New: “Forged by War” CRKT Tecpatl Push Dagger

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CRKT has announced a new addition to its Forged by War program, which assists combat veterans on the path to becoming knife designers. We previously wrote about the first three blades in the Forged by War line — check out that article for a summary of how the program works, and how it assists veterans with creating the tools they wished they had on the battlefield. In addition to helping these individuals deal with PTSD and find an outlet for their skills, the program donates 10% of its net profits to charities of each designer's choice.

CRKT Tecpatl Forged by War push dagger neck knife 2

The latest knife in the Forged by War series is the Tecpatl push dagger. It was designed by Michael R. Rodriguez, who joined the U.S. Army at age 17 and continued to serve for 21 years. Fifteen of those years were spent as a Green Beret in the 7th Special Forces Group. He was an 18 Delta Special Forces Medic, a role held by some of the finest trauma medical technicians in the entire U.S. Armed Forces.

During his military career, Michael participated in more than 9 deployments, including locales in Central and South America, Haiti, Somalia, and Afghanistan. After his final combat deployment, he was assigned as a Sniper Instructor for the 1st Special Warfare Training Group.

CRKT Tecpatl Forged by War push dagger neck knife 4

As a result of his extensive combat experience, Michael suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), lost vision in his left eye, and was diagnosed with severe PTSD. This forced him to medically retire from his role as a Green Beret, but he continued on to become the Chief Ambassador for the Green Beret Foundation, and sits on the Advisory Council for President George W. Bush’s Military Service Initiative.

CRKT Tecpatl Forged by War push dagger neck knife 5

Michael partnered with CRKT to produce the Tecpatl push dagger, which features a sugar skull motif inspired by Michael's New Mexico heritage. The Tecpatl is constructed from tough SK5 carbon steel, and its black powder-coated finish is laser-etched with various symbols. To the ordinary viewer, these symbols look like nothing more than artistic design, but Michael put deep meaning into the engraved markings.

Here are a few of the significant symbols:

  • Horns inspired by the Devil's Brigade, also known as the First Special Service Force. This unit joined elite soldiers from America and Canada during World War II.
  • A Crusader's cross around the lanyard hole
  • Office of Strategic Services insignia
  • “7” to commemorate the 7th Special Forces Group
  • Arrow to represent the crossed arrows of the Special Forces
  • Three lighting bolts to represent the Green Beret shoulder patch

CRKT Tecpatl Forged by War push dagger neck knife 6

Even the word Tecpatl is significant — it's the name of a type of obsidian blade once carried by elite Aztec jaguar warriors, and used as a backup weapon for close-quarters combat.

The CRKT Tecpatl push dagger includes a black Kydex sheath, and is available at an MSRP of $90. As with all Forged by War blades, 10% of the proceeds of this knife's sales will go to Michael's charities of choice: The Special Operations Care Fund and the George W. Bush Institute.

For more information on the Tecpatl and other Forged by War blades, visit CRKT.com.

Cold Weather Survival – Part 2: Weapons, Gear and Nutrition

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When it comes to life-threatening low temperatures from inbound blizzards, we often have some advance warning that we’re about to get blasted. So we stay inside, we secretly drink the hot chamomile tea that our wives bought, and we download Jocko Willink podcasts before the WiFi cuts off. It’s fine. We’ll wait it out.

The problem is, when polar weather patterns decide to clog our roads with snow, we might have to get out and help our under-prepared family and friends. Or we may just be visiting, for work or on vacation, and we’re not very well prepared because we’re only in town for 48 hours, and how much can the weather really change in 48 hours? “Come on. Don’t be the crazy prepper person. We don’t need all of that.”

Riiiiiiight.

In Part 1 of our Cold Weather Survival series we examined travel and transportation techniques for sub-freezing conditions based on the Army's Mountain Warfare and Cold Weather Operations Manual. This time we’ll discuss weapons maintenance, nutrition, clothing and gear. We hope it’s useful. Now wipe off those snowflakes and get ready to tell Jack Frost to shove it.

If You Love It, Don’t Lube It

Just like it matters what fluids you run in your vehicle during extreme cold, you also must consider the freezing points of firearms lubricants. For example, the Army’s Cleaner Lubricant Preservative (CLP) solution will freeze at -35˚F. An arctic weapons lubricant is available, but if you don’t have that, then just completely clean the weapon and fire it dry.

Photo by Spc. Liliana S. Magers, U.S. Army Alaska Public Affairs

  • To prevent your weapons from freezing, consider using a deicer like windshield wiper fluid. Also, try to cycle the weapon or operate the action periodically to identify issues as they come up. Use a muzzle cover if possible to keep snow and ice out of the barrel. Almost anything will do: plastic bags, tape, and of course the infantry’s gold standard muzzle cover for over 100 years, condoms.
  • Remember that while running your weapons dry is better than letting them freeze and seize, it's still going to increase wear on moving parts. If you plan to put lots of rounds down range, especially with a semi-auto weapon with tight tolerances, be sure to clean and inspect the action regularly.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael O'Brien / Released

  • If you’re entering a warm indoor space and it’s below freezing outside, leave your guns out there in a place sheltered from snow. As much as you might love that old Savage 99, it’s not a pet. It’ll do just fine on the porch without you. Leaving it cold will help prevent “sweating” on the rifle which can lead to ice if it’s brought back outside without cleaning.
  • You did make sure that your weapons were concealed and secured against theft or inquisitive kids, right? If not, we have a great solution. Sell your guns back to the FFL where you bought ‘em. You are no longer qualified to own a firearm.
  • Try not to breathe on the scope. Even the proximity of your face could cause it to cloud so leave a space between your eye and the sight. If taking the scoped rifle indoors, make sure to give the optics time to adjust to the indoor temperature to avoid cracking the lens—another reason to just leave weapons outside if tactically feasible.

Nutrition

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz / Released

Generally speaking, as it gets really cold we need to eat more. Most foods including standard MREs will do just fine until it gets below the freezing point. Once it becomes colder than that a Meal, Cold Weather (MCW) ration is more appropriate. The MCW contains more calories and won’t freeze like a standard MRE will. The catch is, they require a lot of boiling water to prepare them—34oz per meal. If you’re planning on two hot meals per day that’s an additional ½ gallon of water required just to prepare the food.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz / Released

  • Although your body’s hydration requirements don’t necessarily go up as the temperature decreases, you also don’t have the same thirst for water as you would during temperate conditions. Dehydration becomes an issue not because you need more but because you’re drinking less. Try to hydrate with at least one gallon of water per person per day. Add that to the water required for preparing MCWs and you’re looking at 1.5 gallons or 12.5 pounds of water per person per day. You weren’t planning on carrying that water with you, right?
  • Fortunately, the one good thing about blizzards is there’s usually lots of frozen water on the ground in the form of snow. Eating snow to hydrate, however, is a bad idea. Your body loses too much heat when it melts snow inside your body. You’ll end up hypothermic. Instead, plan on melting snow with your stove.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kaitlyn Klein / Released

  • The U.S. Army will not endorse specific companies or aftermarket products, though in a few cases they have acknowledged that certain aftermarket products work better than anything else. The Mountain Safety Research (MSR) XGK-EX stove is one such product. It’s favored because of its legendary toughness as well as its ability to use all kinds of non-specialized fuels—including white gas, kerosene, unleaded auto gas, and even diesel.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kaitlyn Klein / Released

Clothing

Clothing selection for extreme cold weather could take up its own series of articles. In general, however, the key is loose-fitting layers of clothing and moisture-wicking layers close to the body.

  • Once the temperature drops below -20˚F, all exposed skin must be covered. Not like, pretty much most of your skin but all of your skin. If you must stay outside be aware that you will need to keep moving. And if your life just truly sucks and you must remain in a static position, at least try to stand on insulating materials such as pine boughs or even a flat piece of wood.
  • Mittens aren’t just for schoolyard kids in A Christmas Story with their tongues stuck to the flagpole. In extreme environments, plan to wear mittens with lanyards, gloves underneath that, and then silk liner gloves under that. And you never, ever take off your silk liners unless you’re in a shelter. Chemical heater packs stuffed into your gloves work well—plan on using two to three sets per 12 hour working day.

U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Connaher

  • Usually the average soldier doesn’t get to select their own gear. In some cases, however, specialized units have some influence on what they use. One of the products specifically mentioned to us by members of said units was the Enforcer Glove from Black Diamond Equipment.
  • Cold weather jackets by 5.11 Tactical, such as their 3-in-1 Parka, have also been used in extreme cold weather testing with good results at the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in New Hampshire.
  • Last, Carhartt products like their quilt-lined biberalls also received positive feedback.

Electronics and Gear

If you’re using a hand-held GPS or other electronics like a cell phone to navigate, be aware of their operating temperature constraints. Carry it close to your body inside your clothing, or keep it inside the heated vehicle when not in use. Also, avoid breathing on the screen or else it will quickly ice over.

  • If the work you’re doing requires you to have your face in front of an LCD screen or other optics for an extended period, wearing a full face respirator or Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) mask can help prevent your moist breath from affecting the device. Yes, it looks dumb. Until you realize that it allows you to do your job.
  • Just like with your firearms, bringing a laptop computer in from the cold outside to the warm inside can cause issues. Let the laptop warm up on its own before trying to use it. Don’t even open up the screen. Consider a laptop heating pad which will help maintain battery life and keep the LCD screen bright and readable.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz / Released

  • Battery-operated equipment will constantly drain. Make sure there’s a way to charge your batteries, or at least have a supply well in excess of what you think you’ll need. Dry batteries must be stored at temperatures above 10 degrees F and must be warmed gradually before use. Bring spares. Bring spares of spares.

We hope these tips help you face extreme cold weather conditions if and when they’re encountered. This concludes Part 2 of our Cold Weather Survival series, but for more information check out Part 1 of the series, or past articles on avalanche avoidance and route finding in mountain terrain and how to drive in ice and snow.

We performed hands-on testing of the stove, parka, and gloves mentioned in this article and have reviewed them in the final part of our series. Click here to read Cold Weather Survival Part 3: Winter Gear Reviews.

About the Author

Andrew Schrader is a licensed professional engineer and is certified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Structures Specialist. His company, Recon Response Engineering LLC, advises state and federal government organizations on the subject of urban search and rescue and building collapse. He recently assisted the U.S. Department of State’s Italian Consulate in the development of their post-earthquake response and rescue protocol. You can follow him on Instagram at @reconresponse.

New: Renogy Phoenix Briefcase Solar Generator

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If the grid goes down, having a mobile and renewable power source can keep you in the 21st century while everyone else is reverting to the 18th. Electronics are usually not an absolute necessity for survival, but they sure do make it easier. Even something as simple as a fully-charged flashlight or handheld radio can make a huge difference in an emergency.

Renogy solar generator briefcase electronic computer tech battery 5

Solar power is an excellent source of electricity for everything from casual camping to long-term survival scenarios. Solar panels passively soak up sunlight to produce a charge, and pairing them with a battery improves versatility by allowing you to recharge your devices at any time.

Renogy solar generator briefcase electronic computer tech battery 4

Renogy recently announced the all-new Phoenix, a device which combines solar panels and a battery into a convenient briefcase-style unit. The lid of the Renogy Phoenix opens to reveal two efficient 10-watt solar panels, and offers expansion ports for up to 120 watts. The device can also be charged via an AC wall charger or a 12V car charger.

Renogy solar generator briefcase electronic computer tech battery 1

The Renogy Phoenix contains a replaceable 16,000 mAh (milliamp-hour) lithium-ion battery. This provides enough capacity to fully recharge a laptop up to 5 times, or an iPhone 6S up to 32 times. Outputs include a 110V AC wall-style outlet, a 12V cigarette lighter output, two 12V DC ports, and four 6A USB ports. There's also a built-in multi-mode 3W LED light.

Renogy solar generator briefcase electronic computer tech battery 3

The new Renogy Phoenix solar generator is currently available for $589. For more information, visit Renogy.com.

How to Make an Adjustable Waterproof Tinder Wick

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Starting a fire in an emergency is often paramount to staying warm and staying alive, especially during the colder months. However, if it's wet outside, you may have a very tough time getting the first few damp pieces of kindling to ignite. This is where a good source of tinder material becomes important — it allows you to bolster the initial spark from your lighter, match, or ferro rod into a healthy flame.

Far North Bushcraft fire tinder rope wax lighter ferro 6

Braided cotton or jute rope can be effective as tinder, but it's also sensitive to moisture. Applying petroleum jelly or paraffin wax aids waterproofing and extends burn time. This is nothing new; many bushcrafters and survivalists make their own waxed cotton, and commercially-available products like FireCord incorporate a pre-waxed tinder strand. However, we recently came across a pretty cool way of enhancing and regulating burn rate of a waxed cotton rope.

Far North Bushcraft fire tinder rope wax lighter ferro 5

In the video below, Lonnie of Far North Bushcraft and Survival demonstrates his adjustable waterproof tinder wick. It uses a braided cotton rope about the size of a pencil — strands cut from a cheap cotton mop head should work well for this, or you could braid your own rope from individual strings. The rope is dipped in paraffin candle wax, and a 1-inch-wide strip of aluminum from a soda can is wrapped around the rope, forming a sliding collar.

Far North Bushcraft fire tinder rope wax lighter ferro 3

The rope is waterproof due to the wax, and can be ignited normally with a lighter, match, or ferro rod. Then, the user can slide the collar up to slow the burn and regulate the flame size, or slide it completely over the burning end and cut off oxygen to extinguish the flame completely. It's a pretty clever trick, and left us wondering, why didn't we think of that?!

Next time you're looking to replenish your tinder supply, consider this option. It seems like an ingenious idea that could help your tinder wick last much longer.

New: First Tactical Watches – Fathom and Ridgeline

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First Tactical produces just about everything you'd need for a complete EDC loadout — apparel, boots backpacks, knives, flashlights, hats and gloves. The company has continued to branch out for 2017, expanding its collection of watches from one model to three.

First Tactical canyon fathom ridgeline watch edc electronics 6

Two new watches, the Fathom (left) and Ridgeline (center), join the existing Canyon Digital Compass (right).

The initial watch, known as the Canyon Digital Compass, was released in late 2016. The Canyon includes a digital time display and second hand, as well as day, date, and compass functions. Its large rubberized bezel and polymer band are designed for tough outdoor use. Color choices include black, coyote, and OD green; MSRP is $140.

First Tactical canyon fathom ridgeline watch edc electronics 2

The Fathom Stainless Dive Watch is an all-new analog model in the line of First Tactical watches. This watch is waterproof to 200 meters, and uses a stainless steel housing, stainless bezel, and screw-down crown.

First Tactical canyon fathom ridgeline watch edc electronics 8

Super-luminova glow-in-the-dark hands and markings improve nighttime visibility. It's available in either polished Titanium finish or black; MSRP is $250.

First Tactical canyon fathom ridgeline watch edc electronics 3

The Ridgeline Carbon Field Watch resembles a modernized version of the vintage field watches issued by many military organizations in the past. It's constructed from ultra-light carbon resin PA material, with a medium-sized face and large markings.

First Tactical canyon fathom ridgeline watch edc electronics 7

The durable laser-cut nylon webbing band also keeps weight at a minimum, and luminous hands maintain low-light visibility. The First Tactical Ridgeline is available in black with OD green band or brushed stainless with black band. MSRP is $190.

For more information on the new First Tactical watches and other EDC gear, visit FirstTactical.com.

 

H2O Hygiene – Water Filter & Purifier Buyer’s Guide

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Clean drinking water is an absolute necessity. It's often said humans can survive three days without water, but during strenuous physical activity, this could be a generous estimate. However, rehydrating isn't as simple as drinking directly from the first pond or stream you find. Even if untreated water looks crystal clear, it may be packed with millions of pathogens that are invisible to the human eye.

In a cruel twist of fate, drinking the wrong water can do more harm than drinking nothing at all.

Waterfall and stream

To avoid becoming ill, you'll need to find a way to remove or inactivate these unseen microbes — which isn't always easy if you're fleeing a catastrophe. In the past, this meant setting up camp, building a fire, and boiling water — a laborious and time-consuming process. Today, there's a better way to provide clean water on the go. Portable water filter or purifier devices come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations, but they all share one key advantage: they can produce clean drinking water quickly and reliably, without the need to set up camp.

Waterborne Pathogens

To better understand water purity, you should be aware of the waterborne vectors that pose the biggest health threat: viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts — we'll call them the “Big Three.” Drinking water contaminated with any member of the Big Three family can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, sudden weight loss, and even death. The most common examples of each are:

  • Bacteria: cholera, E. coli, salmonella
  • Protozoan cysts: amoebae, cryptosporidium, giardia
  • Viruses: hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus

dirty-water-bottle

Beyond the Big Three, you may also want to watch for chemicals (such as chlorine and pesticides) and heavy metals (like lead and arsenic). Unless these other contaminants are found in extremely high concentrations, such as in industrial runoff, they probably won't make you sick immediately. However, they can have long-term negative effects on your health.

Particulates, taste, and odor should also be considered. Although they may not be directly harmful to your health, nobody wants to drink murky, gritty, foul-smelling water. Ideally, filters and purifiers should also address these components.

Our Review Procedure

Unlike buyer's guides found in our competitors' pages or websites, RECOIL OFFGRID actually reviews the products. Thoroughly. We don't regurgitate manufacturers' ad copy, but instead test every item and provide our honest assessments. With that said, you'd practically need a PhD in microbiology to understand the dozens of standards and protocols governing water purity.

water-bottles

Adequately testing the purity of water to these exacting standards is impossible without sophisticated lab equipment and highly trained personnel. Off-the-shelf water test kits can't possibly detect the minuscule levels of contaminants we're dealing with here. Microbiological lab testing would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming for the purposes of this guide. So, rather than focusing on verifying the accuracy of manufacturers' water purification claims, we have provided those claims at face value for comparative purposes.

We also evaluated the filter systems with a focus on practical concerns. These include ease of use, speed of filtration, the ability to clear murky water, and the ability to reduce unpleasant taste and odor.

We carried each device, and learned to use it correctly. Next, we sampled ordinary tap water with each purifier, to see if it altered the water's neutral taste in any way. Then, we simulated turbid or murky water by stirring in a set amount of fine particulate, and observed the clarity of the water produced by each filter. We then taste-tested the filtered water, estimating the system's ability to remove flavors and odors caused by pollutants.

Finally, we dismantled, cleaned, and reassembled each filter, and tested tap water again to establish if any residual taste remained from the turbid water test.

Comparing Effectiveness

Remember how we said we wouldn't get too technical? Well, bear with us, because we're going to need to bend that rule.

Water purifiers are typically measured and rated to remove 99.X percent of viruses, bacteria, or protozoan cysts. Each digit in this percentage represents a power of 10, also called a “log” (short for logarithm). For example, a filter rated to remove 99.99 percent of bacteria would be rated at a “4-log bacteria reduction.” If your water had exactly 1,000,000 microbes in it, a 4-log reduction would mean only 100 of those microbes would be left in the water after treatment — 999,900 microbes would be removed. A 6-log or 99.9999-percent reduction would leave only 1 microbe in the water.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter in use 2

For the purposes of this comparison chart, the ● symbol represents one decimal place. So, ●●●● represents 99.9999 percent or 6-log reduction rate, ●●● represents 99.999 percent or 5-log, and so on.

According to NSF International and ANSI (two major safety certification organizations), the minimum standard for effective microbiological reduction is 99.9999 percent of bacteria (●●●●), 99.9 percent of protozoan cysts (●), and 99.99 percent of viruses (●●). This is based on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report called the “Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers.”

Any purifier that meets or exceeds this standard, known as NSF/ANSI P231, can be said to effectively remove virtually all of these three contaminants present in water. Some purifiers actually exceed this NSF/ANSI standard, but as long as the rating is met for all three categories (bacteria, protozoa, and viruses), any difference in water purity beyond this standard can be considered negligible.

In simpler terms, more dots and checkmarks represent better performance.

BacteriaProtozoan CystsVirusesChemicalsHeavy MetalsParticulatesOdor & Taste
NSF/ANSI P231 Standard●●●●●●●N/AN/AN/AN/A
Aquamira●●●●●●●✓✓✓✓
GRAYL●●●●●●●●●●●✓✓✓✓
Icon Lifesaver●●●●●●●✓✓✓✓
LifeStraw●●●●●✓
MSR●●●●●●●✓
Potable Aqua●●●●●●●
Renovo●●●Unverified✓✓✓✓
Sawyer●●●●●●●●●✓
Brita✓✓✓✓

Activated Carbon: What It Can & Can't Do

Activated carbon is found in several filters covered in this guide. This substance, also called activated charcoal, is highly porous and captures trace chemical elements found in water. This is especially useful for removing off-putting taste and odor, such as the chlorinated taste of tap water. It can also remove traces of other chemicals, heavy metals, and poisons (see “Poison Eraser” in Issue 15). As a result, filters or purifiers that address taste and odor typically incorporate an activated carbon component.

activated-charcoal-pill-bottle

Activated charcoal can act as a “poison eraser” in the body, but it does not remove pathogens from water.

However — and this is an important point — an activated carbon filter shouldn't be seen as a water purifier by itself. Activated carbon doesn't treat or remove bacteria, protozoan cysts, or viruses. So, it can't prevent you from getting sick from these contaminants.

For comparison purposes, we reviewed a Brita Sport water bottle that exclusively uses an activated carbon filter. It may cost only $10, and it can make your water taste better, but it's not going to prevent the devastating health effects of a bacterial infection or waterborne parasite. Activated carbon filters like this Brita are fine for home use on clean tap water, but they certainly shouldn't be part of your emergency survival kit.

Water Filter & Purifier Buyer's Guide

H2O Hygiene - Filters & Purifiers

  • Aquamira Frontier Max

    Dimensions - 5.7 inches tall, 1.8-inch diameter
    Dry Weight - 3 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 120 gallons (per replaceable cartridge)
    Operation Type - Suction, inline, gravity feed
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, particulates, taste & odor
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal - $50 / $0.42 / $0.33
    URL - www.aquamira.com

    This filter offers broad-spectrum protection in a pocket-sized kit. It contains a replaceable Red Line filter, which removes contaminants from all of the major categories. Its integrated carbon sleeve substantially improved the taste of tap water. However, upon sucking up murky water, the filter quickly clogged. This slowed the flow rate dramatically, and made suction […]

  • Brita Sport Water Filter Bottle


    Pros: It’s inexpensive. Reduces chlorine taste and odor found in tap water…that’s about it. Cons: Doesn’t remove any bacteria, protozoan cysts, or viruses. Failed to remove most of the particulate and taste in our murky water test

  • Grayl Ultralight

    Dimensions - 9.6 inches tall, 2.9-inch diameter, 16 fluid ounces
    Dry Weight - 10.9 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 40 gallons (per replaceable cartridge)
    Operation Type - Fill outer sleeve, then press down inner reservoir
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, particulates, taste & odor
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $57 / $1.43 / $0.61
    URL - www.thegrayl.com

    The GRAYL Ultralight recently joined the filtration market following a successful Kickstarter campaign in early 2016. This water bottle is comprised of an outer sleeve and an inner reservoir with attached filter cartridge. It’s intuitive to use — just scoop water into the outer sleeve and use your body weight to press down on the […]

  • Icon Lifesaver Bottle 4000UF

    Dimensions - 12 inches tall, 3.5-inch diameter, 25 fluid ounces
    Dry Weight - 22 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 1,056 gallons (per replaceable cartridge)
    Operation Type - Fill bottle, then pump four to six times
    Effective Against -Bacteria, protozoan cysts, viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, particulates, taste & odor
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $150 / $0.14 / $0.09
    URL - www.iconlifesaver.com

    The British-made Icon Lifesaver bottle is available in three capacities: 1500UF, 4000UF, and 6000UF. The “UF” stands for Ultra Filtration, Icon Lifesaver’s proprietary filter media. We tested the 4000UF model, which is capable of filtering 4,000 liters (or 1,056 gallons). The Lifesaver bottle is easy to use — simply invert, unscrew the base, fill with […]

  • LifeStraw Go Bottle

    Dimensions - 9.3 inches tall, 3.1-inch diameter, 22 fluid ounces
    Dry Weight - 5.9 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 264 gallons (per replaceable cartridge)
    Operation Type - Fill bottle, then drink through straw
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts, particulates
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $30 / $0.11 / $0.07
    URL - www.lifestraw.com

    The LifeStraw Go takes the hollow fiber filtration technology of the original LifeStraw and incorporates it into a sturdy water bottle. It’s a simple concept, but it’s executed well. The blue hard-sided water vessel reminds us of a Nalgene bottle, and it feels as though it could take some abuse. There’s a built-in carrying strap […]

  • MSR Guardian Purifier

    Dimensions - 8.2 by 4.7 by 3.5 inches
    Dry Weight - 17.3 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 2,461 gallons (per replaceable cartridge)
    Operation Type - Pump into separate bucket, water bottle, or hydration bladder (not included)
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts, viruses, particulates
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $350 / $0.14 / $0.06
    URL - www.cascadedesigns.com/msr

    The MSR Guardian purifier uses a pickup hose and pump to force water through a hollow fiber filter and into an attached water bottle or hydration bladder. The pump features a pickup screen to block silt and particulates, and it even self-cleans, visibly pumping out dirty water with every stroke. However, at one point during […]

  • Potable Aqua PURE Electrolytic Water Purifier

    Dimensions - 3 by 1.7 by 1.2 inches
    Dry Weight - 3.8 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 15,850 gallon total lifespan (40 gallons per battery charge)
    Operation Type - Fill chamber with brine (water and table salt), activate device, mix disinfectant with water, wait at least 30 minutes
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts, viruses
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $120 / $0.008 / N/A (no replaceable parts)
    URL - ww.potableaqua.com

    Potable Aqua’s PURE electrolytic water purifier is a device unlike any other we tested. Essentially, this innovative little gadget uses electrolysis to convert table salt (sodium chloride) into a disinfectant solution of chlorine and peroxide. This powerful disinfectant can be mixed with up to 20 liters of water at once and inactivates bacteria, protozoan cysts, […]

  • Renovo Water Trio

    Dimensions - 7.1 inches tall, 1.4-inch diameter
    Dry Weight - 3.5 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 264 gallons (per replaceable cartridge)
    Operation Type - Suction, gravity feed, or screw onto a bottle
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts* (see notes), chemicals, particulates, heavy metals, taste & odor
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $44 / $0.16 / $0.08
    URL - www.renovowater.com

    The Renovo Trio is a straw-style filter with three elements: a pre-filter, a hollow-fiber membrane, and an activated carbon filter. It’s simple to use, flows well, and removed most of the particulates from our murky water test. Nevertheless, after researching the Trio, we noticed other identically designed filters sold under different brand names online. It […]

  • Sawyer MINI Water Filtration System

    Dimensions - 5.5 inches tall, 1.4-inch diameter
    Dry Weight - 2 ounces
    Filtration Lifespan - 100,000 gallons (requires occasional backflush cleaning)
    Operation Type - Suction, inline, squeeze from included pouch, or screw onto a bottle
    Effective Against - Bacteria, protozoan cysts, particulates
    MSRP / Initial Cost per Gal. / Recurring Cost per Gal. - $25 / $0.0003 / N/A (no replaceable parts)
    URL - www.sawyer.com

    With a $25 price tag and claimed 100,000-gallon filtration capacity, the MINI is a clear leader in value. It also lives up to its name, since it’s barely larger than the palm of your hand, and it weighs next to nothing. An included straw and squeeze pouch provide multiple ways to use the filter — […]

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Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original print version for the web.

Les Stroud’s 3 Tips for Finding Clean Water in a Flood

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If you've ever seen the Discovery TV show Survivorman, you'll surely be familiar with host and survival expert Les Stroud. While most of Les's survival journeys were in the wilderness, he also briefly addressed urban survival. In the bonus content on the Survivorman season 3 DVD, there's a 40-minute special video titled “Surviving Urban Disasters” which addresses how to deal with an urban flood scenario.

Les Stroud water distillation flood storm rain catch 2

During this urban survival special, Les discusses one of the most imminent threats to survival: finding clean drinking water. As he aptly points out, water will be everywhere during an urban flood, but drinking it could lead to serious illness. Flood water will be full of raw sewage, chemical runoff, and all sorts of other harmful contaminants. So, you'll need to find a clean source quickly.

Les Stroud water distillation flood storm rain catch 3

If water floods your home, anything below the water line is virtually guaranteed to be contaminated.

In this video, Les provides three quick tips for how to find or obtain clean water, even when all the water around you seems undrinkable. Watch the YouTube mirror below, or click here to view the original version on the Science Channel web site.

To summarize, here are Les Stroud's three methods for finding clean water, and why they're effective:

  • Drink from the toilet tank — This reservoir is above the waterline, and was filled with clean tap water, assuming you haven't flushed it since the flood began. If flushed, the tank may have been refilled with contaminated tap water, so be careful. (Your home water heater is another potential source of clean water.)
  • Distill water — Boiling is effective at killing bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. However, if you suspect your water contains chemical runoff or has mixed with seawater, boiling it will only concentrate these contaminants. Distillation removes most impurities, including salt and chemicals, by heating the water into vapor and condensing the vapor back to liquid.
  • Make a rain catch — A simple rain catch on the windowsill can funnel clean rain water into a container. Just be sure you're collecting pure rain, not runoff from the roof or gutters, as this may be contaminated.

For more Les Stroud survival video clips, check out ScienceChannel.com/tv-shows/Survivorman.

RAM Meets Raptor: The Prefix Minotaur

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In Greek mythology, the Minotaur was a terrifyingly-powerful beast with the muscular body of a man and the head of a bull. When Michigan-based automotive company Prefix decided to create its own monstrous Minotaur, they didn't make it part bull — they made it part RAM.

Prefix Minotaur Ram truck bugout off road pickup 8

The Prefix Minotaur is a custom off-road truck conversion based on a RAM 1500. It's inspired by desert race vehicles and “prerunner” trucks; Prefix even entered a race-prepped V10-powered Minotaur in the Baja 1000. The production version of the Minotaur is designed for maximum off-road performance while retaining daily-drivable levels of comfort. Prefix doesn't mention the Ford Raptor, but it's clear this truck is designed with the Raptor in its sights.

Prefix Minotaur Ram truck bugout off road pickup 1

Each Minotaur starts life as a standard RAM 1500 4×4 with a 5.7L HEMI V8, crew cab, and short bed. However, many obvious changes have been made.

The first thing you'll notice is likely the body — new composite fenders are 11 inches wider in front and 8 inches wider in the rear. A low-profile front bumper increases approach/departure angles (41 degrees and 30 degrees, respectively) and ground clearance. It also includes an aluminum skid plate, dual tow hooks, and LED fog lights. Black projector headlights, a black mesh grille, custom Minotaur badging, and embroidered floor mats add to the aesthetics.

Upgrades are more than cosmetic, especially in the suspension department. Each Minotaur comes standard with KORE coilover suspension with a 4-inch lift, Fox Racing 3-inch internal bypass shocks, and an impressive 14 inches of total travel (that's more than a 2017 Raptor, FYI). The truck rides on 17-inch gunmetal wheels and 35-inch General all-terrain tires; 20-inch wheels are optional.

Prefix Minotaur Ram truck bugout off road pickup 9

Buyers can also request a cold-air intake and side-exit Viper-style exhaust for added performance. For those who want even more power, Prefix will install a supercharger on the 5.7L, or can even swap the factory motor for a 6.4L HEMI 392.

Prefix Minotaur Ram truck bugout off road pickup 2

The Prefix Minotaur is available in “any custom color you can dream of” — the truck pictured above is painted in Tequila Lime with optional black vinyl graphics. However, this long-travel truck is a limited-production model; Prefix estimates 200 will be built in 2017. Pricing for a complete Prefix Minotaur truck starts at $60,000. To learn more, visit Prefix.com.

So, what do you think of the Prefix Minotaur? Is it a possible Raptor-killer for Mopar fans, or would you rather choose a different bug-out truck?

Review: Tuff Writer Mini-Click Titanium Tactical Pen

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When it comes to choosing everyday-carry gear, less is more. EDC is all about maximizing your capability to solve daily problems, and doing so as efficiently as possible. Heavy, bulky, single-function tools don't belong in this category — the goal is not to look like the tacticool version of Batman, with a utility belt packed full of oddly-specific gadgets. EDC tools should be justified based on their size, weight, durability, and effectiveness at a variety of tasks. If these variables are out of whack, the tool probably doesn't belong in your pocket.

The tactical pen is a perfect example of a multi-purpose EDC tool. It's undeniably handy for jotting notes and filling out paperwork on a day-to-day basis, but is also designed for use as an impact weapon in self-defense scenarios. And, much like pocket knives, tactical pen designs range from basic and affordable to intricate and exotic.

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 09

Tuff Writer Tactical Pens

Today, Tuff Writer is an industry-leader in the tactical pen market, but the company started out as a personal project by founder Jack Roman.

Tuff Writer Jack Roman tactical pen 1

About eight years ago, Jack designed and produced his first tactical pens for members of his martial arts training group in Chandler, Arizona. He writes, “We trained everything from empty hand to stick, knife, and improvised weapons tactics… I suggested that someone should make a pen that would serve as an improvised defensive tool. [My instructor's] reply was, ‘Great idea [expletive], why don’t you do that and make us some.'”

Editor's Note: In this article, we'll share some excerpts of our interview with Jack Roman, but there's a lot more info about his journey with Tuff Writer that we couldn't fit here. Click here to read the entire uncut interview with more of Jack's thoughts and insights.

The Frontline was Jack's first tactical pen design, and showed that Tuff Writer was a viable business.

The Frontline was Jack's first tactical pen design, and showed that Tuff Writer was a viable business.

“The idea was just stuck in my head. So I took the money I had in savings, hired a mechanical engineer to help me with the first design, and got to work.” The end result was the Tuff Writer Frontline tactical pen. Through word-of-mouth and the launch of the company's web site, orders were soon pouring in from law enforcement officers, military members, and martial artists from far and wide.

The Tuff Writer Operator series was inspired by the success of the original Frontline.

Jack continued to build on this success through tooling improvements and new designs. As Tuff Writer grew, he remained determined to continue designing and manufacturing the pens in the USA.

He writes, “Outsourcing was never part of the plan. That was a conscious decision from the very start… You can usually make it cheaper somewhere else but rarely can you make it better somewhere else. For us, keeping manufacturing in the USA is and always will be a core value. We now have 3 CNC machines and do everything from design to prototyping and machining as well as post machine finishing (tumbling, brushing, flaming and polishing, etc.) in-house.”

The Original Mini-Click

After several well-received capped pen designs, Jack saw the demand for a tough tactical pen with the convenience of a click mechanism. His friends Roy Huntington and Mike Janich also suggested a smaller model for shirt-pocket carry, and this led to the creation of the Mini-Click. The first-generation aluminum Mini-Click was launched on Kickstarter, and quickly developed a strong fan base.

Tuff Writer Jack Roman tactical pen 3

The original Mini-Click was designed with a small footprint for carry in a shirt pocket.

After the Mini-Click Kickstarter project took off, Jack listened intently to his customers. “Quite a few people started asking about a titanium version. I took the opportunity to incorporate some small design improvements here and there based on user feedback, and pretty soon I found that virtually every piece had changed. We were looking at a Gen-2 Mini-Click.”

Jack returned to the drawing board for the Mini-Click Gen 2. Every piece of the pen has been revised and improved.

Jack went back to the drawing board for Gen 2. Nearly every piece of the pen has been revised.

In January 2017, the second-gen Tuff Writer Mini-Click pen launched on Kickstarter. That same month, we met Jack at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and he graciously gave us one of the very first Mini-Click Gen 2 pens to test and review. After bringing it back home, snapping some photos, and using it for several weeks, we'll share our thoughts on this new tactical pen.

Mini-Click Gen 2 Review

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 11

The first thing you'll notice about the all-new Mini-Click pen seen here is its core component: titanium. You won't even need to pick it up to tell the difference — its flamed finish produces colorful bands that indicate this pen isn't aluminum like its predecessor.

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 18

When exposed to intense heat, the titanium changes color from neutral grey to warm brown, then purple, and finally vibrant blue. This multi-colored treatment is applied by hand; Tuff Writer's Kickstarter says every pen is different, “like a snowflake, a virtually indestructible titanium snowflake.”

In person, the flamed finish is a real head-turner, and it received compliments almost every time it came out of our pockets. Even those who would normally be disinterested in EDC gear were saying, “Wow, that's a cool pen.”

Of course, this isn't the only finish available for the new Mini-Click — far from it. Here's a quick list of some of the other materials and finishes Tuff Writer currently offers:

  • Titanium (Grade 5 / 6AL4V) – polished, blasted, tumbled, brushed, or flamed
  • Copper (C145 Tellurium) – polished, flamed, or tumbled
  • Brass (360) – polished, tumbled, or aged
The new Mini-Click pens are available in three materials and many different finishes.

The new Mini-Click pens are available in three materials and many different finishes.

The new materials and finishes give the Mini-Click Gen 2 a new look, but the changes are more than skin-deep. Numerous subtle modifications have been implemented to make the second-generation pens more versatile and easier to use.

Recessed, firmer O-rings improve comfort and grip.

Jack summarized a few technical changes:

  • Tip opening is now .002″ larger to accept Fisher, Foray, Parker, Waterman and many other common ink refills
  • Top O-ring groove is now also below the tip-to-body mating seam
  • O-rings are Buna-70 (a firm rubber) and thicker as well as being recessed deeper
  • Clip is slightly thinner to aid flexibility
  • Updated 416SS mechanism with improved race design (custom tooling to cut the race and remove burs in one toolpath)

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 12

These modifications would almost certainly go unnoticed unless you were looking for them. However, they demonstrate the degree of focus and care that Tuff Writer puts into these pens. They're not just writing instruments, they're precision-machined tools. Jack is clearly not one to say a design is good enough — he's continuously looking for ways to improve his product.

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 13

Technical aspects aside, the new 416SS click mechanism is definitely worth mentioning. Instead of buying one of the many plastic or brass advancing mechanisms from an outside manufacturer, Tuff Writer designed and built its own proprietary mechanism from 416 stainless steel. This is machined on an ultra-precise Citizen L20 Swiss-type CNC lathe, and dimensions are controlled down to absurd 0.0005-inch tolerances. The machined pieces and chrome ball-bearings are assembled by hand under a magnifier.

You may ask, why does this matter? First of all, it makes the click incredibly smooth, which feels great under the thumb. More importantly, it's extremely strong and reliable. For a pen that's designed to be used as a self-defense impact weapon and slammed into hard objects, that's a must.

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 16

The bottom line: retail MSRP for the titanium Mini-Click seen here is $155, including a $5 premium for the flamed finish. Brass and copper models will be available for $125 retail. If you're looking to save some cash, limited-time discounts are currently available on Kickstarter. Those who back the project before it ends on Monday, February 27th can get a brass or copper pen for $96, or a titanium pen for $100.

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 02

Some will say this is a lot of money for a pen, but it should be obvious that this is certainly no ordinary pen. As is true for high-end knives, watches, and other precision-machined items, quality craftsmanship doesn't come cheap — and this is about as high-quality as an EDC pen can conceivably get. We're also encouraged by Jack's commitment to American manufacturing. In his own words, “we make the best products we know how to make, and then stand behind them all the way.”

Conclusions

Whether you're looking for a writing instrument that's capable of withstanding the apocalypse, or you just need something reliable to write with on a daily basis, there's a lot to like about the new Mini-Click. It looks like a work of art, feels sturdy, and it's built like a Swiss watch.

Tuff Writer mini-click tactical pen 03

Most importantly, it's exceedingly comfortable to use, since the recessed O-rings provide substantial grip without shredding your finger after the first paragraph. We tried ink refills from a few other pens to confirm that they work, but preferred the included Fisher Space Pen cartridge. Still, it's nice to have the expanded compatibility as an option.

Tuff Writer also makes this anodized aluminum D22 keychain carabiner, which doubles as a bottle-opener.

The Tuff Writer Mini-Click Gen 2 sets a high bar for tactical pens, and for pens in general. There's only one catch: like the flawless edge on a brand-new knife, it looks so good that we almost hesitate to subject it to the beating it's designed to withstand. Oh well — scratches build character, and this tool is meant to be used.

At the end of our conversation, Jack left us with these words:

“Thank you to everyone who has come along on the ride with us. I feel privileged to be a part of this industry and the community. I’m a big believer in the idea that we’re all in it together, to that end I invite everyone to keep in touch by following us on Instagram or on Facebook and see what we’ve got going on. Also, stop by at the shows to say hi, or send us an email telling us what you think or what you’d like to see next.”

For more information on the Tuff Writer Mini-Click Gen 2, visit the company's Kickstarter page. For news and info on other Tuff Writer products, go to TuffWriter.com.

Unconventional Weapon: Full-Auto Power Drill Crossbow

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If there's one thing we've learned from studying improvised weapons, it's to never underestimate human creativity. Convicts come up with new ways to attack their fellow inmates, stranded castaways develop rudimentary hunting tools, and garage tinkerers craft ingenious contraptions from limited materials. When there's enough time and determination, it's possible to make some impressively powerful improvised weaponry.

This is the face of a man who loves making improvised weapons.

This is the face of a man who REALLY loves making improvised weapons.

We recently came across a video from a German YouTuber named Joerg Sprave, which shows a sort of MacGyvered projectile weapon we never would have dreamed of. Joerg built a full-auto crossbow from some plywood, wood screws, rubber bands, a little aluminum, and a Makita power drill. These are all items you'd find in an ordinary garage, workshop, or hardware store.

Automatic power drill crossbow weapon bow arrow slingshot 3

Joerg's crossbow works via a relatively simple gearbox. Pulling the trigger on the drill turns an aluminum-reinforced wood gear, which cocks the crossbow and puts tension on the rubber bands. When the crossbow reaches the cocked position, the gear disengages, a bolt drops into place, and a trigger sear releases the bow. The drill continues turning the gear, and the cycle repeats, firing up to 32 aluminum bolts before it's necessary to reload.

Automatic power drill crossbow weapon bow arrow slingshot 4

You might be thinking that this is some sort of toy, but wait until you see what it can do. Accuracy doesn't appear to be its strong suit, but it embeds the crossbow bolts firmly into plywood, even at what the host says is a distance of 40 meters (131 feet). You definitely wouldn't want to be on the other end of this:

Joerg later made a version with a replaceable magazine (although the thumbnail image incorrectly calls it a “clip”). He also discusses some of the challenges he encountered while developing the weapon, and responds to viewers' questions: