Ontario Survival Knife Review - By Montezuma

Once upon a time, I was in the USMC, attached to an F-18 Squadron. My job was to equip and inspect the survival gear that the pilots carried (or in some cases carried them -- as in parachutes).

One of the items that the pilots were equipped with was the Ontario 499 and I managed to pick up a used one, in "unservicable" condition (mine doesn't have the original sheath) back in the day. I have had this knife with me for about 15 years now... at the time I got it, I liked it because it looked a little bit like the USMC Ka-Bar.

Features: 5" 1095 carbon steel blade .1875" thick, with blood groove, saw tooth back and zinc phosphate finish, natural leather handle with metal cross guard and steel butt cap, and natural leather sheath with sharpening stone and tie down.

Some things that I love about this knife is first and foremost - DURABILITY. Quite honestly, I have treated this blade horrible. Most of the time it has been stuffed in a tool box or in a junk drawer..., but anytime that there was a bump in the night or box that needed opening, I found this knife handy.

Ontario, in recent years, has gained notoriety for their RAT 3 and RAT 5 knives, but at double the price of the 499.  

Once I started getting serious about preparing for my survival future, I dug out my trusty 499... freshened up the blade a little and what I have found is a very nice knife for the price. 

A great feature, that I have found myself using many more times than I care to admit, is the butt end of the handle. It is equipped with a hex end that is designed as bludgeoning device (hammer). Versatility is critical in a survival situation and this is something that you just don't get in many other "High End" knives.

The blade is also equipped with a saw on the top of the blade... I have not had an opportunity to use this feature and I don't know that it would be first choice to cut a tree branch, but it does give it some Rambo like qualities... LOL 

Streamlight Sidewinder Review - By Montezuma

For those of you familiar with the Vietnam Era Military Flashlight, you will be very pleased to know that it only took 30 plus years for a make-over, but it is here:

Let me introduce you to the Streamlight Sidewinder:

There are some great features on the Sidewinder worth mentioning:

•Height: 4.65" Width: 2.34" Weight: 5.02 oz.

•C4® LED, 50,000 hour lifetime

•Pull and rotate locking color selector knob to attain desired color

•Double click button to initiate strobe function from "Off" position

•Push and hold button for light output levels

•Pull-to-turn locking rotary selector knob prevents accidental mode changes.

•Powered by 2 "AA" batteries.

•Also accepts 2 "AA" lithium batteries, which allow extended operation and use in extreme temperatures (-40˚F - 150˚F)

•Mounts to MOLLE or ACH for hands-free use

•O-ring sealed for waterproof operation. Meets MIL-STD-810F, Method 512.4

There 4 illumination sources: White C4 LED; IR LED; Red LED; Blue LED

The flashlight features a 185˚ tilting head and belt or web clip to allow positioning of the illumination source at the work area, which is a great feature to allow you to attach the light to a pack for hands free map reading or stand it up on a flush surface to help illuminate a work area.

While output is less than what can be found in tactical or gun mounted lights, it would be hard to find a better light for a bug out bag, vehicle kit or travel companion. For EDC (Every Day Carry) or purely tactical purposes I would not select this light.

For details on the various runtimes an light outputs: Runtime and Light Output

You can find a couple of different options on Amazon here: Streamlight Sidewinder