The Lost Symbol

THE LOST SYMBOL
Dan Brown

I decided to read this book based on a recommendation from a friend. I have never read anything else by Dan Brown, so I really didn’t know what to expect. My friend told me he couldn’t put it down. I’ve had the opposite problem with a lot of books I’ve read…I easily could put them down because they weren’t all that good. I love to read, but the book has got to keep me interested.

I’ll go ahead and say that I’m giving this one five stars. Is this the best novel I have ever read? No. But it is one of the most suspenseful, riveting, difficult-to-put-down novel I have ever read. I was reading for two hours at a time, which is something I never do. I was reading with the TV blaring, my daughter playing loudly, my wife talking on the phone, all at the same time, and I was focused. This novel grabbed me and held my interest.. I love how the chapters are short, the action is fast, with lots of twists and turns and cliffhangers throughout the whole book.

It's not literature, it's entertainment. Nothing more. Judging it by that standard, it gets the five stars.

Dave

Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct
Joseph Finder

I finished reading this book over the weekend, and thought I'd post a review. The only other book I have read by Finder is Power Play, which was good and is why I decided to read another one by him.

I like the premise of the story, which is about a sales exec whose career is going nowhere until he meets an ex-Special Forces soldier. They become friends and the sales exec gets him a job at his company. After that, good things start to happen for the sales exec, while bad things start to happen to his enemies. He finally realizes that his new friend is behind everything good and bad that's been happening. He gets in trouble when their friendship starts to go bad.

I don't want to give anything away about the book, so I'll just say that I didn't think the writing was as good as it was with Power Play, and I think Finder forced his way through the book, much like I had to force myself to finish it. I'd only give this one a 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.

Dave

Fobus Holster For A Revolver

A Perfect Pair

551 Griptilian & 556 Mini Griptilian

I recently added two more Benchmades to my collection. I wanted a Mini Griptilian like my wife's (not pink) and could not resist getting his bigger brother also. I do not want to come across as some Benchmade Axis-Locking narrow-minded fan boy, but compared to all other knives I have held... all others suck!

To quote Muhammad Ali:

"Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee!"

Fast, Smooth and sharp as hell!

Steel: 154CM (Good all around steel.)

Blade Style: Mod. Drop-Point (Good utility shape.)

Locking Mechanism: Axis (Great design.)

Handle Material: GTX (Secure and solid feel.)

Both of these knives are very grippy and light enough for every day carry. These two will be replacing the SOG Flash I & Flash II respectively as my every day utility blades.

The best part of buying a new knife is now I can focus on my next one.

Mark

The NUTNFANCY Project

http://www.youtube.com/user/nutnfancy

Earlier this year I stumbled across a video review of the Glock 17. A month or so later, I googled a video review of the Ruger 10/22 rifle. A few weeks later, I ran up on a video review of the Ruger LCP. That same night, I found a video series reviewing the Kel-Tec SU-16C. I started noticing a pattern. I did what tens of thousands of other gear nuts around the world have done and clicked on this guy's name to see what other videos he had posted. That is when I discovered the most insanely-cool collection of reviews, adventures, philosophy and dangerous things known simply as "The NUTNFANCY Project", or TNP.

With well over 500 video documentaries organized in dozens of categories known as play lists, you will quickly find yourself lost in the never ending selection. His reviews are second to none. It is obvious that he is passionate about the products he reviews and has extensive experience with the topics he covers. I have greatly enjoyed the hours upon hours of video I have watched and can not begin to tell you how much I have learned in the process.

He has turned my knife interest into a sickness and has taken my shooting and outdoor activities to a never before seen level. Unlike many of the TNPer's out there, my wife is also a huge fan. She subscribes and watches on a regular basis. I have made about a dozen purchases based on NUTNFANCY's reviews and have been extremely happy with those purchases.

Keep it up NUTN'.

Mark

Pass the Cool-Aid

Benchmade 940 Osborne

It was a tough decision. I could not decide between the green 940 or the red 960. As the photo shows, I went with the green 940. I have quite a few black handle blades and wanted something other than black. After all, this was not going to be another $30 pocket knife. I really like the lines and design elements of all the Osborne designed Benchmades. So far I have been happy with the decision.

Specs:

Blade Shape - Modified Reverse Tanto. (nice tactical look but good belly for utility)

Blade Length - 3.40 (very capable)

Closed Length - 4.47 (a bit larger than my ideal pocket knife length.)

Handle Material - Aluminum (thankfully not as slick as you would think)

Locking Mechanism - AXIS (smoooooooth)

Blade Material - S30V (first experience with this steel)

Even though the handle is made of aluminum, it has somewhat of a chalky feel. Like the Mini Griptilian, the deployment is fast and smooth. As an added bonus, I have learned that the AXIS mechanism allows you to fine tune the action by way of a locking nut. The black hardware accents the green handle very well. The more I use this knife, the more I like the blade style. Very functional. I have always liked the looks of a tanto but usually opt for a style with more of a belly for utility purposes. There is a purple spacer on the back spine for both aesthetics and added gimping. I was surprised at how light this knife was weighing in at 2.90 oz.

The only downside would be the sharpness of the blade. I do not believe it was even sharpened at the factory. The Mini Griptilian was razor sharp. I mean I could have shaved with this knife out of the box. Fortunately, Benchmade is going to resolve this issue. I will have to send it in but all is not lost. There is a Griptilian headed my way.

Mark

Chasing Butterflies

Benchmade 555 Mini Griptilian

Earlier this year I ran across a few Benchmade brand knife reviews online. I have never owned a Benchmade but knew about their reputation as a premium knife company. Due to the glowing reviews, I was inspired enough to visit Benchmade.com.

My wife did not have an EDC blade for her purse. I ran across a Mini Griptilian model 555 sporting a pink handle. I put 2 and 2 together and ended up finding a perfect birthday gift for my wonderful wife. My wife has everything. If she sees something she wants, she gets it; extremely hard for us to exchange gifts because I am the same way.

She loved it. I loved it. I wanted one. As a matter of fact, I was so impressed with the axis locking mechanism and the feel of this knife that I would have gladly carried this knife if she did not like it... even with the pink handle. Yes, it felt that good.

Specs:

Blade Shape - Modified Sheepsfoot (Looks good but also practical.)

Blade Length - 2.91 (Perfect size blade for EDC.)

Closed Length - 3.87 (Not too large but large enough.)

Handle Material - GTX (Very solid material. Very good grip.)

Locking Mechanism - AXIS (The smoothest knife action I have ever experienced.

Blade Material - 154CM (I am no steel expert but suffice it to say 154CM is not 420.)

This was a home run. She loves it. I want one so bad I can't stand it. Thank you Benchmade!

Mark

"Sticky" Holster Review

I recently purchased the above holster for my Ruger LCP. It is an inside the pocket holster that is supposed to keep the gun from moving around and keep it upright. They call it “sticky” because it is made of a “special high-adhesion fabric” that makes it resist slipping around in your pocket.

I wear cargo shorts most of the time and like to carry in the side pocket. I thought this holster would be exactly what I needed…and it is. It works great. It does prevent the gun from sliding around, and keeps it upright. The way the outside of the holster grips the fabric inside my pocket makes it easy to draw the gun while the holster stays in place. I also like the fact that the holster covers the trigger since this gun has no safety.

If you have an LCP, and carry in the pocket, I would recommend this holster. They’re easy to find…just do an eBay search.

Dave