Modern Light-weight Survival Tools

Mistwalker

Mistwalker

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
19,042
I have been studying various tools that could be used for modern survival...urban/suburban/wilderness... for years now. With my spending several years in the commercial construction industry I have had a lot of time to study and have always had some interesting items in my tool collection. Now that I am doing more of other types of work and less construction...and still living in the same risk prone area... I am looking into more portable tools with an ability to be discrete but still durable and ones that bring a good bit of capability to the table. I am looking at different ones to team up together.

There will be more tools added as I get them but that'll take a little time.

***Edit- sencond piece of gear added in post #23***


The first one I am going to post in this thread is the one I am working with and testing at the moment, it's Max the mini axe from TOPS knives. There are only a few shots of it here, I'll post an actual full review of the tool in the general section later.


I like how it will tuck away nicely into a pocket on my pack.

DSC_3648.jpg


DSC_3651.jpg


DSC_3653.jpg





It has on over-all length of just over 9 inches and a primary cutting edge of 2.75 inches and a secondary cutting edge of 2 inches, and the handle allows for multiple grips and holds.

DSC_3710.jpg


DSC_3707.jpg


DSC_3705.jpg


DSC_3742.jpg






Since Autumn is here and I can once again stand being near a fire again fire-crafting tasks were the first tests I put it through. It is a bit light because of its size, but its shape does lend itself to batoning wood and the 1/4 inch steel handles the abuse well.

DSC_3686.jpg


DSC_3689.jpg


DSC_3690.jpg




Part-1 of 3
.
 
Last edited:
No, at only nine inches long with a cutting edge of less than 3 inches it is not the world's best chopping tool, but it does chop a lot better than anything else I have in those dimensions. It took about a minute to chop this notch.

DSC_3727.jpg






It also actually handles pretty good when choked up on. Though it is a bit awkward for making actual fuzz sticks the edge did fine at making nice thin curls for tinder.

DSC_3718.jpg


DSC_3673.jpg


DSC_3666.jpg


DSC_3676.jpg


DSC_3678.jpg






The secondary edge is as sharp as the primary edge could come in handy for a lot of things. It does work well for sparking a firesteel.

DSC_3770.jpg


DSC_3771.jpg


DSC_3773.jpg




Part 2 of 3
.
 
It did do some damage to the coating...naturally...but it makes a decent hammer in a pinch. I had no trouble driving 8 penny of 16 penny nails into this hard cedar post.

DSC_3745.jpg


DSC_3746.jpg


DSC_3748.jpg






The protrusion on the back could also work well breaking out glass or breaking through ice without damaging the primary edge. I think it would do ok at breaking through hollow concrete blocks too but I haven't tried that yet.

DSC_3743.jpg





I think having it teamed up with the right combination of small tools one could have a lot of capabilities without hauling a lot of weight.

DSC_3741.jpg


.
 
I wonder how it will do against a knife of the same weight. I think a knife would be more practical and versitile but that's just my opinion.
 
raylaconico said:
I wonder how it will do against a knife of the same weight. I think a knife would be more practical and versitile but that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

So far as I've been able to tell it chops a good bit better than any knife with an over all length of 9 inches I have. I guess because of the shape and weight distribution. Personally I prefer knives over pretty much any axe like object but to chop well a knife needs to have some length. I do like the versatility and ability to take abuse in this one especially considering the dimensions and "discretion".
 
That is a interesting looking little hatchet. It does look like it would be a great glass breaker. It looks a little to thick for my tastes for chopping wood. But in winter for making a hole in the ice that little bugger would be great.
I hate trying to cut a hole in the ice with a knife even a big one a hatchet/ axe works so much better I think. But here again to each there own.

Neat reveiw of the little guy,

Bryan
 
I've always thought they look as cool as hell but once read a test where they basically said it was a waste of time due to it's size.

I must say your review puts it in a more positive light, as you do so well with all your reviews !

Great stuff !
 
I think if weight is an issue I'd sooner carry something like the TOPS Eco Hawk so that I can add my own long handle.
 
sicily02 said:
That is a interesting looking little hatchet. It does look like it would be a great glass breaker. It looks a little to thick for my tastes for chopping wood. But in winter for making a hole in the ice that little bugger would be great.
I hate trying to cut a hole in the ice with a knife even a big one a hatchet/ axe works so much better I think. But here again to each there own.

Neat reveiw of the little guy,

Bryan
Click to expand...

Thanks Bryan, it is a handle little bugger, it is it's size that drew my attention.




pitdog said:
I've always thought they look as cool as hell but once read a test where they basically said it was a waste of time due to it's size.

I must say your review puts it in a more positive light, as you do so well with all your reviews !

Great stuff !
Click to expand...

Thanks Pit, it is as usual all in the context of the need. For most gains there is going to be a sacrifice.




EIDO said:
Who's the maker of that firesteel?
Click to expand...

One is an ESEE fire starter, the other is a Ti Nanostriker from Exotac.
 
pitdog said:
I think if weight is an issue I'd sooner carry something like the TOPS Eco Hawk so that I can add my own long handle.
Click to expand...

I like the eco for weight...but I'd rather have this one for prying and rough use.
 
Makes me want to get my Tops Axe out and play :)
 

Attachments

  • DSC02435.jpg
    DSC02435.jpg
    40.7 KB · Views: 112
  • DSC02436.jpg
    DSC02436.jpg
    45.8 KB · Views: 87
  • DSC02439.jpg
    DSC02439.jpg
    40.3 KB · Views: 144
Thanks for the post. I am an axe guy, and always looking for lightweight options for the trail. This looks like a little more of a mini-tomahawk style, but I will be checking it out for sure!
 
Last edited:
I am not an axe/hatchet person, but I can see many uses in that. Although I am not sure I would prefer that to a knife, I can see where it would be useful to have it. Nice review :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top