Element Rescue

Got a few DM’s from folks asking what the hell I was sharpening .charly23 axes and others knives, hatchets, crash axes, etc in some of the western North Carolina disaster / recovery posts. I was using the Ken Onion edition with the blade grinding attachment (the older version). I got into using the crap out of this sassy little freak maybe 2 years ago…maybe a little longer but…started using this when I went back to school to get all the UI/UX / cognitive engineering certs. It puts an insane convex edge on anything you have with an edge. I’ve been able to go down in blade / edge angle and not sacrifice strength/resiliency/robustness. The edges can get razor sharp / mirrored, shave the hair off your arm…slam into whatever you cutting, hitting, ripping, etc and retain a bad ass sharp edge that you can tune right back up with just a strop most of the time. Because I tend to overdue Everything, I have gone thin/razor sharp on things that do not require this at all and still haven’t chipped, nicked, or bent an edge even going down to a 10 degree exclusive angle. Once I got the hang of free-handing knives, I started altering the angles of my various crash axes (head and cutting claw) depending on what I was using it for, ie general purpose, armored government vehicle, etc. so I could field sharpen when doing a bunch of armored Suburbans or Toyotas, which pealed seconds off entry time - then I went to halligans - forks and adz- keep in mind we primarily only operate halligan bars using one-person techniques with a wedge. Thinning these out but maintaining great strength of the tips (just the tip) because of the convex edge, worked phenomenal for acquiring initial gap / crush on tight door seams without having a second striking it in with a flat head or sledge. Anyway- I know I am using some of the attachments “off label” but I really gained some insight from listening to some great videos from Kyle (worksharp and co-designer) of this machine. I did burn a machine out in a few weeks - had to rush an order for a new one- not realizing there is a brand new one released- bummed about that hasty move.

I got back home from another training after the Utah trip- attempting to catch up on a ton of back log…but figured I would throw down some quick posts with some slot canyons and maybe some armored vehicle breaching voodoo BUT then got bitch slapped with this post on my feed. I actually saw it on both Dan’s and Ricky’s (back to back) stories. I have an insane respect and appreciation for both of these men…I’ve known Ricky for a bit of time and Dan for a bunch more. Both have been better friends to me than I to them, but it broke my heart as I started listening to this podcast and hearing the anguish Dan was experiencing. That being said, it was nothing compared to how amped I became listening to his emotional & insightful journey. An unconventional journey that afforded him the mental peace, clarity and happiness that he…and too many other vets silently suffering from a complex darkness … absolutely deserve. Dan, thanks for being who you are and sharing this personal experience to help and encourage so many others. Ricky- thanks for all the amazing “smart-guy” s**t you do- but especially for having the balls to address this topic and controversial treatment which needs to become an openly accepted / encouraged option. Love both you dudes!

Just got back from a modified Phase 2 of our Operational Vertical Specialist trip/course utilizing the skinny-ass slots of North Wash as our medium. Rolled out with a group of gangster rescue practitioners who skipped recess in grade school b/c they don’t play. Focus of trip was operational contextually relevant concerning mobility, equipment, and huge emphasis on anchor craft exploitation. So even if there was a common anchor for us to use, we chose to utilize other techniques not so easy or straight forward for retrievable / ghosting options. Throughout week we did various forms of deadman variety of anchors, sand traps, toggle systems, CEM’s, etc. First pic was night before flying out, my personal gear with some team gear (lots of 8mm Havoc rope from , a bunch of AVRR’s also from , canyon harnesses- thanks Blair, sand traps, BD hooks, Toggles, VT’s, Imlay Kolob and EDELRID guide bags, and the new prototype Innegra webbing, etc) and some context specific gear, next pics are on approach and slot entry from first day- much more to follow- primarily focused in anchors and dropping in to confined geography…and just a few big drops. 🌲

Day 3- been a bit busy to post but back in Utah with some gangsters- skinny slots with some big drops. Lots of anchors ghosted - tomorrow, we may bust out the sand trap. Oh...after a bit of a hiatus- we're back on social media.
More to follow... next post will be a quick update, some delayed "thanks", and a few items of great importance.
.vult.illud .ditz -rescue