How To Choose The Best Survival Tomahawk For Your Bug Out Bag

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If you are building a bug out bag or even a general camping and bushcraft kit, it is worth considering adding a survival tomahawk to your gear.

The tomahawk has a storied history as a reliable tool and the modern day survival tomahawk has evolved rapidly to meet today’s needs.

In this guide, we will discuss this history as well as teach you how to pick the best tomahawk for your needs.

What Can I Use My Survival Tomahawk For?

Given the vast utility of a survival tomahawk, it is a tool that any serious prepper should be looking at. A survival tomahawk is one of the best multipurpose items you can have with you and can effectively carry out a great many tasks including:

Chopping wood
Kinetic building entry
Glass breaking
Vehicle rescue
Prying
Hunting/Butchering
Self-defense
Piercing/cutting sheet metal
Opening of metal, wood, and plastic containers

Few survival tools can offer as many practical uses in such a compact, simple package. One can see why a survival tomahawk is a favorite tool for hunters, police, firefighters, park rangers, farmers, and servicemen.

Best Survival Tomahawk: CRKT Kangee

The CRKT Kangee gets our pick for best survival tomahawk because has a combination of the best characteristics.

It is a compact tool that does not sacrifice cutting power due to its forward weighting and multiple grip options. The fact that it weighs 1.5 lbs means that it will not cause undue fatigue if carried in a bug out bag and can still be swung with ease after a day’s travelling.

The G-10 handle scales come off for cleaning and will last several lifetimes.

The cutting edge design of the CRKT Kangee screams practicality. The sharpened spine is perfect for pushing cuts and the sharp beard makes it ideal for hooking anything just out of reach or for use as a climbing aid.

The tapered spike on the rear side of the Kangee is perfect for piercing tough materials and makes it an even more formidable self defense tool.

Overall the CRKT Kangee is a durable, well-made modern tomahawk that would be a welcome addition to any survival kit or bug out bag.

Best Tactical Tomahawk: Smith and Wesson Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk

The tactical tomahawk space has become crowded as of late and finding the best tactical tomahawk from this crop can be a challenge. You could surely seek a more expensive, flashier option than the Smith & Wesson Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk but you really should not let that distract you.

This tactical tomahawk can be thought of like a tough old grandfather: It will simply get the job done every time. It won’t complain, or give up on you half way. It will do what you ask of it, full stop.

The Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk is extremely well built and makes for an intimidating self-defense option. Its hefty weight of 2.7 lbs and longer than average length (15.9″) will provide the leverage and force required to destroy a lock or silence an enemy’s weapon in a heartbeat.

The thick, full tang construction of the S&W Tomahawk makes this a great tool that can be applied to any hands-on tactical situation.

The fact that it retails around the $50 price point makes it a no-brainer for anyone looking for a reliable tactical tomahawk.

There are many other tactical tomahawks out there that deliver far less for 5 times the price.

Save your money and go with the Smith and Wesson Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk, it is our pick for the best tactical tomahawk.

Best Urban Tomahawk: Gerber Downrange Tomahawk

The Gerber Downrange Tomahawk is the multitool of breaching tools. It ingeniously combines the cutting power of an ax with the sheer force of a hammer and the leverage of a pry bar.

It is an all-in-one urban survival tool for anyone looking for a compact option for defeating building doors and windows or a fast reaction vehicle extraction tool.

Gerber is renowned for making high quality gear with the practical user in mind. This is clearly a tool that is built to last and the all-in-one design makes it the most versatile breaching tomahawk on the market.

The Gerber Downrange would be a great addition to an urban bug out bag and would be an immense aid in scavenging or rescue efforts.

Solid build quality coupled with extreme versatility earns the Gerber Downrange our pick for best urban tomahawk.

How To Choose The Best Tomahawk

The first thing to consider when looking for the best tomahawk is what you intend to use it for primarily. A survival tomahawk that will be used mainly for chopping and breaching should have different features than one that will be a primary self-defense tool.

Let’s look at the parts of a survival tomahawk and examine what styles are best for which tasks.

Handle Length

Tomahawks range in length from 8-20 inches.

Determining how long your tomahawk should be will depend on your intended usage.

A longer handle will provide greater leverage when prying and increased force when swinging but will be less compact and heavier.

A smaller handle will enable more effective usage in close quarters and add less volume and weight to a pack.

Here are some applications that are ideally suited for each type of handle:

Long Handle Tomahawk

Splitting wood
Chopping trees
Opening doors
Breaking locks
Butchering large game
Forceful opening of vehicles for rescue
Piercing tough materials – kevlar, sheet metal, wood, heavy plastic
Prying

Short Handle Tomahawk

Long hikes (lightweight and compact)
Close quarters self-defense
Throwing
Precision chopping
Evacuating vehicles
Butchering small game

Back Side

The rear of the tomahawk, also called the poll or butt is traditionally flat or rounded. However, many modern tomahawks offer the option of a spike on the back. Once again choosing what type of poll your tomahawk has will depend on what problems you intend to solve with it.

A bushcraft tomahawk will typically have a flat butt for hammering. If you are looking for the best tactical tomahawk for your kit you are probably going to be seeking a spiked back for effective piercing.

It is worth noting that both a flat but or a spike will effectively break glass. Here are some advantages of each option:

Flat back

Hammering
Pounding
Forcefully opening doors
Defeating locks
Easier to carry and deploy

Spike

Piercing
Prying
Self-defense
Intimidation

Cutting Edge

There are many options for the business end of your survival tomahawk. As with every element choosing the best tomahawk for your kit will depend on your intended usage.

Cutting Edge Length

A longer cutting edge will require a larger and heavier ax head. This added weight and edge length will, however, allow for greater force in your swings. This will make splitting wood and chopping doors easier. Many of the best tactical tomahawks have circular cutouts in their cheeks to save weight without sacrificing the cutting edge size. This may be a good option if you want the largest cutting edge without the added fatigue of a big, heavy tomahawk.

A narrower cutting edge will typically be able to pierce deeper with each strike as it will encounter less resistance. This will make a narrower cutting edge better for emergency vehicle extraction and for piercing heavy duty materials.

Spine and Beard Options

If you are looking for the best tactical tomahawk for your kit it is worth mentioning that modern tomahawks come with additional sharp edges beyond the traditional cutting edge.

This is thought to provide a tactical advantage as it opens up additional options for attack and defense when using a tactical tomahawk. Many modern tomahawk makers have started including these options and it is worth considering when finding the best hawk to meet your needs.

The Best Tomahawk: Take Your Pick

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing the best tomahawk for your kit. As with any survival tool you should consider what you are most likely to use your tomahawk for.

A survival tomahawk is an excellent all around choice for their high versatility and compact designs. If you have more specialized tasks in mind like breaching doors, extracting people from vehicles, or serious self-defense you may want to consider a more specialized tool such as a breaching or tactical tomahawk.

Hopefully, our guide here has helped you understand the many qualities that make a good tomahawk such a valuable addition to a bug out bag or survival kit.

To recap, here are our top picks for best tomahawks by category:

Best Survival Tomahawk: CRKT Kangee
Best Tactical Tomahawk: Smith and Wesson Extraction and Evasion Tomahawk
Best Urban Tomahawk: Gerber Downrange Tomahawk

Your Thoughts?

Do you have a survival tomahawk that you love? What qualities do you think the best tactical tomahawk should have? Please let us know in the Comments Section below!

The Best Tactical Pen For Your Kit

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A tactical pen can be a good option for a self-defense tool in an emergency. They make great every day carry companions due to their small size, light weight, concealability, and dual purpose functionality.

In this article, we will show you how to choose the best tactical pen for your EDC kit or Bug Out Bag by taking a look at some of the best options on the market.

We’ve conducted extensive research and built the table below to allow you to compare some of the best tactical pens on the market.

Pen	Size	Weight	Features	Cost	Material
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen	5.59"	1.02 oz	Integrated glassbreaker	$$	Machined steel
Schrade Survival Tactical Pen	5.9"	1.7 oz	Integrated survival whistle, glass breaker, and magnesium fire starter	$$	Anodized aluminum
Uzi Defender Tactical Pen	6"	2.4 oz	Heavy Duty, incudes integrated glassbreaker	$	Aircraft Aluminum
CRKT Williams Tactical Pen	6"	1.2 oz	Tapered body to aid grip retention	$$	Machined anodized aluminum
Smith and Wesson M&P Tactical Pen	5.7"	1.4 oz	Ridged body for excellent finger holds	$	T6061 Aircraft Aluminum
Vktech Tactical Pen	5.7"	3.7 oz	Scoops on back for catching attacker's DNA, makes and excellent glass breaker	$	Aircraft Aluminum
Schrade Tactical Pen	5.7"	1.6 oz	Highly Inconspicuous Screw on/off cap	$	CNC machined 6061 aircraft aluminum
Smith and Wesson 3rd Gen Tactical Pen	5.7"	1.4 oz	Includes stylus tip on one end for touchscreens	$	T6061 Aircraft Aluminum

What Is A Tactical Pen?

A tactical pen is a writing tool that is also designed to be used as a defensive weapon.

Tactical pens are typically made of metal or a very sturdy plastic. Aircraft-grade aluminum and titanium are frequently employed to make strong, lightweight, tactical pens.

One or both ends of the tactical pen is typically tapered to a point to allow for it to be used as a thrusting self-defense tool. Whereas a normal pen would bend or break if used in a defensive scenario, a tactical pen is designed exactly for this use.

Why Carry A Tactical Pen?

People carry tactical pens for many reasons.

Some may just want a high-quality pen that looks good and matches other gear they may have, like a folding knife or other tactical equipment.

The main reason people carry tactical pens is to have a reliable self-defense tool that can be hidden in plain sight.

While a knife or firearm will draw most anyone’s attention if spotted while being carried, a tactical pen is more of a “gray man” option. Most tactical pens will pass a security or TSA inspection, therefore, can be carried almost anywhere.

UPDATE: A reader has sent this article to show that some of the more aggressive style pens do get confiscated at airport checkpoints. Consider this when choosing your pen if you plan on traveling with it.

With some basic training, tactical pen carriers are more readily able to protect themselves wherever they go.

Another advantage of tactical pens is that often they are designed to be non-lethal and come with a blunt end that is intended to apply painful force to pressure points, sensitive areas, and other vulnerable locations on an attacker’s body. This can be an appealing non-lethal self-defense option for those not wanting to cause mortal damage to an attacker.

Others may just be looking to lighten their kit by combining their self-defense tool with their writing instrument into one small multipurpose item. A tactical pen is perfect for this.

Tactical pens are a robust, low key, self-defense option.

Best Overall Tactical Pen: Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen

The Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen doesn’t attempt to do absolutely everything its competitors try for but instead chooses to execute the essential functions of a tactical pen with authority.

It comes out of the box with a Rite In The Rain ink cartridge, so you will be able to confidently take notes, mark maps, and more in any conditions.

It also has a low profile glass breaker integrated into the tip to assist in emergency evacuations from vehicles of buildings.

Additionally, it is one of the few “click” pens you see in the tactical pen format, which I consider to be an advantage – no cap to unscrew every time and one less thing to lose.

Overall the machined steel body is extremely strong and will hold up to the roughest applications. Its various ridges and indentations ensure a positive grip should it be required to discourage aggressive behavior.

These features have all been added thoughtfully and executed flawlessly.

There is no excess on this tactical pen, and it strives to meet your daily needs at every turn.

Coming in around the $40 price point, the Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen exceeds expectations and makes for a reliable companion for years to come.

Best Mid-Range Tactical Pen: Schrade Survival Tactical Pen

The Schrade Survival Tactical Pen gets our pick for the best mid-range tactical pen for several reasons. For one it has a ton of useful survival gear packed into its compact package including:

Survival Whistle
Glass Breaker
Magnesium Firestarter

These items alone justify the $25 price tag.

As a tactical pen if both writes well and is strong enough to be a functional self-defense item.

The narrow taper at the writing end serves well as a force multiplier if you ever needed to deter an attacker with it.

This tactical pen has a rather inconspicuous profile to it, unlike some other pens that have an obvious weaponized appearance.

Its ordinary appearance will help it avoid scrutiny from security checkpoints, ensuring that you will be able to defend yourself pretty much anywhere.

The Schrade Survival Tactical Pen is a solid mid-range tactical pen that will not disappoint.

Best Budget Tactical Pen: Vktech Tactical Pen

In the sub-$5 price range, there is no better choice than the Vktech Tactical Pen.

While you can’t expect it to be of the same quality as our previous picks, it still has excellent workmanship for the price.

Picking it up you can feel its solid construction.

The knurling along its body meshes perfectly with the palm of your hand for a comfortable non-slip grip.

The Vktech Tactical Pen offers reliability and durability at an unbeatable price making for a great entry-level option.

How Do I Choose The Best Tactical Pen For My Kit?

Pen Quality

When looking for the best tactical pen a good place to start is to choose one that writes well. This is the basic function of a tactical pen and is what you will use it for 99% of the time. The best tactical pens out there accept ink refills from quality producers like Parker and Hauser, Fischer Space Pen, and Rite in the Rain.

Self-Defense Features

Once you have a good writing tool, it is time to look at the defensive features to find the best tactical pen for your personal protection.

First, decide how you would want to use your tactical pen as a defensive tool.

A smaller woman, for example, may struggle to inflict damage with one of the blunt ended tactical pens and a tactical pen with a pointier end may be more suitable.

A larger person would probably be more able to strike with enough force to ward off an attacker with either of these options so they would have a wider variety of suitable tactical pens to choose from

Grip

In addition to being comfortable in your hand for writing, having a good grip is key to using the pen as a defensive tool.

In a self-defense scenario, you will likely be swinging it with velocity you will want to make sure the tactical pen stays put in your hand upon impact.

The best tactical pen you can choose will have ridges or grooves for your fingers to sit in and knurling to aid grip retention.

Best EDC Knife — Click to read our article on picking the BEST EDC Knife

Attachment Clip

The best tactical pens on the market will have a robust pocket clip for attaching the pen to a pocket, bag, or belt.

Many pens also have additional attachment options for keyrings, carabiners, and paracord.

Make sure the tactical pen you choose has an attachment option that matches the way you intend to carry it.

Extra Features

A common point of differentiation to look for when finding the right tactical pen is to keep an eye out for unique features.

Many tactical pen makers work to make their products stand out by incorporating additional features such as:

Hidden Handcuff Key
Magnesium Firestarter
Window/Glass Breaker
DNA Catching Scoops (for identifying an attacker to law enforcement)

Keep an eye out for special features such as these when choosing your tactical pen.

How to Use a Tactical Pen

There are many schools of thought of the best way to use a tactical pen for self-defense.

If you are going to carry one, it is essential to train in how to use it effectively.

Once you have learned proper technique, it is as important to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Typical tactical pen targets include:

Pressure Points

Armpit
Neck
Inner arm
Inner thigh

Sensitive Areas

Throat
Eyes
Ears
Groin
Ribs
Solar Plexus
Nose

BONUS: Instructional Video

Here is a helpful instructional video to get you started.

Conclusion

There are a lot of great options out there for carrying a reliable, multipurpose tactical pen.

Finding the BEST tactical pen for your needs can be a challenge, but hopefully, the suggestions we have made will help you decide.

Once again, here are our picks:

Best Overall Tactical Pen: Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
Best Mid-Range Tactical Pen: Schrade Survival Tactical Pen
Best Budget Tactical Pen: Vktech Tactical Pen

Want Even MORE Info On Building Your EDC Kit?

If you are looking for even more information on how to build your ultimate EDC kit you can check out my book, The Every Day Carry Guide. It is a comprehensive manual that will teach you:

How to be prepared at all times – no matter where you are
How to build your first EDC kit from scratch
How to refine an existing kit to make it more effective
How to pick the best gear to realistically make you more prepared
How to assess threats and risks in your every day life

Your Thoughts?

Do you have a tactical pen that you want to share? Is there a quality you NEED to have when finding the best tactical pen for your environment? Please let us know in the Comments Section below.

The Best EDC Flashlights – Our Picks and How to Choose

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After essential basics such as a wallet, keys, phone, and knife, finding the best EDC flashlight is an important element of developing your every day carry kit.

Having a good flashlight can improve survivability in many situations in addition to it being highly useful in day-to-day circumstances.

With the right EDC flashlight, you’ll never get caught in the dark!

There are a lot of EDC flashlights on the market, and it can be confusing to find the best flashlight for your EDC kit. We will help your search by showing our Top 10 and give our picks for the best overall, entry level, and mid-level EDC flashlights.

We will also discuss what qualities to look for when choosing your EDC flashlight for your needs including features, lumens, beam types, switch variations, and more.

Note: If you are new to the concept of EDC (Every Day Carry), you may want to check out my article here, which explains the basics and will help you design your first EDC kit.

Best Overall EDC Flashlight: Fenix PD35

With a scorching 1000 lumen output, the Fenix PD35 is practically a lightsaber. That level of illumination is effective for tactical usage and any basic task that you could throw at it. This lumen output is even more impressive given the flashlight’s sub-$100 price tag. The Fenix PD35 has 6 output options for outstanding versatility and weighs in at only 3oz.

If having a reliable, extremely bright light is essential to your EDC kit, this is the one for you.

Best Mid-Range EDC Flashlight: Olight S10

The Olight S10 is a compact powerhouse. Its tiny size (2.7 x 1.9 inches) and minuscule weight (2.4 oz) make it ideal for a lightweight EDC kit. The Olight S10 packs 320 lumens into this tiny package and can cycle through its 5 pre-programmed modes of high, medium, low, moonlight, and strobe.

All that versatility stuffed in a tiny package makes this flashlight an easy choice at approximately $50.

Best Entry-Level EDC Flashlight: Fenix E12

The Fenix E12 is a gem in the entry-level EDC flashlight field. It is reasonably priced in the sub-$30 range and produces 130 lumens in a compact package that makes it perfect for a keychain light. Add the versatility of running on a single AA battery, and you have a real winner for a basic every day flashlight.

Flashlight Features: How to Choose the Best EDC Flashlight

Whatever EDC flashlights you consider you should be aware of these basic qualities when determining which one is best for you.

Lumens

Most flashlights will describe how many lumens the light produces in their packaging or product descriptions.

Understanding lumens gives you an excellent way to perform an apples-to-apples comparison of the most basic function of an EDC light which is providing illumination.

A lumen is the unit of measure of the total amount of visible light produced by a source. Basically, how bright the flashlight is. The more lumens it can produce the brighter the beam will be.

Basic flashlights are usually 10 lumens, and high-end search and rescue lights can be over 18,000 lumens.

Typically, EDC flashlights will be in the 50-1000 lumen range but consider how you are likely to use your light to help determine how many lumens you really need.

Bulb Type

Since the invention of the flashlight, incandescent bulbs have been shedding light into the dark corners of our lives. However, in recent years, LED (Light Emitting Diode) flashlights have begun to take over this role. LED lights are particularly favored for every day carry kits because they offer greater efficiency, better battery consumption, greater brightness, and far better impact resistance than old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.

Choosing an LED based bulb for your EDC flashlight is a no-brainer at this point.

Battery Type

Most commercially available flashlights use either AA or CR123 batteries. While AA is the tried and true old guard, the CR123 is a more recently available challenger.

AA Batteries for your EDC Flashlight – AA batteries have been around for many years and are a reliable source of power for many gadgets. AA batteries are based on alkaline cell technology that is tried and true. AAs are typically cheaper and more widely available than newer batteries as well as being a smaller diameter and longer in size.
CR123 Batteries for Your EDC Flashlight – CR123 batteries are based on lithium cell technology and can provide greater energy storage and output allowing for a brighter, longer lasting flashlight in most cases. CR123 batteries are however more expensive and less readily available than AAs, and although they are shorter in length, they have a wider diameter. Because of this, flashlights using CR123 batteries are typically more compact but fatter than ones using AAs. CR123 batteries are also typically lighter (.6oz for CR123 compared to .9oz for AA) which can result in a lighter flashlight overall. Lithium cell batteries also provide higher performance in cold temperatures.

So, which battery is best? It depends on what you are looking for.

If you want a light that uses a battery that is more readily available in a survival scenario, AA is probably best for you. If performance and weight reduction are paramount to you, CR123 is the way to go.

Generally speaking, for an EDC kit, where the availability of batteries isn’t really an issue, CR123 is a nice option.

Flashlight Size

As with most EDC gear, keeping things compact is essential.

No one wants to carry anything heavy or bulky with them as part of their every day carry kit.

The best EDC flashlights can typically provide a high amount of illumination while staying under 4″ long. The trade-off for having a tiny EDC light is that you will have less space inside to fit a battery so you may sacrifice some power if you choose an ultra-compact flashlight. This is an important trade-off to consider, and you will have to strike a balance when finding the best EDC flashlight for you.

Waterproof Rating

You never know what conditions you will need to use your EDC flashlight in. However, if you may need illumination in the rain or during a flood, having a light that is not waterproof is about as useful as not having one at all.

Most quality lights will be rated as waterproof or at least water-resistant. Flashlights are typically rated using an IPX code which identifies water resistance testing and capabilities (see the chart below).

The bottom line is if you are looking for a flashlight for EDC purposes and it is not listed as being waterproof, move on to an option that is.

Body Construction Material

A metal body flashlight will be tougher and be able to take more abuse than a plastic one. Having a durable flashlight is important it will likely receive some knocks, drops, and bumps as you carry it every day.

Selecting a metal flashlight will result in a longer lasting tool that is functional when you need it.

Weight

As with any item on your EDC list you want something that provides the greatest utility at the lowest weight. No one wants to be carrying around an anchor in their pocket, purse or EDC bag. When selecting the best EDC flashlight for your kit, you can keep weight down by choosing a small light or one made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or titanium. Selecting a flashlight with a CR123 type battery is another way to save weight. Look for a flashlight that weighs less than 5 oz to keep your pockets light.

Beam Features

Adjustable beam – Having an adjustable beam significantly increases the versatility of your EDC flashlight. Being able to choose to illuminate a wide area when conducting a search and then changing to a narrow beam for signaling or tactical scenarios will make sure your EDC light meets any need you may have.
Flashing/Signaling Capabilities – Some flashlights come with multiple modes available beyond the ability to shine a plain beam. While this may not be a feature you think you would need, flashing and signaling capabilities can come in handy. Both are invaluable when trying to signal for help or to communicate at a distance in the dark.

Attachment Options

Just about any quality EDC flashlight will have some attachment options. Attachment options usually include a pocket clip, lanyard loop, carabiner clip, or keyring. Make sure whatever option the EDC light you choose is compatible for how you intend to carry it.

Even the best EDC flashlight will bring frustration if you can’t carry it that way you want.

Switch Type

Like the attachment option, make sure the switch your EDC flashlight uses is compatible with the way you intend to carry it. Most importantly make sure that the switch, twist collar, or button, is reliable and will not turn on while in your pocket or bag. Nothing is worse than opening up your bag and seeing the weak yellow glow of a flashlight with a dying battery right when you need to use it.

Parting Advice: How To Pick The Best EDC Flashlight For Your Needs

As you can see, there are a lot of options out there when trying to find the best EDC flashlight.

Remember the basics of finding a reliable light that is comfortable to carry around with you on an everyday basis.

Don’t skimp on quality and look for features that match your specific needs.

Feel free to refer to our favorite EDC flashlights as options for your kit:

Best Overall EDC Flashlight: Fenix PD35
Best Mid-Range EDC Flashlight: Olight S10
Best Entry-Level EDC Flashlight: Fenix E12

Want Even MORE Info On Building Your EDC Kit?

Another cornerstone of any EDC kit is a knife. Read our guide to choosing the best knife for your EDC kit.

If you are looking for even more information on how to build your ultimate EDC kit you can check out my book, The Every Day Carry Guide. It is a comprehensive manual that will teach you:

How to be prepared at all times – no matter where you are
How to build your first EDC kit from scratch
How to refine an existing kit to make it more effective
How to pick the best gear to realistically make you more prepared
How to assess threats and risks in your everyday life

Your thoughts?

Do you have a favorite EDC flashlight that you recommend? Are there any particular features that you look for when finding the best EDC light for your needs? Please let us know in the Comments Section below!

Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review

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We recently took a look at the Emerson Mini CQC-15 as a part of our guide on How To Choose The Best EDC Knife. We were so impressed by it that we ended up recommending it as the Best Overall EDC Knife.

Here we will take a closer look at its features and qualities with our in-depth Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review.

First Impressions

Right out of the box we could tell that the Emerson Mini CQC-15 is a high quality knife. It feels solid in the hand and the 154CM stainless steel blade comes from the knifemaker very sharp. The overall build quality is outstanding.

One thing that catches the eye right away is the patented “Emerson Wave” feature. This is a cleverly designed lever on the back of the blade that catches your pants pocket as you draw the knife out to automatically open the blade. If you have seen a video of this working (below) you may think this is a spring-assisted open knife. In fact, it is not. It is a normal, manual open folder but the Emerson Wave feature makes the blade pop open in a flash as the knife is drawn out of the pocket. It is a very cool, useful feature that separates the Emerson Mini CQC-15 from its competitors in the tactical folder field.

Blade

The blade on the Emerson Mini CQC-15 is made of premium quality 154CM stainless steel that provides a great balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening. The model we tested had a partial serration with a tanto tip and a recurve to the belly of the blade. The back of the blade is a consistent thickness from base to tip and has robust jimping on the back of the Emerson Wave feature that provides for a confident grip. In a brilliant nod to every day use the blade is beveled on only one side to make field sharpening a breeze. You could grind the Emerson Mini CQC-15 against a flat rock and have it back to usable sharpness in no time without worrying about keeping the perfect angle to your grind.

Grip

The model of Emerson Mini CQC-15 we tested had a nicely textured G10 handle with titanium liners to save weight. The grip is well designed with a curved choil exactly where your fingers would grip the handle. We were able to maintain a confident grip both barehanded and with a pair of work gloves on. The jimping on the back of the Mini CQC-15 and Emerson Wave feature add to this sense of security providing highly effective control under even adverse conditions.

Open Mechanism

As mentioned above the instantaneous opening out of the pocket really pushes the Emerson Mini CQC-15 ahead of its competitors. After using it for the first time we were left asking why EVERY knife doesn’t have this feature. The Emerson Mini CQC-15 also sports a left and right hand thumb stud perpendicular to the blade for ambidextrous opening. Using the thumb stud with a quick flick of the wrist engaged the blade with a satisfying click.

Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review — The Emerson Mini CQC-15 is a great addition to any kit

Clip Attachment

The Emerson Mini CQC-15 has a firm pocket clip for securing the blade to a pants pocket, belt, or webbing. It is worth noting that the knife must be oriented in a specific way in order for the Emerson Wave feature to be able to engage the pants pocket. Because of this the pocket clip is not able to be switched to carry on the left hand side or in blade point-down orientation. Modification is available from the manufacturer for you lefties out there to enable the Emerson Wave to be engaged in a left-pocket deployment. The Emerson Mini CQC-15 also features a large lanyard hole at the base of the grip for securing it to your gear or person. This is highly useful if you are planning on using this knife at heights or as a secondary blade attached to a pack with some paracord.

Lock

The Emerson Mini CQC-15 utilizes a titanium linerlock that automatically engages upon opening the knife. This provides a very tight lock with no wiggle to the blade when deployed. There has been some talk among users of the Emerson Mini CQC-15 that the titanium linerlock against the steel blade can actually be too tight making it harder than other knives to close. This is a bonus of you want a reliable locking mechanism that is not going to close on your hand but can be a challenge if you want to be able to quickly close the blade. It can be remedied by breaking in the knife through use over time and accelerated by rubbing graphite on the face of the linerlock that mates with the blade.

Emerson Mini CQC-15: The Verdict

The Emerson Mini CQC-15 is an awesome tactical folder that is well built and feels great in the hand. The blade is made of high quality steel that will hold its edge well. The Emerson Wave opening feature is both innovative and practical and provides for a reliable, instantaneous opening for when rapid deployment matters. The only downsides we could find were the easily overcome tightness of the lock and cost. However if quality and practicality are paramount to you, look no further than the Emerson Mini CQC-15. It is a great addition to any EDC list, bug out bag, or camping kit.

Your Thoughts On Our Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review?

Have you ever used an Emerson Mini CQC-15? Is there anything that you think we should mention in our Emerson Mini CQC-15 Review? Please let us know what you think in the Comments Section below, thanks!

Bug Out First Aid Kit Ideas and Checklist

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A bug out first aid kit is one of the most important essential items to consider for your BOB or evacuation kit.

Having a well-stocked first aid kit will help you overcome injuries to keep you moving to safety when time is critical. As it is prohibitive to carry an entire hospital’s worth of emergency medical supplies it’s important to assess what injuries are most likely to occur and how you can effectively treat them while executing your bug out plan.

We suggest focusing on two areas when building your bug out first aid kit: Trauma and Mobility.

Assessing Your Bug Out First Aid Needs

As we discussed in our Every Day Carry Guide it is important to properly assess the threats you will likely be facing when considering developing a bug out plan or assessing what gear to include in your preparations. When it comes to First Aid, we will look at medium to high probability threats that have medium to high impact to address what we need in our bug out first aid kit.

Trauma Injuries

While it is highly likely that you may scrape your knee or cut your hands while in a bug out situation these minor injuries probably will not affect your ability to effectively move to safety. They are high likelihood/low impact problems. When planning a bug out first aid kit we will want to address medical emergencies that are of higher impact such as trauma injuries. These will be lower probability but far higher consequence than a knee scrape or simple cut and may be debilitating or life-threatening.

Traumatic injuries can include:

Burns
Vehicle collisions
Broken bones
Arterial bleeding
Falls from heights
Gunshot wounds
Knife Wounds
Blunt impact injuries

Treating trauma injuries should be a focal point of your bug out first aid kit. This will allow you to address the worst of problems and keep you alive and moving when time is critical.

Mobility Injuries

A mobility injury is anything that prevents you from moving efficiently or at your intended pace. They have a wide range in terms of severity. In the risk assessment scale are generally medium probability and high impact. The manner in which one is affected by a mobility injury is that they will lose their ability to move to safety, which is a major problem in a bug out situation.

Mobility injuries include:

Blisters
Ankle sprains
Knee injuries
Torn ligaments
Frostbitten extremities
Broken bones

As you can see there is a wide range of mobility injuries. While some of them may not be life threatening by themselves they can lead an injured person to be unable to evacuate a dangerous area which can lead to further injury or death. Being able to effectively treat mobility injuries with your bug out first aid kit will help you deal with this type of injury and keep you moving when it counts.

Your First Aid Kit: Buy or Build?

When adding a first aid kit to your bug out bag you are faced with two paths of how to get this done. You can either buy a premade first aid kit from a sporting goods store or online or you can purchase the items you want individually for a custom kit. Both choices have their various advantages and disadvantages and ultimately you have to decide what is best for you.

Premade First Aid Kits

Premade kits are the easier choice as they will come prepacked in a neat bag that can simply be added to your BOB. The items are picked for you and this is a plug and play option. However, as with premade bug out bags, premade first aid kits are generally costlier than DIY kits and the quality of medical supplies within them can range greatly.

If you choose to go this route be sure to get a quality kit as you generally get what you pay for and First Aid is not an area to skimp on.

A popular option is to buy a premade First Aid kit and then add a few extra items that don’t usually come with premade First Aid kits, such as a tourniquet or moleskins, which allows you take advantage of someone else doing the grunt work of finding basic items while tailoring the bag to suit your own needs and requirements.

There are good quality premade bug out first aid kits out there and we will recommend a few here for your reference:

Building your own Custom First Aid Kit

Although building your own bug out first aid kit can be time consuming, there are a few advantages to this approach:

Get exactly the items you want – don’t pay for useless things that don’t solve the problems you anticipate
You control the quality of items – no cheap medical supplies that will let you down when you need them
Cost is generally lower – shop around for the best price for the survival first aid items that you need
Get the bag that you want – select a container for your medical supplies based on your own criteria for size, features, and quality

There are a seemingly endless number of first aid items to choose from out there. Let’s take a look at some of the most important items to have in a first aid kit designed for disaster management.

Trauma First Aid Items

Blood clotting agent

This is a substance designed to encourage clotting within a wound to stop bleeding. They were designed by the military to treat shrapnel and gunshot wounds and have recently been made available for civilian purchase. A blood clotting agent, such as WoundSeal Powder, can be effective for stopping life-threatening blood loss that may occur in a bug out situation.

Burn salve

Burns can come from many threats in a bug out situation. A burn salve, such as J.R. Watkins Medicated First Aid Salve, provides relief from heat-related injuries, discourages infection, and promotes healing. Burn salves are generally small and lightweight, fitting easily in a bug out first aid kit.

Tourniquet

A tourniquet, such as the SWAT-T Tourniquet, is a last line of defense against blood loss. Using one after other first aid methods (pressure, elevation, clotting agents, etc) have been applied will usually stop bleeding but it can do so to a degree that the limb is sacrificed. Additionally, they can only be used on arms and legs and are useless for abdominal or head wounds. The blood clotting agents are a better choice but it can mean the difference between life and death in the right situation to have a tourniquet in your bug out first aid kit.

Heavy Gauze

This is used to apply pressure to wounds, absorb blood, and prevent infection. It is a basic first aid item that belongs in any trauma first aid kit. Plan on packing multiple rolls in a well-stocked bug out first aid kit. Check out Gerber’s Heavyweight Gauze Prefolds.

Skin Closure Kit

Some people recommend a suture kit to close large wounds/cuts but if you don’t have any medical training you will likely cause more harm than good. Instead, pack some 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures for an effective and safe way to close wounds.

Chest Seal

This is designed to create an airtight seal on chest wounds to prevent lung collapse. It is typically used to treat penetrating chest wounds caused by gunshots, stabbing, or shrapnel. They are sold in pairs to cover the possibility of needing to seal both an entry and exit wound in the torso. The HALO Chest Seal is a highly-praised option.

Trauma Pad

A trauma pad is a large, sterile dressing used to treat large sized wounds. They are frequently impregnated with clotting agents to minimize blood loss. This is ideal for treating trauma injuries in a pre-hospital situation.

Mobility First Aid Items

Moleskin

Taking care of your feet is one of the most important maintenance tasks involved in a bug out situation. If you have to suddenly hike for miles on end to reach your bug out destination, you are likely to develop blisters on the way. Moleskin is designed to provide cushioning around these sore spots to prevent chafing and allow you to keep moving to safety. The good choice for a First Aid kit is Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Roll.

Triangle Bandages

The Swiss Army knife of first aid kits. Triangle bandages, such as Dynarex Triangle Bandages, can be used for many medical purposes including packing wounds, keep ice packs in place, applying pressure to lacerations, make a sling for an injured limb, and tying on splints.

Splint

Although a splint can be fashioned out of scavenged materials it is good practice to have a good one, like the SAM Splint, in your bug out first aid kit in the event that you do not have time to go looking for splinting materials.

Ace Bandage

These are good for wrapping rolled ankles or twisted knees to provide the support you need to keep moving to safety. They can also be used for wound dressing and bandage application in a pinch. Consider Ace Elastic Bandage with Clips for an easy-to-use ace bandage.

General First Aid Items

Anti-diarrheal medicine
Medical tape
Pain relievers
EMT shears
Ammonia inhalants
Butterfly strips
Nitrile gloves
Tweezers
Antiseptic wipes
Superglue – to close small wounds
Antibiotics (Fish antibiotics can be used if a prescription is unavailable)
EpiPen

Choosing a Bag for Your First Aid Kit

When picking a bag for your bug out first aid kit you will want one that meets your individual needs and has the features you require to be compact, functional, and accessible.

Another important factor to consider is size. Depending on if this is an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) or if you are responsible for your whole family, the amount of supplies you need will vary, therefore you need to choose an appropriately sized bag.

The Maxpedition FR-1 Pouch is a compact bag that can carry a deceptively large amount of supplies. You can’t go wrong with this bag.

Closing Thoughts

As you can see there are many options for planning an effective bug out first aid kit. With some simple organization you can either build your own from the ground up, buy a premade medical kit, or combine the two approaches to maximize effort expended and customization options for this essential survival item. Once you have a bug out first aid kit be sure to review it as a part of your periodic BOB Reviews to make sure the items within are still usable.

Do you have an item that you would add to your bug out first aid kit? Do you have first aid skills or advice that you would like to share? Let us know in the Comments section below.