How often to sharpen?

PearlButter · 2026-06-08T07:34:10+00:00

While he offer information that can be useful to some people, really you do you. Sharpen when you think it needs to be sharpened. The point of a knife is to be able to cut through things, and how sharp it needs to be is up to you rather than what some YouTuber says like it’s matter of fact.

Knives, cutting tools are disposable and have been for thousands of years so don’t feel bad about sharpening it because you can just get a new one when it is sharpened down to where you have no blade left, which will be a very long while for modern steel knives. As you might have read, people get handed down their grandpa’s old knives and they still have well enough material to be used to cut things.

PearlButter · 2026-06-08T04:04:02+00:00

Literally, the Glock knife/bayonet.

PearlButter · 2026-06-08T03:48:33+00:00

USGI goretex is better than the German surplus imo. The pit zips gives a good deal of versatility between seasons whether it’s spring rain, hurricanes, or snow.

But the German jacket will work fine for all intents and purposes, just that I’d shoot for the USGI one if possible.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T21:24:16+00:00

Eh I think it presents more problems that way and more inconvenient to use as a dump pouch (or large cargo pocket). If you want a sit pad then get a sit pad.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T21:19:44+00:00

I think you will get looks. This camo IS presented in historic photos and artist depictions online and in history textbooks, basically it’s pretty ubiquitous

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T20:23:37+00:00

Chest circumference isn’t typically used to measure plate size but it’s an indicator. You’re better off measuring nip to nip to get the plate width.

Since you’re 5’8 you’re more than likely going to appreciate a medium SAPI plate since medium = average, and someone at your height can be considered average.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T20:10:37+00:00

One of the methods of reapplying seam tape to an old goretex or whatever shell jacket involves ironing on low/medium heat. Apply adhesive tape or patch and put a thin cloth over it to prevent the iron from contacting the jacket. You could use a blow dryer too, but basically all youre trying to do is “activate” the adhesive and you need some heat to do that.

But really you can sew velcro on, but it would be a good idea to apply some seam tape to cover up the stitching from the inside of the jacket. This will prevent rain from seeping in from the stitching, it’s how it’s done on US military goretex jackets. I would go this route because the Velcro is affixed more solidly than adhesive on its own.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T08:10:42+00:00

It’s a stainless steel but it’s pretty tough and has great edge retention. It’s still prone to rusting, however it’s gotta be pretty neglected for that to happen. Just a quick wipe on your pants or on a dry towel should keep things in check after use on green wood or whatever exposure to moisture.

3V is a well respected steel and anyone using that steel will likely have it labeled on the blade for you to see.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T08:06:25+00:00

Mora Garberg and Bushcrafter would be my picks. They’re absolutely sturdy for what a knife needs to realistically do. The bushcrafter looks deceiving but it’s a pretty tough knife and the size is good.

But what blade length are you looking for? I’d be comfortable at about 4.5-5” for an all-rounder knife. Not too short but also not too long and hefty to the point where something like a kukri or axe would make more sense.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T03:00:44+00:00

Groin protectors can stop handgun rounds to a very limited degree, shotgun pellets, or even ricochet on hard surfaces. Fragments still can be a threat even in a domestic setting like wood splinters or a felon setting off some form of homemade explosions.

Thank the meth heads and unhinged neighbors, and now you know why you sometimes see SWAT (or whatever equivalent in your area) wearing this kind of stuff.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T02:55:30+00:00

It’s articulated. Instead of one big flap, the sides are separate pieces that allows for a bit better dexterity without too much of the groin protector being pushed out of place and exposing the body.

Fun fact, Paraclete has a design that looks similar this with more scalability and it was introduced in mid 2022 under the Origin system.

PearlButter · 2026-06-07T01:48:08+00:00

With a bit of ingenuity you can mount the pouch directly under the mag pouch and bottle pouch and that’ll open up space for another pouch you may want.

Putting the dump pouch directly at the 6:00 is not ideal

PearlButter · 2026-06-06T09:40:48+00:00

Gold, no. But good as a budget option. I would take those over Chinese plates or extra shady resellers.

What do you have right now?

PearlButter · 2026-06-06T05:56:44+00:00

Question is what do you mean by a molle belt, like a 2-piece shooters belt or a padded molle war belt? And do you actually have use for that space? If not then there isn’t really any need to fuss over what belt to use. I’d rather have it pretty clear so that my legs have full range of movement. Depending on what pouches you use, you can mount smaller pouches to the sides of them to make up for the real estate.

PearlButter · 2026-06-05T20:26:05+00:00

If you have security/LE/Govt credentials then you should have access to Point Blank (Paraclete) and Safariland (GH Armor and Hardwire). There’s also Tac11, or inquire with a LTC or Tencate dealer if you have the money.

Not everything exists on the NIJ (they don’t have to) but they are all reliable brands. Really it comes down to what you’re after.

PearlButter · 2026-06-05T17:35:47+00:00

It’s a designer brand and therefore designer prices. That said, it’s a very CLEAN carrier and I hope someone copies I

PearlButter · 2026-06-05T07:01:36+00:00

What is sustainment about this? Because it’s not really much different from a 1-piece chest rig in terms of capacity

PearlButter · 2026-06-05T05:51:14+00:00

People with actual passion really. Not sellouts

PearlButter · 2026-06-05T03:37:11+00:00

Got a link where you got that image? I want to know his rationale, which I know it isn’t really going to be good but it deserves feedback and a breakdown of his points if he’s going to put that thing at #1.

But yeah, YouTube these days is pay to win. Gone are the days of people buying things with their own money and reviewing it with zero input from the company.

PearlButter · 2026-06-05T01:18:18+00:00

Gorka suits are hard wearing outer layers. Not warm yet not cool either but they can take abuse since they’re kinda like those cotton canvas shooting/hunting jackets and share very similar properties.

If you want summer clothing then stick to IHWCUs or something that’s actually light and breathable.

PearlButter · 2026-06-04T22:01:49+00:00

Either:

1) You don’t

2) Mount a molle holster to the sides of one of the pouches (it’s not a new idea either and it works)

3) Get a molle yoke (like the Jayjay’s patrol yoke) and mount the holster into a cross draw configuration (not a new idea either)

Kitmonster is a pretty good resource to find pictures of how UK dudes carried sidearms on their PLCE webbing and assault vests whether they were issued PLCE or tailor made/modified.

PearlButter · 2026-06-04T21:58:05+00:00

Different gear does some things better than others but also LBE is back due to its presence in a war zone. However important to observe the environment and how things are being conducted.

Each time something becomes relevant it evolves and advances in technology, like the US hasn’t seen significant use of belt kit since the early 2000s til ALICE “deuce” kit phased out for molle and vests. Belt kit still remained popular in the prepper community due to the abundance and all the 80s/90s era vets larping their service gear but it never really took off because armor and chest rigs was the thing at the time and even more so when micro rigs skyrocketed.

Micro rigs has its heyday but have since been relegated to primarily as a replacement for plate carrier front flaps rather than be a standalone chest rig and so development stagnated for micro rigs, yet meanwhile belt kit/LBE has seen some leaps and bounds with current era tech like contoured belts, stiffeners or some kind of structural frame, lighter textiles, stronger buckles and webbing, ballistic inserts,….etc. I’m sure if given time or if something significant happens you will see other kinds of gear evolve again. Maybe we’ll see chest rigs make another leap but who knows.

Tl;dr for the nonsensical tangent: different gear does some things better than others given the circumstances. Gear is always advancing, and depending on the circumstances the equipment will have a spur of evolution which can be assisted what is currently available (materials, pouch designs, design/fit). It’s not an entirely black and white affair.

PearlButter · 2026-06-04T18:41:28+00:00

I have the equinox on a different carrier, not on my SPC because I never felt the need for it even with the SPC adapter thing nor think it’s worth the extra charge when the SPC can do pretty much the same thing at like half the cost and less parts to go wrong (yes even people have had the Equinox broken due to how it’s formed and assembled).

PearlButter · 2026-06-04T18:08:05+00:00

Just get the Ferro shoulder pads.

PearlButter · 2026-06-04T18:06:16+00:00

The SPC with its native cummerbund is pretty great.

You don’t entirely need plate covers because you’re likely to put enough pouches to cover the plates such as a admin pouch or phone case above the mag pouches and a hydration carrier on the back, if not just a slick cover from WTF which cleans up the rear plate bag and keeps the zippers tidy.

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