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Blade Show – Hogue Knives

June 6th, 2016

Designed by Elishiwitz, this is the EX-TO1 from Hogue. What I find most interesting about it is the shape of the head which is cut to accommodate the carrying system. That skeleton design also makes it lighter than more traditional ones.

The sheath is magnetized so the tomahawk will click into place and then there’s a twist lock that keeps it on the sheath. The sheath also incorporates a paddle like you find on holsters. However, you can also mount other Tek-Lok carry options.

The EX-TO1 is just over 14″ long and weighs just under a pound (1.45 lbs with sheath). It is made from .25″ S7 steel and offers G10 scales in a variety of colors.

www.hogueinc.com/knives

Tags: Hogue
Posted in Blade Show, Knives | 4 Comments »

Blade Show – Classy Raptor

June 6th, 2016

Classy Raptor is run by Disabled Veteran Curtis Iovito II. He’s a great guy and for the last several years he’s been a knife dealer. Recently, he started making firearms parts from Copper and Moku-Ti which has been used extensively for knives but so far ignored as an artistic element for guns.

I’m a big fan of this fusion of art and functionality so I bought a copper hexagon backplate for my Z17. The fit is perfect. While it came oiled to inhibit the onset of corrosion, I’m looking forward to the patina.

Curtis tells me there are additional parts in the way but he’s concentrating on parts that aren’t crucial to the actual function of the firearm like takedown pins for ARs.

classyraptor.com/copper-raptor-plate

Tags: Classy Raptor
Posted in Blade Show, weapons | 4 Comments »

Blade Show – DDR / Master Proven

June 6th, 2016

I stopped by ABS Master Bladesmith Darrel Ralph’s booth and saw quite a few new items but I thought we’d initially discuss their DGT line of tactical gear.

This is the Shadrach, a small survival knife designed in conjunction with Master Proven and produced by DDR. The name stems from the Old Testament’s Book of Daniel, Chapter 3. Shadrach is one of four who survived an attempt at being burnt alive.

It includes the knife made from 154CM and ferro rod which is held in place with small rubber bands. This method is quite common. Next, the handle is wrapped with 550 Fire Cord so it includes a combustible material to get the fire going. There’s also a simple, Kydex sheath.

Thes will be available from Smokey Mountain Knife Works, Blue Ridge Knives and Going Gear.

Tags: DDR, Master Proven
Posted in Blade Show, Knives | 1 Comment »

Blade Show – Spartan Blades / Harsey Folder Wins American Made Knife of the Year

June 6th, 2016

Cngratulations to our friends at Spartan Blades along with Bill Harsey for their folding knife being selected as Blade Magazine’s American Made Knife of the Year!

Here you can see Mark Carey, Bill Harsey and Curtis Iovito recieving their award.

The knife features a stainless S35VN 4.25″ inch blade along with dual titanium thumb lugs and phosphor bronze bushing for a smooth, ambidextrous opening. The frame lock design incorprates and internal lock bar stabilizer that prevents the lock bar from over traveling and the slabs are are titanium.

spartanbladesusa.com/folding-blades

Tags: Bill Harsey, Spartan Blades
Posted in Blade Show, Industry, Knives, Made In USA! | 2 Comments »

Ask SSD – Price of an Ironman high capacity ammunition carriage system

June 6th, 2016

Even though we don’t sell anything, we often get requests for quotes. This is one worth sharing. However, the name of the actual requestor has been deleted.

Dear Sir or Ms.,
Request price, at your earliest convenience, on your Gun Pack for M240 Machine Gun.
Thank you.
Respectfully,

Project Officer
U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force

For those of you unfamiliar with an Ironman, it is a government owned design for an ammo backpack with feedchute for the M240 developed by Natick’s Quick Reaction Cell and the Rapid Equipping Force, the very office asking us for a quote. Talk about Irony, man.

Consequently, our answer for the request is simple…

But seriously, if you’re looking for an ammunition pack for the M240 Machine Gun, we suggest you take a look at a product made by one of our advertisers.

The MICO by TYR Tactical was created specifically for this requirement at the request of a military customer. In fact, it was fielded by SOF before the Army developed the Ironman for deployed forces from the Iowa National Guard. What’s more, the MICO even has an NSN: 8465-01-629-5960, and it works.

Posted in Ask SSD | 16 Comments »

Project Vigil: D-Day 2014, The Saluting Boy on Omaha Beach

June 6th, 2016

On this anniversary of D-Day, I’d like to share this video from 2014 with you. He’s a tough kid and it was a great way to honor some tough men who saved the world from evil.

Tags: D-Day
Posted in History | 2 Comments »

Blade Show – Special Operations Equipment Goes High Fashion

June 6th, 2016

Every year I see the SOE crew at Blade Show and they are killing it. It’s a show where vendors are allowed to sell product over the counter, directly to the public. By the end of the day, you’ll see SOE gear all over the show.

This year they had a couple of displays that I had to share.

www.originalsoegear.com

Tags: SOE
Posted in Blade Show, Load Carrying | 36 Comments »

Blade Show – Michael Rodriguez

June 5th, 2016

I first met knife maker Michael Rodriguez while he was still a Special Forces NCO in the Army. He had been wounded and RMJ Tactical frontman Ryan Johnson had been teaching him how to make knives. After he retired from the Army, Michael did two things; he made more knives and he helped out his fellow Veterans. Both are things that have endeared him to me.

At Blade Show I got a special treat from Michael. He made a knife which he presented to England’s Prince Henry of Wales, KCVO, at the recent Invictus Games, an Olympics-style event for wounded Veterans.

While inspired by the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife, it’s not exact copy. Measurements are different as well as some of the lines, like the cross guard.

Michael accomplished all of the work by himself, including turning the wooden pommel. However, he did have a special metal stamp made to commemorate the cooperation of the British and American people.

Michael’s wife, who is still an active duty Army NCO, brought this Sapphire home from a tour in Afghanistan. He set this one and its twin, into the pommels of the two daggers. The sapphire was the perfect choice. Not only does it held special significance as a jewel to the Royal Family, but Prince Harry also served in its place of origin.

Tags: Michael Rodriguez
Posted in Blade Show | 10 Comments »