Been a while...

It has been a long time since my last post and this is due to a lot of factors. Some good and some bad but knowing that the only way to move forward is to keep your head up. Since my last post I have learned a ton in many different aspects of life and taken a new position in my life that I hope I can fill to it's highest potential. I plan on posting more coming up this fall so please let me know if there is anything you would like me to post about. Thank you.

Range Box or Storage

When it comes to doing something you really enjoy like target practice and hunting there is a lot of side things you need to think about. One of the important things that I found is proper storage for safety and useability. This may differ from the certain area in which you are living or traveling but here is a couple things I have found helpful so far. This will focus mostly on transporting and useability of the range bags and storage I have been using so far.

*First off, a firearm is only as dangerous as the person that is in control of it. Handling of a firearm at all times should be done with safety and concentration of ones self and surroundings. Please be safe. Brains before bullets.

In the leading up of gathering the proper supplies for my coming handguns I collected a travel case and cleaning case on more of an impulse rather than need but have found both more than useful. The gun cleaning kit I previously posted about was the Hoppe's Elite Gun Kit on the Go Cleaning Kit. Please go to that link for my original review. After using this kit I found that every piece of the kit is coming in handy in more ways than I originally planned. Like I said in the past the rod itself is mainly for smaller jobs and isn't suitable for heavy cleaning so I would suggest using it for range only. The gun cleaner and oil I have found is just as good if not better than original Hoppe's which I have been using forever and with the cleaner being a spray style head it makes it easier to use on the go. The final part that I have been using more and more is the case itself. It is a very handy small case that I have been using when I don't want to lug around a large case and with it having a lockable handle it has been a very useful small case.

While looking for a larger case I found the Sportlock Aluminumlock Series Double-Sided Pistol Case. This case having two opening sides with plenty of storage while being light weight made it a great buy. One side has foam on the bottom and top with a thick middle piece so you can fill both layers. The foam is the right thickness where you can use it for just one small pistol without it moving or you can pack 6 pistols safely. On the other side it has the foam top and bottom just like the other but has slots with dividers for storing ammo boxes or different things you might want while traveling. The dividers can also be taken out and you can place foam for more pistol storage. Both sides have 2 lockable latches on each side that keep it tight but not a great security feature as the holes for locks are very small and the latches could be broken off without much effort. While using this case to go shooting I normally carry 2 to 5 handguns on the padded side and the other is full of ammo and supplies. The supply side I found fits more than expected as I have packed it full of 4 50 round boxes of ammo, small ear protection, a bag for empty ammo shells, the entire contents of the Hoppe's Elite Gun Kit on the Go Cleaning Kit, cleaning rags, and various small tools. 

Both these items have proven to be more than useful and I would recommend for friends and buy again myself. They are starter kits and I will work my way up from here and keep you posted with my new additions. Thank you. 

My EDC pack

Finding the right pack to fit your needs is no easy task with all the different sizes and variations available these days. It is worth the wait to do your research to find the one that fits your specific needs. For me, I have been carrying a small "sling" style bag for a while now and have become accustom to the way it can be carried as the amount it can carry. That started my search for different sling bags with the messenger bag being the most common. These messenger bags have the sling style strap but often hang low and have minimal storage. I was looking for something that can fit larger documents or objects but still have the small profile. This led me to the Maxpedition series bags and from what I found looking into other similar companies is it seems you pay for the name rather than pure quality. That being said of course more expensive products most of the time carry the higher quality but you always need to think about the additional cost and what additional quality can that cost get you. After searching similar styles and price ranges I stumbled across Red Rock Outdoor Gear.  This company had exactly what I was looking for with the fair price range and great quality to go with it. The ramble pack is a very compact carry bag that gives you plenty of room for everyday ideas with numerous pockets to keep it very organized. I see absolutely no downfalls with this pack but I will repost about this after some time to explain its durability since I carry this everyday. A couple other items that I added to this pack are a stainless steel water bottle and a buck paklite knife. Other extras will be added slowly but this is my ideal start for my "every day carry" pack.

Here are the quick links:

Sorry for the absense.

It has been a while since my last post and I do apologize. With the winter season in its prime here in central New York my time has been switched to mostly home improvement type activities. I enjoy doing new things and trying to learn anything that can be of value in the future so with new home upgrades I have been thinking of other things I could post on here. In the next couple of posts I will be going through some of the different home improvement concepts that I have been thinking about that will not only make for a better living but can also cut utility bills and increase the value of your home.

First with the cold weather we are used to here keeping warm is always a key factor to the winter months while keeping utility bills at a minimum. Some might think that the heat source itself is the best part upgrade but it is also the many other factors that are much cheaper while having a greater impact. The best place to start is the windows and doors. Around the edges of these might not always have the best seals which can allow in drafts that lose heat and create a chill. I found if you have a window that is older the best bet is to clean out the older silicone seal on the inside and outside then reapply a new seal around the window. This might need to done and the inside of the window as well as the inside and outside of the window frame. Be sure to use the proper silicone for best results.

The next step I would take is to look at the insulation in your attic, crawl space, or the space directly under your roof. After a while insulation can break down and fall off its backing in places leaving voids where warm air can escape threw your roof vents. There needs to be air flow for your roof to last whether it be roof vents in the roof or at the top of your roof and the eaves. With this cool air from the outside you need a good barrier to keep the warm air in and the cool air out. Insulation is fairly cheap and can keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer so if you are replacing some older insulation or simply putting more up it is always a good route to go.

Those are a couple cheap things you can do to increase the efficiency of your house to keep your warm in the winter and save some money in the long run. One thing I have been looking at getting for a more impulse helpful gadget is the Nest Learning Thermostat. The Nest is a very cool interactive "learning" thermostat. This is the second generation which has been fine tuned but also can have software updates just like a smartphone. It also has an iphone app so you can have all the controls in the palm of your hand. This is a definite buy in my book and with the cost not being too insane at $250 and even cheaper for the first generation i think the long term advantages of this thermostat are well worth it. 

Heading to Jay Peak for New Years so here is my setup.

I have been snowboarding for a very long time and not only have I been riding with every range of riding ability I have been teaching first time riders. When I started snowboarding about 15 years ago the technology I started at was nothing like it is today. Here is a break down of my setup now along with a peak of what I have had in the past. 

I have always been a huge fan of Forum snowboards and have rode them for the past 13 years but last year after test riding a Bataleon Fun.Kink SnowboardI thought it was time to switch it up a bit. When I was working with a small snowboard company we had a chance to test out some new merchandise and this was the board I got the ride for a day. The day before I was riding a three year old Forum which was broken in nicely and I was very used to but the second I hopped on this board I was right at home. Brand new the board is fairly flexible and comfortable to ride. The detail about this board that I felt instantly was the 'triple-base' technology they have on the base of the board. Instead of it having a flat base with the camber making up the shape of the board this has the base near the tails split into three sections giving you not only front to back control but also side to side. I found this making the turning and maneuvering very smooth and fun. With other flexible boards you can get this same type of feel but with this triple-base it makes the board feel more flexible but gives you the stiffness some people like.

For my bindings I used to ride Forum ATP bindings but since Ride has came out with their metal base bindings that has been the best of the best in my mind. I purchased a set of Ride Delta bindings about 5 years ago and they have yet to fail me. These bindings I don't think are still in production but all other Ride metal base bindings I have seen have preformed very well. The Ride LX Snowboard Bindings are probably the most often seen and for a good reason, they work. They last and can be used by almost any type of rider.

The boots I have grown to love are my DC BOA style boots. These boots I have owned for longer than I remember and every year they seem better and better. The BOA lacing system is a must for me now that I have used it and seen it can hold up to my beating I have put it through while making it very easy to adjust the tightness of the boots. A comparable version I would recommend are the DC Scout Snow Boot 2012. There are a number of different version of this boot with all the new technology they have coming out but I have grown to like the simple leather exterior with the simple internal boot. The simpler it is the less chance of it breaking on you.

With a good setup under you it makes for the best time on the mountain. Time to shred!

Survival Wish List 2012 - Part 3

Part three I would like to focus on the smaller items in my survival wish list. Even before I heard the concept of EDC or 'every day carry' I always carried certain items that I felt would be important to have in case certain situations happened but with the growing interest I have been looking at improving my personal EDC collection to better suit my life style. Here are some every day carry items that I feel are important and worth the expense. 

First I feel it is extremely important to carry a folding knife. Ever since I was very young I was told to have a knife on me more as a tool than for survival. I carry this Mtech ChainLink Tactical Folding Pocket Knife and I love every aspect of it. When I first purchased this knife I thought it was a lot smaller than it actually is. It has a 3.5 inch cutting blade and when opened measures around 8.5 inches making it quite large for an everyday carry pocket knife. This I found to not be a problem at all with its light weight and fairly slim profile. The stainless steel blade keeps it clean and holds a nice edge that with regular use does not need much attention. I would buy many more of these as gifts as well as back ups for when mine finally fails for the low price of this fold locking pocket knife.

Next is something I rarely carry everyday but I try to have one close enough that if the situation is needed it is easily accessible. The only reason I do not carry one is I have not found one that is small enough to carry comfortable. After doing some searching I did find this Fenix Compact LED Flashlight and for the price it might be worth trying out. The size of the light is built around its AA battery it takes to run it so it keeps it small and easy to keep going with a cheap battery. Personally I have not heard of Fenix but after reading the numerous reviews I believe the 4.5 out of 5 stars stands to say it is a good quality for the price. This will be part of my EDC soon.

Having the right tool for the job is always a good thing but in most situations especially spur of the moment having a multi tool is the best you can do. I recommend having something like the Leatherman Skeletool Multitool. This tool in particular caught my eye with its simple design and small size. It does not have as many tools as some others but is useful in many different situations. The needle nose pliers and the universal bit adapter in the base would make this tool useful in many ways. If you are looking for a more complex multi tool I would look at the numerous other Leatherman versions they have available.

Paracord has become well known throughout the survival world today and has been incorporated into many different aspects of it. It is being used as bracelets, belts, dog leashes, gun slings, knife grips, key chains and countless others. This is because of its multiple applications to survival situations and how easy it is to incorporate into everyday items. The Para-cord Survival Bracelet is a perfect example of this. Something you can just throw on your wrist or ankle so if you ever need it it is always there. This version has a flint fire starter and is adjustable making it perfect for just about anyone.


Last I found this small and simple Credit Card Size Survival Pocket Tool would come in handy while still be able to keep in a wallet until you need it. This multi tool has very simple tools for small tasks but in a time of need could be very handy. The parts I find most useful would be the ruler, small saw edge, cutting edge, can opener and flat head screw edge. Being the size of a credit card this small survival asset can be put in your wallet and forgotten until you need it.

Survival Wish List 2012 - Part 2

After the first part of my Survival Wish List I started looking at more things that I would include in this list and these are some more I have found. Let me say that this is a "wish list" and not a packing list or a starter list to be fully prepared. These are things that I would like to add to my collection and I will make a more in depth list of a go-bag or something like that in the near future. 

To start of my list I suggest any and all should get used to firearms and be comfortable around them. I have been shooting ever since I was very young and have shot many different caliber and style firearms. This being said bullets I feel are a very important piece of being prepared. Whether it be for home protection, hunting, target practice or what ever the need is a good stock pile of the ammo is never a bad thing. I suggest stocking the ammo that you prefer using and are most comfortable with. Ammo that is most widely used is also a good thing to stock up on. Ammunition such as 22lr, 9mm, 45acp, 410ga, 5.56 (223), and 7.62 (308) are never a bad thing to have either. Having firearms such as these also makes it easier to find ammunition if the need ever comes about. Hornady came out with the Zombie Just in Case ammunition and of course they turn heads with the 'zombie' style preparedness in mind but these are very good rounds to say the least. Hornady is known for its quality but fairly expensive ammo that gets the job done. Even if you grab a couple boxes of these to put for the aesthetic look of the box it will still come in handy if it is needed. I like to have at least a couple extra boxes in storage. 

This leads me to my next item on my list. The Hornady Lock N Load Classic Reloading Kit would be a pricey investment to solve most of your ammunition needs but in the long run would easily pay for itself. This kit comes with almost everything you need to start pressing your own ammo except the individual dies you will need per caliber bullet you wish to make. With a box of ammo bringing the cost of a round to right around $1.25 a round having the ability to press your own rounds to suit your needs for a faction of the cost is a no-brainer. As I mentioned the initial cost would be high with the cost of the press kit and individual ammunition components but the more and more you shoot the more of a savings you will see. If you enjoy shooting and want to be prepared this is a good thing to look into.

Switching to a slightly different survival element I would add paracord to my wish list. 550 Paracord is a very light weight and strong tool you can use for survival situations. This strong cord can almost be woven into bracelets, belts, slings or anything you could think of making it very easily available. You can grab sections of this military spec cord for about $10 per 100 feet or $50 per 1,000 feet. Having a roll of this at your disposal could come in very handy for simple things like making a grip on a knife more comfortable or making strong shoe laces for your boots or shoes. Integrating this into the rest of your survival kits as well as your everyday life will only benefit you in the long run.

Tools can make or break a survival situation so I think to have tools that have multiple implications add to the overall importance of the tool. I posted about different types of hatchets a little while ago and of course I would have one on my wish list. The Gerber Gator Axe II Saw Combo is a multi-tool that has many different uses while at the same time keeping it light enough to carry and still pack a punch. This hatchet combo has a very sharp out of the box cutting edge with a hammer edge on the back of the blade along with a hand saw that stores in the handle. I have used similar products as this and with the light weight of the entire tool along with the multiple uses it an essential item to have at your disposal.

Last on this part of my list is a need that everyone everyday as and that is water. I have been outdoors enough that having a good filtration system like the Katadyn Vario Multi Flow Water Microfilter is a must. Everyone is used to having clean water at the turn of a knob or in a bottle but if you do not have clean water that is accessible you need a way to clean water to make it safe to drink. They have all sorts of filtration systems now that are as simple as a filter straw or bottle that can filter around 100 gallons of water. This system can filter around 500 gallons of water per filter depending on the quality of the water. With its small size and potential to provide so much valuable clean water having this in a situation could keep you alive. This system is around $80 and the straw filters range around $20 so having something like this isn't a huge investment so I feel this is the most important to have to be prepared for a survival situation.

That finishes this part of my Survival Wish List. As I said in the beginning this is not a list of stuff I would pack or place in a go-bag but these are items I would suggest to have for each of their potential uses. I am sure I can find more items and I will post some more soon. Thank you.