Gear Gadget Fu: Gearward’s AK Anti-Kidnapping Band Recoil Staff January 4, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Gearward is an LA based company that focusing on developing and marketing what they call “EDC, urban preparedness, and outdoor survival” gear. About a year back they released a little tool kit you can put on your watch or wristband. Reading some of the stuff from Ed's Manifesto reminded us of it so we thought we'd talk about again. This is the AK Anti-Kidnapping Band. Essentially it's a watch kit designed to help you escape restraints. Described as a “…wearable insurance policy for military personnel, foreign aid workers, and journalists in conflict zones, as well as for travelers in countries with a high risk of kidnapping for ransom”, the AK Band is intended to carry the tools necessary to escape cuffs, zip-ties, rope, duct tape or similar restraints in a way that's less obvious and less obtrusive than some of the paracord survival/restraint escape bracelets you see elsewhere on the market. It contains a ceramic razor blade, a polymer handcuff key and a 4 ft. Kevlar friction saw, all tucked away in a piece of inner tube you slide onto your watch band. The AK Band is assembled in the USA out of US and Canadian parts. The creator describes the genesis of the kit thusly: “I wanted an escape kit that I could carry even when I'm not wearing any clothes – which pretty much necessitated some type of wearable kit. The typical solution is found through a “survival bracelet” with a built in handcuff key and other do-dads. However, these type of bracelets are well known, and immediately ping off anyone whose dialed in. I wanted something with absolutely no profile. Like many of my gear designs, this one came to me while cracked out on ice coffee at 5am. I was experimenting with ways to glue or sew a handcuff key into my watch, none of which worked to my satisfaction. Then, I noticed a spare bit of bike inner tube left over from making Ranger Bics. I slipped the section onto my watch band, and I instantly had a discreet little pouch. The A-K Band was born.” This is a pretty nifty piece of gear, but we still think one of the better things Gearward has done yet is their Duct Tape Keychain. Explore RECOILweb:The Ashley Update: Old School Long Range, Barrett at a Mile, and NASCARJuggernaut Tactical Unveils New Glock Mods and PartsChris Cheng Opens Fire on Politics, RacismFranklin Armory's Reformation Revealed NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.