Q Time

I generally write my entries in msWord then paste them into the blog. This gives me a very clean off-line file of entries. To keep these in order I use a 3 digit numerical prefix. Today’s entry is the 7^th for this blog so it is filed with the prefix 007. My Sensei gave me the nickname Q (referencing Bond’s ever creative Quartermaster – you did know Q represented Quartermaster?) several years ago because I was constantly tweaking gear to make it more versatile or effective. So entry 007 must discuss gear modifications.

Putting aside everything I know and shared in the post on Stealthing & Blending, I like black. Flat black. I have been heard too often stating “there is little in this world that cannot be made better with a can of black spray paint.” When I acquired a Humvee I got it painted SWAT black. Both of my motorcycles are painted semi-flat black (I heard a crusty old designer on a TV show once state that motorcycles are not Easter Eggs and therefore should only be black). Most of my transport boxes have been painted black. I have even gone so far as to tape up and spray paint electronic equipment. Oh yes, let’s not forget there is spray paint for fabrics and vinyl also. My duffel bags have not been exempted from this simple “improvement.” So my gear looks like it belongs together. That is just a start.

I grew up spending a lot of time in a woodshop with my father who built several of our houses and much of the furniture in them. When I started furnishing my first home and preparing for my first child, it was completely natural to design and build my own furniture – or get broken pieces which I could rebuild better (it was the era of the Six Million Dollar Man, “Gentleman, we can rebuild him. We have the technology.”).

Now let’s jump to the early ‘90’s. I was actively enrolled in martial arts and had just purchased an Ontario Aircrew Survival Knife. I still love this blade for all around versatility. What I did not like was how round the leather grip was and the fact that I could not index the blade in the dark without touching the actual blade. In addition, the straight blade guard made a reverse grip uncomfortable. And yes, the natural leather color on the handle and sheath were a bit light for my taste. This was the first knife I ever customized and it got me started on a path to Q-dom. A hand rasp and sander were used to make the round grip more vertical. My intent was to bend the top guard forward – but it snapped off (much to learn about metal). No problem, file and sand it to a level where it did not impede a reverse grip. Then leather dye was applied to the handle and sheath. I could now easily index the blade, use a reverse grip, and admire its overall blackness. Had no idea what a springboard that would become.

I have tweaked many a blade since then to make them fit my hands or needs better. My SOG Mini Pentagon had grooves filed on one side of the handle which matched grooves cut into the side of a walking stick. Two wire ties would very quickly convert that knife and staff into a field expedient spear (I have been known to do some primitive camping in remote areas). Very simple – the entire modification to the knife and staff may have taken 10 minutes tops. OK, I still have that blade. Guess I should fix my current walking staff to resurrect this tool!

Once you begin modifying existing pieces, you are bound to try complete fabrication. I have tinkered to create a multitude of tools from a variety of materials which can be lightweight, concealable, and functional. That is when the nickname Q got applied.

Here is one example of a gizmo I created – a throwing pencil. This is actually a piece of steel rod that was sharpened and painted to look like a pencil. In some versions I actually put the real erasure section from a pencil on these pieces. When left in a pencil holder with a few other pencils, no one ever notices. It is always at the ready to provide some discouragement from an aggressor. This is also a fun piece to pull pranks on a training partner. There was a time when I became quite good with throwing blades (practice, practice, practice). I told the fellow students that when they did the technique exactly right, they would even be able to make a thrown pencil stick in wood. Obviously I threw my metal pencil. Wow! Then I would switch it for a real pencil when handing it to another student to try throwing. Sure was frustrating to the others! Maybe that contributed to my other nickname: Dick Sensei!

Moving away from sharp pointy things, you should always be open to making your gear work better for your needs. Remember, no matter how much something costs, it can probably be made better for you with a few modifications. Since mass produced pieces must work on a wide variety of people in a wide variety of situations, they can almost always be tweaked to better fit your personal needs. Even a completely custom made piece may evolve as your understanding of your needs changes.

Don’t hesitate to prototype. Some of you are old enough to remember when the Palm burst onto the electronics scene and revolutionized our approach to hand held organizers. The creator actually spent many weeks carrying around wood blocks of different sizes, pretending to actually use them for entering data any time he thought he would want to access an electronic organizer. This is how the original size and shape of the Palm was created. Yes, it got more streamlined and cooler in later versions, but even the original version was comfortable to use – simply by testing with simple wood blocks.

I apply this concept when adapting bags and straps to carry gear for EDC or Get Home Kits. Pre Molle/PALs, I used plastic wire ties and pieces of paracord to strap odd pouches onto straps and kits. These were easily moved or removed to fit evolving needs. Once you start experimenting with prototypes you will probably find it to be a lot of fun to play with. This process keeps pushing your creative spirit while striving to make everything you work with more efficient and/or effective for your needs.

As you move forward, try to keep these ideas in sight:

Prepare – Are there changes you can make in your gear and furnishings to better accommodate stockpiles and accessibility?

Protect – Are your tools and weapons positioned or carried in a manner that they are ready and functional? Are they designed or indexed in a manner that you can use them when no light is available?

Persevere – Are your kits modified to meet your personal needs and to be easily transported by you?

Never hesitate to make adjustments to tools or gear to make them more effective! Yes, you may actually end up destroying some tools in the process, but you will learn much about building and design skills that can keep you alive in the future.