The Base Camp X “Prometheus” Fire Piston is an old world technology that uses air friction to ignite tinder, creating an ember for fire building. The Fire Piston is made from hand turned hickory, with the pressure relief valve, lanyard loop, and internal shaft made from brass. Each Fire Piston comes with a supply of char cloth tinder and a hand cut leather lanyard. If you’re curious about how the Fire Piston functions, the below video shows it in action.
basecampx.com/shop/fire-piston
Motoped is a company formed from a successful Kickstarter venture for a motorized bike kit that utilizes an XR50/pitbike engine and standard mountain bike components. They’ve recently unveiled a prototype of their next product, the ‘Survival Bike’.
Although the specs haven’t been released yet, the base model Survival Bike shown above has changes over the standard model including a subdued color scheme with Olive Drab overtones, additional fuel canisters, and a carry rack.
Pictured above is the ‘Black Ops’ model, which features the following tools and accessories:
– Barnett Recruit Compound Crossbow
– Rotopax RX-1G Gas Packs – 1 Gallon
– United Cutlery M48 Tactical Survival Shovel
– United Cutlery M48 Hawk Tomahawk
– United Cutlery M48 Hawk Harpoon
– Gerber Fixed Blade Saw
– Blackburn X6 Light System
– Black Diamond Carabiners / Climbing rope
– Cree Mini LED Flashlight
– BioLogic Bike Mount for iPhone4/gps
– Tool Logic Tactical Multifunction Knife / light
– Tool Logic Credit Card Companion multi-tool
– CRKT Guppie multi-tool
– Tactical-Warrior Neck Knife
Be sure to frequent the Motopeds Facebook page for continuing information on the Survival Bike, including final specs and pricing, as it becomes available.
First off, I have to address their name. 88 Tactical isn’t some nefarious code for something that would turn my stomach. Started in 2009, it’s made up of guys with a history of public service in the military and law enforcement. They are based in Nebraska and you may have seen them on one of the “survival shelter” shows on cable.
Second, I’ll address what they do. Aside from the usual firearms and tactical training, the guys at 88 Tactical are working to make a name for themselves in the bushcraft and survival arenas. There is definitely a demand for Survival training in the civilian market. But, I’ll address a concern some of you will share with me. 88 Tactical offers what they refer to as SERE training (Survive, Endure, Respond, Excel) but some of their courses, which I won’t cover here, are offered to select LE and civilians only, so this isn’t all open enrollment training. You’ve got to have the credentials to get more in depth training.
Of their offerings, Intro to Survival Skills is a good starting point. It’s a one day course with some basic classroom followed by “dirt time” where you’ll get hands on experience in these areas:
Survival mindset
What to do in a wilderness emergency
Choosing the proper equipment
Personal Survival Kits (PSK)
First Aid Kit (FAK)
Choosing proper cutting tools
Man made fire starters
Safety considerations
Shelter construction
Knot-tying
Building fires
Signaling rescuers
Procuring water
88tactical.com/categories/16-survival-series/courses/40-intro-to-survival-skills-tekamah
SERE Level 1 builds on those basic skills in a two-day course featuring an overnight in a shelter built using techniques taught in the course. Topics include:
Shelters
Firecraft
Water procurement
Sustenance
Personal protection
Signaling
Tool care
Land nav and making movement
Weather dependent skills
88 Tactical’s SERE 1, “Rural Ops” from 88 Tactical Group on Vimeo.
SERE Level 2 is an intermediate course that once again takes place in the field over a two-and-a-half period. You have to have completed their Level 1 course and the instruction goes into more depth in these subjects:
Personal Survival Kits (PSK)
First Aid Kit (FAK)
Choosing the proper cutting tools
Safety considerations
Sourcing food and water
Camp selection
Knife and saw use
Improvising
Sheltercraft
Firecraft
Foraging
Knots and hitches
This video, gives you an idea of what this course is about.
88 Tactical’s SERE 2, “Escape from Metropolis” from 88 Tactical Group on Vimeo.
Chiappa is now offering the X-Caliber Multi-caliber bore insert system coupled with a modernized M6 break action survival rifle.
Even though we first mentioned the X-caliber system in late 2012, we still get emails inquiring about it. Originally offered by Tim Ralston’s GearUp Center, as a stand alone kit, this model from Chiappas is kind of interesting.
It’s an over/under design featuring a rifled .22 LR and smooth bore 12 ga barrels. This gives you a total of 12 different calibers with the the 8 X-caliber steel adapter inserts. That’s the 2 calibers in the M6 along with 8 pistol calibers (.380 , 9 mm, .357Mag/.38SP, .40 S & W, .44 Mag, .45 ACP , .410/.45colt ) and 2 shotgun calibers (.410 and 20 ga).
The M6 was designed originally as a survival rifle for downed USAF aircrews. As I’ve stated, it’s an Over/Under design and it can be bent in half for storage or transportation. Interestingly, it’s cocked via opening the break action and uses double triggers with one for each barrel. The “lever”, or extended trigger guard is used to release the action.
Two things they’ve done to “modernize” the type is to add 3 Mil Std 1913 rails at the receiver and incorporated a molded polypropylene stock. I’m not sold on that component but everything else looks ok. It features an 18.5″ barrel with an overall length of 34.6″ with the stock in place. Stored length is 18.5″.
This never gets old. Is it wrong for me to miss the Cold War?
“Survival kit contents check. In them you’ll find:
– One forty-five caliber automatic
– Two boxes of ammunition
– Four days’ concentrated emergency rations
– One drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills
– One miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible
– One hundred dollars in rubles
– One hundred dollars in gold
– Nine packs of chewing gum
– One issue of prophylactics
– Three lipsticks
– Three pair of nylon stockings.
Shoot, a fella’ could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.”
This dog tag shaped signal mirror from Rothco is scratch resistant and at $2.50 is a great option for those assembling their own survival kits. It incorporates a sighting hole as well as a chain hole so could be used as a handy signal mirror around your neck or as a back up in a kit.
www.rothco.com/product-details/rothco-dog-tag-signal-mirror
Gearward has just released the Fire Cord Micro. Fire Cord Micro consists of a small spool which contains 2 ft. of waterproof 5-strand jute cord that has been saturated in boiling paraffin for 2 hours. The spool is designed to be attached to a firesteel or kept in a survival kit for immediate access to reliable tinder.
Fire Cord Micro is made in the USA. Each pack contains 3 spools.
gearward.com/collections/frontpage/products/fire-cord-waterproof-tinder-micro-3-pack
Each week we focus on a different aspect of FirstSpear. This week, it’s once again my pleasure to discuss Das Ding. I originally wrote about it a little over a year ago, offering up the first photos of how it is employed. Das Ding is German for ‘The Thing’ and that’s a pretty apt description. It’s a thing that adapts to the mission and kind of reminds me of a money belt on steroids. I fell in love with it for low-viz and SERE application. I am a big fan and it is a great low profile carry option for the tools you need to get your job done. What you carry is really limited by your imagination.
Made from Tweave, Das Ding incorporates 11 sewn pockets that allow you to configure your load any way you like. Once you’ve got it loaded, you slightly stretch Das Ding when you put it on. Then you overlay the Velcro panels to close it around you like a cummerbund. There’s plenty of contact with a 4.5″ x 6″ hook panel that connects to an even larger loop panel for adjustability. Additionally, you can close it in front or rear based on where you want to carry your load. You may want a smooth front or perhaps you want to be able to reach inside your jacket to access something.
The softshell stretch fabric accommodates a variety of items and grip enhancement panels on the inside of the pockets and security stretch cords keep them in place.
Although it’s not a purpose built holster, you can even carry a gun.
Grip enhancement panels on the inside of the pockets and security stretch cords are included and can be attached as required. this item can be worn empty under your load carriage platform and blouse. Available in 4 sizes (S, M, L, XL), corresponding to the AGB. Offered in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green and MultiCam.
Order a Das Ding and FirstSpear will also ship a free FS Logo T-Shirt.
