25 October 2025

REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe - A New Blade Cover & Belt Drop Loop

 

Autumn Reflections (photo by V.A. McMillan 2025)


Title: REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe - A New Blade Cover & Belt Drop Loop


Date: 25 October 2025


Howdy Folks,


It has been too long since I posted a project. Hopefully, wildfires and world politics will take a breather for the Winter. To get you ready for your next trip to the woods or to your favourite campsite, I will be showing you how to improve a REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe carrying case into something you can actually carry on your belt.


REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe - Original Case


First caveat, the original REAPR carrying case will not be used. It will be replaced by a simple axe blade cover and a belt axe loop. This combo will allow you to use the hammer face of the REAPR Sparrow Axe, without removing the blade cover.


Paracord Wrapped Handle & New Blade Cover


Second observation, I wrapped my REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe with paracord to increase the shaft diameter and provide some cushion when chopping or hammering...I also created a wrist-lanyard to prevent dropping my axe when swinging.


The axe cover is made from a piece of scrap Cordura 1000d fabric, an outer layer and an inner layer; which sandwich an inner padding core. Exposed raw edges where finished with binding tape. The longest edge is about 4 ½” by about 3”. The fabric is contour cut to reduce unnecessary fabric and bulk. To this padded blade cover is added a simple webbing strap in ¾” polypropylene webbing with double snaps. Starting with double snaps means if one fails while on an adventure you still have one to hold the blade cover in place until you can return to the shop and repair or replace the faulty snap.


New Blade Cover on REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe


The belt axe loop was constructed using 2” webbing. The bottom loop is double thickness and uses hook & loop tape to make it adjustable. The drop loop, is single thickness and a sewn loop. If I make a second version, I would be inclined to use double thickness for the drop loop and make it adjustable with hook & loop tape. As for materials used:


  • 2” Webbing – 16” (x1 for drop loop & x1 for the bottom loop)

  • 2” Loop tape – 3”

  • 2” Hook tape – 2”

New Blade Cover and the Belt Axe Loop


Here is the finished project showing the REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe being carried. I can say the drop loop length at 8”, was the correct length for me. The axe is not hanging at an awkward angle if the drop loop was too short. As the drop loop is flexible, it is able to contour the profile of the body. Furthermore, the drop is low enough, that the axe will not interfere with a waist belt of your rucksack when backpacking or hunting.




Until next time...get the gear you need, and modify to perfection!


Mountainman.


Reference: The REAPR Sparrow Hammer Axe is available at the Knife Center:

https://www.knifecenter.com - REAPR Sparrow Axe









12 October 2025

The Great Canadian Redoubt (GCR) - Saving Canada from Canuckistan

 

Sharkey's Channel, Winnipeg River (photo by V.A. McMillan, October 2025)


Blog Title: The Great Canadian Redoubt (GCR) – Saving Canada from Canuckistan


12 October 2025


Happy Thanksgiving!


We have many things to be thankful for here in Canada – fresh air, lots of fresh water, outstanding scenery, some of the best farmlands on the planet, abundant natural resources, quality infrastructure, and generally a high standard of living. Only one problem, we have not lived in Canada for at least a decade, maybe two. We are living in the unofficial third-world country of Canuckistan thanks to successive tyrannical federal governments. Time for Canadians to take back their country from the tyrants.


Of course, if some Canadians have not suffered enough to open their eyes and see the writing on the wall...we may have to wait for them. Until then, it may be necessary to establish a redoubt, until our fellow countrymen and women are ready to work together to bring back the Canada we have so loved and cherished in the past. Despite the Cold War during the '70's, '80's, and early '90's; this might have been one of the best eras to be alive in Canada. I am thankful I was alive to witness those good times. We are now a quarter century into the 21st Century and my son has not seen the good times because we no longer live in Canada. Canuckistan is the product of an infiltration and subversion scheme that is likely “masterminded” by Global Elites and enacted by a corrupt left leaning politico-class of liberals, socialists, social democrats, communists, and mentally ill, confused useful idiots. So, instead of wasting energy focusing on the problem, we will invest energy on a solution...a redoubt to preserve the best of Canada until Canuckistan can become history.


What is a redoubt, you may be asking?? An online dictionary defines as:




Definition #3 seems fitting, a protected place of refuge or defence. That is what we want to create now before Canuckistan becomes the everlasting entity that was once Canada. For a place of refuge or defence we need to locate that in a place of strength, right?!? A place with the potential to have the strongest economy to keep people gainfully employed and earning a living. A place at the seat of innovation, free thinking, and a place where freedom of expression is not stifled by BS like political correctness. A place where honesty and respect triumph over state sponsored terrorism, propaganda, and ideological indoctrination. A place where, when not being oppressed by the tyrants, can take care of itself and its citizens. A place of freedom and liberty. A place that values and respects property rights of the owner. A place where criminals are held accountable for their behaviours. A place called Alberta.


There is one strategic weakness in a redoubt in the current geography of Alberta, namely...it is landlocked and unable to get to the world markets unmolested. Therefore, I present the Great Canadian Redoubt (GCR)...



The Great Canadian Redoubt (Image from Google Maps)


The GCR would include all of the current province of Alberta and a transportation corridor to a coastal port and a natural gas terminal (also on the coast) to get products to market via roads, rail, or pipelines. The basic boundary zone would be south of Highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway) from the Alberta border near Jasper westward to Prince Rupert, BC. The actual border line/zone can be determined in the future to start the discussion and negotiations here are two images showing the proposed border zone in better detail:



Border Zone from Jasper to Prince George Area (Image from Google Maps)



Border Zone from Prince George Area to Prince Rupert & Kitimat (Image from Google Maps)

The current discussions around Alberta sovereignty are not about separating from Canada, it is about preserving Canadian values and vital economic resources from the outright theft by the current tyrants and their regime in Ottawa as they devalue Canada into Canuckistan.


Which brings us to the next issue, securing free access to the world market. Alberta requires a port and a pipeline terminal to sell our products to the world. Whether it is grain, timber products, petroleum products, technology devices, food products, or the output from manufacturing, Alberta requires uninterrupted access. No third party venues taxing or extorting. So, people smarter than me will need to conduct negotiations with the province of British Columbia to transfer land title of the northern portion of BC to the Great Canadian Redoubt.

While negotiations are under way, the GCR needs to consider critical infrastructure. This would include things like improved highways connecting communities to markets. More East/West routes in northern BC & Alberta. Increased four lane divided highways running North/South. Passenger rail service between urban centres. No more infighting and bickering. Transportation corridors should have been built in the 1990's!! Get your shit together people!! I recommend wartime construction pace and priority. The Alaska Highway was built in 1942 in just eight months was roughly 2700 kms in length! Projects like the Alaska Highway were build with grit and determination...not by weak, cowardly, whining and snivelling.


In addition to critical infrastructure, the GCR will need manufacturing capacity, and trained citizens to protect the GCR. To start with, an Alberta Sheriff Service can replace the RCMP in the entire GCR territory. Second, a Civil Defence Force should be raised to manage civil emergencies and disasters. An enhanced Wildfire Force should be deployed to protect the forests from fire. And, finally, a GCR Militia should be raised to defend the territory from aggressors – criminal organizations, terror organizations, military forces from foreign or domestic foes.


A Declaration of Rights & Freedoms should also be created to protect those God Given items of life and the right to pursue a life without state interference. And the right to defend life, property, and territory from aggressors. A citizen should never live in fear of having their home violated and their possessions, savings, or investments stolen by their own government. Much less having to fear for their life or the lives of their family. Tyrants and oppressors rule using fear to keep the citizens in order, we have had enough of that crap.



Freedom, Liberty, & Justice!


Until next time, think for yourself, stand up to tyranny, and DO NOT COMPLY!


Mountainman.


Update:


This article has been shared with me...


The articles Author, Bruce Pardy, presents an interesting solution for structuring the government of a sovereign Alberta. Could this be a model to structure the GCR???