An Cosantóir

gear review BenchMade Mini-Griptilian Combo Edged Knife Colour: Black Handle with Satin Blade Price: €80.00 The manufacturer says... BenchMade's Griptilian and Mini-Griptilian knives series are amongst the top tactical and survival folding knife products in their range. Featuring several variations in blade type, colour and style there is a huge amount of variation to choose from. This Mini Griptilian has a 2.91-inch Satin finish stainless steel blade with combination plain and serrated edge with black thermoplastic handle. The blade handle makes this a great military or hunting knife as it will match perfectly with your other kit. All Griptilian Knives feature 154cm stainless steel drop-point blades with a hardness rating of 58-61HRC making them tough and durable but still lightweight enough for effortless manoeuvrability. The Griptilian series employ the AXIS® locking mechanism with dual thumb-stud opener - A 100-percent ambidextrous design, AXIS® gets its function from a small, hardened steel bar which rides forward and back in a slot machined into both steel liners. The bar extends to both sides of the knife, spans the liners, and is positioned over the rear of the blade. It engages a ramped, tang portion of the knife blade when it is opened. Two omega style springs, one on each liner, give the locking bar its inertia to engage the knife tang. As a result, the tang is wedged solidly between a sizable stop pin and the AXIS® bar itself. The handles of the Griptilian knives are also embossed with a textured surface and ribbed spine meaning that these knives actually grip back when you hold them. The Griptillian Knives all feature a Tip Up clip and Lanyard hole to provide additional carry options. Drop-Point: A slow convex-curved drop in the point characterises a drop-point blade. The drop-point format lowers the point for control but adds strength to the tip. Our reviewer Lt Alan Kearney (OBTS) says... The knife comes with a soft pouch designed for storage when not in use. My first impressions are it is a well-presented and manufactured knife. The blade has a 'clip point' which is both practical and is one of the many areas where attention to detail is quite evident; such as plenty of 'jimping' (machined grooves) in areas on the liner and the blade designed to improve grip or feel. The locking system is robust and feels very safe, with a small amount of practice it becomes quite easy to utilise opening and closing. The blade is constructed from a variety of steel known for good edge retention and relative ease of sharpening. The liners too are made from the same stainless steel and while not impervious to rust, should not deteriorate without serious abuse. Serrations on a blade, particularly on one so small, will never suit everyone and is very much a personal choice; however, the knife can be supplied with or without. The handles didn't seem to 'grip back' as the manufacturer suggested, but they seem adequate as opposed to being 'of note'. The belt clip may be changed from one side to the other (but not end to end) and it has the all important lanyard hole for use in the field. Overall you are paying a price for a well-made and dependable small knife, with lots of excellent features, expensive perhaps, but not if viewed as a quality utility tool from a respected manufacturer that will last a lifetime. There is a lot of choice in this price range, but the knife would certainly warrant a place on any shortlist. Blade Durability 9 - Handle Grip 8 - Locking/Safety 9 - Manoeuvrability 7 | 33 Sponsored by Team Alpha.ie Kestrel Silva Starter 1-2-3 Compass Price: €13.00 The manufacturer says... This compass has two graduation lines as well as large numerals at every 20 mark, and it's clear base-plate makes it easy to read a map and set bearings. To get a precise wind direction, simply point the large base plate arrow into the wind, turn the bezel to match the red North indicator to the red needle, and read the wind direction at the base plate arrow This full-featured compass has a declination correction scale to allow you to make quick adjustments of map bearings to field headings, a sure-grip dial and ergonomically-contoured base plate, includes inch and millimetre rules for mapping and plotting. Our reviewer Ciarán Mac Giolla Phádraig (Subscriber/ Scouter) says... My first impressions of the compass are that the size is perfect for a starter compass; you can calculate bearings and headings with ease. The dial and base-plate are well made and would take some force to damage or even just to scratch. Packed with extra features like the declination scale and the ability to gauge wind direction the compass is perfect for anyone – either an experienced orienteerer or a day tripper. The only thing lacking would be a lanyard and a magnifying glass to read the smaller map details. Overall it is a quality piece of kit. Accuracy 9 - Wind Direction Feature 7 - Declination correction scale 8 - Value 9 Com p etitio n This month Team-Alpha are offering a €100 Voucher to be used on their website www.team-alpha.ie. For a chance to win this month's prize answer the following question: How much is an Otterbox Defender Series iPhone 4S Realtree Camo MAX4HD Orange Phone Case on the team-alpha website? Answers on a postcard to An Cosantóir's regular address or by email to subs@military.ie by the 22nd May 2013. Winner will be the first correct entry drawn. Last month's winner of a €100 voucher for Team-Alpha.ie was Jack Cullinan www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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