Custom Gear Report

We received the Ultimate Riggers Belt from 215 Gear a couple months ago but held off on doing the review when we saw that ITS Published their review at that time. Not to mention we were having some hardware trouble with our video gear. I also misspoke in the video, apparently Soldier Systems has not done a review of the belt, I thought they had.

Anyway, we’ve gotten to the point were we can get something out for you. Here is our take on the belt.

Points to Note:

• Cobra Buckle: Tan Anodized Aluminum, rated to 4000 lbs
• Webbing attachment point, no bulky hardware
• Mil-w-4088 Type 13 parachute harness webbing
• Sewn with 5 cord thread on a class 7 machine.
• Multiple diamond stitch pattern near attachment point
• 6 Rows of stitching to provide rigidity
• Lifetime warranty
• Made in the USA

Retail: $74.99

Sizes:

Medium fits 30”-35” waist
Large fits 35-40” waist.
X-Large fits 40-45” waist.

Salt Fog Testing:

As mentioned in the video 215 Gear hired an independent lab to conduct salt water testing on their belt to see how it compared against several other leading manufacturers belts.

Test results and photos after the break

Read more…

Earlier this year Soldier Systems posted about the quadruped robot appropriately name BIG DOG. Well it seems the engineers at Boston Dynamics have also been working on a biped named PETMAN. Here is a video of it walking on a treadmill. The “push” the tech gives the robot at :26 impressed the hell out of me. It won’t be long before you see proper droids on a battlefield near you. Not sure what this is going to do for the custom gear industry though. Boston Dynamics has some pretty cool stuff including a 6 legged bot they call RiSE that has the ability to climb vertical surfaces. Beware the rise of the machines.

Just your typical range video but the intro makes it. My new favorite song.

You can get the song here: Shoot the Zombies Song

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.

Read more…

A video that has been making the rounds, figured I would share the fun. Nothing says happiness like insurgents blowing themselves up.