FOG HORN

Karrimor SF Sabre 45
By: Sal Palma

2014
Twobirds Flying Publication

First, some background on Karrimor is probably in order. The Karrimor SF brand emerged in 1995 as part of Karrimor Ltd., an established UK company. It was launched by collaboration between a Karrimor Ltd team and Deric Gollop, whose work consisted of integrating the innovations and technologies from the civilian product lines to produce specialized backpacks for Special Forces and law enforcement units. Karrimor SF is a separate company from the civilian brand and operates independently under its own International Brand License. The Karrimor SF product is developed by working directly with military end-users, including the prototyping process. So, whats expressed in the Karrimor SF label is the combined experience of Karrimor and its military end users. In this review, Ill take you through the Sabre 45, which is a mid-sized pack in the Karrimor SF line. First Impressions Upon its arrival, I casually looked over the pack to get a feel for material and quality of construction, which I suppose is the natural order of things; you want to warm up to what you are about to review. Rather than giving you a Kumbaya rendition of first impressions lets

Ive looked at a number of packs in the 1500 to 1700 cubic inch capacity all of which worked very well as assault packs but lacked the flexibility and capacity for an extended excursion. So, after some research and exploration, I ran across the Karrimor SF line of packs and decided on the Sabre 45.

Copyright 2013, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Karrimor SF Sabre 45

2013
Karrimor didnt cut corners on the Sabre 45. The overall construction; particularly the stitching is top shelf. This pack is made from KS100e, which is a 1000 Denier Nylon fabric coated with a Silicone/PU elastomer for improved tear strength and flex resistance. The pack is finished with a fluorocarbon durable water repellent (DWR) that improves the water resistance of the fabric. The Sabre 45 is not waterproof however, so if you plan on being in wet or waterborne environment youll want to use dry sacks for the internals, but youll be fine in a light to medium rain. As to durability, all things made can be destroyed but youll have to work at incapacitating this pack. Flexibility, a term often used, poorly defined but always appreciated is in my view the Sabre 45s hallmark achievement. The pack is reminiscent of the duffle bag with its one large compartment. However, as simple as a duffle bag may seem, its one large compartment allows you to carry two pairs of shoes, dress uniforms, utilities, gloves, caps, socks and underwear. The point is that compartmentalization is restrictive. It works great on ships and in handling intelligence, but its overall objective is to restrict. Dont get me wrong, in and of itself it is not a bad thing, provided there is a concurrence between your needs and the designers, which is often not the case. So, highly compartmentalized packs tend to work negatively on flexibility and configurability. Something to note, and all of you seasoned military guys know this, if you mastered duffle bag in school or out in the fleet, you can almost put a one bedroom flat in it; the same holds true with the Sabre 45. Nothing observable with the packs design restricts the user to a specific application.
Copyright 2013, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

simply say that I walked away from the event somewhat impressed and with a desire to delve deeper into its nuances. Unfortunately, preparing for SHOT SHOW 2014 encroached on that desire, and putting it aside, I turned 110% of my attention to the upcoming show in Las Vegas. SHOT SHOW is the largest show of its kind in the world growing yearly by leaps and bounds; maximizing its benefits requires considerable preparation. However, interestingly enough, the more I looked at the pack, the more I began to take note of its nuances. But, alas, it was wheels up at 07:00 so the Sabre 45 would have to wait. I had an ammunition review scheduled after my return from SHOT, but weather for the following two weeks had a different opinion on what I should prioritize. So, I started work on the Saber 45 review. Once again, the more I looked at this pack, the more impressed I became with its many well thought-out features. So, the real story here is not that the Sabre 45 is a high quality load carriage system, that was a given. The story is how its designers accomplished their design objectives with no compromises in quality and considerable elegance. Lets agree on what a military style load carriage system needs to accomplish to be successful. First, it needs to be robust and resistant to harsh treatment. Next, it needs to be flexible enough to accommodate reconfiguration as needed. Finally, it needs to be light, comfortable and stable. One could add other attributes, like waterproofing, but they are secondary given the availability of inexpensive dry sacks.

Karrimor SF Sabre 45

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a measurable level of experience that is absent in many competing packs.

However, in the interest of thoroughness, there is an internal compartment large enough for a file folder, map or even a dress shirt, and a second pocket that houses the removable frame. The later can be readily used for a hydration bladder. However, none of these are restrictive, nor do they detract from the packs volume, or force a specific application. The Sabre 45 has an internal volume of 2,745 cubic inches, which is probably an optimal load capacity for approach or short patrol. Although who knows these days Im becoming somewhat disheartened by the services weight reduction initiative. Many of the manufacturers that I keep tabs on find themselves steadily reducing size and weight concurrent with the joint services adding more to the operators kit. So, are we serious about weight reduction, or has it become a pathway for the operator to carry more so that mission planners dont have to think through requirements. Im honestly beginning to wonder.

For example, note the zipper along the side of the pack, it serves two functions. First, it allows you to expand the pack to achieve its full load carriage capacity. Second, they allow the user to add additional external pockets. The operator simply zips the external pocket into place and is liberated from the overdone PALS webbing attachment. Take for example the Karrimors Predator Side Pocket PLCE. The PLCE has two M4 compatible magazine pouches that can carry 3 magazines each -

Contributing to its flexibility and configurability is an excellent webbing management and compression system; it left me asking myself why the hell someone else didnt think of this but it serves as graphic differentiator; signaling
Copyright 2013, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Karrimor SF Sabre 45

2013
next to Godliness mentally, I guess. Whatever drove that feature, this guy is appreciative of it. Operator comfort was undoubtedly a primary concern for the development team and it shows. First, is the removable F-Format internal frame. It can be shaped to conform to the user's back profile adding to stability. I found that the frame adds greatly to stability of the fully loaded pack and contributes little to the packs weight. Second, both the shoulder harness and the back of the pack are nicely padded and covered in mesh for superb breathability

these mag pouches will work for SA80, AUG and HK416 magazines and a general purpose pouch for whatever you need easy access to. The beauty of the PLCE side pocket is that using the zippers on the Sabre 45, you are able to zip the pouch in place then use the compression straps for a rock solid integration. It is as secure as having it sewn in place. So, you can integrate these external pouches, port and/or starboard, directly into the Sabre 45s architecture. Thats awesome. Karrimor also makes a general purpose external pocket that should work well for things like binoculars or NODs. Another factor contributing to this packs flexibility is its outstanding web management. In my experience with packs, what is almost universally true is that compression straps will be either too long or just short enough to piss you off. If the designer was generous with its compression straps, it generally meant that you had excess webbing flapping all around. The problem is sufficiently annoying to give rise to ITWs Web Dominator.

Karrimor was generous and thoughtful enough to include a functional web management system. Its that top shape British neatness is

Copyright 2013, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Karrimor SF Sabre 45

2013
Karrimor SF offers packs in every size ranging from the Sabre 25 liter to the behemoth Sabre 60-100, which tops out at 6,100 cubic inches. The lines roots are clearly military, most visible in its Predator models, but they serve the outdoors enthusiast equally well. Karrimor has combined quality of construction with field experience to deliver a load carriage system that is free from gimmicks, excesses or redundancies. The Sabre 45 is an exceptional approach pack, with a clean low profile, that is also highly configurable with its external pocket system. Its exceedingly comfortable and stable. I cant say enough about that. The Karrimor SF Sabre 45 is available from Grey Ghost Gear , as is the entire Karrimor SF line. The pack sells for $182.99. I cant give it a stronger recommendation especially in light of many of its alternatives. So, if you need a mid-sized pack for your next outdoor adventure, do yourself a favor and give Karrimor SF a close look.

Placement of the harness was well conceived. It does not allow for the pack to ride high on the shoulders which restricts backward head movement, and adds to fatigue. The pack rides at shoulder level on the back but does not extend beyond the lower back. Karrimor SF included a sternum strap in the shoulder harness assembly. Comfort and stability are further assured by an excellent waist belt that comes standard with two very beefy gear loops, one either side.

To wrap things up, Karrimor included a generous mesh pocket in the top cover that works great for a compass, PDA, extra batteries or smart devices; even a small IFAK is quite accessible.

-SP Manufacturers Specifications Features

Coolmesh back system F-Format internal frame (removable) S-shaped shoulder harness Sternum strap One main compartment Compatible with side pockets (PLCE) Compression straps Shock cord carry system Zipped lid compartment Crampon loops Twin ice axe holders Rotproof thread Reinforced with bartacks Durable water repellent (DWR) YKK zips

Dimensions
Height: 21.7" Width: 11.8" Depth: 9.5" Weight: 4lbs. Volume: approx. 2,745 cu. in.

Copyright 2013, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved