Adrian Carton de Wiart: A Legendary Soldier’s Survival Story

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On rare occasions, truth is stranger than fiction. If the life story of Lieutenant General Adrian Carton de Wiart was made into a movie, it would almost certainly be dismissed by the general public as a laughable exaggeration of reality. We can't say we'd blame them, either — without previous knowledge of the historical accounts, watching an actor portray this incredible journey of warfare and survival would seem unrealistic at best.

A 2015 BBC article compared Carton de Wiart's story to that of an “unkillable” comic book hero, and one British military veteran therein likened him to Robocop. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography refers to him as “a figure of legend”. Sir Winston Churchill even wrote the foreword to his autobiography, calling him “a model of chivalry and honour”.

A portrait of Adrian Carton de Wiart. Photo credit: IWM.org.uk / Wikipedia

A portrait of young Adrian Carton de Wiart. Photo credit: Wikipedia / IWM.org.uk

So, who was this man, and how did his real-life experiences become the stuff of legends? Read along as we summarize his incredible life story.

Birth & Early Military Career

Adrian Carton de Wiart was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1880, to wealthy aristocratic parents. His mother died when he was six years old, leading his father to move the family to Cairo, Egypt. There, young Adrian learned to speak Arabic fluently. He was eventually sent away to a Catholic boarding school in England, and continued on to study law at Oxford college.

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A painting of Cairo, Egypt by artist Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1872. Source: Wikipedia / Brooklyn Museum

While a law degree from Oxford would be an impressive accomplishment to most, it wasn't enough for Carton de Wiart. At age 20, he left Oxford without telling his father, and decided to enlist with the British Army. He wasn't yet old enough to enlist, and wasn't even a citizen (subject) of the British Empire, but that didn't stop him. After falsifying his name and age, he was soon headed off to fight in South Africa in the Second Boer War.

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Boer militiamen, such as those pictured here, fought the British in modern-day South Africa. Source: Wikipedia /...

During his time in South Africa, Carton de Wiart was shot in the stomach and groin, and forced to return to England to recuperate. He returned to Oxford for a short while, then continued climbing the ranks in the British Army. By 1901, he had become a second lieutenant in the Royal Dragoon Guards; by 1904 he was a lieutenant; in 1910 he was promoted to captain. He also became a naturalized British citizen, married, and had two daughters.

World War I

The First World War broke out in 1914, at which time Carton de Wiart was serving as part of the British Camel Corps in Somaliland, now a part of present-day Somalia. His detachment attacked a fort held by enemy leader “the Mad Mullah”, and Carton de Wiart was shot twice in the head. One bullet destroyed his left eye, while the other struck his ear.

Aside from uttering a prodigious string of expletives, Carton de Wiart was relatively unfazed by this serious injury. General Hastings Lionel Ismay, who served with him during the conflict, wrote, “I honestly believe that he regarded the loss of an eye as a blessing as it allowed him to get out of Somaliland to Europe where he thought the real action was.”

This portrait of Adrian Carton de Wiart was painted in 1919, and displays his distinctive eye patch. Source: Wikipedia / National Portrait Gallery, London

This portrait of Adrian Carton de Wiart was painted in 1919, and displays his distinctive eye patch. Source: Wikipedia...

After recovering in England, Carton de Wiart donned a black eye patch, then headed into combat yet again in 1915. He fought on the Western Front in WWI, and was injured seven more times, including gunshot wounds to the head, ankle, hip, leg, and ear. The most notable of these injuries was the result of a German artillery shell which mangled his left hand. A surgeon declared that the damage would not require amputation, but Carton de Wiart disagreed. In his autobiography titled Happy Odyssey, he wrote, “I asked the doctor to take my fingers off; he refused, so I pulled them off and felt absolutely no pain in doing it.”

Somewhat ironically, Carton de Wiart's autobiography is titled

Somewhat ironically, Carton de Wiart titled his autobiography “Happy Odyssey”.

Later that year, the remainder of his hand was amputated. After another period of recovery in England, he returned to the war and led a battalion at the infamous Battle of the Somme.

Inter-War Period

By the end of WWI, Adrian Carton de Wiart had been promoted several more times to the rank of temporary brigadier general. In 1916, he received the Victoria Cross, the highest combat award of the British armed forces. Despite losing a hand and suffering many other grave injuries, he later wrote, “Frankly, I had enjoyed the war; it had given me many bad moments, lots of good ones, plenty of excitement.”

Carton de Wiart moved to Poland in 1919, and served as general in command of British armed forces within the country. Wiart's troops helped the Polish fend off hostile forces from Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Czechoslovakia. Once Poland achieved stability, he retired from the military and settled down peacefully for 15 years. Unfortunately, Poland would soon become anything but peaceful.

World War II

In 1939, the Germans invaded Poland, and Carton de Wiart was forced to abandon his home. He later wrote, “They took all I had, my guns, rifles, rods, clothes, furniture, but they could not take my memories.” At first, he attempted to assist Polish leadership, but the situation spiraled out of control quickly. While evacuating from Warsaw, Carton de Wiart's convoy was raked by Luftwaffe machine gun fire, killing the wife of one of his aides. Nevertheless, he managed to make it to Romania using a forged passport.

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A portrait of Adrian Carton de Wiart during WWII from the Imperial War Museums. Source: Wikipedia / IWM.org.uk

Carton de Wiart returned to the military as a colonel, and was soon promoted to major-general. He was dispatched to lead troops in Namsos, Norway; the trip was yet again interrupted by gunfire from a Luftwaffe fighter plane, which fired on his aircraft. Fortunately, the plane was already on its final approach before landing, so he was not injured. Heavy bombardment by the Germans eventually forced the British to evacuate Norway.

In 1941, 60-year-old Carton de Wiart was sent to negotiate with the Yugoslavian government. However, during his journey, his plane was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea. He was knocked out cold, but reawakened and swam to shore as the plane sank into the sea. Italian authorities captured Carton de Wiart, and he was sent to a POW camp, where he would remain for more than two years.

During this time, he was a troublesome prisoner. He made five escape attempts, one of which granted him freedom for eight days. Though he didn't speak Italian and had a very distinctive appearance, managed to blend in until he was eventually recaptured. The Italians released Carton de Wiart in 1943 as a gesture of peace to the British.

A photo of Carton de Wiart in 1943. Source: Wikipedia / IWM.org.uk

A photo of Carton de Wiart in 1943. Source: Wikipedia / IWM.org.uk

Post-War Period and Retirement

After returning home, Carton de Wiart met with Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, who requested his assistance in a diplomatic position. He was promoted to lieutenant general, and became Churchill's personal representative to Chiang Kai-shek of China. The Chinese leader would eventually also offer him a job, but he declined, and retired in 1947 at age 66 as a lieutenant general.

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Carton de Wiart (pictured top right) along with Chiang Kai-shek, FDR, and Churchill. Source: Wikipedia / Jim Hudson

On his way home after finalizing his retirement, Carton de Wiart stopped in Rangoon (present day Myanmar). While walking down some stairs, he slipped on a coconut husk mat and fell. He wrote, “I hit my head on the wall knocking myself almost unconscious, broke my back, crushing a vertebra, and was very lucky not to break my neck.” Yet again, he would survive these injuries and return to England to fully recover. Doctors who treated him also reportedly found and removed large amounts of shrapnel from his old wounds.

Carton de Wiart's first wife died in 1949, and he remarried two years later at age 71. His second wife, Joan Sutherland, was 23 years younger than he was at the time. The pair settled down in a historic home in the Irish countryside, and on June 5th, 1963, Adrian Carton de Wiart died peacefully. He was 83 years old.

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Carton de Wiart's array of medals, including the prestigious Victoria Cross (bottom left). Source: Royal Dragoon...

Today, Adrian Carton de Wiart is known as one of the most-decorated (and most-wounded) British military officers of all time. Despite an immense list of injuries and setbacks that might crush a lesser man's spirit, Carton de Wiart refused to accept defeat. In the foreword to Happy Odyssey, his friend Sir Winston Churchill wrote the following:

“Although repeatedly wounded and suffering from grievous injuries, his whole life has been vigorous, varied, and useful. He is a model of chivalry and honour and I am sure his story will command the interest of all men and women whose hearts are uplifted by the deeds and thoughts of a high-minded and patriotic British officer.” – Winston S. Churchill

As survival-minded individuals, we have much to learn from the positivity and unflinching determination of Adrian Carton de Wiart.

Duct Tape Storage: What’s Your Favorite Method?

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Duct tape, duck tape, or 100-mile-per-hour tape — no matter what you call it, this tough sticky substance is undeniably a valuable resource in survival situations. It can be used for mending broken tools, patching holes, sealing food, bandaging wounds, binding together gear, and hundreds of other purposes. You can even build improvised items entirely from duct tape, such as emergency cordage, a collapsible cup, or a pair of flip-flop sandals.

Duct tape roll storage EDC DIY tool repair 5

As useful as it is, there's one obvious problem with duct tape: portability. You'll find duct tape with ease at any hardware store or home goods store, but it's typically sold in large 4- to 6-inch-diameter rolls. This isn't a problem if you're planning to keep your tape at home, in the garage, or in a vehicle. However, it's a major issue if you're looking to put some tape in your bug-out bag, get-home bag, or pocket. Storing an entire full-size roll is heavy, bulky, and impractical when all you need is a few feet for emergencies.

Duct tape roll storage EDC DIY tool repair 4

So, what's the best duct tape storage method to maximize portability? There's no one answer to that question, since there are many convenient ways to store tape for every-day carry. We'll list a few below, starting with methods best-suited for small quantities, and working up to methods that can accommodate longer strips of tape.

keychain duct tape

This stainless steel keychain from Gearward is designed for EDC duct tape storage.

  • Flat roll around a credit card or gift card
  • Duct tape keychain wrapped around wire, paracord, or a purpose-built metal spool. The video below shows a quick method to make DIY duct tape keychains:
  • Small pen or pencil wrapped in tape
  • Lip balm tube wrapped in tape
  • Lighter wrapped in tape

    Duct tape roll storage EDC DIY tool repair 3

    A plastic Bic lighter serves as a great storage location for several feet of duct tape.

  • Canteen or water bottle wrap
  • Store-bought mini roll (such as the Gorilla Tape To-Go 1-inch roll or SOL travel rolls)
  • Flattened full-size roll, with cardboard tube removed

As you can see, there are many good options to consider for portable duct tape storage. Which one is your favorite — one of the above, or something we didn't mention? Let us know in the poll below:

Hollywood vs Reality: Analyzing a Gunfight in “Collateral”

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Let's face it: although action movies are often entertaining, they also have a tendency to be highly unrealistic. We're not just talking about the sideways-diving dual-wielding slow-mo pistol fights found in John Woo films — even purportedly realistic action and war movies sometimes feature goofy physics and laughably bad firearms technique.

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In “16 Blocks”, Bruce Willis is shown aiming a jammed Glock. In the next shot, it continues firing...

We can understand why this is the norm in Hollywood, since fantasy and entertainment value sell more movie tickets than pure realism. It's a lot more dramatic when a grenade launches the villain cartwheeling into the air with a massive fireball, or when a shotgun blast knocks a henchman back 20 feet through two plate glass windows and a fruit stand. While you may see the clip below from Commando and roll your eyes, you'll probably also find Arnie's muscle-bound blank-firing antics at least a little fun to watch.

However, not all movies are unrealistic when it comes to firearms. A select few films put in the time and effort to maintain a sense of authenticity, while still managing to remain entertaining. Director Michael Mann has received praise for his work on the classic heist film Heat, as well as the action thriller Collateral. In Collateral, Tom Cruise plays a ruthless and highly-skilled hitman who has been hired to kill several individuals in a single night.

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Tom Cruise plays a hardened contract killer named Vincent in the 2004 film “Collateral”.

In order to determine if the gunfights in Collateral are based in reality, firearms instructor and Special Operations veteran Larry Vickers analyzed a famous alleyway scene from the movie. In this “Shot for Shot” video, Vickers also recreates the exact technique Cruise used — drawing from concealment, deflecting the mugger's gun with his free hand, firing two rounds from retention, and transitioning to put three more rounds into the next threat.

Vickers calls this “one of the best movie gunplay scenes ever”. Do you agree? If not, what's your favorite movie gunfight scene, and why?

New: Superesse Morale Patch Survival Kits

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It doesn't take much to turn the tide in a survival situation. When it comes to starting a fire, collecting food and water, or navigating to safety, even a handful of small tools can provide a tremendous advantage. While it's certainly possible to survive bare-handed, this will consume far more time and energy than would be required with a proper set of resources. This realization led one veteran to create Superesse Straps, a company that hand-makes miniature survival kits for everyday carry.

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The new Superesse patch kit can contain a variety of different survival tools.

Superesse Straps is known primarily for its paracord survival bracelets, such as the Bug-Out Bracelet we reviewed in the past. The company has recently expanded its line into keychains, neck knife lanyards, and handkerchiefs. More recently, Superesse announced a new type of discreet EDC survival kit: the Superesse Morale Patch Kit.

Superesse straps morale patch velcro survival tools 4

The new Superesse morale patch kits consist of a standard-size 3-inch by 2-inch velcro patch, with a concealed slit cut on the back side. This offers a small compartment that can be filled with a variety of mini survival tools, ranging from fire-starters and water purification tablets to handcuff keys and fishing kits. The standard Superesse Morale Patch Kit uses a clearly-labeled patch for quick identification, but flag patches and other inconspicuous designs are also available.

Superesse straps morale patch velcro survival tools 1

As for the kit contents, Superesse offers 13 different pre-built configurations to choose from, or you can request a custom set of tools. Here's a breakdown of the standard 13 patch kits, and some of the notable items in each:

  • Survival – Water purification tab, fish hook and line, P38 tool, mini surgical blade
  • Escape – Kevlar saw, diamond wire, ceramic blade/striker, handcuff key, shim pin
  • Illumination – Glow surfaces, mini chemlights, matchstick LED lights
  • Signal/Navigation – Hardened mirror, IR glint tag, SOLAS reflector, mini compass
    Superesse straps morale patch velcro survival tools 5
  • Fire – Waterproof match, strike-anywhere match, ferro rod, tinder wick, char cloth
  • Rescue – V-cutter tool, wound closure strips, alcohol wipe, antibacterial tinder
  • Supply “MacGyver” – Screwdriver bit, paperclip, nail, ziptie, security pin, duct tape
  • Micro-Escape – Kevlar saw, handcuff key
  • Egress – Glow surfaces, mini compass, kevlar saw, handcuff key
    Superesse straps morale patch velcro survival tools 3
  • Field-X Firearm 1.0 – Cotton swabs, cotton patches, front sight tool, P38 tool, CLP
  • Field-X Firearm 2.0 – Paracord bore snake, cotton swabs, cotton patches, AR-15 cleaner tool
  • Camp Saw – Extra-long kevlar saw
  • Bug-Out – Water purification tab, fish hooks, P38 tool, cooking foil, ferro rod, tinder wick

Prices for these kits range from $25 to $65. For more information, visit SuperesseStraps.com or check out the Superesse Etsy storefront.

Pistol-Mounted Lights – Highlights

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Clear vision is essential in any survival situation, since it allows you to observe, orient, decide, and then act on what's around you. In the dark of night or a pitch-black room, it can be difficult to accomplish any of those tasks reliably, so illumination is key.

However, there's one particular time when visibility is almost guaranteed to make the difference between life and death: self-defense with a firearm. If you can't see your attacker clearly, you may hesitate to fire or miss your target completely; and with devastating consequences. Worse, misidentification of an innocent as a threat may lead to a different set of devastating consequences.

Therefore, we expanded our HighLights guide for this important theme, selecting 10 pistol flashlights to test and review. These lights offer diverse sizes, features, controls, and prices, so you should be able to find one that fits your specific needs. For evaluation purposes, we selected lights that fit the most popular pistol on the market, the Glock 19. If you own or carry a different gun, that's not a problem — many of these weapon-mounted lights (WMLs) are universal-fit, and the remaining few offer similar variants that fit other guns. Keep in mind, holster selection can be limited for light-bearing pistols, but it's a secondary concern for bedside guns.

Most importantly, each of these lights can help you identify a threat in the shadows and decide if you need to pull the trigger. No other type of flashlight carries such a heavy burden.

Pistol-Mounted Lights

  • Aimkon HiLight P10S

    Make & Model - Aimkon HiLight P10S
    Claimed Max Brightness - 300 lumens as shown (500 for newer models)
    Claimed Max Runtime - 55 minutes
    Overall Length - 3 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 2.8 ounces
    Battery - 1x CR123 (included)
    Controls - Push-through forefinger switch alternates between two modes
    Output Modes - Constant-on, strobe
    Construction / Mounting - Aluminum, quick-detach lever
    MSRP - $38 as shown; $55 for new 500-lumen version
    URL - http://www.aimkon.com

    A budget light with basic features. It mounts easily via a quick-detach lever, snapping into place on the pistol's rail.

  • BLACKHAWK! Night-Ops XIPHOS NTX

    Make & Model - BLACKHAWK! Night-Ops XIPHOS NTX
    Claimed Max Brightness - 180 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 2 hours
    Overall Length - 3.1 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 2.5 ounces
    Battery - 1x CR123 (included)
    Controls - Ambidextrous forefinger switch with multi-tap mode selection (left-handed model available)
    Output Modes - Constant-on, momentary, strobe
    Construction / Mounting - Carbon-fiber polymer, quick-detach adjustable Cam-Clamp
    MSRP - $204
    URL - http://www.blackhawk.com

    The light seen here is a second-generation design, featuring a revised battery cap and improved switch design compared to earlier models.

  • Crimson Trace LTG-736 Lightguard for Glock

    Make & Model - Crimson Trace LTG-736 Lightguard for Glock
    Claimed Max Brightness - 100 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 2 hours
    Overall Length - 4.5 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 1.5 ounces
    Battery - 1x CR2 (included)
    Controls - Master on-off lockout switch, finger groove pressure pad
    Output Modes - Momentary-on only
    Construction / Mounting - Polymer, two hex screws
    MSRP - $179
    URL - http://www.crimsontrace.com

    This contoured light is designed specifically for full-size and compact Glock models, but variants are available for the 1911, Springfield Armory XD, and Smith & Wesson M&P.

  • Inforce Glock APL

    Make & Model - Inforce Glock APL
    Claimed Max Brightness - 200 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 1.5 hours
    Overall Length - 3 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 2.8 ounces
    Battery - 1x CR123 (included)
    Controls - Ambidextrous paddle switches
    Output Modes - Constant-on, momentary-on
    Construction / Mounting - Polymer, flathead screw
    MSRP - $175
    URL - http://www.inforce-mil.com

    If you're not looking for tons of bells and whistles and want a straightforward, easy-to-operate pistol light, the InForce APL might be just what you're looking for.

  • Safariland Rapid Light System (RLS)

    Make & Model - Safariland Rapid Light System (RLS)
    Claimed Max Brightness - 190 Lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 2 hours
    Overall Length - 4.6 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 5.3 ounces
    Battery - 3x AAA (included)
    Controls - Tail cap switch
    Output Modes - Constant-on, momentary-on
    Construction / Mounting: Aluminum flashlight, polymer mount, locking swing arm (also includes quick-detach duty belt mount)
    MSRP - $118
    URL - http://www.safariland.com

    The Safariland RLS offers a unique configuration and manual of arms compared to traditional pistol lights.

  • Streamlight TLR-1 HL

    Make & Model - Streamlight TLR-1 HL
    Claimed Max Brightness - 800 Lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 1.75 hours
    Overall Length - 3.4 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 4.2 ounces
    Battery - 2x CR123 (included)
    Controls - Ambidextrous forefinger switch
    Output Modes - Constant-on, momentary-on, strobe (can be disabled)
    Construction / Mounting - Aluminum, flathead/thumb screw clamp
    MSRP - $243 (see notes)
    URL - http://www.streamlight.com

    The well-known Streamlight TLR-1 is one of the most popular pistol flashlights on the market, and the HL model kicks it up a notch.

  • SureFire XC1

    Make & Model - SureFire XC1
    Claimed Max Brightness - 200 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 1.5 hours
    Overall Length - 2.4 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 1.6 ounces
    Battery - 1x AAA (included)
    Controls - Ambidextrous momentary-on switches, push-through constant-on switch
    Output Modes - Constant-on, momentary-on
    Construction / Mounting - Aluminum, flathead screw
    MSRP - $300
    URL - http://www.surefire.com

    Despite being the smallest light we tested, the SureFire XC1 manages to produce 200 lumens with an even beam pattern and no hotspot in the center.

  • TruGlo Tru-Point Red Laser/Light Combo

    Make & Model - TruGlo Tru-Point Red Laser/Light Combo
    Claimed Max Brightness - 200 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - Unlisted
    Overall Length - 4 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 5.6 ounces
    Battery - 2x CR123 (included)
    Controls - Forefinger switch (interchangeable LH or RH) or remote pressure switch, 3-position mode toggle switch
    Output Modes - Momentary-on or constant-on; light, laser, or light/laser
    Construction / Mounting - Aluminum, quick-detach lever with flathead screw adjustment
    MSRP - $121
    URL - http://www.truglo.com

    Extending nearly 1.5 inches past the muzzle and tipping the scales at over 1/3 pound, the TruGlo Tru-Point is the largest light we evaluated.

  • UTG ELP123R-A Tactical Pistol Flashlight

    Make & Model - UTG ELP123R-A Tactical Pistol Flashlight
    Claimed Max Brightness - 400 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 1 hour
    Overall Length - 3.1 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 3.5 ounces
    Battery - 1x CR2 (included)
    Controls - Ambidextrous forefinger switch
    Output Modes - Momentary-on, constant-on
    Construction / Mounting - Aluminum, flathead/thumb screw clamp
    MSRP - $53
    URL - http://www.leapers.com

    Priced at just north of $50, this UTG pistol light serves as an affordable option.

  • Viridian X5L Gen 2 Tactical Light with Green Laser

    Make & Model - Viridian X5L Gen 2 Tactical Light with Green Laser
    Claimed Max Brightness - 224 lumens
    Claimed Max Runtime - 1 hour with laser and light, unlisted for light only
    Overall Length - 2.8 inches
    Weight with Batteries - 3.3 ounces
    Battery - 1x CR123 (included)
    Controls - Ambidextrous forefinger buttons
    Output Modes - Constant-on or momentary-on activation with five modes. Light, laser, light with laser, strobe light with constant-on laser, pulsing laser, constant-on light with pulsing laser
    Construction / Mounting - Aluminum and Zytel polymer, flathead/thumb screw
    MSRP - $409
    URL - http://www.viridiangreenlaser.com

    Let's get this out of the way first — this light/laser combination costs more than $400.

Primitive Technology: Bed Shed Elevated Shelter

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During a survival situation, exposure to the elements is one of the fastest ways to end up in trouble (or dead). Often, building a shelter is the top priority for survival in the wilderness, even taking precedence over finding food or water. Without adequate protection from the rain, wind, or snow, hypothermia can set in quickly — even in warmer climates.

Primitive technology bed shed shelter wood 1

In the past, we've discussed various forms of improvised survival shelters. While all of these structures provide protection from the elements, they're also typically built at or below ground level. This can be a problem in certain environments, such as tropical rainforests, because all sorts of creepy-crawlies roam the ground at night. Sleeping on the ground can lead to numerous issues:

  • Loss of sleep due to insect bites and other pest-related annoyances
  • Soaked bedding if heavy rainfall occurs
  • Potential danger from snakes, scorpions, or other small nocturnal predators

Primitive technology bed shed shelter wood 3

Therefore, it's wise to build a shelter with an elevated sleeping platform to alleviate these issues. In his latest video, Primitive Technology demonstrates how to construct a “bed shed” elevated shelter. Sticking with his typical format, he doesn't say a word or use any modern tools. He doesn't even wear shoes.

Primitive technology bed shed shelter wood 5

This project required nothing more than wood, vines, dry grasses, sharp stones, patience and skill. The end result is impressive and actually looks quite comfy, especially once he adds a small fire pit beneath the sleeping platform to generate heat. Check out the full video below:

Infographic: Protein-Rich Foods

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Protein is one of the human body's core components. This substance makes up approximately 15% of an average person's total body weight, acting as the major substance for muscle cell growth and repair. Protein is also composed of smaller building blocks known as amino acids, which are necessary for the production of many key bodily substances — for example, immune system antibodies, digestive enzymes, and hormones.

Radiation myths nuclear tuna sushi food

The human body can produce some amino acids on its own, but other amino acids must come from the protein in foods we eat. These are known as essential amino acids, and they typically are found in animal-based sources of protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy. Many other beneficial amino acids are available through plant-based protein sources, such as beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, and fruits/vegetables.

Survival food beans

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, we “need to eat a variety of protein-containing foods each day in order to get all the amino acids needed to make new protein.” Failure to consume enough protein can lead to a condition known as Kwashiorkor, which “often occurs during a drought or other natural disaster, or during political unrest”, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

In order to vary and maximize your protein intake, check out the following infographic. It contains 20 protein-rich foods to incorporate into your diet:

Infographic protein rich food hunting plants health 1

Several of these foods, such as dry beans, nuts, peanut butter, and beef jerky have a long shelf-life. For more shelf-stable food options, check out our article on shelf-stable survival food. Other sources of protein can be obtained in a survival situation by learning to hunt or fish. Either way, remember to keep your protein sources varied as much as possible.

Knife Refinishing: DIY Acid Etching and Stonewashing

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Including a knife as part of your every-day carry is pretty much a no-brainer. This cutting tool is useful for a nearly-endless list of tasks, whether you're opening boxes at work or splitting firewood in a survival situation. However, let's be real — it's not always all about pure functionality. It's nice to have a knife that both looks cool and cuts effortlessly. If that weren't the case, more of us would end up carrying around simple box cutters, and there wouldn't be as much of a market for high-dollar custom blades.

Knife refinishing steel blade acid etch zombie tools kukri 6

The cool splatter-finish on this Zombie Tools Vakra kukri was created through careful application of ferric chloride...

So, what do you do if you have a knife that works well, but is a bit aesthetically boring? You could retire it and buy a new one, or you could spend a little time and learn to customize your existing knife. Time-tested methods like acid etching and stonewashing are frequently used by major knife manufacturers, and with a little practice and around $100 in materials, you can use these techniques as well.

ZT 0630 knife review 13

The handle on this Zero Tolerance 0630 is made from finely-stonewashed titanium.

WARNING: Before you begin refinishing any blade, take every safety precaution. Be careful to ventilate your work area and wear protective gear. Research the type of steel and acid you'll be using, and any dangerous interactions they may have. Remember that you're dealing with powerful acid and/or fast-moving stone fragments, so protect your eyes and skin. If you don't take these precautions and hurt yourself, don't blame us. This is not an exhaustive guide — we encourage doing additional research to ensure your own safety.

Acid Etching

Acid etching makes use of a chemical reaction between an acidic etchant solution and the steel of your blade. There are many variables here, such as the type of steel used, the type of acid applied, and the amount of time the blade is treated. Etching acids can range from powerful hydrochloric or sulfuric acid to much weaker acids — even household vinegar, citrus fruit, or mustard can be used effectively.

In the video linked above, YouTuber TheSmokinApe acid-etches an ESEE blade with mustard. Yum.

In the video linked above, YouTuber TheSmokinApe acid-etches an ESEE blade with French's mustard. Yum.

However, for the purposes of this guide, we'll discuss one of the most common acid etching solutions in the knife industry: ferric chloride. This etchant is available from most electronic supply stores for about $15 per quart, usually under the name PCB etchant (used for acid-etching circuit boards). Warning: while ferric chloride works well on steel, DO NOT use it with aluminum parts, as it can create a dangerous reaction. Again, research your acid and metal ahead of time to avoid unwanted reactions.

Zombie tools bushlicker bushcraft knife 1

Above: Zombie Tools uses ferric chloride solution to acid etch its blades, yielding a dark and blotchy finish. You shouldn't expect to replicate this exact look without some serious trial and error, especially since Zombie Tools keeps the exact process they use on these blades a trade secret. However, basic acid-etching is also an approachable DIY skill.

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In the video at the end of this article, Smock Knives demonstrates both DIY acid etching and stonewashing.

Stonewashing

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Often heard in the context of denim fabric and jeans, stonewashing (also called tumble finishing) is a technique that works exactly as you'd imagine — an item is washed in tumbling or vibrating container with water, soap, and an abrasive material. With fabric, this produces a lighter, well-worn appearance. With metal, it can create anything from a finely-textured matte finish to a rough scratched-up look.

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Above: In our recent tour of the Zero Tolerance knives HQ, we saw how the company uses large industrial machines to stonewash its blades. On a much smaller scale, it's possible to use a similar technique in your own garage.

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These Zero Tolerance blades were recently stonewashed, and will soon be sharpened.

The end result of stonewashing is highly-dependent on both tumble intensity and the media (i.e. stones) used. Extremely fine media, such as sand or walnut shell fragments, will produce an even matte finish — this is often considered tumble polishing rather than a true stonewash.

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A Kershaw knife handle scale, before (top) and after bead blasting (bottom).

Bead blasting or sandblasting, which fires these abrasives from a pressurized nozzle, is also used to achieve these lighter finishes. However, these techniques will require an air compressor and media blasting setup, which can be expensive. So, we'll be focusing on the rougher side of the spectrum, as it's easier and less costly for beginners.

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Stonewashing can be accomplished with under $100 in materials, and these items can be reused on future projects.

Heavier stonewashing media typically consists of literal stones or ceramic pieces, which produce a rougher worn appearance. Increasing the vibration or tumbling intensity or adding unevenly-shaped natural stones can enhance the roughness of this finish.

Materials List

So, what do you need to acid etch and stonewash a knife? Here's a quick breakdown.

Acid Etch:

  • Protective gloves/eyewear and a well-ventilated work area
  • Acidic etching solution such as pre-diluted ferric chloride, available on Amazon or at local electronics stores – $15
  • Acid-etch resist substance, such as nail polish, vaseline, or vinyl stickers
  • Two plastic or glass containers, one for acid and the other full of water
  • Baking soda to neutralize acid
  • Coat hanger or wire
  • Optional: sandpaper, cotton swabs
Other metal parts, such as handle scales, can be stonewashed as well.

Other metal parts, such as handle scales, can be stonewashed as well. This handle was stonewashed, then anodized.

Stonewash:

Learn the Techniques

Once you have these materials, the techniques are quite simple. Some fine-tuning and experimentation will be necessary to get the finish you're looking for, so start out with an inexpensive knife. The following video from Smock Knives shows how to perform the DIY acid etch and stonewash process on your blade (or handle, for that matter). We'll also summarize the steps below.

Acid Etch:

  1. Disassemble your knife, and thoroughly clean and dry the part you're going to etch (blade, handle, or clip). Even a single fingerprint will effect your acid etch, so be cautious.
  2. Fill a glass jar with enough ferric chloride to cover the metal part.
  3. Apply resist substance such as nail polish or vaseline to coat any sensitive areas, namely the pivot point, detent, and lock face. This can also be used to paint stripes, lettering, or splatter designs on the blade — feel free to get creative.
  4. Use a wire to lower the part into the acid, being careful NOT to touch the acid. (Alternate method: apply acid to steel in small quantities using cotton swabs, rather than submerging the entire part.)
  5. Leave the part submerged for about 5-15 minutes. Longer immersion will darken and remove more metal.
  6. Carefully remove the knife with your wire, and submerge it in water, agitating to rinse. Apply baking soda to neutralize the acid. Be sure the acid has been thoroughly neutralized and rinsed before touching any item it came into contact with.
  7. Clean the resist substance from the blade. Optional: use sandpaper to remove the resist material and add brushed texture to the blade.
  8. Optional: repeat steps 3 through 7 to etch away more metal.
  9. Store your acid in a safe and sealed plastic container marked “DANGER POISON” for future use.

Stonewash:

Stonewashing can be used on its own, or applied after acid etching for a darker worn appearance.

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  1. Set up your vibratory tumbler, and fill it partially with ceramic stones or other media.
  2. Add some water and a small amount of dish soap to lubricate the media.
  3. Insert your metal part, and power up the tumbler. Run the tumbler as long as needed to achieve your desired finish.
  4. Optional: Insert the part into a sealed plastic jug with stonewashing media, water, and soap. Manually shake, or wrap in towels and place in a clothes dryer on “no heat” setting. This can produce a rougher or more uneven finish.
  5. Thoroughly clean your knife, then oil, reassemble, and sharpen it — check our guide on how to sharpen a knife.

The Results

After following the steps in this article, a reader named Alex sent us the below before-and-after photo of his Spyderco. We'd say it turned out pretty cool — nice work, Alex.

Knife refinishing DIY stonewash acid etch Spyderco custom 1

Planning to try refinishing one of your knives? We'd love to see the results. Snap some photos and email them to me.

New: Fenix FD Beam-Focusing Flashlights

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When it comes to survival gear, versatility is a major concern. If you have a tool that works extremely well in one specific setting but struggles in all other cases, it's probably too specialized to be of much use in the long run. This is why we often carry compact multi-tools instead of lugging around a toolbox full of single-use items.

Just like these other tools, flashlights offer a wide range of shapes, sizes, and intended purposes. However, if you're going to rely on a single flashlight for every-day carry or emergency use, it needs to be versatile enough to provide the illumination you need in a variety of settings. This desire for maximum versatility led to the development of flashlights with beam-focusing optics. This category of lights features an adjustable lens, which moves closer to or further from the LED light source, changing the beam angle on demand.

Fenix FD beam focusing flashlight light LED EDC 4

Fenix has recently announced that it will be offering a line of beam-focusing flashlights for 2017. The new Fenix FD Series is launching with two lights: the FD30 and the FD41.

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The FD30 (seen here) and the FD41 are both designed for pocket carry and EDC use.

Both the Fenix FD30 and FD41 are constructed from tough anodized aluminum, which is impact-resistant to 1 meter drops and IP68 waterproof to 2 meter depth. Both lights also produce a maximum of 900 lumens, and are controlled by a combination of two switches:

Fenix FD beam focusing flashlight light LED EDC 5

  • Tail cap switch – Turns the light on and off, with a half-press for momentary mode and a full-press for constant-on.
  • Side switch – Cycles through five output modes: Turbo (900 lumens), High (350 lumens), Medium (150 lumens), Low (10 lumens), Strobe

Fenix FD beam focusing flashlight light LED EDC 7

These lights also offer dual-battery compatibility, and can run on a single rechargeable 18650 lithium cell or two CR123A batteries. To adjust the optical lens and beam pattern, the ridged focusing ring is twisted clockwise or counter-clockwise.

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The new Fenix lights share many functional similarities, but the key difference between the FD30 and FD41 is dimensions. The FD30 (above) is the smaller light, with a 5.5-inch long by 0.9-inch diameter body, and a 1-inch diameter head. The FD30 flood light reaches 67 meters, while the focused spotlight reaches 200 meters. MSRP is $75.

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The FD41 is slightly larger, with a 5.7-inch by 1-inch body, and a flared 1.6-inch diameter head. The FD41 also offers a crenelated bezel, for use as an impact weapon in self-defense scenarios. The FD41's larger head diameter provides more adjustability and range — its flood light has a 47-meter range, while the fully-focused spotlight reaches 340 meters. MSRP is $85.

For more information on the new Fenix FD series flashlights, visit FenixLight.com.

Flood-Chaser Documents Flash Floods on Video

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Most of us have heard of flash floods on the news, in books, or on the internet. However, few have experienced this force of nature up close, so it's easy to underestimate its sheer speed. During a flash flood, a wall of fast-moving water can sweep through a low-lying canyon or riverbed, washing away trees, boulders, and anything else in its path.

Firearm or flashlight water flooding

Flash floods can also strike areas where the weather is clear and dry, due to heavy rainfall miles upstream. By the time you hear or see it coming, you may have only seconds to get out of its way and escape to higher ground. If a flash flood strikes your campsite in the middle of the night, you'll have even less time to react. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a 6-inch-deep creek can swell into 10-foot raging rapids in less than one hour.

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The power of flash floods is also easy to underestimate. Only 6 inches of fast-flowing water can knock a strong adult off his or her feet, and 2 feet can carry away a large truck or SUV. Water may not even reach the top of your car's tire, but it can still push it off the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. This is why the NWS slogan “turn around, don't drown” was developed.

In order to document the speed and power of flash floods, one videographer has become a flood-chaser of sorts. His name is David Rankin, and he has a YouTube channel dedicated to films of flash floods. The video below has received nearly 3 million views, and shows an up-close look at the debris-laden floodwater front. Warning: Some of the actions seen in this video are extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to get this close to a flash flood.

In a more recent video from August 2016, Rankin shows the terrifying progression of floodwater through narrow canyons and riverbeds in Utah. He states that these floods occurred over 6 hours after the storm had passed through the region. Again, even if the skies are clear, it's important to be extremely cautious when traversing low-lying areas. Rankin's recommendation is sound: check weather forecasts thoroughly before visiting flood-prone canyons.

Finally, we'll leave you with a legitimately scary cell phone video taken of a flash flood. This group of hikers, including several children, entered one of Utah's most famous slot canyons on a clear day. The video description states, “We checked the weather the day prior and there was no chance of rain. We were out of cell phone/internet coverage. This is proof of how fast things can get ugly!”

The takeaway from these videos should be obvious: be extremely careful around low canyons, riverbeds, and dry lakebeds. A flash flood can sweep through in minutes, and push you downstream with immense force. Check the forecast, be aware of your surroundings, and watch for signs of rainfall in the distance.