Knife

Knives for Every Day Carry

The Edgemaster's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Fixed-Blade and Folding Knives
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I work at a prison so I don’t get to carry a gun, knife, or any other tool all day everyday. I don’t even take in a wallet or rings when I go to work.

When I worked at TEMA, I was able to keep a knife or three with me nearly 24/7/365.   The point is that EDC changes as life changes.

Knife choices can be extremely personal and there are a lot of opinions.  Personally – I want a good quality knife that can hold an edge, but I am not willing to spend a fortune, and I want a knife that is strong and sturdy enough for more than just slicing flesh.

This post is more of a catalog of ideas about rather than a list of things to buy.  I tried to keep it inexpensive under $50, but the Benchmade auto-opening knife really blew that attempt away, but I also have a few for less than $5.

Below, but in no specific order are some of my favorite Every Day Carry Knives.

Like all my other posts, you can click the picture to view this item on Amazon.  I do make a small commission if you purchase from this link, but it does not cost you any more money and the commissions pay for the hosting of this site and a small amount of the time it takes to find the information I share here.

 

SOG PowerLock EOD Multi-Tool B63N-CP – 18 Tools

SOG PowerLock EOD Multi-Tool B63N-CP - 18 Tools$60.00

 

Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier

Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier$26.99

 

Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool with Sheath and Bit set

Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool with Sheath and Bit set$85.00

 

Geshiintel Mini Portable EDC Stainless Steel Knife

geshiintel Mini Portable EDC Stainless Steel Tool Webbing Buckle Self Defence Survival Tool $3.06

 

Leatherman – Wingman

Leatherman - Wingman$49.95

 

Folding Pocket Keychain Knife with Hanging Chain

Folding Pocket Keychain Knife with Hanging Chain $5.45

 

YEEYOU Utility Knives 6-in-1 Multitool

YEEYOU Utility Knives 6-in-1 Multitool

$14.99

 

Folding Pocket Utility Knife

FOLDING POCKET UTILITY KNIFE$17.20 (+ shipping)

 

Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife

Ka-Bar TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife$34.99

(This is one of my favorite defensive knives, I modified my TDI with a tek-lok to use on my duty belt.)

 

Outdoor Edge Para-Claw Heavy-Duty Paracord Knife Survival Bracelet

Outdoor Edge Para-Claw Heavy-Duty Paracord Knife Survival Bracelet $19.95

 

Kabar TDI LDK Knife

Kabar TDI LDK Knife$14.48

(This is another favorite knife of mine, before I rejoined the the ranks of Correctional Officer I kept mine sewn into my belt)

 

Schrade Neck Knife

Schrade Neck Knife$14.99

(I have one of these without the ruler, I like it, it is not my favorite neck knife, but my favorite is discontinued.  There is a little discussion on neck knives, they are not always the best tactical solution, but they are easy to grab when needed.)

 

Victorinox Swiss Army Fieldmaster

Victorinox Swiss Army Fieldmaster$34.98

(I own more than one of these, I grabbed a bunch when I saw them at a deep discount.  The Fieldmaster is my second favorite Victorinox.  I love the quality, but they can be a little unwieldy when you get one with the kitchen sink added.)

 

Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker

Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker$21.62

(The tinker is one of my favorite knives of all time.  It is also my most preferred Swiss army knife.  Its the perfect size.  Its also the model used in the TV series MacGyver)

 

Leatherman – Squirt PS4

Leatherman - Squirt PS4

$34.95

 

Opinel N8 with Leather Sheath

Opinel N8 with Leather Sheath

$15.00

(These are very simple knives, they are high quality but simple.  I brought back about 10 of these when I first saw them while deployed in Germany)

 

Steel Finger Claw

Steel Finger Claw$1.98

(This knife is the closest I can find to the old WWII OSS Thumb Dagger, the idea of a small covert blade that can be sewn into your lapel or other article of clothing just isn’t popular anymore.)  I bought one, but it took over a month to arrive, it was not ground well enough to sharpen, and the sheath looks nothing like the picture

 

Kershaw Showtime Folding Pocket Knife

Kershaw Showtime Folding Pocket Knife$29.31
(I have owned a lot of Kershaws and CRKT knives over the years, they both are good brands if not quite top tier.  I like this model because of its simplicity.)

 

CRKT RASP Folding Carry Knife

CRKT RASP Folding Carry Knife$51.64

 

Benchmade Presidio II Automatic AXIS Folding Knife

Benchmade Presidio II Automatic AXIS Folding Knife$285.00

(I had to add one automatic knife to the list because my home state of Tennessee finally decided to decriminalize auto openers.)

Keychain

EDC Basics Bags, Belts, and Keychains

EDC Basics Bags, Belts, and Keychains
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This post on EDC Basics Bags, Belts, and Keychains is a list of items to help organize and carry all your everyday carry items.  I have specifically left holsters off this list, as some individuals that read this site live or work in non-permissive environments, and others choose to not carry a gun everyday.

That is not MY choice, I choose to carry whenever I can, but this post is not for me, it is for you the reader.

I hope that these items give you some ideas, or solve a problem you are having.

I encourage you to think about your situation and devise a group of tools and skills that are likely to keep you safe and make you more productive.  If the kit makes your life easier you are more likely to have it with you when your life depends on it.

I could not find a belt that worked with my needs, so I bought some 1.5 buckles, webbing, and velcro and sewed my own.

My rigged up hand sewn belt has been working well for over a year.  It is not perfect and I’d love a custom belt with a cobra buckle, but it was cheap, and I can wear it through the metal detector at work without having to undo my belt.

Like all my other posts, you can click the picture to view this item on Amazon.  I do make a small commission if you purchase from this link, but it does not cost you any more money and the commissions pay for the hosting of this site and a small amount of the time it takes to find the information I share here.

GRULLIN Tactical Nylon Belt

$16.99

 

Blue Alpha Gear 1.5″ Hybrid COBRA EDC Belt

$69.97

 

Smart Compact Key Organizer Keychain

$22.95

(I own a Thorkey organizer one and I love it)

 

KeySmart Extended

$22.85

(I own a couple, and reviewed the KeySmart system, I like it, but I prefer the leather one above for its flexibility and style)

 

Lucky Line 81101 Key Ring

$5.02

 

Vintage Canvas Messenger Bag

$27.49

(I prefer messenger bags or old book-bag backpacks to tacticool accessories – it doesn’t scream shoot me first

 

Dunnta Tactical Sling Bag

$14.99

 

Red Rock Outdoor Gear Rover Sling Pack

$29.90

 

Maxpedition E.D.C. Pocket Organizer

$18.57

 

Fieldline Alpha OPS Daypack

$29.47

Concert

15 Steps to Follow When Experiencing Emergency Situation at a Concert

15 Steps to Follow When Experiencing Emergency Situation at a Concert
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Attending a concert of your favorite band is one of the most thrilling experiences, but it could also turn into a nightmare in case of emergency. It doesn’t happen so often, but still we are all familiar with the notorious cases of Manchester Arena bombing or Rhode Island nightclub fire.

Security analysts at the coursework assignments agency say that concerts, along with similar highly-attended events, are extremely risky gatherings: “They attract thousands of people, thus creating the basic precondition for possible outbursts or incidents.”

In this post, we will show you 15 steps to follow when experiencing an emergency situation at a concert.

  1. Arrive early

If you want to avoid the crowd, you need to arrive at the venue a little earlier. At the same time, the entrance is one of the concert’s pain points, so it will save you from possible incidents.

  1. Familiarize with the venue

Arriving early, you also get the opportunity to familiarize with the venue. This is essential because it helps you to remember each exit and stairway, while you can detect members of the security guard as well. Knowing the venue can turn out to be a big help in case of emergency.

  1. Make a plan

A concert may seem like an event too simple to make a plan for, but you don’t want the incident to catch you off guard. Talk to your companions and discuss what to do and where to meet if something goes wrong.

  1. Wear the right clothes

This point could deem irrelevant, but the clothes you wear could make all the difference when the time comes to run away. You should avoid wearing loose clothes or closed-toe shoes. Such wardrobe will slow you down, preventing faster reactions when you need them the most.

  1. Charge a mobile phone battery

First of all, you don’t want to go to the concert without a mobile phone because you can easily get lost in the crowd. Secondly, you should charge the battery to the fullest to ensure communication over the longer period of time. That way, you can always call your friends, family members, or anyone else for that matter.

  1. Pay attention to people around you

Now that the concert has started, you should relax and enjoy the music. However, it won’t hurt you to pay attention to the people around you – sometimes you could notice a strange behavior before the incident occurs.

  1. Leave the venue if you notice the problem

If you notice the incident before the crowd, make sure to leave the venue as quickly as possible. The most important thing is to ensure a safe return home for you and your friends, so go out smoothly if you see something strange is about to happen.

  1. Don’t panic

Whatever happens at a concert, you don’t want to panic. Panic is a sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought and action, which means it can only slow you down as you are trying to escape.

  1. Call 911

As soon as you get a chance, call 911 to report a problem. It may save a lot of people or prevent further damage.

  1. Learn first aid

Emergency situations require quick reactions. On some occasions, there is no time to wait for an ambulance, and you’ll need to help yourself or people around you. Learning first aid will provide you with the medical “know how.”

  1. Don’t move with the crowd

Concert incidents usually form a crowd that runs away furiously. You can’t go against it, but you shouldn’t follow it either. Instead, try to go diagonally and find the nearest exit.

  1. Look for security officers

Since you already know the venue, you should be able to detect security officers. These people are professionals who can protect you from whatever is causing the emergency, so try to reach them as soon as possible.

  1. Run away

Concert emergencies are often so chaotic that you just can’t make it to the safeguards. In this case, the best option is to follow your initial escape plan and run away quickly. Try to reach the exit and meet your friends outside to make sure everyone is doing well.

  1. Help someone if possible

If you successfully avoided the danger, you should try to help other people find their way out, too. Keep calm, explain to them what is going on, and take them outside. If they need medical attention, don’t forget to use your first aid skills.

  1. Leave early or wait

Some incidents happen at the end of the concert when everybody is leaving the venue. We recommend you go out a little earlier to avoid the crowd. But if you really want to stay until the end, then you should wait for a while. It’s much safer to exchange concert impressions with your friends for a few minutes than to push your way through the crowded corridor.

Conclusion

People love attending concerts and enjoying good music, but this sort of event can sometimes turn into a disaster. This post showed you 15 steps to follow when experiencing an emergency situation at a concert. Don’t hesitate to read our suggestions once again as they might even save your life one day.

 

Healthy Breakfast Tips For Busy Mornings

Healthy Breakfast Tips For Busy Mornings

Uncover Healthy Breakfast Tips For Busy Morning
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Just like good work requires preparation, a good day requires that you have a rich, fulfilling breakfast. Having breakfast within an hour after waking up has some surprising health benefits. It will boost up your metabolism and prevent you from consuming high-calorie foods at night. Some would say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  A good breakfast provides you with nutrients which will increase your concentration.  It does this by encouraging blood-flow to your brain.  Additionally it helps by equipping you with the energy you need to function the entire day.

Some of you may not have the time to make a good breakfast in the morning.  Especially with the anxiety of being late for work and getting your kids to school.  Some of the tips I have compiled will help you do all of the things you need to do as well as make your growling stomach happy.

1. Preparation

If you’re very busy in the morning, then one smart thing to do is to start preparing your breakfast from the night before.  For instance, you can load up your coffee maker with coffee and fill it up with water so that the only thing you would need to do is to turn the switch on as soon as you wake up. If you don’t have a coffee maker, then think about investing in one, it will save you a lot of time. You can think about what you want to have the next morning, for instance, a good, oats and raisins cereal and set it out on the table along with a bowl and a spoon. When you wake up, the only thing left to be done would be to take the milk out from the fridge.

Another thing you could do, if you are a fan of smoothies, is to blend whatever fruits you like with some yogurt and sugar or honey as desired and blend it the night before. Storing smoothies in the fridge won’t make them go bad and you’ll be having a healthy breakfast. To speed up the process, you can load up your freezer with the fruits and vegetables that you like and simply take them out and blend them. If on the other hand, you like juices, then I would suggest buying yourself a masticating juicer. With the added benefit of being quick, having a juicer will give you fresh juices with no preservatives added and with no vitamin loss as an externality of packaged juices.

2. Stocking

It is a good idea to go to the grocery store and buy yourself quick, yet healthy eating options which you can just take out of the cabinet and eat. Being prepared is half the work, and it will help you save time on days you don’t feel like having to cook anything.

Some of these options include granola bars, oats, dried fruit, fruit yogurt, quinoa and peanut/almond butter. In addition to being a great source of instant energy, these foods will sufficiently ease hunger for a long time as they are rich in highly needed proteins, vitamins, and minerals which are essential to your diet.

3. Cookware

Though you will not be needing any pots, as most breakfasts do not require thorough cooking.  However, you will certainly be needing a pan or two. Make sure to get a pan of the right size.  Getting a pot that is too small will restrict the possibilities in which it can be used.

If you do not already have these cookware, equip yourself with important day-to-day use appliances like a toaster, microwave, blender, coffee maker, oven-toaster, and a juicer. Tons of healthy breakfasts can be made using these appliances and quickly, too. One applicant that indeed deserves a mention is the masticating juicer for those early morning smoothies.

4. Nutrients

Since it is the first meal of the day, it cannot be stressed more that you must have a balanced diet. There are plenty of apps available on App Store or Google Play which will count your calorie intake.  These aps will tell you the nutrients present in your food.  Furthermore, they allow you to know what foods are missing from your diet.

For your carbs, you can consume bread, oatmeal, berries, nuts or yogurt. For fiber, you can prepare yourself a small salad the night before.  Don’t forget to cover your salad with your favorite dressing.  Having a good source of fiber in your breakfast will help you not feel hungry for a long time. For proteins, you can consume milk, eggs or any kind of meat.

Fly with Your Infant

How to Fly with Your Infant

How to Fly with Your Infant
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Traveling with a baby is in no way easy; instead, it might be the most daunting task of your life, if you think about it. Not only are you suppose to make sure your baby doesn’t cry but also ensure that the sound of his/her sobs does not disturb the other passengers. I think that is sufficient reason to want to pull out your hair in frustration.

However, no task is too difficult to handle when you are well prepared. With a little bit of planning, a few tricks up your sleeves, you also can be an expert at knowing how to comfortably and safely fly with your infant.

I have outlined a few tips that I think any parent would find useful when they are heading out with their little bundle of joy on a flight:

Plan Flights and Seats

Babies tend to sleep more often than not. However, the excitement of the trip can deter them from their naps at their designated times. Thus, many parents prefer to plan flights in the AMs. At that time, infants are less likely to be fussy, and you can get them to sleep quickly after the plane has landed at your destination.

Moreover, usually, people prefer to carry their infant in their arms when on a flight. However, you should consider getting your young one a separate seat in the plane and secure them in their car seat with a proper harness to keep them safe, as also approved by the FAA. If you are worried about the added expenses then you can always get discounted flight tickets from PennySaviour.

Pack Light or Not

Most people tend to go overboard and pack anything and everything they think their child might need. The trick is to make a list of things that are essential like the stroller or diapers and wipes.

Infants are known for making a mess wherever and whenever they desire. So packing a shirt or two for yourself and the baby in your carry-on might come in handy more than you realize.

The diapers and wipes are, I’m pretty sure available everywhere in the world so, you can make do with just enough to get through the flight and the next day; you can buy more when the need arises. You’ll also need a blanket for the little angel as well as a pacifier, one or two toys are an a-okay but not a bucket full.

Feed Your Baby During Takeoff and Landing

The change in air pressure causes discomfort in our ears that is incredibly painful for adults so imagine the torment it must be for an infant. Thus, if you feed your baby during takeoff and landing, the sucking and swallowing action will help keep their ears open and any distress at bay.

Best of all, if they are not in pain, they are less likely to cry and disturb the other passengers, making it a relaxed, stress-free flight.

Accept Help When Offered

Yes, humanity still exists; the passengers on board or flight attendants will lend a helping hand when they notice an upset baby. Let others take over for a change, to give yourself a bit of time to relax and unwind.

Keeping a baby happy is no easy task; you need the break to keep yourself from feeling frustrated and helpless. It will help make the flight comfortable for you and your young one.

Conclusion

These are just a few tricks to keep in mind when you plan on flying with an infant. So are you ready to board the next flight to your dream destination with a baby in tow?