Gear Review - Urban Armed

Gear Review / Lifestyle July 19, 2017

Minimalist Leather Wallet by SZNS

SZNS – Where Function Meets Form

I’m always intrigued by products that cater to delivering on style as well as functionality. SZNS sent me their “minimalist wallet” to try out and from the moment I opened the box I was impressed with their overall presentation as well as their product. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of ” all things tactical” but I also work in a professional environment and I constantly find myself in this paradigm where I want to wear the coolest latest tactical 5.11 pants but end up wearing dress slacks and button shirts most of the time. Because of the “semi business professional” apparel I wear I love products that fit my needs but also play up to the “professional” appearance that is expected.

I can’t stand a “bulky” wallet. I never understood why a lot of guys end up with these massive bi-fold wallets that are full of credit cards, ID, receipts, business cards and the kitchen sink. Then they shove that behemoth in their back pocket which creates an uncomfortable bump to sit on all day and then it also adds that square wear mark on your back pocket that reminds me of a middle aged man wearing Costco branded jeans and white Nikes. I’m not bashing that style it’s just an association that skeeves me out for some reason. There’s nothing wrong with that but there are so many great options to carry all the necessary items today I just don’t understand why people are stilling willing to carry such a load and throw out there back in the process.

Some great features from SZNS on their Minimalist Wallet:

RFID blocking
Keeps bulk to an absolute minimum
Self-retracting pull tab for your main card storage
Quick access slots front and back
Holds 2-8 Cards
Backed by our 2 year warranty
Free shipping

Overall I’ve been really impressed with this wallet. At the end of the day it’s a wallet but they did put some thought into accessing the cards easily with a simple pull tab that lifts the cards as well as the RFID blocking technology and wrapped in a tasteful genuine leather material which gives it that sophisticated yet trendy look. Currently these wallets are priced at $45 US and SZNS provided free shipping. So head on over and check them out.

Suppressors / Gear Review February 27, 2017

Gemtech Trek 556 Suppressor – Review & Impression

Looking For A 5.56 Suppressor For Your AR-15?

When looking for a suppressor for my AR15 I wasn’t sure what I even needed or wanted. What did I expect from a suppressor that would be sending full pressure 5.56/.223 rounds downrange? I had no clue. Hopefully this article will help you if you are in the same boat.

GEMTECH- TREK Suppressor: The Good

One of the most attractive attributes of this particular rifle suppressor is the price. It currently retails from about $475-$500 respectfully on a few different online retailers websites. For me, that’s a strong value considering the performance of this muzzle device. It’s a single contained, zero maintenance, rugged silencer that will perform as expected every time with no fuss. Gemtech claims there is no maintenance or cleaning required so lon as you are only shooting 5.56/.223 normal pressure rounds through it. They didn’t design this particular can to handle low pressure “sub sonic” rounds and they even state that if you want to shoot sub sonic cartridges that you use a specific brand. The majority of commercially available 5.56mm subsonic ammunition does not stabilize in the M16 barrel and will yaw while in the suppressor. Damage caused by this ammunition is not covered under warranty. If it is desired to reduce the bullet flight noise and sonic crack, we suggest that a .22 rimfire adapter be used with standard velocity .22LR ammunition. If subsonic .223 ammunition is a requirement, Gemtech recommends only subsonic ammunition manufactured by Engel Ballistic Research, Inc. To read the full warranty and manual you can Gemtech Trek Owners Manual.

Besides the value the Gemtech Trek suppressor performs consistently well shot after shot after shot. It reduces the overall sound of the gun firing by 29 dB and is the equivalent to shooting .22 shorts out of a .22LR rifle.

Designed specifically to fill the needs of the law enforcement user, the TREK is a compact, durable and lightweight sound suppressor for the 5.56×45 mm centerfire cartridge. The TREK suppressor meets all OSHA and MILSPEC requirements for shooting without the use of hearing protection. The Trek is also available in a lightweight version, the Trek-T, fabricated from high strength, aircraft grade titanium alloys.

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Gear Review November 29, 2013

Three Circle Knives Satori Tanto – Video Review

Review – Three Circle Knives Satori Tanto

(Video Review – Click Read More For Full Article Including Video)

Black Cerakote Finish – Satori Tano by Three Circle Knives

If there is one tool that I’m always excited to update it’s my knives. Being an avid outdoors enthusiast, hiker and backpacker your tool is arguably your most precious tool. I’ve had the enjoyment of using the Satori Tanto knife from Three Circle Knives for the past few months and I must say it is a solid blade and one that I will be keeping in my backpack for years to come. From the unboxing of the knife to the field, I have been so impressed with this knife that I was giddy to film a video review. I generally use products for 2-6 months before recording or writing a review so I have been patiently using and abusing this fine piece of craftsmanship in the interim.

The Satori Tanto knife is forged from 440c .25″ steel and is cerakoted in black (also called “shadow”) and the handle is wrapped in a desert camo 550 paracord forming a comfortable grip around the handle. Some obligatory specs for the blade from the Three Circles Website:

Specs

12″ overall, 6.5″ blade Tanto
Cerakote in Black
.25″ thick 440C Steel
Kydex Sheath
Multiple Carry Options: Paracord or MOLLE Clip Paracord Options for handles: Black, Coyote Tan, Olive Drab, Gray, Maroon, Military Green

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Gear Review October 7, 2013

HSGI ARMORDILLO Discreet Case V2 Review

Review of the Discreet Carry Case Version 2 by HSGI

So I’ve been on the hunt for a new laptop / messenger bag for the past few months and finally decided on the Armordillo Discreet Case V2 by HSGI. It’s definitely a “man purse” for me as I carry a lot of crap on a daily basis. In my laptop case I am usually hauling a Macbook Pro, iPad, notebooks, Bose QC-15 headphones in their bulky case, spare contact lenses, glasses, pens, flashlight etc.

In the recent months I have destroyed my Swiss Gear messenger laptop bag. The stitching came undone six months ago and I’ve just been hobbling along looking more and more ghetto everyday. I finally retired it once I got this jewel in the mail. I’ve been using it for the last few weeks and so far have been very happy with it.

IT doesn’t have the water bottle holders on the side or the magazine pouches like the previous model, the V1 but it does offer plenty of storage, safe keeping for a laptop computer and allows for a 13.5×15.5 inch plate if you so decide to have a plate carrier / messenger bag. Below is a video review of the bag.

Take a Look at the case on High Speed Gear’s website here.

Gear Review July 15, 2013

Notkocher M71 Stove Review (Video)

The Swiss Army “Notkocher 71” Stove Review

I like to cruise through my local Survival store and see what kind of new gear I can try out. I came across this little denatured alcohol gel Swiss Army stove called the “Notkoher 71 or M71” and thought I would give it a test drive. From my online research “Notkocker” is pronounced as “not-ko-her” and is German for “emergency cooker”. I could be wrong on that so please correct me if I’m wrong.

I picked this particular stove up with the thought that it could be a great backup stove to my ISOPRO MSR Pocket Rocket which is my trusty standby when I”m out on the AT or Benton McKaye trails in North Georgia. I believe I only spent about $5.99 for this little green can of mystery and I always like to test new items out at home before taking them out and using them, even if it’s a simple little gel stove.

The Notkocher 71 weighs in at 5.9 ounces or 170g and measures 7.5 CM in diameter and 5 CM in height. it comes with a flexible top mounting stove that can also be stretched out to be used on your typical Sterno stove but I haven’t tested that out just yet. The burn time for 9 ounces of water in a stainless steel can with no lid was 6 minutes and forty seconds (6:40 rolling boil) and has a minimum of 45 minutes total burn time. Some people in forums have claimed more than two hours total burn time from one can. I am still tracking my time and will revise this post when I finally burn the whole can out.

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