Video Overview
A huge shoutout to the team at Blade HQ for putting together this one-of-a-kind episode! In Field Tested Ep. 3, they sat down with Bradley Nielson — a retired LAPD officer with over 20 years on the job — to walk through every piece of gear he carried throughout his career. From early-career issued equipment to the kit he personally bought, tested, and fought to get department-approved, Bradley is the real deal. Special thanks to Pro-Tech Knives for hosting the shoot and making the introduction. If you love honest, field-tested gear talk from someone who’s actually been there, this one’s a must-watch.
Gear & Items
Knives
- Smith & Wesson Budget Folding Knife — Purchase on Amazon
- Pro-Tech Malibu Folding Knife — Purchase on Amazon
- Pro-Tech x Staccato Collaboration Knife — Purchase on Amazon
- Scallywag Tactical Dagger — Purchase on Amazon
Body Armor & Carriers
- Level 2A Soft Body Armor (Police Issued) — Apply Today
- Level 3 Standalone Rifle Plate (Police Issued) — Apply Today
- 5.11 External Plate Carrier — Purchase on Amazon
Medical
- North American Rescue Soft-T Wide Tourniquet — Purchase on Amazon
- CAT Combat Application Tourniquet — Purchase on Amazon
- SWAT-T Tourniquet — Purchase on Amazon
- Israeli Emergency Bandage — Purchase on Amazon
- Chest Seals — Purchase on Amazon
Optics & Lights
- Aimpoint Red Dot Optic — Purchase on Amazon
- SureFire X300 Weapon Light — Purchase on Amazon
Rifles (Law Enforcement Only)
- Colt M16A1 Patrol Rifle — Apply Today
- AR-15 Patrol Rifle (Smith & Wesson / Colt / Bushmaster) — Apply Today
Handguns (Law Enforcement Only)
- Beretta 92 Service Pistol — Apply Today
- Smith & Wesson 4566 (.45 Cal) — Apply Today
- Glock Model 35 (.40 Cal) — Apply Today
- 1911 Duty Pistol (Colt / Springfield Armory) — Apply Today
- Staccato XC (9mm, Compensated) — Apply Today
Editor’s Insight
Bradley Nielson isn’t a YouTube gear reviewer reading specs off a box. He’s a 20-year LAPD veteran who personally bought most of his own equipment, fought departmental policy to get better tools approved, and carried all of it in real-world, high-stakes situations. That context changes everything.
The evolution of his gear is a masterclass in how professional standards improve — but rarely fast enough. When Bradley joined the force in 2002, he was handed a Level 2A soft armor vest and a used Beretta 92 that had already logged 15 years of service. No rifle, no meaningful medical kit, and a flashlight he’d carry in one hand while holding a pistol in the other. The equipment gap between what was issued and what was needed was enormous — and officers paid out of their own pockets to close it.
What stands out across every category Bradley covers is the word “fight.” He fought to get better body armor approved. He fought to get medical kits issued. He fought to get red dot optics on duty handguns at a time when almost no department in the country was doing it. He didn’t just buy gear — he became an advocate for it, tested it in the field, documented results, and pushed policy change from within. That’s a different level of investment than most people ever make in their equipment.
The knife section is a great entry point for EDC enthusiasts. While most civilians think of knives as cutting tools, Bradley’s perspective highlights their real-world utility: cutting seat belts, working locks, cutting clothing during medical response. His progression from a throwaway Smith & Wesson folder to Pro-Tech’s beautifully crafted Malibu and the head-turning Staccato collaboration knife reflects a broader truth in EDC — quality pays dividends every single day.
The medical kit evolution is arguably the most important part of this video. The original sealed trauma kit Bradley was issued is almost shocking by today’s standards — Vaseline gauze, rubber gloves, and a dressing, sealed shut so officers couldn’t even check the contents. The progression to CAT and Soft-T Wide tourniquets, chest seals, and the custom Tough Products carrier reflects hard lessons learned — from North Hollywood in 1997 and the military experience in the early 2000s. The tools in the medical section of this video are available to civilians and, honestly, should be part of every prepared person’s kit regardless of occupation.
The firearms progression tells a deeper story about how departments think about officer safety over time — from six-shot revolvers to high-capacity 9mm pistols with red dot optics and integrated compensators. Bradley’s passion for the Staccato XC is clear, and the detail about its LAPD Metropolitan Division-specific engraving is a reminder of the culture of pride, identity, and craftsmanship that runs deep in law enforcement and military circles alike.
For those inspired by Bradley’s story, the best gear in this video — the knives, the tourniquets, the plate carrier, the optics — is available to all of us. If you want to carry the rest of it, there’s a link in the gear list with your name on it.
Closing Remarks
A massive thank you to Blade HQ for producing Field Tested Episode 3, and an even bigger thank you to Bradley Nielson for sharing 20-plus years of hard-earned knowledge so openly. Not many veterans are willing to walk through every piece of kit they ever carried and explain the “why” behind each upgrade. The gear in this video tells a real story — one of professional dedication, personal investment, and a relentless drive to be prepared. Subscribe to Blade HQ on YouTube for more Field Tested content, and stay tuned here for more real-world EDC breakdowns from people who’ve actually been in the field.
