Freeman Outdoor Gear Model 451 Knives

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Randall

Freeman KnivesI was immediately drawn to Jeff Freeman’s booth at Blade Show 2014.  His Freeman Outdoor Gear knives looked just right for first responders.  I discovered exactly why when I learned that Jeff is a U.S. Army veteran and a former wildland firefighter.

To honor the men and women with whom he worked in the fire service, Jeff named his Model 451 after the radio call sign “451” which was his crew’s.  It is coincidentally the ignition temperature at which paper burns, according to the famous Ray Bradbury novel.

Regardless of the reasoning, these are some hot knives.  The standard and compact 451 are full tang CPM-S35VN steel at a RHC of 59-61.  Various shades of Cerakote coat the blades.  Machined G10 or Micarta handle scales offer the grip.  All of the knives have a precision and professionalism about them.  And they are Made in the USA.

Freeman 451 Continue reading →

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New Heckler & Koch VP9

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Randall

Heckler & Koch pro shooter, Air Force veteran, and sheriff’s deputy John Rasmussen gives us a quick tour of the upcoming H&K VP9 9mm pistol.

Randall

Posted in Firearms | 4 Comments

Miller Brothers Blades Serious Heavy Use Knives

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Randall

Miller Brothers 1Miller Brothers Blades does not fool around with dainty knives.  If you think I’m kidding, watch the video at the end of the article where they pound one of their knives through 1/4″ plate steel, then cut with the same edge.  Whoa.

Miller Brothers 8With care, I handled over a dozen of their wares at Blade Show.  Each one had a scary sharp edge.  The steel for their knives is high carbon 5160.  Most of their knife profiles can be done in 1/4″ or 5/16″ steel.  The blades are black phosphate coated, which I was told treats the steel and is more durable than a powdercoat or spray on finish.

The Miller Brothers use G-10 FR4 for their handle grips (though I did see one or two cord wrapped handles).  It is available for bolting on in OD, Earth Brown, 3 Color Camo, Brown and Black, OD and Black, and custom colors.  Sheaths for the knives are made of .093″ Kydex, which is the thickest of the breed.

Miller Brothers make all their knives in Fremont, OH.  In talking to them, they came off as “shop guys” with a love of big steel.  MBB stocks some models, but said they can make any of the knives to order.  Each knife is blanked by hand, so there is no water-jetting or Continue reading →

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Blade Show 2014

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Randall

imageI will be en route to Blade Show at 0500 tomorrow.  I promise to post photos of any cool new sharpies I get to see in Atlanta!

Randall

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Smith & Bradley Sans-13 Watch Review

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Randall

Smith & Bradley Sans-13The Sans-13 from Smith & Bradley Watches is intended for law enforcement and tactical military personnel.  Jerommie Smith and Ryan Bradley are the Sidney, Illinois founders of the brand.  As their first watch, the Sans-13 was designed with input from those who would be the end users–cops and soldiers.  Jerommie is a Police K9 Handler and Ryan is an attorney.  I met them both earlier this year at SHOT Show and I can vouch for their genuine passion about timepieces.

Shortly after SHOT, I bought a Sans-13 from their website.  Since then, I have worn this watch from the drudgery of desk work to search warrant services to dicey homicide stakeouts.  My Sans-13 was a rugged companion to BDU’s when I instructed active shooter training and a smart timekeeper for my daily business-casual mode of dress.

The brain of the Sans-13 is its Ronda Caliber 6003.D three hand day/date Swiss Quartz movement.  Protecting the internals is an impressive black PVD-coated stainless steel case, which is 43mm in diameter.  The case and stainless steel back are water resistant to 200 meters.  A crown guard stands its duty around the screw-in crown.

Made for use with or without gloves, the Continue reading →

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Vacationing Cop Wears Mil-Spec Monkey Hoodie

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Randall

Hunting Whales 2Mil-Spec Monkey posted my photograph on his Facebook page wearing one of his MSM Hoodies.  Thanks, Monkey!  My wife shot this pic while we were hiking in northern California two weeks ago.  We were on a coastal trail and I had just spotted a gray whale.  Cameras up!

Satellite imagery will show that the hoodie’s sleeves bear a Mil-Spec Monkey logo patch and ThinBlueFlorida patch (made by…the Monkey).  My faithful Tactical Tailor Urban Operator Backpack (misnamed for this outing) carries the photo gear, water, snacks, and first aid (including tourniquet and QuikClot combat gauze).

What looks like a wallet in the right front jeans pocket is my Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 in a Sticky Holsters pocket model.  I was glad to be carrying the Bodyguard when we took a wrong turn while walking in San Francisco.  A Spyderco Delica assumed the role of back-up piece to the S & W.

We hiked a total of 45 miles during our ten day stay in Marin County.  It was a terrific vacation that was much needed.  I try to take time off from the L.E. grind regularly.  It definitely keeps things in perspective.

Migrating Gray WhaleRandall

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Memorial Day

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Randall

American-Flag-2048x1536-iPad-wallpaper_1Here’s to honoring those brave men and women who, in the service of the United States’ Armed Forces, lost their lives to preserve our freedom.  I am having a day of reflection and gratitude…

Randall

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Federal Agents to Begin Recording Suspect Interviews

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Randall

FBI sealThe Justice Department has issued a policy change that will direct federal agents from the FBI, DEA, BATFE, and the U.S. Marshals Service to begin electronically recording suspect interviews. Welcome to the 1980’s, G-Men!  Seriously, this will be an important credibility boost for the Feds.

One of my cyber-crimes detectives was recently on the stand in a federal trial.  As a task force agent, he was questioned on cross-examination about his lack of a recorded suspect interview.  In the gallery, I squirmed when the savvy defense lawyer pointedly asked him, “In your capacity as a local law enforcement officer, isn’t it true that you would have taped your interrogation of my client?”  “Yes.”  “So we can’t really hear exactly what my client said because federal rules prevented it.”  Ruh-roh.

The Justice Department policy change will take effect in July.  Although I wholeheartedly applaud the new directive, I am still scratching my head was to why this was not done…I don’t know…several decades ago.

Randall

Posted in Legal | 3 Comments

Introducing the iStab

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Randall

iStabOh, boy.

“The iStab is a 3D printed iPhone cover which has a folding knife along one edge, producing a blade whenever you might need one. This phone case is “cutting edge”, and is designed as an exploration in conceptual 3D printed weapons.”
The models I based this idea from are free, and the programs needed edit the 3D files are also free: Netfabb and MeshMixer.”

“The iStab is a great way to keep a cutting implement on hand at all times. This can be used as a weapon for self-defense for the next time you’re in a knife-fight like Michael Jackson in Beat It, or harmlessly used for everyday actions like opening packaging or cutting items to size. Forget highly-contentious 3D printed firearms and flimsy iPhone knuckle dusters, the iStab has you covered for all your cutting needs.”

“Blades such as the one shown in this project are considered weapons by law enforcement. This project is provided for educational use only and should not be replicated.”

image

image

Thank goodness it is flimsy.

Randall

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R.A.T.S. Tourniquet

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Randall

The Rapid Application Tourniquet System (R.A.T.S.) is another style of extremity hemorrhage control marketed to soldiers and police officers.  It consists of a 1/2″ flat bungee cord and aluminum cleat.  The instructions below are pretty self explanatory.

tourniquetinstructions Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Officer Safety, Street | 1 Comment

RF Safe-Stop System to End Vehicle Pursuits?

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Randall

RF Safe-Stop Systeme2v technologies is a British company which is diversified into the defense, space, medical, industrial, civil aeronautics, and security industries.  They have a multitude of products that revolve around hi-reliability semi-conductors, lasers, radars, and the like.  In their security and rescue division is the RF Safe-Stop System.

The system uses a proprietary radio frequency emission to “confuse” the electronics of a car or ship thus bringing it to a halt.  e2v says they have tested the RF Safe-Stop in low speed applications.  Further testing is in the works.  A prototype RF Safe-Stop is shown below  in the bed of a pickup. Continue reading →

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Absurd Police Foot Pursuits

Posted on May 9, 2014 by Randall

Lowa Boots, LLC, the German footwear maker, has a new line of tactical boots for the service professional.  The promotional video is a dramatized police foot pursuit.  I do not remember using parkour in any chase I was ever in.

I do remember being in an absurd foot pursuit when I was a rookie on Midnight Shift.  It was like the chase scene from the movie Raising Arizona with dogs and houses and slo-mo’s of weird things passing by in the periphery.  We interrupted a residential burglar and he took off between the houses.

Young and spry, I accelerated into the darkness to catch him.  It was not the nicest part of town and each property was largely unkempt.  I jumped over a whole yard full of Little Tikes plastic toys, makeshift furniture, several fences, a red wagon, and I think a cat. Continue reading →

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L.A.P.D. Approves Shellback Plate Carrier

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Randall

aggressorplatecarriershellbacktacticallapdapprovedShellback Tactical has announced that its Made in USA AGGRESSOR plate carrier in black has been approved for duty use by the Los Angeles Police Department.  The MSRP for the AGGRESSOR is $179.99.  The pouches and mags not included.

Randall

 

NOW – L.A.P.D. (Los Angeles Police Department) Approved
The AGGRESSOR Plate Carrier is integrated with several features. The AGGRESSOR Carrier challenges the status quo in Law Enforcement plate carriers. This carrier was designed from the ground up with the patrol officer or tactical operator in mind. Ideal to be worn as an outer plate carrier/ tactical vest with rifle hard armor plates. The carrier has integrated front and back interior adjustable plate pockets that accept Level 3 and 4 10×12 shooters cut (clipped corner) plates and 10×12 Rectangle Plates. Used by many patrol officers as a daily duty outer vest carrier. The AGGRESSOR gives you more comfort as a plate carrier and a larger area to accept molle pouches. The AGGRESSOR also has an integrated heavy duty drag handle. The AGGRESSOR will Accept our GROIN Protector Armor, Deltoid Protector Armor and Collar Protector Armor all Level IIIA. The Shoulder Pad Accessory will also fit the AGGRESSOR but was not specifically made for them. If you need added comfort from loads like plates this is a great accessory. This Carrier is loaded. Pouches in pictures not included, and for example purposes only.

Continue reading →

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Florida Trooper Killed in Crash

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Randall

Trooper Chelsea RichardFlorida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard lost her life in the line of duty today when she was struck by a driver on I-75 in Marion County.

While investigating a crash, a second multiple vehicle crash occurred and a pickup truck swerved into the trooper, a tow truck driver, and a bystander.  Trooper Richard and the tow truck driver were killed at the scene.  The third injured person was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Trooper Richard, 30, was a nine year FHP veteran.  She is survived by her four year old son.  The crash is under investigation.  Services for the fallen trooper will be announced by the FHP.

It has been a hard week for law enforcement with Trooper Richard’s death, two Alaska State Troopers gunned down, and an LAPD officer killed.  Please be safe out there.

Randall

Posted in Officer Down | 1 Comment

Exoskel Climbers and Shin Guards

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Randall

Exoskel Group is a Made in the USA company producing a special shin guard that doubles as a stability and climbing aid.  The teeth, buckles, and stirrup design are tested to hold up to 1,000 pounds of weight.  Exoskel lists the following product advantages to a military or police operator:

  • RAPIDLY ASCEND urban obstacles
  • STABILIZER : firing / brace position on uneven ground
  • Shin PROTECTOR
  • Close Quarter BATTLE TOOL
  • Perpetrator RESTRAINT
  • Injury PREVENTION

Exoskel Continue reading →

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