Kong Frog

Having not seen a single review of any decent detail of Kong's latest quick release, I decided to put one up.

There are, as far as I can tell, two different versions of the Frog quick release. One has a webbing dogbone and features what appear to be polished locks, while the other has only an eyelet at its base for a biner or accessory cord and coated (perhaps anodized) locks, just like the rest of the unit. The first version also features different markings. For the purposes of distinguishing between the two, I'll refer to them as the Frog/C and Frog herein, as that is what their markings state. Here's an MSM shot of the frog, with the dogbone and large Kong logo:

215 Gear has recently started using the Frog/Cs on their various versions of operator retention lanyards for aircrews:

And end users have been finding uses for Frogs ever since they hit the market:

Yet another version is available which is identical to the Frog but simply comes in bright red, instead, and features a Kong biner on the other end of the dogbone. Apart from these minor, virtually cosmetic differences, all the Frogs operate in the same manner. They are all aluminum quick releases made in Italy originally for use in climbers' quick draws. What makes them so awesome is their unique design which offers an interesting autolocking ability and an absolutely uncompromising grip under tension. I'll attempt to explain the mechanism here...

The Frog comprises two pieces of aluminum, (presumably 6061 or 7000 series), held together by three pins. Within these two pieces of aluminum, two prongs, that are shaped somewhat like C's, rotate about the bottom pin. They are constantly under pressure from a single spring with two separately wound portions behind each "c:"

The Frog's prongs can be locked back (unlocked) by pulling on their handles. This can easily be done with one hand so long as the system is not under tension:

Because of the design of the spring, pressure on either the outside of the "c" or directly from the inside of the prongs, as demonstrated below, will automatically lock the system.

This ability to quickly lock and release is what sets the Frog apart from simple carabiners. Instead of working a screw-lock or even an autolocking biner off your belay device, a simple pull down on the prong's handles (or up, depending on your employment of the Frog), will release you from your line immediately.

My only gripe is a very American one. It needs to be bigger. Really. A lot bigger. You may have noticed that, in earlier pictures, it was show releasing accessory cord. This is because it will not fit most carabiners. Not even my smallest biners will fit in the Frog's eyelet:

While I could run out and find some tiny biners at REI, it seems silly to unnecessarily make a quick release that will only work with an exclusive, few biners. The other side of the Frog has a similar problem. Although most biners can be attached to the Frog:

...the same prongs that brilliantly allow the Frog to be quickly attached to things also deny any large objects inside them (most carabiners) the ability to be released:

While I understand that making it larger will make it weaker, I'd gladly shell out for and lug around a larger, steel version of this design just for its quick attach and release capability. As is, it works just fine with accessory cord, its just a bit of a pain to shorten Prusik loops and it makes your entire system a little longer than necessary. A minor gripe, at best. Shown here with 5.5mm Bluewater Titan cord:

I've put it through extensive testing and found it to be secure in all situations. The locks will NOT budge one bit under load.

I'd highly recommend the Kong Frog to anyone needing a simple, reliable quick release. Whether you're a PJ or simply local law enforcement, when you need to get off a line, you need to get the fuck off that line.

All in all, certainly worth the $15-28 you'll find them for, despite their drawbacks. An innovative little piece of kit.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this or other equipment, feel free to ask away. I'll respond to the best of my ability. Cheers.

UPDATE (2/13/11): The Frog works well with V/D-Rings. It may be difficult to access if the V-Ring is on your belt and under LBE. Just something to consider. I should be picking up a CTOMS X-Belt QR soon that will eliminate this issue. We'll see.

UPDATE (4/23/11): Frogs also work well with ATCs.

KA-BAR Large TDI Tanto Knife

Simple review's below. Here's an introductory note on defensive edged weapons in general. 

There's always a good amount to be discussed before selecting, purchasing and carrying a defensive edged weapon, especially with respect to its legality and whether or not it is truly the best option for defense. When you consider that ASPs and the like, (I mean other quality, collapsible batons, not kubotans or gimmicky "impact devices"), will usually do just as good of a job of keeping an attacker off you without such a high likelihood of later being charged with assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a knife can seem imprudent, to say the least. Other factors such as your proficiency with an edged weapon come into play, but assuming that you can effectively employ one, they do fill an essential niche in the world of defensive carry equipment. If you are unwilling to illegally CC your regular firearm, as I've found most people are, a good knife can be your best friend when dealing with multiple threats in the close confines of crowded parties/bars, vehicles, alleyways and anywhere else you might find yourself unable to access and swing about a baton.

To briefly clarify, tasers also have virtue when employed properly, however the only proper situation I can imagine one employing a taser in is one where they are faced with a single attacker who does not warrant the use of lethal force. I know all too well that we can never choose the terms of the fights we try so hard to avoid, and I would think that anyone who justifies carrying any defensive weapon on a regular basis would understand this point. Knives never run out of ammunition, and it's also kind of hard for a good fixed blade to malfunction.

Anyways, that's my spiel. If you're familiar with the world of defensive carry gear, it's probably nothing new to you. If you're not, I would hesitate before buying any edged weapon for defense. If you're not properly trained on them, your weapons can be used against you. Unfortunately, circumstances such as this are often unavoidable. Let's say you're getting a knife for a girl you know who has to work in a bad part of town, something like that. There isn't much to be done here unless she is truly aggressive, large and capable of taking on a guy in a respectable weight class- and the knife doesn't just end up buried in her purse.

In my search for a fixed, defensive edged weapon, I came across KA-BAR's new TDI line of knives marketed specifically at LEOs as a "last resort" for close-in lethal force. As with most KA-BARs, I was initially attracted by the price, as although there are countless knives which would serve this purpose quite well, this one gets the job done comfortably for around $40 USD, depending on the particular model you select.

There are smaller models in the TDI line, and plenty of drop points and partially serrated versions, but I opted for a large tanto plain blade. Haters gonna hate.

The basics:

• Hollow Ground AUS 8A Stainless Steel
• 20 Degree Edge Angle (this varies slightly between models)
• Zytel Handle
• 9.6 oz (0.6 lbs.) 
• Glass-Filled Nylon Sheath
• Manufactured in Taiwan

Although a sheath is included with every knife, the KA-BAR-branded belt clip is not included on every model. Make sure you know what you're buying. This particular model came with the webbing belt loops pictured below, although, as you can see, it is compatible with KA-BAR's aftermarket pocket clip, which can be found for around $10 USD and installed with the included torx wrench if you're not manly enough to have a decent set of tools with your own.

The aftermarket pocket clip is well designed and perfectly secure on my 1.75" belt. Although it is not adjustable for different height belts, it is reversible in relation to the sheath itself. Its hook, pictured below, has not malfunctioned once. It has always retained the sheath brilliantly and still been fairly simple to remove when necessary.

 The sheath also retains the knife brilliantly. It easily passes a rigorous jump test, even when worn as a neck knife, and still allows the user to remove the knife very easily, reliably and efficiently. There is only friction retention. There is a drainage hole at the base of the sheath. I would have liked to have seen Raven Concealment Systems-style beveling of the sheath's lower corners, as this would have made it far more comfortable for IWB carry, however this is only a minor complaint and, if the end user really wished to have this feature, I'm sure that they could cut the corners and perhaps melt the two sides of the sheath back together. It should be noted that the smaller models in the TDI line feature very different sheaths.

The knife and sheath feature serrations and an added-grip portion, respectively, where the thumb meets the blade during a traditional draw:

 This grippy portion of the sheath is nice and all, but it has proven itself to be pretty unnecessary to me, as the belt clip secures the sheath damned well to me and I have no doubt that the sheath will stay where it should during a draw.

The model number and "TAIWAN" are stated on the right side of the blade. The indentations for the index finger pads are nice. No problems there. The screws holding the Zytel handles to the blade are the same size torx screws used on the sheath.

I prefer IWB carry just past 12 o'clock. Its certainly a bit uncomfortable compared to not carrying the thing, but that's besides the point for several reasons. As far as a review of this method of carry is concerned, I've run into few problems, if any, with the sheath disturbing my danger zone. It can be a bit annoying when pissing, but that's about it. Above the waist, it certainly is uncomfortable to sit with. I dont mind; it's not that bad. Image is flipped and I'm too lazy to reverse it:

It really doesn't print much, if at all. I've been wearing it daily for about a week at the time of writing this, and I've easily been able to conceal it without modifying my posture or wardrobe. If you're really concerned about being asked about it, just go for one of the smaller models. However, if OCing has taught me anything, it is that people really do not pay enough attention to their surroundings, as very few people even noticed that I had a weapon on me. Generally, so long as you're not a Jersey shore douchebag who walks around in muscle-mapping, tight-ass v-necks, it will likely go unnoticed. So you can go about your daily business:

...and still have it ready at a moment's notice:

As always with any concealed weapon, train your ass off. You ought to be able to consistently present the weapon without any fuck ups. The blade itself ships relatively sharp. Nothing to blabber about, but certainly not dull. With a little tension on the hairs, it will take hair off the forearm. The other side of the blade features "KA-BAR" and Tactical Defense Industry's logo:

The edge will also make short work of paracord out of the box, usually requiring a single thrust to cut a length of cord, despite its relatively short cutting edge.

As stated, it can be worn as a neck knife. There are several manners in which this can be accomplished with paracord. Neither the knife nor the aftermarket pocket clip ship with any paracord, so that will have to be bought separately. The holes on the sheath will fit paracord with some coercion, though I prefer to simply slip it around the pocket clip. This method of carry is not recommended if other options are available. Not only is it a much less secure platform than IWB carry, but it prints much more.

All in all, a decent defensive blade, especially for the money. I'll update this if any new issues pop up, but as of now it seems to be an effective weapon for those who do not wish to carry handguns, batons or tasers.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this or other equipment, feel free to ask away. I'll respond to the best of my ability. Cheers.

UPDATE (1/22/11): The angled nature of the blade makes it difficult to use to pull an AR BCG back in the event of a charging handle impingement, Pat Rogers style. The pocket clip can get bent outwards if used with thicker belts made of SCUBA webbing. I have not experienced a single failure on the sheath's part since changing my everyday belt to a 1.5" model.

UPDATE (4/14/11): Minor finish wear from very little use. Poor quality finish, but you get what you pay for.

Loctite your screws. I lost one.