GEAR CHECK: MASON SHARPE
It’s a hallmark of the thriller genre: Tough heroes and the tough gear they carry. From guns to knives to vehicles to the more sentimental items that make each character stand apart, I put a lot of thought into the items that appear in my stories. In this series of blogposts, I’m going to highlight all the go-to essentials of each of my main characters.
We’ll begin with Mason Sharpe and his peculiar affinity for the old, the simple, and the classic.
The Mason Sharpe Essentials
1. 1967 GMC C-10 Pickup
Of course I have to begin my discussion of Mason’s essentials with hallmark symbol of his wandering lifestyle—the vintage truck that he calls home. I knew from the outset of designing the Mason Sharpe series that I wanted him to live out of a vehicle, and I experimented with several options before settling on a pickup—specifically, a vintage pickup. Something as easy going and classic as Mason.
But what truck to choose? To answer that question I took a tour through my own heritage, all the way back to the year 1967 when my great-grandfather stepped into a GM dealership in north Alabama and signed the dotted line on a brand new C-10 pickup. Kelly green with a white cab, it was a strange choice—not because it wasn’t a nice truck, but because my great-grandfather was famous for hating General Motors products. In fact, he’s quoted as saying: “On a quiet night, you can hear a Chevy rust.”
The mystery of why he chose to buy a GMC was solved some time later. As it turned out, GMC was offering a credit life program at that time which would cancel the balance of a vehicle loan in the event of the death of the borrower…and my great-grandfather knew he was dying. He wanted something to leave for his family. The GMC would have to do.
Decades later, that GMC now sits in the garage at my parent’s place. I learned to drive in it. Annie and I departed our wedding reception in it. I’ve eaten a lot of peanuts and hauled a lot of farm junk with it. It’s the best truck I’ve ever had the pleasure of driving…so of course, I had to find Mason one to match.
2. Victorinox Locksmith Multitool
I went back to childhood for this one. My grandparents gifted me a set of tools sometime around my sixth birthday, and amid that kit was a traditional style Swiss Army Knife—Home Depot brand, if I recall correctly. My constant companion through the woods and around the house, I still have that knife packed away someplace. It taught me the value and independence of a blade in my pocket.
When I began planning the Mason Sharpe series, I knew I wanted to give Mason a trademark pocket tool that would help him through all the chaotic situations I planned to hurl at him. Having recently reconnected with my Swiss Army Knife obsession and discovered Victorinox, the hallmark Swiss manufacturer of SAKs, I spent some time perusing their website before I settled on the Locksmith as the perfect model for Mason’s adventures. Equipped with just the right number of tools, the Locksmith is probably not what you think of when somebody says “Swiss Army Knife”. It’s a lot bigger, a lot more robust. Ready for Afghanistan or sticky situations in Arkansas, Mason’s Victorinox has seen some extensive service, and is never out of reach.
3. STREAMLIGHT MACROSTREAM
Every hero needs a flashlight! Annie laughs at me over my obsession of always having lights around, but there’s something downright empowering about being able to light up an acorn at a hundred yards in the dead of night. Streamlight has long been one of my very favorite brands. I feel that they strike an ideal balance of quality and cost—and as it happens, Mason agrees!
The MacroStream is a pocket model with multiple brightness modes, rechargeable by USB cord. Popular with all manner of first responders, you’d be surprised just how much light this little guy can dispense. It’s the perfect accessory for Mason’s midnight missions.
4. DYNAMIS LOPRO BELT
Beginning at the end if Fire Team, Mason begins wearing a nylon belt with a handcuff key concealed inside a hidden compartment in the back. While I never mentioned the exact brand or model of this belt, the one in the story is inspired by the LOPRO belt designed by Dynamis. Complete with three concealed compartments, it’s a nifty little design and very similar to the belt Mason wears.
5. 4/4 Violin
Much like his belt, I never specify the brand or model of the violin Mason carries, but I knew from the earliest stages of developing his series that I wanted him to both carry and play one. In a series full of gritty plots and nasty bad guys, I wanted a hero who could be just as sensitive as he was ruthless, just as appreciative of the beautiful things in life as he was willing to get ugly. A musical instrument seemed like just the right approach, and I’ve always loved violin. I even attempted to learn to play myself during high school…didn’t go very well.
(Btw, if you’ve been curious to know WHY Mason plays the violin…stay tuned. You’ll find out in Mason Sharpe book eight, Knock Out).
6. Walmart clothes
Okay, here’s a fun story. You may have noticed that throughout the series Mason’s favorite clothing store (in fact, the only place he purchases clothes) is Walmart. He likes the selection, is content with the simplicity—and of course, he enjoys the value.
But why? The story behind this quirk of Mason’s begins with my original research trip to coastal North Carolina. I was planning Point Blank, and I loaded up in my Silverado for an eleven hour drive north. It was January. I wore shorts and a short sleeved shirt…because I’m from Alabama, and it had been warm all week. I didn’t pack any pants. I didn’t pack a jacket.
I’m sure you can see where this story is headed. As I was checking into my hotel, I noticed that everyone in the lobby seemed vaguely distressed. I inquired with the clerk. She gave me a confused look.
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“The ice storm, man. The town is closing down.”
Sure enough, there was a brutal multi-day ice storm headed in that same night. All the hotel staff were sleeping on site. And me? I was in desperate need of warm clothes. The only place nearby was a Walmart. I found exactly what I needed. I stayed mostly warm while completing my research, and Mason has worn Walmart clothes ever since.
That does it for Mason. Firearms, alternate vehicles, and assorted gear come and go throughout the series. The only other item Mason has been known to consistently favor is a good old fashioned tire iron…but I won’t explain that one.
If you know, you know.
Stay Sharpe!