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!

Inspirational Survival Quotes To Motivate Your Prepping

Winning Survival Quotes To Keep You Motivated

1. The only easy day was yesterday

Who said it?

Basically every Navy SEAL ever. This is their motto.

Meaning

Every day is a new challenge and the only easy things are ones that are already completed. If it was easy, they wouldn’t be sending The SEALs to take care of it. Survival is the most difficult thing anyone can be called upon to do. We are not accustomed to thinking about this because we are so far removed from day-to-day surviving in our modern world. Being able to go to the grocery store and pick out a multitude of tasty foods that have travelled hundreds (or thousands) of miles without any effort from the consumer is truly a mind boggling thing. However take this away and the unprepared person will turn desperate after missing 2 meals or less. When you are relying on your own skills and wit to eke out your existence truly the only easy day was yesterday. Every day in a survival situation is a battle for life itself. Think of this when you are prepping, self preservation is the most motivating thing there is.

2. The guy on the street is sitting on his couch right now watching TV!

Who said it?

Emilio Garcia – Head instructor of the Mixed Martial Art Combat Fighting Systems

Meaning

This is a personal one for me as I trained with Emilio for 5 fantastic years. He would yell this at us when we were face down on a dirty gym floor, too exhausted to do any more pushups or when you were sparring and someone wanted to quit. Comparing what we were doing – pushing ourselves to our personal breaking points – to what our potential adversaries in a street fighting scenario were likely doing at that moment – sitting on the couch watching TV – was extremely motivating. We knew that the more we sweated in the gym to prepare, the less likely we would be to bleed in the street. In survival prepping the comparison is obvious. You are investing your time now on weekends and nights after putting the kids to bed so that when you need to survive, you will be prepared. Are you the person in the gym or the guy on the street?

3. I have not yet begun to fight

Who Said It?

John Paul Jones – Revolutionary War Naval Officer

Meaning

John Paul Jones is one of the most celebrated Naval officers of the American revolution and with good reason. In addition to capturing multiple enemy vessels and leading daring raids on both British Controlled Nova Scotia and England’s home shores he drew enough animosity from the King to be labeled a pirate with the likes of Blackbeard! Jones gave us this quote during a battle off the Scottish coast in September of 1779. Although his ship, the Bonhomme Richard was burning AND sinking when told to surrender by the British commander he replied that he had not yet begun to fight! He proceeded to whip the British fleet and accept their surrender within 3 hours of his response. Moral of the story: when faced with dire odds dig deep and trust in your own abilities and skills. You have prepared long and hard for the challenges ahead and you CAN overcome them.

4. Chance Favors The Well Prepared

Who said it?

Unknown, surely they were a prepper though.

Meaning

With all the chaos and uncertainty in the modern world it is impossible to predict what may come. However if there is a terrorist attack or natural disaster in your area, it is the people who have prepared for it who will fare best. Prepping is an investment in your future. When you need to survive that investment pays off big time.

5. Nuts!

Who said it?

General Anthony C. McAuliffe, in response to the ultimatum of surrender from the German commander during the WWII Battle Of The Bulge

Meaning

On December 22, 1944 the American troops fighting around the town of Bastogne were encircled by German infantry and armor. Recognizing his advantage the German commander of these forces sent a polite but forceful request to the American commander, General McAuliffe demanding that he surrender honorably or face annhilation. General McAuliffe’s response was as terse as it was defiant, “NUTS!”.

The American troops managed to hold out under the brutal onslaught that followed until the 4th Armored Division arrived on December 26th to provide reinforcement.

This act of defiance can be a lesson to us all that even when all hope is lost there is still a way to survive. Remember this when preparing your survival plan and developing your skills, it may be that your strength of will alone carries you and your loved ones through your next ordeal.

6. If

Who said it?

The Ephors (Leadership council) of ancient Sparta

Meaning

When King Philip II of neighboring Macedonia was preparing to invade Sparta he sent the following message, “You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city”. The Spartans responded with the gusto of the fearless with a simple, “If”. King Philip ultimately chose not to test the Spartan’s will and moved on to easier conquests.

We could look to the Spartans for many inspirational survival quotes. Although lesser known than the infamous “Molon Labe” (Come and take them – referring to his army’s weapons) Spoken by King Leonidas (of 300 fame) “If” equally demonstrates the Spartan’s both willingness to fight and confidence in their preparation and training. We should all strive to reach this mindset in our prepping. No matter what the threat – terrorism, home invasion, earthquake, or whatever else – IF it happens we are prepared to survive.

7. It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.

Who said it?

Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi

Meaning

Coach Lombardi would say this to his players as a means of inspiring toughness and resilience in their mindsets. It is a fantastic approach to disaster preparedness planning and many other aspects of life. A survival scenario is dynamic and unpredictable by nature, there are going to be setbacks. Set up your bug out plan to overcome these setbacks. Develop your survival skills to be able to solve any problems that may be thrown your way. You are likely to get knocked down in a survival situation mentally and possibly literally. Be prepared to get back on and keep moving forward.

8. Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.

Who said it?

Heraclitus, Greek philosopher and historian, 500 BC

Meaning

While one of the lengthier survival quotes it is also a personal favorite of mine. While Heraclitus made the statement in reference to an army it is applicable to many situations. Next time you are in a crowd look around and think about this quote. How many of the people present are ready to survive should an emergency occur? How many will panic? How many will not know what to do? Are you the 1-in-100 that will survive and thrive when the time comes or are you one of the 80 targets? Your prepping and learning of survival skills should turn you into the warrior that brings your loved ones back.

Conclusion

I hope you liked our survival quotes. If you are motivated to start building your Bug Out Bag click thru to our Custom BOB List Building Tool below! This will let you pick what you want in your BOB from a list of survival gear, check the estimated weight, and then email the checklist to your inbox, all for FREE! Click on the button below to give it a try:

Your Thoughts?

What do you think of these survival quotes? Do you have any survival quotes that you would like to share? Please let us know in the Comments Section below.

How To Choose The Best EDC Bag

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Choosing the best EDC bag to contain your every day carry items is an important part optimizing your day-to-day preparedness.

There are many brands, styles, features, and sizes of bags out there, and in this article, we will help you identify what to look for as well as what to avoid when selecting the right bag for your EDC kit.

Step 1: Choose Your EDC Items

Before choosing an EDC bag, we need to go over exactly what gear we plan to carry.

Whether you are new to the idea of Every Day Carry or someone who has been carrying a kit around for years, take this as an opportunity to reassess your EDC needs.

We cover this process in depth in our How To Make An EDC List article but we will recap here for your convenience.

Let’s perform our EDC list review by asking ourselves following questions.

1. What items do you NEED to carry with you to accomplish your basic daily routine?

These are the basic items that you can’t leave your house without. These items usually include a wallet, keys, and cell phone. You may require more than this based on where you live or what you do professionally.

Keep this list as minimal as possible, it will be the core of your EDC kit, and we will add on from here.

2. What are the threats, risks, and common problems that you are likely to face on a day-to-day basis?

We covered how to perform a risk assessment in the article we mentioned above (here), but the basics of this are to take a look at your environment and identify what potentially negative events are most likely to occur.

Part of knowing this is to understand what has happened historically in your area as well as paying attention to evolving risks around you.

Once you have a list of medium to high probability risks, add to this the commonly occurring problems in your daily life.

Do you need to frequently open boxes or packages? Would carrying a knife help you with that?
Is it common for you to be in dark areas or to be out late at night?

Maybe it would be a good idea to start carrying an EDC flashlight (Check out our article here on the best EDC flashlights).

What we are looking to address here are items that address common problems and high probability risks.

Think critically about these two elements and be shrewd about what you plan on packing.

3. What could you carry that would be universally useful in many situations?

This follows the philosophy of carrying multipurpose survival items.

What items could you carry that have many uses?

Items like duct tape, paracord, and a multitool fit perfectly into this category. Is there anything that you can add to your every day carry bag that fits this profile?

4. What items do you want to carry to assist with a low probability/high impact situation you may have to face?

These items are ones that are nice to have but not things that you hope to have to use except in less common circumstances.

They may include emergency tools such as a seatbelt cutter/window breaker for escaping vehicles, a spare handcuff key, or a pry tool for forcing doors open.

Do you have to walk through a rough neighborhood on your way home from work every? Maybe carrying pepper spray would be prudent?

Consider low-probability events with a high, negative impact that you could greatly improve your survivability by having a simple tool.

Carefully consider the questions above when crafting your EDC list.

Keep in mind that you are not striving to solve every problem or cover every possibility with your EDC kit, for that you will want a full Bug Out Bag.

Keep your EDC kit as simple and effective as possible.

If your intention is to carry these items with you EVERY DAY, you do not want a bloated list of gear that you carry around and never use.

Step 2: How Big Should Your EDC Bag Be?

After determining your ideal every day carry list, figuring out the best EDC bag size to contain it is relatively straightforward.

I suggest finding the smallest bag that can fit all your items, once discounting any items that you may decide to carry in your pockets.

Start by measuring the largest item. Its size will be the minimum dimensions of your EDC bag. Also, consider if you will be adding any items to your EDC kit on an occasional basis such as rain gear, water bottles, food, documents, or anything else you will be carrying as the need arises.

You will want extra space or the option of modular additions through a MOLLE system or other method to fit these occasional items. EDC bags come in many styles and sizes, from a small organizer pouch that can fit into a cargo pocket up to 30-liter backpacks. Anything larger than this is moving into Get Home or Bug Out Bag territory.

If you require a bag larger than 30L, you either have some BIG EDC items to carry or may want to re-examine your EDC list.

Step 3: Choosing the Best EDC Bag Type for You

There are many types of bags used for Every Day Carry purposes.

Here is a list of the most common EDC bag types:

EDC Organizer Pouch

An EDC Organizer Pouch is the smallest style of EDC bag. This is for people who have too many items to simply carry in their pants pockets but not enough to require a pack.

It’s hard to go wrong with the OneTigris Compact MOLLE EDC pouch.

EDC organizer pouches typically:

Are 1 liter or less in volume
Have many interior pockets, hooks, and webbing for organizing EDC gear
Have MOLLE attachment points for integration into larger kits
Fit in a cargo pocket or are worn on a belt

Common EDC items that are stored in an EDC organizer pouch include:

Folding Knife
Compass
Tactical Pen
Waterproof Notebook
First Aid Items
Glasses
Phone
Keys
Multitool
Lighter
Credit Cards
Cash
Survival Whistle

We recommend: The OneTigris Compact MOLLE EDC Pouch

EDC Lumbar Pack

EDC Lumbar Packs are larger than organizer pouches but smaller than a sling bag or backpack. This is useful if you plan on carrying larger items or a greater quantity of smaller items.

Because this style of bag does not strap around the shoulders and arms it may be the best EDC bag option for someone who needs a full range of motion.

EDC Lumbar Packs typically:

Are 5-10 liters in volume
Are worn around the waist but also have a carry handle if you need to carry them by hand
Have MOLLE webbing both to attach them to larger bags or to attach smaller pouches to the lumbar pack
Have multiple compartments which will each contain various webbings, pouches, and hooks for organizing your EDC gear

Items typically carried in an EDC Lumbar Pack include anything that is mentioned above in EDC Organizer Pouch list plus:

Fixed Blade Knife
First Aid Kit
Handgun
EDC Flashlight
Tablet
E-Reader
Lockpick Set
Camera
Full Sized Notepad
Rain Gear
Rations
Water Bottle
Gloves

We recommend: The Maxpedition Proteus Versipack

EDC Sling Bag

An EDC Sling Bag is typically used to carry heavier items than a lumbar pack due to its over-the-shoulder design. They are made to be comfortably carried further with a heavier load and can be the best EDC bag choice for someone who has many items to haul on a day to day basis.

EDC Sling Bags typically:

Are 10-20 liters in volume
Have MOLLE integration
Allow left or right side carry
Are easier to secure tightly to the body than a lumbar pack
Have many pockets and compartments that allow for easy organization of every day carry gear

In addition to the items listed to be carried in an organizer pouch and lumbar pack, items that can be carried in an EDC Sling Bag include:

Extra ammunition
Small Laptop
Mid-sized Medkit
Prepackaged Meals
Paracord
Fire Starting Kit
Pry Tool

We recommend: The Red Rock Outdoor Gear Hipster Sling Bag

EDC Backpack

An EDC backpack is perfect for someone who likes to pack lots of “just in case” gear. It is the obvious choice for anyone who has large sized every day carry items or a long EDC list based on their EDC needs.

The RUSH12 is a popular backpack that has plenty of compartments, a hydration pocket, and MOLLE integration.

EDC backpacks typically:

Are 20-30 liters in volume
Have MOLLE integration
Include hydration bladder systems
Have fewer pockets but more modular customization possibilities for external pouches

In addition to the items listed for the 3 bags already covered, every day carry items carried in EDC Backpacks include:

Folding Saw or Hatchet
Hydration Bladder
Change of Clothes
Full Sized Laptop
Full Medkit
Mini survival kit

We recommend: The RUSH12 Backpack by 5.11

Step 4: Features You Need and Features to Avoid in an EDC Bag

We suggest carrying the smallest bag that suits your every day carry needs.

Fortunately, many of the best EDC bags come with customization options to add or remove space as you need it via modular MOLLE pouches so your EDC bag can evolve with your requirements.

Regardless of what bag style you choose here is a list of features to seek out and avoid when finding the best EDC bag for your needs.

Essential Features

High-quality craftsmanship

If you are planning on carrying the best EDC bag EVERY DAY you do not want something cheap that is going to fall apart on you. Invest in a quality bag from a brand that has a good reputation and it will pay dividends.

MOLLE integration

MOLLE integration is a valuable feature to have in any tactical or preparedness bag as its widespread use allows for limitless customization options. Having it as a part of your EDC kit, regardless of the bag size and style that you choose will allow flexible adaptation as your EDC needs evolve.

Hydration system

This applies to sling bags and backpacks. Having a hydration system built into the bag will save space and reduce the need to carry a separate water bottle. Hydration is essential if you have to cover large distances with your EDC bag.

Adjustable fit

Every body is different. Buying a bag that is meant to fit all people is a recipe for frustration and discomfort. Your EDC bag needs to fit your body shape securely and not restrict your movement.

This means having multiple adjustment straps and clips at the following points at a minimum:

Shoulders
Hips
Sternum

Being able to adjust the fit of the bag at these 3 points will ensure that you have a securely fitting bag that you can wear all day, every day if need be.

Ability to run with the bag

This goes hand in hand with having a well-fitted bag. You never know when you need to run with your bag, you may need to catch a bus or evade detection from unfriendly people.

Either way, having a bag that both stays in place and does not jumble your EDC items around is an important feature to look for when choosing the right EDC bag for your situation.

Organization pouches within the bag

A good indication that you have a high-quality EDC bag instead of a more general consumer style bag is that it has well laid out, accessible, and practical organization features built into the bag.

This helps you find your EDC items when you need them and allows you to organize them in the manner that is most logical to your EDC needs.

Most quality EDC bags come with a variety of webbing, pouches, velcro, zippers, sleeves, and compartments that allow for efficient storage of your items.

Tough, corrosion resistant zippers

The zipper is a weak point in any bag. Being that you will use them thousands of times over the life of the bag it is important that your EDC bag has quality zippers that will not get stuck or break on you.

Additionally, it is better to have zippers and pulls that are made from a strong plastic, aluminum, or other rust-free material.

If you are carrying this bag every day it will at many times be exposed to the elements. Over time this will cause corrosion and failure in cheap zippers. Zippers are where cheap manufacturers will look to cut corners.

The best EDC bag makers on the market know that a quality zipper can mean the difference between a reliable bag and a piece of junk.

Features to avoid

As important as the above mentioned Essential Features are to include it is also necessary to be aware of features to avoid when finding the best EDC bag for you.

One large compartment

If you are going to carry your carefully selected EDC gear in a bag that has one large compartment you might as well just tote around a burlap sack. It will be cheaper and accomplish the same thing – jumbling your gear so you can’t find what you need in an emergency and making for an uncomfortable carry.

Choose a bag with multiple compartments and organizational options within the bag to optimize the accessibility of your EDC items and better manage the load.

Elastic straps

This is a way that cheap bag makers cut costs. Instead of making strong, padded, adjustable straps they will use elastic ones that make the bag a one-size-fits-none. Additionally, the elasticity of these will wear out over time making the bag hang lower than desired.

If a bag uses elastic straps to attach it to your body avoid it at all costs. Look for robust shoulder and hip straps with adjustable buckles for comfortable, long lasting fit.

Huge bags

Once again, even the best EDC bag is not intended to cover every possible circumstance. This is what your bug out bag is for. Carefully assess your every day carry needs and try these tips to minimize what gear you will be carrying:

Review your EDC list of items and see what you actually use on a day to day basis and what you can cut out.
Utilize multipurpose items to save space and weight
Try to find lightweight options for the items that you do carry that are constructed in materials such as titanium, micarta, carbon fiber, and plastics
If an item comes in multiple sizes choose the smaller version – small medkit versus full sized or folding knife versus fixed blade

Finding The Best EDC Bag For You

As you can see, the journey of finding the best EDC bag to meet your every day carry needs is a highly personal choice.

You will have to balance the threats you are likely to face with what you are able and willing to carry with you every step of the way. Once you have come to a decision of what your EDC kit will be it is best to find a high-quality bag that is comfortable and small enough to not encumber you if you need to move quickly.

Having a smaller, lighter kit with useful, practical items is more desirable than having a huge bag full of items you are unlikely to ever use.

Plan you kit thoughtfully and choose the best EDC bag you can to meet YOUR needs.

Remember, chance favors the well prepared.

If you want to read more on putting together your EDC kit, check out our related articles on:

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 everyday life

Where to Go From Here: Pack Your Bug Out Bag

Once you’ve developed your EDC kit, if you haven’t done so yet, you should consider preparing a bug out bag.

We are the most comprehensive source for bugging out and take pride in our helpful Bug Out Bag List to help you pack!

Your Thoughts?

What do you think the best EDC bag is? Are there any features that you think are essential for EDC bags?

Please let us know in the Comments Section below, thanks!

The Best EDC Knife – How To Pick The Best Knife for Your EDC Kit

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Most people agree that an EDC kit isn’t complete without a knife. There are tons of knives out there which can make the experience of finding the right one for you an overwhelming experience but this guide aims to help you find perfect knife for your EDC kit.

A knife is one of those tools that serves many purposes. It can be used to open things, slice food or cordage, for self-defense, to carve wood, to skin game and filet fish, and to accomplish a multitude of other tasks.

Having a good EDC knife will make many every day tasks easier and will give you an advantage in nearly any survival situation.

Our Picks for Best EDC Knife

Best Overall EDC Knife: Kershaw Tanto Serrated Blur Knife

The Kershaw Tanto Serrated Blur Knife is our favorite choice for an all-purpose EDC knife. This Made in USA knife is built to last and is super sharp right out of the box.

It is extremely well-made and designed with military service, police force, and firefighters in mind. The handle is durable and lightweight, with a great texture to allow for a firm grip. SpeedSafe assisted opening system for smooth, one-handed opening

It’s partially serrated blade gives you added flexibility making it a versatile item in your EDC arsenal.

This is a fantastic knife that will serve its owner for many years to come.

Best Compact EDC Knife: Boker Plus Subcom Pocket Knife

The Boker Plus Subcom Pocket Knife is a little gem that is perfect for people that want their EDC items to be as small and low profile as possible.

It can easily clip onto a belt or even be used as a money clip. This knife is a great choice when concealability and having an unobtrusive EDC arsenal are your priorities.

Boker Knives come with a lifetime warranty.

Best Plus-Sized EDC Knife: Spyderco Endura 4

Even though the Spyderco Endura 4 is at the larger end of the spectrum for EDC knives, it is still quite compact and surprisingly lightweight.

As you’ll see from the customer reviews, this knife has a very loyal EDC user base.

This knife is an excellent choice for EDC if size isn’t your main driving factor.

How To Choose The Best EDC Knife for You

As with looking at a knife for any task there are a few basic qualities you should look at when making your choice.

Fixed vs Folding

This is likely the first decision to make when choosing your EDC knife. Most people opt for a folding knife as they tend to be smaller and can easily fit in a pocket or clip onto a belt.

Any fixed blade knife will need a sheath to cover the blade and would need to be worn on a belt or on a cord as a “neck knife.”

As with many elements of finding a good EDC knife it comes down to preference and what environment you typically find yourself in. If you are in an urban environment a folding EDC knife will be a better option as it will be unobtrusive and lighter to carry. Being discreet is often important in urban areas making a small folding knife a common choice for city dwellers.

If you tend to live in a rural location a fixed blade knife is easier to justify as you may find yourself skinning game and cutting rope more often. Additionally, outside of big cities wearing a fixed blade knife has less of a cultural taboo. Regardless of this many rural EDCers tend to choose a folding knife for their EDC kit due to size and weight advantages of this option.

Size and Weight

A good EDC knife will be able to fit in a pocket and will integrate strong, lightweight materials such as G10 or Micarta. It is important to recognize the “Every Day” aspect of an EDC knife when considering size and weight. No one wants to be carrying around an anchor in their pocket all the time. Choose an EDC pocket knife that is under 5 ounces (~150 grams) and less than 5 inches (~13 cm) in length for an easy, comfortable carry.

Edge Type

There are many types of blade styles available for folding EDC knives designed to fit a multitude of needs. The most 3 commonly available are:

Full Ground Edge – This is a blade that has a straight or curved edge. Full ground edge blades are generally better for pushing cuts (shaving, skinning an apple or animal), scraping, precision work, poking, skewering, and stabbing.
Full Serration – Serrated blades are generally better at slicing cuts through tough materials such as plastic, wood, rope, leather, or drywall. Serrated knives are generally poor at stabbing in a self-defense context as the serrations tend to get stuck on clothing or bones.
Partial Serration – This is a blade that is serrated on the part nearest the handle and a straight ground edge nearest the tip. This type of blade seeks to deliver the advantages of both of the types of blades mentioned above in a single piece for the user making them a popular choice for EDC.

Best EDC Folding Knife — Full Ground Edge Vs Partial Serration

Opening Mechanism

Knife makers have innovated in many ways to create opening mechanisms to suit any need. There is a lot of variety out there from assisted open knives to thumb studs and cutouts, to flipping nubs and many, many more. Regardless of what type of opening mechanism you choose for your EDC knife it should have the following qualities:

Reliable – You want your knife to open on the first try when you need it. If you have to cut through a rope to save a life, or fight off a dangerous animal, you can’t call a “time out” to open up your knife. Make sure you can open it instantly EVERY TIME.
One-handed – You never know what circumstance you may need to open your knife in or if you will be holding on to something essential in the other. Make sure you EDC knife opening mechanism can be operated one handed.
Left or Right Hand Opening – Make sure your knife opening mechanism can be utilized with either hand. Some cheap knives come with a thumb stud only on one side. Great if you have the option to open your EDC knife with you right hand. Not so great if you are holding on to something essential with that hand or if it is injured. Hedge your bets and go with an ambidextrous opening mechanism.
Assisted vs Manual Opening – Deciding whether your best EDC knife should have an assisted or manual open will come down to personal choice. It is a nice feature but is illegal in many jurisdictions. To meet the needs of knife owners, knife makers have responded with ever-improving manual opening methods that are lightning fast.

Locking Mechanism

No matter what you choose as the best EDC folding knife for your situation, they all have one thing in common: a rock-solid locking mechanism. Having an excellent lock on your folding knife will make it nearly on par with a fixed blade knife for reliability. Some of the better folding knives out there even have a secondary locking mechanism, making it virtually impossible for the blade to close on your hand while in use. The 3 most common locking mechanisms for EDC folding knives are:

Liner Lock
Lock Back
Lever Lock

Regardless of which of these options you choose to go with make sure it is reliable for your knife. Many cheap manufacturers will skimp on this feature, endangering their users and making an unreliable tool. A quality knife will have a quality locking mechanism, look for and EDC blade with a secondary option for extra safety.

Grip Style and Material

The grip for your EDC folding knife can be broken into two categories, style and materials. The style is how the knife is designed which will ideally allow it to fit well in your hand and allow for a secure grip in adverse conditions (wet, cold, etc). The materials are what the grip is made of. There are a variety of materials that are commonly used to make the grip of a folding knife, choosing one that suits your purposes is an important step in deciding what the best EDC knife is for you.

EDC Knife Grip Style

A well designed knife will fit easily in your hand. It should have a concavity for your hand to hold on to, a good sized choil to hold your fingers in place and well thought out jimping on the backside to provide grip for your thumb when in use.

EDC Knife Grip Material

There are a vide variety of materials used to make knife grips, here are some of the most common:

G10 – An epoxy and fiberglass resin that is extremely strong and relatively lightweight
Micarta – A combination of cloth (generally linen or canvas) and resin. Also very strong and lightweight
Titanium – Extremely strong and lightweight material, nearly impervious to rust.
Carbon Fiber – Very light weight material but also very brittle. Generally more showy and expensive than the other options.
Zytel – A lightweight and nearly indestructible plastic.

Cost

Knives are one of the many items where you get what you pay for. While there are many good EDC knives out there that can be picked up for less than $50, the BEST EDC knives will generally cost more than this. For something you are going to be carrying with you EVERY DAY, it is worth paying a bit more to choose a high quality EDC knife that will last the test of time.

Additionally, a quality pocket knife is less likely to bind at the hinge or pivot point or have a lock mechanism failure, letting you down when you need it most.

A good knife will take care of its owner, require less maintenance, and if taken care of becomes a hand-me-down for future generations, hopefully with a few good stories to go along with it.

Look at your EDC knife as an investment.

Choosing the Best EDC Knife For YOU

As you can see choosing the best EDC knife to meet your needs is a highly personal choice.

The reward is that once you have looked at the points that we discussed, size, weight, opening mechanism, lock type, grip material and style, and cost you will be able to make a rational decision on the absolute BEST EDC Knife to add to your kit.

The EDC knives that we listed above are the ones that generally work well in EDC kits. Here they are again:

Best Overall EDC Knife: Kershaw Tanto Serrated Blur Knife
Best Compact EDC Knife: Boker Plus Subcom Pocket Knife
Best Plus-Sized EDC Knife: Spyderco Endura 4

Want Even MORE Info On Building Your EDC Kit?

For more EDC related guides, please check out the following articles: How To Make Your EDC List, How To Choose The Best EDC Bag, and Picking The Best EDC Flashlight.

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 an EDC knife that you love? Do you look at any additional qualities when finding the best EDC knife to meet your EDC needs? Please let us know in the comments section below.

Cold Weather Survival Gear

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Having a survival kit packed full of bug out bag essentials is a good start towards coming out alive in any situation. However if you are likely to have to face a cold weather survival scenario you should consider adding specific cold weather survival gear to your kit to maximize your chances. If you live in a cold weather climate you may have these items in your BOB at all times. However if you live somewhere that has seasonal changes in temperature, you should include the addition of supplemental cold weather survival gear into your regular bug out bag updates.

Cold Weather Survival Gear

There are many essential BOB items that are helpful in a winter survival scenario. The best of these can serve to greatly increase your chances of survival when the mercury is dropping and snow is on the way. Here are our picks of the best cold weather survival gear that should be a part of any bug out bag in a cold climate:

Shovel

This will greatly help you when breaking trail through the wilderness, digging a fire pit, or when shelter building. If you are going to be shoveling snow a flat shovel blade is suggested. If you will have to be digging into frozen ground a spade or pick end will serve you better.

Broad blade for moving snow	Spade tip for digging in frozen ground

Saw or Hatchet

This is a personal choice but bringing one or the other is a smart move. These tools will help you build a shelter and gather firewood as well as many other important tasks. A hatchet will be better at smashing ice and splitting wood but a saw generally weighs less and is better at cutting dead wood for fires.

High quality basic hatchet	Survival Chain Saw	Compact Folding Saw	Hatchet/Saw Combo

High energy/low weight foods

Maximize the space in your BOB by using compact rations that have high calorie values such as MREs, granola or powerbars, energy gels, or nuts. You will be burning more calories than normal so you need to up your intake to keep pace.

High energy gel - high energy, little weight	High calories, take up little space	Keep hydrated, just add water
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Fire starting equipment and tinder

Having a fire is a key to keeping warm in a cold weather survival situation, make sure you have a high quality fire starting set. A magnesium fire starter will last longer than matches and will work better in wet or windy conditions. Invest in a good one to maximize your odds.

Compact and reliable	One handed firestarter	Military grade firestarting gel. Better than any tinder.

Container for boiling snow

A metal water bottle or canteen is a great multipurpose survival tool in this regard. It will serve as a storage container for the water after you have boiled it and will not crack if the water freezes, like a plastic bottle would.

Wide mouth makes it easy to stuff snow inside	Classic style, comes with an integrated cup and carry case	Insulated to keep liquids warm
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Emergency blanket

This is another great piece of multipurpose cold weather survival gear. Emergency blankets are relatively inexpensive and in a cold weather survival situation they can be used for wrapping up yourself up to keep in warmth, as a ground cloth to keep you from losing heat to the cold ground and to keep moisture from being absorbed by your clothes, or as a shelter building material.

Compact and inexpensive	Upgraded, heavy duty version of a space blanket with integrated hood	Bivvy sack made of emergency blanket material. Put your sleeping bag inside for extra warmth.

Quality waterproof boots

Taking care of your feet is one of the core elements of survival. Wet shoes from walking through snow can quickly lead to frostbite. Being immobilized due to this can quickly lead to death. Having a good pair of warm, waterproof boots will eliminate any issues with your mobility and allow you to survive longer.

High quality warm, waterproof men's boot	High quality warm, waterproof women's boot	Add on to your boots to give you traction on ice

Brightly colored bandana

Something brightly colored, preferably fluorescent will be visible from great distances against a snowy background. This can be used for signaling passing cars or planes. As mentioned in our multipurpose survival gear article, a bandana has many uses and this applies to cold weather survival as well. As a cold weather survival gear item a bandana can be used for:

Collecting and melting snow and ice
A Layer of head cover under a hat
Wrapping extremities to prevent frostbite
Signaling

Bright orange and printed with helpful survival information	Bright red and printed with 1st aid infromation

Quality sleeping bag

Having a quality sleeping bag rated to sub-zero temperatures is one of the most important pieces of cold weather survival gear you can have. It will allow you to rest when you need to in order to recover your energy. Additionally, keeping warm at night will cause you to burn less calories that would otherwise be spent keeping your temperature up. We suggest one that is rated to -20 degrees F (about -30 degrees C) for starters. If you live in a very cold region get one that is rated for even colder to ensure your safety.

High quality bag rated to -20	Extreme bag rated down to -40

Snowshoes

If you are in an area that usually receives a lot of snow these are a good thing to have. They will make traversing snow covered ground far easier than breaking trail through snow banks. Snowshoes can be purchased in many places or you can learn how to make them in the video below:

Basic snowshoes	Midrange snowshoes	High quality top of the range snowshoes

Conclusion

As we have discussed in the past tailoring your bug out bag to your survival scenario is a key to having it be as useful as possible when you need it. Adding cold weather survival gear to your kit will greatly increase your chances of succeeding in a winter survival situation. Be sure to pick quality gear, you will not be happy that you saved a few dollars when you are out in the wilderness freezing. As with any survival tools make sure you take any items you select out and familiarize yourself with using them. You don’t want a life or death situation to be when you are taking an item out of its original packaging. Practice your cold weather survival skills and hone the techniques of using your cold weather survival gear for the best results.

Your Thoughts?

Do you have a piece of cold weather survival gear that you would recommend? Do you have an innovative use for one of the cold weather survival gear items that we mentioned above? Please let us know in the Comments Section below.