Lighter will be a regularly stocked item.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“A small, pocketable, personal fire starter or lighter, that uses lighter fluid, ignited by a wheel, flint and wick has been a staple part of an individual’s field kit since the ones issued or privately purchased since WWI. Most anyone understands the fundamental importance of starting a fire when in the field and in a wilderness survival scenario. While we are also strong proponents of being proficient in starting fires with other methods and/or tools such as the ferro rod to drill bow, having an easily accessible, reliable and durable lighter is indispensable and much more expedient in starting a life saving fire. There’s a good array of capsule lighters on the market, but we saw an opportunity to create one made to our design and higher production value sensibilities. Our titanium billet case takes longer to mill than any other on the market today, but it is the details, which sets ours apart. Classic industrial knurling on the case surface makes this much more tactile and easy to manipulate in the user’s hands, especially in damp or wet conditions. The material itself is far superior to the thin walled aluminum versions and corrosion-proof unlike the brass versions. We also thought the reusable survival tin it comes packed in, is a useful touch. Working with a new CNC facility that specializes in milling titanium, and committing to higher production volumes, we were able to bring this high grade capsule lighter to the user at a higher level iteration, but also with a digestible price point.”
The PDW TiFS Survival Capsule Lighter will be available for $49.00, at noon PDT, Wednesday August 22, 2018 via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.
Shomer-Tec’s new Fire Cards are credit card sized fire-starting tools which take up minimal space in a survival kit or fits in your wallet so you’ll always have it when needed. They come in two flavors; an accelerant and a fuel.
MAGNESIUM CARD
Due to its thin profile and easy gripping, its very easy to create magnesium shavings, which when ignited by ferrocerium sparks will burn extremely hot to ignite your tinder. Size: 3.26” x 2.10” x 0.05”. Weight: 0.28 oz. Made in USA.
CEDAR CARD
The Cedar Card is a survival kindling card made from a solid piece of Western Red Cedar, known for its hot burn (even when damp) due to its natural oils and resins. It’s pre-scored and ready for breaking into pieces and forming a fire base. Works great when using magnesium shavings and ferrocerium or even just a match. Size: 3.37” x 2.13” x 0.10”. Weight: 0.1 oz. Sustainably grown and made in USA.
I recently ran across this pocket quadrant telemeter. It’s not something you see very often, and as some SSD readers like to keep it old school, I thought it was worth a share.
It’s a navigation, measurement and rangefinding tool. Once you inderstand it, it’s very simple to use. You locate an object of known size at the distance you need to measure and rely on trigonometry to give you the information you need. Sure, some of this can be done with a weapon optic, but that’s not always something you’ll have readily available.
Made in Germany, it comes with a Dyneema plumbline and tungsten carbide weight.
Canadian company VSSL got their start crowdfunding survival and first-aid kits packed in waterproof cylinders. Their latest development is a High Output Mini Camp Stove.
Users will need to a divide their own gas canister, but the actual stove is designed to boil one liter of water in under three minutes. It weighs 4.5 oz and fits in a cylinder which incorporates a light and compass for a combined weight of 11.8 oz.
This signal tablet is smaller than a quarter, with one side a mirror and the other with one of four optional backers.
Luminous Glow Light Surface: charge in seconds from natural/artificial light source(flashlight, sun, phone screen) generates minutes of a low glow output for seeing a map or operation orders in dark environments.
SOLAS, Safety Of Life At Sea Reflector: Hi-Vis, Coast Guard approved signal and safety tape adhered to buckle. Use to communicate your location or MORSE Code. Waterproof. Long distance visibility.
Glint Tag, Infrared reflective signal: Non-fabric surface glows to provide covert combat identification. Reflects IR light brightly to identify friend or for when viewed through night vision equipment (Domestic Shipping Only).
Tinder Paper Sheet: Waxed parchment pine sheet of wood. Slow burn time, strong flame, good for one emergency fire. Peel off backing from mirror and ignite.
SOLKOA Survival Systems is my favorite company for survival gear. Recently, they relaunched their website, adding the entire PRO-level Modules line as well as additional components and kits with over 50 unique items.
Additionally, based on recent demand from deploying warfighters whose units are unable to make organizational contract purchases through SOLKOA, they’ve now made several restricted kits available for individual purchase for active duty military, sworn law enforcement, or other at-risk government personnel deploying overseas. After vetting their credentials they can purchase kits with expanded capabilities that are normally restricted by ITAR or general sale to the public at large.
Now with the new website up, S3 intends to launch even more S3 components, task-focused modules/paks, and complete kits throughout the coming months including a Traveler line for global business and recreational travelers, as well as some new container form factors for carrying and packing your S3 contingency gear.
Lastly, as part of this launch and to celebrate our Independence Day, S3 is offering a sale of 10% off all products and free shipping for any retail orders over $50. The code for the discounts is: FREEDOM10 and will be good from now through midnight on July 4th, 2018.
At Blade Show I met Craig Tonelli, owner of Fire Water Survival. He was showing the AEGIS Pocket Survival Kit, which boasts a rather unique combination of components.
When you first see it, it looks common enough, what with the 12 foot of 550 cord wrapping. But once you remove that, you expose what appears to be a metal capsule.
Turns out, it’s a collapsible metal cup which also stores the other components. In addition to the cordage and water purification capability, it also contains fishing kit, fire starter and cutting tool.
There is a larger kit named the Chief which is based on the same concept but with more of it.
www.firewatersurvival.com/survival-kits
-Eric Graves
Editor
