September 2016 Carry
August faded away and fall nestled in quickly. The change from shorts to jeans has made carry a lot easier. It is also brought with it weather that let's me fire up the camp fire a bit more often. I got a few new items in, but one item absolutely dominated my carry this past month--the Olight S1R Baton. Its not just a great light, it might be the best production light ever made. The review will be chock full of comparisons because this is a great that rivals some of the very best.
Olight S1R Baton and the GEC Small Jack #25
The Small Jack was a gift from my uncle-in-law. I think of it as the Dragonfly II of the GEC lineup--its compact, but capable with a slightly wider than average blade. The 1095 works well here as it is not a knife I thrust into hard use situations. As a slicer its very nice, though I am careful to keep it clean. The patina thing isn't my favorite.
I love cooking over an open flame and by cooking I mean searing meats and toasting other things. I am not a chef by any means, but the camp iron is a good way to transform otherwise boring ingredients into something downright delicious. Here I took sourdough bread added some peanut butter and buttered both sides to make something both my oldest son and I scarfed down.
Spyderco Techno and the HDS Rotary
The Techno is probably my all time favorite Spyderco, even though rationally I know the Dragonfly II is better. The look, the in hand feel, and the insane fit and finish make this a knife I can never get rid of, regardless of what comes down the pike. And the Rotary, well, its still my go to light when SHTF.
Working in an office has marked reduced the number of knives I like to carry and the ZDP-189 version of the ZT0450 is one of them. Its feather weight, solid lock up, and great flipper make it ideal. It has also made the 940-1 redundant. I greatly prefer this knife to that knife even though the materials aren't all that different. The flipping action is so much better on this blade than on the all titanium version I reviewed a year or so ago.
Olight S1R Baton and the Zero Tolerance ZT0450ZDPCF
As I prepare for two different shoot outs I have amassed some nice stuff. One of those pieces is this gem, the Steelcraft Mini Bodega.
Muyshondt Aeon Mk. III and the Steelcraft Mini Bodega
It is still bonkers how good this knife is. Even my Dad, who has a passing interest in gear, was blown away. Normally when I tell him the price of something like this he just groans. But here he saw where the money was used. This blade is outstanding in every way.
I had a chance to cross a knife off my list that I have been wondering about for a while--the Al Mar Falcon. This is the bigger, clipped version of the Hawk.
MBI HF-R, Al Mar Falcon Ultralight, Tactile Turn Shaker
Though it took a while to get around to it, I am glad I landed this knife because it is awesome in every way the Hawk was awesome, plus a few extra ways. This is a good blade.
MBI HF-R, the Al Mar Falcon, and a freshly pick Macoun apple (all are delicious)
One of my very favorite fall traditions, right up there with Thanksgiving, is apple picking and the Falcon came with me--its a great apple slicer and peeler and the AUS8 is 100% worry free. Paired, as here, with the MBI HF-R, this is a super capable and super light kit.
October has the one and only holiday that necessitates a flashlight--Halloween. This is the Super Bowl for us flashoholics. I recommend you start thinking about what you will carry soon. Mine will be the old stand by, the same light I have carried for the last three Halloweens--the HDS Rotary. Does everything, does it well, just the right size and has just the right amount of throw.
Busse Watch: Called again last week. I was told "maybe by the end of the year." Oh well, this year's Chopocalypse will focus on mid-sized knives. I need one more to round out the trio. I am still bummed, but oh well. And no, I don't think it will be here before the end of the year. I am hoping it is here before the end of 2017. If not, then I might be disappointed. 2-20 weeks...BULLSHIT.
Olight S1R Baton and the GEC Small Jack #25
The Small Jack was a gift from my uncle-in-law. I think of it as the Dragonfly II of the GEC lineup--its compact, but capable with a slightly wider than average blade. The 1095 works well here as it is not a knife I thrust into hard use situations. As a slicer its very nice, though I am careful to keep it clean. The patina thing isn't my favorite.
I love cooking over an open flame and by cooking I mean searing meats and toasting other things. I am not a chef by any means, but the camp iron is a good way to transform otherwise boring ingredients into something downright delicious. Here I took sourdough bread added some peanut butter and buttered both sides to make something both my oldest son and I scarfed down.
Spyderco Techno and the HDS Rotary
The Techno is probably my all time favorite Spyderco, even though rationally I know the Dragonfly II is better. The look, the in hand feel, and the insane fit and finish make this a knife I can never get rid of, regardless of what comes down the pike. And the Rotary, well, its still my go to light when SHTF.
Working in an office has marked reduced the number of knives I like to carry and the ZDP-189 version of the ZT0450 is one of them. Its feather weight, solid lock up, and great flipper make it ideal. It has also made the 940-1 redundant. I greatly prefer this knife to that knife even though the materials aren't all that different. The flipping action is so much better on this blade than on the all titanium version I reviewed a year or so ago.
Olight S1R Baton and the Zero Tolerance ZT0450ZDPCF
As I prepare for two different shoot outs I have amassed some nice stuff. One of those pieces is this gem, the Steelcraft Mini Bodega.
Muyshondt Aeon Mk. III and the Steelcraft Mini Bodega
It is still bonkers how good this knife is. Even my Dad, who has a passing interest in gear, was blown away. Normally when I tell him the price of something like this he just groans. But here he saw where the money was used. This blade is outstanding in every way.
I had a chance to cross a knife off my list that I have been wondering about for a while--the Al Mar Falcon. This is the bigger, clipped version of the Hawk.
MBI HF-R, Al Mar Falcon Ultralight, Tactile Turn Shaker
Though it took a while to get around to it, I am glad I landed this knife because it is awesome in every way the Hawk was awesome, plus a few extra ways. This is a good blade.
MBI HF-R, the Al Mar Falcon, and a freshly pick Macoun apple (all are delicious)
One of my very favorite fall traditions, right up there with Thanksgiving, is apple picking and the Falcon came with me--its a great apple slicer and peeler and the AUS8 is 100% worry free. Paired, as here, with the MBI HF-R, this is a super capable and super light kit.
October has the one and only holiday that necessitates a flashlight--Halloween. This is the Super Bowl for us flashoholics. I recommend you start thinking about what you will carry soon. Mine will be the old stand by, the same light I have carried for the last three Halloweens--the HDS Rotary. Does everything, does it well, just the right size and has just the right amount of throw.
Busse Watch: Called again last week. I was told "maybe by the end of the year." Oh well, this year's Chopocalypse will focus on mid-sized knives. I need one more to round out the trio. I am still bummed, but oh well. And no, I don't think it will be here before the end of the year. I am hoping it is here before the end of 2017. If not, then I might be disappointed. 2-20 weeks...BULLSHIT.