IMHO, best “everyday working knives built”. You cannot go wrong with one.
Thought for the day:
9-11-2001: Never Forget. Never Forgive. Never Again. Always Ready.
9/11
I was 15 years old when 9/11 occurred. In the days following, my father told me to thank any police officers, firefighters, EMTs, veterans, or military personnel, I encountered for their service, because these people deserve our respect and gratitude and rarely receive it. I’ve practiced this since I was 15, and the wisdom of my father’s words have only become more apparent as the years have gone by. So to @idaho and all those here charged with rescuing, healing, and defending the rest of us, thank you so much your faithful service. We enjoy our rights and freedoms because you have sacrificed to provide them.
Thank you. There are thousands out there who gave all, and over 23, 000 that have lost arms, legs and quality of life. On average, a LEO is killed every 58 hours now. Dark times.
Thought for the day:
“The people who can destroy a thing, they control it.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune
This topic came up during a small ceremony I attended for the 9-11 victims. Although the information is geared for first responders, I like to think that anyone who follows this thread, has decided to be their own first responder.
I.E.D’s are one of the most vicious death dealers you will ever face. They have literally changed the nature of urban warfare. In the States, you are basically safe, except for rare instances like the Boston Bombing.
But, you need to be aware of the basics of I.E.D"s and what to do if you are caught in a situation. I have only encountered a pipe bomb in the States, and, that was found on a drug warrant. Take the time to review what I wrote on this thread two years ago. I don’t expect you to be as paranoid as me, but, be aware of the basics.
From my first post on this thread:
Vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED): Almost all major attacks start with some type of VBIED, especially if the goal is major venue. I have been around them for the past 11 years and I am totally paranoid about vehicles. I have certain rules about parking lots around large retail outlets and sporting venues. I always park far away from the main entrance, yes, your family will bitch about the extra walking, but, car bombs are not placed where they do the least damage. Would you rather have your family walk a little or park close to an entrance and die from an explosion? Remember, terrorists don’t park anywhere except where they can kill the most and if the car is not rigged, when they exit the vehicle they are already shooting. I would think you would rather see that from a distance.
If it can be avoided, I never walk between parked vehicles, especially in front of large venues. In fact, I will often circle a parking lot just to avoid being between parking lanes. Humans are creatures of habit and terrorists know this, they know you will walk to shortest distance to the market or entrance to a venue. One terrorist with a pair of binoculars and a cell phone can detonate a car bomb at any time. Don’t be stupid and lazy, take the long way around, if possible.
Vehicles: Thou any vehicle can be used as a VBIED, I am paranoid about certain vehicles: Toyota Camrys, brown or gray in color and made in the 1990’s (the all-time favorite), small white pickup trucks, like the Hillux and especially avoid large garbage and cement mixer trucks, which can carry enough explosives to level a small mountain. I was in the wrong place when they blew the T-walls surrounding the old Baghdad hotel using a large garbage truck, outside static security died instantly and then the ground forces moved in. You see any of these vehicles parked near an entrance to a venue or driving toward one, stay the hell away until they prove what they are.
Motorcycles: a quick word about motorcycles. In Baghdad, Kabul, and Islamabad, I have had experiences with terrorists using motorcycles to drive up to a vehicle and detonate a bomb carried in a backpack or pull up in front of some café, Embassy entrances, military checkpoints, etc. and either detonate or open fire with an AK. It makes me extremely twitchy to have some biker in the U.S. pull up in the lane next to me, and never trust someone who pulls a motorcycle up to a venue entrance wearing a backpack or a large coat, never know if they are there to detonate. Vacate the area until their intentions are known.
Some further information:
One of the best sources for IED training is, not surprisingly, the US government. The Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) is a national interagency program for research and development into counter terrorism measures under the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) It offers a wide range of publications and training support packages for federal, state and local agencies and for commercial entities if permitted by security guidelines. For a complete listing, go to the TSWG website.
A good starting point for training is the TSWG’s IED Awareness for First Responders Training Support Package. It’s a complete training package that focuses on information pertaining to current IED threats and countermeasures. It’s designed to train emergency responders to understand the threat posed by IEDs, recognize the different types of IEDs and their components, potential targets and methods employed by terrorists using IEDs and how to respond to IEDs before and after detonation.
It consists of a 190 page three-ring binder that includes instructor and student manuals, CD-ROM (s) with PowerPoint® presentations and manuals, and classroom videos (DVD and VHS).
The FBI and BATFE (ATF) are also great training resources. The FBI offers IED training to law enforcement through its National Improvised Explosives Familiarization (NIEF) Initiative. The ATF offers a variety of explosives training programs for government agencies. Although most of these courses are designed for EOD personnel and law enforcement personnel whose primary mission is to investigate bombing incidents, ATF has offered a one-day basic Introduction to Explosives and IEDs course.
Yesterday’s work:
I had to work late on 9-11, so, I did the “Murph” yesterday for the victims of 9-11.
Question of the day:
Do you know what a pressure cooker is? Do you know what a pressure cooker I.E.D looks like ? (Boston Bombing)
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Thanks for all of your thoughtful posts Idaho. This is by far my favorite thread on this site. I check it regularly, and it makes my day when I find new posts.
I wanted to pass on a bit of knowledge I picked up this week. For dehydration: Pedialyte.
I’m a career firefighter, I’m used to getting my ass kicked by the heat all summer. In my opinion Gatorade tastes disgusting, often causes nausea and is as effective at treating dehydration as Mountain Dew.
In addition to working my normal shifts we’ve been hosting a rescue week. I got to take several great classes that I wanted and needed, but it all happened to come together during a heatwave. A friend recommended Pedialyte. I was amazed at how quickly I bounced back from heat exhaustion. It’s low in sugar, easy on the stomach, and the CVS knock off works pretty good too.
In reference to your ‘blunt trauma weapon’ comment: go buy a fairly thick magazine (but not too thick), preferably one with a bonded spine rather than stapled (though that will work too). Roll it up nice and tight so you end up with a long tube, and secure it with some thick rubber bands. I would say tape it, but if your school is that anal someone may take issue. Makes a decent club, but a much better punching tool - jab the end of that sucker into a soft spot on your attacker and they aren’t going to like it. Not as good as an ASP or PR-24 obviously, but it’s a good improvised weapon. Can also be unrolled and used for an improvised upper extremity splint if you keep some tape handy.
“Why do you have this magazine rolled up and rubber banded together in your school bag?”
“Makes it easier for me to find when I am headed to the bathroom.” (or some other banal excuse)
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Motivational Monday:
Thought for the day:
Some thoughts on EDC holsters: With cooler weather approaching it is time to start training with holsters that you have not been carrying in hot weather. Now, I really do have more handgun holsters than shirts, it’s a common problem for people who always carry a gun, either for your job or as a licensed civilian. IMHO, no holster is perfect and no one holster works for all situations. For example:
Outside the waistband holsters don’t really work wearing body armor in combat situations, they are really slow in the 4 o’clock position in a carjacking, they can really get uncomfortable in long surveillance assignments and they are really hard to hide under a T-shirt.
Inside the waistband holsters work well in the appendix and 4 o’clock positions, but can be a bitch driving a vehicle, and, ignore all those IG photos of gun bunny’s with the appendix carry driving a pickup truck.
I have been in enough environments to know that carrying a handgun has to have the holster to fit the job.
Military: really simple here. No one cares that someone can see you gun, so a drop holster, hip holster on a tactical belt, or sometimes a chest holster on your tactical plate carrier. Pros and cons for all three.
LE: in uniform: simple, a good, high caliber retention holster, off duty: you have the same problems as everyone else does.
In a perfect world, we could all carry by utilizing a good tactical belt, but, most people would either die of fear or call the police.
I try to match the holster to the job: long surveillance? A good quality shoulder holster or cross draw, it is comfortable and fast. However step outside a vehicle for hands on, and you are carrying the most dangerous holster there is, because it puts the grip of the gun in range of your opponent’s hands. They work in cold weather, because it’s hard to draw a gun from the hip with a heavy winter jacket.
I use the 4’oclock for almost all my warm weather work by wearing a fishing shirt over a light Tee shirt. Yes, it can get hot, but, being hot is better than being unarmed. On rare occasions, in extremely hot weather (Phoenix) I will carry off body, using a small tactical bag. It’s slow to deploy and you have to spend time practicing the draw, but, at least you have an alternative.
Put some thought into your EDC holster selection. If you carry different holsters and systems like me, spend time practicing from each one.
Some information on EDC for women.
Yesterday’s work and skills:
Landmine presses, double and single arm
Farmer’s walks
Suitcase carries
tire drags
low light dry fire with laser bullet
Question of the day:
Are you training with your alternate EDC holster?
Off Topic, kind of, been busy a cpl weeks so I’ve not been here or hardly anywhere online.
This pic provided by my wife with her sneer included. I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe bc of her providing it to ME
On another note, a while back I asked here about an EDC knife. SOG Trident Elite Tini, got positive response on SOG.
I’ve carried and used the living hell out of the knife for i guess a cpl months now and it has handled everything I’ve thrown at it.
I use my knife for everything from cutting my apples to slicing waterhose while doing yard work, stripping wire. whatever comes up except prying, and yeh, if a tactical need arose there would be that. Its kept sharp, lubed, and I clean the blade with alcohol at night since I use it for fruits…come on, I’m not an animal!
HA, nice. I even think Walmart would approve.
Thought for the day:
“Men must be able to think critically and not simply repeat what they’ve heard parroted a million times before just because it’s been stated by those in positions of power. A man who cannot rule over himself has no business ruling over others, and if he refuses to be educated as well then he has no business educating others nor will he ever be respected as the head of his home. This generation spends too much time mixing deep feelings with light thinking and we end up with boys that are spiritually dead”.
2nd thought for the day:
The idea of the tactical reload is based on the idea that you choose to take advantage of a lull in battle by ‘refreshing’ your weapon by reloading it with a full magazine. A tactical reload is accomplished by removing a partially spent magazine from a weapon that has only fired a few rounds and inserting the new magazine. Your non-firing hand inserts the new magazine and the spent mag is placed in your pocket for later use.
Plenty of shooters question the viability of doing a tactical reload at all. Some people feel it is a waste of time switching out a magazine that still has ammo in it for another magazine that has more ammo in it. Some shooters think as long as there is ammo, threats should be engaged, rather than spending time with a reload.
I have performed probably 10 thousand tactical reloads, but, I don’t think I have ever performed one during an actual firefight, not unless, you count be pinned down behind some vehicle or mud wall. (No, I am not getting senile, adrenaline has a way of fogging memories) If you are down to a handgun in combat, then the situation sucks and you have decided to kill as many as you can before you are taken out. In LE work, it’s a rare day you fire more than one magazine to neutralize the threat. But, that is my own experiences, if you have different ones, let us know.
Also, if you decide to watch the video, the instructor demonstrates a tactical reload and then states he puts it back in his mag holder in a certain position, keeping a full mag in “front” for a speed reload. Guy is cooler under fire than me, the last time I was getting shot at, I found my mag in my left leg pocket, never remember putting it there and yes, it was empty.
Yesterday’s work and skills:
classroom and Krav Maga class.
Question of the day:
What is your number one metcon workout?
Do you think it is worth the training time investment then for a civilian? I’ve been following a daily regimen of dry fire practice as you suggested over the last two months, and I’ve been wondering if it’s worthwhile to practice the tactical reload with my pistol. I understand the theoretical value, but I don’t know if it’s of practical value in my position, and I only have some much training time.
On another note, I want to share some minor info that I found incredibly enlightening, even if it’s known to others here (I don’t remember if it was mentioned already). I was reading about a little girl who died in her carseat when a stray round fired by some thugs at one another went through the car window. It made me think about the way stock cars are portrayed as bullet resistant in films and television. I watched a video by Paul Harrell in which he showed that the only part of the car that will consistently stop anything other than birdshot is the engine block - not the trunk, and certainly not the doors. The engine was able to stop 30 rounds of M855 fired from a 20" M16. Consequently, if there is an active shooter situation, if vehicles are the only cover option, hide behind the engine. My wife and I have incorporated this into our plan.
Yes, absolutely. It will teach you dexterity and magazine changing skills. It makes you more familiar with your pistol and improves hand / eye coordination. And there are situations where you may have to retreat from an active shooter in a large mall and find an exit. Since you are not actively engaged, you would have time to tactical reload, or perhaps you are isolated after the initial attack and have time.
Good planning. I am going to post some vehicle gun fighting theories in the future.
Thought for the day:
Modern education omits a real understanding of who we are in its movement to equalize everything. Education has disintegrated because of relativism. Learn to fight in some way whether it’s verbal judo or straight up in the street jiu jitsu. Learn to think for yourself and to box for yourself so your thoughts are strong and your punches make connections. Whether it’s home schooling or home defense you should be involved in the deepest aspect of it rather than leaving it to others, like the government and it’s educators, to defend what you need, what you want and what you believe. Don’t presume that others will battle for you, or battle as well as you would battle. The ability to fight starts in the home and your children should think likewise.
yesterday’s work: range and heavy bag work, not much time for anything else.
Question of the day:
If you have children, are you training them in situational awareness?
Thought for the day (1):
Some items that may ping your interest: I have no connection to any of these companies.
Tristar folding shotgun
The shotgun is a single shot, folding weapon that is light, handy, and chambered in 12 gauge. The shotgun can chamber 3-inch shells and has a fixed choke. This shotgun is extremely lightweight, on a basic bathroom scale, the shotgun weighed right under 4 and a half pounds
The shotgun is light but built like a tank. The barrel is quite thick, and the receiver is way thicker than necessary. The overall design is very simple, with an internal hammer and a 20-inch barrel. The safety is a simple push-button near the trigger guard. The finish is actually parkerized, which is impressive, and a desirable feature on a beat around shotgun. The sights consist of a small gold bead and a small little indent at the top of the receiver. The furniture is a very simple polymer material. The stock is actually hollow and can be used as a compartment for survival supplies, or it can hold 10 2 ¾ 12 gauge rounds. This also makes the shotgun capable of floating.
I don’t know anything about this company, but, I want one of these for mountain hikes and rucking. Marry this with a Ruger 10/22 takedown and you will have the dynamic duo. A .12 gauge can be used for small game, waterfowl, and with slugs, larger game. Both 4 and two legged. Really like the way it looks.
A couple of days ago, I posted about EDC holsters. For the past two months I have been carrying a Vegas holster, (outside the waistband), from a company in Italy. Mine is listed shown below and has a kydex shell, mounted to a solid leather back. This holster is very well made. Kydex holsters are great, but, must be used with the proper size belt or they have a tendency to “slide around” or “lean out” under your shirt. Check them out.
I have researching “survival go bags” and came across this company that makes different go bags for different environments and situations.
Stanford Outdoor Supply’s kits through their paces. There’s a B.O.S.S. kit for just about any situation you might find yourself in, meaning Stanford Outdoor Supply doesn’t expect you to buy into the idea that they can give you one little pouch that’ll solve all of your survival woes as other companies are often so eager to promise. Instead, each pouch comes with a specifically selected collection of tools and equipment aimed directly at a specific task or situation. In the world of survival, “one size fits all” really only counts for snow caps and shoe laces.
PROS
With so many options to choose from, you can find a kit for exactly what you need.
High quality gear within the kits makes these far more reusable than the novelty “one size fits all” kits you can often find on the market.
Resealable bags make for easy storage and organization.
Some kits even include manuals and other resources to help educate you on their use.
Yesterday’s work and skills: decided to do something different and did a full body workout on machines. Tennis ball agility drills.
Question of the day: see below.
Reply
Thought for the day (2):
I don’t understand this. Is the Electronic GOD (I-Phone) so powerful that you cannot even try save someone from bleeding out?
16-year-old fatally stabbed as dozens filmed him bleeding to death
A fight over a girl involving at least 50 teenagers left a 16-year-old dead after he allegedly was stabbed in the chest by an 18-year-old as many teens, rather than help the stabbing victim, filmed his demise.
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Morris’ death is the fact that people filmed him dying rather than trying to help him.
16-year-old fatally stabbed as dozens filmed him bleeding to death
The fight broke out at around 3:45 p.m. on Monday afternoon outside of a bagel shop in Oceanside, New York.
What would you have done?
Call 911 and put a compress over wound.
Also, 50 teens fought over 1 girl? There was more to it.
This was about a half-hour from where I live. The stories are getting muddled. Supposedly 50+ people were watching/recording/Snapchatting, “only” about ten or so were involved in the fight itself.
The kid who got killed had walked a girl home, either from school or from a party depending on the version. That girl’s boyfriend (or ex-boyfriend, depending on the version) got pissed. The kid who committed the murder (who was charged with a road rage assault six months ago) is a friend of the ex/boyfriend.
As for what to do, it’s a tough call only because you’re tremendously outnumbered. I just keep thinking of “rule number one” they drilled in first aid class, ‘you can’t help the patient if you become a patient.’ So I feel like getting the attackers to scatter/flee with whatever “motivating tool” is at hand/belt/appendix would be the priority before treating the wound itself.
That’s presuming we didn’t have a chance to call 911 when our eyes perked up as soon as we saw a swarm of 10 shady-looking teens arrive in the first place.
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Wise words, brother. Remarkable how a simple statement can sum up about everything you need to know.