Story by Jason Houser, Photos by Kelso Moore and Manufacturers
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines clandestine as “marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy”. This can apply to a lot of different things, but for the sake of this article we are going to stick with blades and survival.
A lot of companies have come out with clandestine Everyday Carry (EDC) items in recent years – whether it is hidden knives, cache belts, and even handcuff keys. This has much to do with always being prepared for any circumstance that might arise. Times are changing and we need to change with them.
Let’s take a look at some EDC items that you should consider carrying.
If you do a lot of traveling and are concerned with being mugged or having your wallet or purse stolen, you might consider wearing a cache belt. Cache belts are designed to discretely carry your money, important papers, etc.
Many belts that are designed to conceal your valuables have zippered compartments. However, the Wazoo Cache belt is different, in that it offers a 1×26 inch Velcro pouch, that runs most of the length of the belt. The bottom of the inside piece of Velcro is loose, so you can lay it over your items making them easier to retrieve, while also protecting them from other items.
Ultimate Survival Belt
It sounds great having your valuables protected, but that is only a very small part of what the Wazoo Cache Belt can do. This belt can be turned into the ultimate survival belt, with the Wazoo Adventure Kit that is comprised of 23 survival tools.
The Wazoo Adventure Kit includes: safety pins, fire plug tinder, ceramic knife, needle, fire steel, compass, fishing hooks, water container, signal mirror, split shot weights, purification tablets, brass wire, fishing line, ranger bands, trail markers, water pre filter, zip ties, whistle, cordage, aluminum foil, duct tape, flashlight and wire saw.
The interesting thing about this adventure kit, is that everything will fit in the cache belt. Will you need everything in your belt? Probably not, but it is there if you do, or you can only place the items you choose.
Another cool item from Wazoo, that serves to conceal your EDC kit, is the cache cap. Most of us probably have enough caps to go around, but I doubt many are like this one.
This cap has six hidden pockets, including 3 in the main dome of the hat, 1 hook and loop closure located in the middle of the brim, and 2 narrow slot pockets – also on the brim. These allow you to store a multitude of items in your cap.
Both of the cache kits from Wazoo will also work with these hats.
Do you have a need to conceal a handcuff key?
It wasn’t all that long ago the answer would have been no. But the world we live in now is nothing like it was a few years ago. I don’t know if people are crazier now than in the past, but you never know what they are capable of. So, if you find yourself detained (not by the police), a handcuff key might save your life.
There are several companies offering EDC handcuff keys, that can easily be concealed to gain freedom if you find yourself in a hostage situation, victim of a home invasion or other unforeseen scenarios. Small handcuff keys can be sewn into clothing, attached to the inside of belts, strapped to the back of watches and many other hidden locations.
I have to go back to Wazoo for a cuff key spotlight. Their handcuff key isn’t much bigger than a penny and is a fully functioning, universal handcuff key with functioning double locking pin. Made of hard polymer it is completely non-metallic – so it is silent when being used. Keys come with an adhesive backing, so they are easily applied to the back of a watch, bracelet, ID badge, or most any other flat surface. You can also use a Ranger Band to attach it to any watch band or bracelet for easy access.
Owning handcuff keys is legal in most states, but they are not intended for escape from law enforcement.
It is important to have a knife you can quickly get to in a self-defense situation.
Even though a lot of us carry a pocketknife, such a knife might not be readily accessible in an attack. Outdoor Edge has a couple solutions that will allow you to have a concealed knife within easy reach, under just about every circumstance.
The first is the Para-Claw™, available in three sizes to fit almost everyone. This survival bracelet/knife features a 1.5-inch hawkbill blade, ground from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, with a stealthy BlackStone™ finish. The blade is integrally molded to a glass/nylon guard that ties into the bracelet. Handle grooves and jimping on the thumb ramp ensure a positive grip at all times. The patent pending sheath system locks the knife securely, for immediate deployment in any situation.
Once deployed, the paracord bracelet forms the knife handle. Each bracelet is hand-tied from paracord and is available in three sizes and colors – each with an adjustable loop to fine tune the fit, plus a steel T-post for easy attachment.
The second option from Outdoor Edge is the ParaClaw CQD Watch. This watch/knife combo is very similar to the bracelet but as the name implies, it appears to be merely a watch – nobody needs to know there is a knife concealed within the strap.
Featuring precision craftsmanship, the ParaClaw CQD Watch is constructed of reliable Japanese quarts movement and is housed in a water-resistant case. The paracord wristband is fitted with the ParaClaw buckle – complete with 1.5-inch stainless steel hawkbill blade. Much like its younger brother – the ParaClaw bracelet – the ParaClaw CQD Watch is designed for discrete carry and quick access in dire situations. It is available in either 316L stainless steel or zinc alloy.
The days of just carrying a pocketknife as your Every Day Carry are gone. In today’s market there are so many varying options available when EDC is involved. If you are the type that takes your and your family’s safety seriously, spend some time and look at your choices. It doesn’t have to be big, or overly robust, but the right kit will have you always prepared for the worst-case scenario.
The life you save might be yours. K&G
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Buckle: 300 Stainless SteelWebbing: Mil-Spec-A-A 55301 and exceeds 2,700 pounds break testsDesign: Custom mirror holder integrated into buckle using retention strapsGear Loop (2): Paracord dummy cords sewn into belt pocket Stores: 23-piece Adventure KitMSRP: $45
Grey Cap in Cotton Chino Twill Fabric Coyote Brown and Camo in Ripstop FabricLow Profile CrownVelcro, No-Snag Hook & Loop AdjustabilityOne Size Fits MostButtonless TopBreathable but Non-Transparent Pocket MeshQuick Access / Overlap Closure PocketKeep-Your-Cool Cotton SweatbandMSRP: $30
Material: High strength thermoplastic resin blendSize: 1-inch diameter, 0.15-inch thickMSRP: $7
Blade Material: 8Cr13MoV Stainless Blade Length: 1.5 in / 3,8 cmRockwell-C hardness: 57-58Handle: ParacordTotal paracord by size: Small: 9.8 ft / 3.0 m Medium: 14.4 ft / 4.4 m Large: 17.1 ft / 5.2 mMSRP: $29.95
STAINLESS STEELMiyota quartz movementWater resistant to 170 ft / 52 mMineral glassTitanium PVD coatingLume indexed displayParacord band MSRP: $109.95
ZINC ALLOYSeiko quartz movementWater resistant to 100 ft / 30 mMineral glassTitanium PVD coatingLume indexed displayParacord bandMSRP: $59.95
Outdoor Edge(800) 447-3343www.OutdoorEdge.com
Wazoo(281) 846-4633www.WazooSurvivalGear.com
WazooCache CapCache BeltHandcuff KeyAdventure Kit
Outdoor EdgeParaClawParaClaw CQD Watch: Zinc Stainless Steel
Jason Houser has been involved in the outdoors from a very young age. Growing up in an outdoor family, he has had the opportunity to spend much of his time doing what he loves. Jason has a been a fulltime freelance outdoor writer since 2008 and is currently the host of two shows, Bone Wild TV and Trapping Across America TV, both air on the Pursuit Channel.
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