Modern Light-weight Survival Tools

[VictGerbSogCamill]

Cool little Axe. Thanks for the review. I always enjoy reading your posts.

 

[Mistwalker]

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 tomahawk style, but I will be checking it out for sure!

Not sure of the weight, I can weigh it Monday when i weigh some other things.

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:

Thanks man. Well, I almost always prefer a knife...I don't do a lot of logging but this one definitely has multiple uses :thumbup:

Cool little Axe. Thanks for the review. I always enjoy reading your threads.

Thanks man, glad you enjoy the posts.

 

[Mistwalker]

Another piece of kit I've added is a Life Cap survival capsule from Exotac Inc. It's made of carbon fiber and hard anodized tempered aluminum. The cap seals with dual O-rings.

It's a cool capsule that can be tucked in a cargo pocket, worn on a belt, slung over the shoulder using some cord, or attached to packs in different ways.

I wrapped it with 15 feet of para cord, and then some McNett Self-Cling Protective Camouflage Wrap. Now I have multiple types of cordage on the outside which also helps with impact protection and sound discipline.

.

 

[Mistwalker]

Stocking it is sort of a work in progress...

Right mow it has:
1 tube G.I. peanut butter (food or bait)
4 band aides
1 pack of steri strips
4 alcohol prep pads
2 packs of Emergen-C
5 REI storm proof matches and striker material
1 Exacto blade
1 bobbin of 8lb test line
2 fish hooks, (have to add more)
6 split shot weights of different sizes
1 sliding weight
1 5/32x2" ferro rod
1 5/32x4" Ceramic sharpening rod
1 ESEE AH-1 arrowhead
1 signal mirror
1 TOPS folding survival saw


**EDIT** I removed some of the pics of the Life Cap because I am doing and actual review of it here

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=778838

.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

I've always liked the look of that little axe. Some of TOPS' stuff makes me scratch my head, but a lot of it looks well thought-out. I know for a fact that it's all bomb-proof.

 

[Mistwalker]

I've always liked the look of that little axe. Some of TOPS' stuff makes me scratch my head, but a lot of it looks well thought-out. I know for a fact that it's all bomb-proof.

Yep, all of it I have used has had awesome F&F and been very solidly built :thumbup:

 

[crossada]

That axe was a custom that was first put out by ATC before TOPS picked up the design. I think it was designed as a cqc weapon more so than a tool iirc.

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

Your tiny hatchet looks very robust and the sheath is cool.

I find my GB Mini to be extremely handy, the small size means it disappears nicely into my bag and I carry it a lot of places. It even fits into the map pocket of my jackets.

 

[untamed]

Mist:

I wanna thank you very much for sharing this. I was very curious when I saw this hatchet design on the TOPS site sometime back. It did look to be a good multi-tasker.

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.

.

Now that looks about world-ready to me! :thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[jw2n]

Thanks for the info MW. I dont really get the posts about rather having a knife instead of this. You pair them up and use the hatchet for the rough work, saving the knife. A combination that has served humans well for eons.

 

[ROCK6]

That axe was a custom that was first put out by ATC before TOPS picked up the design. I think it was designed as a cqc weapon more so than a tool iirc.

Brian has a way of taking any tool and using it effectively in the outdoors...it goes to show that design is a big asset, but your ingenuity, imagination and skill are the most important factors.

I too was curious and couldn't find much info on the Max Axe or about the original design. I thought it was originally designed as a weapon, but it looks like a very nifty "urban survival tool". I thought I remembered it being used as a backup fireman's tool? I'm just interested in the original design features and purpose. This looks like it would be a great compact breaching tool. It's nice to see that if you could escape the urban hell, it sill is an effective sharpened edge in the traditional outdoors.

Great reviews as usual Brian!:thumbup:

ROCK6

 

[the lone gunman]

That axe is cool to look at . A Becker BK 2 is a better cutter, better chopper,Batons better. Ive pounded nails with my BK also. I see no advantage for an axe like that one.

 

[crossada]

Brian has a way of taking any tool and using it effectively in the outdoors...it goes to show that design is a big asset, but your ingenuity, imagination and skill are the most important factors.

I too was curious and couldn't find much info on the Max Axe or about the original design. I thought it was originally designed as a weapon, but it looks like a very nifty "urban survival tool". I thought I remembered it being used as a backup fireman's tool? I'm just interested in the original design features and purpose. This looks like it would be a great compact breaching tool. It's nice to see that if you could escape the urban hell, it sill is an effective sharpened edge in the traditional outdoors.

Great reviews as usual Brian!:thumbup:

ROCK6

Most of the info is in the archive section in the ATC forum. You could get a shoulder rig with them from Survival Sheath Systems when they were first released i think.

Was this maybe the backup fireman's tool you remember Rock?
http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=75

I like Mist's review too. He is good at thinking outside the box like he did with the RMJ hawk review:thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Mist:

I wanna thank you very much for sharing this. I was very curious when I saw this hatchet design on the TOPS site sometime back. It did look to be a good multi-tasker.

Now that looks about world-ready to me! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed the read, definitely a nice compact multi-tasker that can take some abuse.

Thanks for the info MW. I dont really get the posts about rather having a knife instead of this. You pair them up and use the hatchet for the rough work, saving the knife. A combination that has served humans well for eons.

Thanks, I am just more of a knife guy because of more experience with them. A lot of time spent traveling very light with only one large-ish cutting tool and a small folder. I gravitated more toward the knife than the hatchet/axe tools because of a better point. Recent studies over the last couple of years have shown me some things I do like about tomahawks and similar tools so I am studying further in that direction. There are a few I really like for different reasons, and this is one of them.

Brian has a way of taking any tool and using it effectively in the outdoors...it goes to show that design is a big asset, but your ingenuity, imagination and skill are the most important factors.

I too was curious and couldn't find much info on the Max Axe or about the original design. I thought it was originally designed as a weapon, but it looks like a very nifty "urban survival tool". I thought I remembered it being used as a backup fireman's tool? I'm just interested in the original design features and purpose. This looks like it would be a great compact breaching tool. It's nice to see that if you could escape the urban hell, it sill is an effective sharpened edge in the traditional outdoors.

Great reviews as usual Brian!:thumbup:

ROCK6

Well said Rock, and thanks I'm glad you liked the post.

That axe is cool to look at . A Becker BK 2 is a better cutter, better chopper,Batons better. Ive pounded nails with my BK also. I see no advantage for an axe like that one.

I like the BK-2 very much, especially since Ethan modified the design and added the tang extension. I handled them at Blade and talked to Ethan about them. I'm definitely going to get one of the new ones. That said I'd rather have this in an offensive/defensive role, and it offers more options in prying.

I like Mist's review too. He is good at thinking outside the box like he did with the RMJ hawk review:thumbup:

Thanks man, yeah I'm slightly claustrophobic...I don't like boxes

.

 

[ROCK6]

Most of the info is in the archive section in the ATC forum. You could get a shoulder rig with them from Survival Sheath Systems when they were first released i think.

Was this maybe the backup fireman's tool you remember Rock?
http://www.topsknives.com/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=75

I'm contacting Rob now about a shoulder sheath system. I'll go dig up the ATC archive and do some more research, but I just thought it was something on the lines of a backup tool more than a defensive design...I may be wrong.

Regardless, I like the design as an "urban" tool. I really like my ATC VTAC, but it's more weapon than tool and the Mini Axe looks like it could be used as a pry bar to some extent (vice using your knife). I always carry a fixed blade, folder or two and even a multitool, so this would be a nice, compact tool to travel with.

It's definitely not a design that will float everybody’s boat and it isn't the most efficient "axe" design for outdoors use, but for breaching, prying, hammering, breaking/clearing glass, etc., it looks like a decent design for jobs you wouldn't want to use your standard knife for or you don't have the larger, more appropriate tool available.

ROCK6

 

[PayetteRucker]

Usually I'm instantly wary of products selling primarily the 'lightweight' factor- 'lightweight' usually means compramising the product's lifespan by utilizing thinner or alternative materials that aren't as strong. That carbon fiber capsule is cool, but if it were stainless steel you could use it to boil water with... back to that old Utilitarian vs. High Speed factor.

 

[jw2n]

It would kill it in the weight department, but I like your thinking about boiling H2O.

 

[Mistwalker]

Usually I'm instantly wary of products selling primarily the 'lightweight' factor- 'lightweight' usually means compramising the product's lifespan by utilizing thinner or alternative materials that aren't as strong. That carbon fiber capsule is cool, but if it were stainless steel you could use it to boil water with... back to that old Utilitarian vs. High Speed factor.

I am going to talk to Rob about a stainless or aluminum version. There is a Ti version but it is pretty spendy...

 

[MrPan]

Stocking it is sort of a work in progress...

Right mow it has:
1 tube G.I. peanut butter (food or bait)
4 band aides
1 pack of steri strips
4 alcohol prep pads
2 packs of Emergen-C
5 REI storm proof matches and striker material
1 Exacto blade
1 bobbin of 8lb test line
2 fish hooks, (have to add more)
6 split shot weights of different sizes
1 sliding weight
1 5/32x2" ferro rod
1 5/32x4" Ceramic sharpening rod
1 ESEE AH-1 arrowhead
1 signal mirror
1 TOPS folding survival saw


**EDIT** I removed some of the pics of the Life Cap because I am doing and actual review of it here

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=778838

.

Hey mistwalker, can I ask where you picked up that small threaded plastic vial that's below your bobbin?

 

[fixer]

I am going to talk to Rob about a stainless or aluminum version. There is a Ti version but it is pretty spendy...

i *think* that the Ti version just replaces the aluminum with Ti and still has the CF center. their Ti water bottle would be a better option, provided the neck is large enough to get the stuff out. the Ti water bottle is also a small fraction of the price of the Ti capsule, or even the regular capsule.

the Max the Mini hatchet, and a GB mini hatchet are both about the same price, (roughly $150) but the GB has a hammer head and all the weight is i the head, where Max has some back in the handle since it's full tang. i'd love to see a head to head chop off between the two.

but then a Bahco Laplander folding saw is only about $30 and is probably lighter than either the GB or Max hatchet. can't hammer with it. meh, not a big deal. i just ordered one on ebay... so we'll see how it actually performs one fifth the price, probably half the weight. so if someone does a chop off, please add the Laplander to the mix.