Bag Drop: The Austere Environment Backpack

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Working in an austere environment brings with it a unique set of challenges when it comes to packing and maintaining a sustainment backpack that allows one to be independent and successful. The bag I’ll be describing is a culmination of three separate trips to Syria with a relief group that focuses on casualty and humanitarian needs in conflict zones throughout the world. In order to support our team and our mission, I spent a good amount of time working out of my bag, and thus it was a very important addition to my gear selection.

Because we were vehicle-mounted, we had the liberty of bringing more personal items in a larger duffel-sized bag as well. But I needed something that would sustain me throughout varying weather conditions, in the front seat of our vehicles while on the road, and could be used to quickly bed down for the night. Due to the ever-changing circumstances of our relief work, sometimes we stayed in a single location for weeks, other times we were moving on a daily basis as needs and requirements fluctuated day to day. One day we could be sleeping in a comfortable hotel in the Syrian town of Qamishli, the next on ground mats in a rural field with our electronics powered by vehicles, power banks, and solar panels. Through much trial and error (which is never-ending), I settled on a combination and balance of items that allowed me to support our team’s work.

Selection

I found an assault pack-sized backpack more useful than a waist-mounted or even a ruck option better for working in Syria for a number of reasons. An assault pack can be kept up front in a driver seat; it can be slung over the headrest out of the way; if you have to walk a long distance or transit via other vehicles, you can sustain yourself well. In the event that you need to fill it with mission-essential equipment (such as medical supplies and communications gear), it can support that aspect of a mission for an entire day or more.

Due to the nature of the threats abroad, a small measure of mitigating being targeted comes with maintaining a low profile. I often see products in the tactical gear world that bill themselves as low-profile/low-visibility but realistically fall short. If a bit of kit is Coyote tan or has some sort of MOLLE panel or Velcro sections, it screams tactical to even the most casual observer and will certainly raise eyebrows from those willing to do harm.

Mountainsmith Approach 25 Daypack

MSRP
$90 — This pack has been discontinued, but the Clear Creek 25 offers similar features and pricing.

URL
mountainsmith.com

Contents

I made sure to always keep certain contents of the pack with it, while others would be constantly switched out depending on the mission tempo and daily rhythm of our team. Depending on the weather conditions and seasons, sometimes it’d include warming layers and appropriate jackets.

A very important note to be made here is the necessity of electronics and their accessories. Some of our most essential tasks depended on the ability to communicate, edit reports, power our phones, and top off our headlamps with rechargeable batteries. Even without a cellular connection, phones can be incredibly useful tools in an austere environment. Taking photographs of casualties, navigating offline with MapsMe, and sending documents and reports to team members in the field via a Bluetooth connection were all critical tasks that our phones permitted. In order to support these, I always carried the following cables: MicroUSB, Apple Lightning, USB-C, and a 12V power port cable. On top of these electronics was a Goal Zero power bank that can support AC outlet charging or be hooked up to a solar panel, in addition to a smaller Goal Zero power bank to recharge my headlamp. Finally, I have my laptop (with hard case) and a Sandisk 2-Terabyte Solid State Drive — possibly one of the smallest on the commercial market that won’t break a typical budget.

Other staple items were my first-aid kit (TQ, gauze, bandages, latex gloves), local scarf (can be used to cover face, hide sensitive items, clean or dry equipment, or function as a ground mat), flip-flops, international power adapter, pens, extra pair of socks, oral hygiene gear, raincoat, boonie hat, and textured gloves. During colder seasons, I made sure to pack a lightweight jacket and a beanie. If the weather got even worse I could put in thinner warming layers as well.

Closing Thoughts

The bag I chose and the items I packed in it were the result of constant trial and error over several mission trips, realizing what was truly important and what wasn’t. But all of this could change overnight if I find a deficiency that needs to be fixed. More important than any of these items is an ability to always be thinking and finding a better way, realizing that there’s usually no single solution to dynamic mission requirements that’ll last. That’s how we can get channeled into poor gear selection and is something we need to be considering when working in an austere environment.

RECOIL Live: How COVID-19 is Affecting the Gun Industry

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If you've had any involvement with a gun store in the last few weeks, whether you were shopping online for ammo or buying something at a physical storefront, you've certainly noticed that things are rather hectic at the moment. Concerns related to the coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID-19, have led people throughout the United States to stock up on supplies — that includes guns and ammunition. There has also been a wave of first-time buyers seeking tools to defend themselves and their families during these uncertain times. The resulting situation led the RECOIL team to gather a panel of four experts to discuss how COVID-19 is affecting the gun industry.

The gun industry panel was hosted by RECOIL editor Iain Harrison, and consisted of the following four guests:

  • Tom Taylor: CMO & EVP Sales, SIG SAUER
  • Dan Brokos: Tactical Instructor & Owner, Lead Faucet Tactical
  • Ryan Repp: Director of Content and Communications, Brownells, Inc.
  • Jason Hornady: Vice President, Hornady

Topics of discussion included sales trends, product availability, and carry gun recommendations for new owners. Jason Hornady likened the overall situation to “locusts hitting a cornfield,” and said that despite having seen similar rushes throughout his career, purchases as a result of the COVID-19 situation grew at an especially surprising rate. Taylor said that SIG sold more ammo in the month of March than it did in all of 2019. It's hard to predict when things will get back to normal at gun stores, but it may not be any time soon.

Check out the full video stream using the RECOILtv player above. More OFFGRID and RECOIL Live videos are in the works, so stay tuned here and on RECOILweb for future panel discussions and Q&A sessions.

Book Review: “On Combat” by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman

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The Premise: Lt. Col. David Grossman followed up his best-selling book, On Killing, with On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace. We consider this to be the second part of Grossman’s Killology Opus, and this one is definitely more focused on individuals ready to perform, cope, and survive in combat. It also applies to survival on the streets of a large city as a police officer, an armed citizen, or more importantly, someone who has lived through a deadly encounter. For this book, Grossman partnered with Loren Christensen, a former policeman, martial-arts expert, and author.

On Combat is full of experiences relayed to the authors by combat veterans and police officers who have survived deadly encounters. The latter is probably more relevant to the armed citizen who is looking to defend his or herself and family, particularly if the reader has no professional background in either of these areas.

The guidance contained within On Combat should give the reader a greater understanding of what to expect after a violent confrontation when the aggressor is defeated. The hidden aspects of combat and its effects are explored. Whether it is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress inoculation, or the “Mark of Cain” perception, whereby the warrior feels society views him differently because he has killed another human being.

The 411: At times the prose seems repetitive or even redundant, but after reading the book several times or even going back to read different parts, the reader can see a reason for this.
The book has a therapeutic and reassuring tone as if it was written with an underlying theme of comforting a person who has gone through that trauma and feels scarred to the soul. Critics may condemn it for its lack of an academic style, but Grossman and Christensen don’t seem to care if their work is read or criticized by the ivory tower types. They wrote this one for the warriors.

There’s a bit of hyperbole to the writing, and while the categorization of people as wolves, sheep, or sheepdogs is a good basic analogy, in the years since its publication it has become a bit played out and unfortunately very diluted. Many less-qualified individuals are quick to latch onto the analogy, perhaps by taking it too literally.

Not every combat veteran will have experiences that mirror those cited in the text. However, they’ll often see similarities between most of what’s mentioned because, frankly, no two people have the exact same mentality, spirituality, training, psychological makeup, or life experiences. What affects one person greatly may not have any effect on another. As a result, the physiological effects may be completely different.

Some readers believe that On Killing is the better half of Grossman’s Killology Opus. This reviewer disagrees and holds this volume in higher regard as more of a practical application or first-aid kit for the brain.

The Verdict: There’s a unique aspect to this book as it delves into the physiological and psychological changes that a human being goes through in a life-threatening situation. We’ve all heard of the “adrenaline dump” and the “fight or flight” conundrum that comes with it, and Grossman lays it out in all its ugliness.

Like our review of On Killing in Issue 35, we feel this is a book that contains a wealth of good information on the subject at hand and one that can be referenced again and again. It’s an important one to read before the fight, but perhaps more importantly it should be read again after the fight as a sort of coping mechanism.

This book should be required reading not only for the survivors of a deadly encounter, but for the families, spouses, and friends of someone who has gone through that ordeal. Additionally, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and even grief counselors and Veteran’s Administration personnel who deal with the effects that combat can have on a person should become familiar with its contents.

On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace
by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman with Loren W. Christensen

Publisher
Warrior Science Publications; 2nd edition

MSRP
$25 (Amazon)

URL
www.killology.com/publications

Pages
416

Rating
>Thrive
Survive
Die

OFFGRID Library of Recommended Books

Material Matters: Testing Nonmetallic Weapons

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Nonmetallic knives aren’t a new phenomenon. Man’s earliest weapons consisted of pointed staves and sharpened stone, which were quite effective for hunting, skinning, carving, and fighting. Today, nonmetallic weapons have benefitted greatly from durable and lightweight modern materials, making them more accessible and easier to carry and conceal.

Human trafficking is a thriving criminal enterprise in the United States and abroad, making forceful abduction one of the many possible scenarios the modern prepper needs to be ready for. Escaping unlawful custody requires preplanning, training, and the ability to conceal a means of escape and defense. In many cases, discreet, nonmetallic tools may be the only thing one can get past an initial security sweep conducted by a criminal element during this type of incident.

In the aftermath of events like Sept. 11, where box cutters were used to hijack and weaponize commercial aircraft, there has been a legitimate concern over edged weapons that can be smuggled past security checkpoints. Having recognized that fact, we want to be clear that our objective here isn’t to encourage our readers to break the law, but to educate you about the real capabilities of nonmetallic edged weapons. Remember that the bad guys won’t hesitate to disregard laws and carry out attacks in so-called “weapon-free” zones, so it’s wise to be ready to defend yourself, regardless of the time and place.

From left to right: Boker Plus Anti-Grav, Bastion CF Neck Knife, GLG Knifeworks Warcry and Lumber Crayon, Greg Moffatt Knives MG1, ReadyMan CIA Letter Opener, and Cold Steel FGX

To that end, we acquired samples of a few popular nonmetallic edged weapon designs composed of various materials, and established an informal yet realistic testing protocol to measure their performance in several key areas.

Nonmetallic Weapon Testing Protocol

Our testing protocol consisted of three categories: 1) Metallic Signature, 2) Cut and Puncture, and 3) Durability.

For the metal signature test, we used a Super Omni metal detecting wand to scan the test samples. Some of the sheaths contained metal components, so for those samples that included a sheath, we tested them with and without the sheath against the metal detector.

For the cut and puncture testing, we used a large pork rump to provide an organic medium that would closely simulate the bare flesh of a human being. All tools were first tested using a slashing cut against the pork rump covered with a white cotton undershirt, then stabbed into the rump through the T-shirt. The same two tests were again conducted against the meat with the T-shirt removed. A pressure cut, where the edge of the blade was first pressed against the meat then drawn through, was also performed with all the samples that had a cutting edge. Finally, a stab into the meat followed by a withdrawal cut was attempted with each sample.

We understand there are limitations to nonmetallic edged weapons, so to keep the testing within a reasonable level of expectations, our durability testing involved targeting the bone inside the meat, twisting the blade while it was inside, and removing it with a levering action from a 90-degree angle to a 0-degree angle.

Ceramic

Ceramic Boker Plus Anti-Grav

Our ceramic test blade was the Boker Plus Anti-Grav ceramic folder. The Anti-Grav, which is filled with metal screws, a metal pivot pin, and a pocket clip, failed the metal signature test faster than we could open it, making it a poor choice as a deep concealment knife. Conversely, it was the top performer in the other two categories. The razor-sharp blade cut through the T-shirt and deep into the flesh of our test subject on the first slash. It also penetrated cleanly through the T-shirt and through the 7-inch-thick hunk of meat. On the pressure cut test, the blade cut more than halfway through the meat, and almost severed it completely in half during the stab and cutaway. The ceramic material held up well against the bone, but the very tip was broken off when it hit the edge of the metal table holding the target in place during one of the test cuts.

G10

G10 MG1 from Greg Moffatt Knives

Our G10 edged weapon samples consisted of the Greg Moffatt Knives MG1, the GLG Knifeworks G10 Warcry, and the GLG Knifeworks G10 Lumber Crayon. Of the three samples, only one, the MG1, had a cutting edge. The MG1 was surprisingly sharp for G10 and was able to cut through the T-shirt and about an inch into the meat. It performed even better against the bare meat, leaving a substantially deep laceration. The results were equally impressive with the pressure cut.

The blade geometry was less conducive to penetration and was unable to penetrate the T-shirt when stabbed into the meat. Against the bare flesh, it was able to penetrate deep enough to hit the bone, but suffered delamination damage (separation of the bonded layers) at the tip.

The Warcry and Lumber Crayon were stellar performers in the stabbing portions of the testing, both penetrating deeply, even when the T-shirt was present. These two were the only tools tested that didn’t suffer some type of damage to the tip when hitting bone or the hard backstop behind the meat.

All three G10 samples were resilient against the lateral stress generated in the durability test. They also passed undetected under the metal wand, proving that G10 is a good choice for nonpermissive environments. The metal-free Kydex MG1 sheath was the only sheath that passed the metal signature test, making the Moffatt MG1 a front runner in overall performance.

Carbon Fiber

Bastion Carbon Fiber Neck Knife

The compact Bastion Carbon Fiber Neck Knife served as our carbon-fiber test knife. Out of the box, the Bastion CF was second only to the ceramic in sharpness and we expected it to be a performer.

During the sharpness testing, the CF was able to make a small cut through the T-shirt and into the meat. Had the blade been larger, this material would’ve likely performed equal to if not better than the G10. It was the only other composite material that possessed the sharpness to cut through the clothing and into the meat.

Against the bare meat, the CF cut cleanly and deeply. The blade’s shape allowed it to penetrate easily through the T-shirt and through the meat all the way to the bone, but the tip suffered a slight amount of damage from the impact.

The major downside of carbon fiber is its metal signature. Carbon graphite strands form the base of carbon-fiber material, giving it enough magnetic properties to trigger a metal detector. In the case of the Bastion, the Kydex sheath, minus the steel neck chain, was the only part of the rig that didn’t have a metal signature.

Glass-Filled Nylon

In the glass-filled nylon category was the ReadyMan CIA Letter Opener. The Letter Opener was unable to cut through the clothing at all, but had no trouble lacerating the bare meat with both the slash and pressure cut. The thin, double-edged dagger design was able to penetrate the meat and the clothing when thrust into the target. The small serrations on the rear portions of the blade made for a nasty wound, ripping the cotton material and tearing the meat prior to leaving a deep laceration during the cutaway.

The glass-filled nylon held up against the lateral stress of the durability test, however, the blade tip rolled a little when it hit the backstop during the puncture test. It also passed undetected by the metal wand in the metal signature test.

Grivory Polymer (Griv-Ex)

Cold Steel FGX Boot Blade

The Cold Steel FGX Boot Blade was used for our Griv-Ex sample. The FGX may have been the most surprising performer. At first glance, the FGX looks more like a nonlethal training knife than a serious defensive tool, but it yielded some shocking results.

The metal ring through the lanyard hole gave this sample a metal signature. This is the manufacturer’s remedy to keep it legal where such signature is required by law on nonmetallic knives. We removed the ring to keep it consistent with our testing parameters. After doing so, the knife passed the metal signature test.

The FGX was ineffective at cutting through either the T-shirt covered meat or the bare meat when we used the slashing cut. It also failed to pierce the T-shirt during the puncture test, but it penetrated the meat to the guard and took the shirt with it.

What really surprised us was during the pressure cut, the FGX cut deeper and left a larger wound channel than most of the other blades. This was completely unexpected given the complete lack of any noticeable edge sharpness. Like every other edged tool we tested, the FGX experienced damage to the tip when it hit the backstop. The tip bent to a 90-degree angle, and even though it could be straightened, it appeared to be significantly weakened.

Maintenance

For the most part, nonmetallic edged weapons are essentially disposable tools intended for single use. You’re probably not going to pull out your CIA Letter Opener to cut your steak during dinner. It’s a last-ditch defensive option, not designed for everyday use. However, there are some basic things that can be done to sharpen or repair these tools should they become damaged during your daily carry.

Ceramic is a common cutlery material, making it the exception to the single-use rule, however it does behave quite differently than steel and requires special techniques to maintain. Ceramic is almost twice as hard as steel, so many of the abrasives used to sharpen steel knives will not work on ceramic. Diamond stones are the only viable option for sharpening ceramic.
While extremely hard, ceramic is also very brittle and doesn’t do well against lateral stress. When sharpening ceramic, it’s important to keep pressure against the opposite side of the blade with the fingers to keep the blade from snapping in half.

Above: Every nonmetallic knife sample we tested suffered some form of damage to the tip after making contact with bone or another hard surface.

Carbon fiber and G10 can be sharpened and reshaped using fine grit sandpaper or an emery board like a sharpening stone. We were able to sharpen and repair the damaged tips of both materials using the Work Sharp system at a low speed with a fine grit belt.

As for Griv-Ex and Glass-Filled Nylon, you’re stuck with what you get from the factory and might as well throw them in the trash if they’re dulled or damaged. One might be able to restore an edge by shaving away material with a knife, but using any form of traditional sharpening is futile.

Final Remarks

Based on our informal testing, all the tools and materials we tested proved to be viable nonmetallic weapon options, each having their strengths and weaknesses.

The Greg Moffatt G10 MG1 was the only sample to pass every portion of every test, from beating the metal detector to cutting through clothing and flesh. With the added benefit of easy maintenance, G10 is one of the best choices for a last-ditch edged weapon in a nonpermissive environment. A fixed blade ceramic knife without all the metal accoutrements contained in the Anti-Grav would also rank pretty high on our list.

Ed Calderon Sheds Light on Kidnapping & Abduction Trends

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Abduction scenarios can originate in a myriad of ways. It’s not always about guys in ski masks jumping out of a panel van and putting you in zip-ties. Many of the students who’ve been through the training that I’ve provided over the years dealing with counter-custody have actually faced situations of irregular custody. This may involve being restrained illegally within the confines of their own community by people they actually know, or during home-invasion situations. So, don’t close yourself off to the possibilities of this being a threat in your environment. It’s not something you only need to think about or prepare for if you travel outside of your hometown or country.

The Feathered Snake Eating its Tail

For our intents and purposes, we’re going to be focusing on abduction and kidnapping for ransom, being used as a political hostage, for retribution, or as access to someone else’s monetary means. Although each of these situations have a different purpose behind them, they usually have the same planning and action process or cycle.

Selection and Surveillance

The first part of the cycle is selection. Criminal groups will select an individual out of the many or out of a specific group that holds a known value to them, be it because of their economic means, the means of the company they represent, their social circle, nationality, religion, or just because he or she is in possession of something they want.

Selection happens in many ways, but one of the most current trends is exploiting openly accessible online social media — especially the social media of the victim’s families and associates — to gather information pertaining to the victim. This typically includes his or her day-to-day patterns, family ties that could be exploited psychologically later on, any sign of financial means, and possible future scheduling opportunities for criminals to make a move on a potential mark. It’s not all just standing outside of an airport scanning a crowd nowadays. Things have gone digital, even in the most low-tech environments. Most people already have the most effective information-gathering device on the planet in their hands: a smartphone.

One common thing criminals look at when it comes to selecting a potential victim are patterns of behavior and predictability of movement — that is, the ability to predict where and when the individual being targeted will go. So, anything related to your mode of transportation, your arrival times, the hotel rooms you’re staying in, possible dinner plans, business meetings you may need to attend, or the locations of offices during a business trip, for example, have to be kept on a need-to-know basis. This is even necessary with the people closest to you or those you’re traveling with.

Simple things like keeping all of your information in written format on a piece of paper to hand over to a hotel clerk means he or she doesn’t have to say your name or room number out loud. This keeps people from acquiring that information if they’re casually listening to you at the check-in desk. There’s nothing wrong with being unpredictable. It’s about being harder to catch than the person next to you. Hindsight is 20/20.

Above: It can take less than a minute to get you out of a vehicle and into a trunk. Bound and en route to a second location is one of the worst situations to be in. In a kidnapping attempt, time is life.

One thing I always hear people recounting when I debrief after these events are situations or events around them that seemed suspicious, like people staring at them for a bit too long, or making phone calls around them, or the presence of various kids in sandals carrying smartphones getting on the phone every time they moved out of the hotel. Anything that’s the least bit suspicious must be documented. Take pictures or video immediately and use one of many secure apps like Signal to send to various people who you’ve complete confidence in. This will assist in creating a trail. Be as obvious as you want to about this — again, you want people to be aware you’re not going to be an easy target.

Game Plan

The second part of the process involves the formulation or creation of a plan and/or manufacture of a situation where you’re completely vulnerable to a direct abduction attempt or, as we liked to call it, a snatch or initial contact. This takes place after a surveillance cycle that may have started long before you got onto the plane or stepped out of your house. Surveillance could be mobile or static and, depending on who is doing it, might be very obvious to anyone with a trained eye. That’s why I always try to push the mindset of thinking like the bad guy, or as my friends from the contingency group say, “adversarial thinking.” (Editor’s Note: See our previous article “The Crimson Perception” in Issue 35 for more information on developing an adversarial mindset.)

If you want to make the best counter-ambush group on the planet, you teach them to be the best ambushers in the world. The same needs to apply to preparing people who might face this kind of threat. You want them to be able to prepare something like this for themselves. That’s why I do certain exercises in some of the training that I provide where students plan and try to pull off an abduction in a controlled training space. It’s a mental exercise that gives you lessons you’ll always carry with you. When you feel like you’re the subject of a surveillance attempt of any kind, your paranoia will be educated, and you can focus on the anomalies. Most places have a baseline, a set pattern of normality. If you pay attention, you can see these anomalies before they turn into a threat.

Personal Locator Beacon:

The shift from criminal planning to actual direct action against the victim could take as long as a few weeks or as quick as a few minutes if they have the willingness and opportunity. Don’t assume anything about anybody. Criminals could be targeting you for a quick ride to the ATM and then let you go after an hour (an express kidnapping). They could be trying to put you in a cage for a few months to see if they can get a large payout because the company you work for has a great abduction policy. Or lastly, it could be the true-believer type of enemy who sees everything he hates in you. All of these potential threats follow the same pattern: victim selection, surveillance, and a planning stage.

Vary your routes, don’t be predictable, keep yours and your family’s sh*t offline, get your family on the same game plan, and be aware. If something feels off, document it and send it back to the people you trust. And if all else fails, have a contingency plan.

The Attempt

Above: These screenshots were taken from surveillance footage of an actual kidnapping in Northern Mexico. Note the use of rifles, tactical vests, and a multi-man snatch team.

Current trends and the areas I operate in usually deal with groups of between four and six people being part of the direct-action snatch team. During an attempt, know they’ll take advantage of their prior research on you. They’ll take note of the people around you and their capabilities, in some cases. The numbers they use will be based on their capabilities as a group and whether you’re seen as easy or difficult to manage.

If you have a mark on you, the people around you might have a mark on them too. Remember that in these types of situations, if you didn’t pay attention, they now have all the advantages. The first and foremost is the ability to pick the time and the place. There's no one-size-fits-all solution in a situation like this because there are a lot of variables.

Usually these criminal groups will look for a space and time when they’re sure you’ll be present and nobody will interfere.

If it’s a highly trafficked area, usually you’ll get a sign or a reaction from people around you who have more experience or are more educated about the environment. I usually call these people “active eyes.” By this I mean that the locals know all the ins and outs of the area and have a clear understanding of what baseline normality is there. If they see a guy dressed in a fake police uniform with an AK-47, they know that’s out of the ordinary and will react to it even if you don’t. So, it’s a pretty good idea to be aware of people like that in your environment. If the guy in the newspaper stand across the street is ducking behind his counter, it’s probably a good idea for you to duck behind your Uber, if you know what I mean.

The Snatch

Criminal groups plan for complete and overwhelming domination over their victim. Depending on the region, sometimes the intimidation tool could be a handgun or a rifle, but don’t be surprised if the weapon is just a cell phone with the desperate voice of a family member on the other end of it. In the latter case, you might decide to walk into the van willingly. This isn’t uncommon. Also, realize that some scenarios will originate in chemical restraints. For example, you might be drugged at a bar or another place where you felt secure — these scenarios aren’t unheard of.

One of the first things you’ll see in a classic abduction situation is people brandishing their firearms or weapons in a threatening manner toward you. However, some of the same weapons may also be pointed away from you, outwardly guarding the surrounding area from potential police presence or security elements that they might not have taken into account. Be aware of gaps in their awareness and in their ability to contain you. Your ability to act, or even whether you can act, is completely dependent on you. In my experience, awareness and cardio have been the best escape-and-evasion tools I’ve ever seen next to a smile, cash, and an AK-47.

There’s usually a process of purging that happens between the initial contact, subjugation of the victim, and moving the mark from the abduction area to an initial holding site or “wait and see” spot. Current trends in some of the abduction groups that I’ve had to work against have led me to realize that most of them are aware of all of the SOS technology out there. Expect them to discard anything with a battery in it. Belts, shoes, jackets, hats, wallets, watches, backpacks, or anything else that isn’t directly on your person will be discarded or taken to look through later. Don’t count on having anything with a battery in it left on you if you’re taken. This should dictate where you hide things for counter-custody applications. If you could lose elements of clothing in a full-contact sporting event, those are probably not good places to hide a handcuff key or a razor blade. That’s just my two cents.

Pepper Spray on Steroids:

At this point in the scenario, restraints start being pulled out to be put on the mark. The North American trifecta of restraints are handcuffs, zip-ties, and duct tape, though we're now seeing a lot more chain- and padlock-type restraints being put on people in a long-term captivity setting. These are the specific restraints you need to worry about most in the environments in and around North America. Again, these will dictate the tools you carry and how you train specifically for the environment you’re moving into.

Above: When you configure your EDC or E&E kit on your body, do you include redundancy to account for the multiple ways you may be restrained or positioned? Could you reach your escape tools with your hands behind your back and your face against the wall?

Prepare for the possible — if the improbable happens, you’re already halfway to a solution. During initial contact, you’ll be put into one form of physical restraint or another. It may be just them holding your head down and keeping a gun on you, or being put in between two large individuals. Basically, they want to convince you that you’re hopelessly trapped, and they’ve the means to do you physical harm and maybe even life-ending damage. They also want to place restraints on you to limit your ability to move around. During this first ride, the first part of the purge happens — this is where things start being taken away from you.

Wait and See

If it’s a professional abduction team, they’ll probably take you to an initial holding site. This will be somewhere close, but not too close to where they’ll be holding you for the long term. It’s a “wait-and-see” space. They want to know if they’re being followed, if they were made, if you have some sort of tracking element on you, and so on. Once they’re sure that the coast is clear, you’ll be moved to a long-term holding spot if that’s what they’re looking to do with you as a victim. It’s the same all over — this is a very common tactic even in the Middle East, according both the SOF community guys who I’ve had the privilege of exchanging information with, and the sex-trafficking groups that I’ve helped in the past.

Once you reach that long-term holding site, the slow burn happens. They can now take their time with you; they’re secure, safe, and in control, and the interrogation and exploitation of the victim commences. Look for a sh*t bucket in the room where they’re holding you and empty water bottles on the ground — that’s usually a sign of a long-term holding site, and it’s not a good place to be. Most of your opportunities for escape occur between the initial contact and the transport to the wait-and-see site. After that, your window of opportunity becomes smaller and smaller. But you must always be ready and, if opportunity knocks, be prepared to answer. The decision to act is completely up to you. Some people will advise you not to do anything and wait for the negotiators (if you have any) or the State Department to do their thing (if it’s one of those types of situations). I'd recommend to have the knowhow, training, tools, and experience using them in a controlled training environment. These “just in case” options might lead to your salvation.

Above: This looks bad, but reality is worse. Being stripped naked and fleeced of all the escape tools you keep in your pockets and wallets should be expected. Keep your wits about you and look for the earliest opportunity to escape.

Ed’s Field Notes

In a recent case in Northern Mexico, a young businessman was targeted by a small armed cell of criminals. He was picked up outside of his house as he was parked in his truck, talking on his cell phone. The target selection and surveillance cycle took only a few minutes, according to the investigation notes I saw about the case. There were two vehicles involved in the snatch. Four individuals got out of a single sedan as the other one sat on the roadside to cover the abduction team.

Covert Wallet Knife:

They didn’t put any restraints on him, and pushed him into a vehicle while threatening him with AK-47s. The abductors made a point of taking his cell phone from the car, and left it on the curbside. They took him and his truck away with nobody around to do anything about it. It’s interesting to note that there was a lone guy in the background providing security for the abduction team. The victim was later let go. It turns out that they were only after his truck — a valuable commodity right now in northern Mexico, because they can be turned into “technicals” for the ongoing narcotics insurgency raging in the country. It’s an interesting case study with a lot of parallels to situations like this in other parts of the world, including the U.S.

All restraints are temporary, but it’s better to be able to choose when you want to get out of them.

About the Author

For over a decade, Ed Calderon worked in the fields of counter-narcotics, organized crime investigation, and public safety in the northern-border region of Mexico. Learn more about his survival courses at edsmanifesto.com.

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New: Pro Eagle Off-Road Jacks

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If you own a truck, SUV, or Jeep, there's a pretty good chance you've also installed larger-diameter tires and a leveling kit or lift kit. These modifications increase ground clearance and improve off-road capabilities, but they also present some issues you may not have considered. That taller ride height means the barebones scissor jack that came with your vehicle might no longer provide enough elevation to change a tire. Regular floor jacks from the local auto parts store will do a little better, but what happens if you have a problem somewhere other than your driveway? Pro Eagle jacks are specifically built to provide an off-the-grid solution to this dilemma.

Compare modern trucks to those from 20 or 30 years ago, and you'll realize how much bigger, taller, and more off-road-capable new vehicles have become from the factory. However, jack design hasn't changed much in recent decades. Pro Eagle saw this as an opportunity to improve upon the conventional floor jack design, and make something specifically for those of us who like to get out and explore.

As seen in the video above, these jacks are used extensively by off-road racers, and feature several distinguishing features that improve their capabilities on surfaces other than pavement. The large non-pneumatic tires are designed to roll easily through dirt, gravel, rocks, and most other surfaces. The solid steel axles offer increased strength for lifting heavier rigs. Each jack comes with a built-in skid plate to keep it from sinking in soft dirt, sand, or mud. There's also an adjustable extension that provides an extra 8 inches of lift height when needed. Of course, the company says its jacks will also work just as well for regular maintenance in the garage.

Pro Eagle offers jacks ranging from 2-ton standard to 2-ton big wheel and 3-ton big wheel. All jacks come with the aforementioned off-grid-worthy features, and they are backed up by a 2-year full replacement warranty. You can even purchase 90% of the parts and pieces separately, if the need should arise. Each jack has an available mounting kit to keep it secured and locked in place while you are on the go.

In addition to floor jacks, Pro Eagle also offers an ultra-portable CO2 air jack that's designed for lighter vehicles such as UTVs and side-by-sides.

Buy It On Amazon:

Also Handy:

For more information on these off-road jacks, go to ProEagle.com.

First Impressions: Streamlight MacroStream USB Flashlight

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At SHOT Show 2020, we got our hands on the latest every-day carry flashlight from Streamlight: the MacroStream USB. This light is the big brother to the popular MicroStream USB, and offers a bigger aluminum body, higher-capacity battery, and increased lumen output. After the show, we were excited to try out this flashlight in the real world, so we requested a sample from Streamlight. The company kindly sent us one of the pre-production models so we could familiarize ourselves with the light. Read on as we share some of our first impressions.

Compared to the MicroStream, the MacroStream's dimensions are noticeably bigger. It measures 4.5 inches in length and 0.8 inches in diameter, as opposed to the Micro's 3.9 inches and 0.6 inches. Weight is up by a full ounce, but this light still weighs only 2.2 ounces including the battery.

Speaking of the battery, it's powered by an included 3.7V 800mAh Lithium-ion cell. Like the MicroStream, this flashlight's housing fits a standard alkaline battery (AA for the Macro and AAA for the Micro) but the light can only be used with the included Li-ion battery. This is unfortunate — we know the USB functionality won't work with an alkaline battery, but it would've been nice to be able to use one as an emergency power source.

The Macrostream's blue lithium-ion cell next to a standard CR123 and 18650.

The micro-USB charging port is hidden under a sliding, O-ring-sealed metal shroud around the light's head. Pushing the shroud forward reveals the port, which lights up red (charging) or green (full) when the light is plugged in. Streamlight says the battery can be fully charged in about four hours.

Functionally, the MacroStream USB should feel familiar to anyone who has used a Streamlight handheld in the past. Rapid half-presses of the power button toggle between 500-lumen high mode and 50-lumen low mode. However, unlike similarly-sized ProTac models, this light does not have a strobe function or the ability to change mode order with Streamlight's Ten-Tap system. It also doesn't have a crenelated bezel or shrouded tail cap switch.

Size comparison between the Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA and MacroStream USB.

The MacroStream USB is rated IPX4 water-resistant, which means that it should hold up fine to rain and occasional splashes, but should not be submerged or heavily soaked. It's also impact-resistant against drops up to 1 meter. The light includes a removable, bi-directional pocket clip that can be used to attach the light to apparel, packs, or the brim of a hat for hands-free use.

As usual with Streamlight products, street prices are far below the official MSRP. In this case, MSRP is $90, but this light can be pre-ordered from various online retailers for roughly $50.

Overall, the MacroStream USB feels great in the hand, is easy to operate, and offers two useful brightness levels. We also appreciate the convenience of onboard USB charging. However, due to the non-standard battery type and inability to accept off-the-shelf batteries in a pinch, we prefer the versatility of the ProTac 1L-1AA from an emergency preparedness standpoint. That said, the MacroStream USB is great as an EDC utility light, and a nice complement to the smaller MicroStream USB.

Buy Related Product – Microstream:

For more information on the new MacroStream USB, go to Streamlight.com.

Pocket Preps: Gut Hook Knives

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Humans have field dressed four-legged sustenance since that first caveman chiseled a pointy tip on a downed tree branch. Did he, or the millions of hunters who came after, have a gut hook knife? Nope. Not for many millennia, until it showed up in the mid 20th century.

Its origin story is murky. Many folks say custom knifemaker Merle Seguine added a hook to his knife to lift a pot from a campfire, and later sharpened the hook for field dressing. Others say the gut hook was invented for hunting by Sid Bell (a silversmith, geologist, and outdoorsman), who gave a wooden prototype to Seguine to produce.

Regardless, the gut hook is used today to “unzip” a downed animal’s hide without piercing muscles or intestines.

Many designers misinterpret the gut hook knife by sharpening its top or messing up the geometry of its C-shaped opening. This can result in unintended cutting and difficulty in sharpening after use. Also, most gut hooks are on a blade’s spine, meaning the primary edge must face you as you split the hide; like a gun’s muzzle, it’s not ideal to have the business end pointing at you.

So, in this issue, we take a stab at gut hook knives to see if they're something preppers should add to our tool kits.

Uncle Henry Stag Horn Gut Hook Skinner

OAL: 7.5 inches
Blade Material: D2 tool steel
Weight: 5.2 ounces
MSRP: $101
URL: btibrands.com

If the SwingBlade is the oddball of folding gut hooks, then this Uncle Henry model is the nonconformist among the fixed blades in this buyer’s guide. It’s a hybrid of sorts, combining elements of the gut hook, a trailing-point fixed blade, and the Inuit blade called an ulu to produce a tool that’s made specifically for field dressing medium to large game. Old-school aesthetics in a unique package, it offers solid slicing abilities.

Pros:

  • Gut hook is a great “zipper” tool.
  • Primary edge’s huge belly equals precise skinning.
  • Quality leather sheath

Cons:

  • Though popular, D2 isn’t our favorite blade steel; it’s hard to sharpen and isn’t a stainless steel.
  • Sheath can only be worn vertically and — if the knife is pulled up slightly while holstered — can expose the sharp bottom corner of the skinning blade.

Outdoor Edge SwingBlade

OAL: 8.3 inches
Blade Material: AUS-8 stainless steel
Weight: 7.2 ounces
MSRP: $80
URL: outdooredge.com

Outdoor Edge is a Colorado-based company that makes a wide range of innovative knives and tools, and its SwingBlade is one such model. As the oddity of the bunch, it’s not a true gut hook knife. Instead, it’s a skinning blade that flips around to reveal a slightly curved gutting blade on the other end. Part folding knife, part straight razor, this two-in-one design frees up space in your kit while offering superior in-the-field performance.

Pros:

  • Both the gutting and skinning blades slice like precise lasers.
  • Outside-the-box design
  • Nylon sheath has plastic liner and provides the best no-rattle lockup of all the sheaths in this buyer’s guide.

Cons:

  • Opening the SwingBlade requires two hands and extra effort to keep your fingers out of the path of whichever blade is closing.
  • Sheath is vertical-carry only.

Browning Kodiak

OAL: 8.375 inches
Blade Material: 7Cr17MoV stainless steel
Weight: 8.8 ounces
MSRP: $46
URL: browning.com

Despite being made in China, this is a robust multi-tool consisting of three folding stainless steel blades: a gut hook, a bone saw, and a drop-point. Each are secured with a sturdy lockback and housed in a wide handle with grippy injection-molded scales. The gut hook’s tip is rounded to prevent accidental punctures. The saw has two rows of staggered teeth for effective sawing, while the drop-point blade is sharp and versatile.

Pros:

  • Saw and drop-point blade offer multiple bushcraft uses
  • Multi-tool design means you’ll haul fewer tools
  • Comes with a well-made nylon sheath

Cons:

    • Gut hook doesn’t so much slice as it does pull.
    • Handle will be a tad too fat for those with medium to small paws.
    • Handle’s finger grooves are pointless, considering the closed blades always protrude out; your fingers will always be gripping two uncomfortable blade spines as you use the third blade.

Buck Knives 660 Folding Pursuit Large Guthook Knife

OAL: 8.5 inches
Blade Material: 420HC stainless steel
Weight: 3.4 ounces
MSRP: $75
URL: buckknives.com

Designed as a midrange hunting knife, the 660 features a smartly designed gut hook on the spine of its folding drop-point blade. The gut hook’s opening is wider than most, and its sharpened edge is almost rectangular, allowing for a smooth slicing motion. Thanks to its performance, lightweight frame, durability, and portability, this U.S.-made folder is a serious contender. But we’d expect nothing less from the iconic Buck Knives.

Pros:

  • Gut hook’s superior edge geometry
  • Thumbstud opening and lockback mechanism provide safe operation
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Nylon sheath can be carried vertically or horizontally

Cons:

  • Though well made, the handle scales are made of glass-filled nylon and VersaFlex synthetic rubber. We’d prefer Micarta or G10.

Bear & Sons Cutlery 444

OAL: 8.75 inches
Blade Material: 440 stainless steel
Weight: 4.4 ounces
MSRP: $48
URL: bearandsoncutlery.com

Knife snobs might scoff at the 444’s Kraton (polymer) handle and 440 stainless steel blade, but both have proven themselves in real-world applications. Once upon a time, 440 was considered a super steel; even though other fancy steels have come along, it still provides strong rust resistance and edge retention. Speaking of which, both the gut hook and the primary cutting edge are crazy sharp. Made in the USA.

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Ergonomic and comfy Kraton handle
  • 440 stainless steel blade and gut hook perform well

Cons:

  • The blade shaves off tiny bits of leather from the sheath every time you pull out the knife. The sheath could use a plastic liner to prevent this annoyance.
  • The sheath’s snap-button strap rotates too much, making opening and closing a pain.

Gerber Gator Premium Gut Hook, Fixed

OAL: 9 inches
Blade Material: S30V stainless steel
Weight: 10.4 ounces
MSRP: $105
URL: gerbergear.com

Some longtime fans have lamented that the quality control on Gerber knives have dropped in recent years. You won’t have that fear with the Gator Premium. From the S30V stainless steel of its full-tang blade and integrated gut hook to the comfy, rubberized Gator Grip handle that inspires its name, this 21st century reincarnation of Gerber’s bestselling lineup elevates this genre in aesthetics, performance, and craftsmanship. It has Best in Class written all over it.

Pros:

  • Both the primary edge and the gut hook cut like lightsabers.
  • Gator Grip handle offers traction and comfort.
  • Quality sheath has plastic liner to protect the leather.
  • Steel finger guard and pommel

Cons:

  • Sheath can only be carried vertically.

Utah Knife Works UKW Survival Knife

OAL: 11.75 inches
Blade Material: 9Cr18MoV stainless steel
Weight: 1 pound
MSRP: $150
URL: utahknifeworks.com

Utah Knife Works owner Mark Russon says his father, Robb, came up with the design for what would eventually become the Tom Brown Tracker knife, but never got credit for it. So, 40 years later, the younger Russon gave his dad’s model a modern makeover. Every section of this jack-of-all-trades blade has a different survival function, including the utility hook that’s promoted as being capable of processing game, among other uses.

Pros:

  • In spite of the Chinese steel, the blade is durable and its many edges are razor sharp, including the hook.
  • Feels good in the hand
  • This tracker knife is a sturdy bushcraft multi-tool.

Cons:

  • Unfortunately, if you use the gut hook for game, the saw teeth on top of the knife’s spine will rip into the guts you’re trying to avoid. (As a consolation, the hook can be used on sticks to shave off tinder or to craft arrow heads.)
  • While well crafted, the leather sheath is vertical-carry only.

Read More for Pocket Preps

OFFGRID Live: Experts Discuss the COVID-19 Pandemic

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COVID-19, commonly known as Coronavirus, is the topic on everyone's mind right now for obvious reasons. With most of the U.S. in damage-control mode, many individual states and cities on lockdown, and the entire world reacting to the spread of this ongoing pandemic, we're living through an event that has reached an almost-unprecedented scale and severity.

As you've probably noticed, RECOIL OFFGRID is not looking to sensationalize or exaggerate the situation — that's why you haven't seen us running round-the-clock coverage or touting this as the imminent apocalypse, as many other media outlets have. Instead, we've chosen to defer to true experts who can speak about the situation in a realistic and practical manner. This was the impetus behind our first ever OFFGRID Live panel discussion, which occurred today (3/26/20) at noon Pacific time.

Our OFFGRID Live video stream brought together three experts from the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic: global risk and financial analyst Dennis Santiago, of California, retired NYPD detective and active fire chief Joey Nickischer, of New York, and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Riley, of Arizona. A fourth panelist, fire captain and medical first-responder Aaron Adams, was unable to attend as planned because he was called in to an emergency. Staff members Tom Marshall and Dave Merrill hosted the discussion and read questions from the audience to the panelists.

For those of you who missed the 1-hour OFFGRID Live stream, you can watch it in its entirety using the embedded player at the top of this post.

After the discussion ended, Nickischer reached out to us to share the following links, which provide some useful additional information.

Cleaning tips:

Resources for general information:

Nickischer also said, “I should have mentioned blood donation. Blood donations are way down as most local community blood donation events have been cancelled. We do need blood, so please encourage others to go to the local blood bank and donate.” On RedCrossBlood.org, you can find local blood banks and make a donation appointment.

Lockpicking 101: Learn the Basics of How to Pick a Lock

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A basic understanding of lockpicking is one of the most valuable urban survival skills one can have in their arsenal. For many, the idea of lockpicking may be relegated to the realm of criminals and hackers, but there are many legitimate legal uses for these skills.

A locksmith can be an expensive solution to regaining entry into your own home, automobile, or safe when your keys are locked inside. Under such circumstances, a basic knowledge of lockpicking might save you a good chunk of cash. If ever the day should come that you’re the victim of an unlawful custody situation, a solid foundation of lockpicking skills and an understanding of the inner workings of the most popular lock designs could likely aid in your escape. And in a worst-case, end-of-the-world scenario, lockpicking could enable you to scavenge medications or other necessary items from places that may have been passed over by opportunistic looters.

In this article, we examine the anatomy of a lock, how lockpicking works, basic lockpicking tools, and the most popular lockpicking techniques.

Pin Tumbler Lock Anatomy

The pin tumbler lock is one of the most basic and commonly used lock designs. This type of lock can be found on virtually every doorknob, deadbolt, and padlock. Even many high-security doors have a pin tumbler lock as a backup.

The mechanics of these locks are very simple and easy to understand. Once you have a firm grasp on how these locks work, they’re relatively easy to pick. Even some of the highest-security locks on the market are just creative alterations of the pin tumbler design.

Housing: The housing is the outer shell that holds all the internal lock components together.

Cylinder: The cylinder sits inside the housing and rotates freely when the proper key is inserted. It’s kept in place by a series of pins and springs that protrude into the cylinder and housing. These pins prevent the cylinder from turning until the key is inserted.

Shear Line: The shear line is the space between the cylinder and housing. When the key is inserted and all components are aligned properly, the gap between the driver pins and the key pins align perfectly with the shear line.

Driver Pins: The driver pins are essentially the locking pins, which sit between the cylinder and housing to prevent the cylinder from turning. When the correct key is inserted into the lock, these pins are pushed above the shear line to release the cylinder, which can then rotate freely within the housing. Driver pins are located on top of the key pins.

Key Pins: The key pins sit below the driver pins. Key pins are called such because these provide the coding system for the lock. They vary in length to match the cut on the appropriate key. These pins contact the key and press against the driver pins to push them above the shear line.

Springs: Each set of pins has a tension spring located at the top, which forces the pins downward into the cylinder.

The Concept of Lockpicking

When a key is inserted into a pin and tumbler lock, the cuts on the key contact the key pins and lift the pins upward to the correct height. This positions the driver pins above the shear line and the key pins below the shear line, allowing the cylinder to rotate.

The idea behind pin and tumbler lockpicking is to replicate the key’s function by elevating the driver pins above the shear line so the cylinder can be turned within the housing to unlock the lock. The tricky part is aligning all the pins, so they don’t bind against the lock. If a key pin isn’t pressed high enough, the driver pin will continue to bind against the cylinder, preventing it from rotating. If a key pin is pressed too high, the key pin itself will bind against the cylinder. There are several techniques for accomplishing this goal, which we’ll discuss later, but first we need to understand what makes lockpicking possible.

Lock Tolerances & Binding Order

Most locks have very slight tolerance flaws in the alignment of the pin holes. It’s actually these imperfections that allow these locks to be picked. In lockpicking, there’s an order in which each pin will clear the shear line based on the offset of the pin holes. The pin located in the hole that has the greatest deviation from the centerline toward the direction of the cylinder is turning will be the first pin that has to clear the shear line and so on. This is referred to as the binding order.

When tension is placed on the cylinder with a tension wrench, and the first driver pin clears the shear line, the cylinder will rotate ever so slightly and trap the bottom of the driver pin above the cylinder. This process continues until all the driver pins have cleared the shear line and the lock is opened. Setting the pins out of order will result in a failed attempt, since the cylinder will have rotated past one or more pins. It’s also important to know the binding order can change depending on where the tension wrench is placed and the direction of force of the wrench..

Tools

A 14-piece Southord kit, a Southord jackknife pick set, and a Serepick Bogota Titan covert pick set.

Tension Wrench: The tension wrench is the most important piece of lockpicking equipment, or at least the most important piece of equipment to master. The tension wrench acts like the key in that it allows the user to turn the plug. It also places tension on the pins, so that when the driver pins clear the shear line, the cylinder will rotate just enough to bind it above the shear line.
Tension wrenches are pretty basic with little variance between them. Wrenches come in different thicknesses to accommodate different sizes of keyways. Most are designed to slide into the bottom of the keyway (side opposite the pins), but some have very short necks and are intended for use at the top of the keyway, just in front of the pins.

Hook Picks: There are many variations of the hook pick, but the purpose is the same. The hook is used for single-pin picking to lift the pins above the shear line. As a rule, the simpler the better when it comes to hooks. Small hooks are the go-to for most pin and tumbler locks. Large hooks are reserved for reaching the back pins on locks with long cylinders.

Half-Diamond Picks: Half-diamond picks are used for locks whose key pins are similar in length. The half-diamond is usually a good pick to start with, since many cheaper locks have little variation in key-pin length. The half-diamond can be used with all three picking techniques described later in this article.

Rake Picks: There are a few different rake designs, but most rakes are some variation of a “snake,” “W,” or “Running W” pattern. The purpose of a rake pick is to set multiple pins simultaneously.

Ball Picks: Ball picks aren’t used for pin and tumbler lockpicking, but they’re commonly included in lockpick sets, so we’ll touch on them very quickly. Ball picks are used for picking wafer locks, which function differently than pin and tumbler locks. These locks are found on filing cabinets, desks, and small lock boxes. The techniques for picking these types of locks are like the ones discussed in this article, so the skills will easily transition with a basic understanding of the wafer lock design.

The most commonly used picks (left to right): Hooks, Half-Diamond, and Rakes.

Techniques

There are several techniques for picking pin and tumbler locks. Each has its place. Here we’ll look at the three most popular methods. Keep in mind that each of these techniques has several variations, but we’re just covering the basic concepts.

Single Pin Picking: Single-pin picking is the most precise method for picking pin and tumbler locks, but it also requires the most skill and time on target. As the name implies, with single pin picking you’re setting each individual pin above the shear line. This is where binding order becomes an important topic, because each pin must be set in the correct binding order.

It’ll take a lot of trial and error to figure out which pins to set in which order. To do so, place a light amount of tension on the tension wrench and probe each pin until you find the one with the most amount of resistance. This will likely be the first binding pin and the one you should work on setting.

Continue this process until all the pins are set. If you reach a point where a pin will not move, it’s likely that it was set out of order and no longer has the clearance to move through the pin hole. If the cylinder will not turn, it’s a likely indication that either a driver pin or one or more key pins are caught midway between the shear line.

Raking: Raking is a picking method that attempts to set all the pins virtually simultaneously with a single, rapid action. This is done by inserting the pick (typically a rake or half-diamond) and extracting it quickly while placing light tension on the tension wrench. The tension on the tension wrench is released after each failed attempt to allow the pins to reset.

Professional Lockpicking Set:

More Detailed Lockpicking Manual:

The raking technique works by bumping the pins far enough above the shear line that the key pins are able to fall below the shear line before the driver pins do, thus creating a momentary void at the shear line to allow the cylinder to turn freely. Raking takes the least amount of skill and is a quick way to pick a lock when the lock cooperates.

Scrubbing: Scrubbing is sort of a blend between single pin picking and raking. The wrench is inserted into the keyway, and light tension is placed on the tension wrench. An elliptical “scrubbing” motion is used against the pins, working from back to front, or front to back. The half-diamond pick works well with the scrubbing technique, but a rake or hook can be used.

Above: Lockpicking is a simple skillset to learn, but a difficult one to master. Practicing with a variety of tools and lock configurations will enhance your ability to adapt and improvise in a real-world survival situation. 

Legal Considerations

Know your local statutes before you run out and purchase a lockpicking kit. In Colombia, for example, the mere possession of lockpicking tools is a felony. Here in the States, lockpicks are legal to own and carry in most jurisdictions. Even where the possession of lockpicks can be considered a crime, such as in California, the law usually requires that it be coupled with felonious or malicious intent to be considered illegal possession. Stay out of places you’re not supposed to be, and you shouldn’t have any legal problems.

Conclusion

Lockpicking is a skill that requires patience and tactile sensitivity, but it can be learned by anyone in a relatively short amount of time. With a good working knowledge of lockpicking tools and the principles behind their use, a person can easily create makeshift tools in a survival situation, making lockpicking a practical and potentially life-saving skill.