Photo Blog: Year in Gear 2014

TAD EDC FAST PACK Review

EDC FAST PACK Review 

As a father I have adapted my EDC Fast Pack into an all in one Daddy-Day-Car or Gear-Go-Getter.  Within my Fastback I carry a change of clothes for myself and son (19 months), diapers and changer, all my son’s needs (bib, cup, inhaler, epi pen), and my gear (tools, flashlight, etc).  I’ve had the pack for 6 months and I have carried in on hikes and day trips to Disney enabling me to carry everything I need without pain or hassle.

Carrying it daily I can adapt it to carry my laptop for work, gear for hikes, and daddy day care with all my son’s needs.  Having molle clips I can attach things like rain gear, umbrella, or anything to the pack in order to remain hands free in any situation.     

I buy what I think will work best for me. I base it off of price, comfort, functionally, durability and load carrying capabilities.  The Fast Pack is stiff and strong.  Looking throughout the compartments I knew I would need to think out a layout and make sure it would be easy to quick change depending on running solo or with my family.  At first glance it doesn’t seem like a quick and easy load out but over time I adapted swapping out certain pockets and leaving others alone no matter solo or family. Swaps are just as easy as swapping patches if you plan it right.

Main Compartment:
The main compartment can be loaded out to full capacity or strapped down and compressed to a low profile.  Especially if you have a lite speed sized load vs multi day trips.  The inner mesh pocket stays medical for me, mainly for quick access.  And the clip I use as a key hanger for quick access as well. 

Pockets:

Front
This front bottom pocket stays the same with my maxpediton admin fatty fitting perfectly.  I don’t use the transporter tale that much so access is in range.  With the tale it can be taxing to reach contents.  The top pocket holds items in an admin fashion. 

Side
These switch out depending on situation.  Mainly back up tools or empty for food or incidentals.   Flash Light cave holds my Lenslight on paracord. 

Hydration Pocket
Simple Camel Back pack within. 

Transporter Tail
Uses are endless.  Really Flexibility for anything.  


Overall this pack trumps anything I've owned before.  The cost is justified by the notion that I will have this for the rest of my life.  Not many items can perform to those expectations but I believe this will.   Below are some quotes, specs, and ideas from some TAD Junkies.  

Specs from TAD:

http://store.tripleaughtdesign.com/FAST-Pack-EDC

Quotes from Junkies about the Fast Pack:

“I carry my EDC everywhere, and it doesn't bother one bit! Works well for a 3 day camping or day hike pack! I bought the Litespeed first, immediately sold it and bought the EDC cuz of it's size. And more zipper pockets was nice!”

“ I use my EDC every day commuting to work. For me it's perfect as it holds my lunch, a Kleen Kanteen, and a change of clothes on gym days.”

“Edc was my immediate go to. You can always use the cinch straps I tighten things up. To me I'd rather have the extra size because you never know. Might need to carry something and that litespeed is already packed full.”

“My EDC is perfect size for everyday carry. One of my favorite things about it is the fact, like Adrian said, you can cinch things up when needed. When you go packing for the night you just gotta have the room!”

“ The litespeed is awesome for a little pack but the EDC has more pockets and the extra 2" of depth can easily be compressed when not in use. I highly recommend it. Ps. In terms of 3 day hikes. I could not fit anything more than 5 dried meals, my Jetboil and Gore-tex Bivy into the Litespeed.”

“I just bought the edc because I wanted the extra space. I rather be a little too big than a little too small.”

“I just sold my Lightspeed and bought an EDC. It’s plenty for some, but I needed more.”

“ I have both edc and lightspeed I got the edc first and my lightspeed a couple months ago and my lightspeed has all be replaced my edc for EDC! strange enough right ! Lol... I have a use for both but my edc is my range bag and camping/ hiking pack... lightspeed for Every day carry hands down its more compact you can tighten up the waist belt so it doesn't get in the way but it's still there if you “

Junkies Ideas for improvements:

Make the main zipper go all the way down so the the pack can fully unzip like a clamshell

Replace the thin layer of material separating the bladder from the rest of the pack with a solid piece of loop Velcro molle (like the top of a mayflower APC)

Redesign the shoulder straps so that the pack can be worn high and tight without the top curve rubbing the base of your neck so bad

Ad buckles to the top of the shoulder straps like the bottom has so that the pack can be mounted directly to a plate carrier (not an issue for most people but the SF community would love this feature)

Burnley Cypops

This will be a short and simply review.  A Cypop is a single hole knuckle "popper" with a bottle "popping" top that is made of many different materials and finishes.  If you want to support an amazing knife maker with a heart of gold then Lucas is the one.  His cypops and knives are works of art and his following is amazing.  "Brawler" is a title you can earn from Lucas on USN or Facebook. If you have any questions about Cypops or the Every Day Carry (EDC) community please message me.  Below are some pics of cypops I have owned.

 



http://www.burnleyknives.com/

"My work is a combination of brutal simplicity and practicality. with a high regard for the aesthetic. I design my knives for both function and visual appeal."—Lucas Burnley

Martin Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition

Martin Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition

Ever since I was a kid I loved knives.  Watching Rambo/Predator with my father I became fixated on fixed blade knives.   Martin Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition is a nod to that kind of blade capable of performing under strenuous circumstances during field outings. Newt Martin started with a basic survival knife design and evolved the concept into a hollow hand knife capable of carrying essential survival tools without compromising the integrity of the knife. Integrity is a critical point when talking about hollow handle survival knives.  Mainly due to other two piece hollow handle designs made of either metal or plastic handle that is simply held on with a nut or roll pinl   Meaning they can break under the abuse, leaving you FOA.  Another concern is that should you unfortunately lose your knife, your survival supplies stored in it are also lost. Anything I would place in the handle would redundant to my pack load out. 

To address the two piece design critical point, Martin assembled the blade by screwing the hollowed out handle to the blade and epoxying them together so it still retains its strength and durability and allows the blade to perform as well as other fixed blades. From Martin’s site; “My hollow handle knives have a great reputation for strength and durability.  I have never gotten one back with the handle broken off.”  Whether you are looking to set a trap, cut branches for camp, or skin an animal, or in Rambo’s case create a spear to hunt hogs, the Martin Knives Hollow Handle TAD Edition fixed blade is up to the task. 

In my opinion a survival knife is more than a tool or blade.  It’s a means to support a junkie in the best or worst of times.  In good times you have a stylish fixed blade packaged in a classic leather sheath. In the worst of times you have a blade yet to be broken by any of their users.

It’s no secret I all us junkies love Triple Aught Design gear (TAD Gear). They are a ‘Made in USA’ Company out of San Francisco which makes some of the highest quality gear on the market, and if they want to sell something they don’t make, they seek out the best in the business to partner with.  Regardless of rumors and talk of competition, I proudly purchased this blade knowing and trusting the quality I’ve experienced firsthand throughout the year. 

The first observation most have is how a blade feels in one’s grip or hand.  In this case the cord wrapped handle. The cord provides solid grip along with being redundant cord if you are in need.  After removing the compass screw cap I measured the survival capsule portion of the knife at about 3 inches deep and half an inch wide. I am still deciding on what to store in mine beyond the standard fire kit, water tablets, line and hook, needle and thread type builds. 

How sharp is it?  On my scale of sharpness I give this one a rating of hattori hanzo (more on my rating system soon J).  That is very very sharp.  

I will be expanding my review as I carry and use this blade more and more. But I am confident that if you are in the market for a knife in the style you can do no wrong with this purchase. 

Remember Junkies to continue to be safe and share your TAD Junkie life through experiences both good, bad, and ugly. 

Features from Triple Aught Designs:

• A 5.00” CPM S35V modified bayonet point blade was made to perform a variety of cutting tasks and punctures. The large guard has two lashing points and the hollow handle is large enough to secure to a large pole for spear hunting applications.
• At approximately 3.14” deep, the knurled hollow handle provides storage space large enough to fit Survival Spark, water purification tablets, cash or water
  proof matches for on-the-go access to survival tools.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Always find your way with a mini compass built into the durable aluminum butt cap of the handle.
• Fitted with a custom drop leg leather sheath made by Steve Shepard, quickly draw your knife from various positions.
• The TAD Edition features chemically-etched Triple Aught Design and Martin Knives logos on blade base and the number 14 stamped into the heel of the blade to mark the manufacturing year.

Behind the Scenes from Triple Aught Designs:

Martin Knives is the small family business of father-son duo Ed and Newt Martin. Their techniques have been perfected over the years and their recognizable style show influences from the likes of Bob Loveless and Bo Randall. Best known for their commitment to providing high quality, durable, versatile knives they specialize in an assortment of different fixed blade variations including tactical, survival, hunting and bushcraft fixed blades.  http://www.martinknives.com/