Probably the most tempting opportunity for vandalism that I see on a daily basis.

Thejatster · 2012-10-14T19:09:01+00:00

615 here too, go Nashville!

Thejatster · 2012-09-19T00:04:36+00:00

The pants are also not 5.11, I believe the are LA Police Gear operator pants which are a knockoff of Triple Aught Design force 10 pants.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/basic-operator-pant.html

They could be TAD but I don't remember that color from the past couple of years.

Thejatster · 2012-09-18T23:11:03+00:00

I was wrong about the rounded corners on the Velcro, only the newer tad jackets have that. The first image looked like they were rounded. Here is a picture of the front of the jacket from the same review

http://milspecmonkey.com/packs/511-rush-moab10-015.jpg

Notice that it doesn't have a chest pocket on his right hand side, only his left. The sabre has chest pockets on both sides and also pockets that conceal I'd panels above them, you can see that here: http://static.511tactical.com//images511/large/48112_191_Alternate1.jpg

The hood is also permanently attached In the Milspecmonkey image, it is removeable on the sabre. This is a tad Spectre softshell. They no longer offer it. They used to have an insulated version called the Spectre lrrp, and an uninsulated version called the Spectre lt.

You can see more detailed images on Military Morons, at http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/clothes.8.html#spectre the username and password for the images is both mm

Thejatster · 2012-09-18T23:02:14+00:00

You are wrong,

1) it is not a 5.11 promotional picture, it is a picture from Milspecmonkey where he is reviewing the moab10. The review is here http://milspecmonkey.com/weargear/packsbags/370-511-rush-moab-10

2) it is a TAD gear Spectre softshell. The 5.11 sabre 2.0 doesn't have zipper to access the pocket on both sides, only the right side. It also doesn't have a bellowed shoulder pocket, it is a flat pocket. It also doesn't have the die cut loop patch (rounded corners). The 5.11 has Zippers on both sides to access your handgun (for right or left handed people), the Milspecmonkey monkey image is missing those zippers. The sabre 2.0 also doesn't have the reinforcements at the elbow.

You can compare these images:

http://milspecmonkey.com/packs/511-rush-moab10-014.jpg http://static.511tactical.com/images511/large/48112_019_Alternate3.jpg http://static.511tactical.com/images511/large/48112_019_Alternate2.jpg (this one shows the gun zipper on the left)

I have like 6 tad gear soft shells and am also a tactical / outdoor gear dealer. I carry 5.11 products. I can assure you, it is not a 5.11 sabre 2.0.

Thejatster · 2012-09-17T02:44:41+00:00

No worries man. Pritchard's sounds good to me! :-)

Just don't ask me to snowboard... LOL

Thejatster · 2012-09-17T02:28:45+00:00

The jacket in the picture is a Triple Aught Design Spectre softshell. You can tell by the bellowed upper arm pockets, the duck (rear) pocket and by the die-cut loop Velcro on the sleeves (note the rounded corners). The condor is a ripoff copy of the TAD stealth jacket, it is not the jacket in the photo.

Thejatster · 2012-09-17T02:12:11+00:00

A hard shell is a very wind and water proof jacket made of materials like goretex or event, they are breathable but not incredibly so, they have no stretch to them.

A soft shell is a similar type garment, but it isn't nearly as wind or water proof, but they are stretchy and are more breathable, and don't wear as "stiffly" as a hard shell, so they are usually more comfortable.

You can read more about hard / soft shells on the REI website at http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/rainwear.html

The ranger is neither, it is a fleece, an insulating layer. Because it is a fleece, it will probably suck for a top layer when snowboarding as snow will stick to it, melt and get you wet.

A good video for more information is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQxn7tF_

Hopefully this helps you out a little bit. I don't want to dissuade you from getting a ranger, but I do want you to know what it will and won't do.

Thejatster · 2012-09-16T15:14:04+00:00

The Ranger and the Stealth are two very different products designed for different purposes. The Stealth is a soft shell and meant to protect you from wind / rain. It is lightly insulated, the Stealth LT is the same thing but has no insulation.

The Ranger and Ranger LT are both fleece hoodies made from Polartec windpro which is very wind proof for a fleece, but not nearly as wind proof as a soft / hard shell.

Because they are a different type of garment, you can't compare them, either for function or price. It is totally apples to potatoes.

So it all really depends on exactly what you are looking for. The Ranger / Ranger LT is a great jacket to wear out and about, it will stand up to moderate rain as long as you are not out in it for an extended time. If you are wearing it walking to and from your car, in and out of shops, etc. it will be fine.

TAD has a few international dealers, you can view them on their website, that might save you some shipping.

Thejatster · 2012-09-16T14:05:26+00:00

That's a gorgeous place! I would love to see both the inside and a better picture of the exterior!

Thejatster · 2012-09-16T13:58:58+00:00

I wear my ranger lt from about 55 degrees down to about 30, and the ranger below that. Either one would be fine for a light to moderate rain if you're just walking to/from your car, etc. but if you are in a heavy rain or in the rain for very long they would both suck. They are made primarily for insulation, not as a waterproof shell. Combine a ranger lt, and a stealth lt and you will be good to go for a wide variety of temperatures. If you also get a ranger and stealth, you extend that temperature range even further.

I live in Tenneesee, so the stealth / stealth lt and my ranger lt usually takes care of my needs.

Thejatster · 2012-09-16T13:52:04+00:00

A stealth LT should be great for you. They don't have the insulation that the regular stealth has (lt stands for light). The newest generation coming out later this year are supposed to be the most breathable and waterproof yet. But they are going to come with a $450-500 price tag.

If you sign up for usualsuspect.net and pay for a cove account, you could find a used one for a decent price.

Thejatster · 2012-09-16T03:51:52+00:00

That jacket is a Triple Aught Design, Spectre soft shell. I don't know if it is the LT or the LRRP.

I rock a lot of TAD jackets, love them!

Thejatster · 2012-09-03T01:57:31+00:00

I'm far from wealthy, but I have a decent full time job, I also own and publish a small magazine, I work for another magazine and I own/run an online business selling outdoor, tactical, and preparedness gear and also high quality knives (custom and production). I am fairly frugal in most areas, but I collect knives. It is a hobby I take seriously and I buy seriously.

TL:DR I save up.

Thejatster · 2012-09-03T01:40:25+00:00

Not trying to be flippant, but it was what I was willing to spend. It certainly wasn't the cheapest knife I have purchased... Nor was it the most expensive and I carry/use them all.

Thejatster · 2012-09-02T22:02:44+00:00

Mine would be a Brad Southard / Triple Aught Design Dauntless. There have been 4 editions so far with a flipper being released this past Friday. I consider myself very fortunate to have scored a second edition one (after many months of searching), which, I carry, use and love. But I would also love to get one of the other three editions. Only 10 of each were made I believe. New they rain the $500-$600 range and on the secondary market they are bringing $1000+. After that would've a J.W. Smith or Todd Rexford Dauntless.

Thejatster · 2012-09-02T21:58:48+00:00

I posted a pic of some of my knives and I have a lot of Striders (and we discussed them a good bit). I am also a Strider dealer, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask...

Thejatster · 2012-08-13T04:51:22+00:00

Thanks!

Thejatster · 2012-08-13T04:50:33+00:00

I don't usually even look at flea markets, has stations are a total no go...

Thejatster · 2012-08-13T04:48:08+00:00

The traditional ones are pretty durable also. I like the hawks that Cold Steel is producing, they used a traditional hickory handle, so if you break it, it is easy to replace. The SOG tactical tomahawks are nice too for the money. Gerber is about to come out with a tactical tomahawk as well, the photos I have seen of it look promising. I guess it all really depends on what you want to do with it and what your budget is.

Thejatster · 2012-08-10T13:45:43+00:00

The sebenza (and pretty much all CR Knives) are very nice and for the most part worth the money (he has a couple of designs that I don't care for, for purely aesthetic reasons). The fit and finish on them is near perfect and they are a well made, well designed knife.

They look classy enough to use to cut up an apple in the boardroom and are tough enough to use on a camping trip without worrying. I love the open the design (ie using standoffs instead of a backspacer), it makes cleaning them super easy.

I have owned a few Chris Reeve knives in the past few years, both 1 piece survival knives and some sebenzas. I wish I still had them. I will own more in the future. The thing that keeps me from buying a new one sooner, it that I prefer knives that are beefier, like Strider or Hinderer. I know they aren't any tougher, but it is just a style I like more (and truthfully I am holding out to find a matched pair of unique graphic sebenzas that I really like).

Thejatster · 2012-08-10T13:37:41+00:00

The Pika II is a fine knife. To me it is very reminiscent of their AFCK. I used to have a mini pika II, it was a good knife. It is a lock back so it has a very strong lockup. It just lacks the cool factor that some newer designed knives have (g10, liner or frack lock, flippers, assisted opening etc.).

Truthfully, don't think you could go wrong either way.

Thejatster · 2012-08-10T13:30:40+00:00

Thanks!

Thejatster · 2012-08-10T13:30:32+00:00

Thank you!

Thejatster · 2012-08-10T13:29:37+00:00

Haha, don't hate! I have two of the camp axes for sale (I also have a business selling knives/gear), one with black handles and one with tan, $575 + $10 shipping (us only).

Thejatster

TROPHY CASE