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Review: 5.11 Tactical Defender Flex Jeans & Pants

Posted on March 12, 2017 at 6:00 am.

In This Article

Blue Jeans & Blending In
5.11 Defender-Flex Jeans & Pants
Flexible Fabric
Seven Pockets
Our Thoughts: Defender-Flex Review

You've likely heard the old saying that clothes make the man. While that's clearly an oversimplification, it's certainly true that your clothing speaks volumes, and it's often one of the first things strangers will notice about you. Imagine waltzing into a biker-filled dive bar wearing a tuxedo and a gold Rolex, or trying to get a table at the Ritz Carlton in Paris while wearing an oil-stained Budweiser T-shirt, cut-off shorts, and flip-flops. In either case, you're virtually guaranteed to become the center of attention, whether you want to or not.

The point we're making is not about the importance of looking hip so others notice how fashion-conscious you are. It's about the importance of remaining aware of how others perceive you based on your clothing. This is one of the core principles of the “gray man” philosophy. If your clothing appears similar to that worn by those around you, and your actions aren't conspicuous, passersby won't give you a second glance. In everyday life, this can be convenient, but in an emergency scenario, it can dramatically increase your chances of remaining unnoticed and safe.

However, there's a need for compromise here. Military and tactical apparel often offers many advantages over run-of-the-mill garments — extra storage pockets for your EDC gear, concealed-carry enhancements, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics, extreme durability, high-tech lightweight insulation, and so on. The question becomes, how can I retain the capabilities I need without broadcasting my preparedness to the world? When too much emphasis is put on blending in, you may limit yourself to inferior gear; when too little emphasis is placed on this discretion, you may end up painting a target on your own back.

Blue Jeans & Blending In

Blue jeans are about as universal as clothing gets. With a nice pair of shoes and a blazer, jeans can appear upscale and sophisticated. With some old sneakers and a hooded sweatshirt, they'll give off a casual blue-collar vibe. They won't look out of place on a remote hiking trail, a construction site, or a bustling city street. You might say they're the ultimate gray man apparel.

Unfortunately, there are some downsides to traditional jeans. The denim fabric is essentially just densely-woven cotton, and that's not a recipe for a flexible material. It doesn't have much stretch or give, so it can feel restrictive during strenuous physical activity. Also, most jeans have five pockets — two on the front, two in back, and a small change pocket on the right side. The last pocket is usually so shallow that it's not useful for carrying much more than a lighter or tube of lip balm.

5.11 Defender-Flex Jeans & Pants

5.11 Tactical recently announced the release of a new line of pants known as Defender-Flex. This line includes Dark Wash Indigo (pictured) and regular Indigo denim blue jeans, as well as twill fabric pants in a variety of colors. The Defender-Flex jeans and pants will be available in slim-fit or straight-fit, and there will also be a women's version.

All variants will retail for $70, but at the time of writing this article, these items are not yet listed for sale on 5.11's web site. The company says the Defender-Flex line will be available to the public starting in Spring 2017. We're told the colors seen here will be the first styles available, while other pant colors and women's versions will be coming later.

Up to this point, everything sounds pretty run-of-the-mill, but there's more to these jeans than meets the eye — and that's exactly the goal.

Admittedly, these aren't the first “tactical jeans” to ever hit the market; a few other companies have produced their own variants in the past. However, the 5.11 Defender-Flex line resembles ordinary jeans more than some we've seen, and it's also available at a substantially lower price point than others. As for design, comfort, and real-world functionality, read on for more details and our testing impressions.

Flexible Fabric

The biggest technical difference between the Defender-Flex series and your dad's old Levi's or Wranglers is the fabric. The Defender-Flex jeans are composed of Lycra T400 Tough Max, a cotton/polyester-blend fabric. The manufacturer claims Tough Max fabric is twice as strong as regular 100% cotton denim. It's also said to have higher tear and tensile strength than cotton, as well as high abrasion resistance. The label lists the composition as 76% cotton and 24% polyester.

Defender-Flex pants use a slightly different fabric than the jeans, resulting in a smoother finish and slightly more stretch. The label on the pants lists composition as 66% cotton, 31% polyester, and 3% elastane (also called Spandex or Lycra). Aside from this fabric and different color options, the jeans and pants are identical.

In addition to this modern fabric, 5.11 Tactical added extra-thick hems and stitching to further reinforce key wear areas, such as the button closure and edges of the front pockets. There are 8 belt loops, three on each side and a pair at the rear. These loops are slightly thinner and more pliable fabric than those found on Levi's, but at 3/4-inch wide they're about 30% wider than the Levi's loops. Tough brass rivets emblazoned with “5.11” text and a brass button with the 5.11 logo serve as subtle finishing touches.

Seven Pockets

The other distinctive characteristic of the 5.11 Defender-Flex is its pockets. Each pair offers a total of 7 pockets. We'll list them below along with the pocket dimensions, and how they compare to the pocket dimensions on a pair of Levi's 505 jeans.

Two front pockets — 5″ wide by 6.5″ deep — 0.5″ shallower than Levi's
Right side coin pocket — 3.25″ wide by 4.75″ deep — 1.5″ deeper than Levi's
Two back pockets — 4.5″ wide by 6″ deep — 1.5″ narrower than Levi's
Two side mag pockets — 4″ wide by 5.25″ deep — N/A (not present on Levi's)

Above: The extra-deep “coin pocket” can fit a variety of surprisingly large items, such as a hefty Zero Tolerance folding knife (4.9 inches long when closed), a Leatherman Wingman multi-tool, a deck of playing cards, or an Altoids tin. Calling it just a coin pocket would be short-changing it, if you'll forgive the pun.

The rear pocket size is pretty much what you'll find on other pairs of jeans, but its proximity to the side mag pockets is convenient. You could use them for the recommended purpose of holding rifle magazines at the range, or drop in a USB battery pack to charge your smartphone on the move. Unlike other jeans, you won't have to rely heavily on your front pockets for EDC items.

Above: Rather than carrying a separate blow-out kit, the mag pockets could easily fit a tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, and Israeli bandage for emergency medical care.

Now you're up to speed on the technical specs, materials, and dimensions of the Defender-Flex jeans, but the most important part of our review is yet to come. How do they work in the real world?

Our Thoughts: Defender-Flex Review

We received and tested three items from the new Defender-Flex series: a pair of straight-fit Dark Wash Indigo jeans, and two pairs of straight-fit Defender-Flex pants (Stone khaki and Burnt brown). As mentioned earlier, the jeans have a softer feel and slightly less stretch than the pants, due to higher cotton content. When exposed to moisture, the synthetic-heavy pants seem to dry out faster than the jeans, as you might expect. However, the differences between the pants and jeans are pretty much negligible.

Above: We used a 1.5-inch 5.11 Apex T-Rail belt with these jeans. Most belts up to 2 inches wide should fit.

As we wore these around town, at home, and in the office, we found them exceptionally comfortable. The small amount of give and flex in the fabric means you don't feel the tension 100% cotton exhibits as you bend down or kneel. It's a subtle difference, especially in the jeans, but it's noticeable. They're also nicely breathable and lightweight, which is helpful for those who live in warmer regions.

Regarding the construction, we didn't find any major flaws, but there are a few things we'd like to see improved:

Thick pocket seams are nice for durability, but they're barely too thick to slide smoothly under the pocket clips on some of our EDC gear. (This may improve as the fabric breaks in.)
While wide and securely stitched, the belt loop fabric doesn't feel quite as thick and sturdy as we'd like.
The zipper is noticeably smaller than that found on a pair of Levi's. This isn't entirely confidence-inspiring, but it's too early to say how well it'll hold up in the long run.

The clip on this Streamlight ProTac 2L snagged on the thicker front pocket seams, but slid easily into the coin...

As for the pockets, we found ourselves wondering, why the heck aren't all our jeans like this already? The setup is that good. When the mag pockets are empty, you can forget about them, but when you need extra storage space, they're right there waiting for you. Even if you're not using them for rifle mags, they come in handy constantly. Pickpockets might not think to look there, or want to reach into such a deep pocket, so you could conceal a slim wallet inside for travel purposes. Thicker items will produce a visible bulge, however.

The coin pocket is also extremely useful. It swallows up flashlights, knives, tactical pens, and the like, leaving access to the pocket below unobstructed. If we could make a request, we'd ask for one more pocket — a tiny concealed pocket inside the waistband for emergency cash, a spare key, or other small essentials. But as it stands now, seven pockets is a whole lot better than four and a half.

The Defender-Flex line bridges the gap between consumer-grade clothing and tactical apparel. Some may look at these as just pants with some extra pockets and stretch fabric, and think what's the big deal?, but to us these are legitimately a big deal. They're not just jeans, they're jeans that could potentially make the other pairs you own obsolete.

These aren't relegated to tactical training, range days, or outdoor excursions. You could wear them to the office or the mall, and nobody would bat an eye. Meanwhile, you'd be able to organize your EDC gear better, carry more in your pockets, and move with greater flexibility. Best of all, they only cost about $20 more than an ordinary pair of cotton jeans.

For more information on the 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex jeans and pants when they become available, visit 511Tactical.com or follow 5.11 Tactical on Facebook.

New: Buck 110 Auto Push-Button Folding Knife

Posted on March 6, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Do you remember the first knife you ever used? Thinking back to my own childhood, my father had what I now recognize as a Buck 110 Folding Hunter in the glovebox of his car. It was scuffed and scratched, and its cutting edge was well-worn, but it was one of the first folding knives I ever laid my hands on. That memory has stuck with me. Even though I now own many modern knives decked out with titanium and carbon fiber, the Buck 110 has a classic look that will never feel old to me.

My dad's old Buck knife looked much like this one, with what some might call “patina”. Photo: CapCase...

More than 50 years after the debut of the Buck 110 in 1963, the company still offers the traditional design, complete with the wood handle, nail nick, and lockback. However, Buck has recently announced a new version of this iconic folding knife. This time, it's available as an automatic.

Buck 110 auto folding knife hunting blade 2

Buck's new 110 Auto model has a button-release mechanism, and a traditional lockback.

The Buck 110 Auto closely resembles the original Folding Hunter, and still has the wood scales with brass pins and bolsters. You'll likely notice the push-button on the handle, and also that the 420HC stainless blade is missing its nail nick. Pressing the button releases the blade; to close it again, depress the lockback like you would on a manual-opening Buck 110.

Here's a video clip we recorded at SHOT Show 2017 of the knife opening:

Like the original, the new Buck 110 Auto is made in the USA, and includes a leather sheath. This knife is available at an MSRP of $200. For more information on the 110 Auto, visit BuckKnives.com.

Q&A: Survival Expert Hakim Isler of “Kicking & Screaming”

Posted on March 5, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Hakim Isler is a man of many talents — hence his nickname, “Black MacGyver“. He's an Iraq war veteran and former member of the Army Special Operations community, where he served as a Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Sergeant. Hakim also has extensive experience as a practitioner and teacher of martial arts — he's a fourth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do under Black Belt Hall of Fame member Stephen K. Hayes, and is an instructor in the Filipino combat system of FCS Kali.

Hakim passes these martial arts skills on to students through Elevo Dynamics, the 24-hour family gym and combatives training facility he founded in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Hakim is also the founder of The SOIL Foundation, a nonprofit that offers off-grid training and excursions to to help veterans, law enforcement, and civilians recover from anxiety, depression, and PTSD. On top of all this, Hakim is the author of Modern Hand to Hand Combat, a contributor to our print magazine (see “Plan of Action” in Issue 16), and a TV personality. In 2014, he tested his wilderness survival skills on Discovery's Naked and Afraid, and later made another appearance on Naked and Afraid XL in 2015.

Hakim (top left) with the rest of the cast of

Hakim with the rest of the cast of “Naked & Afraid XL” Season 1.

His latest project is with the all-new FOX TV series Kicking & Screaming, which debuts next Thursday, March 9th at 9/8C. The show pairs experienced survivalists like Hakim with high-maintenance city dwellers and survival novices:

In anticipation of this TV appearance, we took some time to talk with Hakim about his time on the show, as well as his every-day survival philosophy.

OG: Hey Hakim, thanks for talking with us today. What initially led you to take an interest in survival and self-reliance?

My first awakening to the power of nature was in the Army SERE-C course. Most who know what that is would think that would be the worst place to learn it — while on the run with your team trying to escape capture — but it was not for me. There was a moment surrendering to nature while I laid drenched in heavy rain trying to avoid capture. I had to accept that I wasn't in control and in that moment I felt a freedom like I had never felt before. Some call it “embracing the suck,” but this was different for me. It was more like embracing the power of nature, and finding solace in letting go and becoming more than I was before.

KICKING & SCREAMING: Hakim Isler, Martial Arts Instructor.

KICKING & SCREAMING: Hakim Isler. CR: Jeff Neira / FOX. © FOX Broadcasting Co.

OG: We imagine there's a story of ingenuity behind your nickname, “Black MacGyver”. How did that name come about?

I came to be called this in the military because I was always thinking and creating. I would often come up with outside-the-box solutions for issues, and they would work. In layman's terms, people would call what I do ingenuity, but I call what I do Ninjanuity. Since I am a fourth-degree Black Belt in Ninja Self Protection (To-Shin Do) a.k.a a Ninja, the idea of adapt and overcome is the way I see things. It is that mindset that drives my art of Ninjanuity.

OG: Some of our readers will recognize you from your 21-day survival scenario in India on “Naked and Afraid”. What lessons did you learn from that experience?

The greatest lesson I learned from the Himalayan Mountains while on Naked and Afraid was that war changed me. My last deployment ended in 2007 and I thought I came home in decent shape. The truth was there was a lot I had buried under the mission of work and life. During the 21-day challenge I found that beyond my challenges with my partner, the more depleted I became the less I could suppress the side of me that I had not faced. I had an awakening out there that was never caught on camera, and it was that awakening that caused me to start The Soil Foundation in Robbins, North Carolina. It's a wilderness therapy and retreat for military, civil servants and youth struggling with emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

“Beautiful day off the grid yesterday showing my little girl the wonders of outdoors.” Photo: The SOIL...

OG: We're excited to check out your latest TV appearance on Kicking & Screaming next week. Tell us a little about the premise of the show, and how you got involved.

This show is going to be epic! The show is about ten survivalists paired with ten pampered high-society individuals with little to no outdoor experience. We survivalists have to help the pampered novices survive, thrive, and win a series of challenges until one group remains and claims $500,000.

OG: It has to be stressful dealing with a survival situation alongside someone totally inexperienced. What have been the biggest physical and psychological challenges you've faced?

Dealing with a novice when you are trying to win a prize that big was a little stressful, but it wasn't because my partner was a novice. My partner is Angelica Bridges and she was a Baywatch star. She is an amazing person and she was awesome out there for someone with little experience. Since I am a survival instructor that teaches kids, I had no problem working with a novice overall.

OG: How has your past military and martial arts training experience prepared you to guide a novice partner on “Kicking & Screaming”?

This is a great question. My military experience really beat into me the idea that “team work makes the dream work”. It was both my Ninja training and my PSYOP training that helped me mentally and emotionally. To be a true instructor, you have to understand how people operate and then how to use that knowledge to help them reach their potential. In addition to this skill you have to understand how you operate — knowing self is the foundation to knowing and connecting with others. We operate physically in this world based on our mental and emotional platform, understanding this is one of the main skills of the Ninja and of course an Psychological Operations specialist.

Hakim Isler survival expert TV military martial arts 5

Hakim alongside some of the cast of “Kicking & Screaming”.

OG: When you're not busy filming for TV or writing for our magazine, how do you spend your time?

When I am not busy filming TV shows I am serving my family and community. I own the worlds first DOJYM, a hybrid Ninja martial arts facility and 24-hour gym called Elevo Dynamics. I am also the founder of The Soil Foundation, a nonprofit wilderness therapy and retreat organization we are developing on 60 acres of land in Robbins, NC. We are currently trying to build a community center out of shipping containers. There we can house those we serve for three day or week long events. We currently offer outdoor camping retreats for military, civil servants, and youth that struggle with emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Our community center will help us serve those in need and their families. We are currently trying to raise funds on our Indegogo and at our website www.thesoilfoundation.org if anyone reading would like to help support.

OG: Every survivalist we meet has a different take on every-day-carry gear. What sort of EDC items do you normally carry during your daily routine?

Hmm the everyday carry item for a Ninja? Ahh, my mask and my sword! (laughs) Not really. I have two things I carry with me. The first is what I call The C.M.S. — the challenge mindset. This is the mindset that forces me to think outside of the box. I never carry the same items consistently because I don't want to become reliant or complacent. I am always challenging myself with “what ifs” and “how would I…” This way, if I go somewhere where I can't have an item like a knife or a gun, I don't feel lost or naked. Life is constantly changing therefore so am I.

There is one physical thing I carry in my car or my bag, and that is a creation I made called the Life Baton. It's a survival kit that has everything I would need to survive outdoors. So the simple answer is C.M.S and the Life Baton. Most of the time being a instructor in FCS Kali and Black Tiger Kali, I also carry a knife, but not all the time.

OG: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us. For those of our fans who'd like to stay up-to-date on your latest projects, what's the best way to follow you?

The best ways to follow me are my web sites — Hakim-Isler.com, TheSoilFoundation.org, BlackMacGyver.com — or you can follow me on Facebook.

For more information on Kicking & Screaming, check out FOX.com/kicking-and-screaming or tune in on Thursday at 9/8C.

Unconventional Weapon: Braverman Stinger Pen Gun

Posted on March 3, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but everyone knows that's not a literal statement. In this case, however, it might be. The “pen” seen here is actually a single-shot pistol, which folds open like a Transformers toy to reveal a tiny trigger. It's called the Braverman Stinger, and it was produced by R.J. Braverman from approximately 1993 to 1997.

Despite the obscurity of this miniature firearm, its mechanism is interesting to say the least. It was supposedly designed with this folding mechanism in order to avoid being categorized as an AOW (“any other weapon”) under the National Firearms Act (NFA). By folding open at an angle before it can be fired, the ATF ruled that it resembled an actual firearm enough to be classified as an ordinary pistol. This makes it much easier to obtain than other disguised weapons, like cane guns — or it would, if more of these Braverman Stinger guns ever made it to the market before the parent company went out of business.

The Braverman Stinger was available in several calibers. .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP. There was even a rare factory gold-plated model for the James Bond fans. Ian of the YouTube channel Forgotten Weapons got his hands on a .25 caliber model for the video below, and discusses the gun's interesting history and quirks. True to form, he also disassembles the gun and shows its functionality.

Unfortunately, the pen gun above was up for auction, so it couldn't be fired. Based on other YouTube videos, they do in fact fire, but only about as well as you'd expect from a bent tube without a proper pistol grip, sights, or trigger. So, what do you think of this non-NFA pen gun? Is it a cool real-life spy gadget, or something that doesn't have much use beyond the silver screen?

New: Kershaw Dividend Folding Knife

Posted on March 1, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

For many, buying made-in-the-USA products can be a difficult decision as a result of limited finances. Of course, it's nice to buy locally-made products and support American businesses, but the bottom line is that these items must first be affordable.

If an item is made in the USA, but it's far outside your budget, you may have to compromise and settle for a more affordable option. Fortunately, Kershaw has recently introduced some new EDC folding knives that make this purchasing decision easier. They're made in the USA, but also affordably-priced, starting at $60.

The American-made Kershaw Link (right) led to the development of the new Dividend.

The first knife in this series was the Link, which we tested and carried as part of our EDC. We liked this blade a lot, and apparently so did others — the success of the Link model has led Kershaw to release a follow-up design. This all-new folding knife is called the Dividend, and like the Link, it's made at Kershaw's Tualatin, Oregon factory.

The Kershaw Dividend is a slim and sleek design, intended for comfortable pocket carry. Its 3-inch blade has a simple drop-point design with a broad belly, which looks to be ideal for slicing packages and other daily tasks. The blade is constructed from Kershaw's reliable 420HC steel, the same material used on the Link, as well as the tried-and-true Chive and Scallion blades.

The Dividend is a flipper design, with Kershaw's SpeedSafe assisted-opening tech and a simple liner lock mechanism. The standard Dividend model is priced at $60, and features a textured glass-filled nylon handle. For $10 extra, buyers can opt for the Dividend Gray, which has matte gray anodized aluminum handle scales for a sleeker appearance and heavier feel.

Kershaw snuck some nods to American heritage into this knife series — the Link is Model 1776, while the Dividend is Model 1812. We can only hope the Alamo 1836 or Emancipator 1860 are up next.

For more information on the new Kershaw Dividend, visit Kershaw.KaiUSAltd.com.

Survival Capsule Tsunami Escape Pod

Posted on February 28, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

For residents of low-lying coastal cities and islands, a tsunami is a worst-nightmare scenario. In the face of an incoming surge of water, there are only two possible options: evacuate to higher ground within minutes or get caught in the deadly flood. If early warning systems fail or escape routes become overly congested, coastal residents may become trapped within minutes, with nowhere to go.

The raw footage above from the 2011 Japanese tsunami demonstrates how quickly seawater can flood coastal areas. Despite sophisticated early warning systems and evacuation plans, 16,000 people died in this tragic event.

After learning of the damage caused by this and other recent tsunamis, aeronautical engineer Julian Sharpe had an idea. He decided to create his vision for a spherical tsunami escape pod, which would float atop the waves and protect those who are unable to evacuate in time. The device is called the Survival Capsule, and it's built by Sharpe's company in Mukilteo, Washington.

The Survival Capsule is formed from welded aircraft-grade aluminum with a watertight marine hatch. The porthole windows are built from bulletproof glass, the interior is lined with ceramic insulation, and there's a built-in GPS locator beacon. Onboard air tanks and sealable vents provide oxygen to passengers, and there is storage space for food, drinking water, and other supplies.

Safety seats with four-point harnesses keeps passengers securely seated. The standard model seats two adults, but other models are planned with a capacity of up to 10 individuals.

Sharpe is also the owner of IDEA International, a company which stress-tests aerospace products, so the Survival Capsule has been tested accordingly. The Survival Capsule site states, “The sphere will withstand the initial impact of a natural disaster, as well as sharp object penetration, heat exposure, blunt object impact, and rapid deceleration.” Drop and penetration test footage can be seen in the video below:

However, some disaster experts question the safety of a spherical tsunami pod. In a recent article by the Seattle Times, regional emergency management director Chuck Wallace stated, “What if you get stuck under debris, or something tears it and it leaks? You’re just not going to convince me they’re safe.” Also, all this protection comes at a price — $13,500 for a two-person Survival Capsule. The four-person model will reportedly cost $17,500 when it becomes available.

For more information about the Survival Capsule, visit Survival-Capsule.com.

Infographic: Regrowing Fruits & Vegetables from Scraps

Posted on February 27, 2017 at 1:21 pm.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

When someone mentions “survival food”, what do you think of? Many of us envision shelves full of cans, jars, vacuum-packed pouches, and large bags of dry beans and rice. These shelf-stable items are all great foods to have on hand for emergencies. However, a small sustainable garden can add a much-needed dose of freshness to your recipes — all you'll need is some kitchen scraps, water, and sunlight.

We often think that growing food is a difficult and painstaking process. But if you've ever left a potato in the back of a cupboard, or forgot about half an onion in the recesses of your fridge, you'll know that growth tends to happen on its own. The little green sprouts may be a nuisance if you're looking for a quick snack, but they'll pay dividends in the long run if you're patient. Vegetable scraps can be re-planted in soil or water to promote new growth, and before you know it you'll have a miniature garden.

Infographic food regrow fruit garden plant pineapple 8

Even pineapples can be regrown, though they'll require patience, as they take several years to produce fruit.

The following infographic from JerryJamesStone.com shows methods for regrowing fruits and veggies from trimmings and kitchen waste. This is financially smart since it can save you money on groceries, but it's also a good skill to learn in case SHTF and grocery stores are no longer an option. Click here for a full-size version of this infographic.

Other fruits and veggies can be regrown using similar methods. One notable addition that's left out by the above guide is the avocado. With a few toothpicks and a jar of water, you can grow an avocado tree:

Self-Defense Cane Part III: Making a Bushcraft Cane

Posted on February 26, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Offgrid Staff

In This Article

Choosing a Stick
Sculpting a Bushcraft Cane
About the Author

A cane is an excellent self-defense weapon, even if you don't need one to walk. Most passersby won't give you a second glance when you carry a cane, but if you're under attack, you can immediately use this curved stick to distance yourself from threats or swiftly disable them. It's also ideal for defending yourself in non-permissive environments where other weapons may be banned.

In Part 1 of our self-defense cane series of web-exclusive articles, we discussed the technical aspects of fighting with a cane. Part 2 focused on 10 rookie mistakes to avoid while carrying a self-defense cane. Today, the third and final part of this series will address how to make your own cane from scratch.

Cutting and carving a “walking stick” is an immediate confidence-builder and among the first tasks those journeying into the wilds often undertake for many benefits, ranging from safely negotiating trails to doubling as a self-defense tool. The cane can easily be rigged as a spear or splint and can be used to probe stream water depths. It can also poke ahead of each step in snake country, especially in low-light bug-out conditions. Even in a semi-urban environment, a stout hand staff can keep the strays at bay.

As stated in our previous features on the use of a self-defense cane, this tool is often associated with the old and infirm, so it may help you avoid attention in some cases. In other cases, it may make you a target for those who look to prey upon easy targets, but they won't know what hit them when your cane becomes a formidable weapon. In sparsely-populated wilderness, your appearance won't matter as much, so the cane's function will take precedence over its form.

Choosing a Stick

In a bug-out scenario, a serviceable walking self-defense cane can be crafted with a knife by first selecting a fairly straight and knot free limb about 1-inch thick. Local knowledge of hardwoods pays off when you are able to spot white oak, hickory, walnut, ash, or cypress, but the availability of choice woods is not always as important as getting it done, especially if a member of your party needs a cane for walking following an injury. Just be careful not to mess with trees you can’t identify, lest you become the victim of poisonous flora.

Sculpting a Bushcraft Cane

A sharp parang, wood rasp, and some paracord were used to form a cane.

Before you cut a branch full length to your estimated hand-grip height, be sure to add an additional foot or more to allow for the curvature of the crook or hooked handle. Firmly anchor the cut limb. Using a sheath knife as a two-handed draw blade, remove the bark exposing the fresh white wood. While the branch is still green, immediately soak in available stream, pond, or ditch water, or dig a shallow trench and bury in shallow moist soil to prevent the wood from drying out, especially if you plan to remain in one location for a few days or darkness falls.

A straight and relatively smooth branch will be formed into our cane.

Using the knife, shape and taper the branch into the thickness you desire, flattening slightly the inner and outer crook handle. To impart the bend to the handle, first locate a tree or pipe of about 4 inches in diameter that you will use as a form to wrap the handle and securing with paracord or wire.

The parang was used in a two-handed grip to shave away bark.

To tenderize the wood fibers for the bend, and if you have a cook pot or bucket, you may submerge the handle end in boiling water. Or you may use the same kettle technique we use to shape wood stems for wood-strip canoe building. To form the handle, the wood branch may be sleeved in a length of pipe. Plug the upper end of the pipe with a rag and place the lower end over the spout of a teakettle or other vessel of boiling water, allowing the rising steam to saturate the wood end until it is soft enough to be pliable.

After soaking and bending the cane handle, a rasp was used to smooth its shape.

Using heavy gloves, immediately wrap the cane handle around the pipe or small tree, securing with wire or paracord. Allow the limb to set overnight or longer and to dry slightly. Once the cane is removed, shape-sand with any available stones or rasps, and rub or finish with wax, varnish, oils or what you may have available to preserve and to protect the branch. A paracord wrap makes a good handle.

The finished cane is now ready for a coat of protective wax or varnish.

Alternatively, a walking cane can be cut from a straight limb with a 90-degree branch forking from the limb to form the handle. A crutch is formed from a Y-fork in a longer branch or small sapling. Whether you spend many hours crafting the perfect bushcraft cane or settle for something quick and dirty, you'll be thankful for this walking stick on long trails. And if trouble ever comes your way, you'll be able to respond swiftly and put some distance between yourself and your attacker.

About the Author

David H. Martin’s family studied three years under Grand Master Sung Cho’s Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido of Sarasota, Florida, earning his black belt together with his son, while traveling for forms and sparring competition. Martin is a professional NRA training counselor, firearms instructor, and Southwest Florida wilderness survival skills kayak/canoe instructor, guide, and outdoor writer. He may be reached via email at davidhmartin@me.com.

“Sherp” Russian Amphibious Off-Road Vehicle

Posted on February 25, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Russia is a truly gigantic land mass, and its vast wilderness areas are full of treacherous obstacles. From bone-chilling expanses of ice and snow in Siberia to steep mountains, muddy swamps, and large bodies of water, Russia has the terrain to put any vehicle to the test. That's why Russians have developed some seriously impressive off-road vehicles to cope with these obstacles.

We recently learned about a new Russian off-roader simply called the Sherp, and it's quite different from the massive 8-wheeled Avtoros Shaman we featured in the past. The Sherp is rather small, all things considered. At 11.1 feet long, it's shorter than a Honda Civic, or about half the length of a full-size pickup truck. It's also 8.3 feet wide and 8.3 feet tall, so it appears to almost be a cube on wheels.

Speaking of wheels, the Sherp rides on enormous 5.3-foot-tall tubeless ultra-low-pressure tires. Combined with the Sherp's short wheelbase, these tires can pull the vehicle over enormous objects and ascend hills at a 35-degree incline. They also provide enough buoyancy to make the Sherp fully amphibious — it can literally drive straight across a lake or river, with the tires serving as giant paddle wheels.

The Sherp is powered by a Japanese Kubota-V1505-t turbo-diesel engine, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission. This 1.5L 4-cylinder only produces 44 horsepower, but about 88 ft-lbs of torque, and it can propel the Sherp to a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). On water, it'll do 4 mph (6 km/h) flat out. That doesn't sound like much, but it's sure better than going around a lake or river.

This ATV is especially interesting as a bug-out vehicle platform, due to the following features:

Reliabile Japanese diesel engine
Long-range fuel supply — 14.8-gallon built-in gas tank, with four optional 15.3-gallon gas cans which fit into the centers of the wheels
Skid-steering four-wheel-drive with tight turning radius
Pneumatic circulating suspension with adjustable tire inflation for varying terrain
2,200-pound cargo capacity
Enclosed and heated cabin can accomodate 4 beds
Designed to continue running on three wheels, or even two wheels

Pricing is not directly listed on the manufacturer's site, but the base-model Sherp starts at $100,000 US with a soft-top, no windshield wipers, and no heater. Leasing periods of 24 and 36 months are also available.

For more information on the Sherp Russian amphibious off-road vehicle, visit Sherp.ru/en.

New: Jake Hoback Knives F23 Maintenance & Cleaning Kit

Posted on February 24, 2017 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Tools require maintenance and cleaning — this is a fact of life. You wouldn't drive your car for 100,000 miles without changing the oil, and your guns would surely jam and malfunction if you fired them every day for years without disassembling and maintaining the moving parts. It's also common knowledge that a knife is one of the most important tools you can have in a survival situation. So why not maintain it accordingly?

To most of us, knife maintenance means maintaining the cutting edge. That's obviously an important element, but there's more to it than just keeping the edge sharp. For folding knives, it's important to remove grit, dirt, and pocket lint from the handle cavity, lock, and pivot. In order to retain smooth opening and closing motion, oil should also be applied to the bearing and pivot. Finally, if you care about keeping your knife looking good, a solvent should be used to clean off grease, adhesive, and other gunk. These steps will keep your folding knife looking and feeling like new.

Jake Hoback Knives simplified the knife maintenance process with the release of the F23 Knife Maintenance Kit. This kit was developed in conjunction with Breakthrough Clean Technologies, and includes a proprietary lubricant designed especially for folding knives. Hoback and Breakthrough Clean reportedly spent months testing different formulations and additives in search of an effective, long-lasting lubricant that won’t evaporate when used on an every-day carry knife.

The Formula 23 Knife Oil lubricates and protects steel, with a special “boundary additive” which repels dirt. Hoback writes, “Special attention was also paid to the capillary effect that is present when joining two pieces of steel together; it is critical to provide and retain sufficient lubrication in those capillary spaces.” This sounds technical, but it's important to choose the right lubricant for a tool as essential (and expensive) as your knife.

Each Jake Hoback Knives F23 Maintenance Kit includes the following items:

Black MOLLE-compatible zippered storage pouch
Jake Hoback Knives velcro patch
Soft foam-backed knife cleaning mat with Hoback Knives lubrication diagram
Formula 23 Knife Oil
Breakthrough Clean Solvent
Allen wrench set
Double-sided cleaning brush
Microfiber cleaning cloth

This is everything you'd need to disassemble and clean one of Jake Hoback's folding knives, although we'd recommend picking up some Torx keys if you plan to use it on other knives you own. Fortunately, there's plenty of space in the kit for these and other tools you may need, including a small whetstone and even spare parts.

The F23 Knife Maintenance kit will be available to the public in March 2017, but is currently available for pre-order at $35. For more information on this cleaning kit and the knives seen here, visit JakeHobackKnives.com.