Training Swords

I also added the training swords to the Web site.


Get them here! :-)

The Cold Steel Recon Tanto

I think this video speaks for itself.



Available right here, right now.

UPDATE: Cold Steel

The Web store is now updated with all the Cold Steel goodness. Check it out here - http://www.darkthreads.com/store.shtml?ifrm_1=coldsteel.html

Cold Steel Knives

At the Shot Show this year, we looked at literally hundreds of knives, from as many brands and dealers, and if I learned one thing about that experience, there's a knife for everyone, whether you are looking for functionality, or style. It's one of those essential tools that everyone should have. We are especially impressed with Cold Steel. They have a wide range of high performance knives that will give you the best value for your money. They test all of their products against rigorous standards, and they have a reputation for quality and reliability. Here are some of our latest additions:

"His & Hers"
Two new products from Cold Steel this year are the American Lawman (above-right), and a slightly smaller version, the Mini Lawman (above-left). Both are folders with a belt clip, making them an ideal "everyday carry" knife. They are also equipped with the triad locking mechanism - "designed to withstand terrific impact forces and weight loads." The handles have steel liners covered in g-10 scales, to give you a firm grip. Choose the size that best fits your hand.


Mini-Tac Kiridashi

"This blade shape is derived from the traditional Japanese pocket or utility knife. It can be used for whittling, carving, paring or virtually any chore you can think of. It offers a very acute point for all those hard to reach jobs." This is a boot or neck knife that comes with its own scabbard and a chain.

(Top) Mini-Tac Kiridashi; (Bottom) The Spike

The Spike
"The Spike, designed by Barry Dawson, is a weapon pared down to its bare essentials. Its thick, narrow blade is distal tapered and flat ground to a zero edge."

"It has been carefully shaped out of solid steel, wrapped with cord and had all of its sharp edges "melted" so they don't irritate the hand. Each spike comes with a sturdy Secure-Ex sheath and steel bead lanyard so you can wear it around your neck or lash it to a "D" ring, fanny pack, or other gear."

The Recon Tanto

This is the fixed blade version of the folder by the same name that we already have listed in our Web store. "The Recon Tanto is rapidly redefining the standard for combat knives around the globe. It is well on its way to becoming the preferred fixed blade for SWAT teams and special military units." Blades like this are usually very expensive, but Cold Steel has combined the styling a quality into a very affordable package, and it comes with a scabbard.

We also restocked the "training" version (top), which was very popular at our last event.

So these are just some of our favorite picks from Cold Steel. We are authorized dealers and have access to their full product line, so if there's something in particular that you are looking for, please contact us! sales@darkthreads.com

Upcoming MGP events:

INDEPENDENCE DAY
July 4th, 2009
Waynes World of Paintball
6pm - ???
$20 onsite

Join us for our next MindGames After Dark event and help celebrate Independence Day by asserting YOUR Independence against an army of alien invaders!

The unthinkable has come to pass and a massive invasion force from the depths of space has descended to earth. Over fifty major cities and capitals are in flames as the relentless alien ships hammer Earth's defenders. All seemed lost until a massive aerial battle destroyed the mother ship and crippled the alien attack fleet. The aliens managed to land significant ground attack forces however, and the fate of Earth hangs in the balance as the remains of military units around the globe rise up with armed civilian defense forces in a last, desperate effort to destroy the alien invaders.

In central Florida, elements of the Florida National Guard have linked up with a secret government response team to take on the alien command structure in the state. Civilian volunteers have joined the military and are preparing to retake central Florida from the aliens.

Uniforms and Teams
- Alien Invaders - Black
- Florida National Guard - ACU
- MJ-12 Emergency Response Team - MultiCam
- Local Florida NRA Chapter - Civilian Clothes Prefered... Woodland okay, especially if you combine it with a blaze orange cap or hunting vest!

Special Rulesets
Alien Invaders have metal "kill target" on chest and back (provided by MGP) to make them harder to kill. BB must strike metal kill plate to eliminate alien. Aliens are recommended to wear paintball or SavePhace masks for extra protection. (dressing up the mask with tubes, hoses and other elements is encouraged to develop your alien battle gear!)

Humans may be required to carry blue or green glow-lights after nightfall to identify them to alien "bio-sensors". If so, MGP will provide chemlights for the players. But all players should bring their own red "dead light" or red glowstick to signal casualties.

A special mechanism will be in place that allows Aliens a chance to mentally subjudicate humans and turn some of them to the will of the invaders. Tracer Units are limited to alien invaders only as they will be part of Alien Mind Control rules.

Registration
As this is one of our smaller MAD games, instead of formal advance registration we will just collect $20 onsite. Please email Mac at mac@mindgame-productions.com , ASAP if you plan to attend. Include your name and requested team so we can plan out special supply needs and develop missions.

Mark your calendars now for
these upcoming MGP events!

New Tactical Attache/Laptop Bag

I've been in the IT business for many years, AND I travel a lot, so I've seen my share of laptop bags. So I've literally gone through a dozen of them, and I've tried using a lot of different styles. Lately, I was looking for a bag that would be easier to manage through airport security. Those of you who are road warriors know the drill: you have to remove your laptop from the bag and put it on the conveyor belt separately. With some backpacks and laptop bags that have a modest zipper opening, this can be a pain. So I was looking for a bag that unzippered on three sides and opened like a book. Also, I wanted enough extra storage compartments to carry cords and adapters, but I didn't want anything too big and bulky, or too fussy. The answer for me was this tactical attache case that also converts into a backpack:

This case unzips all the way open, so it can be used as a workstation or lap desk, without having to remove the laptop. The laptop compartment also has a large velcro panel that supports a rip-away admin panel.

The large zipper compartment on the front is big enough to store bulky accessories, like your power adapter or extension cord, but it can also be adapted for concealed carry. The velcro holster adapter is sold separately.


The backpack straps can be stowed away in a zipper compartment on the back when you're not using them.

Its all fun and games until someone loses an eye

Eyewear ended up being a big seller at our last event, so I'm going to take that to mean that players are getting more serious about safety and eye protection in airsoft. We actually sold out of several different styles of our eyewear and had to restock after the event, so I just updated the Dark Threads Web store and added a few new product listings. Feel free to check out what we have. Some styles can be fitted with prescription lenses, and if you don't see what you want, please just ping me or DeathIdol and we'll get it in for you.

Save Phace masks

DeathIdol and I in our WileyX XL-1 Advanced glasses (with Rx-transition lenses):

Many games now require full-seal eye protection. That means that those cheap plastic shooters that came with your airsoft gun are not going to cut it (and besides that, they're your EYES for cryin' out loud). You'll need goggles or a full face mask to play, but what's that you say? You don't like the fogging? Not to fear! We have field-tested all of the products we carry, and experienced minimal to no fogging. We wouldn't sell it if it wasn't something we use ourselves.

DeathIdol in his Revision Bullet Ant goggles

I should also prolly mention that many of our products are designed for and used by military and law enforcement. I even sent a pair of WileyX goggles to a friend currently stationed in Iraq, because I want him to come back with his peepers (and everything else), intact.

See combat testimonials for WileyX

Combat testimonials for Revision

Camelbak is here!

At the Diamond Dogs event at Camp Blanding in Florida, we rolled out a couple new products from Camelbak, thinking that hydration might be a good idea in that climate, and I finally just added those products to our Web store on the Survival tab. We've got the Camelbak 24 oz. Better Bottle, and the elixir tablets in stock now, and we will be getting in a wide selection of hydration backpacks, reserviors, parts, and accessories, because if we learned anything from playing in Florida, its that you can't carry too much water!


I also added the Camelbak Hi-Tec Impact II CT tactical glove. I didn't know that Camelbak also made gloves, but if they are anything like their hydration products, they must be awesome. These gloves fit very snugly, and they are heavily padded yet very flexible.