
Designed by esteemed survival expert Mykel Hawke, the Peregrine is a hard-use knife suitable for general utility and survival applications. The full-tang blade is made from AUS-8 stainless steel with a Blackstone protective finish. There are multiple lanyard attachment points to turn the knife into a spear point. The rubber handle provides plenty of gripping surface and the robust tactical sheath sports an accessory pocket and Velcro strap. The tanto-style blade is 5 inches long, and the knife is 10.5 inches long overall. The entire rig weighs only 1.15 pounds. For a nearly indestructible survival blade that is intelligently engineered, the Hawke Peregrine is tough to beat.

The Benjamin Pre-Charged Pneumatic (PCP) Pioneer Airbow is something truly fresh and different in the world of primitive weapons. The Airbow fires 375-grain arrows at 450 feet per second using a pre-charged, onboard air tank for power. A full charge at 3,000 psi yields eight consistent shots. The Airbow is designed around a bullpup action that keeps the overall length of the weapon a short 33.5 inches. The ambidextrous, top-mounted charging lever cocks the action, and the weapon comes with a sling, a quiver, three custom arrows and a 6x40mm scope. An integrated pressure regulator keeps the velocity consistent from shot to shot. The Airbow fires full-length arrows that mount full-weight broadheads for serious hunting and security applications. The action is easily cocked or decocked with two fingers, and the weapon fires eight shots in roughly the time it might take to launch three from a conventional crossbow.

The SP-16 SPAX is a remarkably versatile survival tool. At 13.1 inches long, the SPAX is easy to carry, yet its 5.2-inch, flat-taper blade is robust enough for the biggest tasks. Hefty enough to chop through sheet steel, the SPAX sports a hardness of 57-59 RC, an indestructible Kraton handle and a powder-coat finish. The steel is 0.25 inches thick, but its modest 2.1-pound weight makes the tool easy to carry. The wrench cutout in the blade will even let you open a fire hydrant. Whether your day job involves being a first responder or you just enjoy your time in the wilderness, the SP-16 SPAX is a rugged multi-function tool that can get you there and back safely.

The Outdoor Edge Harpoon is a multi-function survival weapon that can turn a length of green sapling into an effective weapon for defense or food. The Harpoon includes a hollow handle for matches, a fishing kit and similar survival gear as well as a hawkbill-shaped inlet- ting tool specifically designed to prep a green pole into a spear shaft. The cord-wrapped handle ensures that you have everything handy that might be required to build your survival spear. At 8.25 inches long overall and weighing less than 9 ounces, the harpoon is easy to carry and effective to use. For a lightweight tool that will turn any proper stick into a spear, the harpoon is tough to beat.

It is hard to beat a side-by-side, double-barrel shotgun for reliability and close-range thump. This Century .410 double-barrel is effective at close range while being lightweight and maneuverable. When stoked with slugs or proper defensive ammo, this diminutive scattergun will deliver real results. Century’s version is reasonably priced, includes rebounding hammers for added safety and sports a nice set of sling swivels. For those times when you might need proper protection without alarming the neighbors, a side-by-side .410 shotgun from Century Arms is just the ticket.

The Venom Xtra features a laminated wood stock with a weather-resistant, semi-gloss finish and a non-slip rubber buttplate. Its embedded, 19.9-inch, carbon-fiber barrel rests on rubber inserts and dual-purpose rubber safety wings to reduce noise and vibration. The stock and shortened barrel configuration results in a crossbow that is a compact 35 inches in length. Offering a 185-pound pull, the Venom Xtra weighs 6.7 pounds and shoots arrows at up to 372 feet per second. Made in the U.S.A., all TenPoint models are equipped with rubber safety wings that help prevent a shooter’s foregrip fingers and thumb from moving above the flight deck during operation.

The WK II Rescue Axe was developed for a military rescue/extraction team to meet their needs for those times when power tools either fail or are unavailable. This axe is designed to cut metal, and the blade will not hang in sheet steel. The tapered tang enhances power and distributes the majority of the weight to the head, to facilitate breaking through crossbeams. The axe features a point on the back of the head that serves as both a glass-breaker as well as a hole punch. The handle of the tool is designed like an enormous can opener and uses a hardened steel cutting edge to cut through auto body steel with relative ease. Rubber or Micarta scales provide a secure grip in wet or dry conditions and excellent shock absorption. The WK II Rescue Axe comes with a Kydex carrier with a belt hanger, and an optional MOLLE clip carry system is available.

The Kershaw Fatback is a robust and functional tactical knife that offers high quality at a reasonable price. With a glass-filled nylon handle and a 8Cr13MoV, modified drop-point blade, this heat-treated knife provides lasting edge retention along with strength and hardness. A black oxide coating offers additional blade protection and non-reflectivity. The Fatback opens with Kershaw’s SpeedSafe assisted-opening mechanism for smooth and easy one-handed manipulations. The pivot is oversized and decorative, and the handle is drilled to accept a four-position pocket clip to accommodate any possible carrying configuration. The Fatback weighs a mere 3.6 ounces and measures 7.75 inches in length.

The Carbon Nitro RDX is a high-tech, reverse-draw crossbow featuring TenPoint’s ultra-light, wrapped-carbon-fiber barrel that’s mated with a newly engineered carbon stock. The Carbon Nitro RDX’s stock features three-piece C3 construction that dramatically reduces weight, noise and vibration. The crossbow’s rubber cheekpiece adjusts to three separate positions, to create a perfect cheekweld. Likewise, the rubber buttplate adjusts to match the shooter’s length of pull. The bow’s 13-inch, 165-pound-pull limbs are powered by the custom RDX cam system along with DynaFLIGHT 97 strings and cables. The bow and stock assemblies combine to create a perfectly balanced, precision hunting machine that weighs 7.8 pounds, measures only 34.25 inches long and shoots its projectiles at 385 feet per second.

The Outdoor Edge Brush Demon is a full-sized survival blade from the mind of custom knifemaker Jerry Hossom. At 20 inches long overall and constructed from 65Mn hardened carbon steel, the Brush Demon is designed to handle the heaviest chopping tasks. The weight of the tool is kept forward to increase its chopping force. A rubberized TPR handle makes it easy on your hands while a baked-on powder-coat finish keeps the blade in good shape. The durable synthetic sheath can be mounted high on a belt or low on the thigh to provide quick access.

Henry lever-action rifles are available in calibers ranging from .22 Short all the way up to .45-70. The classic Henry lever action is as reliable and accurate today as it was one and a half centuries ago when it was originally designed. Henry lever-action rifles provide peace of mind during times of crisis, all in a package that is not as intimidating as some other options out there. Henry lever-action .22 rifles will feed and fire short, long and long rifle loads with comparable alacrity. When stoked with shorts, the magazine capacity is increased and the report is comparable to a proper .22-caliber suppressed weapon. In centerfire chamberings, Henry lever-action rifles can be selected for any reasonable self-defense or survival hunting application.

The Zippo 4-in-1 Woodsman is a versatile camp tool that can chop, saw, hammer and pull stakes. The Woodsman’s versatile capabilities are due in no small part to its multi-functional design wrapped around a full steel shaft. A 15-inch blade is held tightly by a locking cam and tension compensator, and it can saw wood up to 4 inches in diameter. When not in use, the blade can be safely stored within the Woodsman’s handle. The hatchet safety sheath doubles as a comfortable, non- slip hand grip for the saw, and the hatchet’s 5-inch blade makes chopping wood a breeze. Spin the Woodsman around and the integrated mallet and stake puller will help set up or tear down camp quickly.

Chiappa’s X-Caliber Adaptor Sets are available in both 12- and 20-gauge versions, and bring unprecedented versatility to the humble shotgun. The 12-gauge version comes with eight chamber inserts while the 20-gauge version comes with four. These chamber inserts drop into any standard shotgun barrel without a fuss but make a great companion for the Chiappa M6 survival weapon. The 12-gauge version allows the host gun to fire .380 ACP, 9mm, .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .40 S&W, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .410/.45 Long Colt and 20-gauge rounds. With one of these sets, you can reasonably fire most any sort of common ammunition you might encounter in most places. The entire kit comes in a handy and compact cloth carrying bag.

Carbon Express offers a wide selection of state-of-the-art crossbows for a variety of applications, including the Intercept, Covert and X Force series. Incorporating modern materials science with advanced optics and contemporary ergonomics, Carbon Express crossbows produce the power and accuracy needed for hunting, survival and security applications. Naturally quiet and remarkably accurate at reasonable ranges, Carbon Express crossbows fill a tactical niche somewhere between conventional bows and firearms. Carbon Express offers a variety of packages that include a crossbow along with all the gear you need to get started in the sport. Accessories like cocking aids, optics, bolts and illuminated nocks to assist in bolt recovery all bring crossbow shooting into the modern era. Carbon Express crossbows are customizable to the individual operator and powerful enough for serious applications.

The Quake is one of SOG’s largest folding knives, and it is designed for hard use in a harsh world. The Quake is powered by SOG’s SAT 2 (SOG Assisted Technology) that snaps the blade open with a push of the thumb. The crossguard folds when closing the knife and serves as a lever to assist with the opening motion. Compared to a conventional thumb stud, this system is faster and easier to deploy under all conditions. The 3.5-inch, VG 10 blade is satin polished, and the handles are forged and anodized aluminum. The knife comes with a reversible, low-carry pocket clip and a lifetime warranty. The knife has full-length stainless steel liners and weighs only 5.8 ounces.

The SUB-2000 folding rifle feeds from standard handgun magazines but pivots around its center to fold into a remarkably compact package. The SUB-2000 action rests in the back half of the gun while the barrel comprises the front half. Once deployed, the two components lock rigidly in place for hard use and proper accuracy. The Keltec SUB-2000 is available in either 9mm or .40 S&W, and operates via unlocked blowback. Given that this is a rifle shooting a pistol cartridge, recoil is unremarkable and follow-up shots are easily achieved. When stoked with proper ammunition, the SUB-2000 is effective out to 100 meters. The SUB-2000 folds up to stow in a modest backpack yet deploys to serve as a proper defensive firearm should the need arise.

Designed by Laci Szabo, this modern tomahawk doubles as both a survival tool and a devastating close-quarters defense tool. Formed from a solid billet of D2 tool steel, this tomahawk features an elegantly curved handle that places its center of balance midway along its length for maximum chopping energy. This makes the weapon much faster than more traditional head-heavy designs. A flared extension on the end of the grip ensures a firm purchase during the swing. The Szabo- Hawk also features a functional pry tip while the blade is flat-ground for strength. A hammer poll on the opposite end of the head allows the SzaboHawk to be used for camp chores as well. The hawk is coated in a titanium carbonitride finish, and the scales are G10. A custom-molded Boltaron sheath carries it around safely and comfortably.

If your survival weapon of choice is a bow, this new tool from Buck Knives may be just what you need to maintain your primary weapon’s peak performance. The 738 Bow TRX comes complete with eight Torx drivers, a Phil- lips #2 screwdriver, a set of scissors and a 2-inch blade— everything you need to maintain a bow in the field. This compact folding tool also comes with its own sheath and includes a separate broadhead wrench. The broadhead wrench features a trianglular hole, hex holes and fits two-, three- and four-blade broadheads. The Bow TRX is perfect for adjusting draw weight, tightening stabilizers, adding accessories, broadhead tip removal and other preventative maintenance, and its convenient size allows for easy carry in your bow case or pocket. Buck’s new bow tool is backed by the company’s famous Forever Warranty.

The starting point for any proper survival loadout is a handgun. While the market is literally awash in pistols of all shapes and sizes, the Canik TP9SF as imported by Century stands out as unusually capable. The TP9SF sports a striker-fired trigger that is the equal of guns costing twice as much. The gun comes with two 18-round magazines, a quality synthetic holster with both belt and paddle mounts, a full cleaning kit and two interchangeable backstraps. The gun is utterly reliable and includes everything you need to arm yourself well without breaking your budget.

The Steel Will Chieftain is a full-sized survival knife designed for general utility and survival purposes. The Chieftain is made from 1095 steel and has a 7.48-inch blade. The handles are Micarta, and the hard-use sheath is made from nylon. The Chieftain sports a clas- sic clip-point blade and durable full-tang construction. It is designed to be used with any grip, even in gloves. The thickness and strength of its steel make the Chieftain adequate for heavy-duty camp and survival applications.


























In a legitimate survival situation, you will have to protect yourself and your family. All of the food, water and gear in the world is great, but every bit of it goes to the scruffy guy with fewer scruples if you don’t have the tools and will to defend it. Fortunately, the flower of modern engineering prowess has conspired to produce some fascinating tools to help you out in that regard. Whether you gravitate towards guns, blades, crossbows or the truly weird, this survival and self defense gear offers a veritable cornucopia of weaponry.
- RELATED STORY: Urban Escape – Personal Safety & Security Survival Tips
For more information about the self defense gear featured in the gallery above, check out the following sites.
Hawke Knives Peregrine
shop.hawkebrand.com
Benjamin Pioneer Airbow
crosman.com
Ontario SP-16 SPAX
ontarioknife.com
Century Arms .410 Side-By-Side
centuryarms.com
Outdoor Edge Harpoon
outdooredge.com
TenPoint Venom Xtra
tenpointcrossbows.com
WK II Rescue Axe
winklerknives.com
Kershaw Fatback
kershaw.kaiusaltd.com
TenPoint Carbon Nitro RDX
tenpointcrossbows.com
Outdoor Edge Brush Demon
outdooredge.com
Zippo 4-in-1 Woodsman
zippooutdoor.com
Henry Lever Actions
henryusa.com
Chiappa X-Caliber Adaptor Sets
chiappafirearms.com
Carbon Express Crossbows
carbonexpresscrossbow.com
SOG Quake
sogknives.com
Kel-Tec SUB-2000
keltecweapons.com
Spyderco SzaboHawk
spyderco.com
Buck 738 Bow TRX
buckknives.com
Century Arms TP9SF
centuryarms.com
Steel Will Chieftain
steelwillknives.com
This article was originally published in ‘Survivor’s Edge’ Summer 2016. To subscribe to this magazine, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.






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