BORELLI CONSULTING: Recreational Equipment Reviews

And On The Recreational Side...
17 September 2007

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Because I'm thick in the head it took me awhile to realize that cops and soldiers get time off too. When that dawning realization finally hit me like a V8 commercial (the smack in the head) Borelli Consulting started producing Recreational Equipment Reviews alongside the more duty related tactical reviews. It's hard to imagine, but we've been doing the recreational reviews for more than two years now. Here's a look back at some of the more interesting toys we've reviewed - most of them things we are either glad we still have or wish we did!

Workhorse Knives

Over the course of the past few years I've evaluated plenty of knives. I found myself recently going through my inventory as I put together a revamped Bugout Bag and prepared hiking belts for my family. I was also searching through some lockblade folders to put into bike bags as my family as all of a sudden started bicycling much more. As I considered options I realized that there are just a few knives I have that I consider reliable and valuable - and it's those that I would like to have anytime there is an emergency at hand requiring an edged tool or weapon. Below is my list of knives that I'd feel confident and comfortable with out in the field. The Nightwing is first on my list and it's the knife I carried throughout my time down in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Read more about the other knives HERE.

Orbea Orca Bicycle
By: Chuck Bennett

For those of you interested in the cutting edge, top of the line, full-tilt boogie of bicycles…I'm been in the market for a new road bike for a few months now. Since I'm not in any kind of hurry, I have availed myself of local bicycle shops all over the country to test ride everything I could get my hands on, (one of the benefits of traveling for a living). One of the most spectacular bikes I've have the pleasure of riding is the Orbea Orca. The Orca is a full carbon fiber framed bike and is the flagship of the Orbea line. If you haven't been a bike nut for the past few years you probably haven't heard of Orbea. They are produced in Northern Spain, an area that is home to some 1,500 cycling clubs. If you were watching the Tour de France this year (Yeah, Lance won again…) you saw these bicycles under the Euskaltel-Euskadi Team. Obviously these aren't your Costco bikes assembled by some high school kid. More about the Orbea Orca here.

Glock Competition Guns: Models 34 & 35

I know that competition shooting is vastly different from Hunting (and has nothing to do with fishing) but this was the most appropriate Recreational Section available for me to put this subject in. Perhaps I'll have to start a section on Shooting Sports if the interest warrants it. This week's Recreational Review is on the Glock Model 34 and Glock Model 35, otherwise known as the "Tactical / Practical" pistols from Glock. Specifically designed to be the same approximate dimensions as the Government Model 1911 Pistol in height and overall length, the G34/35s sport a longer slide and barrel than their G17/22/31 "little" brothers, but maintain the frame size and, therefore, round count. A few years back, a police agency I worked for tested the G34/35 pistols in consideration as duty weapons. The G17/22s were also tested, as well as weapons from Beretta, Sig, H&K, etc. Although the G34/35 wasn't selected, it proved quite a capable weapon and, during testing, qualification scores were noticeably higher with them. I don't know if it was a mental thing on the part of the shooters or not. Read more about the Glock 34s and 35s here.

Revision ANT Tactical Goggles
By: Chuck Bennettt

About a month ago I had a package thrown at me and was told to “Wring these out and tell me what you think.” Inside I found a pair of Revision Military Eyewear’s Tactical Goggles. I’m not one to sit on my laurels (despite what Borelli may say), so I grabbed my jump gear and headed out to the drop zone. My initial impression of these goggles was that they fit great and didn’t cover much facial area. I prefer a smaller goggle during the summer (especially on the east coast with humidity levels matching the temps), so I was looking forward to jumping these. Many of you on active duty in areas with a great deal of sand already know about Revision Military Eyewear. This Vermont based company produces eyewear that does one thing exceptionally well, protect your eyes. Check out the rest of this review of Revision's Bullet ANT Goggle here.

TACPATT Apparel
From Brigade Quartermaster & 5.11 Tactical

As a result of a professional partnership between Brigade Quartermaster and 5.11 Tactical, the TACPATT uniform line was created. Specifically designed for urban - that's NOT country or rural - but urban use, the camouflage is everything you'd expect from two leaders in today's military and law enforcement industry. The side benefit - and good news for those who enjoy the outdoors - is that few camo patterns have only one application. In this case, the TACPATT pattern is a mix of black, gray and two shades of green; but if you don't look carefully you might mistake if for simply three shades of gray and add in black. Since our woods and fields have plenty of black and gray spaces during the early morning and dusk hours, when game is either up and moving about or getting ready to bed down, the TACPATT pattern may well prove to be a very effective camouflage for hunting. Obviously, because of the design of the pants and shirts themselves, the apparel is valuable for outdoor use. If you are familiar with the typical design features of the 5.11 Tactical pants and shirts, then you already know the ins and outs of these clothing items. The design and camouflage pattern was the result of a professional partnership between Brigade Quartermaster and 5.11 Tactical. In addition to the pants and shirt, the TACPATT pattern is also available on an equipment vest, boonie-style hat and a baseball cap. More about this nearly perfect urban camo duty uniform here.

The Poncho "Hooch"

In several past articles I've referred to my surplus military poncho as a good emergency shelter item. In fact, it's been included in at least five articles as recommended equipment, and it's been referred to in many more than that. In response to several of those articles I've gotten emails from folks who said, "What you say is nice; but pictures would help." Point taken. This week I got my poncho out and set it up in the three different configurations I know of to use it as an emergency shelter. Below I'll describe all three ways and offer up what I believe to be the strengths and weaknesses of each.

I guess the first thing I should do is list the parts and pieces you'll need to set up the poncho as an emergency shelter in any of the described configurations. You obviously need a poncho. Surplus but serviceable ponchos are available online and in many "outdoor" stores. Remember that they aren't waterPROOF, only water resistant. It doesn't hurt to increase their water repellent capability by treating them with a spray on waterproofer. So, you need a poncho, several lengths (or a roll) of paracord or other similar cord, and at least three aluminum tent stakes. Four stakes is better and necessary for one of the options. Shown to the right is four tent stakes, my stored poncho and a length of paracord. I ended up cutting three lenghts of the paracord: two 12' long and one 16' long. At the end of each I tied a loop so that it was easy to wrap the cord around a tree trunk and not have to tie it - just pull the loose end through the loop. Read the rest of this info about how to build an emergency shelter out of your poncho HERE.

BE SAFE!

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Don't forget to check out our Tactical Equipment Review, looking back at the highlights of the 4.5 years of reviews we've produced.

This week's Training Article about the impact of media coverage has had on the evolution of our Immediate Response tactics.

For a listing of all reviews in chronological order, GO HERE.

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