SHOT Show: SOG Shows Its Edge In The Contractor Series
Doing the job right starts with using the right tool, and at last week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas, SOG Knives introduced four tools for the Contractor series, and these are designed specifically for tradesman and those who know that knives are more for just cutting stuff. The company’s line also included the Nautical precision multi-tool, which is geared for underwater digging, prying and scraping, as well as the Force, a nearly foot-long knife for long-duration uses.
In the Contractor series the company builds on its nearly 25 years of experience as the supplier of knives and tools for industrial, contractor and DIY markets, and this year’s four knives are ideal for those who like a bit of adventure as well. These four knives feature multi-bladed lockback, holes/notches for stripping wire and G10 or aluminum grips as well as razor sharp blades. The line will be out in spring of this year. Here are the highlights:
The Contractor I (MSRP: $48.00) will feature notches for stripping wire, one handed opening and aluminum grips.
The Contractor II (MSRP: $48.00) offers a lockback design, sheepsfoot blade shape, G10 grips and one handed opening.
The Contractor III (MSRP: $55.00) is a multi-bladed lockback with G10 grips and one handed opening.
The Contractor IV (MSRP: $55.00) has a lockback design with hooked blade shape, G10 grips and one handed opening.
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools New Products For 2011 Official Site
SHOT Show: Universal Combat Shirt
This shirt is strong enough for soldiers on the front line, so while it is a bit pricier than other base layers, you know it is going to stand up to some true extremes. Massif has been producing the US Army issue Army Combat Shirt, and now the company has introduced the commercial Universal Combat Shirt, which is based on the ACS.
The UCS is designed for wear under armor – should you require armor that is – and it even provides flame protection, making this ideal for search and rescue teams, and others that might find themselves in such hazardous conditions. It features FR stretch fabrics that are still lightweight, breathable and even highly wicking to keep the sweat off you.
So what is the big difference between this and the ACS? For one the new shirts are available in a wider range of colors, including tan, OD and MultiCam – sorry, it is still military styled so you’re going to get those military colors. But it still features the low-profile shoulder pockets to provide easy access to gear, with durable mesh pocket bags to increase ventilation and flat seams that won’t chafe under armor or other layers.
SHOT Show: Get Your Sidekick and Wingman
As any good adventurer knows, it is good to have a sidekick for your journey. Likewise, a wingman comes in handy for so much more than just cruising the bars. A sidekick and a wingman should be reliable through thick and thin, and now you can actually buy one of each – of the multi-tool variety that is.
At last week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Leatherman introduced the Sidekick and Wingman – two new tools that feature contemporary design for the first-time multi-tool buyers. Both tools will be made from 420 stainless steel and feature Leatherman’s popular outside-accessibility-to-tools design, including a saw, knife, scissors, screwdriver, pliers, bottle/can opener, serrated knife and much more.
While meant for the price-conscience buyer – the Sidekick will retail for $29.99 and the Wingman at $39.99 – when they arrive in September of this year, as with other Leatherman products these products still feature the company’s industry-leading, no-hassle, 25 year warranty. Move over Swiss Army Knife, we’d rather have the American-made Sidekick or Wingman with us on our next journey.
ABC News Called SHOT Show “World’s Largest Gun Show”
Some facts were not made clear in the ABC News coverage of last week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas. First, the headline, “World’s Largest Gun Show Launches in Las Vegas Despite Arizona Shooting,” implies that this was first a traditional “gun show,” and second that it was an easily cancelable event.
The latter argument is made in this passage:
“Gun control advocates criticized the timing of the show so soon after the shooting of (Rep. Gabrielle) Giffords, D-Ariz., and amid a resulting amplification of the country’s ongoing gun debate.”
We question this statement, because the show is an annual event and is planned months in advance, with dates already known for next year. Canceling it wouldn’t be an easy affair, and could cost many businesses a lot of money – not to mention the money that Las Vegas earns in hotel rooms, food, transportation and entertainment.
Only later in the story is it made clear that this is what ABC News writes “the most important gathering of the gun industry,” It also takes several paragraphs for it to be noted that this is a “gathering for gun vendors and manufacturers” and “is not open to the public and does not aim to sell individual guns.”
Even Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center notes that the show is “like the Detroit Audo Show crossed with the Golden Globes.”
What is odd is that ABC News had Sugarmann report on sales:
“Sugarmann said the show comes at a time when most of the major gun manufacturers are experiencing a significant decline in demand and declining sales.”
Why exactly is a gun control authority offering commentary on the sales at the show? Wouldn’t someone who actually knows something about the state of the industry from a business stand point be the better authority on this subject?
2011 SHOT Show Recap
Here is a look at some of the highlights of the 2011 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), which took place this past week in Las Vegas.
Ted Nugent was on hand signing autographs
SHOT Show: S.W.A.T. Customizable Boots
These boots aren’t just made for walking, but that’s what you’ll do – with them, and a whole lot more. The SWAT id, the original S.W.A.T.’s are customizable so you can build the boots to suit your exact need.
The Original SWAT Footwear Company has now introduced a line of boots where users can choose from a number of boot model options, upload images, and even enter team names or badge numbers should it be required. Users can decide if they want a plain toe, or go with the Tec Tuff Toe option, which provides protection from abrasions and is also resistant to oil, petroleum and salt staining. It is further fire retardant and resists cold cracking. There is even an option for a composite safety toe inside the boot that can withstand 200 Joules Impact Test Standards, yet is made of non-metal material so it is anti-magnetic and non-sparking – plus metal-detector friendly.
In addition, users can choose insulation type, opting for the 400 gram of Thinsulate insulation, which is ideal for high activity levels in cold weather, and even decided if the boots need to be waterproof or offer puncture protection. All this can be determined directly from the website and each team member – should there be a team involved – can get a boot just for them!
Original SWAT: S.W.A.T. ID official Website
SHOT Show: ESS Offers Superior Suppressor Eyeshields
You know this new eyewear is no joke it the maker calls them “eyeshields” and offers the brand name “Suppressor” for the frames. But when it comes from ESS, you also know this is going to be serious eye protection too.
The company is introducing its new line of hunting and shooting eyeshields at the SHOT Show this week, and these are the world’s first to be specifically engineered to function under ear cup hearing protection, comms devices and even helmets. This ensures that what protects the eyes doesn’t give the wearer a headache in the process.
The soreness and hotspots that is typically endured while wearing eyewear beneath the various headborne gear is now a thank of past, as ESS turns eye pro safety on its ear.
SHOT Show: International Supplies Brings out New Products for 2011
This week at the SHOT Show International Supplies, a distributor in the shooting sports, law enforcement and tactical industries, is introducing several new products for 2011. Here is a sample of new products that the company will release this year.
- Laser Ammo’s SureStrike:
A laser bullet system that turns any fully operational pistol into a laser emitting dry fire training weapon so you can dry fire train whenever and wherever you want using your own gun. Works with 9mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP, .45GAP, .45LC revolver, 12 gauge shotgun, and NOW .38/357 revolvers and all your AR type rifles and carbines.
- Tactical Eye:
A laser with a built-in digital video camera that can be mounted onto a gun or rifle using a picatinny or tactical rail. Allows users to record their actions while still being able to quickly aim and hold their weapon.
- Brite-Strike’s Tactical Flashlights:
A heavy duty rechargeable flashlight that can be mounted onto a gun with a remote pressure switch. Features high/low/strobe modes. Ideal for law enforcement, military, night hunting, etc.
- Brite-Strike’s Duty Light Camera:
It’s a super heavy-duty rechargeable flashlight that features a built in video camera so users can record action in the field and use video as evidence. Can record up to two hours of high quality color video and audio with 2GB capacity.
- Brite-Strike’s Infrared Tactical Balls:
They are concentric and weighted so they will wobble and spin all around when rolled or tossed into a room, then land light up to backlight and distract the bad guy. It’s lightweight, water resistant, and shock resistant.
- Brite-Strike’s A-Pals:
All Purpose adhesive light strips that can be seen from up to ¼ mile away for up to 35 hours. Modes: On/Fast Strobe/Slow Strobe/Off. Waterproof, dustproof and holds tight to any surface, wet or dry. Also comes in Infrared.
- Armortek Cases:
State of the art locking cases that provide maximum theft protection for your firearms, like AR-15s and semi-automatic pistols, or other valuables. Built like a steel cage, but lightweight, portable and nearly impossible to break into or steal.
SHOT Show: QuikClot
At the SHOT Show this week QuikClot, also known as Combat Gauze in the U.S. Military), is being demonstrated. This revolutionary hemostatic product, which is the only product carried by every soldier in the battlefield in every branch of the U.S. Military, has been credited with dropping the death rate from bleeding to death on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan from 26 percent to 11 percent.
QuikClot from Z-Medica is now making its way into the civilian ranks and is being used by hospitals, EMT, police and fire departments across the country and now it is being made available to the hunting and sportsman community. It looks like just regular gauze and requires no training to use- just apply it to the wound with direct pressure, just like you would with regular gauze. Unlike regular gauze, it’s treated with Kaolin, an inert 100% non-allergenic naturally occurring substance. Kaolin doesn’t create a chemical reaction, and instead it just advances the body’s natural clotting, so much so that wounds that would take 20 min to stop bleeding can stop bleeding in two to three minutes. Thus it is really a groundbreaking lifesaving product and it’s so simple to use that any hunter could pull it from his first aid kit or his pocket and save someone’s life in the event of an accident. The company hopes that it will be as common as band-aids in the future.
SHOT Show: Keep it Clean With Otis Technology
Otis Technology
This week at the SHOW Shot Otis Technologies will be showing its most advanced gun care system, while introducing new products for 2011.
Events for the week will include autograph signings from Ammo & Attitude reality show winner Becky Lou Lacock, as well as Patrick Flanigan, Kristy Lee Cook and Kim Rhode. Raffle tickets for the Chuck Mawhinney replica Vietnam sniper rifle valued at $14,000 will be available in the Otis booth, and Jim Ferguson’s Outdoor Trails Radio will be broadcasting live at from Tuesday- Thursday. Ammo & Attitude Co-Host and Otis CEO Doreen Garrett and her husband Jody will be included in Ferguson’s guest interviews.
