Gear Brands/Makers
 

Everyone here knows that Eggroll and Razor make great kit, but what other brands are PS.com members using? I have stuff from Razor, High Speed Gear, Maxpedition, Safariland, and Paraclete. All on one setup. I like all of them for different reasons, and they all work for me. What do you have, what do you use, what won't you use and Why?

Use: Eagle, SO Tech, Tactical Tailor, TAS, SDS (only the canteen/ utility pouch) and Maxpedition.

Have but haven't used yet operationally: Kifaru

Will Use or have used: STRIKE, Safariland, HSGI, SOE, Paraclete, and the list goes on....

Will never use: SDS, they don't stand behind their gear, and only provide a 1 year warranty, but the canteen / utility is the bomb and not prone to blowouts in my experience. ELCS, I was issued this piece of crap, and turned it in shortly thereafter. That Gregory/ Bianchi rucksack catastrophe, I turned it in still in the box, sealed, after taking a look at my buddy's.

This is off of the top of my head, I've used tons of stuff.

Eagle, LBT, BHI (Don't yell Reaper, I didn't know), have an Eggroll on the way, more Eggroll to work next month, thinking Kifaru (book bags for 9 year-olds), Camelback, Emerson, Harsey one day, Glock, Kimber one day, SA, Blade-Tech.

Won't use BHI anymore. Don't like SDS (crappy zippers).

SOTECH, Paraclete, Eagle (RAID assault pack made for Lightfighter), stuff by eggroll, LBT, Tactical Tailor, SOE......and yes even us "mounted" guys appreciate great kit!;)

"BHI (Don't yell Reaper, I didn't know)"
OK, I wasn't going to be the first to admit that I had some of their gear. I have a pistol mag pouch and a rigger's belt. Both were given to me and I would be a fool not to use them at that price. That being said, I wouldn't BUY any of their stuff, but Free is Free.

Easy to buy a lot of gear when you have a steel turtle to carry it all for you.

:munchin

True.....gotta have stuff to keep the lounge chair, ice chest, and grill company.:D

Kifaru, Tactical Tailor, EGL, Razor, and BHI.

While I have read of bad experiences with BHI I can state the Rigger's belts (atleast the one I have) was well built. It has supported my ass on several occassions without givingway and I continue to wear it as my uniform belt.

Do most people take issue with Blackhawks' gear being made overseas or is it a quality issue?

Or does being made overseas make it a quality issue by default?

I have been unimpressed with their big ticket items like vests and packs (anything that has to take alot of stress) but have found their pouches of various sorts and small items to be just as good as the industry standard. The STRIKE line of pockets, though obviously a rip off of another companies gear, comes to mind.

:munchin

While I dont have many things from BHI I do own a STOMP II that I used for Tac-Medic support for the SWAT team here. It would not have been my first choice of kit if I were spending the nickel, but it has held up well thru the wear and tear I have put on it for a couple years. It too is a knock-off but of a LBT bag. Then again LBT copied their medication pouch, airway pouch, and IV pouch from Life Support Products sooo. lol

For me, it is somewhat of a combination of the causes. I agree with you on the big stuff that I have seen from them. I have heard of and seen several of their products fail. And most importantly, For My nickel, I would rather see a small American shop like Razor or Eggroll do well than a giant corporation like Blackhawk. Just Personal Preference I suppose. Well, Personal preference influenced by All of NDD's talk about oppressed masses toiling in sweatshops:D

If i happen to buy a Blackhawk item does that qualify me for the People's List?:D

Might ought to ask the People's Medic;)

You've both been on The List for over a week.

Footmobile is is a Marine - the epitome of US oppression projected into the 3rd world to enforce the reactionary policies of the reactionary American imperialist running dogs.

Air for not donating the the 5.11s to The People (mostly me) but rather further perpetrating the capitalist ideals.

Poor quality, yet little, if any less expensive. If the amount of Cordura in a ruck represented such an investment that "Nytaneon" saves money, we are talking pennies on the $100.

Made in Communist Vietnam, other Asian sweatshop wages must have been too high.

One of, if not the worst customer service rep in the industry.

No integrity or original products, virtually everything is a bad/cheap copy of someone elses' gear.

The only thing of theirs I own is the BHI sheath my Y Knife came in, and would have just as soon gotten it with no sheath rather than with theirs for free.

Those of you who have not had problems, yet, the clock is ticking. When it fails in BFE, good luck with the warranty service while continuing the airborne mission without it.

TR

I finally made it onto the List!

"Perpetrating the Capitalist Ideals"......
I like it, has a nice ring to it.

Air.177-Perpetrating Capitalist Ideals since 1984

I don't have so much brand loyalty as design loyalty. That said, from what I've seen, Tactical Tailor puts out products with above average construction for a great price, without being made in dubious overseas factories. Overall, I think I get the best quality per dollar ratio with their products.

I've settled down happily with the following:

Boots: Danner, Wellco

Ruck Sacks: PLCE Bergen, TT MALICE 2

Med Packs: BHI STOMP 2 (property of my employer), TT Trauma Pack

Vests/LBEs: SOE Med Tech LBV, TT Utility TAC-Vest, LBT SAW Gunner's LBE

Has anyone used anything from Diamondback Tactical?

They used to sell Paraclete but are apparently making their own armor vests, etc. now. Looking at the catalog their RCBS vest looks like an exact copy of the Paraclete RAV. Seems they sell BHI also.

I bought 2 Paraclte Quad 9mm Mag Pouches From them at the suggestion of another board member. I am completely satisfied with this company.

Diamondback Tactical no longer is a Paraclete distributer. What they have left in stock is being sold off.

If you order from them ask specifically for Damon.....he is in one of the troops of my squadron and just an overall good joe. Tell him that SFC B. from C Troop referred you. (btw, I get no kickbacks for referrals, just in case anyone thought that was out of line).

However, ask if any items are in stock because they often have VERY large contracts so sometimes smaller orders won't have priority. Just like ordering from any of the larger distributers, you have to understand the current world situation means the manufacturers are busy and this does affect availability.

Also, if you are looking at Paraclete specifically, you can try them directly or lightfighter.com. I do have several 'Clete pouches and they are excellent pieces of kit.

Also, depending on your needs check out Eggroll's or Razor's stuff too.....support the "small guys" too, they put out GREAT items.:D

HTH

What kind of gear does Razor make?
I have gear from HSGI, BHI, TT, Eagle and Safariland. None of the quality has been less than what was expected.

In a nutshell, various custom pouches and other 'smaller' items.

Damn GOOD gear!

TR

I'll Second That

You guys keep that up and I'm going to have to buy new ballcaps. :)

Hey, I haven't even gotten anything from you but all I've heard are good things so I figured plugging the "little guys" couldn't hurt.:D

I thought that you had to go to custom made at that size.

Now where is the eggroll and mm contingent?

TR

Sorry all.... been downstairs setting up a SECOND sewing machine so I can practice transition drills and the like :p

TR, did Razor mention my idea on your 9 mag carry ?

I will be posting up some new pix shortly.


EGG

for the new folks, I do *small * stuff, and am the fallguy for Razor when he needs HEAVY duty stitching

http://www.geardo.com/images/EGL/eggmlcs1.jpg

Gucci

Egg,

Oops, haven't mentioned it to TR yet. My bad. I'll bring my Kifaru E&E down to PWSA this weekend and show you the mods I made to make it more handy as a day-to-day hydration carrier/small daypack.

Does he (Razor) only make gear for the SF/SOF "market", or does he also make gear for civilians (especially interested in rucksack mods)?

He Mod'd my ruck here.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...&threadid=1345

No my ruck is not pink!

Methinks he doth protest too much. ;)

Just stating facts not already in evidence.

And for the record, TR, my TA-50 is OD.

Note to self: Buy better camera and some good lighting for next photo op...

This thread has been out of circulation for a while, but...

SO Tech Hellcat (if I had it to do over again I might get the one piece instead of two piece- adding DAPS to IBA negates the usefulness of the easy on/off), Paraclete and Tactical Tailor pouches, HSGI 9mm holster, Tactical Tailor rigger belt, Tactical Tailor modded ALICE pack, 5.56 MAGPULs (work great with open top mag pouches on Hellcat).

All great kit. I like having two mag pouches on the HSGI holster. Off the FOB it holds two mags, on the FOB it holds a mag and my Wave. As long as I remember to switch out before I go out so I don't try to lock and load a multi-tool.

LBT PJ aid bags! Universally better received than the STOMP.

I ordered BattleLab (Diamondback) upright injectable meds pouches for my medics to keep their injectable morphine in. Seems like a novel idea. I also ordered drop-leg medical pouches from I forget where. Those didn't last long. I think a drop-leg holster on one leg and a drop-leg medical pouch on the other seemed like overkill to my guys.

ACOG on my M16, but I'll happily trade that for an M4 with an M68.

The new issue Belleville deserts are much better than the old school deserts, but given my druthers I'd wear my Merrells.

One drawback to the one-piece Hellcat a SWAT officer buddy of mine mentioned was that when he put 9 fully loaded mags and a water bottole on the front in STRIKE pouches, the weight pulled the Velcro securing the top map pocket open, and the whole front panel sagged forward. I've never tried this (nor do I own a Hellcat Mk I), so I can't speak on this from first-hand experience.

My colleges use gear from BHI,Eagle,PB(Interceptor) & SDS(RACK&Interceptor).
I'll buy X1-Raptor pack from BHI this summer. Lot of my friends use this and are satisfied with it.
Next think i'll buy is STRIKE commando recon vest with pouches from BHI,Patriot & TT.
I don't understand why you hate BHI? All their products i've had in my hand seems to be good.I've tested gear from TT,BHI,SDS & LBT and i don't see a difference(except SDS-thats realy GI cheap shit :( ).
Great looks equipment from Blackwater.

And a little question: What do you think about CRYE Multicam pattern?
I think,that this is the best pattern and best modified BDU i ever saw!

Taylor, I think you'll find this post interesting.

Martin

there is a LOT more to it - suffice it to say, it goes more to BHI's business practices than to their product, albeit up to about 2 years ago, their products were crap, since that time STRIKE gear has exceeded the BHI norm. that being said, their business mentality leaves much to be desired.

Why not buy the item from which the X1 is copied... Eagle Airborne AIII ?

I'd suggest not knocking SDS outright as 'cheap GI shit' ... do realize where you are.

No impressed with BW gear, uncle mikes built their product line, not a good start IMO - FUNCTIONALITY, durability trump looks anyday

Multicam - fair product - does work well in a multitude of environment

their clothing is NOT modified BDU, they were created from scratch as a new design which IMO is functional, and less bulkier than the BDU cut.

Taylor:

There is a world of difference between playing Army, and being in the Army. If you had to bet your life on the gear daily and stress it to the limits, you would soon see the difference with the manufacturers.

Your experience appears to be theoretical, and practical trumps that here utterly. Looking good is a long way from being good. The former just takes money, and the last can take your whole life to learn.

Your first two posts lead me to think that you are some kind of wannabe. If that is the case, please find somewhere else to post as that is unwelcome here. And review the Intro and stickies before posting further.

Have a very SF day.

TR