Gear Knowledge


This page is to cover the technical info regarding the items we carry and while that sounds as if this will be loaded down with a bunch of boring, mind numbing talk of science and math, the opposite is the reality. Below are a list of gear categories covering some of the basic topics. Terms such as lumen, candela, candle power, 18650, lithium ion, Rockwell Hardness, grind angle, etc. will be broken down and explained in a quick and easy to follow manner. Click on the yellow sections for more information.

Flashlights

  • What is ANSI-FL? What is a lumen, candela, and how is runtime measured?

      • See attached document below

  • Beam Profiles

  • Beam tint

  • What is a NIMH, NiCad, or lithium battery?

  • What is a AA, 14500, 18650, 21700, etc. battery?

      • Battery numbers such as those listed above are essentially a code describing the battery dimensions in MM as well as the shape. The first two numbers represent the diameter of the battery, the next two represent the nominal length, and the final number represents the shape. For instance an 18650 is 18mm in diameter, 65mm long and the 0 represents it is a cylindrical battery.

  • How do I maintain my flashlight?

  • How do I maintain my batteries?

Below are the ANSI-FL1 Flashlight Standards explained (If appearing as a black box, click on it to open the document). The best way to determine the max useful distance of a light is to divide the rated distance in half.

PLATO-Standard.pdf

Below are the official runtime charts provided by Fenix for their lights. If we carry a light and it has a chart available, you will find it both below and in the individual pictures on the product page for that light. These runtimes are not absolute and will vary depending on battery capacity, ambient temperature, and quality of battery though we have found them to be pretty accurate. Be aware any light using a 18650 is tested with a 3500mAh battery and any light with a 21700 battery is tested using a 5000mAh battery, using a smaller capacity battery will result in shorter runtimes and not all lights which include a battery are the higher capacity, check the product page to see exactly which battery might be included.

Performance Charts.pdf

Knives

  • Types of knives

  • Types of steels

  • Types of blade shapes

  • Grind/sharpening angles

  • Handle materials

  • Type of sharpeners

  • Knife care

  • Carry method

  • Lock style



This page is a work in progress and will be continuously updated.