A monocular offers particular advantages over binoculars due to their compactness and weight savings. Additionally, people with less than stellar vision, who wear glasses or have astigmatism (or even the piratical types who wear an eyepatch) will get better performance looking through a single tube versus binoculars.

The Solo has easy to use focus and adjustable eye relief for those with less than stellar eye sight

The Vortex Solo is one of those perfect pieces of kit that you’ll always want to have around. The Solo is well made, lightweight, and can be found for under $100. Its compact size makes for easy handling and carrying, while the 8X magnification allows for clear viewing and great light transmission without the perceived wobble of a higher-powered lens.

I use mine all the time for checking the surf, observing wildlife, or picking routes and navigation when hiking. It basically goes where I go- from my car around town, to in my pack while adventuring.

Features:

• Fully multi-coated optics – Increased light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air to glass surfaces.
• Roof prism- For greater durability and compactness
• Waterproof- O-ring seals that prevent moisture, dust, and debris from entering the monocular for performance in all environments.
• Fog proof- Nitrogen gas purging delivers fog-proof, waterproof performance
• Rubber Armor- Provides a secure, non-slip grip and durable external protection
• Adjustable eyecup- Adjusts up and down to precise settings to maximize custom fit for comfortable viewing with r without eyeglasses.
• Robust metal utility clip- Removable and multi-position clip allows multiple attachment points to pockets or the webbing on your pack.

If you want to carry it on your person, it’s small enough to fit in the front pocket of a jacket, and at just under 10 ounces you won’t know it’s there. You can also keep it at the ready using the attached metal belt clip which works great on pockets, belts, or the sternum strap of your pack.

The monocular also has a lanyard loop molded into the grip so that you can attach a leash or neck strap for an extra bit of security.

The Solo is very rugged; being waterproof, fog proof, and shock resistant. If you somehow damage your monocular, Vortex has one of the best warranties in the business.  They will repair or replace their product at no charge, no matter what!

Vortex Solo 8X36 by the numbers:

• Magnification- 8 x
• Objective Lens Diameter- 36 mm
• Eye Relief- 18 mm
• Exit Pupil- 4.5 mm
• Linear Field of View- 393 feet/1000 yards
• Angular Field of View- 7.5 degrees
• Close Focus- 16.4 feet
• Length- 4.9 inches
• Width- 2.6 inches
• Hand Grip Width- 2 inches
• Weight- 9.7 ounces

The post Vortex Solo 8X36 Monocular appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

One of the most important necessities on the trail, camping, backpacking, and life in general is staying properly hydrated. In general the human body cannot go more than three days without water. As it progresses the effects of dehydration will begin to take its toll on your mind and body. We cannot always carry gallons and gallons of water to cure our thirst but luckily there’s devices on the market to help provide a filtered drinking source.

And why can you not just go up to a water source like a river or lake and drink from it? Because that water can hide micro organisms that’s sole purpose are to feed off you and in turn cause dehydration or severe illness. Some examples of diseases you can catch from drinking unfiltered water are: Diarrhea, Cholera, Beaver Fever, and Malaria to name a few. There’s also various parasites that can be ingested from unfiltered water. So please be safe and drink from a filtered water source.

Now, going back to not being able to carry gallons of filtered water. A gallon of water weigh just over eight pounds and depending on your size, environment and physical output you may require several gallons in a single day which isn’t practical to carry by yourself.  Luckily there are several types of devices that are not only light weight but  highly effective at providing clean, drinkable water as needed.

Here are some tips and devices I carry in my pack to provide safe drinking water:

1.MSR HyperFlow Microfilter. 

This is my go-to device for filtering water on the trail. The filter unit is widely available and can be purchased from most major outdoors stores or online. The kit is made up of three main components (pump, tubing, and filter). It also includes: instructions for proper break in and maintenance, a small carry pouch, and a useful cap adapter for Nalgene and other large mouth drinking bottles. Using this device is easy as connecting the tubing to the pump and filter, then at a slow and steady pace start pumping filtered water into a container. This water filtration system will last a long time as long as proper maintenance is performed and filters are occasionally replaced. Instructional videos can be found online for maintenance steps for the HyperFlow and other filtration device offered by MSR.

2.Lifestraw. 

The Lifestraw is made up of a hard plastic tube with an internal filtration device. This is something I carry in my pack for emergency use only. And luckily I’ve only used it for testing purposes. The ease of the Lifestraw is simply put the inlet into the water source and drink just like you were using a giant straw. With proper maintenance (simply blow the unfiltered water out through the inlet) a Lifestraw will filter approximately 750-1200+ liters.

3.Water treatment pills. 

Aquatabs, Potable Aqua, or water filter tablets to name a few are tablets that consist of a chemical that kills off most bacteria so you can have a drinkable water source. These are easy to use, simply drop in the tablet and wait for the time (30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the type of tablet) for the chemical to treat the unfiltered water. The down side to these tablets are the time limit and the taste. But bad tasting drinkable water is better than dehydration. Also make sure to read the instructions for each tablet brand as not all steps/warning labels are the same.

4.Boiled Water. 

The last tip is also the oldest. If time permits and you have a heat source and a metal vessel, boiling the water is still an effective way to remove pathogens from suspect water. On average water starts to boil around 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The time it takes for water to reach a boil can be anywhere from five minutes or longer depending various factors such as the amount you’re trying to filter, starting water temp, and temp of heating source and altitude. This step takes time and energy but if you are in an emergency situation these steps are necessary.

*Danger Warning: Remember- once boiling temperature is reached, the water must still boil for at least two minutes, preferably longer to kill all pathogens. Also boiling won’t remove sediments or chemical toxins.

As you can see there are luckily many options available for the modern adventurer. The MSR HyperFlow, Lifestraw, and Aqua Tablets are what I carry in my pack for water filtration purposes. There are other devices and style of pumps out there. So before going out on your next hike, camping trip, etc. make sure to do some research into a water filtration device that will suit your needs best. I hope some of these tips help.

Stay hydrated, stay safe, and enjoy the trails!

The post Water Purification Review appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

You’ve probably been in this situation before. You step inside your vehicle, turn the key, but instead of hearing the engine turn over, the distinct “click” that lets you know the battery is dead. Perhaps you left an interior light on or maybe your battery was just too low on juice to get the engine started. Whatever the case may be, you likely had a set of jumper cables handy and a friend, co-worker, or good samaritan to give your dead ride a boost with their vehicle. 

That scenario plays out all the time in our civilized world but what happens when you travel to places where you may be the only vehicle in sight? How do you get your car rolling when there isn’t a live battery on the other side of your jumper cables?  

This is the scenario that plays out in my mind all the time as someone who travels frequently overland and in the backcountry solo. As an Instructor for Fieldcraft Survival, I am regularly taking my 4Runner far off the beaten path to set up for courses. 

Beyond these times, there are many occasions when I am traveling at the wee hours of the morning or night when passing cars are few and far between. I don’t like having to rely on others and while I’ll admit I’m stubborn, this character trait has helped me strengthen my resolve and self-reliance. 

Recently, I picked up a NOCO GBX75 Jump Starter Battery Pack. This replaced an older Die Hard battery pack that took up a considerably larger footprint. The NOCO is about the size of a small tool box and is capable of jump starting up to 8.5 L gas and 6.5 L diesel engines.

In addition to jumping vehicles, the NOCO has a 400 lumen flashlight as well as USB outlets to help recharge your electronic devices with  60W USB-C In/Out and 10W USB-A Out ports. After all, you may want to start the “rescue team” in motion early with a phone call and if your vehicle’s battery is dead, you have a backup charging source. 

This battery pack is not an excuse to avoid performing regular maintenance on your vehicle. Right around the 5-year mark, you should replace your battery. Also, should the battery not be the cause of your vehicle not starting, always pack a sleeping bag and some warm clothes in your rig if you do need to spend the night. 

That said, batteries die and that is a common likely reason you aren’t on your way. Pack one of these in your kit and you’ll have an excellent safe way to take care of your vehicle’s stubbornness on your own without the need to bother anyone for a jump. 

The NOCO battery pack is backed by a 1 year warranty but based on the feedback of many of my friends and associates, it is highly unlikely it will be needed!

The post Gear Review: NOCO GBX75 Jump Start Battery Pack appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

The ever popular Beast Hoodie has returned for 2020!

This year’s version is thicker, denser, and heavier weight than 2019. We used a US-made Polartec ThermalPro Shearling Retro Pile Fleece. A distinct, technical mid-layer with an alpinist legacy.

The Beast Hoodie is very breathable, helps regulates body heat while on the move, and efficiently traps body heat when worn under any shell. For decades, this type of fleece mid-layer has been and is worn by those who feel most alive when in the back country, rather live where the wild things are, like the view best when from the top, and those who find a way or make one.

PDW consistently focuses on purpose driven design, quality, capability and performance in all that we design and produce. When our options are not available in the US for our material and production needs, we recognize the rest of the world offers a great many options that allows us to achieve our high quality of make standards.

They’re aren’t any goods that we design and make that we do not want to use ourselves. Our goods are born from a life long pursuit of adventures into the wilderness, field work, daily life in the city, and journeys to distant lands.

Our Company’s Founders began their lives as object makers in the world of metal, and the entry into this outdoor industry started out with knives. Yes, knives and edges tools are the origins of our brand’s foundation.

Fast forward to 2020, for almost 7 years we’ve been chasing down a particular version of our Invictus folder design.

We’ve had talented custom makers interpret our design in small craft batches, and done collabs with other knife-centric brands like Terrain 365.

The original vision of this folder was to feature a handle machined out of a solid block of titanium billet; a handle made from one piece of metal. For over 6 years we worked with numerous machine shops to achieve this objective, in some cases we’re still waiting on the first working prototypes started in 2014. This is not an impatient man’s game.

PDW finally have an Invictus folder due in this last part of 2020, that hit all of our design, engineering, fabrication, and quality objectives. It has been a long road, but we believe that it was worth the wait.

The PDW Invictus-IBL will be available before the year is out

On November 18th, PDW are also launching the Defiant Hoodie.

This has been another project that has been years in the making. Over the span of over 4 years, PDW worked with 5 different manufacturing centers and more than a dozen prototypes until we arrived at an outcome that we found acceptable. The factories that couldn’t meet our objectives didn’t make the cut and boxes of rejected prototypes sit in the corner of our metal shop.

A fully seam taped soft-shell with premium, 4-way stretch, 4-season, All-Weather Schoeller® 3L fabric, cohaesive integrated components, and a set of functional features, style, and fit that will make this your goto shell jacket year ’round. We did not compromise on a single detail in the pursuit of this garment.

As in its namesake, we had to fight, persevere, and defy the many obstacles to get this jacket done and done right.

The Defiant Hoodie is a Jack of Many Trades, it will be up to you to be the Master of them.

A Note About 2020

The global pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. Some more than others and for some, there’s no coming back. It has been a challenging year and we wish for only better days ahead for everyone.

As a result of the pandemic in our industry, there has been factory shut downs across the board, some temporarily and some for good. As a result most of our planned products for 2020 have been delayed and some pushed off to 2021. We’re not sure exactly when some of our 2020 line up will land but here’s a preview of a few. If they don’t arrive in 2020, they’ll certainly be here in 2021.

Adventure is a state of mind, it takes place anywhere you want it to be, and lives in our hearts 365, 24/7.

• A.G. Wilderness Quilt; a modern classic made with premium mountaineering grade nylon ripstop shell with DWR and 800 fill power, RDS certified goose down. Highest warmth to weight ratio, packs down small, and specially sized to work with RTTs and 2-4 person tents.

• Ti-Line Multi-Fuel Pack Stove; a take-down, light weight, titanium stove engineered for efficient burns, and nests perfectly in our 600ml Mini-Pot/Mug. Uses bio-mass, hexamine tabs, or an optional alcohol burner for fuel. No need to rely on wasteful single use canisters or liquid fossil fuels.

• PDW in-house water bottles; copper lined, double wall, vacuum stainless steel, and cross brand compatible wide mouth opening and caps. We got tired of buying over priced water bottles so went to the source and made our own. We’ll be able to offer these retail, at what we used to have to pay wholesale. Made in the same factory as those over marketed big brands.

• Moar knives; fixed and folding. Got a number in the works!

That’s just a sampling of what we’ve got on deck. Also expect some more cool collabs with CRK, Strider, EKI, RESCO and others.

Thank you for your support. We’re honored to be here with you- Live wild, wise and free!

The post Prometheus Design Werx Fall/Winter Preview 2020 appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

It’s always great to have extra lights for area lighting and performing immediate tasks while outdoors.

In the past options were limited and varying sized battery requirements were a hassle. Now with rechargeable lights you can get away for a long weekend and not have to carry a twenty pound bag of spares. It’s also nice to see beyond the light of the campfire when Jackalopes come looking for your whisky!

The three lights we are featuring are all portable and perform in a certain niche based on their size, but are all compatible using the same charging cord for easy packing, plus one has an extra trick up its sleeve.

Small

Nitecore NU05.

The smallest light of our trio is about the size of a Starburst, but don’t let that fool you – it has a ton of uses and features. The NU05 has both red and white LED that are programmed for a variety of uses. 

For the red LEDs there is a small single flashing indicator, dual slow flash and strobing functions. The white LED has a dual slow flashing and constant on that is 35 lumens.

There is button that you use to shuttle through the various settings. Holding it down activates the lockout function.

The light charges via micro USB and has an approximate runtime of one hour with the white light constantly on. 

The NU05 small size and built in tabs on the back allow it to be placed on the webbing of backpacks on a head or wrist band or just about anything else you can come up with. It also works well with velcro one wrap or self adhesive velcro to attach directly onto loop fields.

Mounted on a sternum strap or on the front of your pack strap it is a good hands free light that only weighs .37 ounces. It is also dust proof and water resistant so it can go wherever you do.

Using the red and white flashers is good way to maintain high visibility during dusk or evening for for cyclist, joggers or put it on dogs or little kids to more easily keep tabs on them while outdoors. 

Medium

Lander Cairn Mini lantern. 

A nice medium sized light the Cairn has a dimmable LED that produces a max of 150 lumens and when turned down provides a nice soft glow to read by. That may be the only thing soft about it. 

The Cairn is IP65 rated, making it waterproof and dust-proof. It also has a lockout feature to prevent unintended drain on the battery when in transit. LEDs on the side show the charge level. Equally important it also uses a micro usb plug so it is interoperable with most chargers and power banks.

Another nice feature is the shock cord attachment that allows you to wrap it around your wrist or hang it off practically anything like the interior/ exterior of your tent or even inside your pack for easy viewing of its contents at night.

Large

Black Diamond Moji Lantern Charging Station Power Light.

First of all that name is quite the mouthful, but a perfect description and second it reminds of the light/heater/charger that Luke Skywalker plugs into R2-D2 after his crash landing on Dagobah. 

So first the light: The Moji has a 250 max lumen dimmable led that can cast light up to a 15 m ring. On its lower settings the lantern is perfect for the middle of your camp table. Like the Cairn it provides a nice defused light that won’t burn out your retinas while you try play cards, tell tall tales or eat your chow. Operating the light is very easy with dimming, flasher and lock-out functions all in one pressure switch. Four small LEDs indicate charge levels. 

If you don’t have a table you can hang it quite easily by inverting it and deploying the two hooks underneath. These are perfect for tree branches, paracord, the ends of roof racks etc. etc. 

Now the Charger: Just like on Dagobah, the Moji is also a power bank thanks to its onboard rechargeable lithium ion battery.  You can charge your electronic gadgets like phones, cameras and other lights. 

Opening a nice little hatch reveals the three power ports that should cover all the bases. And following the philosophy of “two is one” the Moji also houses two AA batteries for a backup power supply- pretty smart! 

About the size of a large coffee mug and just under one pound the Moji Charging Station Lantern is perfect for car camping, overlanding, the swamps of Dagobah or for whenever the power goes out at home. 

The post Three Rechargeable Lights For the Outdoors appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

I have owned almost a dozen headlamps in my time. One “walked off” after a nighttime rescue, all the rest failed in some way or another. I don’t think that will ever be a problem with the SureFire Minimus. Contructed from aircraft aluminum that has been hard anodized. That means it won’t crack or otherwise fail if it gets dropped or buried under other gear in your pack. For further protection the lens is recessed providing more protection for the LED inside. Another protection against Murphy’s law the battery cover has a retention strap to prevent loss.

In addition to a bomb proof light housing, the light’s bracket is made of a sturdy polymer frame that won’t crack or break. That is the Achilles heal of many otherwise good headlamps- one small piece of plastic can ruin the entire light. The bracket also allows the light to be rotated up or down for further comfortable focusing on the task at hand. The rubber O-rings of the Minimus ensure it will work in a downpour or after accidental submersion.

Self Retaining Battery Cap

So it’s strong, what about performance? 

The Minimus excels at what it’s made for, which is providing you with enough light to see and perform tasks in near and middle distance. Though its top setting is 300 lumens, spotting objects beyond 20-30 yards is really the domain of a handheld flashlight with a focused beam and higher lumens. Speaking of the beam, this headlight provides a very nice and even flood with out the usual hot spot in the center. This makes reading using the lowest setting very comfortable without light reflecting harshly back at you. With other headlights I’ve experienced a bright bulls eye in the center of the page that quickly dropped off requiring you to move your head as you read down the page.

Dialing in the correct setting is very easy with the Minimus. It has 13 light settings from 5 to 300 lumens. Unlike other headlamps that require you to keep pushing a button to toggle through setting and if you miss one repeat the whole sequence the minimum works just like a dimmer switch. Rotate it up to go brighter, down for lower. This is part of the Minimus’ great ergonomics that can be easily used with gloves on. Simply click the end cap to turn on and then rotate the knurled knob up or down for the desired brightness.

There is also a SOS setting that actually flashes the Morse code for SOS. Just push and hold the on/ off button for four seconds. Click again to turn off. The headlamp also has a snap on red lens If you want to maintain night vision or further tamp down the lowest light setting.

Another feature of the headlamp that made it a no brainer for me is that it takes the same batteries as all my other SureFire lights. This standardization means I only need to keep one kind of spares in my pack. With a standard sized Thyrm storage case, I can securely carry three CR123 batteries which is enough to resupply the Minimus and my Fury handheld light. This to me is the perfect combination for having hands free close in illumination and a handheld light with plenty of reach.

I really like this light, it is robust, easy to use, has great features and is made by a company that stands by their product. Barring loss, I think it will be the last headlight I buy for a very long time.

Minimus by the Numbers.

Weight w/ Battery: 4.0 oz

High Output: 1.5 Hours

Low Output: 75 Hours

The post SureFire Minimus appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

“Another glorious Sierra day in which one seems to be dissolved and absorbed and sent pulsing onward we know not where…This is true freedom, a good practical sort of immortality.”- John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra

Inspired by California’s Sierra Nevada and using modern materials, PDW has a new Summer lineup of new gear to take you into the Great Outdoors!

PDW Ti-Line Folding Spork.

Light and compact this little fellow is a great addition to your outdoor mess kit.- did we mention it’s titanium ?!

PDW Ti-Line Sierra Cup with folding handle. 

PDW used a special ti alloy that unlike most other titanium camp cookware, will resist finger prints.) From around 1905, the Sierra Cup has been a backpacking & wilderness classic.

Our updated version is lightweight, durable, has a folding handle, made from a highest grade of titanium alloy, and features our All Terrain graphic etched on the side. This first edition also features a PDW logo on the opposite side.

Aptly named after our beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range, which includes Yosemite Valley, John Muir Wilderness, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and more.

TiFS Mk2 Survival Lighter.

The TiFS Mk2 is a compact, capsule type, survival lighter for starting campfires. Precision milled from 6AL-4V titanium billet the handy lighter has been updated with a more aggressive milled pattern for even better grip.

This compact, refillable fire starter is well suited in any backpack, survival kit or key chain.

New version returns this May/June.

PDW Ti-Line 600ML Mug-Mini Pot with Lid. 

Premium titanium alloy. Sized to work with and fit many pocket survival stoves.
Folding handles for compact storage and featuring the All Terrain graphic. This first edition also features a PDW logo on the opposite side.

SHADO Pack 24L

The S.H.A.D.O. Pack 24L is a fully loaded, mid-size, apex day pack that effectively delivers a ruggedized, streamlined, best in class package designed to perform in a multitude of environments and use cases, both off and on the grid. 

The dual zipper opening design allows for optimal storage access to two compartments, and a high degree of user options to organize EDC items. 

Comes ready for adventure with Gear Trap, EDCO Panel, 3-Stage ToF Belt, and Multi-Purpose Frame Sheet. It’s the summer sequel that is better than the original.

Ti-NATO Strap

A strap worthy of your favorite timepiece, Available in 20mm and 22mm featuring titanium hardware, thick nylon band and laser etched PDW logo. Titanium was selected not only for its lightweight and strength, but unlike NATO straps with stainless steel hardware, it cannot become accidentally magnetized which can affect your watch band compass. 

Look for it this summer.

The post PDW Spring/Summer Gear Preview appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

I have been using the CaB-2  from Prometheus Design Werx almost daily for two years straight so It’s about time I shared my review of it. As the name suggests the CaB-2 (Carry all Bag) is the second version of a tote originally sold by Tinker Workshop .

The second generation has been streamlined by omitting the PALS webbing of the original which helps cut some weight and a heck of a lot of sewing! A second set of carry straps have been added for extra carrying options. Having a set of long and short straps makes for more comfortable carrying of the bag as you can either grip it in your hands or hooked on your shoulder. Two sets of grab handles also aids in loading and unloading.

The CaB-2 is just as robust as the original. The bag uses 1000D Cordura that is plenty tough and sheds water and dirt. Another robust feature is that the straps wrap around the entire height of the bag and are boxed stitched at stress points for added strength. This is a failure point on many duffles and packs. Additionally, all edges and seams are taped for reinforcement and to avoid fraying. The CaB-2 is just as suitable for hauling firewood as it is going grocery shopping.

Don’t forget your sunscreen!

For me, I use this adventure tote as a way to organize and store all of my beach and surfing gear in the back of my car. It keeps everything in one place so I don’t forget anything before an early morning dawn patrol- because it really sucks to pull up to pumping surf only to realize you forgot you wetsuit or leash. (BTDT)

The upright form of the bag means it has a relatively small footprint which comes in handy when the cargo area of my Outback is filled with extra boards and a Scepter water can for rinsing off.

CaB-2, Scepter Water Can and Two Boards in their Bags.

There are pockets on all four sides which allows for further organization for smaller items or things you want to keep handy. In the large front pocket I keep small loose items. It’s easy to remember which side is which by the the large section of loop for attaching patches. It also means DRB always gets to come along for the ride.

On the left side pocket I keep a large microfiber pack towel as a back up. The right side pocket is divided into three vertical sections that are handy for small tool and the like. Finally, the rear large pocket is big enough to carry a pair of my Yucca fins.

Inside the CaB-2 easily consumes a beach towel, full wetsuit, organizing pouch for surfboard fins, dive mask, snorkel, water proof bag (for wetsuit), ziplock full of wax, swim goggles, rash guard, spare pair of trunks and leash. Having all of this handy makes it easy to just throw a board in the back and go, or if the opportunity comes up to go for a swim, beach workout or snorkeling if the waves are flat.

I purposely bought a black bag so if I wanted to I could tuck the bright orange straps inside the bag and lay it behind the driver’s seat where it is well camouflaged from prying eyes amongst the dark interior of my car.

The CaB-2 is basically a blank slate and not over specialized for a single type of use. Once you have this bag for a while you will end up wishing you had more as you see all of the varied uses it has for organizing gear. It makes camping and overlanding super easy as you can divide up all of your gear by use and have an organized system in the back of your vehicle.

I can’t recommend it enough!

Look for it on the PDW Website where you can find it in various seasonal colors.

The CaB-2 by the Numbers

Materials:

• 1000D Cordura®
• Nylon edge binding
• MILSPEC nylon webbing
• Poly safety orange webbing
• Nylon Velcro® loop

Sizing:

• Overall height: 29″
• Bag height: 18″
• Length: 13″
• Width: 8″
• Carry straps: 11″
• Carry handles: 3″

Approx. Weight:

•  1.25 Lbs.

Features:

• Long carry straps
• Short carry handles
• Magazine pocket
• Tablet pocket
• Side organizer pocket for water bottle
• Side organizer pocket with 3 dividers for eating utensils, knives
• 4″ x 4″ loop panel morale patches

Made In:

• California, USA

The post PDW CaB-2 appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

Recently Prometheus Design Werx both released the SPD Edition Wenger Blades Wiglaf tomahawk and sold out of it. The photo previews of this modern tomahawk clearly connected with their followers and quickly sold out upon their release. The Wiglaf is a very capable little tomahawk that comes from a strong lineage of very powerful larger blades offered by the custom knifemaker out of Michigan. Noticeably smaller than your average tomahawk, the Wiglaf packs quite a punch and this Mountain Gorilla has a wealth of experience using it, well an earlier non-PDW version of the same hawk, hard while evaluating it for a few major outdoor survival magazines and the maker during the testing and development stage. I’ve known about this PDW/Wenger collaboration for a while and it has been hard to keep it a secret. I knew this blade would leave quite an impression on the PDW community as it did on me.

This edition under PDW’s SPD (Special Projects Division) marque, is reserved generally for limited, custom made goods. You see, the Wiglaf might look small but it really packs a punch. I get it, some of you may not want to use your hawk because it really is a work of art and pretty damn nice. That’s alright, I’ll use mine 6 different ways harder than you may ever use yours so you can keep yours minty new and rest assured it can handle it. Here’s what it is capable of!

1. Chopping: A chopping tool like an ax, tomahawk and hatchet has a clear advantage over a small knife. It has mass making it a better chopper. Not quite as fast as a long machete, an ax-like tool uses mass instead. Where some tomahawks are simply too light to be effective, the Wiglaf has a good amount of weight despite the size thanks to the thickness of the full-exposed tang design. I’ve used my Wiglaf for chopping down small trees with only a couple swings (some only needed a deep forehand swing and a single backhand) and others were easily felled with 4 cuts around the circumference of the trunk. Limbing takes a little caution as your hand is close to the cutting edge but once you learn the range, the Wiglaf cuts like a bandit. With the full-tang construction, the Wiglaf can be pounded through a stubborn log by the fireplace with a wooden baton and you’ll never have to worry about the head coming loose. For it’s size, it is a chopping machine.

2. Carving: Even though the Wiglaf is technically a small ax, it doesn’t cut like one. I don’t mean that comment in a negative way as it does cut well but it also has a razor-sharp edge that works like a knife blade when the user chokes up on the head. The paracord wrapping keeps your hand warmer than grabbing exposed steel. How well does it carve? Fine fuzz sticks aren’t a problem. Cleaning fish or small game, also not even an issue. One handed? Well, bury the head with part of the edge exposed and manipulate the wood around it. You will find this little hawk to be part hawk, part small fixed blade knife. It works equally well slicing, whittling and scoring as it does chopping and making wood chips fly.

3. Digging: Rather than having a wide handle butt, the Wiglaf has almost a chiseled point. When the head of the Wiglaf is safely covered, the user can utilize the Wiglaf like a digging stick. Pushing down on the head and levering the handle makes digging cat holes a pinch when you need to bury your waste. Come spring foraging time, you can leave your spade behind and just carry the Wiglaf on your belt when the ramps start coming up. If you don’t want to get your orange liners dirty, you can carve a digging stick and keep that bright accent under the green canvas micarta clean.

4. Crushing: There are plenty of torture tests online but who would torture such a beautiful little hawk? I’m the PDW Mountain Gorilla and subtlety isn’t my strong suit. Let me be the one to do what you are probably wondering. Rather than using the edge like some online “experts” would argue is a good idea, I used the hammer pol to absolutely crush through everything from padlocks to coconuts. The 80crV2 steel is stronger than a locking mechanism and any shell or husk and while it may cause some cosmetic marks on the steel, you’ll be hard pressed to break a hammer like the Wiglaf’s. The RC hardness of the head is 59 which is harder than I would like for a true hammer but in an emergency, it will hold up fine. Now, I’m not for all out torture and destruction and I use my hammer pol sparingly. I’ve tested my Wiglaf over the years on various mediums and it has passed with flying colors everywhere. Maintain your edge and use the hammer when you absolutely must Hulk-smash something like a padlock or gain access through a wall somewhere. After all, the wilds of the outdoors can be found in urban environments too. If you’re going to use the pol, do yourself a safety favor. Keep the head masked and employ the lanyard to keep a grip on it.

5.Hammering: While you do have a hammer pol to utilize for crushing, I don’t recommend using it like a hammer on small diameter targets. Cracking open coconuts is one thing, hitting the head of a tent peg is another. When I need to pound in a small wooden tarp stake, I use the flat of the blade instead. The Wiglaf has a lot of mass that works well as a hammer. By using the side of the hawk, I avoid misses that could break my fingers on an errant swing. I try to avoid hitting metal on the flats to avoid marking up my blade too much and if I really need to hammer something, I’ll carve a baton out of hardwood with the Wiglaf.

6.Fire Starting: Perhaps the coolest feature of the Wiglaf is the integral bow-drill divot. As someone who regularly teaches and practices fire by friction, I can say second to the cordage you can make or use, a good bearing is hard to find/make. The Wiglaf has a very noticeable bow-drill divot that actually works. I tend to tuck the handle in the crease of my knee for increased stability. If you’re just getting started with friction fires, you can use the lanyard from the Wiglaf for a bow string and you can use the hawk to cut and carve your pieces. In fact, that makes a great homework project for the readers here. Go out, be the outsider, and make a friction fire set up with your new hawk. Maybe one of my future blogs here will be some tips on making a set from the land and I’ll feature my Wiglaf throughout. For now, go practice!

The Wiglaf is sure to be a Prometheus Design Werx favorite. I’ve fallen in love with mine over the past couple years and it is easily one of the most popular designs to come out of the Wenger Blades shop. When you have a tool that is the WD-40 or duct tape of the tomahawk world, it’s easy to understand why. Use your Wenger Blades PDW Wiglaf with confidence. It will provide you many years of service and help you in all of your outdoor adventures. While this first run sold out quickly, PDW is already on working with Wegner Blades to bring in more Wiglafs over time as Dave Wenger’s production schedule allows.

The post Small But Mighty: Wenger Blades Wiglaf Tomahawk appeared first on Danger Ranger Bear.

On almost every camping trip I’ve ever been on there always seems to be more people than places to sit. Every night around the camp fire there is a high stakes game of musical chairs which leaves one unlucky fellow sitting on a wobbly rock, the cooler lid (Hey can you stand up I need another beer?) or worse. Giving up they dejectedly they sit in the dirt with the creepy crawlies and rodents. So unless you are an ultralight backpacker, a chair is a pretty important piece of gear for all.

Most chairs are either large and heavy, take up a lot of space like a beach chair or they are so minimalist they don’t provide a comfortable resting place which is key after a day hiking, bouldering or surfing. Luckily Helinox comes to the rescue with the Chair One, which satisfies all of the needs of being light, compact, comfortable and sturdy.

Weiging in at just under two pounds the Helinox Chair One is lighter than a full 32 ounce water bottle and packs down almost as small. It’s robust design and light weight materials can support over 300 pounds.

Set up of the chair is a snap as there are really only two main components- the frame and the nylon seat. The poles are all connected by bungees and fit just like tent poles. And that is no coincidence as odds are your tent poles were also made by DAC (Dongah Aluminum Co) of Korea who make the best poles in the industry and they just so happen to be more environmentally to boot. Rounding out the package is a carrying pouch which has loops to attach to the chair while in use and daisy chain webbing to lash it to your pack.

This particular model of the Chair One is the “Tactical” editions which features a velcro panel on the chair back and two pocket on each side of the seat. These pockets are a perfect place to stash a flashlight, bottle opener or your favorite beer coozie. Once seated you will notice the great back support and comfort of the design which is a cross between a mid-century butterfly chair and bucket seats. The chair is more than strong enough to lean back on two legs and handles uneven ground well.

One comment that comes up about the Chair One is that the chair legs will sink into damp earth or sand. Helinox sells a separate foot print that remedies this issue are you can solve it yourself with a few DIY methods. One way is to put slits in either tennis or racket balls and place them over the feet. Another is to cut PVC pipe to length and make two sets of rails for the legs to sit in. You can also just dig a small hole and place flat stones in the bottom and the chair on top. Whatever the method, the key is to spread the weight out and if you are at the beach simply put the chair on your towel.

The Helinox Chair One might at first glance look like a luxury item and with a retail price just under $100 it may seem an indulgence. In reality the Chair One is a great value and has “dual use” as it can be used for more than just camping trips. I use mine at the beach, sitting on the sidelines of soccer games and its great for BBQ’s and Picnics. Once you have it you will really appreciate how versatile it really is and how much space it saves when packing for any of your outdoor endeavors.

www.helinox.com

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