Aufhebung: Creative Destruction

How is it possible to both destroy and keep an idea? How can we both preserve and change an object? Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a Western philosopher, introduced the concept of sublation or Aufhebung. This term uniquely means “to cancel,” “to keep,” and “to pick up” all at once. While these ideas appear contradictory initially, the concept of “creative destruction” frequently occurs in innovation.

 

We operate in a market, industry, and world where so much of what is old is new, and what’s new is old. We can no longer create the first automobile, space shuttle, computer, or holster. However, what we can do is understand the guiding principles that define what the ideal product should be. This involves balancing those principles against current marketing, manufacturing, and education best practices.

 

The Evolution of Development

 

We can no longer be the first to create a new Kydex holster or the first appendix inside the waistband (AIWB) holster. Similarly, creating the first Dark Star Gear holster is no longer an option. What we can do is innovatively deconstruct the Orion and Hitchhiker holsters. This will enable us to create the first Dark Star Gear Perseus holster. We will utilize our vast engineering experience and product design expertise. Additionally, we’ll draw on our personal training, product usage, and relationships with top market experts.

 

The Orion and Hitchhiker are successful, feature-rich designs that offer users an optimal holster with minimal compromise. However, even successful designs need and can be improved. As Dark Star Gear moves forward, we continue this history of quality with our new Perseus. We didn’t start from scratch, nor did we completely reset; we simply broke down and rebuilt creatively. We used the remaining good features as a foundation to progress.

 

The Perseus

 

With the Perseus product line, we are doing precisely that. We are keeping and protecting the features that serve our customers well and changing or removing less effective ones. But does this mean the Orion and Hitchhiker holsters are gone? Not exactly. We’ve preserved their great aspects while modifying and reengineering parts that needed change.

 

The new Perseus will retain its adjustable retention, catering to various customer needs. It will also be paired with our Fixed Retention Kit, blending the desired adjustability with the security that many customers require. No matter the setting – sitting at an office desk, working on machinery in a shop, or being active outdoors. Our customers can trust that the holster will safely and securely retain their firearm, adjusted to their preference. Additionally, the holster will continue to feature multiple attachment points for clips, loops, and other options. This allows for flexibility in placement, ride height, and cant adjustability. 

 

Customers can customize their holster’s location and cant using the multiple attachment points, just as they have done before. This enables accommodation for different torso lengths and wearer applications. We’ve retained the positives of the Orion and enhanced its adjustability range. Expanding the space between attachments improved ride quality, maintained the absence of attachment printing, and increased belt stability.

 

Our holsters are designed for versatility in various situations. Customers can choose between inside the waistband (IWB) or appendix inside the waistband (AIWB) positions for comfort and concealability. They can also add or remove Dark or Light Wings to enhance the AIWB position. Customers preferring traditional strong-side carry can opt out of the wing feature. However, switching to AIWB is easy with the addition of wings. Since both options are interchangeable, the holster adapts well to changes in life and comfort. This versatility, a vital feature of the Orion and Hitchhiker, is preserved in the Perseus.

 

The Perseus holsters will maintain their closed muzzle designs. Regular practitioners will appreciate this, especially as firearms warm up during training sessions. It also benefits those contorted in force-on-force (FoF) training scenarios. We advocate for ongoing practice and training, aiming for your satisfaction in the process. Along with the closed muzzle, our holsters feature a rounded design. This ensures comfort and prevents scratchy, sharp edges during bending, sitting, and squatting in daily activities. Our customers are tough cookies, but we want to protect your tender parts. 

 

Creative Destruction: Adapting to Modern Needs

 

So, with all the great features staying, what’s being “creatively destroyed” to improve the holster design? 

 

First, the original Orion was designed around the preferred attachments and expectations in 2015, not 2024. In 2015, our metal spring clip was popular and proven. Soft loops were also a standard attachment that was entirely secure and easy to use. Both attachments were established in force on force, such as Shivworks classes. In 2024, we aim to ensure that the improved Perseus remains fully compatible with the latest attachments. This includes the widely trusted Discreet Carry Concepts HLR series of clips. At the same time, we’re maintaining compatibility with soft loops, which continue to be popular.

 

Most people now want dual clips rather than a single attachment option, so we can make those clips broader and more secure with our changes. If someone needs to access their firearm, its position must be consistent and reliable. The use of dual clips aids in achieving a stable and consistent draw, as well as ensuring holster stability for safe reholstering.

 

We’ve transitioned from a circular attachment design to slots. This change enables customers to adjust their attachments faster and more precisely. A minor adjustment up, down, or to the side can be the difference between comfort and discomfort. Slots make the holsters more adaptable to these minor changes.

 

The new slot attachment design enhances our latest version. It allows for more significant height and cant adjustments. This makes the holsters more adaptable and suitable for a broader range of customers. Now, to make a small change, there’s no need for complete disassembly. Loosen the screws, slide the attachment to the desired position, and retighten. This eliminates the issue of holsters suited only for people of a certain height or girth. We aim to create holsters that work for real people with real bodies, encouraging more regular carry.

Reducing Customer Confusion

 

Another change in the works is to help customers understand the differences between holsters. Customers often get confused when deciding between the old Orion and Hitchhiker. The Orion was our first fully ground-up designed mold that was machined. At the time, the staggered single stacks were sold as Hitchhikers from different molds. Once we developed the CAD for the others, the Hitchhiker and Orion carried the same features, but the name for the Hitchhiker stuck. This has caused some issues with customers needing to know what they were ordering and why.

 

Initially, people would purchase a G17 Orion or a G48 Hitchhiker and fall in love with the design. However, confusion arose when they tried to order a similar-style holster for a different firearm and found the product names differed. We aim to simplify this process. Our goal is to ensure customers can easily find a holster they love. We want peace of mind that any new purchase will include all the features they have come to rely on. We don’t want customers to double and triple-check for their purchases. 

 

Simply put, we are “creatively destroying” to create the Perseus line, but not to frustrate and disappoint our loyal customers. 

 

We want to keep those customers happy, and the changes coming along the pipeline should do just that. We’re keeping what is great, changing what needs an update, and planning to keep customers satisfied in the process. The new and improved Perseus will satisfy the needs of any customer who wants a great, safe, reliable, and comfortable holster.