Thanks for the thoughtful, useful post.

Cheers

the fiskars axe may have it’s fine points, but the handles have a history of cracking and/or breaking in cold weather and if the plastic shatters around the head, you end up with nothing but a nice wedge. in short, they’re not as indestructible as they’re made out to be. there are other and better options out there. for example, truper brand axes can be found on-line or at the local farm and feed for low prices. they’re not that bad of quality either; at least to everyone but your typical scandinavian hand forged axe fanboy snob. other options can be found at home depot or lowes. they’re not top quality, but they’re durable and hold an edge for a respectable amount of time. second hand shops that deal in antique tools are also known to carry hatchets and axes for dirt prices; even if it’s just a head.

unless you live in a swamp, tropical environment or in the southwest, a machete is just about worthless. considering the average machete is 1/8 or less thick, they’re too thin for battoning. you can also forget about splitting with one since they lack the required mass, and anyone who digs with their cutting tool(s) is foolish beyond belief. digging sticks are used for that task to preserve the edge on the tool you intended to dig with. a garden trowel is better yet. if you really think you need to clear under brush and grasses, the woodsman’s pal or even the ontario rtak 2 are more practical choices.

there’s nothing wrong with a sack type bag. in fact, every woodsman carried an external wood frame with a proofed canvas pack of this type, strapped or tied to it in some way, clear up to the 50’s with the advent of the kelty pack, the m1910 doesn’t count. to make kit organised and easier to access, ditty bags are perfect. single compartment packs are also lower in price than the more complicated packs with pouches sewn on and in them.

as a side note in regards to emergency evacuation bags, the black or camo military and tactical types with molle grids and pouches strapped to the outside should be avoided like the plague. they make you an instant target for looters and social wolves since they telegraph “i’m a prepper and have good things tucked inside,” even if you don’t.
if anything, an unassuming three day dark blue or grey pack should be chosen with no external pockets and NOT the size of an expedition hiking pack. it’s no guarantee you won’t be attacked, but combined with ‘grey man’ style clothing, along with no exposed firearms or other weapons, it reduces the chance dramatically. you’ll be just another face in the crowd and almost ignored since they’ll notice the tactical and military-esque people before you. blend in and vanish is the best way to go.