Page 214 – RECOIL OFFGRID

Infographic: Understanding the Power Grid

Posted on November 17, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Have you ever considered how electricity gets to your wall socket? Many people take this modern convenience for granted, or simply never even consider the complexity of the power grid. In ordinary circumstances, it my seem unnecessary to comprehend the transmission of electricity — when it works, it works. However, if (or when) something goes wrong with the grid, the situation will go from bad to worse in mere hours.

Think about it: electricity doesn’t just keep our lights on and our smartphones charged. It maintains a network of vital and time-sensitive systems including traffic control, food storage, water processing, and medical devices. It’s terrifying to consider a long-term failure of the power grid, and the devastating consequences it would have.

To better understand the functionality and potential fragility of our power grid, check out the following infographic from the U.S. Department of Energy. It outlines the four phases of electricity: generation, transmission, distribution, and use. We often think of power outages as a result of the middle two phases, but in reality, a grid-down situation could be due to a failure anywhere along the line. As the graphic points out, there are only two major and three minor grids controlling the entirety of North America. Fortunately, the grid is gradually being updated to be more efficient and self-sustaining. From a containment standpoint alone, we really like the sound of micro-grids.

RECOILtv: Gerber US-Assist Folding Knife Review

Posted on November 16, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Gerber recently released a new folding knife called the Gerber US-Assist, and RECOILtv contributor Billy Birdzell managed to get his hands on one. In the latest RECOILtv Mail Call video segment, Billy shows off the ins and outs of this blade. Check it out:

In case you can’t watch the video, we’ll outline the details of this Gerber blade here as well. This is an assisted-opening folding knife, offered in three variations:

S30V holds an edge extremely well due to its Vanadium content, so it’s ideal for an EDC blade. 420HC is better-suited for outdoor use, since it doesn’t hold an edge as well as S30V but is much easier to sharpen in the field. Aside from blade steel and edge type, these knives are otherwise identical in design.

All US-Assist blades feature ambidextrous thumb studs, a push-button plunge lock, and a cross-bolt safety lock. Gerber’s BOSS system (Balls Of Stainless Steel) keeps the action buttery-smooth and fast. These knives include a invert-able pocket clip for tip-up or tip-down carry, but sadly it’s not reversible for left-handed carry. As long as that doesn’t deter you, this seems like a very cool blade — it’s even made in the USA.

The Gerber US-Assist S30V is available for $119, while the 420HC varieties will set you back only $99. For more info on these new knives, check out GerberGear.com.

T-Slot Anchor: A Tie-Down Technique for Snow or Sand

Posted on November 15, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Have you ever tried to anchor a tent peg, fence post, or other stationary object in the ground, only to have that ground give way? It’s frustrating to say the least, especially when you’re dealing with extremely soft surfaces like fresh snow or fine sand. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to stop an EZ-Up tent from blowing over at the beach or rappel down an alpine cliff — strong in-ground anchor points are essential.

Need to anchor a tent on windswept sand dunes? Regular stakes aren’t going to cut it.

Obviously, pounding an ordinary straight stake into the soft sand or snow isn’t going to work, since it’ll pull straight out again. There are specialty stakes made for use in sand, but if you don’t own any, you’ll need to improvise anchor points. Fortunately, this isn’t a new problem, so solutions already exist.

The initial trench should be dug into a section of undisturbed terrain.

One time-tested method for anchoring a line to soft soil is called the T-slot anchor. As you might guess from the name, this method involves digging a T-shaped trench into the ground, and tying your line to a straight object placed in that trench. The straight object can be a pair of skis, an ax, a walking stick, or even a rifle. This distributes the line’s tension across a wider area, so your anchor won’t pull out or slip.

T-slot anchor snow sand climbing rappelling 1

Two types of T-slot anchors using ice axes to distribute the load.

The second part of the “T” formation is a thin slot dug perpendicular to the trench. This is where your line will sit. The goal is to avoid any upward pressure on the line, so the slot should start as deep as the trench and gradually get shallower as it moves away from the trench.

Here’s a great video from teamBMC that shows how to build a T-slot anchor using skiing gear. The same technique could easily be applied to sand or loose dirt, using a log or other long object as the anchor device.

SureFire 2211 WristLight

Posted on November 14, 2016 at 12:50 pm.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Headlamps are excellent tools for various low-light scenarios, but they’re not ideal in every case. For example, if you’re wearing a helmet or other headgear, you may not have room to wear a headlamp. To continue using your hands freely, you’ll need an alternative lighting solution.

SureFire has developed a new lightweight polymer tool that serves as an alternative to a headlamp. It’s called the SureFire 2211 WristLight, and it’s worn on a wrist strap with a forward-facing beam.

The company says its new WristLight can be used for EDC, walking a dog at night, or even while aiming a firearm. When worn on the support-side wrist and using a two-handed grip on a pistol, this light naturally aligns with your target. This allows clear threat identification without requiring a dedicated light on your gun.

The WristLight is also available with a built-in Luminox watch.

The 2211 WristLight is also available with a built-in Luminox watch option.

The SureFire WristLight incorporates a soft white MaxVision Beam pattern, and offers three output modes: 300, 60, and 15 lumens. The sequence is programmable between low-medium-high, or high-medium-low, and is controlled by a large power button atop the light. The WristLight is also rechargeable via USB, and includes a battery level indicator LED. MSRP for the standard 2211 model is $229.

Knowing that different customers will inevitably have different needs, SureFire offers a variety of options and variants for this WristLight. There’s a Conversion Headstrap (sold separately) that can turn the light into a traditional headlamp. The light is also available with a built-in Luminox wristwatch, combining glow-in-the-dark markings with a forward-facing light. MSRP for the SureFire 2211 Luminox WristLight is $649.

The SureFire 2211X uses a smaller CR123A battery configuration.

Finally, the 2211X WristLight uses a different power source: a standard CR123A battery. This keeps the light more compact and affordable. The 2211X is available at an MSRP of $169.

For more information on SureFire’s latest products, go to SureFire.com.

Survival Scenarios Election Edition: Bug-In or Bug-Out?

Posted on November 13, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

Background Info
Civil Unrest
Bug In
Bug Out

Flip on the TV or spend 5 minutes on any social media site right now, and you’ll see that we’re living in a deeply divided nation. No matter your stance on politics and the recent election, it’s clear as day that hate and anger are overflowing — online, in the media, and in the streets. Most say that this extreme reaction will subside in the coming weeks, but others fear that it’s only going to get worse as the protests build momentum.

In Issue 14 of our print magazine, we addressed the topic of anarchy and civil unrest.

As a survivalist, it’s important to prepare yourself both mentally and physically to deal with any credible threat. That’s why this week, we’re posing a Survival Scenarios question that hits a little closer to home. What would you do to survive politically-motivated urban rioting: bug-out to a safer location, or bug-in and stay put to ride out the chaos?

In case you’ve missed our previous installments of Survival Scenarios, here’s how it works. We ask you how you’d handle a difficult choice in a hypothetical survival situation. Previously, we asked whether you’d prefer to be snowed-in or snowed-on in a fierce blizzard, or whether you’d rather have a flashlight or a firearm in a dark flooded urban area. As always, today’s post ends with a poll where you can make your choice, and see how others felt about the scenario.

Background Info

Before you decide whether you’d choose to bug-in or bug-out, we’ll provide some details about the setting. As with previous Survival Scenarios, in either case, you’ll need to survive for a full 7 days, and you will be alone. The location will be near the center of a densely-populated major American city, though this time we won’t specify which city — it could be anywhere. Winter is approaching, and it’s getting cold outside, but hasn’t snowed yet.

You live alone in a rented room, on the second floor of a small house 3 blocks from the city center. Housing costs are high in the city, and you just moved into town last month for a new job. So, you’re temporarily renting this room before finding a place of your own. The elderly couple that owns the house (and rents the room to you) is on vacation this week, so you have the house to yourself.

However, due to the small room you’re renting, your belongings are limited. Most of your stuff is still in storage several hours away, aside from the bare essentials. The entirety of your emergency gear consists of your bug-out bag stashed in the closet, with the following items inside:

Two MREs
A stainless canteen full of water, and some purification tablets
Basic first-aid kit, pain/allergy medication, and tourniquet
Fixed-blade knife with sheath and ferro rod
LED headlamp with batteries
Miscellaneous consumables: paracord, duct tape, tinder material, pen/paper etc.
A change of clothes, wool cap, gloves, and a winter jacket

The pantry of the home is pretty much empty at this point, except for some dry pasta, oatmeal, and condiments/spices. The homeowners don’t see disaster preparation as a priority, so the home has no other emergency gear to speak of. As far as transportation, your old Jeep has been on its last legs for some time now, but it’s still operable. It’s parked on the street, but you didn’t have time to fill it last night, so it has maybe 1/4 tank of gas left. One of the injectors has been acting up lately, so it misfires, idles rough, and goes through fuel quickly.

Civil Unrest

You heard on the news yesterday that some protests were being held in front of city hall, in the wake of the presidential election’s results. Some of the protesters seemed to be peaceful ideologues, while others were openly hostile to reporters at the scene. From the limited local news footage you saw on TV, it was obvious that tension was thick in the air. Police officers were on site observing from a distance, and most of the protest consisted of chanting slogans and holding signs, so you figured it was under control.

This morning, you turned on the TV while getting ready for work, but the screen revealed a completely different view of city hall. Not only were hundreds of protesters still crowded out front of the building, but their numbers had grown substantially. The crowd’s tone and intensity had also taken a turn for the worse. Scattered beat cops you saw last night had now been replaced by officers in head-to-toe riot gear, many of who had formed a line to contain the crowd. Then, as news cameras recorded from a distance, you watched tear gas canisters cascade into the center of the group.

iStock / camacho9999

The crowd scattered instantly, clashing with police and breaking through the line. The news camera cut off abruptly, returning to the studio anchor, who commented that the feed had been interrupted and that citizens may want to avoid the downtown area. At this point, you knew that it was time to make a choice.

Should you lock up the house, and stay put at home? Or grab your backpack, take your Jeep to get some gas, and head out of town?

Bug In

If you decide to stay put, there are a few factors to consider. First of all, your position is not far from the protest. City hall is only a 15 minute walk from your house, and that’s at walking pace. If you’re unlucky, looters could be on your doorstep in ten minutes. Secondly, your position is not easily defensible. A single brick through the large ground-floor windows would allow entry to the house.

The upside to staying put is that you won’t be directly exposing yourself to danger on the street. You have food and supplies in your backpack, and you can lock and barricade the door to your upstairs room. Your only means of self-defense is a knife, but against a crowd of angry (and possibly armed) individuals, it won’t do much. You’ll have to lay low and hope you’re overlooked or ignored until things die down.

Bug Out

If you decide to get out of Dodge, you’d better get going immediately. Your bug-out bag will give you a source of food, water, and first aid, but transportation is the biggest issue. Your Jeep isn’t very reliable, and it’s almost out of gas. You’ll have to stop at a gas station almost immediately, and hope to go unnoticed.

If the engine doesn’t start, stalls, or runs out of fuel, you’ll be in serious trouble. You do not want to end up carrying your pack down the street on foot, as you’d be an easy target for the violent mob. You’ve got no means of self-defense aside from your knife and fists.

Obviously, getting away from the epicenter of the protests will distance you from danger. But based on what you saw on TV, the situation is already spreading. For all you know, you could be heading through an even more dangerous area on your way out of town. Police blockades and otherwise-obstructed roads could also be an issue. However, if the crowd starts going house-to-house, you don’t want to be a sitting duck when it happens.

Video: How to Carry a Morakniv Blade as a Neck Knife

Posted on November 12, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Swedish knife manufacturer Morakniv is known in bushcraft circles as one of the best sources for survival fixed blades. Mora adheres to a formula that seems quintessentially Swedish — light, simple, and durable. These are not the tacticool or “mall ninja” blades you may see from other manufacturers of so-called survival knives. They don’t have thick spines, spiked pommels, unconventional grinds, exotic materials, or flashy coatings.

So, if you’re looking for an eminently practical knife for survival scenarios, it’s hard to go wrong with a Mora. We tested a Mora Basic 511 as part of our Forcite Ammo Can Survival Kit Review, and we found it to be a great choice. The tough polymer handle conceals a stick tang, keeping the knife incredibly lightweight. The business end is made of Morakniv’s signature “secret recipe” carbon steel, and its slim double-beveled edge batons through firewood like butter.

YouTube host MD Outdoor Reviews demonstrates a key feature of the Morakniv sheath.

A Mora’s included sheath has very good retention, and a nice belt loop for traditional carry on the hip. However, there are some cases where this carry style is not ideal. Carrying the knife on one side makes it inaccessible to your non-dominant hand, so it’s tough to draw if your dominant hand is occupied or pinned down. It can also be uncomfortable and get in the way if you tend to sit down and stand up frequently.

YouTube channel host MD Outdoor Reviews found a pretty cool trick that can turn the Morakniv sheath into an improvised neck knife holder. It doesn’t even require a lanyard, only a button-down shirt or jacket. Check it out:

Whether you already own a Mora or are considering adding one to your bug-out bag, this “hack” can be very useful. It definitely made us wonder, “why didn’t we think of that?!”

Building a Shrimp Trap

Posted on November 11, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

The host of Primitive Technology on YouTube is becoming a survival celebrity, but his videos are distinctly different from those you’ll find on mainstream TV survival shows. There’s no fancy title sequence, dramatic music, slick editing, or exaggerated sense of danger in his videos. In fact, this Australian bushcraft aficionado doesn’t speak a word on camera, use any voice-over narration, or even play background music. While remaining anonymous, shirtless, and barefoot, he silently demonstrates survival techniques.

Primitive technology shrimp trap fishing woven funnel 4

In the latest Primitive Technology video, the host traps and cooks wild shrimp.

Despite what some might consider extremely barebones production values, Primitive Technology continues to rake in millions of views with each new video. The reason behind this is simple: the host uses a no-nonsense approach to surviving in the wild using time-tested methods. In case you can’t tell, we like that a lot. Each time he uploads a new clip — which is rarely more than once a month — we get excited.

The latest video is titled simply “Shrimp Trap”, and shows 7 minutes worth of footage of the host constructing and using a basket-and-funnel-style trap. The trap itself is woven from strips of lawyer cane, a type of palm tree common in Australia. Once the trap was completed, a funnel was woven from sticks and vines, and inserted narrow-end-first into the basket. This allows shrimp (or fish) to enter the trap, but prevents them from escaping.

Surprisingly, the host says in the video description that no bait was necessary. He writes, “Bait is not necessary to catch shrimp as they will be naturally be drawn to the fish trap out of curiosity. But scraps from previous shrimp may be used to bring in new ones (they are cannibalistic) or other fish like eels.” After placing the shrimp trap in a shaded area of a stream, he caught two shrimp, and placed them in a baked clay pot full of water. Then he started a friction fire — his experience makes this look easy — and boiled the water using the hot rock boiling method. He even boiled some yams as a side dish to go with his shrimp.

Check out the full video below, and see how many techniques you can recognize. Like all Primitive Technology videos, it’s packed with approachable survival skills.

High-Tech Truck Lighting: Rigid Industries ADAPT Light Bar

Posted on November 10, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Handheld flashlights have come a long way over the past few years. LEDs have become brighter, more affordable, and more efficient. Reflector housings have been largely phased out in favor of beam-focusing optics, some of which slide to adjust the beam’s spread. Certain flashlights even adjust brightness automatically depending on ambient light conditions. At the same time, one could argue that factory automotive lighting has lagged behind.

The Rigid ADAPT LED light bar represents a paradigm shift for aftermarket vehicle lighting.

The Rigid ADAPT light bar represents a paradigm shift for aftermarket vehicle lighting.

Many cars and trucks on the road today still use halogen headlights, a technology developed in the 1960s — we go into more detail on this topic in the article “Light Up the Night” in Issue 14 of our magazine. Some expensive luxury vehicles do offer adaptive LED headlights, but they’re still few and far between. Fortunately, aftermarket lighting manufacturers like Rigid Industries offer LED light bars to upgrade your bug-out rig’s light output.

At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas last week, Rigid Industries announced a new type of LED light bar that could be a real game-changer. It’s called the Rigid Industries ADAPT, and it’s said to be “the world’s first off-road lighting product that adjusts instantly to driving conditions.”

So, how does the ADAPT LED light bar work? In a press release, the company states that it “relies on a patented configuration of advanced LEDs and optics, modulates the intensity of the LEDs to create 8 selectable beam patterns, then senses vehicle speed to determine beam pattern selection.” The light bar does all this with no moving parts, and can be controlled from the included backlit Dash Controller (see above image).

Once the Rigid Industries ADAPT bar has been installed, the user can toggle between 8 modes without leaving the driver’s seat. An RGB-W accent lighting feature adds a soft glow in any selectable color, and could be used as a customizable daytime running light. There are two programmable presets for quickly changing between settings, or the user can leave the light in adaptive mode to adjust settings automatically.

The new ADAPT light bar is not available yet, but the company says it will go on sale in spring 2017. For more information, check out RigidIndustries.com/adapt or watch the teaser video below:

Gear Nostalgia: Waterproof Cases for iPhone 7 and Apple Watch

Posted on November 9, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Think fast — what’s the most fragile and valuable object on your person right now? For most of us, the answer is a smartphone. These devices often cost upwards of $700, but they can be turned into expensive paperweights in the blink of an eye after one drop, splash, or spill.

Survivalists know that it’s essential for EDC gear to be tough and reliable, but we often forget to apply these same principles to our phones. A phone is a communication lifeline in case of an emergency, and should be protected accordingly. In more mundane terms, it also sucks to have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a replacement device.

Catalyst has announced a new protective solution for users of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The Catalyst phone cases are fully sealed against water, dust, dirt, sand, snow, and other damaging elements. To say that this case is tough would be an understatement, since its clear polycarbonate construction also meets U.S. military standard 810G for drops and shocks up to 6.6 feet (2 meters). Imagine holding your phone above your head and dropping it onto hard pavement, without any damage to the device — that’s the sort of protection we’re talking about. The phone cases are also IP68 waterproof to 33 feet (10 meters).

However, this protection doesn’t compromise the phone’s capabilities. An integrated True Sound Acoustics waterproof membrane allows clear audio transmission over a frequency range of 50Hz to 20,000Hz. The patented rotating crown dial lets you switch mute on and off, and the sensitive screen protector is said to not impede swipes or gestures. All buttons, sensors, cameras, flash, and Touch ID fingerprint scanner are unimpeded by the case. MSRP for the iPhone 7 case is $80, and the 7 Plus case is $90.

Catalyst has also launched matching cases for the Series 2 Apple Watch, in either 38mm or 42mm varieties. These watch cases are waterproof to 330ft (100 meters), the same depth as most traditional outdoor watches. They also match the other features of the Catalyst iPhone 7 cases, such as impact protection and full feature access. MSRP for the 38mm or 42mm watch cases is $60 each.

These new Catalyst waterproof cases are available for pre-orders now, and are expected to start shipping in January (except the iPhone 7 Plus case, which will ship in March). To pre-order or learn more, go to CatalystCase.com.

Infographic: Types of Firewood

Posted on November 8, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

If you want to stay warm this winter, you shouldn’t rely solely on insulated clothing or electric heaters. Lighting a fire in the fireplace at home or in the center of your campsite can provide a reliable and efficient heat source all winter long. However, setting up a fire is not as simple as grabbing the first log you see, and tossing lit matches at it until it ignites. A proper fire requires finesse, and a delicate balance of ingredients.

In the past, we showed you how to combine tinder, kindling, and firewood with the “campfire rule of thumb”. The type of wood you use in your fireplace is just as important as its construction. For example, some wood is rock-hard and dense, making it difficult to baton or split into manageable pieces. Other wood can pop or spark, or simply doesn’t produce heat efficiently. Smoke is also a factor. Certain types of firewood give off thick smoke, which may irritate your respiratory system or make food inedible.

The following infographic from Log Splitters Direct shows some of the best types of wood to use in your fireplace of campfire. Obviously, if you have no other options and are staving off hypothermia, go with whatever firewood you can find. But in ordinary circumstances, it can be beneficial to rule out less desirable wood.

See below for a second infographic from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. This graphic provides more detail on additional types of wood, and why they may or may not be desirable. It also addresses the relative amount of heat produced per cord (a standard measurement of dry firewood).

If you’re burning chestnut or spruce, you’ll be left relatively cold and smoky. On the other hand, oak or birch will burn easily and produce clean flames (dry birch bark is also an excellent tinder material). For more info on building an efficient and smoke-free fire, check out our previous article on the Dakota fire pit.