Spartan Blades has been offering limited run versions of their popular Spartan-Harsey Folder which feature special finishes and handles.
Right now, the plan is to have four different options available at a time and to swap them out for new designs in turn so they don’t all change at once. Here are some examples.
Blade Length: 4″
Overall Length: 8 13/16″
Blade Thickness: 0.154″
Thickness: 0.5″
Blade Steel: CPM S35VN
Blade Hardness: 58-60 RHC
– Eric Graves
SSD Editor
The Leupold Mk 8 is one of the most popular optics on the market. However, it’s expensive and not everyone requires the scope’s illuminated reticle, so Leupold came out with this new model to make it available to more shooters.
It’s still a 3.5-25×56 with Mk 8 construction. They’ve added low-profile M5C2 ZeroLock adjustments and a non-illuminated front focal plane reticle.
Adams Industries exhibited their Dual Tube Night Vision Goggles featuring tubes by ACT.
Aside from veey clear night vision, the tubes also automatically turn off when they are flipped up to the carriage position.
Adams Industries offers multiple versions of this technology including government, commercial, export, white phosphorous, color and WFOV models. The Camo tape is available in multiple patterns.
– Eric Graves
SSD Editor
At SHOT Show I found out that Hazard 4 recently signed a licensing agreement with Frazetta Jr. Enterprise to produce products based on Frank Frazetta’s legendary art. Their first product is a 3D morale patch depicting the iconic Death Dealer which has long been the symbol of the US Army’s III Corps.
Available now in Black, Coyote and OD Green.
www.hazard4.com/accessories/morale-patches/death-dealer
Many people don’t know that Mystery Ranch makes SOCOM issued Flash Bang pouches. Both sizes are PALS compatible and the flaps can be tucked behind the grenade.
There’s the Flash Bang above and the Triple Bang below. Yes, it’s often referred to in the field as the “gang bang”.
I was told by a little bird to stop by the FN America booth and take a look at the select fire ARs. Sure enough, my trip was rewarded with the FN 16 Tactical II Pro. This one had an 11.5″ barrel but as I understand it, there will be 10.3″, 11.5″, 12.5″, 14.5″, 14.5″ pinned, 16″ and 18″ hammer forged barrels featuring a 1/7 twist and the Hodge barrel profile. Oh yeah, did I mention that the Pro was developed in conjunction with Hodge Defense Systems?
FN has incorporated the SureFire WarComp.
You’ll notice the Hodge MLok handguard with FN badging, Magpul grip and stock along with oversized Bolt Catch.
The thing about the Pro series carbines is that they are being offered as COTS options for government customers, but I’m hoping to see them offered commercially soon, as well.
– Eric Graves
SSD Editor
It was great to see the MTEK team in their own booth at SHOT Show. They had their whole line on display. A small company, creating lightweight, innovative designs, what’s not love about these guys?
This dipped version of the Flux Ballistic caught my eye and I thought it worth sharing.
Bill Geissele’s sons Abraham and Moses began showing an interest in knives, so he started a new company, Abraham and Moses Survival Equipment, to help them learn about the business. They are some very fortunate kids.
For one of their first knives, they partnered with Retired Special Operator and Master Knifemaker Lou Goodman. Lou has been making knives for his fellow Soldiers for years, and now that he is retired has taken up the art professionally.
The Goodman not only shares his name, but also incorporates features he wanted in a combat knife. He related that when he was a younger man, he often carried large knives but that they often just got in the way while carried, so he made the Goodman as a more agile size. He also incorporated and extended guard to prevent the hand from sliding onto the blade. Additionally, the ricasso has been lengthened to allow the user to ‘choke up’ on the blade for detailed tasks and the Goodman features a choil-less edge to prevent snagging during combat.
This 12.4 oz full tang knife is 10 5/8″ long with a 5.655” long and .210″ thick blade, which is made with Carpenter PD1 steel. They’ve differentially heat treated the blade and tempered it six times. This creates an edge that is sharp and a strong core at 60 HRC. The blade is then finished with G10 Handles and a hi-tech Nano Composite Coating to prevent wear and rust.
The 7.4 oz sheath is an interesting design, machined from a billet of 7075 aluminum with a nylon liner. It incorporates a drain hole and the different attachment systems are user configurable. In addition to PALS compatibility, the sheath can also be belt worn, or lashed to equipment.
You’ll notice a small notch in the blade. This will interface with a catch on the sheath, they refer to as an active retainmemt device. To draw the knife, use your finger to depress the catch and pull the blade free. The active retainment device is used to keep the knife in place during activities like parachuting, and swimming as well as mounted and urban operations. However, it can be removed and Lou assures me the knife will stay in place via friction for most uses.
Here you can see the Goodman mounted to its designer’s JPC which gives you a great idea of the size of the knife and how much real estate it will take up.
– Eric Graves
SSD Editor
