Gerber Torch II Tanto Black Serrated Edge Knife

I decided I wanted a knife for the times when I couldn’t carry my firearm, so that I would have some means to protect myself; a self-defense knife if you will. I wanted something that had a clip, so I could wear the knife inside my waistband. I wanted it to be fairly easy to open, so I could release the blade with one hand. It needed to be a good quality knife but I didn’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it either. I looked at many different knives at both local stores and online, eventually settling on the Gerber Torch II Tanto.

“Designed by Rick Hinderer, the Gerber Torch II features a matte black tanto blade with drop point, dual thumbstud for one-handed opening, and a finger flip that doubles as a finger guard. The partially serrated 3.5-inch blade is made of surgical-grade 7Cr17MoV stainless steel, while the stainless steel handle has machine-textured G-10 insert for an excellent grip. It includes a pocket clip for easy carry and storage as well as a lanyard attachment. The Torch II measures 8.25 inches when open and 4.75 inches when closed, and it weighs a svelte 5.7 ounces. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty.”

Price: $30 – $40

Pros:

• I love the way this knife looks.
•  It’s a Gerber. I actually own other Gerber products, so they’re a company I know and trust.
• Very easy to open.
•  I like the finger guard; it adds to a firm grip.

Cons:

• The clip is on the wrong side for a right handed person. To better explain this, in the top picture above, the clip should be on the left side, not the right. If you have the knife clipped in your pocket or waistband, when you draw it, the blade opens into your hand, so you would need to adjust before putting it to use, which defeats the purpose of the quick draw.
•  Some knives have the ability to move the clip to another position, not this one.
• It is very easy to open, too easy, actually. I was wearing it inside the top, back of my pants one day, when I had to use the rest room. When I took my pants down, the blade slipped out and cut every layer of skin for about two inches on the top of my right calf. I got lucky; it could have easily cut my calf in two.

My Take

I’m obviously unhappy with the purchase, but I am inclined to believe that the opening problem is a problem with this specific knife and not with Gerber. As I mentioned I own other Gerber products and have always been happy with them.

I looked at several stores near me for a self-defense knife and didn’t see one that was in my price range that I cared for, so I ended up buying it on line. If I would have been able to put my hands on it, I may not have noticed that it opened too easily, but I would have noticed that it opened on the wrong side, and wouldn’t have purchased it.

Even though I didn’t return it, I should have. I give this knife one star.

 
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Making the Best of Basics by James Talmage Stevens aka Dr. Prepper

From Making the Best of Basics.com

“Making the Best of Basics Family Preparedness Handbook , has been the all-time best-selling volume in the preparedness industry for almost 4 decades.   Book sales exceed 775,000 printed copies sold since 1974.

 Basics is truly a classic reference work in the preparedness industry!

 Now Revised in it’s 12th edition with more up to date information than ever before, Making the Best of Basics has been brought into the Digital age with a new CD-Rom version that is Cram Packed with more information than could have been possible in printed form.

 If you’re going to buy just one book to help you maximize your preparedness this is it!

 Making the Best of Basics Family Preparedness Handbook Digital Download is the no-wait/no-freight PDF version that provides immediate electronic access to the all-time, best-selling, single preparedness volume ever! Basics has  dozens of charts and tables to help you organize and improve your personal and family preparations!

 The Digital Download Book version has several advantage:

• Many illustrations are in full color,
• Active links go directly to additional resources to save your time,
• Visible search index in left margin helps you access information quickly”

 My Take

There are some books in our niche that cover a wide range of topics and skills that I look at as a type of prepper “handbook”.  While you could, they aren’t necessarily the type of book you would sit down and read cover to cover.  They are, however, the type of book you would want to have “just in case”.  This is one of those books.  I mean, it even has “Family Preparedness Handbook” in the title.  LOL

It has something for every level of prepper, whether you’re just starting out and looking for help on what to do next, or have been prepping for years and want to see where you may have holes.  This book has many preparedness check lists, charts on many different types of preparedness/survival gear as well as a lot of recipes using storage food.  There is information to help you get prepared, as well as useful information if you are in a survival situation.

I own a hard copy of this book but like the idea of the PDF version as well.  If I was only getting one copy, it would be a hard copy.  The time you might need it is when the power is out.  You could get the PDF version and print out the pages you want to have a hard copy of.

I think this is one book that should be in your prepper library and I give it 5 stars.  The only drawback to this book is the price, but it is so loaded with information that I think it is worth every penny.

 
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5.11 TMT L1 Flashlight, 212 Lumens, Black

I have been looking for an EDC flashlight for a while. My list of requirements:

• Length of 3-4. I don’t wear gear on my belt, so the flashlight has to go in a pocket with other EDC gear. It has to be small enough to fit in the pocket and not take up all of the room, yet big enough to have some power to it.
• High Lumen count, preferably over 100. I want to be able to disorient someone if needed, by shining a very bright light in their eyes.
•  Sturdy construction; it has to stand up to an occasional drop from Mr. Bumblehands.

Here are the specs for the 5.11 TMT L1 Flashlight, the one I decided on.

Product Specifications:

· Length: 3.9” (99.4mm)
· Max. Diameter: 1.1” (26.7mm)
· Body Diameter: 1.0” (24.3mm)
· Product Weight: 2.1oz (59g)
· Weight w. Battery: 2.6oz (75g)
· Aerospace Grade Aluminum
· CR123A Duracell® Battery Included
· Regulated Circuit for Maximum Output
· Cree® XP-G LED
· Gold Plated Contacts
· Intelligent Switch w. High/Low/Strobe
· Momentary-On Switch
· Rotary Dial Lock-Out Switch
· Stamped Metal Pocket Clip
· Black TPR Soft Touch Anti-Roll Ring
· Break-Away Lanyard Included
· Water Resistant Construction
 

My Take:

 
Pros

• Length of 3.9” This flashlight is the perfect size for me, fits perfectly in my fist and doesn’t take up my entire pocket. While it does fit great in my pocket, it’s about half an inch too short to use as a striking implement.
• At 173 lumens this flashlight is incredibly bright. I decided that if I was going to depend on this as part of my self-defense tool kit that I needed to try it on myself first. I had my wife shine it in my eyes in a well lit room. It was darn bright but it alone wouldn’t stop any threat. A quick flash in the eyes would be enough of a distraction to allow a strike. I haven’t tested this at night, but my guess is that if one’s eyes were adjusted to the dark, this would be much more effective as a distraction. The dim setting is sufficient for most normal flashlight use, while the bright setting would be helpful in some and overkill for others.
• While I haven’t dropped the light yet, the design and construction create a very sturdy feel.

Cons

• I would prefer the clip higher on the frame so that less of the light stuck out of the pocket.
• The cost of this flashlight is a bit high.

 
I have looked at many tactical flash lights. Prices range from $50-$200 and this light is in the $70 range. While this flashlight does meet every requirement I had, I had a hard time justifying spending that much on myself, so I put it on my Christmas list. Because it met all of my requirements and is high quality I am going to give it 4 stars.
 

 
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Lights Out was originally written chapter by chapter and posted to the “Patriot Fiction” section of a popular preparedness forum. The story begins with an event that completely shuts down all electronics and follows the main character, his family, friends and neighborhood.

I have read a few books that deal with this or similar themes and I think this one is the closest to what I think would really happen. Many stories in this genre depict complete societal meltdown quickly after the “event”. In Lights Out, things do melt down, but more slowly as people realize that life as they knew it, is gone.

I identified with the main character; a man who has faults and weaknesses but who stands up and fights for what he believes. This makes him a reluctant leader in his neighborhood. The neighborhood has some internal struggles but bands together overall to provide the essential needs for survival for their entire neighborhood.

It’s not a how-to manual per se but there is helpful information in this book if you pay attention to how the characters cope with the new post-grid world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It is the best piece of “patriot fiction” or novel in this genre I have read. I give it five stars.

 
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When I began shooting, I bought ear muffs and the cheapest clear safety goggles I could find. I had seen other shooters using the tinted glasses and didn’t think I would like the yellow or red tint. That was until I went shooting with a friend who let me try his pair of yellow tinted glasses on. I could not believe how much they made things pop out. The tint did take a little bit to get used to, but it was worth it. I purchased the Allen Company Adult Blade 4 Lens Style Combo Case (Clear, Red, Yellow, Smoke). If you’re looking for eye protection, I recommend these. I have seen other more expensive shooting eye protection and they often only come in the one tint. I like the ability to change the lenses out, which is fairly easy and straight forward.