Custom Gear Report

I’ve just noticed that Zulu Nylon Gear has launched a new website deign. Our hats off to the new look. Head over to http://www.zulunylongear.com to check it out.

Speaking of Zulu, a while back they sent us the latest version of the Mega Admin pouch for review. Keep an eye out for our take on the design in the near future.

After the review is complete one of our lucky readers will have the opportunity to take possession of this fine piece of kit in a Zulu Nylon Gear sponsored give away.

MTek Weapons Systems is a small specialty armor company. You may know them from their Predator Facial Armor System (FAST) that has been making the rounds. Initially MTek’s focus was on military and military contracts but they are currently making a move into the commercial/direct sales market albeit only to military and law enforcement personnel, which is unfortunate*.

Two of the products they are highlighting are the FAST G3A and G3C both systems attach to the helmet by a rail system developed by MTek called the Versa Rail

The G3A appears to be a hardshell face shield similar to the construction of the MICH and ACH helmets.

The G3C is a “soft” or maybe better described as a flexible version of the face shield. This allows for better check weld and more accurate employment of your weapon system.

Here is a cool video of attaching and detaching the G3C:

Obviously the face shield is a piece of specialty gear where it would be useful in many applications but that needs to be determined by the end user. It probably wouldn’t be comfortable to be wearing this while digging a fighting position, but for someone doing convoy operations or kicking in doors that would be a different story. We would like to see more independent end user data from the field too.

*The one major detail we have a gripe with is the Military/LEO sales only policy. It is the opinion of CGR that any Law abiding citizen should be able to purchase any type of armor they wish in accordance with state and federal laws. Priority being Military and Law Enforcement professionals.

We’ve just been made aware of a new company, Exotac Inc. They describe themselves as “… a new outdoor gear company focused on designing and manufacturing extraordinary, high quality products.” Here is a bit of their history.

Exotac, Inc. is what happens when Engineers and guys-who-love-the-outdoors are combined. We are a privately held, family owned small business based out of Buford, Georgia. The company was started by a Purdue Engineering graduate with a passion for all things man and earth made. We combined some aluminum with a little dirt and the rest is history!

They are starting out with two products that will probably be of interest to our readers especially the EDC crowd and make great stocking stuffers.

The first is called the nanoSTRIKER™, a small ferrocerium fire starting tool made from Aluminum with a stainless steel cap and hardened steel striker. Small enough to attach to your key chain without adding much bulk but once assembled it looks like it is large enough to be able to be used comfortably.

The next product is the MATCHCAP™, a waterproof match case designed to carry all typed of matches from standard kitchen matches to strike anywhere matches to the longer weatherproof matches you find at camping stores. Another cool feature is that they have added striking surfaces for both types of matches.

Another thing I like, looking at their site, is that they offer all the little replacement bits like new o-rings, striker surfaces and even silicone o-ring lube, ha I said lube…

762Tactical is a custom gear company started in 2002 and went full time on 2006. The foundation of the company was built around the need for gear to use with weapon systems other than the M16/M4 series of weapons.

Colin, the owner of 762tTactical, identified the gap for weapons such as AK’s, FAL’s, G3′s, M14′s and more recently SR25/M110 SASS’s. While some of these weapons have pretty much been in continuous use in more specialized units, we have seen a resurgence even in conventional line units especially the M14 and the new M110 and to a certain extent the AK which has been widely used by civilian contractors. Of course there is always the civilian market where larger caliber semi-auto rifles have remained popular. To further cater to the civilian market 762 can also build solutions for M1 Garands, m1 carbines, 3030 Winchesters and other sporting rifles.

762′s product offerings are not limited to this however, they also make an assortment of other conventional load carrying rigs of which we have included some photos.

762Tactical’s customers range from Army and USMC snipers, SF, Civilian Contractors, 3 gun competitors, your average prepared citizen and everyone in between.

They currently have a showcase website www.762tactical.com but will be launching their online store and improved website in the next month or so. We’ll be sure to post an update when they go live. in the mean time you can contact them through the email address on their site.

Some photos of 762Tactical gear after the break.

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I’ve always been a fan of small gadgets and tools along with the whole EDC concept and being prepared for life’s daily hiccups. I carry a couple things in my pockets that I use on a daily basis to accomplish little tasks, might be a good article at a later date. As a hobby home shop metal worker I also appreciate quality design and craftsmanship.

About a year and a half ago I discovered the work of Peter Atwood of Atwood Knife and Tool. Peter designs and produces some pretty cool small pocket tools and blades. Over this time I’ve purchased 5 of his creations and have to say I am pretty happy with them. I carry two tools on my keychain. The “Atwrench with Tiki Grinds” and the “Nibble” and use them daily for opening boxes, prying, opening beer bottles etc. I also have a titanium “Bug out Bar”, “Keyton” and a titanium “Bermuda Triangle” I’ll save the details on these for a future review video.

In Peter’s own words:

I specialize in small pocket tools and key ring knives although I have made many folding knives and even a few larger fixed blades over the years. But my main love is for the small stuff. I’m constantly working on new designs for gadgets, prybars, small edged tools and unique hand tools.

Atwood has formed what I would call somewhat of a cult following. He produces his tools in batches then posts them on Planet Pocket Tool which is his blog. After that it is first come first served and things usually sell out within in minutes. Because of the limited supply and the high demand, his stuff is highly collectible.

The items are not exactly cheap, and some have remarked that they are overpriced for what they are, but when you consider the labor involved in grinding, deburring, heat treating and finishing each tool it’s pretty labor intensive. Add to that the supply and demand issue mentioned above and you can understand the price tag. As someone who does a little bit of hobby metal working, I certainly understand.

If you get a chance head on over to his websites and take a look at his work. I think you’ll be impressed.

Videos of Peter working in his shop and more photos after the read more.

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Zulu Nylon Gear is an up and coming custom gear company. Initially specializing in admin/organizational and EDC equipment. They have a range of products in development and you can track the development of these items on their blog.

Currently their “Mega Admin Pouch” is in production and available for Purchase in Coyote Brown with other colors to follow. We will have more info on this pouch in a future post.

Zulu prides themselves on using quality products made in the US with US Made materials. Keep an eye on this company I think they’re going places and this isn’t going to be the last you hear of them on the CGR.

In my travels on the interweb I stumbled across the Seekins Precision website. I hadn’t heard of them up to this point but after a quick google search I realized it was just because I’m out of touch. Their name appears to be getting around.

Anyway among the several products they make the have what I think is a great looking billet AR15 lower receiver. Coming from a family of machinists, mechanics and engineers, and doing a little hobby machinist work myself, I have a thing for finely machined metal, and from the pics I’ve seen this certainly fits the bill. During my search I came across this cool video on YouTube of some lowers in the CNC machine.

More photos of Seekins Precision products can be easily seen by doing a quick search on google images.

If you’ve have any input on them please leave a comment.

A couple years ago I had the opportunity to spend some time with Paul Scheiter of Hedgehog Leatherworks. Aside from being a great guy, Paul is what I consider a true craftsman. Hedgehog makes high end leather knife sheaths. The attention to detail is amazing and these things are built like a tank. Paul also has a unique, patent pending “rapid release strap” which is designed to move the retention strap out of the way when it’s released. This prevents the knife from getting caught up when extracting it from it’s sheath.

Currently they make sheaths for several types of knife including hte Ka-Bar which is a popular blade among all military personnel these days, not just the USMC anymore.

Head over to their site and check ‘em out.

Pics after the link.

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