I came across the Dalstrong Ravenger 9″ cleaver on Amazon while searching for something else. I was struck by the extraordinarily high user rating of this knife – at the time of writing, an average review of 4.8 stars by 244 respondents. Intrigued, I read some of the reviews, and they persuaded me to take… Continue reading Hyperbole to the max – but it’s a very impressive knife
Tag: Product Reviews
A new favorite deep concealment pistol – Glock’s 43X
Over the years I’ve tested most of the smaller, more concealable pistols to reach the market, with particular emphasis on ease of handling and concealment by partly disabled shooters. Almost all of them were comparable in terms of magazine capacity, available calibers and cartridges, accuracy, and so on. My ultimate criteria was always ergonomics; how… Continue reading A new favorite deep concealment pistol – Glock’s 43X
A refreshing alternative to tea or coffee
Being a writer, I spend long hours in front of the computer, working on books, research, blog posts and the like. I get rather tired of coffee and tea as refreshments. I’ve used various bouillons as substitutes – meat, chicken, etc. – with good results. Miss D. and I particularly like the “Better Than Bouillon”… Continue reading A refreshing alternative to tea or coffee
Belt knives at bargain prices
Now and again I come across products that are so useful, and offer such good value for money, that I have to recommend them to my readers. I don’t get paid or compensated for doing so – that would make it a commercial transaction, rather than a personal recommendation, and I don’t do that here.… Continue reading Belt knives at bargain prices
The Ka-Bar Tac Tool: way overpriced for what it offers
In a great many markets for self-defense, security, do-it-yourself, “tacticool” and similar products, there’s a high volume of hype and exaggeration in advertising. Most of it is completely without foundation. It’s meant to appeal to the “boys and their toys” market, where (sadly) many men can be seduced into buying something because it’s the latest… Continue reading The Ka-Bar Tac Tool: way overpriced for what it offers
So where do you get the ammunition?
In my review of Ruger’s PC9 carbine, published earlier this morning, I recommended Federal HST 147gr. hollowpoint ammunition as an ideal pairing with the firearm. That engendered several e-mails from frustrated readers, all saying, in so many words, “That’s all very well, but where do we find that ammo? Our local dealers don’t have it… Continue reading So where do you get the ammunition?
An almost ideal home/family defense weapon
For years, my recommendation for a basic, simple home and family defense firearm, for those who are not able or willing to undergo the training necessary to make best use of a different weapon, has been a 20ga. youth-model shotgun. I discussed it in some depth in this article. However, a new arrival on the… Continue reading An almost ideal home/family defense weapon
Amazon reviews by scientists?
The Washington Post reports: Last month, John Birch left a four-star review on Amazon for a tea strainer, which his son had purchased to separate ants for a zoology experiment. No big deal. The review sat quietly on the site until this week, when other scientists found it, shared it and instantly started a Twitter… Continue reading Amazon reviews by scientists?
The most cost-effective binoculars I’ve ever owned
A few years ago I wrote about the usefulness of binoculars in emergency situations, following that article with another on how to choose the right low-cost binoculars for your needs. I stand by most of my recommendations in those articles; but technology has improved to the point that many of my earlier criteria are about… Continue reading The most cost-effective binoculars I’ve ever owned
Strength training: useful books and videos
Following my article yesterday about how Miss D. and I have started strength training, I received a number of questions asking where readers could learn more. Extensive videos are provided at Mark Rippetoe’s Web site, and on his YouTube channel. Almost all of them are very helpful. Here’s an introductory video from the latter, from… Continue reading Strength training: useful books and videos