New FIRE KIT pics

Anyone use one of these yet or got a review? I apologize if this is somewhere already but I can't seem to find a search button anywhere (which is making me feel quite retarded right now).
 
I have admired the RAT products for a while now and intend making some purchases soon.
Can RAT products be purchased directly from RAT cutlery or is it better to go to a dealer?
Second, is it possible to order the Firekit with a 'southern hemisphere' compass as opposed to the regular northern hemisphere model? Currently working in Afghanistan but home is Australia.

cheers

DC
 
Anyone use one of these yet or got a review? I apologize if this is somewhere already but I can't seem to find a search button anywhere (which is making me feel quite retarded right now).

The search only works for paying members so you're not retarded.
 
Second, is it possible to order the Firekit with a 'southern hemisphere' compass as opposed to the regular northern hemisphere model? Currently working in Afghanistan but home is Australia.

DC

this just proved me that I know nothing about compasses.
I thought there was only one kind of compass.
now I'm lost.
can someone explain this to me????
 
Quick question or two (second attempt).
Can the compass be swapped out for one suitable for the southern hemisphere or can it be obtained? (Working in Afghanistan, home in Australia)
Is it possible / better to order RAT products directly from RAT or do I have to use a dealer??
 
Sorry abt my last, I thought the question was lost... Does RAT act as a dealer in their own right???
 
Thanks, order placed for 2 Izula and 2 fire flints (ordering for my son) with knivesshipfree.
Re the compass issue, it is my understanding that for some reason compasses made for the southern hemisphere are slightly off in the northern hemisphere and visa versa. I know that my Silva had to be tilted slightly to allow the needle to swing and it was still a little off. Good science question as to why ....
 
I am looking into the Southern Hemi compass question but I have to wait until the shop is back from vacation to check through them since they deal with the vendor for our button compasses. A Northern Hemi compass will work fine if you are not too far below the equator but as far South as Australia is they need the SOuthern version. A Northern compass will have more needle tilt the farther South you go. I will post up here when I find out if we can obtain these for the fire kits. Mike
 
Very few manufacturers produce southern hemisphere button compasses. I've already had this problem with people buying Pyser NATO Compasses from me, and been onto Pyser about it, but they don't even manufacture a southern hemisphere version of the Francis Baker.

They say it is because they manufacture in the northern hemisphere, and in order for a southern hemisphere compass to be calibrated accurately during manufacture it has the be manufactured south of the 8th parallel. Above and below the 8th parallels compass needles are magnetically inaccurate and vary considerably from region to region.

Your best chance at a good southern hemisphere button compass is something manufactured in Australia. I understand the Argentinians also have a small button (or used to have), but it's about 24mm and I don't think fits into the Fire Kit.
 
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