The Cold Steel Trail Hawk

The Cold Steel Trail Hawk is made by the America Tomahawk Company. It has a head that is 6 1/2” and weighs just 1.34 lbs. The head itself is made in Taiwan but comes with a 22” American Hickory handle. These hickory handles can easily be replaced. After removing the set screw, a new handle is simply dropped into place. The handle is held into place using centrifugal force.

Many people are no stranger when it comes to Cold Steel and their products. If you are not familiar with their product their product catalog comes with a DVD that expresses just how confident the CEO of Cold Steel is of his products. They brutally abuse each product line to make sure that consumers know that they can trust anything Cold Steel makes. Their tomahawks are no exception. If it bears the Cold Steel name, it was meant to be used!

Tomahawks are increasing in popularity. They can be thrown for hours of fun. They are durable enough for normal camping requirements (Chopping, splitting wood and finishing work). They are also traditionally lighter than many camping axes/hatchets so they make a good choice for hiking and Bug Out Bags. Some tomahawks, like the trail hawk, come with a “hammer head” that is sturdy enough for driving tent stakes and other “bashing/hammering” needs.

If you are looking for tomahawk and need something useful, different, and made of good quality, the Trail Hawk indeed should be on your list of options. Small, versatile, and tremendously useful, the Trail Hawk is an outdoor enthusiasts best friend.

Ka-Bar Zombie War Sword

   As I mentioned in a previous post, I am not too caught up in the whole "Zombie Apocalypse" theory. That isn't to say that I am totally against the whole marketing scheme that manufacturers are currently using. Whether it be movies, books, games, guns or gear; zombies are popular!
   I was in the market for a good camping knife. I didn't want to completely drain my bank account on a knife that I was going to just beat up in the woods. After a decent amount of searching I ran across a reputable company with a stylish looking blade. This was the Ka-Bar Zombie War Sword.

 
   For around $50 to $60 this knife is a steal! Every review I have been able to find on youtube or otherwise has had nothing but good to say about this knife. Even when put under severe stress while batoning wood, the knife has always come back to center. It's big, its tough, what more would you want whether it be surviving the zombie invasion......or camping in the wilderness.

 
   The Zombie War Sword comes packaged with a heavy duty Polyester Nylon sheath, two sets of scales (one set black (pictured) / one set bright green (not pictured), and the "Acheron" skeleton knife. The "Acheron" can also be purchased separately for around $10. The War Sword weighs 11lbs with a blade thickness of .205. (All the items included and a size comparison can be seen above.)

   Both the War Sword and the Acheron beat my expectations. Their blade thickness is quite substantial for this price point. Edge retention is quite exceptional, even after using these blades for various tasks (chopping down small branches, batoning, opening package, etc). I have yet to feel the need to sharpen these blades after multiple uses. I personally use the War Sword for larger tasks while camping. The Acheron I use for food preparation and menial tasks.

   The biggest turn off for some will be that though Ka-Bar is an American company and has a legacy for manufacturing knives in the USA, these two blades are not. Though they are not made in the US, the blades still deliver the quality that Ka-Bar owners have come to expect. Though I failed to research where the steel was coming from, I still am happy to support an American based company that out sourced for matierals.

   The sheath involves a two snap retention system, similar to other Ka-Bar sheaths. The two nylon straps also have a small piece of hook and loop (Velcro) that keep the straps out of the way when unsheathing the blade. This is a great design feature! This keeps one from cutting the straps when the blade is being removed.    Also please note that the Acheron is sheathed just above and below the War Sword. (You can see the handle just sticking out of the inner sheath.) I attempted to snap the button of the sheath between the skeletonized handle but the handle was too thick (and I kept chipping the coating). The blade position ,as picture above, gives enough traction so that the blade is not in danger of slipping out of the sheath when snapped.
   Whether you are in the market for a "zombie defense weapon", a camping knife or possibly even a combat knife, I would encourage you to consider the War Sword. It's fun, it's quality, and it will be a useful tool for years to come!

Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener

   Before I add an item to my camping gear (Bug out Bag) or EDC, I first consider its usefulness. How often will I use the item? How easy is the item to use? How long will the item last? If I'm going to spend money on something, I want it to last. I am also a firm believer in quality products. Every tool is meant to improve my situation, if the item in question is a hindrance, then what have I profited in using it?
   I wanted to add a tool to sharpen my knives. I carry a small assortment of files to sharpen my axes but it really wasn't practical for fine sharpening work. I considered purchasing a diamond coated rod but after shopping around I ran across something that fitted my needs much better. An item manufactured by Smith's called the Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener I discovered was perfect.

   Smith's item PP1 is a small hand held knife sharpener. It comes with a tapered diamond coated rod that is 400 grit and folds underneath the tool. It also comes with carbide blades to set an edge to most knives and a ceramic set of stones to hone an edge. The ceramic stones are 600 grit. Both the stones and the blades are reversible and replaceable. There is a depression made on both sides of the tool (for holding the device) and a lanyard hole. It can easily fit inside a pocket, purse, backpack, glove box or Altoids's tin.

   I use this device more sharpening knives (obviously) but the type of knives was really surprising. I am able to sharpen my pocket knives, camping knives, kitchen knives, and hunting/skinning knives with no problem. To date, I have not found a knife that I own that I have not been able to sharpen. It has become one of my prized possession and the best thing is, it can be purchased for around $10. If you are looking for a great quality product but don't want to break the budget, look no further than Smith's Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener.

EDC and Future Preparation.

   Many people are seriously worried about the future. Whether it be a zombie apocalypse, national invasion, terrorism, or some natural disaster, people are hoarding materials to endure the tribulation of what "may be." A perfect example of this is the increasing number of manufacturers who have some type of "zombie" fighting equipment. There is also the increasing sales of anything labeled "survival." As with the great "Anthrax" scare of Saddam (people purchasing bottled water, drop cloths, duct tape, and gas masks) or the total technological shutdown of the year 2000, the media has whipped people into a frenzy. Is this scare warranted? Only the future will reveal this to us.
   I am not against preparation. In fact, I encourage everyone to prepare for the unexpected. What is meant by such a statement? We need to be smart and consider every item that we purchase. Don't be led into buying an item just because the next biggest disaster may raise its ugly head. Decide whether the item(s) you are about to purchase are going to truly be helpful in the long term.
   My eyes were forced open during Hurricane Rita and Katrina. Living in Texas, I was without power for quite sometime when the hurricanes hit. I was nowhere inconvenienced like the people in Louisiana. I watched as they were dispersed from their homes. I watched when order was restored. I watched as some returned to the devastation that was left. It changed my life forever.
   If it could happen in Louisiana, it could happen anywhere. What would you do if you were left without power for days? What would you do if you were left without power for weeks? How about longer? Refrigeration is great, but when there is no electricity (at home or at the local grocery store) food will spoil rather quickly. We have become a spoiled people! We complain when someone doesn't prepare our food properly but we ourselves may not even be able to cook for ourselves. Do we know how to can food? Can we care for a garden? How would we survive without the luxuries of the American lifestyle.
   Once I realized how helpless I had let myself become, I sought to retrieve the one item that could change my situation. That one item was "KNOWLEDGE." Since that time I have put together a "Bug Out Bag." I also have a "Every day Carry" (E.D.C) bag that goes with me everywhere. These items have helped me put the responsibility in my own hands. It is up to me to care for my needs and the needs of my family if disaster should arise. I cannot, however, use items that I have not put together. I do not consider myself paranoid or worried, you could say that I am concerned about my needs and the needs of my family. For this reason I have begun to prepare. What have you done to secure the safety of yourself?