In the heart of a suspenseful escape incident in Pennsylvania, we are given a glimpse into the intricate world of survival, evasion, and difficulties law enforcement must overcome to catch a fugitive on the loose. Our guide is none other than recently interviewed Craig Caudill, the Director and Instructor at the Nature Reliance School in Kentucky, renowned for his expertise in wilderness and survival training. Amid the ongoing search for Michael Burham, an escaped inmate with some self-taught survival skills and military training, FOX news asked for Craig Caudill's insights. This interview unveils the harsh realities and complex dynamics of survival in the wilderness, as well as the strategies for evading capture, all drawn from this unfolding, real-life scenario. Watch Craig's interview, and read more about the situation below.
Above: The Allegheny National forest is vast, spanning a little over 800 square miles.
Background
The search for escaped inmate Michael C. Burham continues into its seventh day as of July 13th, 2023 in northwestern Pennsylvania. Burham is suspected of escaping by climbing on a pull-up exercise machine in the prison recreation yard, getting onto a roof, and sliding off the prison roof using a rope made of bedsheets which were tied together. He is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Kala Hodgkin, 34, and also accused of kidnapping an elderly couple, stealing their SUV, and fleeing to South Carolina.
Burham is described as a “self-taught survivalist with military training.” This includes 12 years as a Water Treatment Specialist (92W) and Utilities Equipment Repairer (91C) in the Army Reserve from February 2008 to December 2020. He had no deployments, and held the rank of Sergeant at the end of service. Col. George Bivens, deputy commissioner of operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, warns that Burham should be considered armed and dangerous.
The search for Burham has extended into the Allegheny National Forest, with authorities finding potential stockpiles and campsites believed to be connected to him. Rewards totaling $19,500 are offered for information leading to his capture. Multiple agencies are involved in the search, including the Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, and others.
Situation Analysis
Pennsylvania's Allegheny Forest, where the fugitive is presumed to be hiding, is a challenging environment. This mixed hardwood forest is a hotspot for insects and wildlife, presenting constant threats to safety and comfort. Craig explains that despite the forest having resources for survival, the rugged terrain, limited resources in some areas, and the need to evade law enforcement make this a daunting survival situation for the inmate.
Survival challenges that Burham faces are numerous, extending beyond evading law enforcement. Craig Caudill highlights that everybody, regardless of their situation, has core needs: safety, security, and maintaining a stable body temperature. These needs become more acute when trying to survive outdoors, where factors such as hydration and mental stress come into play. Craig points out the critical role of mindset in survival situations, and suggests that Burham's mental resilience and survival skills might be tested in the face of the physical, psychological, and environmental pressures he is dealing with.
Craig Caudill's insights go on to suggest that the constant mental strain of being hunted, dealing with harsh environmental factors, and possibly even encountering wildlife could be wearing Burham down. Without training and experience in handling stress in similar scenarios, the fugitive could find himself using up more of his energy reserves, both physically and mentally. This heightens his need for sustenance and water, simultaneously increasing his risks as he needs to source these from the environment. All of these factors cumulatively increase the likelihood of his capture, as they push him further into making potentially critical mistakes.
Above: Twisting water-ways and steep topography present numerous challenges to both law enforcement and fugitive alike.
Public Safety
In the face of a manhunt like this, it's essential to recognize the importance of community vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement. Craig Caudill's insights are an invaluable resource, however, it is important to remember that searching for a fugitive on your own is dangerous, should not be attempted, and is best left to the authorities. Meanwhile, it's crucial for the public to remain alert and maintain situational awareness, particularly those living in or around the Allegheny Forest. If anyone spots anything suspicious or has any information regarding the whereabouts of Michael Burham, they should immediately report it to the local law enforcement authorities. Public safety is paramount, and every bit of information, no matter how small it might seem, could be a vital piece in resolving this tense situation.
Update: The Hunt is Over
On July 15th, Burham was caught in the backyard of a Pennsylvania couple, Ron and Cindy Ecklund. The couple heard their dog barking and went to investigate, only to come face-to-face with Burham, who told them he was camping. The Ecklunds contacted the police, who arrested Burham and paid them a $2,000 cash reward. They may also receive additional rewards of $10,000 from Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers and $7,500 from the U.S. Marshals Service.
As for Burham, he was reportedly found with two bags of supplies including food and ammunition in “several different calibers,” although he did not appear to have a firearm at the time of his arrest. He was wearing a t-shirt and prison pants turned inside-out. In addition to his new escape charge, he will return to prison to face his previous charges of carjacking and kidnapping. He is also reportedly a suspect in homicide and rape cases in Jamestown, New York.
Ever since humans have decided to use pointy objects as a persuasive tool, they have been attempting to figure out ways to counter the tactic. Compared to its ancient ancestors, the HRT LBAC plate carrier is a modern marvel. Early protective garments were made of leather, fur and other lightweight materials, and usually only covered the torso and arms. Primitive armor offered some protection against slashing and blunt force impacts, as well as some degree of warmth and protection from the elements. As warfare and metallurgy advanced, so did armor design. Bronze, iron and steel were forged into plates and segments that could be arranged to maximize protection against a variety of weapons. Suits of armor such as these offered increased protection but were expensive to make, worn only by the wealthy elite.
Above: Using things found in nature, like animal leather and raw metals, ancient humans invented ways to toughen their fleshy exteriors.
Fast forward a few thousand years, and the advent of black powder largely negated the effectiveness of steel plate. If a soldier couldn't hunker down in a tank, or behind reinforced concrete, firearms would easily pierce through historic steel plate armor. So instead of trying to run around with the weight of steel thick enough to stop a bullet, ancient armor was ditched in favor of being able to treat a wound quicker. Although this worked for a while, simply getting shot was still not the ideal way to engage in combat. Eventually chemistry and industry improved to a point where the ceramic plate was invented, and humanity has been using it to this day. Ceramic is lighter, and disperses energy better than steel, making it ideal for body armor.
Above: For a time, armor for the average soldier didn't really exist, instead relying on easy access to treat wounds quickly.
Having an advanced style of body armor also necessitates finding an effective way to wear it. Generals on the battlefield no longer assemble soldiers in rank and file formations which move methodically in an open area. These days, speed and mobility is the name of the game. To maintain a high level of agility, and stay armored at the same time, ceramic plates are used mainly to cover the body’s vital organs, leaving the arms, legs and lower half of the torso to move freely. Of course, this doesn’t offer perfect protection, but since all of the vital organs in a human body are in the center of its mass–the easiest place to aim at with a firearm–it is an effective way to stay alive in a firefight.
Above: Combining quick access to wounded extremities with armor protecting vital organs, modern soldiers receive the benefits of both protective measures.
Many systems have been tried in an attempt to keep that ceramic plate covering the most necessary bits. Flak jackets in the 60’s were fitted to have a plate slide into the front and back, but these were awkward, and still felt cumbersome. During the early 2000’s, advances were made in the form of the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV), and later the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). Although they offered better mobility, it was still a bit bulky and exceedingly heavy. Moving in and out of vehicles and buildings wearing an IOTV could be difficult on its own. Start carrying any extra gear, ammo, or equipment and the extra weight added up quickly. Then along came the Adaptive Vest System, what is now colloquially known simply as a Plate Carrier. Plate carriers are minimalistic, ditching the extra Kevlar jacket bulk of an IOTV, and once soldiers began to take note of how great they functioned in combat, the body armor industry has never looked back.
High Risk Training (HRT)
HRT is a company that has been working with modern tactical body armor since the early 2000’s. They originally began as a company that focused solely on tactical training before evolving into one that produces tactical gear. During the training phase, HRT noticed how traditional plate carrier systems could be improved, and they used this insight to develop a product reflecting what ideal gear should look like. They pride themselves on making a product that can be used reliably in real-world, worst-case scenarios, including the Load Bearing Adaptive Carrier, otherwise known as the LBAC. By combining the HRT experience with a plethora of customer feedback, they designed the LBAC from the ground up to exceed expectations. The results are nothing short of impressive.
Above: The LBAC is modular and highly customizable.
HRT LBAC Plate Carrier
Following the minimalist approach, the base LBAC, without any plates, pouches or accessories weighs a mere 2 pounds. Add two 10” x 12” ceramic plates and the LBAC can weigh between 10 and 14 pounds. That is less than half the weight of its predecessor, the IOTV. The cummerbund, back and shoulders are made with a stiffened material to evenly distribute weight around the body and avoid producing hot spots. Plates are held securely in place with a wide Velcro panel accessible from the bottom. The front and back panels are nearly form-fitting to the plates, so they do not slide around once they are inserted into the carrier.
Above: A tough internal support system ensures the weight of the armor plates and any attached accessories is evenly distributed.
There are a few ways to adorn the LBAC depending on the user's preference. At each end of the cummerbund, and in the front ends of the shoulder harness, are quick release buckles. One quick tug down or to the sides, and the carrier comes free. Reattaching the buckles is easy as well. Just line up the pegs and they click back into place. Manipulating these buckles is as easy with bare hands as it is with thick winter gloves, which could be lifesaving if the wearer found themselves trapped underwater, or with the need to quickly get clear of whatever they became snagged on. Releasing the top buckles while leaving the cummerbund connected, or vice versa, gives access for medical or thermoregulating purposes while still offering a level of protection. In addition to the buckles on the cummerbund, Velcro panels hold the sides securely to the front panel of the LBAC, and can be torn free should the need arise.
Above: The back and waist supports of the LBAC are fitted with Velcro and MOLLE to support a variety of attachments and gear.
Besides the advanced load bearing capabilities, one of the stand-out features of the LBAC is its customizability. HRT has designed a truly versatile system of interchangeable and compatible pouches and placards. No matter what an operator's role is within a stack, or what the tactical needs may be, there is a way to customize it to perfection. Having seen products fail during training exercises, special attention is made to ensure the LBAC and its accessories are constructed to a high standard. All the material is made with 500 denier Cordura and double stitched, so even if this carrier were being dragged through a gravel pit, it would come out the other side intact.
Above: Quick release bungie cords keep magazines in place while offering a hasty means of grabbing one.
Placards, the accessories that attach to the front of the LBAC, focus primarily on what is most important in a fire fight: having enough ammo. There are AR and pistol mag options, as well as a shotgun placard. Most of these are one magazine thick, keeping the front profile slim and allowing the wearer to move their weapon platform around easily without a huge stack of magazines getting in the way. However, with the MOLLE placard, magazine pouches with greater capacity could be added, and the HRT Maximus Placard includes two admin pouches with plenty of room for other supplies. To cover every possible base, there are “hanger” accessories that attach below the front plate, like the Tactical Hand Warmer for cold weather scenarios. All of these placards can be quickly swapped via buckle and Velcro, depending on what the mission dictates.
Above: For cold environments, a hand warming pouch can be utilized to keep trigger fingers at the ready without the bulk of gloves getting in the way.
What often goes overlooked by many people who watch movies with military operators, is how often back panels are used by other members of the team, and not necessarily the person who wears it. Often they are used as tactical supply depots, filled with extra ammo, batteries, food, medical gear, and even equipment used to breach doors and windows. Instead of worrying about how to keep all this extra stuff easily accessible on oneself, an operator can simply use the person in front of them. In this regard, HRT Back Panels further increase the versatility of the LBAC. Rather than increasing the size of the wearer's profile with an assault pack, the LBAC has customizable packs that can be swapped out or rearranged. A combination of dual YKK zipper sections, MOLLE, and Velcro keep each back panel fixed firmly in place. One of the largest panels, the HRT Zip-On Hydro Max is only 10” by 10” by 4” and can hold a 1.5L hydration bladder and a ton of extra gear. Other options like the General Purpose, or Dual Removable GP pouches can minimize the bulk while still adding plenty of storage, and a dedicated MOLLE panel can hold anything with MOLLE attachments. Just like with the placards, back panels can be interchanged and swapped for any situation.
Above: A robust back panel for the plate carrier can hold supplies and gear easily accessible by teammates.
Non-Military Plate Carrier Uses
If there is anything the past few years has taught us, it is that danger can manifest any time, anywhere. Being on the business end of an angry person with a firearm is not restricted to the battlefield. Just ask the business owners whose shops were looted and set on fire throughout the United States, or the innumerable refugees from broken and war-torn countries. There are literally tens of millions of people, even now, who have been forcibly displaced due to violence. How many lives could be saved with the help of some modern day body armor?
Above: Civil unrest, refugees seeking help, and people living in dangerous places could potentially prevent serious injury or death by wearing armor.
Having armor is no longer just for elite warriors or military personnel. It has become affordable, lightweight, and easy to use on a daily basis. It’s a sobering reality, but as law enforcement agencies face budget cuts, and crime rates rise, the need for self protection also increases. Even if it can’t be loaded down with ammo, an HRT LBAC could be donned and filled with everything needed to move to a safer location quickly. For those who train with firearms regularly, wearing body armor while doing so could add a new level of challenge to the training regimen, or increase survivability in a real-world scenario.
Above: EMTs rushing to the scene of a dangerous emergency to help people could be at risk from bullets and shrapnel.
Outside of the civilian realm, other first responders could make great use of body armor. EMTs responding to triage during a dangerous situation like an active shooter, or bombing with the potential for a secondary device, could be armored and protected. An HRT back panel or placard filled with medical supplies would be easy to get to and use once on scene. Search and Rescue operators attempting to locate a despondent and potentially armed missing subject could use body armor to mitigate the risk of having a firearm pointed in their direction. Basically anyone who has the chance of being shot or hit with shrapnel could save their lives by having a plate carrier at the ready. And with a company like HRT making a versatile product like the LBAC, anyone with the resources could have a greater chance of making it through the worst of times.
For more information on HRT Tactical Gear and the LBAC plate carrier, go to hrttacticalgear.com.
Service members across the military have recently become targets of a concerning trend involving unsolicited smartwatches being delivered to their mailing addresses. The DABENXIANG D18 watches in question seem to be imitations of more expensive models, the primary function of which is as a personal fitness tracker. When the watches are turned on, the unsuspecting recipients discover that the devices automatically connect to Wi-Fi and establish unauthorized connections with their smartphones. This alarming breach of privacy grants unknown individuals access to a wide range of personal user data.
Above: In recent years, smartwatches have become popular among civilians and military personnel alike. However, like any electronic device, they are vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks.
Potential Risks and Malware
Although receiving a free piece of hardware seems like a sweet deal at first glance, unsolicited smartwatches pose severe risks as they may come with pre-installed malware designed to exploit the recipients' personal information. In the event that these malicious software programs are present, the sender gains unauthorized access to an array sensitive data, including banking information, contact details, and account credentials such as usernames and passwords. The phones may also transmit other data such as tracking the service members location via GPS. What initially may seem like a pleasant surprise ends up compromising the individual's digital security, their financial stability, and potentially their personal safety.
Above: We carry these smart devices with us everywhere, most of the time oblivious to the fact that they are listening through the built in microphone, and transmitting personal data.
Privacy Invasion through Voice and Cameras
In addition to data theft and unwarranted tracking, the smartwatches in question may also contain malware that grants unauthorized access to the built-in voice and camera functionalities. This allows nefarious actors to eavesdrop on conversations and access accounts associated with the smartwatches. Given the sensitive nature of what some people in the military work with, wearing an electronic device received through the mail in this manner is akin to being accompanied by a foreign intelligence agent. This invasion of privacy further emphasizes the need to exercise caution with unsolicited equipment, and be increasingly vigilant for those who may not be aware that this occurring.
Above: Tracking where military personnel may be located and listening to what they are saying, could have disastrous implications to national security.
Brushing Scam Alert
One does not have to work in the military to be a target of a deceptive practice known as “Brushing.” This tactic involves the mailing of products, often counterfeit, to random individuals with the aim of generating positive reviews under the recipients' names. By doing so, the sender intends to gain a competitive edge against established products. Recognizing this scam highlights the potential motives behind the unsolicited delivery and underscores the importance of taking appropriate measures. However, smartwatches being sent specifically to military men and women potentially indicates a more sinister motive. Recent data breaches within the government compound the danger of people privy to secret or compartmentalized being the target of a brushing scam.
Above: As data harvested from smart devices is becoming more prolific, so too is the rise in cyber crime.
What to Do If You Receive an Unsolicited Smartwatch
If you happen to receive one of these suspicious devices, it is crucial that you refrain from turning it on. Government employees, private contractors, or anyone working on or near sensitive subjects should promptly report the incident to their local counterintelligence or security manager. Alternatively, service members can utilize the Submit a Tip – Report a Crime portal, which serves as an official channel for reporting such occurrences. Civilians can utilize their local law enforcements non-emergency contact information to report the receipt of an unsolicited electronic device. By taking immediate action, you contribute to safeguarding your personal privacy and protecting others from falling victim to this concerning trend.
Above: Most people enjoy receiving free things in the mail, but sometimes it pays to question the intent behind the gift.
Parting Thoughts
The emergence of unsolicited smartwatches being sent to military service members raises significant security concerns, and highlights the rapidly evolving world of big-data. With auto-connectivity to Wi-Fi and unauthorized access to smartphones, these devices expose users and the security of the nation to many potential dangers, known and unknown. The presence of malware further exacerbates these risks by compromising personal information and enabling unauthorized access to voice and camera functionalities. Recognizing the potential involvement of a brushing scam underscores the need to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. By promptly reporting any such incidents and refraining from activating these smartwatches, individuals can play a crucial role in combating this growing threat to digital security.
Spend enough time wandering the web looking up topics regarding disaster or emergency preparedness, and eventually you’ll run into terms like “bug out,” “bugging out,” or “bug out bag.” To the uninitiated, the concept of bugging out, or building a bug out bag might be a little overwhelming, since these terms can mean many different things to different people. Although some people perceive bugging out as only necessary for an end-of-the-world apocalyptic situation, this is absolutely not the case — a well-stocked bug out bag is a practical tool that can help you and your family through a variety of real situations. So, we've created a bug out bag list of the most essential gear you'll need for a wide range of emergencies.
But before we dive into some of the nuances, let’s explore what is meant by bugging out.
What Does Bug Out Mean?
Imagine a devastating natural disaster is on its way to your home, and evacuation orders have been issued. Or perhaps your city is being rocked by waves of civil unrest, and you fear for your safety. Either way, it seems like the security of four walls and a roof is not going to last. In the chaotic times we live in, it probably doesn’t take much of an imagination to picture this happening to you and your family or loved ones. For many in this situation, leaving as quickly as possible, or bugging out, is the best solution to avoid impending catastrophe.
There are countless situations in which evacuating to a safer location may be necessary. Here are some examples of situations where bug out plans might be viable, ranging from ordinary to extreme. To delve deeper into preparedness measures for any one of those topics, you can click one of the links.
Bug out is simply the informal term used by people who develop an evacuation plan for when things get dicey, and safety is no longer guaranteed.
Some examples of bug out plans you can see in your everyday life can be found in fire evacuation routes posted on the back of apartment or hotel doors, or the tsunami evacuation signs along roads leading to higher elevations. For most commercial and government organizations, having a plan to bug out is mandatory, and there are many free guides to help decision makers put one together.
Planning for disaster is not restricted to businesses and emergency responders, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) strongly recommends everyone be prepared as well. And one of the most important preparations you can make if you must bug out, is having a bug out bag list including all the essentials you’ll need to weather a deteriorating situation on the move.
Bug Out vs. Bug In
Above: Don't be overly eager to leave home in an emergency. Your home offers large stockpiles of food, water, medicine, and other resources you won't be able to fit in a bug out bag. It also provides a defensible position, especially if you've taken steps to enhance your home security.
Granted, leaving the safety of your home is not always the best solution — in many cases, sheltering in place can be a safer and much more comfortable way to ride out an emergency. Some call this “bugging in.” In these cases, a well-stocked bug out bag will still include many of the tools and resources you’ll need to stay safe at home. And, should the situation worsen, your bag will already be packed so you can hit the road quickly.
For more information on deciding whether to bug out or stay put, check out our previous article: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
How to Choose a Bug Out Bag
Having an emergency preparedness kit, a.k.a. bug out bag, is one of the single most important things you can do to be ready for a multitude of situations.
Above: The Vertx Gamut series of packs is popular for every-day carry as well as emergency preparedness. The subdued exterior conceals a multitude of useful features.
The exact situation you’re preparing for depends heavily on geographic location and your needs. For example, a bug out bag for someone living in the south side of Chicago will be dramatically different from someone living in a remote cabin in the Rocky Mountains. But your bug out bag list does not have to be overwhelming, simply start with a list of considerations and needs. Make notes about each of the points below, and feel free to write about your own concerns that arise while you do so. Thinking about what your present situation will heavily influence what gear you decide to bring, or not, when putting your bug out bag list together.
Variables to Consider
Location – Is your location urban, suburban, or rural? Will a dense population clog travel routes and present chaotic danger, or will a remote location necessitate a higher degree of long-distance mobility? Are there safe places to hunker down nearby, or will you be on the move for a long time?
Weather & Environment – Is it hot, cold, wet, or dry? Does the weather have a tendency to turn on a dime? Do you live in a place with a predicable climate, or will there be transitioning seasons taking place? It may be necessary to build a seasonal expansion kit with extra gear for incidents during cold or rainy months.
Bug Out Duration – This can be a bit tricky to forecast due to the chaotic nature of emergency situations. Bugging out from the path of a Category 5 hurricane, which could mean being away for months, is much different from getting way from civil unrest for a few days. It is also possible to prepare for both, but if you’re just starting out, try to prepare for what you think is the most likely situation. You’ll also find that there are some items that you can add to your bug out bag list that will cover a multitude of emergency situations.
Travel Distance – The adage, “one pound on your feet is five pounds on your back” quickly proves true when you start carrying a ton of gear in a backpack. If part of your bug out plan includes taking a vehicle to your next location, consider yourself lucky. But if you need to sling your bug out bag over your shoulders and make your way on foot, you’re going to want to think carefully about how far you’ll be able to travel with the extra weight. You can probably get away with a much heavier bug out bag if you’re only going a short distance (think 5 miles or less). For longer distances, the lighter the pack, the less energy you’ll need to spend exerting yourself, and the more likely you’ll prevent an injury.
Group Size – Going it alone is romanticized in movies, but it is not practical. Not only is there safety in numbers, but if everyone has a bug out bag, there are more supplies to draw from, and more of the weight can be distributed among the group. Are there children, elderly or pets bugging out with you? These factors will also influence what you decide to bring with, or how you decide to bug out. >See also: Safety in Numbers: How to Form a Preparedness Group
Access to Resupply Points – Will you be able to restock and replenish perishable items along the way, or will you have to make do with what you have the entire way? A resupply point doesn’t have to be a department store, gas station, or another friendly household, it could also be a predetermined cache that was set up in advance. In any case, predetermined supply points can reduce the number of items you need to include in your bug out bag list. >See also: Buried Treasure: How to Build a Survival Cache
Secondary Threat Assessment – Life doesn’t occur in a vacuum, if there is a disaster, or emergency that warrants bugging out, then in all likelihood, you are not going to be the only person looking to escape the ordeal. It’s human nature to not think about danger until it presents an immediate threat, so in the process of bugging out, you may come across people who are desperately looking for supplies or a means to save their own existence. Someone who is looking to prevent their own demise is a potentially dangerous person, and it could save your life to prepare for this encounter. That could mean training in some form of self-defense, but it could also mean choosing a bug out route that reduces the amount you’re exposed to other people.Humans are not the only danger, bugging out from a natural disaster, like a wildfire, flood, or blizzard, presents an entirely different spectrum of dangers that mush be planned for. How would you bug out from an area being stricken with a contagious disease? There is also the possibility that you are someone you are bugging out with is not in the greatest of physical shape or may become injured along the way to your bug out location. Do you are someone you are bugging out with require medicine on a regular basis? Does that medicine require refrigeration? As you can see, after having only considered seven major points, bugging out is not as simple as packing a bag with granola bars and water bottles and sneaking to a clandestine camping site.
Bug Out Bag Size
Choosing the right bug out bag is a highly personal choice, and you’ll only find the perfect one by wearing it fully loaded under the circumstances you predict might happen. The bug out bag doesn’t even have to be a backpack necessarily. It could be a duffel bag, load bearing vest, chest rig, hip-pack, satchel, briefcase, or even a purse. Bags at the smaller end of the spectrum are often called day packs, 24-hour bags, or “get home bags,” and are designed to sustain you for shorter emergencies.
Above: Duffel bags and roller bags can be viable for some bug-out scenarios. They're harder to carry on your body, but can easily be tossed into a vehicle.
Traditionally, most bug-out bags fall into a category referred to as 72-hour bags and are large enough to contain everything you need to be self-sufficient for three days. However, emergencies don’t magically end after 72 hours, so that should only be seen as a general rule of thumb. For this reason, we’re not going to recommend a specific size or carrying capacity — 30 to 50 liters is usually a good ballpark, but much smaller or larger packs may be necessary in certain situations.
Bug Out Bag Features
Some packs (such as modern hiking packs) have rigid internal support structures to help reduce the stress on your back, and packs with external frames (such as the classic military surplus ALICE pack) make it easy to lash other items or gear to the outside when needed. If you’re carrying a substantial amount of weight, a pack with an internal or external frame is highly recommended.
If you expect to be traveling long distances on foot with a heavy load, packs with shoulder load-lifting straps, lumbar support, and a padded hip belt will be crucial. Some packs will even adjust to the length of your spine. To wear a heavy pack properly, it is important to cinch the hip belt so the weight of the pack is resting on your hips before tightening the shoulder straps. Hips are load-bearing joints, and wearing a pack this way will prevent a lot of injuries. If you’re ignoring your hip belt, you’re going to get hurt.
Above: A large pack offers more room for supplies, but also slows your movement and can lead to injuries if you're not physically fit. If you need to carry a lot of gear, look for a pack with comfortable shoulder straps, a sturdy frame, and a supportive hip belt. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)
To recap, here’s what we’d recommend for a traditional bug-out bag:
Durable materials, but not excessively heavy
Large enough to carry all the gear you need, plus a little room to spare for supplies collected in the field
Internal or external frame
Padded shoulder straps with load lifters
Adjustable chest strap
Lumbar support pad
Wide, comfortable hip belt
Bug Out Bag List: The Basics
Above: Commercial hiking packs such as this Osprey Kestrel 48 can be outstanding bug out bags, and may not draw as much attention as a “tactical” or military backpack in suburban areas.
Hopefully you spent some serious time contemplating the factors in the previous section and have started thinking about what you could bring with you. Packing a bug out bag doesn’t have to be terribly extensive. At a minimum, it just has to have enough gear and goods to keep you alive from one point to another. At most, the gear you bring with could help you establish yourself for a longer period at your bug out location.
There is a popular method of thinking about the most fundamental survival gear called the “5-C’s of Survival.” This includes:
Cutting tools
Combustion materials (for starting fires)
Cordage
Containers (for carrying water)
Cover (protection from the elements)
These are items which will provide for your basic necessities and buy you enough time to get (or make) the other resources you need in a survival situation. It’s not the end-all be-all to thinking about what to bring, but it’s a pretty good place to start your bug out bag list.
Above: Your cutting tools may include a fixed blade camp knife, a folding pocket knife, or both. This photo shows a B.O.B. Fieldcraft fixed blade and MSF 4.0 folder, both from TOPS Knives.
Cutting Tools – As the term implies, cutting tools are things like knives, axes, and saws. It is easiest to bring an inexpensive stainless-steel fixed blade knife, such as the ever-popular Mora, but a folding pocket knife is better than nothing. In a worst-case scenario, you can improvise cutting tools with things like broken glass or by knapping flint. But using these skills is time consuming, and the midst of an emergency is not the time for slowly crafting a sharp (and fragile) edge. Examples:
Fixed blade survival knife, machete, parang, kukri, or similar
Above: You should always have multiple methods of starting a fire. A Prometheus Design Werx ferro rod, struck against the spine of a knife, threw enough sparks to quickly ignite this tinder.
Combustion Materials – For bug out bag purposes, a combustion tool should be quick and reliable. Many tout the great effectiveness of a simple Bic lighter, but if it’s too cold, the fuel won’t vaporize, and if you’re wearing gloves, you may not be able to manipulate the striker. Fuel can also leak out if the button is inadvertently pressed inside your pack. Other items to consider are weatherproof matches, commercially made tinder with a longer burn time, candles, and of course ferro rods. Learning to identify, collect and process combustible materials is also just as important as bringing along an item that will set them alight. Ultra-light backpackers also bring collapsible camp stoves and fuel that are more portable and convenient than a small wood fire. Examples:
Above: Paracord can be used for a wide variety of tasks, from lashing together branches for a shelter to creating a ridgeline for a tarp. The venerable Swiss Army Knife is always a good addition to your pack as well.
Cordage – If you are unable to walk outside and identify a material that you could make a rope with, you should probably bring your own. Technical rope, like the kind climbers use to traverse vertical rock faces, can be used in a similar manner to haul heavy things or raise and lower people or supplies where ladders are unavailable. There’s also everyone’s favorite, 550 paracord. This was originally used to rig parachutes but became popular among military and survival circles because the length of cord is actually a nylon tube filled with smaller strands of nylon cords that can be used for anything you can think of. Some companies went further, as in the case of Survivor Cord, by stuffing the cord with things like fire cord, snare wire, and fishing line. Other things that fall under the same category as cordage include duct tape, zip ties, carabiners, or anything that you can use to tie something down or secure something to something else. Examples:
Containers – Cupping your hands will only go so far. Apart from the bug out bag itself, having a water-tight way to carry and transport liquids, especially water, is a must. Nalgene is a flexible polymer that makes for a lightweight water bottle that’s perfect for freezing temperatures, but it can’t hold up to direct heat for boiling water. A non-insulated metal canteen can be used to boil water for sanitary reasons, but a canteen with a narrow opening makes it difficult to mix and eat some types of backpacking food. A happy medium is the combination of a plastic bottle for liquids, and a metal canteen cup to heat water and food over a fire. Wide-mouth metal bottles such as Klean Kanteen are also popular.
Above: A water container is certainly one of the bug out bag essentials. If you choose a metal container, you'll also be able to boil water inside, and some bottles even have built in water filters. This GRAYL Ultrapress Titanium features all three features rolled into one useful container.
The most important container is a vessel for water, but other types of containers that are useful are plastic bags of various sizes, Altoid tins, or small Pelican cases. There are also a ton of useful zippered pouches and pockets from various gear suppliers to fit any bug out bag, so it really boils down to what and where you need to store it. Don’t forget to fill your containers with clean water ahead of time, and to include a survival water filter or other tools to purify water you collect in the field. Examples:
Nalgene bottle
Metal camp cup
Metal canteen or bottle
Camelbak or other hydration bladder
Cookware such as a pot or frying pan
Plastic bags
Waterproof Pelican cases for fragile items
Zippered pouches or roll-up dry bags for gear
Cover – Humans were made to thermoregulate body temperature to a constant 98.7 degrees F, but only if we are living in a climate that doesn’t veer too far from that temperature to begin with. If it the ambient temperature gets too hot, or too cold, that could spell trouble in the form of hyperthermia (heat stroke) or hypothermia, and there are not too many locations on the planet that accommodate the goldilocks zone we need to survive naturally. So, we need things like appropriate clothing, such as rain or cold weather gear, and shelters to stave off night-time lows and day-time highs. It’s not always easy to pack these types of things in a bug out bag due to their bulk and weight, but there are light-weight emergency thermal blankets and rain ponchos that will work in a pinch.
Above: A lightweight tent, air pad, and sleeping bag will allow you to get a much-needed rest away from wind, rain, and insects. This photo shows a Sierra Designs Studio 2 tent (without rain fly installed) and Synthesis sleeping bag.
Depending on the season, it might be a good idea to bring a change of socks, or a pair of sunglasses. And if you need to stay at a clandestine camping site for a few days, using backpacker’s hammock with an ultralight sleeping bag could be a good way to rack out while staying off the ground and away from critters and pooling water. In cold climates, you’ll need to think about insulating yourself against the ground. Most sleeping mats for camping have a R-rating, just like the insulation in your home. The higher the R-rating, the colder the ground you can sleep on comfortably. For minimalist warm-weather cover, consider a lightweight tarp strung up on a ridgeline, plus a sleeping bag and protective bivy bag. Examples:
So, you’ve got an emergency preparedness kit that covers the 5 C’s and is loaded in a properly fitted and tested bug out bag. That’s a great start! It will even cover a lot of basic needs in many disaster or survival scenarios, but it is also just the tip of the iceberg. The more the bug out bag is tweaked and refined, the more you might realize it’s missing something important. We’ll address these below.
Water & Purification Gear – This is something we all need to live, and it is especially important when exerting yourself, like in a bug out scenario. In a survival situation, eating is discouraged if there is not enough water available to aid in the body’s digestive processes. If you’re following the 5 C’s we mentioned, you should have at least one bottle of clean water in your pack, but that’s usually not enough.
Above: Even if a lake or river looks clean where you are, it may be loaded with harmful bacteria, viruses, or other waterborne contaminants you can't see with the naked eye. It's always wise to filter, purify, or boil water you've collected before drinking it in order to avoid illness.
A rule of thumb is to carry 1 liter of water for every two hours of traveling on foot. On average, a human can travel one mile, on foot, in 30 minutes. However, this can change dramatically if there is steep elevation, thick vegetation, hot weather, or any number of challenging obstacles that may present themselves. In its most simplistic form, if your bug out location was 4 miles away, at 30 minutes per mile, it would take you two hours to get there. In other words, you would need 1 liter per 4 miles per person under perfect conditions, more if conditions are less than perfect.More distance means more water. Unless you plan a long bug out route that passes sources of clean water, or water that can be treated with filters or bleach, be ready load up with as much water as is necessary. Just remember that water is also heavy — each liter will add 2.2 pounds to your bug out bag.
Above: Bug out food doesn't have to be miserable and tasteless. With the addition of some boiling water, freeze-dried backpacking meals can provide a warm, nutritious morale boost. This Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef is one of our favorites.
Food & Cooking Supplies – These should be lightweight, energy-dense foods (i.e., trail mix, jerky, backpacking meals) that can be prepared quickly or eaten on the go. There is lightweight trail cookware that would make food prep easier, but choosing to bring these depends on the expected duration of the bug out. If bugging out is expected to last only a few hours to a few days, then maybe a few heatless snacks or MRE’s would do the trick. But if you’re facing a longer duration event or may need to hunt and cook meat, a lightweight cooking set with utensils may not be a bad idea. Packing hydration mixes or electrolyte tabs could also be a potential life saver, especially in hot weather. Morale boosters like instant coffee, tea, cooking spices or candy can also be a great pick-me-up during a bug out scenario. Examples:
Energy-dense trail food (nuts, trail mix, jerky, energy chews, etc.)
Morale-boosters (coffee, tea bags, chocolate, hot sauce, etc.)
Utensils for cooking and eating
Above: An off-the-shelf first aid kit like this Adventure Medical Kits Adventure First Aid 2.0 kit can help with many common illnesses and injuries. A separate trauma kit, also called an individual first aid kit (IFAK) in military parlance, may be necessary for life-threatening injuries such as severely broken bones, puncture wounds, or gunshot wounds.
Medical & First Aid – Having a few bandages, gauze, and sterile wipes will help prevent infections. And a handful of over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, allergy pills, and antacids should cover the most common of ailments. Depending on where you live and your clothing choices, it may be a good idea to think about sunscreen. Taking care of your feet is also crucial when you are traveling long distances on them, so having some moleskin or using duct tape to cover hotspots will help prevent blisters. Biting insects or poisonous plants may be worth preparing for with bug spray, anti-itch/rash cream, or even a mesh mosquito hood. When it comes to more serious medical supplies like tourniquets, suture kits, or anything trauma related, pack what you know how to use safely and proficiently. Examples:
Survival medicine and medications (painkillers, anti-diarrheal, antihistamines, etc.)
Trauma kit or IFAK with tourniquet(s), hemostatic gauze, pressure dressing, and chest seals
Personal Hygiene – Nobody enjoys feeling dirty for too long, and wet wipes or a washcloth can be used for a refreshing wipe down. Dental hygiene is often ignored in a survival situation (watch the movie Cast Away to find out how this turns out), so it may be a good idea to bring floss or a toothbrush. Hand sanitizer or soap can help prevent many diseases, and deodorant or body/foot powder can help you stay dry and prevent skin problems like dermatitis. Bugging out females need to consider feminine hygiene. There are products on the market that are rinsible and reusable, and many women who go ultralight camping simply dedicate a water bottle for use as a bidet. A water bottle bidet is also a great alternative to carrying a ton of wet-wipes or toilet paper. Examples:
Baby powder for friction reduction and dry showers
Feminine hygiene items
Trash bags
Above: A multi-tool such as this Leatherman Rebar provides many useful tools in one convenient package. If you're not already carrying one in your pocket, you should certainly have one included in your bug out bag list.
Tools – A small bolt cutter, lock pick set, or any other form of entry tool could come in very useful, especially if you have a desperate need to get out of the elements. Obviously, you should use these items responsibly and expect to justify their use to authorities after the fact. Many people carry a multi-tool for their compact versatility, but having a small, dedicated tool kit like Fix It Sticks can aid in repairs or assembly/disassembly of your other bug out bag essentials. Examples:
Lockpicking tools for emergency entry/escape (use them responsibly!)
Cash and other desirable items (e.g. cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, or possibly even weed) that can be used for bartering
Navigation – A fully charged personal GPS unit will make life easy when navigating to your bug out location. A compass and map of your bug out plan should almost be a necessity, but only if you know how to use them. Pencil and paper can be handy to take notes or jot down a sketch for communication, or for recording your travel route. Bringing a pair of binos or a monocular could be useful for identifying potential hazards or threatening situations before you find yourself in the midst of them. Examples:
Above: A headlamp provides hands-free light for tasks after sunset. This Streamlight Bandit Pro headlamp is lightweight, USB-rechargeable, and can be worn on a headband or clipped onto the brim of a hat.
Personal Electronics – This could include a headlamp or flashlight for illumination, two-way radio for communication, cell phone or burner phone, and any of the necessary charging cables/power adapters. Keep in mind though, unless it has a solar panel or a hand crank, eventually the charge will run out (and it will run out very fast if it’s cold). There are disposable batteries and USB power banks, but these are also extra weight and have a limited supply of energy. Depending on the environment and how much you’re moving, a small solar panel may be helpful for keeping essential devices powered. Examples:
Power adapters for vehicles (12V) and wall outlets
Spare batteries
Above: As much as we'd like to trust everyone we meet and work together during emergencies, there will always be dangerous individuals who are willing to victimize others to get what they need (or want). It's advisable to factor some form of self-defense tool into your bug out bag list, if you're not already carrying a concealed weapon on a daily basis.
Self Defense – Even if you’re a professional ninja whose hands are considered lethal weapons, having an extra form of self-defense will help keep you and your loved ones safe during a bug out scenario. When circumstances are dire, it’s an unfortunate fact that there are some individuals who may be willing to attempt taking your gear by force. A self-defense tool and the appropriate training can prevent this and may also be able to be used for hunting or protection from wildlife.There are many possible configurations you could use to carry a handgun or longer rifle/shotgun in your bug out set up. Unless a vehicle is part of your bug out plan, a gun and its ammo should be light enough to comfortably carry a spare magazine or two. If firearms are not possible, a defensive knife or OC spray are great, short-range alternatives, and even trekking poles or a walking stick can be used in self-defense. Examples:
Pistol, holster, and belt
Rifle/shotgun and sling
Spare magazines, ammunition, and pouches/bandoliers/chest rig
Defensive knife and sheath
Pepper spray
Trekking poles or walking stick (can be used as an impact weapon)
Testing, Training, and Mental Preparedness
There’s a lot more to preparing for an emergency than simply buying gear and storing it in a closet. The late survival expert Mors Kochanski famously said, “The more you know, the less you carry.” Training doesn’t have to be from an expert in the field (although that does help immensely), simply spending time with your gear will help.
Put your bug out bag essentials together and wear it around the house while you’re doing chores. Go for a walk or hike a local trail. Take it on a camping trip and rely solely on its contents. Take notes about what you used, what you didn’t, and how easily accessible each item was. Frivolous things can be removed, important things can be added, and after a few short hikes, you’ll feel more confident that what you packed in your bug out bag.
Every emergency is different, and there’s no universal solution for what to bring or how to bring it. Not every item mentioned in the lists above are mandatory, and there are items you may require that have been left out. Don't forget, the real Best Bug Out Bag Checklist isn't one you find online. It's the custom one you make for yourself based on a careful analysis of your exact survival needs and risks. We hope this article helps you create a bug out gear list that can help you and your family make it through a real-life emergency someday.
Rob Ziarnick, founder and owner of Gunfighter Design, has been designing and making blades for over five years and decided it was time to test the limits of his product. He reached out and asked if I could take a beautifully crafted, handmade knife and, “put it through an insane amount of abuse and write about it”. When Rob offered to send me a sample of his POPS (Professional Outdoorsman Precision Skinner) MK2 and submit it to some gnarly testing, how could I refuse?
Gunfighter Design has an interesting story that started back in 2018. With the goal of making a great knife, the original design was a living room collaboration with Rob's friend and colleague Michael Baccellierli (aka Buck). Both Buck and Rob spent time addressing the shortcomings they encountered with knives in the past. Both were Marines and Snipers who broke knives while on combat deployments. Strength, ergonomics, functionality, and usefulness in more than one task lead to their prototype design, the Ravens Head. The double thumb relief or DTR was born, as well as the idea to incorporate a glass breaker. After making the first Ravens Head in a small propane forge with a piece of 80CrV2, it sent Rob on a journey of making knives as a business. Just as he was getting started, he was struck by a drunk driver, and was unsure if he could ever bladesmith again. But Rob is as tough as the knives he makes, and was back in the bladesmithing saddle in no time. Partnering with Eric Moser, a retired Green Beret Sniper, machinist, and someone who also had experience with knives breaking in combat, they began production with a new and improved design.
Videos of all kinds of blade destruction tests exist, but I didn’t want to wreck a perfectly good knife just for the sake of seeing it broken. At least not at first. I decided that I wanted to push its limits in a functional sense, before seeing what it might actually take to physically damage it beyond repair. Most knives are typically capable of performing three basic functions, piercing, chopping and slicing. The POPS MK2 was going to be evaluated on its ability to retain its edge and original design specs, while performing those functions during testing.
The Blade
POPS MK2 is an absolute beast of a blade, not because it's the longest fixed blade out there, but because of its design and composition. Made from CPM 3V, it's forged from powdered, high carbon steel with a high amount of vanadium. Crucible Particle Metallurgy, designated by the CPM has a much finer grain pattern, and a more even dispersion of alloy elements. 3V indicates that the steel has around 3 percent vanadium, which is specifically used to increase hardness and edge retention. CPM 3V is specialized steel that is normally used in industrial shear blades, or commercial forging punches, but Gunfighter Design is using it in the form of a skinning knife!
Above: Several materials were selected to test the blades hardness, sharpness and durability. These include seasoned maple batons, a brass rod, and a copper tube.
The blade itself is 3.5 inches, and 8 inches over all, with a girthy width of 5mm. A functional glass breaker is ground into the end of the butt, and titanium eyelets hold G10 handle slabs in place. For a fixed blade on the short end of the spectrum, it has enough mass to let weight and gravity do most of the cutting work. It's a thick, wide blade, and the bevel skirts the border between meat cleaver and hatchet. One of the most unique features is its Double Thumb Relief on the spine of the blade. Placing your thumb on the spine when holding a knife is sometimes called the “saber grip”, and it is used to extend your reach. Adding a relief notch affords more control, and the second relief notch lets you work the blade with more dexterity in tight places.
Basic Tests
Before getting into the serious performance tests, I wanted to establish a relatively simple baseline of its cutting capabilities. One of the best ways to do this is simply letting the edge slice through a piece of standard printer paper. The edge of the POPS does this easily enough, although the width of the blade slows down its momentum. This is perfectly fine as the blade is made for breaking bone and cutting through ligaments and sinew. Since it’s a brand new knife, there are no chips or rolls along the edge. Now that I know that it's sharp and will slice easily, it's time to test its piercing and chopping performance.
Above: Being able to smoothly slice a piece of printer paper is an easy way to test a blades' sharpness.
For chopping, I have three items of varying densities: wood, copper and brass. First up is a seasoned hard maple baton. Summoning my inner Jay Nielson, I swing the POPS into the wood with as much force as I can muster. The blade chews through the baton like a hungry beaver, leaving the edge perfectly intact. To add extra force behind it, I use a second baton and hit the spine of the blade to drive the edge into the wood deeper. To remove it from the wood, I pry the blade as far as I can back and forth. The steel remains straight, and the edge remains true. Turning it on its point, I baton the blade tip-first into the wood as far as I can go, prying it back and forth to remove it. POPS stares back at me unphased.
Above: Seasoned sugar maple is a hardwood that will give an axe a run for its money, but its just a walk in the park for the POPS MK2.
Okay, great, it can handle wood, nothing supernatural about that, so lets try it against some soft metals. POPS is batoned into copper pipe, and then into a brass rod. The copper pipe is cut and bent, and the brass rod is cut through as well. Still the edge of the POPS remains in pristine condition. No rolls, no chipping. Maybe some of the anodized finish is blemished, but beyond that, it's like nothing ever happened. I do a follow up slice test on the paper and notice a slight decrease in sharpness. But after a few passes on an 800 and 1000 grit stone, and a little stroping, it's slicing better than ever.
Above: Copper has a hardness between 45 and 50 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale (HRC).
At this point, I feel the POPS MK2 has held up to more than would ever be asked of it, even in the most difficult settings. It can be pried without losing its straightness. If it can cut through brass, it can surely cut through bone unphased. Obviously the heat treatment–a knife making process that affects the quality of steel hardness–was done expertly. The edge sharpened easily, and over all, I would rank this as a top notch hunting knife. Unfortunately for the POPS, I was asked to punish the blade, and needed to crank things up a notch to push it to its limits.
Above: Brass, a composite of zinc and copper, has a hardness of around 30 HRC.
The Punishment
I want to preface this by stating, on the record, that I love handmade knives, and I cringe every time I see destruction testing taken to the extreme. Someone’s hard work, skill and time goes into every blade, and to purposefully destroy one seems disrespectful to me. So just know, that what I’m about to do may have been harder on me than it was on the knife.
On a knife, the tip is one of the weakest, if not the weakest point. Any inconsistencies in the heat treatment can cause the tip to bend or break. I already know the tip of the POPS can hold up to hardwood and soft metal, but what about chipping its way through ice? For this punishment, I’m not using your normal, clear, run-of-the-mill ice. Instead I chip my way through four inches of stamp sand and gravel that's been frozen solid and compacted by a county snow plow over the course of several months. After several minutes of continuous chipping, POPS survives! The tip did not break, bend or roll, and it did not lose much of its sharpness. In fact, I would go so far as to say a hole could be augered for ice fishing using this blade if you were in a pinch.
Above: Chipping through a concrete mixture of ice and gravel proved to be a boring challenge for the POPS MK2.
Punishment number two is a test of its overall integrity. So far I've been focusing mainly on the edge and its functionality, and overall it seems bullet proof. But what about the handle and the rest of its construction? To find out what this thing is made of, I place the knife flat on the gravel strewn ice pack, and jump in my truck. Each truck tire exerts roughly 1,400lbs of contact pressure with the ground, and because I'm moving, that pressure is rolling along the width of the blade at different points at different times. Any problems with the heat treatment or handle construction will cause a critical failure of the blades integrity. First I back over the POPS with the rear tire, then the front tire, then drive forward and get it with the front, then again with the rear tire. POPS has been driven over four times. Then I repeat this process four more times for good measure for a total of 20 times. At one point I became nervous about the blade going through the tread of my tires, but I risk it all for the sake of science!
Above: The POPS MK2 awaits being run over, repeatedly, by a full size pickup truck.
Getting out of my truck, I walk around to see what happened to my beloved tanky POPS, and… it survives! Not only did it survive, but it seems completely indestructible at this point. The spine of the blade is still straight, the G10 handle slabs haven’t come loose, and if there is any damage at all, it's only to the anodized finish. Even the G10 appears unscathed after cleaning it up a bit.
At this point I'm facing a bit of a conundrum. I was asked to brutalize this thing, and aside from throwing it in the fires of Mount Doom, or dragon's breath, I’m not exactly sure what else to do to test it. My mind wanders to taking the blade to the range and throwing some lead at it, but lead is much softer than brass, no matter how hard you toss it at something. In fact, given the velocity, mass, and acceleration of your common 9mm, you’d only be exerting about 1,600lbs of pressure on the blade. Granted, at much faster speeds, but still, that's only a few more pounds than truck tires. And we just did that twenty times in a row. I wander through my garage looking for inspiration, and find it in the form of a 10lb sledge hammer. Believe it or not, depending on how fast and hard the swing is, a steel sledge hammer can produce astronomical amounts of pressure. We’re talking in the double digit tons of pressure.
Picking up the sledge, and placing the POPS down reverently on the compacted ice, I put on some safety glasses, and say some final words to one stubbornly durable knife. Aiming for the flat of the blade, I swing the sledgehammer overhead as hard and fast as I can. Ice and gravel spray violently in all directions. Wiping clear the debris from my safety glasses to assess the damage, I find, to my astonishment… POPS survives! Just to be sure, I swing again. POPS survives! And again. POPS survives! It isn’t until the sixth swing of the sledge that POPS suffers a catastrophic failure.
Above: It took an insane amount of punishment to finally inflict enough damage to cause the blade to break.
Failure occurred at where the handle meets the ricasso of the blade, which is a common place for a break to happen. Near the break, there is a titanium eyelet, and my best guess is that there was just not enough steel in that location to absorb the ferocious impact of multiple sledgehammer blows. Other than the break, the G10 seems a little roughed up but nothing major considering what it just went through. The blade itself is unbent, and when pieced back together, makes a perfectly straight line.
Conclusion
Iron is a magical element in the hands of someone who knows how to manipulate it. Mix it with the right additives and it becomes an alloy steel that takes on otherworldly properties. In the case of the POPS MK2, it is a steel blade that could outlast humanity if taken care of properly. Barring industrial cutting tools, or temperatures that exceed 2,000 oF, Rob, Eric and Gunfighter Design has brought a knife to market that you could depend on with your life. Although the blade is now broken, it will be kept as a reminder of what dedication to quality and attention to detail can achieve.
Ask ten people what their initial reaction to the recent COVID-19 pandemic was, and you’ll likely receive ten unique answers.For some, it was simply to abide by local municipal guidance.Others took a more laissez-faire approach and went about their daily lives as though nothing was out of the ordinary.But for many others, a disease that has quickly covered the entire world and brought the global economy to a standstill was their cue to escape the pandemonium of a densely populated city and find their new niche in life closer to nature. The same holds true for the skyrocketing cost of living in dense urban areas. Home prices on the rise and inflation with no end in sight, has many people considering the idea of moving to the country.
Above: Moving to the country comes with a lot of freedom, and a lot of work. Simply maintaining buildings without the assistance of a landlord can be more than a lot of people can handle.
It’s an appealing proposition to be sure.Fewer people, wide open spaces, the beautiful scenery — the list of benefits goes on.Another important aspect of rural life is that it’s more difficult to control.Recent events have shown that a city under quarantine can be more easily policed.Higher population density means restrictions can be more efficiently implemented with less effort on behalf of the enforcers.No one is going to closely monitor someone living on a hobby farm,miles away from the nearest neighbors, unless they are breaking bad out in the barn.So then, why are people not fleeing en masse to the hills and abandoning the circumstances George Orwell envisioned in his nightmares?Whether you’re looking for land to feed your family or to escape the tedium of the rat race, there’s no shortage of considerations that must be made.So, let’s dive right in and take a look at some of those issues.
Above: Packing up all of your worldly possessions can be stressful. But it can also be liberating to get rid of things you don't really need.
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
There are two sides to every coin and living in a remote area is no exception — it has pros and cons.The same can be said for living in an urban setting.One of the biggest issues is access to goods and services.Some folks living in rural areas have to make doing any kind of shopping, beyond basic necessities, a near vacation event.Instead of going to the same local convenience store every day, people in rural communities will often take a day off and travel for an hour or more just to get to the nearest Target or Walgreens.Almost everyone living in remote areas must make do with what they have for longer periods of time and forgo the convenience of having many nearby options to visit on a whim.
This is also true for services such as healthcare, dentistry or auto repair.In a big city, it is easy to scope out a few online reviews and find the right practitioner to fit your needs.In the country, you may not even have a clinic or repair shop anywhere near your location.If you are fortunate to have the service you require nearby, it’s the same one everyone else uses, regardless of how great or poor their performance is.Because of an abundance of competition in urban areas, if someone is providing a mediocre service, they will not last long as their potential customers wise up and find someone better.But in a rural location, if someone has to choose between mediocrity or spending $100 in gas and food traveling to the next nearest option, mediocrity will probably win.
Above: It takes a while for modernization to trickle out to the more remote regions of the country. Available tools and medicines may seem like ancient technology compared to what you may be used to in the city.
Children are another matter entirely.Rural areas do not have an abundance of choices when it comes to schooling, and many children have to be bussed to more populated areas just to attend.These bus rides can be long, and some young ones spend hours each day just riding the bus back and forth.Don’t like their teachers or the curriculum?Too bad!Your child is stuck with it unless you want to fork out the money and time transporting them somewhere else on your own.However, the reverse is also true, as smaller communities mean smaller class sizes, and the quality of education can be phenomenal.It all depends on the standards the local education system holds themselves to. If you're a parent, it is worth your time researching what school is best for you child.
Most of us are aware that there are some neighborhoods you just shouldn’t find yourself in.Maybe there are issues with illegal substances, human trafficking, or any number of nefarious activities detrimental to a quality life.Don’t think that moving to a remote location will completely eliminate this.One of the most notorious bootleggers of his era, Al Capone traveled from Chicago to Northern Michigan to lie low when the police where hot on his trail.The fact that he smuggled Canadian whiskey through the North American wilderness, sometimes with the help of his connections in the Coast Guard, is well known.Ted Kaczynski isolated himself by living in the most isolated area he could find.If you are up to something illegal, there is no better place to conduct operations than a remote wilderness area.Even a place several miles out of town in Midwest farmland affords more privacy than any urban or suburban location.
Climate can play a big role in the decision-making process and it would be in your best interests to determine if the weather patterns where you want to move suit your style.An area with lush, green summers could be inundated with insurmountable snow in the winters.The perfect spot for a ranch location could be smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley.Prone to depressive moods?Maybe you should avoid the rainy season in the Northwest, or areas with longer winter seasons.Then again, maybe you are up to the adventure of something new!One man’s shovel–induced hernia is another man’s Nordic Skiing paradise.
Above: Perhaps utilities is something you take for granted. Some rural areas heat their homes with processed firewood, or wood pellets and coal. Many homes in the countryside pump their water directly out of the ground via well-pumps.
A great idea is to make a list of pros and cons, just to get the ol’ noodle thinking about what you may be getting into.Realize that when you jot down a list like this, it will never be all–inclusive, and things will come up along the way that you didn’t expect.But having an understanding of what you’re getting yourself into will prevent any catastrophic failures.It’s also important to sit down with everyone who would be affected by this important decision and have them weigh in with their thoughts and feelings.That way, when you look over your list, you can make the most logical decision.
Deciding to Move
So, let’s say you have made your decision, and after weighing all the pros and cons, the scales tip in favor of moving.What next?Make sure you know exactly why you’re moving and do some serious research.Many excitedly move to their aesthetically appealing “dream location” and quickly discover that they cannot easily provide for their families.Does moving mean a cut in pay?Are you willing to give up the occupation you are currently working in and possibly settle for something less sophisticated?Can you give up easily accessible high-speed internet for an area that can only support DSL and spotty cell service?And if so, is it worth it?
Above: It's calm, quiet and peaceful, but the farther the location from an urban center, the more difficult it is to use amenities that make life easier.
One of the best ways to determine if a move to someplace more rural is financially viable is to apply for jobs in the area and see if you can obtain one.Often, businesses in remote settings hire people they know and grew up with nearby, just to help their neighbors stay gainfully employed.And in some instances, they may even pass over someone more qualified just to do this.In cases like this, those who cannot find work and refuse to give up the country setting, must commute to their jobs — sometimes for hours each way.If you are moving to escape the crowds and the air pollution, maybe having extra travel time is worth it.Lots of people have to do this if they live in the suburbs.Then again, putting extra wear and tear on a vehicle may cancel out any benefits. It can be confusing to think about all of the aspects involved, but the more time you dedicate to focusing on the issues, the more you can be certain that the decision you are making is the right one for you and your family.
Those who want a peaceful retirement, or a quieter way of life for their family, will find that rural life is a no-brainer.In rural communities, most neighbors look out for each other and lend a helping hand whenever they are able to.In our experience, people living in the country can be some of the most generous and kindhearted you will ever have the pleasure to meet.But evil exists everywhere, even in the most isolated of places.
Above: Neighbors look out for each other in rural communities, and most are willing to lend a helping hand without asking for anything in return.
Settling In
Let’s say you determine that moving is the right option.You pack up your things and head out for a taste of the quiet life.What you do when you first arrive could make our break the entire experience.A key thing to remember is that with far fewer people, you have more physical privacy, but social privacy is almost non-existent unless you decide to turn in to a complete hermit (and even then, that may not work).The tricky thing about first impressions is that you only get one.
Sometimes your closest neighbors could be miles away, but even so, they may be used to a tightly knit community helping each other out.If they ever need a helping hand with a chore, or someone to watch over their pets on a vacation, they will be used to their neighbors being there for each other.It’s usually more expedient to ask a neighbor for help than to waste time and energy driving to town looking for a handy man or dog sitter.The good people living nearby aren't just humans occupying a residence, they are friends and family.Neighbors share struggles, lament each other’s losses, and celebrate good times together.And if someone has to move, they are sad to see them go.That being said, put yourself in the position of someone watching another individual or family move into the vacated home.If they were fond of that neighbor, they might resent the idea that you took their place.You will only cement those feelings if you show up and act in an ungracious manner.
Above: The distance between homes may give the initial impression that nobody interacts with each other, but typically the opposite is true.
There is a common misconception, largely due to the entertainment industry, that people in rural areas are degenerate in some capacity.And if you hold this belief, do yourself a favor and purge it from your mind right now.It takes intelligence, independence and strength, both physical and emotional, to thrive in a place far from easy access to commodities.Owning a large property or a homestead takes a lot of hard work.As a newcomer to a rural community, being kind when you first arrive, and maybe even showing a pinch of humility, will go a long way.
Try to “read the room” for a while before getting comfortable with everyone in your new community.As mentioned earlier about privacy, everyone talks to each other and will know a lot about what is going on.It is possible that before you get a chance to meet someone for the first time, they may already know a little about you.You can use this to your advantage to hear what people think about others in the community and why.Then you can start to develop a better sense about who might be a good friend, or who you should keep your wife and kids away from.This may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you are moving from a community where everyone largely ignores the densely packed humans around them.But discomfort will quickly fade, and you will find profound comfort in knowing who can be counted on in your community. Just be cautious not to perpetuatebaseless gossip and rumors, since these behaviors often cause more harm than good.
Above: Raising large animals takes much more dedication and hard work compared to walking a dog, or changing a litter box.
Closing Thoughts
Most importantly, trust your instincts. In the digital age, it’s easy to forget that we were once very social creatures.Talking to someone face-to-face is much different than sending them a text or interacting in the comments section.Our social skills are still there beneath the surface and will return quickly with repeated use.You've probably experienced that feeling that creeps up when someone approaches, and you can just tell if they are friendly, or if they do not have your best interests in mind.The reaction to either relax, or quickly get away from the situation is just one example of your latent social skills at work. When moving to the country, once getting settled in, you will be able to tell very quickly if the community you are living in is accepting of new members, or will be a tougher nut to crack.
Before moving to the country, putting as much thought into as many scenarios as you can will make a move exponentially more successful.Do your research, have a solid plan, and if moving to a rural area is the best option for you, dedicate yourself to being a great neighbor.Moving because of a knee-jerk response to a difficult time will only lead to a disastrous outcome.Being close to nature is known to be therapeutic, managing land of your own can be very rewarding, and anyone willing to put forth the effort may find a better quality of life.
Three days have passed while you scuttled unseen from one abandoned apartment to the next. Every cupboard and pantry have long since been ransacked by those who came before you. As the country devolved into chaos and opposing gangs vied for control of portions of your city, you boarded up your dwelling and bugged-in, content with your weeks of prepared food and ammunition reserves. Then the food ran out, electricity turned off, sewers backed up, and fresh water ceased its flow from the tap. Only a brief rainstorm miraculously afforded you the chance to stave off dehydration for a little while longer. You feel cold and so exhausted that you struggle to summon the motivation to continue your search. If only you could find some source of nutrition to give you the energy needed to make it out of the concrete jungle and into an area where food sources might be more abundant. Digging through what's left of the books you haven't burned for fuel and warmth, you come across a resource about foraging for wild edibles, in other words, survival botany.
Above: Running out of food can make people desperate. Don't become one of the dangerous marauders hunting for their next meal, and learn what the land can provide. Photo by Craig Adderley
Survival and prepping resources are rife with articles about sources of food that can be found in the wild, but few, if any, outline sources that can be easily identified in both urban and rural areas, and in every region of the United States. Many wild edibles have similar species look-alikes which are poisonous, and it takes a little experience and practice to avoid poisoning yourself. But there are edible plants that are so easily recognizable, there is little chance of mistaking them for something else. Before you test your ability to forage from the land, take a moment to equip yourself with some knowledge that could spare you from potential digestive discomfort, starvation, or even death.
An Ounce of Prevention
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This couldn’t be truer when it comes to foraging for wild edibles. When getting ready to forage, take the time to look up what species of wild plants are edible in the location specific to where you plan on going. Do a little research, take copies of the images of the plants with you, or find a published field guide to reference when you want to know what something is. No guessing allowed!
In North America, there are plants that can cause serious skin damage just by touching, and even some that a single bite could induce grand mal seizures and potentially death (I’m looking at you Water Hemlock). It’s vital to your existence that you take proper identification extremely seriously. A good rule of thumb is when in doubt, leave it alone. You might find that there are a few methods out there for testing toxicity orally, but I do not recommend using these methods under any circumstances, so practice these at your own peril.
Above: Plants, including the poisonous ones, can look different depend on where they are growing. This means learning to identify plants every time you move to a new area. Even areas that are close geographically.
Consider the location of the plant you are foraging. Is it growing along your backyard fence, or next to a stagnant pool of parking lot rainwater runoff? We have been told since we were young that we are what we eat and the same holds true for every organism. Plants not only absorb nutrients from the soil that they grow in, but they also absorb other chemicals which are present near their root structures. Steer clear of plants growing in potentially toxic environments or which may have been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. If it looks unhealthy, it most likely is.
If, for any reason, you ingest or touch something poisonous, spit out what you can or wash the skin with soapy water, take a few sips of water and contact medical personnel immediately. Trying to induce vomiting can make matters worse because the acid in your stomach could expose the delicate tissue in your esophagus to the poison. Trying to experiment with foraging in a location where help is not easily reached could make for a dire situation if you become poisoned. No matter how hungry you may be, you must find the discipline to take your time and ensure you are not eating something potentially fatal.
Above: Nobody likes feeling sick, and foraging can lead to even worse end results. It's best to learn from someone who is experienced in harvesting the wild edibles in the area you are interested in.
All this talk about danger and poisoning may have cast a dark cloud on the idea of foraging, so let’s clear it up a bit. Being able to forage for food is like donning an armor of confidence. Whether your car breaks down somewhere remote, you get lost on a hike or you must bug out to somewhere safe, you won’t feel distraught about how much food you packed or where your next meal will come from. Not to mention, there are some delicious wild foods out there just waiting for you to enjoy. Some wild foods are even highly sought after by Michelin Star chefs!
What follows is a list of some of the wild edible plants that can be found in every state of the continental United States, as well as many other places in the northern hemisphere. Take some time to review the facts, and you will see how valuable a skill plant identification could be in a survival situation.
Dandelion
Above: Often thought of as a weed, a dandelion is incredibly versatile as a wild edible.
If you have looked up edible plants before, you have probably seen this on every list, and it is for good reason. Dandelion is one of the most abundant and easily recognizable wild edible plants on planet Earth and can be found on almost every continent. A single cup of their raw, distinctive green leaves is packed with nutrients, fiber, carbohydrates, and even a gram or two of protein. Every piece of this plant is useful in some way. Tea from the roots is similarly high in vitamins and antioxidants and is used as an anti-inflammatory. The flowers, while they are yellow are edible and used in tea, and even in making wine. You can find them growing in almost every lawn or crack in the pavement with moist soil below.
Acorns
This wild edible requires the most preparation out of all the others in this list, but it’s worth mentioning because there are hundreds of oak trees in the world, and all their seeds (acorns) are edible. Granted, some are more palatable than others, but if survival is the name of the game, knowing that acorns can be a source of nutrition could make all the difference. Preparing acorns is a little more involved than crushing them in your palm with the bottom of your revolver’s grip a la Rick Grimes in “The Walking Dead”.
Above: Many animals rely on acorns for food, so finding an oak tree may also lead to more hunting or trapping opportunities.
For starters, an easy way to check if they are suitable for consumption is to soak them in a container of water. Those that sink are good to go, while the ones that float may be insect infested or have gone bad and should be discarded. Once you have all the good acorns, you can crack them open with a rock or hammer exposing the inner seed. The next step is the most important. Every raw acorn has bitter tannins that can cause intestinal pain and should not be consumed raw. They need to be boiled until all the tannins have been removed. This may sound like a lot of work at first glance but, considering that the dried seeds can be ground in to flour for baking, its cooking applications make it worth the effort.
As the nuts are boiled, the water will darken as the tannins are leached from the seed. Keep replacing the water until the boiling acorn water remains clear. Some species, such as the Northern Red Oak, will remain bitter no matter how much you boil them, and others will be ready to eat after their first hot water bath. Acorns are high in nutrients and are packed with carbs, more so than the other wild edibles on this list.
Clover
Above: Clovers are easy to identify, and grow in many regions of North America.
Purple flowers, honeybees and St. Patrick’s Day are all iconic of this well-known plant. What is little known by those outside of agriculture is that it is a great source of protein and vitamins, can be eaten raw or cooked and is found nearly anywhere there’s an open patch of grass. Once the plant flowers, the leaves tend to be slightly bitter, but are still edible. The easily recognizable purple flowers have a honey-like sweetness and are sometimes used in salads, cooking recipes or just eaten raw.
Above: Thanks to popular holidays, the distinguishing features of a clover leaf are almost universally recognized.
Thistle
It’s difficult to mistake this species, and you may have even encountered the spiky fortifications of the thistle. This wild edible almost did not make the list because of its prickly defense; however, it’s so abundant and surprisingly edible, that it makes the perfect survival food candidate. Its ability to grow prolifically in harsh conditions is another reason to remember this plant in an emergency. There are many species, they all look similar, and they are all edible. The best time to harvest them is during early summer or early fall when the nutrients are concentrated more in the base of the stem or roots, but it will remain edible throughout the entire growing season.
Above: The flowers of this petal are a little too small to create a meaningful meal, but the roots and leaves will provide a good source of nutrition.
If you come prepared with thick gloves or something to wrap your hands with, and a sharp knife, harvesting a thistle will reward you with a meal that is higher in fiber, protein, and other nutrients. The stems and thick midribs of the leaves can be stripped of their thorns, exposing the pale stalks underneath, and eaten raw or cooked. Since they are a cousin of the artichoke, the unopened petals of particularly large thistle flowers can be prepared and eaten in a similar manner.
Above: Notice the thick midrib of this leaf. Carefully separating the meatiest part from the rest of the leaf will provide a great source of food.
Cattail
Since cattail grows near the edges of fresh water sources, it’s not only a potential food source, but is also an indicator of where potable water might be found. Cattails make the list because it’s so easy to recognize and have been used as a food source for at least 30,000 years. The young shoots are edible, the pollen can be used a flour substitute and the roots are high in carbohydrates.
Above: The brown colored cattails are older, and useful as a source of tinder. The cattails that look yellow are fresh, and the pollen can be used in several forms of wild edible cuisine.
These plants are also just as functional as they are edible. Cordage can be woven from strips of their long leaves, and the leaves themselves can be woven into vessels for carrying things or even made in to mats or furniture. There are a few downsides to this useful plant. They grow exclusively in low-lying wet areas, so if you find yourself in an arid region, you will have to find something else to eat. And a word of caution: cattails are natural filters, and if the water source they are growing next to is polluted, consuming them could make your survival situation worse.
Purslane
Above: Purslane is also drought resistant, making it a great source of nutrition during long dry spells.
Bane to backyard gardeners everywhere, purslane is a succulent that creeps across the soil and threatens to over grow newly planted seeds. Unbeknownst to many is that this plant is not only edible, its delicious raw and has a taste similar to sweet peas. It’s a good source of vitamin A, C, and slew of other nutrients. As it ages and flowers, the taste can become more bitter, but is still edible. It’s a good idea to rinse them off before eating because rainwater can splash soil particles on to the leaves that grow so close to the ground.
Harvesting
Every species on the list, with the exception of thistle, can be harvested with your bare hands. Having a dedicated root knife will your make harvesting efforts less strenuous and will spare your pocketknife from being dulled if you are trying to dig up a stubborn plant. Bringing along a breathable container to keep them in as you harvest would be beneficial, but you can always improvise a vessel should you need one. Your individual scenario will dictate how you collect and consume wild edibles. As with most plants, boiling or blanching them will give you the most nutritional content. If you are wanting to save them for later and you have the ability, drying the plants, either with a dedicated dehydrator or in the sun will preserve your find for months, if not longer.
Above: Not every wild edible plant will be easy to pick like berries or other fruits. Come prepared to deal with thorns and prickles.P hoto by Marlene Leppänen.
Stacking the Odds In Your Favor
Three days have passed while you scuttled unseen from one abandoned apartment to the next. Every cupboard and pantry have long since been ransacked by those who came before you. But despite the potentially bleak circumstances and the occasional stomach growls, you feel like you have enough energy to continue on your journey. The edible plants you forage as you make your way out of the city have enough water content to keep you hydrated, carbohydrates to keep you energized and vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. While others grow desperate or give up, you and your loved ones confidently make your way to your destination, all thanks to a little foraging knowledge.
Above: Learning about what wild foods can be harvested for sustenance before a disaster strike will boost confidence and keep morale up for you and your loved ones. Photo by Michael Burrows.
When you watch a blacksmith performing their work, what thoughts or emotions cross your mind? I’ll never forget when I first witnessed a blacksmith at a trade show creating a single iron link for a chain. Outside the sun shone brightly, but beneath the roof of his forge, it was dark enough to see the soft orange glow of the searing hot metal being pounded into shape. There was something mesmerizing about the smiths' focus as each hammer strike guided the link into its final form, and something oddly satisfying about the hiss of steam as the quench cooled the piece into permanence. I spent a long time after that wondering how I might try my hand the craft and considered the challenges I might face if I ever decided to build my own forge. These days it is a hobby only relatively few get invested it, as forging has become replaced by CAD, 3D printing and CNC machines that can pump out products in a fraction of the time of what a single human could possibly hope to produce manually.
Above: An anvil an a hammer are two important blacksmithing tools. But you don't have to break the bank to find them.
Shows on various television networks have rekindled an interest in hobby forging, and thanks to the internet, there are no shortage of tutorials and demonstrations. There are plenty of opinions on how to get started and what tools to have available, so for someone new to the idea of becoming a hobby blacksmith, starting can be detrimentally overwhelming. That need not be the case, as you will see further on. It is a particularly useful skill to learn and well worth the effort, especially in the times we are living in now. Knowing how to shape metal could not only be a matter of survival, but it could be a source of potential income, a skill to barter with and a practice that can bring family, friends and neighbors together. After much trial and error, I have condensed my experience into easy to follow steps that will not break the bank.
Choosing the Right Location
Creating fire is one of mankind’s greatest inventions and without it we would have never hardened spear tips, baked bread or created engines to drive cars. Unfortunately, its ability to create is only equaled by its capacity to destroy and any time fire is being used, it needs to be treated with the utmost respect. Therefore, the first thing you must consider before trying to heat your first piece of iron is where you can do it safely. Even the most simplistic forge designs can reach temperatures in excess of 2,800F and anything combustible that gets anywhere near will go up in flames. If having a metal ventilation hood is out of the question, realize that anything directly above the forge may melt or become singed. When I made my first forge, I had located it at the entrance of my garage. It wasn’t until I was well in to my first blacksmithing experiment that I noticed the rubber seal at the bottom of my raised garage door was hanging limply and had melted in several places.
Locations outside and well away from any residence are preferred. The middle of a driveway, or even a designated backyard fire pit—away from your neighbors’ fence or any low hanging tree limbs—are good places for starting out. Keep in mind, the set up I am describing is just to whet your appetite for blacksmithing and see if it is something you want to invest in further, not for creating custom swords or elaborate works of art. That being said, it would be excellent neighborly etiquette to tell the people next door or across the street what you are getting involved with. This way you can avoid having the fire department called on you, or receiving a visit from the police for making too much noise. At a minimum, any forging activities should be done at a time when most people will not be disturbed from the pounding of a hammer. I would strongly recommend avoiding placing a forge on a balcony, the risk of a forge tipping and spilling hot coals on an unsuspecting pedestrian below is too great.
Above: Keeping the forge based on a substance that can't burn, at least twice the distance in its height away from structures or flammable objects, and out in the open if it cannot be ventilated, may keep your house from burning down.
Building the Forge
Just to review the very basics of survival knowledge, every fire needs three elements: oxygen, a source of fuel and a spark. A forge is simply a vessel to contain and manipulate these elements to your will. Some people have used a very simple technique that involves stacking two rows of bricks side-by-side, filling the gap in-between with their fuel source. But even stacking some fist-sized rocks in a similar fashion would do the trick. Avoid using something like a small charcoal grill or a raised metal fire pit. You will be surprised how hot the flames will become and if you are not careful, they could even burn a hole through thin steel! In ancient times, the walls of some forges were made with clay, a very porous substance that disperses heat surprisingly well. The point here is that you do not need to invest in a professional forge created by a company to get started. And the beauty of starting small and simple is that if you decide it’s not the skill for you, you haven’t invested a small fortune in supplies.
Like any craft or hobby, the amount you can spend is limitless, but I found an efficient way to create a forge that should cost less than $30. If you have access to a scrap yard, then you have access to the cliché novice blacksmiths beginner forge: the brake drum. The gentleman whose scrap yard I perused let me have a rusty pickup truck brake drum free of charge when I told him what I wanted one for, and it was more than enough for several years of tinkering. But having a vessel to set coals on fire is only the first step. Next you need away to feed those hot coals oxygen, and the faster and harder you can feed it, better.
Above: This tractor-trailer brake drum has been modified with angular grooves to allow longer metal stock to be heated along its length, and has a simple sink strainer to keep coals from falling into the tuyere.
If you have ever been next to a campfire on a gusty night, or fanned the briquettes in your grill, then you have witnessed the effects of forcing oxygen into flame. For a moment the flames become stronger and the temperature rises. You need to devise a way to sustain that airflow to get the coals to forging temperatures. Old time blacksmiths used canvas, leather or wood-valve bellows to pump air manually. They would carefully observe the coals color and flames, and regulated the heat, while simultaneously working on the piece they were crafting. It was a skill that was passed on from master to apprentice and the technique took years to perfect. Now you can pick up a used hair drier from your local thrift store and pump air in with a flick of a button. Some hardline blacksmithing enthusiasts may scoff at the idea of using old appliances, but it is a perfect way to get the job done on the cheap. Even when schools were still teaching blacksmithing, they traded their manual bellows for industrial blowers. I have even seen people use leave blowers for their homespun forge. There is more than one way to set up a forge, so be creative if you do not have access to any of these suggestions.
Above: Due to the heat, and sometimes the occasional falling coal or spark, a thin piece of sheet metal was used to protect the rubber pipe connections and the blower motor.
The next thing to do is get the air into the coals in a controlled way. A brake drum forge does this with a series of pipes connected to the bottom of the brake drum. If you are using this method, make sure that any pieces are not galvanized or stainless steel because the high temperatures will release toxic chemicals. Black steel pipe is the safest way to go if you decide to use this method. The setup is simple: brake drum, pipe flange, a section of straight pipe, a T-Pipe, a section of straight pipe and an end cap. You may have to drill some holes and use some bolts to connect the flange to the brake drum, and a titanium, or more preferably a cobalt drill bit will take care of that in a cinch. The T-Pipe is where you will connect the hair dryer with a piece of stretchy bicycle tubing or a specialized rubber pipe connector. Once you turn on the hair dryer, air is forced through the pipe and up into the brake drum. I used some scrap wood to build a stand for the forge and used some old disk brake rotors to counter the weight on the bottom and make it less tippy, but you can achieve similar results by making the base as wide as it needs in order to stabilize. One final touch is to put a wire screen over the hole in the brake drum, so your coal keeps from tumbling down the pipe. I used a strainer you can buy for your kitchen sink and was surprised to find out that it would not melt, even after multiple uses. You can decide the height, but you should keep it at a comfortable level, so you prevent overextending your reach as you move metal pieces in and out of it.
Above: This flange is bolted to the bottom of a brake drum and connected to the straight pipe that directs airflow to the coals.
There are several options for fuel, and it is even possible to make your own if you have the desire. For now, we are dealing exclusively with coal as setting up a propane forge is much different, more expensive and potentially more dangerous if you make a mistake. Coal comes in two flavors, wood coal or mineral coal. Mineral coal—sometimes labeled “bituminous coal”—is mined from the ground and can be bought from stores that offer stoves as a home heating source. It burns with little to no smoke and burns for a longer period of time. Wood coal is made by super-heating chunks of wood without oxygen, carbonizing them into those easily recognizable chunks we sometimes grill our food over. If you cannot find pure wood coal, charcoal briquettes will work. Either options are completely fine, although mineral coal is somewhat trickier to get started and wood coal is smokier, so you may have to choose what you are using based on your individual circumstances. Because I still like to work from my garage, I use mineral coal to keep from getting smoked out. I light my mineral coal by burning a small pile of charcoal briquettes in the middle just to get the sustained heat needed to get it going, and turning on the blower to expedite the process.
Above: Using charcoal briquettes (seen lying in the middle) are an easy way to get the mineral coal started.
The Anvil
An anvil is more than just the heavy thing mischievous coyotes drop on quick witted birds, it is a critical tool that is vital to shaping metal. Professional anvils are quite pricey, so many beginner blacksmiths find a chunk of railroad tie useful. These are not always easy to acquire, as railroad ties are tightly controlled and restricted. The perfect scenario is to find a piece of railroad tie 8 to 12 inches long from a scrap yard, but as hobby blacksmithing becomes more popular, so too does the scarcity of discarded railroad tie. If it is impossible to come by and you just need something to beat metal against, a dense brick or rock will do the trick, but you will find yourself replacing it frequently as high heat and the impact of hammering will eventually break it. For a more permanent set up, you will want an anvil stand to hold the top of your anvil at approximately the same height as your arm resting at your side. I used random scrap wood to build mine and had to widen the base several times when I discovered hammer blows caused the stand to wobble precariously.
Above: This small chunk of railroad tie makes for a convenient anvil, but any block of solid metal will do the trick in a pinch.
Blacksmithing Tools and Materials
After getting the forge and anvil together, you are going to be eager to get started but there are a few tool necessities that cannot be overlooked. Before you can start pulling hot metal out of your forge you will want some kind of tongs to grab it with. I started with a pair of channel locks to grab the iron, and in my personal experience, the longer the handle, the better. For small pieces, even a pair of pliers will work, but the need to work with higher temperatures is the reason one of my first blacksmithing endeavors was to forge some blacksmithing tongs. You will also need something to shape the metal against the anvil with. Any hammer will be useful, but something that weighs between 2 to 4 pounds is the best way to go. The heavier the hammer, the less force you will have to put into your blows. Swinging a hammer down hard will quickly wear you out and the shock of the blow may even cause joint distress in your elbow and wrist. For this reason, most blacksmiths let gravity pull the weight of the hammer down to do the work for them, putting most of their effort into raising the hammer. There are many tutorials of basic blacksmithing techniques on the internet that are well worth the effort of practicing.
Above: The bare minimum safety equipment. It is also a great idea to find a leather apron, steel-toed boots or shoes, and to wear non-synthetic clothing. The high temperatures will melt synthetic fabric to your skin.
Lastly, you will need something to heat up and work into something useful, like a knife or a tool. For starting out, I recommend finding some iron rebar, which you can also find at a scrap yard or even waste from a local construction project. Don’t worry if its rusty, it will all get pounded off as you work the metal. Any rebar from ¼ to ½ inch is best, and if the pieces are too long, you can cut them to more manageable sizes with a hack saw or angle grinder. If blacksmithing is something you want to get more serious about, there is plenty of information about different types of metal and their properties, as well as what techniques are best for working with them. Do not worry about any of that for now, just get your forge fired up, put the metal piece in the coals and when its glowing hot, pick it out with the tongs and start hammering away!
Safety and Learning Resources
Like I mentioned earlier, working with fire and hot metal is inherently dangerous. Keep children away and always be mindful of the heat. Metal can reach temperatures of 900F before it even begins to glow a faint dark red, which is several times hotter than the self-clean mode on your oven! A good rule of thumb is to always assume metal is hot and treat it as such. When metal increases in temperature, hitting it can cause sparks to fly, and for this reason, a pair of safety glasses is highly recommended. Avoid wearing clothing that is made out of synthetic fibers that will melt to your skin when something hot touches them. Most blacksmiths wear exclusively cotton clothing and most wear a leather apron or even steel toed boots. Having a bucket of sand to smother the coals should a flare up occur and a fire extinguisher nearby are both recommended precautions. Blacksmithing is a fun and rewarding skill to learn but taking safety seriously cannot be understated.
Above: If not carefully monitored, these coals can easily become hot enough to melt steel.
As you progress on your blacksmithing journey, you will want to learn how to do more than just heat metal and pound on it. Thankfully there is an almost unlimited supply of lessons and tutorials available for free online. Because blacksmithing is an ancient skill, doing an online search in the Library of Congress will yield fun and interesting results. There are also many phenomenal vloggers to inspire you and show you techniques. Ultimately, the best way to learn is by finding a practicing blacksmith in person to learn from and mentor you as you progress. One of the challenges of teaching yourself is that you will develop bad habits that a master blacksmith can show you how to avoid.
Above: This knife was forged from a chunk of rebar using the brake drum forge and train track anvil.
Most importantly, do not be overwhelmed with the amount of ideas and opinions of how to get started, and just start. You will learn as you go and improve as you learn. My oldest daughter and I created a simple knife just by messing around with some rebar one evening. Granted, it’s not perfect, but it will spread butter, and we were both able to learn knew skills in the process. As your proficiency increases, you will find comfort in knowing that if you needed something forged from metal, be it weapon, tool or hardware, you would have the skill set to do so. There is always something both satisfying and rewarding about working with your hands, to step away from the digital noise that often drowns our lives and focus our attention on something we are creating. Blacksmithing may be one of humanities greatest achievements, and practicing the craft is demonstrative of how we were able to control every element—water, wind, earth and fire—to improve every aspect of our lives.
Scenario 1: It’s 6:10 in the AM. The city you live in, which happens to be below sea level, is assailed by torrential rain and sustained winds of up to 140 mph. Sea surge of nearly 30 feet quickly overwhelms the levies and entire neighborhoods are swallowed by water. Whether you moved to safety beforehand, or decided to stay, it will take at least two more weeks before utilities are fully restored.
Above: Water can rise alarmingly quick during heavy precipitation, especially in low lying areas. Photo taken by Syed Qaarif Andrabi.
Scenario 2: It’s 1:25 in the AM. Awoken by the sudden absence of the electric hum that pervades everyday life, you look around the darkness confused. Temperatures have dropped over 40 degrees below normal for this time of year, and an overtaxed energy grid has forced rolling brownouts. Unpredictable winter weather is on the rise, and getting worse. On top of the life-threatening risk of cold exposure, it will be another nine days before all roads are fully passable.
Above: Heavy snowfall can block roads, take down power lines, and cause people to take risks they may not have otherwise. Photo by Maria Orlova.
Scenario 3: It’s 4:17 in the AM. Without warning, normal everyday life is violently upended as seismic upheaval destroys entire cities and kills tens of thousands in a matter of minutes. Maybe you were fortunate enough to be in a building constructed to code, or maybe you were far enough away from the epicenter to be spared the worst. Either way, it is going to be a long time for life to resemble what it once did.
Above: Infrastructure not built to withstand the energy of a powerful earthquake can crumble, killing and injuring any who are inside or nearby. Photo take by Aksel Anıl.
All of the scenarios above have something in common, other than the fact each occurred uncomfortable early in the morning. When disasters strike, the things we most commonly rely on disappear, sometimes indefinitely. Having a reliable source of fuel and a method of transportation is a fairly recent amenity that is often overlooked until we reach for it… and it's not there. For most, storing large quantities of gasoline, or having a partially submersible overlanding vehicle is an impractical prep, but there are alternatives. One such alternative is the eBike.
eBike History
eBikes have been around a lot longer than most people realize. The first patents for hand-cranked, three-wheeled bikes without any pedals were seen in France way back in the 1880’s. But due to the financial influence of big players in the oil market, battery powered bikes remained in obscurity until over 100 years later. Which may be for the best. Old models were obscenely bulky, and lead-acid batteries large enough to move an adult were cumbersome behemoths.
As lithium-ion technology hit the market and improved the use of hand held electronics, the eBike’s practicality also received a much needed boost. Smart batteries and decreasing costs of computer components spurred more innovative eBike designs. These days, an affordable eBike can travel at ranges up to 200 miles on a single charge. Throw in pedal assist, and eBike can go as far as the endurance of the human who rides it. All this without the expense, weight or emissions of cars or trucks powered by fossil fuels.
Above: Before riding a motorized vehicle, such as eBike, it is important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and make sure the functions of the bike are working properly.
Many people use ebikes to make inner-city commutes easier and less costly. For someone in a fair weather climate, using an ebike eliminates fuel expenses, reduces insurance premiums, and where gridlock occurs, it drastically cuts down on commute times. Many newer models are even powerful enough to tow small payloads, nudging into the realm of cargo transportation with the right accessories, such as pull behind trailers and cargo racks.
Not everyone is fit enough to spend the day biking around on trails. This includes the elderly, and the physically disabled. With an eBike, the effort needed to enjoy a leisurely excursion is limited only by being able to maintain balance, and battery life. Using an ebike to get around scenic and tourist locals eliminates the need to pay for more expensive options and reduces physical exhaustion. Someone suffering from joint pain, or a leg injury can still enjoy getting around in the open air without having to torment themselves. Lightly pedaling, but letting the electric motor do most of the work, could be a great starting point for someone out of shape to build themselves up without risking injury or cardiovascular complications.
Above: Going for a ride on a smoother trail or road before taking on more challenging terrain is a great way to test the brakes and make sure the electronic motor is operating the way it should.
Many upsides to eBikes exist, but what about in an emergency situation or survival scenario? Being able to move quickly while quietly, and with little effort would be a boon when heading to a bugout location. It attracts less attention than a vehicle and is much more expedient than traveling on foot. An ebike fits into tighter spaces, making narrow alley’s and pedestrian walkways that a car or truck would never fit into, easily accessible routes. Some models are capable of off road travel, furthering versatility, especially when making the urban/rural transition. To find out if an eBike is truly up to the worst calamities Mother Nature–or human nature–can throw our way, I got my hands on one of the most rugged models out there.
QuietKat – Warrior Specs
QuietKat is a company that leads the way for offroading eBikes. Right out of the box, the Warrior model is an impressive specimen. Weighing in at 70lbs, 10 of which are the battery, it is readily apparent that it was built to take a beating. 26” x 4.5” All-Terrain fat tires, an adjustable coil suspension fork, and Tektro mechanical disk brakes are designed to get off the streets and do some major offroading. Several different modes allow the user to adjust the efficiency of the 5-speed motor, and it can easily reach speeds over 20 mph depending on which battery type is included. The Warrior has a load capacity of 325 lbs, a cargo shelf that can carry up to 100lbs, and is capable of towing.
Above: The portable solar charger is weather resistant and folds into a compact size, making it easier to store in a pack.
In addition to all the techno wizardry and performance design, there are a ton of accessories that make this brand stand out from the crowd, specifically the Comfort, Overlander’s, Angler’s and Hunter’s Kits. These include numerous cargo options, seat enhancements and even an all-terrain cargo trailer for pulling game out of the woods, or supplies into it. The model I’m using is a combination of the Comfort and Overlander kits, and includes a portable solar charging station. Eager to push it to its limits and see what it’s capable of, I fully charged the warrior via its conventional 110v AC charging cable, and identified a few unique locations to run it through its paces.
Terrain Performance
Before I started throwing the eBike into challenging situations, I wanted to warm up with it on the paved roads near my house, and I’m glad that I did. If you’re like me, you might be thinking, “I know how to ride a bike, how different can it be?” Well let me tell you, there is a dramatic difference. Almost as soon as you begin pedaling, the electric motor kicks in, giving an instant speed boost. Depending on what setting you pre-programmed, this automatic motor engagement will launch you forward without much effort. If you’ve ever driven a dirt bike, or motorcycle, then you know how intertwined balance and momentum can be. 70 lbs might not sound like a lot, but it makes a huge difference when compared to a traditional 12-speed mountain bike. Fortunately the bike-riding fundamentals are largely the same, and before long I was zipping down the roads, already impressed by how much of a boost I could get with the motor. After familiarizing myself with the mechanics and the digital settings, I was comfortable ramping things up to the next level.
Above: The motor assisted pedaling is surprisingly effective, and it makes traversing town roads practically effortless.
On well established gravel or paved roads, an eBike seems more moped than bike. Pedals are useful, and using them will significantly boost your speed and your mileage, but you’re not putting much effort into it once the motor engages. On both gravel and pavement, I was able to max out my speed in the 25 to 30 mph range. The bike could easily keep up with in-town traffic. Going up inclines is also surprisingly easy. When the motor kicks in, minimal effort is required, even on inclines as steep as 20 degrees.
Above: Even steep roads are easily driven with an eBike's motor helping the rider.
My first offroad location was a remote camping site with rooted and rutted trails surrounding a boreal lake. To compensate for the unpredictable terrain, I loosened the suspension, and soon I was floating over downed tree branches and larger holes. This was actually surprising to me, since my only off road biking experience told me that I would be in for a bumpier ride. I was pleasantly surprised how easily I could get around, both on the trails, and even through undeveloped forest floor. Although I will warn that deciding to go off the trail means taking it slow. Being loaded down with gear adds a lot of extra weight, and the eBike the size of the Warrior is not as nimble as its non-motorized cousins. This makes tipping over easy if a corner is cut too sharply, or balance is lost trying to make it over a larger obstacle.
Above: Off the trail, the right eBike makes traveling through open wilderness an easy task.
Which leads me to what I consider one of its more challenging tests: deep mud. The land surrounding the lake is filled with swamps and bogs. With the ground so saturated, it is easy to step up to find knee-high mud, or deeper in some places. In this scenario, fat tires make all the difference in the world, especially when the air is let out a little ways. What I found was that by determining where the mud meets dry land, and traversing the mud in a straight line to that point, I could make it to the other side 9 times out of 10. The deeper the mud, the more speed and momentum is needed to get across. Trying to make gradual turns typically lead to wiping out, so good balance and maintaining straight-line momentum is crucial in this situation. Even so, with the combined weight of myself, my gear, and the bike, I was able to get across large mud patches without worrying too much about falling over into the goop.
Above: Sharp turns should be avoided when traveling through deep mud. Turning too quickly causes the tires to brake in the same way a hockey player turns sideways on ice to skid to a stop.
If mud is wet and goopy, the opposite condition has got to be what people often refer to as “sugar sand”. Maybe you’ve had the unfortunate experience of trying to drive your vehicle near a beach, or through sand dunes, only to discover that loose sand has next to non-existent traction. Well that's just the terrain type for the next location. Generally, the 70lb Warrior does very well over this type of terrain. Like driving through deep mud, the best results require letting some air out of the tires. After doing so this bike was zipping down a sandy Lake Superior beach with minimal effort. Balance and momentum were easier to maintain compared to wet mud and the bike was able to make sharper turns more easily as well. The only task it could not perform was going up a steep dune with a rider on the bike. Once the bike was moving up the sandy terrain at a steep angle, the tire dug into the sand and stalled. Regardless of whether it was a weight issue, or the riders-skill, if I wanted to get to the top of the dune, I needed to get off, and engage the motor for assistance as I walked it the rest of the way.
Above: The combined weight of rider and eBike proved too much to make it over steep dunes. Traveling over sugar sand was similar to deep mud.
Shallow water crossings were a breeze and did not negatively affect the performance. Water at the crossing site I tested was flowing steadily from an inland river to the lake. The bottom was lined with muddy silt, and various sizes of rocks. The weight of the bike helped keep it upright against the force of the moving water, and once again those fat tires proved their worth in this situation with much needed traction. This wouldn’t be the ideal way to cross water deeper than the tires are high, or in areas with a more forceful flow rate, but the Warrior would work great at sites that have been assessed as relatively safe. It was great to see how waterproof the components of the bike were, and being submerged did not cause the motor or the battery to malfunction.
Above: Doing a quick reconnaissance is important before attempting to cross moving water to avoid falling over any underwater ledges, hitting any large rocks, or getting stopped by underwater logs.
Snow and ice have similar properties to mud and sand, and the eBike traverses them as such. Going through deep fresh powder is more challenging than dense snow pack or ice, but it will make it through. Moving in straight lines is more important in powder and on ice, but a dense snowpack is almost like moving over asphalt. Traveling fast through cold air requires additional layers to prevent cold weather injuries, but the added bulk didn’t get in the way of the pedals or chain. I did notice a slight decrease in battery longevity in colder weather, but the rate the battery drained was not alarmingly fast. Recharging times seemed pretty close in both cold and warmer conditions, with the solar panels and with the AC adapter. It took about 6 hours, give or take, to get the battery from completely drained back to fully charged.
Observed Pros and Cons
Being much lighter and smaller than a vehicle makes an eBike a great option for travel and mobility. However, eBikes are heavier than motorless bikes, and not everyone is capable of swinging 40 to 70 pounds around when needed. Moving 70lbs of anything can be challenging if you’re out of shape, or by yourself. That being said, the bike would be relatively easy to deploy from an apartment, a garage or from the rack of a vehicle. An eBike does not emit loud engine noises or exhaust fumes, which attracts less attention, and allows the rider to have better situational awareness. Not having to rely on fossil fuels, and being able to charge with solar panels would be a huge advantage in a situation where utilities and gas stations are shut down.
Above: While not as light an agile as a non-motorized mountain bike, eBikes take significantly less effort and can go many places mountain bikes cannot.
Sure, they are not as large as a sedan, but eBikes instantly stand out to anyone paying attention because they have features not seen on their motorless counterparts.. A model like the QuietKat Warrior looks more bulky and aggressive, and tends to draw even more eyes. The flip side of this is that a bike has a lower profile and less bulk than a car or truck, making it a smaller target, and increasing agility.
Mechanical problems could be problematic in an emergency situation. If the motor malfunctions, it is not as easy to repair as a motorless bike would be, and finding or ordering parts may not be an option. We have all experienced the effects of a disrupted supply chain, and those issues would be exacerbated in a disaster area. Other than keeping the bike maintained, having a fully charged battery could prove difficult as well. After the battery runs out of energy, the rider must pedal the extra weight until they are able to charge it again. Without working utilities, solar panels, or enough sunlight, long periods of time could pass between being able to recharge it again.
Above: Embarking off the beaten path on a bike that can go where others can't is great way to discover new areas with minimal effort.
As far as usefulness in an emergency or survival situation goes, eBikes capable of offroading would be invaluable. Before running the Warrior through various terrain, I was skeptical it would perform as well as it did. But modern eBikes are more powerful and versatile than ever before, and well worth considering as a transportation or mobility alternative, in addition to other preps. Practicing with it, knowing how to repair or maintain it, and having some back up parts could make the eBike a tool that can outlast an extended crisis period. Having a reliable method of grid-down mobility would absolutely help in each of the scenarios we considered in the beginning.
Final Thoughts
Will an eBike be a help or a hindrance? The answer to almost every survival question is, “It depends.” An ebike in a survival scenario becomes a tool for the user to prolong life and the lives of others. Like any other tool, it comes down to personal familiarity and practice using it. Scissors are a hazard in the hands of the careless, but when wielded deftly by a practiced user, can turn a hedge into a dolphin. Being able to expertly maneuver an eBike over difficult terrain in an emergency is no different.
In a situation where cars and trucks are inoperable, or incapable of being used, eBikes may be the next best thing. A friend or family member may need medicine or supplies quickly. Someone may need to be transported to a medical treatment facility. Or you may need to get out of dodge as quickly and quietly as possible. Having a bike’s power amplified by a silent electric motor could make all the difference in the world.
If you've ever carried a firearm in an outside-the-waistband holster, especially on a law enforcement duty belt, Safariland is undoubtedly a name you're familiar with. The company, established in 1964, has become the industry standard for retention holsters. However, their options for concealed carry holsters have been somewhat lacking — a fact they'll openly admit. Safariland's Product Manager David Higginbotham said bluntly that taking a Safariland outside-the-waistband duty holster and making it into an inside-the-waistband design is “a garbage idea,” since OWB retention holsters do not translate to IWB everyday carry. The company needed a different approach. So, in order to capture a bigger segment of the civilian concealed carry holster market, Safariland partnered with someone who has considerable experience in that field: Travis Haley of Haley Strategic Partners (HSP). Together, HSP and Safariland developed the new INCOG X holster, which will begin shipping on July 14th.
Ten Years in the Making
The original HSP INCOG was conceptualized in 2011. At that time, Travis Haley wanted an appendix inside-the-waistband (AIWB) holster with an attached magazine caddy — a format that has become commonplace today, but was substantially less so back then. He began experimenting with some sheets of Kydex, foam, and a toaster oven. The resulting design became the original HSP INCOG holster, which was manufactured by G-Code for roughly 10 years. In 2022, Haley began thinking about updating the holster design, and after a conversation with acquaintances at Safariland, decided to partner with them for this tenth-anniversary redesign. It's aptly called the INCOG X after the Roman numeral.
INCOG X Features & Options
The new HSP / Safariland INCOG X is constructed from thermoformed Boltaron polymer, finished with an outer layer of microfiber suede for added comfort. It features re-engineered clips, one of which includes an integrated concealment strut. The strut comes with three modular, snap-in spacers to fine-tune the angle of the gun's grip against the user's body and reduce printing. The optional mag caddy is designed to flex slightly with the user's belt, but it does so based on the stiffness of the Boltaron material, not an additional hinge or elastic. This, along with the use of minimal hardware (4 clip screws plus 2 for tension adjustment), is designed to eliminate as many points of failure as possible. Many of us have had holster screws work their way loose over time, so Haley's logic is the fewer to check, the better.
For users who prefer different clips, Safariland noted that the clip screw spacing allows for installation of various aftermarket options.
Knowing that many users carry pistols with red dot sights and compensators, the INCOG X comes standard with breathing room for these accessories. Light-bearing and non-light-bearing options will be available, with the former intended for compact, EDC-friendly lights such as the Streamlight TLR-7. The holster comes in HSP's signature grey with black and red accents. At launch, 16 models will be available to cover the following platforms:
Glock 17/19
Glock 43/48
SIG P320
SIG P365
Above: My custom Glock 45 fit the INCOG X like a glove, along with its TLR-7A light and Holosun 509T optic. In this photo, it's also equipped with a new Nelson Precision trigger shoe.
Each holster will be available with or without space for a weapon light, and with or without an attached mag caddy. A Safariland rep mentioned that other pistol applications are being considered for the future, including Walther, H&K, and Staccato, but those may not be available until 2024. MSRP will be $120 with the mag caddy or $90 for variants without it.
For the launch of the INCOG X, Travis Haley invited a small group of media members to his training facility in Scottsdale, AZ. As mentioned in our previous article about the Haley Strategic D7 course, this facility has a multi-million-dollar VirTra shooting simulator that can be used with gas-blowback training guns. After taking a look at the INCOG X holsters, we put them on and stepped in front of the projector screen to warm up on some virtual paper and steel plates.
After spending the morning doing concealment drills in front of the single-screen VirTra sim, we moved on to the wraparound VirTra 300. Inside this immersive environment, we experienced a variety of scenarios, starting with our CO2-powered Glocks concealed in our INCOG X holsters. The VirTra system isn't just pre-programmed for one outcome, it's operated by an instructor who can send you on branching paths and cause armed assailants to react differently each time, so we had to put ourselves in Haley's “thinkers before shooters” mindset and react dynamically to threats.
Since I've spent time in the sim before, I was given a challenging scenario involving a gunfight with two shooters who both had AR-15s and body armor. Other attendees faced scenarios ranging from an ATM mugging to a home invasion to a shooting inside a crowded movie theater.
I'm looking forward to spending more time wearing and training with the new INCOG X to see how it compares to my other favorite EDC holsters. For more information on this holster, keep an eye on HaleyStrategic.com and Safariland.com as we approach the June 14th official launch date.
