Testing Froglube part 1

Just a few days before the annual weapons inspection I took the liberty to give my issued carbine, a FN FNC M3, a final cleaning session and thought it was a good time to do this using Froglube. I know there are a bunch of reviews out there on the net so I’m not going to repeat everything that has been said at least a hundred times. I’m just going to write down my personal experience with this so called “revolutionary” product.

The first thing you’ll notice when opening the product is the green looking substance and a nice minty smell. The smell is also comparable with the reflex sprays  found at the local pharmacist.  I also had the Froglube “solvent” with me to try out. The solvent, which comes in a spray,  is a completely different product compared to the green Froglube products, being color- and odorless. It almost acts and looks like water.

So I started off with my first test of Froglube. I have to be honest, I’m not a freak when it comes down to super cleaning my weapons. Even the most experienced weapons cleaner will always come to the conclusion that even when his or her weapon is perfectly cleaned, after a week or so, he or she will still  find traces of dirt and carbon released after the gun has sweat for a while.

For the first step of the product application instructions, “preparing your weapon”, it is advised to get rid of all oil based clp’s (Cleaning, Lubricating, (rust)Prevention) using the Froglube solvent. I sprayed a generous amount of solvent especially in the places where normally the grease would be applied. The solvent does what it is supposed to do. After wiping it clean I was left over with a “dry” weapon. Then I started to warm some of the pieces like the bolt, boltholder, gas piston, … with a hairdryer. Froglube is best applied when the metal of the gunparts are handwarm. Apparently the microscopic pores in metal become larger when warm thus giving the Froglube more adherents to the metal. After applying the Froglube I wiped of the excess with a microfiber cloth and I can assure you there was still quite a lot of dirt/carbon that came off.

For cleaning and protecting your weapon you can both use the paste and liquid version. The paste is ideal for applying on bigger surfaces and the liquid is good for all the little crannies but also for lubricating the moving parts en slides. After applying the green CLP, all the metal parts are silky to the touch. It’s like a smooth protection layer but without a greasy film. I even used Froglube on the plastic pistol grip and handguards giving a nice satin finish.  

My first impression of Froglube is very good. It applies very efficiently and really cleans your weapon parts without leaving a greasy mess. As it is an all natural, non-toxic, environmental friendly product you don’t need any gloves to protect your hands whilst cleaning, compared to all other oil based CLP and chemical degreasers. Froglube even claims you could eat their products … But that’s for next time.

Lets hope the inspection goes smooth ;-)

You can buy Froglube at http://www.froglube.be
Use “contact-front” for a 10% discount.

ps: I even gave my Leatherman MUT a cleaning session with Froglube

Review Benchmade 7 Rescue Hook

The Benchmade 7 Rescue Hook is developed by the Benchmade Knife Company, recognized as a world class U.S. manufacturer of superior military and law enforcement tactical and training knives. It is an essential part of the modern combat gear equipment; a multifunctional, lightweight, high quality, unobtrusive tool.
The Benchmade 7 ‘Rescue Hook’ is part of the Benchmade-Hook family. Other versions are the Benchmade 5,6 , 8 and the new 30100-BLK “Houdini-Pro”
The 5 and 6 are small sized (pocket size) where the 8 is a larger Benchmade Rescue Hook.

The Benchmade 7 ‘Rescue Hook’ is part of the Benchmade-Hook family. Other versions are the Benchmade 5, 6 , 8 and the new 30100-BLK “Houdini-Pro”
The 5 and 6 are small sized (pocket size) where the 8 is a larger Benchmade Rescue Hook.
The Benchmade ‘Rescue Hook’ is designed with a curved cutting head (or hook) that is designed to effectively cut various materials while offering protection from skin injury. It easily cuts trough clothing, webbings, shoe’s, combats, belts, etc. With very few force it cuts through the toughest clothing.
In these pictures we see the Benchmade 7 cutting trough combat boots and uniform clothing

The Benchmade family is constructed out of laser cut 440C Stainless Steel , and hardened to 58 to 60 HRC with a black oxide coating. The handle is covered in a black PVC coating to improve grip. 440C Stainless steel is a type of modern steel and famous for its high corrosion resistance, wear resistance, strength and hardness qualities among all the stainless alloys, capable of attaining the highest hardness (60 HRC)

In comparison to other similar tools, using the Benchmade to cut trough webbing requires far less effort.

Benchmade testresults

The choice for the Benchmade 7 is logical, it is not too small which makes it possible to use with protective gloves, easy to handle and not too big to put away. The overall length is 4.3 Inch (= 10.92 cm), the blade opening is 0.5 Inch(= 1.27 cm) and the finger opening is 1.06 Inch (= 2.7 cm). The Benchmade 7 weighs 1.6 oz (=56.7 gram).

The 7 is supplied with a nylon sheath that is molle compatible and capable of being mounted in several different configurations on your belt, tactical vest, etc. The sheath is available in black, sand and OD green.

Other than the reasons to use the Benchmade rather than a folding knife or emergency scissors is that it can be rapidly deployed and used immediately with only one hand.

This one-handed deployment allows to utilize this tool while holding a firearm, operating a radio, using a flashlight... etc. An other advantage is that it provides a safe alternative to remove flexcuffs, where a fixed- or folding blade knife could cut or wound the detainee, or be taken and used against you.

Keep in mind that although the Benchmade is an excellent rescue tool, it cannot replace a traditional tactical knife. The hooked cutting edge cannot effectively be used to cut trough certain materials such as larger diameter ropes, packing materials, etc. So, always carry both to avoid unpleasant surprises.

This concludes this review post of the Benchmade (7) Rescue Hook.

Benchmade offers a Lifetime Warranty and LifeSharp Service on all knives and tools. This service allows you to send the tool back to Benchmade for resharpening at any time (for a set fee of 5 USD)

"Striplula" magazine quick loader

Everybody have seen and used the quick loader that you find in the 5.56 ammobox in the range and in ops. But you have to be honest that sometimes they are annoying when you have to use them in teh cold, to fill 20 mags, ...

In searching for a good alternative I came across the "striplula" which is manufactured by the Israeli company "Maglula". I have to say this has been a good investment. The loader works in all kinds of weather with the minimum of effort. Not even the side of the ammocase is used ;-)
You can load the ammo while still attached on the strips or you can load cartridge by cartridge in the striplula and load them in the magazine in an instance. There is even a tool attached to unload mags very quick and easy.

Here are a couple of video's that show the "striplula" in action.

I ordered the striplula from http://www.israeli-weapons.com/store/loaders/p3.htm and paid 29$ shipping incl.